Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Group Work SKIL SKIL cards are sets of cards that explain how to use different learning strategies. They are designed to help pupils learn by improving Independent Learning skills. They show strategies for: 1.REVIEWING SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE 2.APPLYING KNOWLEDGE 3.REVIEWING MARKED WORK This set of cards is aimed at improving work completed in study groups by giving guidance and focus without the need for a teacher.

SKIL G1 SKIL G1 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 1 Time: 30min Number of people: 2 to 4 REVIEWING SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE 1.Choose a topic in the text book of no more than four pages. 2.Split the topic into sub topics and assign a sub topic to each person in the group. 3.Set the timer for 10 mins. In that time each group member prepares a brief summary of their assigned section. 4.Each group member takes it in turns to verbally communicate their summary.

Time: 15 min Number of people: 2 or more people REVIEWING SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE 1.Each person writes a definition on a piece of paper 2.Stand up, pair up, ask your partner what the definition is 3.Congratulate them if they get it right, correct them if they get it wrong pointing out the important bits. 4.Swap roles then swap pieces of paper. 5.Move on to another partner and repeat. SKIL G2 SKIL G2 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 2

Time: 20 min Number of people: 2 to 4 REVIEWING SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE 1.Choose a section of the book or your notes to review. 2.Time 5 mins and in that time everyone is silent and studies the information. 3.After 5 mins stop and then pass a piece of paper around the group so each person writes down a fact/explanation/ description or draws a diagram about the topic under discussion. 4.Keep passing the paper around until every one has run out of information to record. 5.Check the information for accuracy using the book or notes. SKIL G3 SKIL G3 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 3

Time: 30min Number of people: 2 to 4 REVIEWING SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE 1.Choose a large section of information and split it into four headings. 2.Put the four headings near the corners of a large piece of paper with the title of the section in the middle. 3.Time 10 mins and in that time every one start recording information on the sheet in a spider type diagram. 4.Review the information at the end for accuracy discussing any points that members of the group may disagree with and correcting any mistakes. SKIL G4 SKIL G4 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 4

Time: 20 to 30min Number of people: 2 or 3 APPLYING KNOWLEDGE - QUESTIONS 1.Each person choses a question to answer on a topic 2.Group members answer the questions individually 3.Once answered, take it in turns to explain your answers to the other members of the group 4.If the people in the group agree with your answers then tick them 5.If they do not agree then discuss until an agreement is reached SKIL G5 SKIL G5 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 5

Time: 30min Number of people: 2 APPLYING KNOWLEDGE - QUESTIONS 1.Choose a question with a number of parts to it e.g. an exam question or question at the end of the chapter in the text book. 2.Assign the label A and B to each person in the pair. 3.A is scribe first. B works on the first question and tells A what to write as the answer. 4.Then swap over. B scribes the next part of the question while A tells them what to write. 5.Keep swapping in this way until you get to the end of the exam question then check your answers with the mark scheme. SKIL G6 SKIL G6 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 6

Time: 30min or longer Number of people: 4 or more APPLYING KNOWLEDGE - QUESTIONS 1.The group splits into pairs 2.Each pair choses a question to answer on a topic 3.Each pair answers the question together 4.Once answered pairs swap partners 5.Each partner then takes it in turns to explain the answer to their question. 6.If there is agreement on the solution then tick the answer. If there is disagreement or uncertainty then discuss until an agreement is reached and correct the answer accordingly. SKIL G7 SKIL G7 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 7

Time: 20 min Number of people: 2 to 4 APPLYING KNOWLEDGE - ANALYSIS 1.Each member of the group choses some information, copies it out and puts in five mistakes 2.Taking each copy containing mistakes in turn, the others in the group have to find the mistakes SKIL G8 SKIL G8 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 8

Time: 20 min or more Number of people: 2 or more REVIEWING MARKED WORK 1.Members of the group swap work that has already been marked 2.Each member of the group then reviews the work and writes out three bullet points that highlight the correct use of subject matter/skills/communication of answer 3.Then write out three bullet points that highlights where subject matter/skills/communication of answer could have been more effective 4.The group review the points that each member has highlighted and identify where individuals or the group need to improve. SKIL G9 SKIL G9 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 9

Time: 30min Number of people: 2 to 4 REVIEWING MARKED WORK 1.Each person picks a different question that has been marked. 2.They analyse the marked question identifying bullet point about why they have achieved marks and why they didn't get awarded marks, correcting work as they go (it is useful to have mark schemes at this stage). 3.Each person then takes it in turns to explain to the rest of the group what they have discovered. SKIL G10 SKIL G10 Strategies & Knowledge for Independent Learning Sheet: Group work 10