Reflection - working in groups

As I read more and more about learning communities and different types of collaborative learning, a common theme has emerged - Teachers must first instruct students how to work together. I have read articles about group work from preschool through graduate school (online and distance learning) and they all repeat that same theme. It's really made look at the 6th-8th grade classes I work with. Teachers will have students work on an activity or project in groups but then get frustrated. When I think about the cause of their frustration it usually goes back to the fact that the students didn't work well together. In order for students to work successfully together they need to have appropriate communication and social skills in order to create a caring, accepting, and supportive environment. It isn't just a matter of the teacher "telling" the students how to work together. Remember we're looking at constructivist principles. Students must be involved in establishing rules, procedures and roles for collaborative work. I believe they can do it with the proper guidance and support.