Establish groups based on students' academic level. Generally, most classrooms comprise students of average, above-average and below-average ability. Classify your students according to these categories. Try to place no more than six students in each group. This will allow you to deliver differentiated reading and math instruction to reinforce concepts you teach to the whole group.
Group students for cooperative learning. Many students learn better when they work together with peers. For this purpose, form groups of three to five students, two of which are academically on grade level, one or two below average and one advanced student. Each group will work in literacy, math, science and social studies learning centers or on special projects like storyboards. Everyone in the group must have a role and be accountable to each other.
Utilize flexible grouping in your classroom. Flexible grouping allows you to group students by common interest or some random method. For example, assign a number, one through four, to each student. All the No. 1s form a group, then the No. 2s, No. 3s and No. 4s. These type of groups allow students to get acquainted with others they may not ordinarily befriend. These groups might be established as study or research groups.