Cooperative Learning Professional Development Nov./Dec.

It’s good for kids! The research indicates that cooperative learning has positive effects on pupils’ empathy, tolerance for differences, feelings of acceptance, friendships, self-confidence, and even school attendance (Solomon, Watson & Battistich, 2001). *taken from a 2007 Finnish education report

Outcomes for today: Know the 3 types of groups Know the 3 types of groups Know the 5 elements of successful cooperative learning Know the 5 elements of successful cooperative learning Know why Cooperative Learning helps you as a teacher Know why Cooperative Learning helps you as a teacher Be able to create a Cooperative Learning lesson that incorporates all 5 elements by the end of December. Be able to create a Cooperative Learning lesson that incorporates all 5 elements by the end of December.

3 group types: a review Formal groups: last from one day to several weeks; students have assigned roles and specific outcomes Formal groups: last from one day to several weeks; students have assigned roles and specific outcomes Base groups: run all year (ex: Goal teams, PLCs) Base groups: run all year (ex: Goal teams, PLCs) Informal groups: last from a few minutes to a class period (ex: Think/Pair/Share, jigsaw, Rally Table) Informal groups: last from a few minutes to a class period (ex: Think/Pair/Share, jigsaw, Rally Table)

5 elements of Cooperative Learning: Positive Interdependence (sink or swim) Positive Interdependence (sink or swim) Face-to-Face Interaction Face-to-Face Interaction Individual and Group Accountability Individual and Group Accountability Interpersonal & Small-Group Skills Interpersonal & Small-Group Skills Group Processing Group Processing

Why should we use cooperative learning? NC Teaching Standard: NC Teaching Standard: 4f. Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities. 4f. Teachers help students work in teams and develop leadership qualities. –Teach the importance of cooperation and collaboration –Organize learning teams in order to help students define roles, strengthen social ties, improve communication and collaborative skills, interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds, and develop leadership qualities

Rally Table (informal group activity) Number off 1,2,3,4,5 (the number you are is the standard you begin with) Number off 1,2,3,4,5 (the number you are is the standard you begin with) Review the Standards document while focusing on your assigned standard (3 min.) Review the Standards document while focusing on your assigned standard (3 min.) Using activity template provided, list 1-2 ways you are addressing your standard in your classroom (30 sec.) Using activity template provided, list 1-2 ways you are addressing your standard in your classroom (30 sec.) Stay in your seat and keep passing the templates clockwise and repeat process for the remaining four standards (2 min.) Stay in your seat and keep passing the templates clockwise and repeat process for the remaining four standards (2 min.) Report out by standard – only sharing new or different examples for each standard Report out by standard – only sharing new or different examples for each standard

How could you use Rally Table in YOUR content area? English: give examples of literary devices in a specified work English: give examples of literary devices in a specified work Math: show the steps to solve a problem Math: show the steps to solve a problem S. Studies: list factors that contributed to different wars/conflicts S. Studies: list factors that contributed to different wars/conflicts Science: record facts about different parts of the body Science: record facts about different parts of the body Computers: explain steps to create a spreadsheet, brochure, etc. Computers: explain steps to create a spreadsheet, brochure, etc. PE/health: describe methods/rules for playing different games PE/health: describe methods/rules for playing different games Art: list characteristics of different artistic movements Art: list characteristics of different artistic movements Chorus/band: describe characteristics of specified musical periods Chorus/band: describe characteristics of specified musical periods

Helpful Hints: 1. Group kids in lots of different ways: abilities, strengths, birthdays, favorite foods, etc. 2. Keep groups small most of the time (3-4 members is optimal) 3. Use with intention and purpose 4. Make each kid accountable as an individual and as a group 5. Have a measure of accountability: individual and/or group 6. Each child should have a definite role with specific responsibilities (i.e. role cards)

Challenges The main challenge in Cooperative Learning is group conflict. In helping students learn to work together, you can teach skills like praising others, taking turns, and shared decision making. In helping students learn to work together, you can teach skills like praising others, taking turns, and shared decision making. It can also be loud when you use cooperative groups, so prepare yourself if you’re used to a quiet classroom. It can also be loud when you use cooperative groups, so prepare yourself if you’re used to a quiet classroom. An effective approach to handling group conflict is to use a simple conflict-resolution checklist. ollab/explor_sub2.html An effective approach to handling group conflict is to use a simple conflict-resolution checklist. ollab/explor_sub2.html ollab/explor_sub2.html ollab/explor_sub2.html

Next steps… Using a learning target from your content area/grade level, fill out the cooperative learning planning form. Using a learning target from your content area/grade level, fill out the cooperative learning planning form. For homework, apply the planned technique in the classroom and be prepared to share out in the next meeting. For homework, apply the planned technique in the classroom and be prepared to share out in the next meeting. Bring artifacts, testimonials, and examples to the next meeting & be ready to share! Bring artifacts, testimonials, and examples to the next meeting & be ready to share!

Available Resources 15 Cooperative Learning Strategies (Marty Moore) 15 Cooperative Learning Strategies (Marty Moore) Laura Candler website: Laura Candler website: pt2class/coopcollab/index.html pt2class/coopcollab/index.html pt2class/coopcollab/index.html pt2class/coopcollab/index.html p p p p

Available Resources Carolyn Coil Successful Teaching in the Differentiated Classroom (IF has copy) pp Carolyn Coil Successful Teaching in the Differentiated Classroom (IF has copy) pp Carolyn Coil Standards-based Activities and Assessments for the Differentiated Classroom (for group product criteria) pp Carolyn Coil Standards-based Activities and Assessments for the Differentiated Classroom (for group product criteria) pp

Plus/Delta/Rx