I have one set of 3 students, what do I do? What do you do in your classroom for sets of three students?

Hi! When ever I have a group of 3 I let the kids know that when I switch them they'll have to make sure everyone gets a turn.

The other thing I do is "tag-team" (which I 'borrowed' from another WB teacher). I still say "Teach", the students say "Okay" but instead of me saying "switch", the students high five and say "tag team" to switch themselves. This will allow them to make sure all 3 of the partners get to share their ideas and thoughts. I also make sure students know that they can tag team multiple times before I call them back to the group, this way they don't tag team once and then sit there.

I hope this helps.

Tiffany
WBT Intern, 2011-2012
mywholebrainteachingjourney.blogspot.com/

Thank you for the advice! So then regardless of me saying switch, they just tag team whenever one person finishes sharing?

Yep. It gives them more responsibility to share their ideas and then add to them.

Tiffany
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Ohhh...I like the tag team idea!
In my class there is always one child or another getting pulled out for something. So I tell the kids that they know they are suppose to have a partner and it is their responsibility to join a group if their partner is out.

Another alternative that I was exposed to at one of the conferences was let that student teach their shoe. As long as they are using their gestures and getting the information in the wind, it tends to work. I teach third grade and they always found it to be totally amusing.

The shoe idea reminded me of the sockless hand-puppets!
I have some students who are much more interested in being partners with their sockless hand-puppets than a fellow student. And the sockless hand-puppet can talk back! LOL

You can find more info here.

It looks like you have received great advice to your question. Of course, every once in awhile you could partner up with the extra student as well. Kids always seem to enjoy that little extra one-on-one attention from the teacher. I know you wouldn't want to do that every time, due to monitoring your students so you can praise or prompt as needed.

Susan Floyd
WBT Intern, 2011-12

I agree Susan!
I had a special needs student this past year who was mainstreamed. He was totally against working together with the class. We ended up getting to the bridge agreement and one of the things I would do on occasion is partner up with him during WBT. It ended working out lovely in the long run! And.... he was totally engaged and enjoyed every minute of Class..Yes.

I tell my middle schoolers that if they are in a group of three then there are two Ones and one Two for the Teach-OK. The middle person scoots back a little so they can all see each other. When they all know what to do ahead of time it makes the set of three go smoothly.