Flexible Grouping

Flexible grouping is a differentiation strategy that involves intentionally grouping students in different configurations for different purposes.

Students may be grouped by interest (students are in reading groups based on a shared book they chose), learning preferences (students who want to work on a more creative project are grouped together, etc.) readiness (students grouped together by their current proficiency in the target skill area - such as by reading level - this is called homogenous grouping), heterogeneous groups (purposely mixing based on any of the prior dimensions to intentionally mix skills/strengths/needs).

Group size is another way that grouping may vary. Whole class, half class, teams, table groups, partners, triads, quads, one-on-one mentoring with an adult or peer are all possible group configurations.

Groups may be together for a short period (one lesson) or a longer period (a project group).

What makes grouping "flexible" is that they are fluid or change rapidly. This contrasts with "ability grouping" which tends to consistently group students by a single dimension of readiness. Consistent ability grouping tends to lead to inequitable outcomes and leads students to internalize messages about themselves as inherently smart or not smart (conclusions that are refuted by both mindsets theory and multiple intelligences theory).

References:

Wormelli, R. (August 4, 2016). Flexible grouping in the classroom. Retrieved from: https://www.amle.org.