AGQTP Homework

Research cooperative learning

• Here are examples of what I know of cooperative learning not already covered in previous posts:
  Think, pair, share - one of my favourites for science. Get students to think carefully about a topic BY THEMSELVES. Tell them that you want them to write or draw their own ideas and share them later. Write what they think, don't worry if they don't know it.
  Then share it with another. Defend their positions but then come to an agreement about their understanding.
  Finally share with another pair and then write a list of their common understandings.
  Great for ideas such as "What is the smallest particle", "What are living things made of", "What causes disease", "How do plants get their food."
  
  Go ask an expert - put a question on the board. All students stand up. Put your hand up if you think you know the answer. Those that don't, go and ask the "expert". Get them to clarify the answer. Then go and ask another expert until you are satisfied by the answer. Then clarify the answer with the whole class - even asking one of the experts to answer it.
  
  Three Muskateers - go around the room and find three others at random. Number off from 1-3. Each number person given some part/information to summarise to the other two.
  
  ABC graffiti - List all the letters of the alphabet. In groups, brainstorm key ideas about a topic so that all the letters have at least one word after them. Then prioritise the most important three - this is where the analysis comes in.
  
  One minute write - write on a general topic for one minute - could be a review of the unit or just on a theme. Don't lift pen off paper. Count the number of words/number of words of three syllables (quantity v quality). Set a goal for the next minute of writing (ie more words, more 3 syllable words). Write. Did you achieve your goals? Share strategies for achieving goals.
  

• Find out about Tribes (from http://www.tribes.com/abstract_character_education.htm)
  
  

  CHARACTER VALUES	TRIBES PROCESS COMPONENTS
  Caring and Compassion	Four caring Agreements are used:
  		Listen with the heart as well as head.
  		Express appreciation/no put-downs
  		Mutual respect (for others, the school and environment)
  		The right to pass within a peer group
  Responsibility
  		Students maintain membership in small groups (tribes) to support learning and positive social behavior.
  		Teachers use cooperative learning methods for academics, transfer responsibility to students to help each other.
  		All members are responsible to each other and for group accountability.
  Justice and Fairness
  		Time is taken to reflect on tribe member's work, special qualities and skills after every group task.
  		Equal participation, fairness, open and honest communication is acknowledge.
  		Group issues and conflict are mediated within the peer group.
  		Teacher observations, instruction and modeling support the cooperation with the tribes.
  Trustworthiness
  		Peer support, respect and appreciation built with the tribes and classroom enables students and teachers to know each other well and count upon the affirmed individual virtues repeatedly cited throughout every day.
  Honesty
  		Repeated use of reflection and feedback (processing) by peers develops a high level of candor and honesty. The sense of belonging (inclusion) facilitates speaking the truth.
  Doing One's Personal Best
  		Setting goals, completing tasks on time, respecting others, living responsibly and loving learning becomes the norm.
  		Hundreds of cooperative learning studies have proven that students work more diligently on task and excel academically when in caring groups than individually.
  Social Skills
  	The Tribes process is recognized as a very successful cooperative learning model because it teaches and gives daily practice to important individual and team building skills:
  	Participate fully Listen attentively Express appreciation Reflect on learning experiences Value diversity of cultures / ideas Think constructively Make responsible decisions Resolve conflict Solve problems creatively Work collaboratively on tasks Assess improvement Celebrate achievemen

  
  
  
• Do a journal entry - done previous and this entry.
  
  
• T-chart of actual teaching practice - compared to the T-chart of beliefs. Audit your classroom.