Grouping

=__Group norms __=

A good norm setting protocol can be found in The Power of Protocols: An Educator’s Guide to Better Practice by McDonald, Mohr, Dichter and McDonald (2003). I have found it to be effective with students and adults. Here’s a starting off point:

PROTOCOL FOR SETTING NORMS
__Purpose __ To establish expectations for behavior and to give “permission” for risk-taking and full participation. __Details __ This can take 10 minutes or an hour, depending on how deeply the facilitator and the group want to go. Required supplies: Chart paper and markers. __Steps __
 * 1) Brainstorming: All ideas are listed; facilitator can add own. Allow silence at the beginning.
 * 2) Discussion: Acknowledge that this is only a brainstormed list, the facilitator invites discussion/questions.
 * 3) Synthesis: The facilitator helps form norms where there may be some disagreement—“Can we agree to use judgment about use of cell phones?”
 * 4) Consensus: The group agrees to use these norms and revisit them regularly. They also agree that it is a working list and can be revised at any time

Fenton, Judi, "Setting Norms with Your Students", http://teachersnetwork.org/NTNY/nychelp/mentorship/norms.htm.