GoalGive roles in a group by strengths and explain why roles should be decided in advance.
New words
role · the job a person does in a groupstrength · something a person is good atteamwork · people working together to reach one goalformat · the form in which work is delivered, such as a poster or a film
Explanation
In a group project, everyone should know their role before work begins. First talk about each member’s strengths: one is good at drawing, one at writing neatly, one at speaking, one at finding facts. Then list what the project needs: pictures, text, data. Choose the tools and the format, then decide who is best for each part. Give each person at least one role and check that the work is fair. Answer any questions as a group; if nobody knows, ask a teacher or a family member. Why decide in advance? Without roles, two people may do the same job while another job is forgotten, and arguments can start. With roles, work goes more smoothly.
Member
Strength
Role
Habiba
draws well
designer
Omar
writes neatly
writer
Salma
speaks clearly
speaker
Mina
finds facts fast
researcher
Worked examples
Habiba loves drawing, so the group makes her the designer. Omar writes neatly, so he is the writer. Everyone has a part that fits their strengths, and they enjoy the work.
A group forgets to decide roles. Two pupils both draw the poster picture, and nobody writes the title. They lose time. A short planning talk would have saved it.
Marwan likes helping, but is shy about speaking. The group gives him the job of preparing pictures and the checklist. Roles use strengths and also let everyone feel comfortable.
Class activity
Team table. Write the names of four classmates (or invent four). Next to each name write one strength that you have seen, and then a role that fits. Remember that every person needs a role and that the amount of work must be fair. Add a fifth column called ‘helped by’ to show how members will help each other. Then write two sentences: what could go wrong if there were no roles, and how your table prevents it.
Practice
1
What is a role in a group?
The job a person does in the group.
2
How do you decide who does which part?
By each member’s strengths and interests.
3
What can go wrong if roles are not decided in advance?
Two people may do the same job, a job may be forgotten and arguments can start.
4
A group has 5 members and 15 tasks to share equally. How many tasks each?
