Similarity Groups

Similarity Groups

Students move about the room forming groups. They discover qualities of their classmates they did not know, and each student makes a special connection with at least one classmate.

Set up: The teacher announces a topic and has the students think about the topic. Students then form groups — students with similar characteristics or values group together.

Similarity Groups gets all students actively involved, energising them while they learn more about their classmates. It is an excellent way for classmates to get acquainted. Students feel mutual support because they discover there are others like themselves. Similarities are the impetus for strong classmate bonds.

Steps:

1. Teacher Announces Topic: The teacher announces any topic on which students might group. The teacher guides students’ thinking by providing imagery about the topic. “Think about your favourite dessert. (Long pause.) Think about the last time you had the dessert. (Pause again.) Where were you? How did it taste as you took your first bite? Write down your favourite dessert.”

2. Students Write Choice: Students think about the teacher's prompt and write their choice on an answerboard or slip of paper.

3. Students Form Groups: Students get up and move about the class, grouping with those with a similar response. “When I say ‘Go,’ I want you to get up and form groups. Group with students who like the same or a similar dessert.”

4. Teacher Announces Discussion Topic: Teacher announces a discussion topic or question and provides Think Time. “What do you most like about the dessert? How often do you have it? When was the last time you had it? Think about your response.”

5. Students Discuss in Pairs: Within their similarity groups, students pair up using Timed Pair Share, or Timed Pair Interview. “Pair up with the person closest to you in your similarity group. Partner A’s respond for thirty seconds, then Partner B’s respond for thirty seconds.”

Variations: Choral Response. Have students prepare a “We are...” Choral Response to announce their group. The statement can be a simple statement of the group’s similar characteristic: “We are the apple pie group.” Or the group can be given some time to come up with a more creative statement: “Nothing is more delicious than apple pie. And nothing tastes better than a hot slice with vanilla ice cream.” Whip. After pairs share, let the class hear a sampling from each similarity group by randomly selecting one or two students from each group to share what they heard from their partner. Paraphrase Partners. After students listen to a partner in their similarity groups, they pair with a new partner within the group and paraphrase what the old partner said. Dissimilarity Groups. After students have formed similarity groups, have students form groups with students from different similarity groups. Give the group a discussion topic relating to their area of difference. This provides the basis for sharing and hearing different perspectives.

Management Tips: Write Group Name. Have students write their preferences or characteristic before forming groups so they don’t group by friendship. Similar Groups. Students can join groups with others similar to themselves; they don’t need to be exactly the same. Quick Check. Before all students have firmly formed groups, have groups announce who they are. This avoids two “apple pie” groups who do not find each other. Triads. Make discussion triads when the groups don’t split evenly into pairs. Equal Time. Give students equal time to discuss in pairs. Open Topics. Choose a dimension so students can surprise you with the groups they form. No Loners. If a student is a loner, validate their choice and then ask them to join any group. No Crowding. Have groups spread out, standing away from other groups to avoid crowding.

Benefits:

• Students have fun getting acquainted and learning more about classmates. • Students clarify their own values. • Students see and appreciate individual differences. • Students form friendships based on new-found commonalities. • Students build a sense of belonging. • Students become comfortable expressing their characteristics, values and preferences. • Students enjoy movement.

Social Skills:

• Following directions • Patience • Active listening • Being honest • Contributing ideas • Decision making

Ideas for Classbuilding: Type of shoe, Pizza topping, TV programme, Fruits/Vegetables, Dream holiday, Hobby, Birthday months, Restaurants, Cartoon character, Chocolate bar, Disney character Car (colour, make, thing they like most).Science: Animal (favourite, like to be for a day, best pet), Technology profession, Favourite technology, Science profession, Invention, Plant, Weather/Climate, Natural disaster. Music: Instrument, Song, Band, Soloist. Literacy: Genre, Author, Poet, Story character, Book, Style.