Group Formation: Matchmaker

When I need the students to work in pairs, I cut out pictures from magazines and cut them in half. As each student comes to class, I tape half of a picture on his or her back. When the class starts, the students have to find their partner(s) by describing to each other what they see in the pictures. They are not allowed to tell two classmates that they are a match. When they find their partner, I ask them to sit together and tape the pictures to the front of their desks for all to see. As an added incentive, the pictures can be a review of the last class; i.e., only people to describe or activities or food, etc. Once the pairs are formed this way, I can go on with the lesson as planned.

Carolyn Payne
Barquisimeto, Venezuela