Mike’s Blog
Strategies, Ideas and Insights for Teachers and Leaders
Tag: group work
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Create a goldfish bowl in your lesson, stand back, and watch the impact of peer modelling unfold before your eyes
Goldfish Bowl Discussion Strategy: Explanation A goldfish swims about in its bowl, visible to anyone who walks past. The glass is no defence against the prying eyes of the world!…
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Use the old-fashioned design of jigsaws to put teamwork front and centre when learners are discussing in your lessons
Jigsawing Discussion Strategy: Explanation This task promotes teamwork and sees learners working with a variety of different people. Begin by dividing the class into groups of four. Provide each group…
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Send learners around the classroom, retain control of behaviour, and realise the benefits of discussion, all through one tried and tested activity
Envoys Discussion Strategy: Explanation The room is set up so that there are a series of pods, each of which is occupied by a group of three or four learners.…
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Why putting learners into groups of three creates the perfect opportunity for focussed listening that everyone can access
Listening Triads Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity is highly structured. Listening is given prominence and learners get an opportunity to take on different roles. Divide the class into groups of…
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A way to structure discussion that uses nothing more than a set of cards to achieve outstanding impact
Card Talk Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity uses cards to encourage learners to discuss different aspects of a topic. You can use it with pairs or groups. Create a set…
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Discover how to use the colours of the rainbow to structure effective, meaningful and engaging discussions in your classroom
Rainbow Groups Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity generates two discussions. In the first, a series of different groups discuss different topics. In the second, the members of those groups disband…
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How sitting learners in a circle presents multiple opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills
Circle Time Discussion Strategy: Explanation Arrange the room so all the tables are moved to one side and the chairs are set out in a circle. Learners and teacher take…
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How to use paired discussion, group discussion and whole-class discussion to develop learner oracy
A big part of oracy is facilitating discussions between learners. These can be in pairs, in groups, or they can involve the whole class. All three approaches have their benefits.…