Benefits for teachers and students when using Visibly Random Groups (VRGs) from Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC). ⬇️
There are so many benefits to using visibly random groups!
I use them for quick activities like whiteboard work or longer activities like multi-day labs in Physics.
It can be so awkward to pick groups as a high school student. As the shy kid - been there, done that, would not recommend 👎
Do you pick your friend and get the same experience time after time?
Do you choose not to go with your friend because it is better for you, but can cause hurt feelings?
Do you choose to go with a better choice and now peers start shipping the two of you?
Do you just wait it out and hope that there are no students left and you can work alone?
With visibly random groups no one is left out.
I love using "half-sized" playing cards to "deal out" the groups. I shuffle the cards while explaining the task to students. Sometimes I will let the students shuffle, cut the deck, or deal the cards. When I deal the cards, it is underneath the document camera so the students can see immediately. Using the half-sized playing cards means I can fit all of the groups under the document camera all at once.
Tip: Write the period number on the back of the cards just in case...
Bonus: my Grade 9 students have been telling me that they can name everyone in their Science class - but only my class - because we do this kind of work. How better to start building community than to know each other’s names?
Because I’m shuffling and dealing the cards right in front of them, they know I’m not manipulating the deal, and sometimes they’ll be with a friend and sometimes it will be with a classmates they don’t see as often.
I like cards 🃏 but use what works for you!
I use these for activities in class, but still maintain a seating plan so students have a “home base” and the structure that comes with that (IEP-suggestions for seating and it really helps any substitute teachers).
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