Flexible Grouping WholeGroup Type of Grouping Characteristics Heterogeneous

Flexible Grouping Whole-Group Type of Grouping Characteristics Heterogeneous Small-Group Mostly Curriculum-Directed Rarely Student-Directed Teacher-Planned Teacher-Led Teacher- Friendly Mostly Curriculum-Directed Sometimes Student. Directed Teacher-Planned Student-Led and Demonstrated Teacher – Facilitated Student-Friendly Uses of Grouping Advantages Introducing a New Concept Demonstration Leading a Discussion Giving Directions Class building Assessment Modeling a skill or strategy Cooperative Learning Activities Interest-Based Learning Profiles-Based Activities Building Social Skills Research Centers / Anchor Stations Teambuilding Assessment Disadvantages Same information given at one time Teacher controls information given Curriculum is covered Allows for “focused moments” Least amount of time needed for planning Research-Based – all benefit Academic and social are combined Strengths capitalized upon Weaknesses supported Allows for ongoing assessment Allows for “teachable moments” ©Copyright Melissa Dickson & Le. Ann Nickelsen (DI Consultants for AACPS) Passive activity for students Allows for “Hogs and Logs” Allows for misconceptions Minimal accountability for students Doesn’t close individual gaps Too easy for some, too hard for others Classroom Management Increased Planning Time Can be misused or overused 1

Flexible Grouping Homogeneous Small-Group Type of Grouping Characteristics Student-Directed Teacher-Planned Teacher-Led Student-Demonstrated Teacher Supported Student-Friendly Peer Groups Advantages Readiness-Based Skill Instruction Accelerated Learning Guided Reading Re-Teaching Tutoring Practice Projects Tutoring Extension Enrichment Research Centers/Anchor Stations Student-Directed or Teacher-Directed Student-Planned or Teacher. Planned Student-Led Teacher Supported Student-Friendly Student-Directed Student-Planned Student-Led Teacher Supported Student-Friendly Practice Contracts Projects Extension Enrichment Research Centers/Anchor Stations Assessment Group of One Uses of Grouping Best impact on “average” students Allows skill gaps to be closed Best way to “accelerate” learning Disadvantages Increased Student Engagement Increased Motivation Everyone has the opportunity to fill the role of teacher and student Increased Student Motivation Allows for more depth and complexity Targets a student’s learning interests Frees the teacher to work with small groups One-on-one with the teacher Tend to become “fixed” Negative impact on “struggling” students Slight impact on “advanced” students Increased Planning Time Allows for “Hogs and Logs” Allows for confusion and misconceptions Harder to monitor student accountability Social skills could interrupt learning Requires checkpoints Movement in the classroom Grading becomes more difficult ©Copyright Melissa Dickson & Le. Ann Nickelsen (DI Consultants for AACPS) 2