At the beginning of the year, students either pick or are placed with a partner they can work with. At the start of the second quarter two sets of pairs are placed together to form a group of four. Students who cannot work together or prove to be too distracting to themselves or others are placed with new partners. I find that assigned roles to stifling to the students. In any one class, a student may be the facilitator, materials person, recorder, or checker, as needs be.
Students soon learn it is easier and more fun to work and learn in a cooperative fashion.
Till next time.