Group Work Expectations
One of our goals in 3rd grade is to form a strong culture of community. One way in which we will do this is to work on group tasks. While working on group tasks, students will be expected to uphold the following guidelines:
- You have the right to ask for help and the duty to assist others.
- Pay attention to what other group members need to be successful.
- Help others do things for themselves.
- Explain by telling how.
- Everyone has expertise to offer and strengths to share with their group.
- Everybody has something to learn. No one person is good at everything.
- Everybody helps.
- No one is done until everyone is done.
While working in groups, students will have specific group roles, according to the task and the number of people in the group. These roles include:
- Facilitator: Makes sure that everyone understands the instructions; keeps the group on task; makes sure the group makes clear decisions
- Control Chief: Offers time checks to make sure the group completes the task in the allotted time; makes sure the group maintains an appropriate volume for the task; quiets the group when necessary
- Equity Monitor: Makes sure every person in the group has their hands on the materials and offers opinions/thoughts; asks questions to get every person involved
- Materials Manager: Is responsible for getting materials, returning materials, and setting up the work area; is the only group member allowed to move about the room
Growth Mindset
I believe firmly that every child is capable of learning and achieving goals based on high expectations. Students will be taught explicitly that through perseverance, effort, taking risks, and learning from errors he or she can and will learn! This is what is known as a growth mindset. Simply changing the words we say can have a profound affect on learning and achievement.
You can help in this at home, too, by providing specific feedback on your child's efforts rather than their intellect. Watch this video about one of many studies Carol Dweck has conducted on the power of the growth mindset.
You can help in this at home, too, by providing specific feedback on your child's efforts rather than their intellect. Watch this video about one of many studies Carol Dweck has conducted on the power of the growth mindset.