Storying in a Large Group… Using BUZZ Groups

by Michael Novelli   |  April 03 2009    11:01 AM

This was a small addition to my Shaped by the Story book that didn't make the cut. It seems helpful to those of you who work with larger groups and don't have time or leaders to break into smaller groups.

Participant Lead Buzz Groups
The term buzz groups has been used in educational training for decades, and comes from the idea that students within a classroom turn to each other and form smaller groups. The “buzz” is the sound of the discussion from around the room as groups interact with each other. When Storying with a large group and you are the ONLY teacher familiar with the process, buzz groups are the best solution I have found for dialogue. The storytelling is lead by the teacher from the front with the entire group together. Then, retelling and dialogue is done in buzz groups of 4 to 6 people. If necessary for supervision, all of the buzz groups can remain in the same room.

Buzz groups do not require a facilitator, as all instructions and questions are provided by the teacher from the front of the room (slides or visuals help this). Each buzz group selects a spokesperson to share some of their groups’ responses. A time limit is set for the dialogue – and possibly for each question – depending on how much structure the teacher feels is needed.

Thought must be given as to who will be in each buzz group... teachers may want to assign adults or key students to each group to help keep the discussion focused. The teacher should “float” from group to group to motivate better involvement, clarify questions, and spread enthusiasm around the room. After the assigned time is up for the buzz groups, the teacher should facilitate a time for the spokespersons to share responses from their group.