As the year progresses, I continue adding attributes to Grouper based on student performance and learning needs.
Standards-based attributes
After assessing student writing using a rubric, I make notes on which students struggle with specific skills. For example, if a student has difficulty using evidence from a text to support a claim, I add that attribute. When it’s time for peer feedback, I can group students so that each group includes a mix of strengths and weaknesses. This ensures that students are learning from each other in a structured way.
Time-specific and project-based grouping
Whenever I assign student projects, I always include an element of choice. Students may select from different project types, such as creating a podcast, writing an article, making a video, or designing an infographic.
Depending on my instructional goals, I might group students based on:
- Similar interests, where all students creating a podcast are grouped together so they can share notes and best practices.
- Diverse perspectives, where each group contains students working on different formats, encouraging cross-medium inspiration.
The flexibility of Grouper allows me to adapt grouping strategies to fit the learning environment I want to create.
Opinion-based grouping for discussions
For nearly every reading assignment, I pose an essential question that requires students to take a stand on a topic. Before assigning discussion groups, I enter student responses into Grouper and create groups that intentionally mix differing perspectives.
This has been especially effective in Socratic Seminars and debates, where students are naturally inclined to engage when they encounter viewpoints that challenge their own.
Grouper rewards any time investment
While this level of grouping took time to develop, Grouper makes the process easy. I didn’t start with every attribute in place. At the beginning of the year, I used simple, randomized groupings. Over time, I refined my approach by adding student data from observations, informal evaluations, and assessments.
Even if you only invest five minutes entering attributes, you will still see improvements. Whether you are new to student grouping strategies or looking to fine-tune your approach, Grouper saves time and can transform your classroom.
Authentic conversations happen by design
Students are the most valuable resource in any classroom. Each one brings unique experiences, talents, and perspectives. However, many traditional classroom structures prevent students from speaking authentically.
Grouper provides a simple yet powerful way to remove barriers to engagement. When students feel comfortable in their learning environment, they contribute more freely, engage in deeper discussions, and develop stronger communication skills.
How many times in life have you been changed by a chance encounter with someone outside your usual social circle? We now have the opportunity to create those meaningful interactions every day in our classrooms—intentionally.
By using strategic grouping, we don’t just hope for student engagement—we design for it.
