Using Cooperative Learning to Encourage Higher Order Thinking Dunklin R-V School District New Teacher Orientation August 15, 2007

What is Higher Order Thinking? Refers to the higher tiers of Bloom’s Taxonomy & Webb’s Depth of Knowledge Levels (2) 3-4: Packet p.2-3

What is Cooperative Learning? Key Concepts –Teams (2-4; heterogeneous, homogeneous, random) –Will (Teambuilding & Classbuilding) –Management (signals, roles, modeling) –Skills (social, listening, conflict resolution, tutoring) –PIESPIES –Co-op Strategies/Structures (Kagan, Slavin, Johnson & Johnson) –No Group Grades (unfair, undermine motivation, violate individual accountability) Packet p.6

Using Questions Pairs: Rally Coach Teams: Fan-N-Pick, Cubing, Numbered Heads Together Packet p.7

Rally Coach Each partner pair gets a set of question cards or questions. Student A reads the question out loud to student B. Student B answers. (You may want students to record their answers.) Student A aids, encourages, & checks B’s answer. Partners take turns asking and answering each question. Variation: use white boards to work out answers (students love this) Packet p.8-9 These directions are on p. 7 of your packet!

Fan-N-Pick Student one fans cards. Student two picks a card & reads it aloud to the team. Student three gives an answer after 5+ seconds of think time. After another 5+ seconds of think time, student four paraphrases, praises, or adds to the answer given. Students rotate roles. Packet p These directions are on p.7 of your packet!

Cubing Players take turns rolling the question cube. The player who rolls the cube thinks for 5+ seconds, then answers the “thinking question” (TQ) that is face up. Other players add to the discussion. While the TQ is discussed, the person who rolled the dice acts as the facilitator & summarizes the conversation before the next player rolls the cube. –Variation: use Fan-n-Pick rules –Variation: Students create a mind map as they discuss to “show” you their thinking (topic in center, each question as a branch…can answer the same question more than once) Packet p These directions are on p.7 of your packet!

Numbered Heads Together Students number off in each team (each team is numbered.) Teacher poses a question. Students discuss the question. Teacher calls a student number & a team number (overhead spinner, digital spinner, etc.) The student stands & shares what his or her team discussed. These directions are on p.7 of your packet!

Question 1 Which of Abraham Lincoln’s character traits is the most admirable? Why?

Question 2 You have been granted one day to go back in history to become Abraham Lincoln. What would you do differently (besides NOT going to Ford’s theater)?

Question 3 How might the world be different today if Abraham Lincoln had never lived?

Journal Writing Students pick one question card & make a journal entry or use the question as the prompt for an essay or creative writing assignment. Students share their writing with a partner or in turn with teammates. (When students get acquainted with good higher order thinking questions, they can begin to make their own questions using “Question-Starters.”) Packet p Directions on p.7. Good way to ensure Individual Accountability after a Co-op structure.

Organizing Students into Teams Heterogeneous groups of 3+ (spin the wagon wheel) or homogenous groups of 3+ (use the color-coded groups) Billy Trisha Brad Melissa Sam Kim Brittney Aaron Kelly Mike T. Gary Rachel Shannon Sharne Amanda Chad Emily Kelsey Zach Ethan Tim Kayla Joe Ashley Steph Sara Chris Charlie Emma Leah Jasmine Mike A. Jay Aisha 1. ____________________________ The Arch 2. ____________________________ Busch Stadium 3. ____________________________ Soulard Market 4. ____________________________ Forest Park 5. ____________________________ Laclede’s Landing 6. ____________________________ Botanical Gardens 7. ____________________________ Fox Theater 8. ____________________________ Powell Symphony Hall Mixed pairs (St. Louis Partners) Packet p.16-17

Ticket to Leave Look at your graphic organizer on p.1 Identify one cooperative learning structure you will try in your classroom—put a star next to it On a slip of paper, tell me 1. The content area topic you will you use it to teach/reinforce, and 2. How you think the learning will be enriched with the strategy.

Good luck! Call or if you need anything! Dena x2010 Pam x3010 Kelly x4010 Thanks!

PIES Packet p.6 P Positive Interdependence I Individual Accountability E Equal Participation S Simultaneous Interaction