Unit 2 chapter 10 : management

[tom]

I like to change activities in each class to keep students' attention up. I mainly use group work with the older children, making sure all the different levels are represented in each group (strong and weaker students should be seated together). For reading I use pair work, and for once a week we do activities in a circle (ideally to do speaking activities or games). For the more core grammar lessons I use the old fashion class setting (individual), as I think there all concentration is needed. I mostly start in this individual way, then change to pair work and finish up with group work.

[Admin]

Thanks Tom, I do the same as you. Varying the interaction between the students helps to keep them motivated. Also group work is beneficial on many levels:
From "Collaborative learning" - Wikipedia:
..More than 1200 studies comparing cooperative, competitive, and individualistic efforts have found that cooperative learning methods improve students' time on tasks and motivation to learn, as well as students' interpersonal relationships and expectations for personal success..

[Lucia]

I usually start my lessons with whole group activities, so as to have everyone's attention, and have everyone engaged in the activity, which would be mostly a song, checking attendance, checking the weather, etc. with my younger kids, or to check vocabulary and what have we done in the previous lessons - with the older ones.
Then, I like to change classroom organisation depending on the type of activity we are doing. In fact, I vary it quite a lot. This means rearranging desks and chairs will depend on the kind of activity I propose. For individual work such as reading, checking homework or testing them, I sit them apart. But most of the time they are sited in small groups so they can work together, help each other and share what they know. I also like this type of grouping due to the fact that it allows that everyone can learn from each classmate.

[Admin]

That sounds good to me Lucia! I think variety is important, especially for younger kids, sitting in the same position for 45 minutes is a bit hard.
See you and thanks for writing!
Pieter

[Irene]

In my opinion, varying the organisation of the class is necessary during a lesson to keep my students' attention. This way, students can learn different working techniques and change dynamics without even noticyng.
Moving from a whole group activity to an individual task along with a pair work is always encouraging and grateful for all.