Ch 7: The benefits of small groups

"I propose instead that we think of curriculum as a set of important conversations that we want students to engage in"- Arthur Applebee (pg 89). After reading this quote I was a bit skeptical with its implications: small groups. We have all had bad experiences with small groups where one member picks up all the slack while others hold on to the coat tails and get an A. From this standpoint one can see why my views aren't strongly supportive when it comes to small group work. Neither was Tovani (the author) when she first started out. She found herself being the referee and constantly trying to keep the students on track. She found herself wanting to give up but decided to do some more research on how to form better small groups since the research had such a positive outlook on small group work.

While looking for the answers she also came to find that the best way to address a mixed class of good, struggling and in-between readers was a small group setting. In this she formed groups of strugglers, with this one is able to address the individuals by giving them decoding tools to work TOGETHER on and therefore able to master this as a group instead of independently. Once they form a better grasp on the decoding skills she places them into the groups that are having more in-depth conversations on the subject.

She also knew that the feelings towards small groups is universal and that the students have a negative outlook on certain components of small groups as well. To address this properly norms have to be enstated that both the teacher and students agree on and honor. Along with these norms the teacher puts down how they will accommodate the issue as well as the students themselves. By forming these responsibilities everyone is aware of what is expected.

To show a better model of what was expected from the students she received assistance from another teacher and performed a "fishbowl" model. A "fishbowl" model is when the teachers in this case model certain behaviors while the students record what they observe. After the presentation, the students give their feedback and come to a better understanding of what is expected and how certain behaviors come off to another.

Small group discussions also assists in helping one before writing a paper. When one is able to collaborate on their translation of the material they are also rehearsing and constructing connections to use for their papers. Small groups are also essential to showing students how it is in the real world where small group discussions is a necessity. By showing them how to form conversations, to ask questions, and give input we are giving them skills that they will be using for the rest of their lives.

By supplying and agreeing on the norms for the small groups and modeling common issues in groups the students come to a better understanding of what is expected and how to bring their best to a group. They learned the importance of bringing the material to every meeting, making eye contact, and making connections and taking notes on the material before the meetings among other things. In this I think the most important component is taking notes and bringing questions to the small group discussions. This allows for conversation starters and starts the group off at the same point. It is very hard to hold a conversation in a small group setting if no one knows the material. All in all, by showing the necessities and forming the norms with the students forms hopes of having successful small group work/discussions for all.