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Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Groups

Differentiated groups to enhance different learning experiences

Context

Different parts of a student’s day involve homogeneous and heterogeneous skill groups across grade levels. Lots of thought is put into which types of groups make the most sense for each type of instruction.

  • Self-directed learning is completely heterogeneous where students of all skill levels work next to each other, or with each other, providing peer support and modeling for assignments.
  • Small group instruction is homogeneous, allowing teachers to provide targeted instruction for a specific learning need.
  • Large group instruction is considered “bounded heterogeneity” as the groups are leveled, on average, but there is overlap between the groups, allowing for a diversity of perspective without creating too wide of a range for the teacher to meet students’ needs.

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Strategy Resources


Roots Executive Director Discussing Benefits of Heterogeneous Groups

Roots ED and Founder, Jonathan Hanover, discusses why the teaching team uses heterogeneous grouping approaches... Learn More

Roots Executive Director Provides Overview of Different Groupings at Roots

Roots ED and Founder, Jonathan Hanover, discusses how the team uses homogeneous and heterogeneous grouping... Learn More

Teacher Discusses Small Group Instruction at Roots

Roots teacher, Lecksy Wolk, explains the scheduling and sizing of small groups.Transcript: Lecksy Wolk: But... Learn More

Teacher Discusses Flexibility in Groupings at Roots

Roots teacher, Lecksy Wolk, shares how small group composition is influenced both by academic and... Learn More

Teacher Discusses Groupings in Literacy at Roots

Roots teacher, Samantha Gambino, shares how she uses literacy assessment data to inform small group... Learn More