Day 2 Morning Pages - Group Types

Wow! What a great question I just received. Natalie asked, “What are some of the problems I see with homogeneous groups in writing workshop?” I am grateful for this question because I do see problems with homogeneous and heterogeneous groups. The more I think about the topic, ask questions, and research…the more I understand why people throw up their hands when it comes to workshop in the classroom. So let’s see –

Homogeneous cons
The low groups would struggle
The low groups may not improve the others papers
The middle group may grow or stretch, but there might not be anyone to push them in their group
The middle group might also argue about strategies
Middle and low would most definitely get off task
The high group would become tense about who is ‘right’
The high group would become defiant about possible corrects
The high group would also become complacent in their writing because they are the ‘high’ group
Students would wind up with their friends

Homogeneous pros
I could concentrate on working with the struggling writers
Students would wind up with their friends
Students may feel more comfortable sharing with others who are on their ‘level’
Students may feel more useful because lower writers would be able to help lower writers, but they may not be able to do the same with students of higher levels
Students might be more willing to share with peers who are on the same level of writing and they would be able to avoid the feeling of being ‘the worst’
Higher level students would feel more challenged by their peers
I would be able to differentiate the writing assignments by ability


Heterogeneous cons
Some feel like the worst
Higher level students become bored
Students doubt others
Social groups will be even more mixed and their would be tension
Lower level kids may get good ideas from others, but higher level kids would lack input
Topic can get lost quickly due to different speeds and abilities
Higher level kids may start to work on a lower level to avoid being the “smart kid”

Heterogeneous pros
Lower level students will be pushed to improve
Higher level students will be using their skills to think about writing and help others
Avoid clichés within workshop groups
Diversity makes the students strive to impress


The suggestion was given to me by two teachers to let them form their own groups at first. This way they will have a comfort level with who they are with and usually the students put themselves in homogeneous groups naturally. Let them stay in these groups for a while and then make necessary changes.

I am thinking that groups of 4 are the goal. From what I have experienced and heard in Kagan cooperative training that is the best number. Also, I am thinking that keeping them in the groups for 6 weeks is a good time. They could be in these groups for lit circles and writing circles. 6 weeks is a hexter and Kagan cooperative training suggests that amount of time also.