Paired and individual work
Many teachers use a mixture of whole-class, group, paired and individual work, sometimes in the same lesson. This can be justified by acknowledging the benefits of each type of class organisation. Whilst the benefits of group work are widely accepted, individual work can also be justified by the satisfaction that many pupils experience from having solved a problem on their own without help from the teacher or from their colleagues.
Jon Posnett in Urafirth Primary School uses green traffic lights to signal this type of achievement, and Brendan McCloskey in St Andrew’s Primary School provides another reason for occasional individual work.
Points to consider
How do you feel about asking pupils to work on their own?
When, if ever, would you choose to do this?
| Video 1: Pair and individual work | |
|---|---|
| Description | Pupils work in pairs and then individually and a teacher discusses reasons for individual work |
| Duration | 1 |
| Windows version |  Windows Media video: Pair and individual work |
| Mac version |  QuickTime movie: Pair and individual work |
| Transcript | Pair and individual work |
Ideas and links
- Urafirth Primary School
Pairs working in a composite P5/P7 class.
- St Andrew’s Primary School
Opportunities for individual work in a P7 class.
- Bishopmill Primary School
Organisation in a P3/P4 class.