Cooperative Learning Strategies
Inside-Outside Circle
Description:
This is a great cooperative learning strategy that involve all the students in the classroom. This strategy helps in engaging all the the students in the learning process, and creates movement. The students will be asked to stand up and form two different circles: Half of them will stand in the inside circle (facing outside) and the other half stand in the outside circle (facing inside). Each student will pair with a partner. Then, the teacher will give her students a task. Students will take turns to discuss a topic or answer specific questions. Then, the teacher will ask the outside circle to move counter clockwise two or three students, and repeat the same question or ask a new one.
Classroom application:
This is a great cooperative learning strategy that involve all the students in the classroom. This strategy helps in engaging all the the students in the learning process, and creates movement. The students will be asked to stand up and form two different circles: Half of them will stand in the inside circle (facing outside) and the other half stand in the outside circle (facing inside). Each student will pair with a partner. Then, the teacher will give her students a task. Students will take turns to discuss a topic or answer specific questions. Then, the teacher will ask the outside circle to move counter clockwise two or three students, and repeat the same question or ask a new one.
Classroom application:
- This strategy can be used to discuss a new material.
- Learn about/or review any topic.
Think- Pair- Share
Description:
This is another cooperative learning strategy that enable the students to work together and discuss a topic or solve a problem. It has three steps:
Classroom application:
This is another cooperative learning strategy that enable the students to work together and discuss a topic or solve a problem. It has three steps:
- Think: Students will be asked to think individually about a specific topic or solve a problem.
- Pair: Then they will be asked to pair with one of their classmates or a small group.
- Share: And share their ideas or answers with them.
Classroom application:
- This strategy can be incorporated across different content areas.
- It can be used to summarize or develop an opinion about a specific topic.
Numbered Heads Together
Description:
This is a cooperative learning strategy that promotes discussion in classrooms and benefits students. Students will be divided into three or four groups and each student will be given a number. Then the teacher will present a problem or a question to the students. Each group will "put their heads together" and work to solve that problem or answer the question. Students should make sure that each member of the group knows the answer. Finally, the teacher will call a number and the student that has that number should answer the question.
Classroom application:
This is a cooperative learning strategy that promotes discussion in classrooms and benefits students. Students will be divided into three or four groups and each student will be given a number. Then the teacher will present a problem or a question to the students. Each group will "put their heads together" and work to solve that problem or answer the question. Students should make sure that each member of the group knows the answer. Finally, the teacher will call a number and the student that has that number should answer the question.
Classroom application:
- This strategy is flexible and can be used at a variety of levels.
- Teachers can use this strategy to answer factual questions first, and once the student become familiar with it, she can use it for giving opinion or analysis of a specific topic.
CHAMPS
Description:
CHAMPS is a strategy that can be used during cooperative learning activities, and it stands for:
CHAMPS is a strategy that can be used during cooperative learning activities, and it stands for:
- Conversation: Can students talk to each other?
- Help: How they get the attention to answer their questions?
- Activity: What is the objective of the task/activity?
- Movement: Is movement allowed during the activity?
- Participation: How do students participate?
- Success.
- This strategy can be used as a classroom management strategy.
- It teaches students how to be successful in their classrooms.
Three- Step- Interview
Description:
This strategy engages students in conversations to discuss specific topics or answer questions. It helps students with active listening, taking notes, paraphrasing, and respect the others' ideas and opinions. Students will work in pairs. One is the interviewer and the other one is the interviewee. After finishing the interview process, students reverse roles and repeat the interview. Then, the pairs will join another group and share their ideas and answers.
Classroom application:
This strategy engages students in conversations to discuss specific topics or answer questions. It helps students with active listening, taking notes, paraphrasing, and respect the others' ideas and opinions. Students will work in pairs. One is the interviewer and the other one is the interviewee. After finishing the interview process, students reverse roles and repeat the interview. Then, the pairs will join another group and share their ideas and answers.
Classroom application:
- This strategy can be used as an ice breaker for students in the same group as they get to know each other.
- Teachers can provide the students with the interview questions or ask them to generate their own ones.
Jigsaw
Description:
This is a cooperative learning strategy that engages all the students in the classroom. Teacher should divide the students into groups. Each group should assign a leader to manage the group. The leader will assign each member of the group as he/she will be responsible to read a particular part. Then, the teacher will ask the students who read the same part to sit together and discuss what they read. Finally, students will go back to their original groups and present what they learned. Teacher should observe the students and intervene when it is necessary.
Classroom application:
This is a cooperative learning strategy that engages all the students in the classroom. Teacher should divide the students into groups. Each group should assign a leader to manage the group. The leader will assign each member of the group as he/she will be responsible to read a particular part. Then, the teacher will ask the students who read the same part to sit together and discuss what they read. Finally, students will go back to their original groups and present what they learned. Teacher should observe the students and intervene when it is necessary.
Classroom application:
- This strategy can be incorporated to any content area or topic.
- It can be used for different levels.
Four Corners Strategy
Description:
This strategy is a very engaging activity for students. Teacher will put posters or signs in four corners in the classroom. After presenting a specific topic, and discussing it with the students; teacher will instruct the students to check the corners and stand on the one that convenes them the most. Students will get the chance to discuss their point of view with their peers in each corner. Finally, students' group in each corner will assign a spokesperson who should give a summary or an explanation of their ideas.
Classroom application:
This strategy is a very engaging activity for students. Teacher will put posters or signs in four corners in the classroom. After presenting a specific topic, and discussing it with the students; teacher will instruct the students to check the corners and stand on the one that convenes them the most. Students will get the chance to discuss their point of view with their peers in each corner. Finally, students' group in each corner will assign a spokesperson who should give a summary or an explanation of their ideas.
Classroom application:
- This strategy can be used to discuss controversial topics..
- It can be used to assess students' understanding or review what they already learned.
Graffiti Board
Description:
This strategy engages students as it is very visual and fun to do. Every student will be given a piece of paper and colors. Students will be asked to draw or visually represent their knowledge about a key concept or a specific topic. Then, students will post their papers on the wall and they will be allowed to share and explain their papers.
Classroom application:
This strategy engages students as it is very visual and fun to do. Every student will be given a piece of paper and colors. Students will be asked to draw or visually represent their knowledge about a key concept or a specific topic. Then, students will post their papers on the wall and they will be allowed to share and explain their papers.
Classroom application:
- This strategy can be used to let the students share their personal experiences related to a specific topic.
- Learn new vocabulary words.
- It can be used to assess students' understanding or review what they already learned.