Kids do tend to learn efficiently in small groups. They seem to be able to help each other out in their own "language" and seem to connect slightly better than we adults can with each other. It's been proven in countless studies.
Of course, as everyone knows, we don't use small groups exclusively for a few reasons. One is that kids learn different and some learn better by using other methods. The other main reason, as we have all experienced, is that you always get at least one partner who just wants to glide through without doing a bloody thing.
While one of my classes was working in small groups the other day, I noticed one of the kids just sitting there while the others were working pretty hard. He didn't even have anything in front of him to pretend to be busy with. I've had to "sit on" this kid before for being kinda lazy, so I walked over and said, "And just what are you working on right now?"
The kid never even looked up. "I'm waiting on them to catch up to me before I go on." (His group members kind of rolled their eyes while they continued to work.)
Pretty creative, I totally didn't see that one coming.
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