Making sure that the students understand the task and have enough work. Teacher also circling the class every few minutes and being mindful when forming groups.

The teacher should make sure the groups are an appropriate size and composition. She can try to assign each student a role and hold each (and the team) accountable for an end product. If that doesn't work, she should speak to these students individually to determine if there is a problem in the group she's unaware of. It may just be that friends are together in groups and not focusing on the work.

Reinforce the good behaviors displayed within the classroom by identifying them as "great job at doing...." Do not be concerned with addressing this issue as the behavior is counterproductive and against your classroom rules. Reminders of potential consequences for violating those rules could put all students on notice...as a friendly reminder. Strategically selecting and organizing the groups could also eliminate the few that are having difficulty staying on task when together.

I like the idea of giving each student a specific role that has to be completed by the end of the group session. Assign a reflection for each role so they have an individual aspect to the group work. Make sure you are walking around the classroom frequently and redirecting them when they are off topic. Set time restraints on group assignments so they don't feel they can stay distracted for long.

There are a few things that can be done proactively in an effort to prevent groups from having unrelated discussions. Firstly, ensure that the students understand the task and have enough to do within a designated period of time. Secondly, strategically select groups that are of an appropriate size and composition, then assign each member within the group a role that makes them responsible for a particular task such as taking notes. Finally, proximity control should go a long way as long as the teacher is monitoring groups by circulating the classroom and redirecting discussions when they become off-topic by asking questions. As for reactive strategies, reinforce positive behaviors.

I would start by changing the groups around and see if that helps. If the student is still getting destracted I would come up with a behavior management plan.

So politely addressing this issue whole class is by stating after the instructions were given that there is a time slot to when this is due at the end of class so don't go wasting time by chatting and gossiping, use your time wisely here guys. Also, self circulate your classroom and check-in with the groups to make sure that they are on task and on track and discussing the only school-relevant matters.

I think the teacher should quietly speak to the group while the class is pre-occupied so the problem can be addressed right away.

If this is happening with specific students, then the teacher should separate them into new groups. The teacher should also join each group to make sure they are in task on the assignments.

I think it would be a great strategy to review the classroom "norms" when getting into groups. This could involve having various anchor charts hung around the room with sentence starters and helpful icebreakers to get the conversation going. This might help students to stay on topic. Another great strategy might be to ask for something that the students need to produce by the end of their group time, that way they are expected to answer a particular question during the time they are given. Posters, drawing, and task jobs are also great ways to keep students engaged and empowered.

I would try rearranging groups. If it is certain students that continuously get off topic, separate those students into groups of students who normally stay on task. Hopefully they will follow the students modeling the expected behavior.

In a situation like this, I think it is important for the teacher to be hands on and circling the different group conversations. I think splitting the work into smaller sections and meeting back together to have a large group discussion would be helpful. Give them smaller amounts of time to discuss in small groups and enough work to be able to stay on task.

The student can talk to the class as a whole and say that she is hearing different conversations that are off-topic. In order for her to do so, she should be walking around, monitoring the class, and making sure everyone is on task.

My CT had a day like this. Reconsider the students within groups. Remind them that groups are their (teacher's) choice and they can work individually, in silence. Circulate the class and groups to monitor and redirect when necessary. Try engaging and questioning them on the topic and raise their interest in the task; encouragement.

What I would do in this situation is mix the groups around and make sure to go over the instructions thoroughly. I would also remind students that this time is for the task that we are doing and not to talk about other things.I might also make it a timed discussion so that the students know they have to get the work done in a certain amount of time, so they can't be fooling around. The timing solution can also be helpful if students finish before time is up and their work is of quality because I would not have a problem with them speaking quietly while everyone finished their work. This might also give students an incentive to focus and get their work done so they are able to talk for a few minutes.

Proximity and circling around the classroom. Try engaging the students during these rounds and facilitate their focus and interest in the group activity.

When she is trying to get the student back on topic, she can stand next to the students causing the distraction. She can also have these students help her get back on topic. For example, have one of them pass out the worksheet they are going to work on or ask them a question to get the new discussion started. I would suggest a qyestion that will not single them out like an opinion based question.

She can make eye contact and stand next to these groups.