Using Team Challenges to Promote Individual Learning Daren Starnes The Lawrenceville School dstarnes@lawrenceville.org 2016 AP Reading

Team Challenge: What? Groups of 3-4 students Collaborating on a common task Free response question(s) Multiple choice questions Investigative task Collective responsibility with individual accountability

Team Challenge: How? Assign teams of 3-4 students Randomly?! Strategically?! Seat team members together Give each student one copy of the task Set a time limit Decide how you will assess the team’s work Grade one part/question at random per student Have the team submit one paper

Team Challenge: Why? Deepen student understanding of content, methods, and statistical communication Promote collaborative learning for the benefit of all students Build students’ confidence in answering challenging questions Improve student performance on AP-style questions

Team Challenge: When? During block periods As a quiz/test during the “turkey term” In the lead-up to the AP Exam Anytime you can (I do them about once a week)