How to Set Up Student Desk Groups for Collaboration and Success

If you’re planning to use group work this year, don’t skip the setup. Putting kids into teams without structure is like tossing them into a group project with no directions — things go sideways fast.

Whether you use Kagan structures, table teams, or just like having students work with partners, how you set up those desk groups matters. Here’s what’s worked for me and what I recommend to keep group work productive, not chaotic.

Start with groups that make sense — not just space.

I don’t throw desks together randomly. I try to mix personalities, spread out my talkers, and group kids who balance each other out. You won’t always get it right the first time, and that’s fine. Adjust as needed. The key is to be intentional from the start.

Teach what group work actually looks like.

I don’t assume students know how to work together. I teach them how to take turns, how to ask questions without interrupting, how to disagree without shutting someone down.

We talk about what makes a group work, and we model it. I’ll do a little skit with a student showing what not to do and have the class coach us on how to fix it. Kids love it, and it gets the message across.

Give them something to follow.

One of my favorite tools for group work is this simple Kagan table mat. It shows who your shoulder and face partners are, reminds kids of their group jobs, and gives them a visual to follow during activities.

It’s clean, it keeps the noise down, and it gives students a way to problem-solve without asking me every two seconds. You can make your own, or just use the one I created.
👉 Here’s the free Kagan Table Mat

Reflect and reset often.

After group work, we take two minutes to check in. What worked? What didn’t? What can we try next time? This helps kids take ownership and learn how to be better teammates.

I usually do this as a quick class discussion or turn-and-talk. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it makes a big difference.

Keep it simple, stay consistent.

Collaborative groups only work if you teach the structure behind them. When students know who they’re working with, what their job is, and how to talk to each other, everything runs smoother — and you’re not putting out fires all day.

Start small. Keep the expectations tight. And if you want a tool to help anchor it all, grab the table mats I use and print a set for each group.
👉 Download the freebie here

They’ll save your voice and your sanity.