mixitupdifferentiation

Flexible Grouping

Flexible grouping is not the same thing as ability grouping. I was a bluebird in first grade - the middle reading group. I stayed there all year. In other words I was in a static group - no one ever left the bluebirds, and no one ever joined the bluebirds.

In a flexible grouping situation, students move around, and they move from group to group according to interest, readiness and learning profile. Another thing to consider is that grouping should be done according to sub-skills. For example, my daughter, Katie, would have been in an above grade level reading group for summarization but in a below grade level group with respect to understanding analogies. Once she had a better understanding of analogies, she could have moved to the next level.

Flexible groups can occur as a result of pre-assessment for readiness, through interests or through learning profile. They can occur purposefully by the teacher, randomly, or choice by students. Grouping can be by 1) individual, 2) pairs, 3) small groups of 3-4, 4) larger groups of 6-8, or 5) whole class.
Some resources to learn more about flexible groups include: