Three Approaches to Classroom Management for Reading and Writing Partnerships & Clubs
I love when students learn from one another and I hear the buzz and hum of engaged learning conversations. When partnerships are successful, WOW… it’s amazing what learning occurs!
Most literacy teachers and coaches believe in the power of collaboration and frequently engage their students in collaborative activities. But how many times have we put students in groups only to watch them interact with their laptops instead of each other? Or just don't know what to talk about? Or complain about a lazy teammate not pulling their weight?
How do you manage partnerships and clubs in your classroom? I’d love to hear other tips to keep learning positive and meaningful! DM on Instagram or hop into the Literacy Teacher Greatness Facebook Community to share with me.
Promoting real collaboration is hard to do well—and it doesn’t just happen on its own. If we want real collaboration, we need to intentionally design it as part of our learning activity. Watch the Facebook Live video below for 3 approaches to classroom management for partnerships and clubs.
Classroom Management Strategy #1: Whole Class Conversations
To help students who are struggling to collaborate and contribute to the conversation; scaffold their practice during a whole-class conversation. After reading a text, have students sit in a large circle and help them have a whole-class conversation. Try to stay outside of the circle, jumping in only when needed. Encourage students to call on each other or, better yet, to notice when there's quiet and chime in without the need to raise their hand. Support their conversation and comprehension skills, and explain that what they are practicing during this whole-class time is the same work they need to practice when they are with their partner or club mates.
Classroom Management Tip #2: Match Your Students With Complementary Strengths and Needs
In your partnerships, match your readers or writers with peers who have complementary strengths and needs. Ideally each student has something to learn from the other, and they get along well and enjoy working together! Also, consider asking your students who they prefer to be with and might work best with!
Classroom Management Idea #3: Plan to Teach Whole Class Lessons on Routines & Expectations
Plan to teach some mini lessons or whole class lessons devoted to the routines and expectations of what partnerships or clubs should look like, feel like, and sound like. Your students need to see a model. Also, they need specific strategies to keep the conversation going, to stay focused, and be organized and ready to contribute in a partnership or club.
Are you looking for a way to teach routines and expectations for successful partnerships AND help them talk long and strong during partner or club time?
The Classroom Expectations Posters for Reading and Writing Partnerships will help you explain, demonstrate, and provide a visual reminder of the routines for successful partnership time. Now, your students will know exactly how partnerships are suppose to go…and you're not constantly explaining it to them.
Take a peek inside this resource:
Want more strategies and tips for partnerships and clubs, follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
Oh and don't forget to grab my free guides to give you a jump start to reading and writing workshop and conferring with students.
And of course you are invited to join me inside the Conferring All-Star Teacher™ Programs for PD video training, coaching, and resources that will help you successfully implement partnerships and clubs in your classroom.
I can't wait to be your guide and biggest cheerleader as you embark on this journey to launch and run a successful reading workshop.
Let's dream big and grow together!
