Are you looking for strategies to teach students to exhibit acceptable behavior in large groups? If so, keep reading.
1. Make sure that the student has all needed learning materials to perform their role in the group (e.g., paper, pencil, art supplies, reference learning materials). As the student becomes more comfortable, slowly increase the group size.
2. Make sure that the student knows the instructions for the cooperative learning experience (e.g., give instructions in an assortment of ways, make sure that the student knows their role, review the rules for group behavior before the learning experience begins, etc.).
3. Make sure the student has enough room to work successfully (e.g., distance from other students, room for all learning materials, etc.).
4. Make sure the student is actively involved in the group (e.g., call on the student regularly, designate the student a responsibility such as a teacher’s assistant, have the student be group leader, etc.).
5. Take the student away from the group if they behave improperly.
6. Make sure the academic and social requirements of the group situation are within the student’s capacity and ability level.
7. Assist the student in getting to know group members before requiring group participation (e.g., introduce the students to one another; let the students have unstructured free time together; etc.).
8. Minimize distracting stimuli that could interfere with the student’s success in a cooperative learning experience (e.g., give enough room to move without physical contact; keep noise level to a minimum; keep movement in their surroundings to a minimum; etc.).
9. Plan learning activities so you can be spend uninterrupted time with the group.
10. Plan large group learning activities as part of the student’s daily routine (schedule) (e.g., large group learning activities should happen on a regularly scheduled basis so that the student will be prepared and know what to expect).
16. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
17. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
18. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.
19. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
