Are you looking for genius ways to motivate students to behave themselves in small groups? If so, keep reading.
1. 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 at a minimum, keep movement in their surroundings to a minimum, etc.).
2. Plan group learning activities as part of the student’s daily routine (schedule) (i.e., group learning activities should happen on a regularly scheduled basis so the student will be prepared and know what to expect).
3. Plan group learning activities so the teacher can spend uninterrupted time with the group.
4. Put the student in group learning activities they prefer. As the student shows success, slowly require the student to take part in less desirable learning activities.
5. Give the student alternative ways to perform a group task and let the student select the most desirable (e.g., a written paragraph task may be accomplished by writing a note to a friend, writing about a recent experience, describing a favorite pastime, etc.).
6. Let the student take part in one cooperative learning experience they prefer. Make the student take part in more group learning activities as they experience success.
7. Plan group learning activities when the student is most likely to be successful (e.g., before recess rather than immediately after recess, after the first individual task of the day has been finished to create productive behavior, etc.).
8. Plan alternative individual learning activities if the student is unlikely to be successful (e.g., if the schedule has been changed, if holidays or special activities have stimulated the student and make successful group interaction unlikely, etc.).
9. Let the student join the group after the learning experience has begun if they are unable to participate properly at the beginning of the cooperative learning experience.
10. Place the student’s desk or work area, so they work near other students but are not visually distracted by them (e.g., turn the student’s desk away from other students, etc.).
11. Let the student leave a cooperative learning experience and return to independent work when they can no longer be successful in the cooperative learning experience (e.g., as an alternative to disrupting the group, fighting, etc.).
12. Teach the student to think before acting (e.g., they should ask themselves, “What is happening?” “What am I doing?” “What should I do?” “What will be best for me?”).
13. Connect with parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about the student’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for participating in group situations at school.
14. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., making short, appropriate remarks and speaking at appropriate times) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.
15. Talk with the student to explain(a) what the student is doing wrong and (b) what the student should be doing (e.g., talking, taking turns, playing, sharing, etc.).
16. Create classroom rules: • Complete every assignment. • Remain in your seat. • Finish tasks. • Meet task expectations. • Raise your hand. Examine rules often. Praise students for following the rules.
17. Praise the student for working in a group situation: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
18. Praise other students in the classroom for working properly in a group situation.
19. Consider using a classroom management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
20. Consider using an adaptive behavior management app. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.
21. Consider using Alexa to help the student learn to behave appropriately. Click here to read an article that we wrote on the subject.
22. Click here to learn about six bonus strategies for challenging problem behaviors and mastering classroom management.
