We provide a form that you can use for planning lessons for cooperative and collaborative groups. We also provide suggested guidelines for creating and sustaining good interactive learning groups for a variety of classroom tasks. In groups where students are dominated by one leader, where a shy student hesitates to join in and contribute, or where you are just trying cooperative groups for the first time, you may wish to assign specific roles. That person will tell the students what step should come first, second, third, and so on. The roles are clearly defined in advance, so that each person is accountable, and everyone in the group plays an important part.
Seats face one another.
When students face their coworkers, they are more likely to interact well with others. Seating arrangements really do make a difference, and sometimes students need to be reminded that they should move chairs closer together or place them in a circle. You can set up the room with seats in clusters to facilitate this process. Students assume personal responsibility. Invite students to report back to their group or to another group after each session.