1. An answer to "What makes a good team?" 2. Examples of ideal and problematic group work (Cooperative learning is also synonymous with group work.): a. Problematic b. Ideal
Reading
1. Thinking Powers for Reading Comprehension (See 1:45. ) 2. A professor explains why literature circles are important. Literature circles are a well-researched cooperative learning activity for the reading classroom.
1. Cooperative play in a pre-primary school (preschool) - see the 3:23 mark.
Learner.org videos (requires a free sign-in)
Learner.org has some good videos where cooperative learning is demonstrated, but to view the videos, you must create an account (for free) and then sign in each time. I created a special e-mail account for people not wanting to make their own account. Log in here using this e-mail address - video@1for2.org - and this password - videos . Click "yes" to the question, "Remember me?" so that you do not have to log in again from the computer you are using.
You will then be taken to a temporary screen for ten seconds (a Learner.org legal-agreement) before being automatically re-routed to another Learner.org page, where a video will pop up in a second window. Neither one is related to cooperative learning. However, you must go through this process to be able to access the relevant videos. Close the smaller window that is showing the video while leaving the larger one open. Now you are ready to see Learner.org's videos about cooperative learning.
2. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Classroom Program 10. Fostering Book Discussions: Third-grade teacher Maria Ruiz-Blanco is piloting the use of book clubs in her bilingual classroom. ... Working in groups, students discuss what they read, ask questions, and make connections to their own lives. The video
2. Description of the video (scroll down) - "4. Exploring Functions: Students practice process standards such as reasoning and problem-solving as they work in groups to solve two equations using more than one method—such as graphing, algebra, or geometry. The video
3. Description of the video (scroll down) - "12. Calculator-Based Labs: Student groups learn how they will conduct two experiments using the Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL) system—a temperature probe and a motion detector attached to graphing calculators." The video
4. Description of the video (scroll down) - "14. Fish Derby: In a linear programming problem, students work in groups using the data they gathered and information on fishes’ breeding and feeding habits to determine optimal fish populations in a fictional pond." The video
5. Description of the video (scroll down) - "15. Maximizing Profits: A class is divided into small groups to discuss problem-solving strategies, such as finding a verbal model, assigning labels, and writing an algebraic model based on maximizing profit on sales of necklaces and bracelets." The video
1. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Workshop 7. Responding to Writing - Peer to Peer: Throughout the writing process, peer response can help young adolescents develop as thinkers and writers. In this session, participants explore strategies for structuring peer interactions and for teaching students to respond positively and productively to each other’s work." The video
2. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Program 12. Peer Conferences: Third-grade teacher Jeanne Boiarsky teaches a peer conference protocol to her class and Lindsay Dibert’s fifth-grade class uses a different peer conference strategy in revising personal narratives." The video
3. Description of the video (scroll down) - "14. Peer Feedback: Students, teachers, and professional writers demonstrate how the revision process often starts out — and sometimes works best — in a group setting. A federal judge and her clerks, a group of students, and a team of journalists illustrate how the whole can be greater than the sum of its writers." The video
Science
1. Description of a series of eight videos (with links to the videos) - "Science K-6: Investigating Classrooms shows how teachers are incorporating genuine inquiry into their classes. See experienced teachers create supportive learning environments, structure small groups for cooperative learning, and draw out and interpret what students are thinking and learning." History / Geography / Social Studies
1. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Workshop 3. Public Policy and the Federal Budget: … This lesson highlights the integration of teacher-directed instruction with small-group work." The video
3. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Workshop 6. Engaging Students in Active Learning: In this session, the teachers examine the elements of authentic instruction and cooperative learning to identify ways of engaging students in social studies content. ..." The video
4. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Workshop 7. Controversial Public Policy Issues:…The methodologies highlighted in this lesson include role playing and structured academic controversy." (Structured Academic Controversy is a cooperative debate in which students argue both sides of the issue. This method will be the key to teaching contentious issues in the history classroom at The Cypriot School." The video
5. Description of the video (scroll down) - "29. Groups, Projects, and Presentations: … Through examples of cooperative learning, decision making, and problem solving, teachers can examine how to use groups, projects, and presentations to promote powerful learning." The video
