Managing Classroom Groups

Group-work practice in primary schools often consists of children sitting in groups but working on individual tasks, with the result that the quality of talk, and thus achievement, is poor. Improvements in group-work are therefore important, particularly in the light of the National Curriculum's emphasis on speaking and listening. This book explains why and how co-operative grouping is important for children learning, and how primary-school teachers can successfully introduce effective group-work into their classrooms. The book also considers how groups should best be composed, and advises on the design of appropriate co-operative tasks and on assessment within the group.
 
Group-work practice in primary schools often consists of children sitting in groups but working on individual tasks, with the result that the quality of talk, and thus achievement, is poor. Improvements in group-work are therefore important, particularly in the light of the National Curriculum's emphasis on speaking and listening. This book explains why and how co-operative grouping is important for children learning, and how primary-school teachers can successfully introduce effective group-work into their classrooms. The book also considers how groups should best be composed, and advises on the design of appropriate co-operative tasks and on assessment within the group.