Providing feedback to students is crucial. Yet meeting with students individually is not always feasible for teachers. Microgrouping allows the teacher to form small groups of students who need similar feedback or to be given feedback in a similar manner. Micro groups are flexible to meet the needs of teacher and students.
Use formative data, benchmark data, or observation data to determine students who need similar feedback or need to receive feedback in a similar manner. Examples of such data might include exit tickets, written pieces, or unit exams among other things.
Once students are grouped, determine the focus for each specific group and the resources needed.
While other students are engaged in other learning activities, micro groups can meet.
Not all students are receptive to feedback in the same way. Breaking students into small groups allows you to tailor your feedback to different groups of students.
Implementation Steps:
Building on your understanding of your students learning styles, determine the manner in which your students will best receive feedback. Examples include: verbal, written, a combination, from a peer, annotated, (un)graded.
If there are small groups of students with similar needs, these students could, logically, make a strong micro group.
Microgrouping can provide students with learning disabilities with additional, scaffolded support. Using small groups can help some students feel more comfortable asking questions and provide them with additional scaffolding and practice to support mastery.