Promoting Effective Group Work in the Primary Classroom: A Handbook for Teachers and Practitioners

by Baines; Ed

• ISBN13: 9780415416870
• ISBN10: 0415416876
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2008-10-03
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Packed with valuable strategies for teachers and fun activities for children, this book is a must for any school wishing to make group work more successful and enjoyable for all involved. The book aims to develop an inclusive and supportive classroom by developing the social, communicative and group working skills of all pupils.Tried-and-tested, step-by-step approaches encourage both children and their teachers to develop supportive relationships that have been found to facilitate academic performance, positive social behaviour and motivation, and the book also gives practical advice on setting up and running effective group work.

Table of Contents

Background to the handbook	p. 1
Developing group work in your classroom	p. 5
Introduction: the case for group work	p. 7
How is your classroom organised?	p. 11
Preparing the classroom for successful group work	p. 14
Developing pupils' group-work skills	p. 20
Creating effective group-work activities and tasks	p. 25
The role of the teacher and other adults in supporting group work	p. 30
Evaluating group work	p. 33
Using group work in the curriculum	p. 38
Troubleshooting: resolving common group-work problems	p. 47
Group-work and training activities for your class	p. 57
Group work and group-work rules	p. 61
Sensitivity and awareness	p. 63
Developing trust	p. 66
Sensitivity, respect and sharing views	p. 69
Becoming a good listener	p. 73
Listening, asking questions and giving instructions	p. 76
Helping skills	p. 83
Group discussion: giving reasons and weighing up ideas	p. 89
Group discussion: making suggestions and speculating	p. 93
Group decisions: reaching a consensus	p. 98
More decision-making: consensus and compromise	p. 105
Roles within group work	p. 110
Planning group work	p. 115
Index	p. 120
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