Small Group Plan

We're going to try small group rotations for our study of To Kill a Mockingbird.  Membership in a group is flexible and can be changed as needed.

Group membership will be based first on how far you've read, then on people studying the same character for your characterization paper.  Groups can be a mix of Advanced and Regular English students; Advanced English students should be able to complete the theme worksheets on their own.

Groups will be reformed on Mondays or as needed.  If you somehow fall behind in the reading, I expect you to be caught up by the next Monday at the latest.  You are responsible not only for yourself, but for helping your group members think about and learn from the text in new ways.

So, what are we gonna do in groups?

Groups will move through three different stations, but will only complete two per day.  

1. Small Group Instruction - Mr. Dennis will work with your group to discuss key events in the reading, based on how far into the novel you have read.  Working in a group will give us a chance to clear up any confusion or dig deeper into issues you are interested in. We will usually meet at the table closest to the board.

2. Collaborative Groups - You will work together as a group to enrich your understanding of the story. You will learn about the author, cultural or historical connections, complementary texts, or other lessons. Decide as a group who exactly will do what, but make sure everyone participates in some way. Your group can meet at the couch, or at another table. Plan to work with tablets at this station.

3. Independent or Partner Work - Get a peer to help review a paper, finish grammar lessons on your own, or work on what you need to do for this class. Independent station will be at the student computers or any unused table.  I will write passes to the library if those computers are needed and available.

I will have each station's daily objective and Your schedule for the week might look something like this:

MONDAY - Whole class activity, Small Group Instruction

TUESDAY - Collaborative, Individual

WEDNESDAY - Small Group Instruction, Collaborative

THURSDAY - Individual, Small Group Instruction

FRIDAY - Collaborative, Individual

So, what's the plan
Link to Big Read Audio