Jigsaw
Each member masters one piece of the content in an expert group, then goes home to teach it. Every student is needed.
Good for: Readings, research topics, chapter reviews
Random group maker for your class
Paste your class list, choose how many groups or how many students in each, and you have fair random groups in a second. Shuffle until you like them, then print them or put them on the projector. It's free, and the names stay in your browser.
Students per groupper group
Ctrl or Cmd + Enter works from the list too.
Six ways to use the groups once you have them
Random groups work best with a structure, so every student has something to do. These cooperative learning routines fit any of the groups above.
Think, pair, share
Students think alone, talk with a partner, then share with the group or class. Quiet students get a rehearsal before they speak.
Good for: Discussion questions and problem solving
Numbered heads together
Give each member a number. Groups discuss, then you call a number and that student answers for the group.
Good for: Review and quick checks for understanding
Gallery walk
Groups make a poster in response to a prompt, then rotate around the room to read and comment on each other's work.
Good for: Sharing projects and comparing texts
Round robin
Members take turns adding one idea at a time around the circle, so nobody dominates and nobody hides.
Good for: Brainstorming and listing examples
Fishbowl
An inner group discusses while an outer group observes and takes notes, then they swap.
Good for: Socratic seminars and debate prep
Give everyone a role
Roles stop one student doing all the work and give quieter students a clear way in. Rotate them every time you regroup.
| Role | What they do | Skills it builds |
|---|---|---|
| Facilitator | Keeps the group on task and makes sure everyone gets a turn | Leadership, time management |
| Recorder | Takes notes and writes up the group's decisions | Writing, listening |
| Reporter | Presents the group's thinking to the class | Speaking, summarising |
| Timekeeper | Watches the clock and calls the checkpoints | Planning, awareness |
| Researcher | Looks things up and checks the facts | Research, critical thinking |
| Encourager | Invites quieter members in and calms disagreements | Empathy, social skills |
Want ready-made templates for jigsaw, literature circles and lab partners? They're on the classroom group generator page, and the cooperative learning guide goes deeper on structures.
Tips that make group work go smoothly
- 1.
Explain the task before anyone moves
Post the task, roles and what each group hands in, so groups can get going without you.
- 2.
Put a timer on the board
A visible countdown keeps groups moving. Give a warning two minutes and one minute before you switch.
- 3.
Teach how to work together
Model listening, disagreeing politely and taking turns early in the year, and practise them.
- 4.
Keep something individual
An exit ticket, a reflection or each student's own part keeps everyone learning, not just the keenest.
- 5.
Debrief for three minutes
Ask what helped the group and what they'd change. It builds the habit of reflecting on teamwork.
- 6.
Start small
Begin the year with pairs, move to threes, then fours. Students who struggle in groups do better with a gradual start.
Questions about the group maker
How does this random group maker work?
Paste your student names, one per line, and choose either how many students you want in each group or how many groups you need. Press Make groups and the names are shuffled and dealt into groups whose sizes never differ by more than one, so 26 students in groups of 4 become five groups of 4 and two of 3, not a group of 2 left over. Press Shuffle again until you like them.
Can I show the groups on the projector or print them?
Yes. Projector opens the groups full screen in large type, and the space bar reshuffles while it's up. Print gives you a clean page with just the groups, and in the print dialog you can choose Save as PDF instead.
Do the names leave my computer?
No. The groups are made in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Names only reach SchoolGPT if you choose to save them as a class, and even then they are swapped for placeholders before anything goes to the AI.
Do I have to paste my class list every time?
Not if you save it. Save the list as a class with a free account and next time it's one click under Load a saved class. The same class works for report card comments, parent emails and praise notes for every student.
What is the ideal group size for classroom activities?
It depends on the task. Pairs suit quick discussions and peer review, groups of 3 or 4 suit most collaborative work because everyone has to take part, and groups of 5 or 6 only work for bigger projects with clear roles.
Should I use random groups or strategic groups?
Both have a place. Random groups build community, break up cliques and feel fair to students. Strategic groups let you target a skill or balance support. Many teachers use random groups for low-stakes work and plan the groups themselves for targeted instruction or long projects.
How often should I change student groups?
Every two to four weeks works for most ongoing groups, long enough to build working relationships but short enough to avoid ruts. For warm-ups and quick tasks you can regroup daily, which a random group maker makes painless.
How do I stop one student doing all the group work?
Give each member a role with a clear job, use structures like jigsaw where each person holds a piece the group needs, and add something individual at the end, such as an exit ticket or a short reflection. Splitting the grade into individual and group parts helps too.
Other free tools for the same class
Seating chart generator
Paste names, pick rows, groups, pairs, a U or a circle, and print the chart.
OpenClassroom group generator
Groups from your list plus templates for jigsaw, literature circles and lab partners.
OpenEZ grader
Questions and number wrong in, percent and letter grade out, with a chart you can print.
OpenReport card comments
Hundreds of example comments by subject, strength and concern, ready to adapt.
Open