Team Roles and Numbered Heads
Once teams are formed, the concept of team roles should be introduced. Be sure to have the TARGET Roles poster prominently displayed. Introduce TARGET Roles.
Review all 5 roles:
•Facilitator
•Coach
•Supply Manager
•Recorder
•Data Manager
Discuss the responsibility that each student role has and explain that roles will rotate weekly. It is important that students understand that everyone will have an opportunity to perform each role.
Numbered Heads is an effective strategy for assigning Team Roles and managing students on a day-to-day basis. Students should be assigned a number (1, 2, 3, 4,or 5). If there are only 4 members on a team, then one team member is assigned both numbers 4 and 5. These numbers correspond directly to the Team Roles (e.g.: 1-Facilitator; 2-Supply Manager; 3-Coach; 4/5-Recorder/Data Manager.) Some teachers find it useful to group similar students by number in order to easily facilitate role assignment and jigsaw grouping. For example, the first time students are put into teams, the teacher may choose to select the student with the strongest leadership abilities in each team as head #1. Then assign head #1 as Facilitator. Although roles will eventually rotate, this ensures that the Facilitator of each team will be able to perform the identified role and serve as a model for other students in the team. Numbered Heads is especially useful in a heterogeneous and inclusive classroom; special educators can easily pull small groups by number to provide services. General and special educators should structure teams together so that numbers can be given intentionally to help manage groups.
Numbered Heads can be used in many ways throughout the school day. For example, the teacher poses a question. Students huddle up and put their heads together to discuss responses. The teacher calls a number at random. The students with that number raise their hands. The teacher selects one of the students to respond. If more information is needed the teacher may call on another student with that number, or may call a new number.
