Cooperative Learning Strategy #21

Round Robin Brainstorming

Basics: In this activity, a question or prompt is proposed to which there are multiple answers or views. Students are organized into small groups in circles. One by one the students will come up with as many answers to the question as possible within the time limit given. Answers cannot be repeated within the time frame and students cannot pass on their turn. Directions: 1. Pose a question 2. Give the students 30 seconds to think about their own answers. 3. Set the timer for 3-5 minutes. 4. Let the students share their answers in a circle one-by-one. When: When a break is needed from regular instruction. When teamwork and cooperative learning is needed. When we need to facilitate learning by hearing other peoples views. When students need to voice their opinion in smaller circles without interrupting the whole class. Source: Ledlow, S. (1995). Instructions for Red Robin Brainstorming. In www.hydroville.org/system/files/team_roundrobin.pdf. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from http://www.hydroville.org/system/files/team_roundrobin.pdf

Cooperative Learning Strategy #22

Think, Pair, Share

Basics: This strategy takes as much or as little time as you allow it too. There are no materials required except discussion questions or topics you want the students to discuss together. Directions: 1. A question or idea is presented. 2. Present a prompt. 3. Give the students about 30 second sto think about the question or prompt presented. 4. Now say, Turn to a partner and share your answer. 5. Let the pairs discuss for a minute or two. When: When students need to get up and moving. When a break in teacher speech is needed. There is a need for team building People need a change of state and a colleague to discuss an idea. Dialogue is needed. Source: Johnson, Johnson, and Smith (1991a, 1991b); Johnson and Johnson (1994); Kagan (1992); Lyman (1981); Lyman and McTighe (2001).

Cooperative Learning Strategy #23

Inside-Outside Circles
Basics: Student form two circles, one inside circle that faces outwards, and one circle encompassing the former, that faces inwards. Students are then organized in pairs of who faces whom. They are given a topic, and then they must discuss the topic or question with their partner for the given time limit. When time is up, one circle shifts two people, and a new question is posed. This is a cooperative learning exercise where students get to share their ideas and hear input from their peers. It takes about 10 minutes depending on how much discussion you want the students to have. Directions: 1. Organize a group of students into a circle and have them face outwards. 2. Organize the next group of students is a circle that encompasses the first circle. Have them face inwards. 3. Pose a question or topic. 4. Give them two minutes to discuss with their partner i.e. the student facing them. 5. Rotate one of the circles. 6. Pose the next question with the new pairs. When: When students need to get up and moving. There is a need for team building. Sharing information can be beneficial for learning. Students need the opportunity to communicate with their peers about an issue. Source: Annenberg Institute for Reform (1998); Australian Government Department of Educaton (2006); Chadwick (2006); Gibbs (2001); Johnson, Johnson, and Johnson-Holubec (1993); Kagan (1992).

Cooperative Learning Strategy #24

Jigsaw
Basics: This provides students the opportunity to dive deeper into a specific topic and then regroup as a large class to share and discuss their findings. Directions: 1. Divide a topic or issue into 4 (or any other number of topics) parts. 2. Group the students into a number of small groups that corresponds to the number of sections you designed. 3. The small groups work together on their topic for 10-15 minutes; gathering and processing data in such a way that they may share it with the rest of the class. 4. The groups share their information with the rest of the class and teach one another. When: Students need active involvement in their own learning. Students need to converse with their peers to better comprehend a subject. There is a need for team building. Students needs to get up and moving. Source: Oliver, K. (1999). Cooperative Learning . Retrieved April 30, 2013, from http://www.edtech.vt.edu/edtech/id/models/powerpoint/coop.pdf

Cooperative Learning Strategy #25

3-2-1 Whats on Your Mind?

Basics: This instructional strategy is a quick and effective formative assessment tool that helps teachers understand whats important to students. Directions: 1. Distribute 3-2-1 cards to students as a ticket out the door assessment. 2. Deliver them the 3-2-1 prompt such as Weite down three things you learned, two concepts that were new to you, and one question you still have. 3. Ask students to fill out their cards. 4. Collect the cards as students leave the room. 5. Process the data collected and determine what actions should be taken concerning these students. When: Students need to be actively involved in their own learning. At the end of a class period as a sponge activity. As a formative assessment. When data is needed to evaluate student achievement. Source: Garmston (1996); Jones (1998); Zygouris-Coe, Wiggins, and Smith (2004).