SKILLS FOR SUCCESSFUL STUDY GROUP

Some basic skills will help members of study groups work better together, use work time more productively, and learn more. You need to be aware of these skills and to use them each time your group works together. The end result will be higher grades for all members of the group. Each group's use of these skills will be observed and recorded, and part of your grade for this course will be based on how successfully your group uses these skills. In this class, we sink or swim together--there's no limit to how far we can swim if we all put our minds to it!

  1. Move into groups quickly and quietly. Don't distract others from doing the same.
  2. Stay with your group. If you have questions, get the teacher to come to your group by having all members of the group raise their hands.
  3. Stay together on the assignment. Don't work at your own rates and then compare answers. No one finishes ahead of the group.
  4. Check each other. Take turns explaining the answers to questions and problems. If someone cannot satisfactorily explain an answer, that person probably doesn't understand it very well. Go over that question again!
  5. USE 30 cm (12 inch) VOICES. DISTRACTING MEMBERS OF OTHER GROUPS WITH YOUR NOISE WILL NOT HELP THEM LEARN BETTER.
  6. Encourage all members of your group to participate. Remember that none of us is as good as ALL of us.
  7. Use each other's names when exchanging ideas or questions. Recognize each other's importance. A group member needs to feel needed in order to contribute to the good of the cause.
  8. Make good eye contact with the group member who is speaking. Do the same with other group members when you are speaking.
  9. Criticize ideas, not people. "Put downs" discourage learning. PUT DOWNS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THIS CLASS.
  10. Remember that you are mature. In this class, students don't kick, hit, or "bug" each other. They certainly don't grab and hide each other's belongings.
  11. Compliment each other for good ideas. A little praise is always welcome. Encourage each other over the rough spots. End each group activity with praise. You can do it!
  12. Stay on task. Don't become distracted by letting discussion stray from the assignment. The purpose of the group is to be successful students. Remember, we're all in this together, and---

Together

Everyone

Accomplishes

More!!!

 
Created by: Shelly Peretz from Thornwood High School in South Holland, Illinois.
Created: July 12, 2004, Updated: July 26, 2004
http://scook.cuip.net/~peretz/