Like most of you, my classroom has a WIDE range of diverse
learners.
Some Possible Diversity in the Classroom:
- Academic ability levels such as reading level
- Exceptional Ed, Regular Ed, and Gifted students
- ELL English Language Learners
- Medical Conditions affecting attendance and/or attention in class
- Home life and Parent expectations
Since my school has a high population of ELL, I have been
studying over the last several years how to best help these learners. In my
research, I found ELL students need opportunities to talk to their peers frequently
throughout the day.
In the past, I mainly using turn and talk, where students
turn to the person sitting next to them and discuss what they are thinking.
While I still use this method, I have found it does not provide enough
interactions for my ELL students.
A few years ago, I began using random, heterogeneous, grouping
whenever possible. I use random grouping for: centers, lessons,
project-based-learning, partner work, you name it. What I discovered is all my students
benefit for this type of grouping including my ELL students! Students with
lower reading levels or limited language benefit from hearing the vocabulary of
students on a higher level. Students on a higher level benefit from looking at
the task from an alternative perspective.
One quick way to group students is to use Equity Chips. They
are simple to create. First, assign each student a classroom number. Then,
number a set of chips. I used my 2-sided chips red and yellow chips. Next, place
the chip in a small plastic cup with a lid. Your Equity Chips are now ready to
use.
Shake the cup, pull out 3 chips, and then call out the
numbers. The three students with those numbers will be partners for the
duration of the assignment. My math tasks may last 1 day or 1 week depending on
the assignment.
Matching Cards is another fun way to group students. I have
a set of Partner Picking cards containing 15 sets of matching noses. First, pass
out one card to each student. Next,
Students will find the other person with the exact same nose as them. Students
with matching cards will be partners for the activity or task. Click here to get your FREE Partner Picking Cards.
How do you use grouping in your classroom? I would love to read
about it in the comments below.
