Fostering Independence While Working with Small Groups
Welcome all-star teachers! As we jump into today’s topic, I would like you to reflect on your wins for the week.
Have you ever wanted your students to be more independent in completing their assignments while you are working with a small group? Creating and fostering independence can be a struggle for most teachers. You know exactly what I mean when you can’t work with a student for one minute without being bombarded with questions from your students.
I can remember it like it was yesterday. I decided I was going to have independent group work for a lesson. In my mind and on paper I planned an elaborate lesson. I imagined students talking independently about their group work and generating questions. Students were working perfectly in my mind while I was working with a selected group of students. Then the day of the lesson came, and oh it was a mess. Students were off task, they were asking me that irking question what to do next. The students were confused and constantly asking me questions. This baffled me because I put the directions step by step on their assignment sheets. After three class periods, I was left reflecting. I couldn’t understand what I was missing in my students doing this lesson independently.
I know upon reflection that a serious piece was missing in my lesson. I went through my lesson and combed through every component. I modeled, and modeled, and talked some more during my lesson. Then it hit me! My students needed time to practice before they worked independently. I remember thinking to myself “I need to stop making assumptions about my students”. I need to show them explicitly how to work independently.
The next day I attempted the lesson again. This time I set expectations about what they should be doing during independent work time. First I modeled and had them practice the strategy “Ask three before me”. In this strategy the students ask three classmates before asking me a question. Then I introduced my small group poster. In this poster I detail when you should interrupt me if I am working when a small group. It is a funny poster that I got inspired from a Pinterest post. The poster basically says unless there is a fire, tornado, or Idris Elba walks in the room do not interrupt my small groups. If they have questions use the three before me protocol. If a question still can’t be answered put it on the parking lot and move.
I also created “Am I done” with my assignment poster. My students were not clear on what to do next if they are finished completing an assignment. The poster provides next steps to do when they are completed an assignment. This eliminated the dreaded “I’m Done!” I also want to add to encourage high expectations around fostering independence. Remind your students they can do this! If you have varying levels of students, put scaffolds in your lessons to ensure your students success during these assignments.
Here are your next steps:
- Look at an upcoming lesson that you have planned.
- Reflect and ask yourself are you fostering independence with this lesson.
- Incorporate a strategy from today’s episode such as “Ask three before” or Expectations for small group.
- Always remember to set high expectations for your ELLs.
I would love to know how you are fostering independence with your ELLs? Drop a comment below.
