From: Carol.Hooper@f64.n381.z1.fidonet.org (Carol Hooper)
Newsgroups: k12.chat.teacher
Subject: re: COOPERATIVE LEARNING
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 92 06:35:14 PDT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:381/64 - Academy K12 Net, El Paso TX

I've just finished a CL workshop and think I can pass on some great 
ideas.  First, maybe content cards to develop teams.  For example, you 
make up four cards with squares on them, with circles on them, various 
polygons, etc.  AFter these are passed out randomly, the kids find 
their "teammates" by searching for those with the same card.  I have 
found, and the workshop presenters agree, that when the choice is 
totally random, there is less complaining.  Then, of course, that team 
becomes the "experts" on that shape finding formulas for area, 
perimeter, etc.  They can then present this to their class, possibly 
making models.  Also, do you assign roles?  Do you have reporters, 
recorders, materials manager, encourager, etc?  Finally, I must 
reiterate the importance I found in making everyone responsible for 
each other for those bonus points.  This encourages that one student 
who is not sure at all about participating to do so.  One very 
valuable lesson I got out of the workshop was the importance of 
teaching the social skills of working together.  It was emphasized 
that we must explain what complimenting and praising is.  Then we have 
to practice it.  I'm going to use it this way tomorrow, for example.  
I"m going to give Tangram puzzles for the team to complete.  They will 
then follow the ditto which asks them to piece the puzzle to form 
squares, triangles using four of the shapes, rectangles using 5 of the 
shapes, etc.  I'll have one observer from the group marking with 
checkmarks their three teammates as they compliment each other.  EAch 
complement receives one checkmark.  Of course, I'll start this lesson 
with a mini-lesson on complementing and what exactly that is all 
about.  Then we will "debrief" at the end of the lesson, discussing 
what the observer found, ways to improve, and patting ourselves on the 
back for good jobs done.  The next lesson might be about "checking for 
agreement" with an observer (either a teammmate of myself) and another 
about "giving ideas."  The workshop presenters made two good points.  
The kids learn from observing as they internalize and concentrate on 
who is doing what praising, idea giving, checking for agreement, etc.  
And, during a video presented, the thought was voiced that the 8th 
grade math teacher was concerned about stepping away from her math 
curriculum to teach a social skill and she was told by an esteemed 
professor "You must remember that you are a teacher of children first, 
and that you simply use math as your vehicle to do so."  Since then, 
she's never hesitated to do so saying that the cooperation has brought 
about increased productivity on content area assignments.
         One other note, a great team assignment which gets the kids 
outside and moving is this:  Have each team become a re-tarring 
business.  (Or re-sodding, re-painting) and have them re-tar the 
basketball courts (or tennis courts, or re-sod the football field) 
which means they must measure and figure cost per whatever and do some 
research with nurserys for sod, whatever.  Then have them give you an 
estimate of costs, etc.  
        Please share your ideas with me as well.  I'd love to know 
more as I'm really into this CL.  So, what do you think?


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