How Do You Partner & Group Students? Monster Partner Cards Can Help!

I like to mix-it-up when it comes to grouping students into various sizes. Yes, I could organize all groups all of the time, but for some activities, pure randomness is very fun!

I have used many activities in the past to group students, but here's my favorite: Monster Partner Cards!


This is a set of 64 cards total! Each of them has three unique features:
  1. a monster graphic- 8 different little guys
  2. a number- #1-8
  3. a color (the number is the color in this set)- red, orange, yellow, blue, green, purple, pink & black
These cards are simple, easy, and best of all, fun!

First, I determine what cards I am going to need to fit the needs of my activity. Since there are 64 cards total, I certainly don't need all of them and I don't want one group to end up with 7 kids and another with only 1!

For this example, let's say I have 24 kids and I want to make 6 groups of 4 based on the monster graphics. I wouldn't tell the kids this, of course, but I would pull 4 of each of the monster graphics until I had a stack of 24 cards.

Pass out the cards randomly or pass them out to certain kids if you would like a bit of control. The best part is your students will not know how they are going to be partnered! Since there are three possibilities, it reduces the "oh man!" and "yes!" comments that can sometimes pop up and make others feel excluded.
Once all of the cards are passed out, kids will be dying to know what key component of the cards will determine their group! Announce how the students will make groups- in my example, I would say that monsters need to meet up with their like monsters- and watch them scramble to find their similar classmates.  It's a grouping strategy that requires teamwork and includes some mystery- so groups are starting off on the right foot!! Can't beat that!!

As the kids find their groups, remember to collect the cards to make sure you can use them again and again :)

Remember how you group students so that you can do it differently the next time- this will keep kids guessing and make it much more exciting.

Depending on your class size, you could use these to group kids into groups of two to eight. I typically have around 24 kids, so I use these to make groups of three or more.

These adorable little monster cards are now available in my TpT Store now!



17 comments

  1. Replies
    1. You are so quick! They are on their way- I hope you enjoy them!

      Thanks so much :)

      ~Stephanie

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  2. Cute!
    Sweettimesinfirst@gmail.com

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  3. So adorable! Would be great with my monster themed classroom!!
    kthompsondesign@gmail.com

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  4. Adorable cards!!
    Blessings,

    Jessica Stanford
    Mrs. Stanford's Class
    I hope that you'll join me for my giveaway ♥

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  5. I love the cards! That is a great idea for pairing students up! :)
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  6. Love this. My kids are in tables so I normally am lazy an just have them work with their table partners. But this adds variety and probably better work since their not with the same people all the time.
    Adventures in Room 5

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  7. Cute cards. I have created zoo themed and perfect pairs cards for this same similar concept. Several different variations. I love how the same idea can be done in so many different ways. I love it :) Super cute monsters :)

    Heidi
    My (Not So) Elementary Life

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Heidi!

      I agree, the flexibility with these types of cards is HUGE! I was even thinking after I posted this of more ways to split up kids- even/odds, warm/cool colors, etc. Anything to spice up the old group-up routine, right? :)

      ~Stephanie

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    2. Heidi, do you have our zoo themed grouping cards for sale on TpT? I'm using a zoo theme in my class an would love to use them! My email is ledbetter2@marshall.edu

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  8. TPT ... here I come again! These are adorable!
    Thank you!
    Amy
    Where Seconds Count 2nd grade blog

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  9. Hi,
    I'm giving you the "One Lovely Blog" award! Stop by my site and pick up your award and read what happens next to pass on the award.
    Diane
    schoolhousetreasures

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award. Stop by my blog to receive it.
    Amy
    Where Seconds Count 2nd grade blog

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  11. I love the brain breaks! I also love your no name sign. What a great idea!

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