A Fun Way To Improve Group Work Participation

You taught your group-work expectations in exacting detail.

You modeled what it should look like. You had a few students model while everyone else looked on.

You took your time. You checked for understanding. You made sure your class was ready before trying it out.

But when you finally turned them loose, it didn’t work. They just stared at each other.

Oh, there were students who gave it a good try, but too many leaned back in their chair or were too uncomfortable to join in.

So now what?

Well, you can reteach. But you already taught your expectations thoroughly, so repeating the lesson is unlikely to make a difference. It will also frustrate your class.

You can lecture about the importance of group work. But lecturing often results in more resistance, not less—especially at the start of the school year.

Your students need to want to participate.

They need to see that contributing to a group is an enjoyable and valuable experience, which is why I recommend a strategy called the decision game.

Here’s how it works:

Step #1

Break students up into groups of four or five so they’re facing each other.

Step #2

Allow them to kneel or sit on their legs while in their seat. This encourages them to lean in and be part of the group.

Step #3

After securing their attention, ask a fun but straightforward question that allows for a quick answer. Some examples:

“What is your favorite ice cream?”

“Where would you most like to travel?”

“Who is the scariest book or movie character?”

You get the idea.

Step #4

Give each group 8-10 seconds to decide on one answer.

Step #5

Say “Times up!”

Step #6

Call on each group in quick succession. As soon as you say their group name (“Group one?”), the entire group must call out their answer in unison.

Step #7

Assign five points per group for full participation (in calling out their answer) and an original answer (an answer no other group gave).

Give four points if two groups had the same answer, three points if three groups did, and so on. If not all members of a group call out the same answer at the same time, that group receives zero points.

Note: Never point out which student(s) didn’t call out. Just assign a zero and move on.

Step #8

Play until they’re having so much fun that they forget or don’t realize that they’re practicing working together.

The Benefits

The decision game has a unique way of getting everyone involved. Sometimes it takes a few rounds, but rare is the student who refuses to play.

If someone does refuse, gently ask them to sit off to the side and watch until they feel more comfortable. (They’re not “in trouble.” Just tell them to let you know when they’re ready to rejoin.)

The decision game is a great ice-breaker you can play anytime group participation lags, but it’s especially effective at the start of the year.

As for points, they’re absolutely meaningless. The winning group gets bragging rights, nothing more. You can have them take a bow if you wish or line up first for lunch.

The game works because it’s fun and exerts gentle but positive pressure to work together as a team. It also encourages alertness and creative thinking, which are characteristics of flow experience.

Just remember to have fun. Keep the game moving and take on the role of a cheesy game show host. Done right, the game will help leapfrog your class—sometimes by weeks—from grudging and reluctant participants . . .

To happy and eager contributors.

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