SYNERGY-NET on http://metro.turnpike.net/~pflaump RE: Grouping by style : how to have great classes What I use to set up groups is the Keirsey Temperament sorter ( a free form of the Myers-Briggs from "Please Understand me" (an excellent book). I use the chart in the book as a map of the classroom and ask people to stand in their personality profile square. I have them label themselves with first name and type - i.e. the Extroverts to the front of the room, the introverts to the back; The sensing ( materialist ) to the left, the Intuitive (spiritual) to the right, then divide each quarter into thinking/feeling and Judgmental (really the planning type)/ Perceiving (spontaneous ) types. Form groups of less than 7 - I like 3 or 4 maybe 5 people to a group. The groups are stable all term ( 15 weeks). They can expel non-preforming members. The people believe that they share traits in common. This helps keep the groups active for the whole term (15 weeks). They give themselves a group name "The Boston Tea Party". They make a color coded folder for their work. There are 15 units (weeks) each made up of A: reading and discussion of the textbook (a group report, one page each unit ); B: An activity in my workbook or can be made up by the groups (a group report, typed) and C: a personal journal ( Theme and how all this relates to me, one page typed ) when finished all the papers are put into the folder and handed it. (One A, one B and as many C's as people in the group- one page each typed) I give points and comments. (Up to 8 points per unit - 2 really not much, 4 something, 6 good but lacks initiative, only what's required; 8 = excellent, more than required ) They can improve the work and hand it in again ( more like the real world where your work is not just accepted as a C but you do it again, and again and improve ). They put finished the material in file, get it credited then put it into a "portfolio" (3" binder). 80% of the total points need to be in these basic units. The other 20% can be in innovative activities, field trips, movies, books, videos, almost anything. At lease 50% of class time is given to group meeting. They also have outside meetings ( lab time). When they have 113 1/2 points ( includes attendence points ) they become eligible for the "A", the whole portfolio is reviewed for organization and themes. When they are done they are done. There are no test or anything else. It works great. The people are turned on, fired up - dull bored students lighten up and become active. Synergy happens and its a joy to see. It's not easy because you have a lot of paper work but worth while and you will love it. The joy of teaching will return. Cut down lecture, bring up synergy. SYNERGY-NET on http://metro.turnpike.net/~pflaump is where YOU can collaborate with the future using Interactive Education and Training on your own Web pages. Join, Beta Testers free. ** Peter E. Pflaum Ph.D. , Headmaster GLOBAL_VILLAGE_SCHOOLHOUSE 225 Robinson Road, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169-2176 (904) 428-9609 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] ***************************************************************** SYNERGY-NET on http://metro.turnpike.net/~pflaump is where YOU can collaborate with the future using Interactive Education and Training on your own Web pages. ** Peter E. Pflaum Ph.D. , Headmaster GLOBAL_VILLAGE_SCHOOLHOUSE 225 Robinson Road, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169-2176 (904) 428-9609 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] *****************************************************************