Play Atom – we have established atom as a game for grouping that allows students to include others (if, during atom you see that the same kids are constantly connecting into groups, use the final call e.g. atom 5 to get your groups of 5, then count them off 1-5 and put all number 1s together, etc.
Number off in a big circle – all number 1s raise your hand – when I say go 1s will meet by the window – number 2s raises your hand – when I say go …. etc.
Coloured sticks or strips of paper or clothes pegs – to split the class in half- warm colours and cool colours, for smaller groups- just hand out the number of the size you want.
Use student ‘numbers’ according to the class list e.g. 1-30 Student numbers can be used for all kinds of management and organization – e.g.. odds and evens, counting off on field trips, lining up according to number, kinesthetic math games, etc. (also very useful when materials are handed in – you can immediately see who has not submitted).
Groups can be picked out of a hat.
Groups can be made according to topic preference.
Large circle – Play music have them pass objects (coloured sticks, pipecleaners, etc) around the circle to music – when the music stops, each similar object will be in a group together.
Snippet sharing – cut up a multi-lined text (poems work well) and give one line to each student have them walk around saying the line aloud until they find people that are saying the same lines.
Give each student one part of a compound word on a cue card– e.g. door and bell have them find one another – have them find another pair that go with the first pair e.g.. mail and box (you can make these words thematically related to whatever big idea you are working on.
Give each student a cue card with a government, human body, matter, forces, etc. word on it and have them find others that would be found in the same categories.