Cooperative Learning

Group Skills and First Group Assignment

Students need to be taught procedures and given practice opportunities for rearranging the classroom space, moving quietly into groups, responding to teachers' signals for attention, etc. So, too, it is important for them to receive explicit instruction and regular practice in the interpersonal skills that this method requires. These include:

Teamwork
Support, and acceptance of differences
Active/reflective listening
Positive feedback
Reaching consensus
Coaching and tutoring others

First Group Assignment

The first group work assignment is usually simple and easy. This gives students a chance to adjust to their partners, understand the roles of each participant and provide an opportunity to choose a group name. Students love to choose group names because it is “cool” and because it gives them decision-making power. Depending on the age of the students, their first group assignment could include tasks that create a group logo, group motto, group crest.

Use the links below to find out more information about cooperative learning and strategies to effectively use cooperative learning in the classroom.