The world is full of support groups, people helping people. There are support groups for senior citizens, alcoholics, cancer patients, battered women, abused children, and war veterans. Children are at an age when they need lots of support. Instead of isolating them with seatwork, surround them with support buddies and teach them how to support others. Teach Group Procedures Ineffective teachers divide students into groups and expect the students to work together.
Effective teachers teach the group procedures and social skills needed for functioning in a group.
All successfully run classrooms have procedures, and having group procedures is no exemption. Before you begin your first group activity, teach the following four procedures which will be consistent for all other group activities. You are responsible for your own work and behavior. You must ask each Support Buddy for help if you have a question. You must be willing to help any Support Buddy who asks for help.