Organizing Study Groups

While implementing professional learning communities, study groups will be convened and utilized to improve student learning and instructional practice. This section of the website will help your PLC form and organize study groups.

Getting Started

  • Choose a focus, problem, or issue for the study group
  • Participants should be interested in new learning
  • Limit the number to 6-8 people for the study group
  • Order materials for participants (if necessary – Books, videos, etc)
  • Set up the first meeting to decide on format and schedule of meetings

First Meeting

  • • Meet in a relaxed setting
  • Provide plenty of food
  • Select a facilitator and recorder
  • Establish team norms
  • Selecting a focus/purpose
  • Overcoming Challenges (the chief barriers are time, money and lack of commitment)
  • Study Group decides on duration and control their own learning

The following links (PDFs & DOCs) will help your PLC form and organize study groups.