Clock Buddies Partnering Strategy

As a Science teacher, students work together often in my class and frequently need to be paired up. This strategy provides a drama-free way to have students pair up with someone different almost every time.

Three pages containing different formats are included to suit different styles.

How To Use:
1. Hand out copies of the worksheet to every student.
2. Have students "make appointments" with each other at certain times and write their buddy's name in the blank for the hour.
(Example: Laney and Sam want to be partners and agree on 3 o'clock because they each have tat one free. Laney writes down "Sam" in her 3 o'clock blank and Sam writes down "Laney" in her 3 o'clock blank.)
3. Once students fill their paper with appointments, they are all set!
4. Have students keep these papers in their folder or binder forever. Hole punch them if you can.
5. On any day, call out "Please pair up with your 1 o'clock partner for this activity." (Or choose any other hour you wish. I usually start at 1 o'clock and go sequentially up to keep track.)

Exceptions:
Q: What happens when there is an odd number of students and it's impossible for a student to fill their clock?
A: I have them fill in a fake name like "Lance" so when that time is called, they end up being a filler for someone who is absent because there is ALWAYS someone absent. If the number of students is still odd, then they can make a group of 3, either by your choice or theirs.

Q: What do I do when someone is absent?
A: Use the Lance technique described above, or feel free to make a group of 3. Sometimes it works out great when one partner of two different groups is out, and the remaining students naturally get paired up.

Q: What if a student loses their clock buddy paper?
A: If one students loses their paper, USUALLY the partner they are supposed to work with hasn't lost theirs and can answer who is working with who.