A mini-unit that teaches students how to actually talk about who does what—before the group project falls apart.

Here's what usually happens with group projects: one kid does everything, two kids do nothing, and everyone's frustrated by the end.

It's not because students are lazy or difficult. It's because nobody taught them how to negotiate roles. How to say "I'd be good at this part, because..." without sounding bossy. How to listen to someone else's pitch and respond without dismissing it. How to reach an agreement that actually sticks.

This mini-unit teaches those skills. Explicitly. With practice scenarios that feel like real life.

What's Inside

Complete Educator Guide Lesson flow with timing, discussion prompts, and troubleshooting tips for common issues (like students who focus on preference instead of reasoning, or groups that can't compromise). Includes differentiation suggestions and extension activities.

Role-Assignment & Negotiation GamePlan Student worksheet that walks through the process: identify your strengths, match them to roles, explain why you're a good fit, then negotiate with your group. Includes a quick negotiation checklist with sentence starters like "I'd like to be the __ because __" and "If I take __, could you handle __?"

Case-Study Scenario Cards Four real-world scenarios requiring role negotiation: planning a school fundraising fair, collaborating on a science presentation, organizing a community clean-up event, and developing a class newsletter. Each card includes roles to consider, key details, and negotiation prompts.

Active Listening Checklist Step-by-step prompts for actually hearing what your partner is saying: paraphrase their point, ask a clarifying question, note non-verbals, summarize before responding. The kind of listening that prevents "you never listen to me" arguments.

Self/Peer Review Rubric Student-friendly rubric covering role justification, negotiation language, collaboration and flexibility, and accountability. Students can use it to evaluate themselves or give feedback to peers.

Reflection Prompts Guided questions for processing what worked, what didn't, and what to do differently next time.

Why This Works

It teaches the conversation, not just the concept. Most group work advice is "communicate clearly" without showing students what that sounds like. This resource provides actual sentence frames: "So what I hear you saying is..." and "Can you explain more about...?" That's the scaffolding students need to practice a skill they've never been taught.

The scenarios feel real. Planning a fundraiser with a $1,000 goal and budget constraints. Creating a presentation with a one-week deadline. Organizing volunteers for a community event. These aren't abstract exercises—they're the kinds of projects students actually do.

It addresses the actual pain point. Group projects fail because of role confusion and conflict, not because students don't understand the content. This resource focuses on the collaboration skill that makes or breaks the project.

Standards Alignment

CCSS.SL.7.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions
CCSS.SL.8.1: Pose and respond to questions with elaboration and clear reasoning
CCSS.W.7.1: Write arguments that support claims with logical reasons
CASEL SEL Framework: Relationship skills, conflict resolution strategies

This Is a Good Fit If...

Your students dread group projects (or you dread assigning them)
"Just work it out" hasn't been working as group facilitation
You want to teach collaboration skills explicitly, not hope they develop on their own
You need something for ELA, advisory, SEL, or any class that uses group work

Group projects don't have to be a disaster. But students need to learn the negotiation skills that make collaboration work—and that means teaching those skills directly.

This mini-unit does that. In about an hour of instruction, with materials students can actually use.

If that's what you've been looking for, it's here.

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