How to Write Lesson Plan Using the Cooperative Group Instructional Model

What is Group Work?? There are three types of group interactions that can be used in lesson designs

1) Competitive Groups Group members work together to complete a goal first or better than other groups

2) Individualistic Groups Each member of the group completes the goal using own ideas, and then all projects are collected together to produce a larger work

3) Cooperative Groups Students work together as a group to complete the goal which is then shared with other groups also working on the goal

We will be discussing the Cooperative Group model

What does a cooperative group look like?

There are 2 structures: Informal Formal

Informal Groups Structures include: Numbered Heads Together Students number off into groups and "put their heads together" to make sure everyone has the answer to a question the teacher has asked.

Informal Groups Structures include: Numbered Heads Together Groups of Four Students are randomly assigned to groups of four. Each member of the group is assigned a particular role or job to accomplish for the group. Together the group solves the problem assigned and is awarded a group reward.

Informal Groups Structures include: Numbered Heads Together Groups of Four Think-Pair-Share Teacher asks a question or assigns a problem. Students independently answer the question or come to a solution of the problem. Students are then paired with another student and asked to discuss their answers. Students then share their consensus answer with the larger group.

Formal Groups Structures include: Mixed-Expert Grouping Each member of the team is given a piece of the problem or a unique set of materials to explore and is asked to become the expert on that area. The problem to be solved requires the experts to put together their knowledge to devise a solution to the problem.

Formal Groups Structures include: Mixed-Expert Grouping Jigsaw Students are placed in study groups and presented with the problem. The group assigns one member from their group to join a team whose task is to become expert in an area of knowledge needed to solve one piece of the problem. These "expert" groups meet and then group members return to the study group to teach expert knowledge to other group members.

Now.....are you asking? How do I write that up correctly and make all my instructors and associate teachers happy?

Begin with the basic lesson plan template... Input information in Steps 1-7 and save Step 9 for after the lesson. It’s fairly straight forward! STEP 8 is the step that must include the procedure you will use to teach the lesson.

Look more closely at STEP 8 STEP 8 is composed of a sequence of 4 activities: 8.a. Introduction 8.b. A Sequence of Teaching and Learning 8.c. Application 8.d. Closure and Assessment Let’s examine this sequence of events!

We begin with the Introduction... TWO components Focus Activity HOOKS the learner Introduces the learning objective and ties this new content of the lesson to content student already knows (prior knowledge)

We begin with the 8a. Introduction... TWO components Focus Activity Advanced Organizer Tells students what they will be learning in the lesson EVERY lesson starts with these 2 activities!

Next is the “8B. Sequence of Teaching & Learning” This changes depending upon the learning objectives for the lesson: What do you want your students to be able to do, know, or be after the instruction? NEW content is presented with activities that ensure students learn content/skills/concepts!! Many instructional designers call these activities “developmental activities” because students “develop” new knowledge, skills, and concepts!

Next is the “8B. Sequence of Teaching & Learning” The learning outcomes for the group work instructional model are usually related to social construction of knowledge and concepts. Students will gather information and compile knowledge to present in some form!

Group Work Assignments are written up in 4 steps: Step 1: A description of the task to be solved, completed or organized to be presented to students.

Group Work Assignments are written up in 4 steps: Step 1: Task Description Step 2: A statement about how the students will be grouped and rules for working in the group.

Group Work Assignments are written up in 4 steps: Step 1: Task Description Step 2: Group Rules Step 3: Benchmarks: If the process is a lengthy one, you may ask the groups to report findings to you at certain intervals. You should state these here.

Group Work Assignments are written up in 4 steps: Step 1: Task Description Step 2: Group Rules Step 3: Benchmarks Step 4: Students share completed work with class. A statement about how you will accomplish this. (For example, will all students have a part in the report, will one student report for the group, etc.? This needs to be clarified.)

To review: These 4 steps for 8B “spell out” exactly what students will be doing in their groups! Step 1: Task Description Step 2: Group Rules Step 3: Benchmarks Step 4: Presentation Procedure

NOW...8C should describe any independent practice that occurs in the lesson... NOT really a part of the group work instructional model!! You could describe how you will facilitate groups in this paragraph!

8D will describe closure & assessments... Closure Teacher asks several questions to help students summarize what was learned in the lesson (STUDENTS do the work)

8D should describe closure & assessments... Closure Teacher asks several questions to help students summarize what was learned in the lesson (STUDENTS do the work) Teacher does NOT state what they learned in the lesson today. This is not closure!!

8D should describe closure & assessments... Closure Assessments Documentation of student achievement Tests, quizzes, essays, reports, projects This is formal and usually marked! EVERY lesson ends with a closure session! Not all lessons end with a formal assessment!

TO REVIEW STEP 8 should have these steps! Presentation Steps: 1. Introduction Focus Activity Advanced Organizer 2. Developmental Activities Task Description Group Rules Benchmarks Presentation Procedure 3) Assessment Activities Closure or review Formal Assessments ALL lesson plans have these two components! ONLY the developmental activities are different depending upon the instructional model being used!

TO REVIEW STEP 8 should have these steps! Presentation Steps: 1. Introduction Focus Activity Advanced Organizer 2. Developmental Activities Task Description Group Rules Benchmarks Presentation Procedure 3) Assessment Activities Closure or review Formal Assessments Lesson plans using Group Work Instructional Model should have these steps here!

Check out a sample lesson plan! _plan.htm Then complete the Drag and Drop for this eBook!

That’s it!! Simple as 1-2-3??? QUESTIONS???