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Small Group Method

  1. Break students into groups of 3 or 4. Give each group an index card and ask them to list two ground rules they think are important for a good discussion section. Allow them 5 to 10 minutes to complete the activity.
  2. Go around the room and ask each group for their ground rules. Write the ground rules on the board. Ask the groups to explain their reasons for suggesting a particular rule and to specify what they mean if the rule they suggest is vague. There may be some overlap.
  3. After all of the groups have given their rules, ask the entire class if there are any other ground rules that they would like to add to the board. This is a good time to add or share any that you might have that weren't suggested by the groups.
  4. Open the list up for discussion. Let the students debate the value of specific rules or the expectations underlying them.
  5. At the end of the discussion, ask the students to vote on the list. This allows them to decide as a class which ground rules they would like to have for the semester.
  6. Record the ground rules. Copy the list and bring it to section the following week. This way all students have copies that they can refer to over the semester.
  7. Periodically, have the class take a moment to evaluate whether or not the ground rules established at the beginning of the semester are being followed and if they work.

Developed by Heather McCarty, UC Berkeley

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