How we work in groups?

The students sit in circle or in a way that they can all see each other. We invite them to select a coordinator for their group. Her/his role is to organise the work of the group, that is for example: remind everyone of the tasks to do, make sure that all children get a turn to speak and finish their sentences and that one voice is speaking at a time, be aware of the time and distribute it equally, coordinate the discussion (questions and answers). If it is necessary, the group appoints a “note taker” (of key topics discussed), a “noise monitor” and a “reporter”. If the group is large, children can also talk in pairs. The teacher has to make sure that instructions of the task are understood and approaches the groups to ask if they need some help, if they have any questions etc., trying not to intervene so as children learn to work in a cooperative way.