Cooperative Learning Groups

This past year I had a group of students that were not the most cooperative children in the world.  They had a lot of trouble getting along with each other so I decided to spend a great deal of time teaching them how to work in groups together.  

At first, I conducted a lot of research on how to build group dynamics and through the use of Morning Meetings (that will be another post) I discovered that my students were very dependent on an adult to solve their problems.  They hadn't  really developed social problem solving skills.  I realized I needed to take myself out of the group equation.

I was then awarded a grant from Crayola with a professional development about cooperative learning.  Learn more here. This inspired me and motivated me to continue working with my students on their group skills.  

In my class I assigned the following roles for our first Math cooperative learning experience and it worked rather well.

My students were assigned to one of 7 groups (4 students in each group).  The team captain was assigned but they had to decide amongst themselves who would do the other tasks.  The tasks were as follows:

Captain: Final decision maker when the group can not decide together (this kept them from running to me to solve disputes).

Recorder: This person wrote the answers that the group members decided on together.

Materials Manager: The only student in the group that was allowed to get out of their seat to retrieve materials.

Fact Checker: make sure the team is turning in quality work.  Double-check to make sure the recorder is recording the right information in the right place.  

I was amazed at how well the experience went! There was no arguing because their roles within the group were clearly defined.  We repeated cooperative learning groups many times throughout the year with the same results. When students were allowed to choose their roles within the group they seemed to have a sense of ownership with the assignment and the results. 

Educational Leadership

I really think this picture says it all. I have taught at 3 different schools in my career and have found that good leadership makes all the difference. The administration at a school can determine everything from teacher moral to student achievement.

In my opinion, an effective administrator is in touch with the climate of their school.   They are able to measure the morale and support of the staff by communicating and asking questions in a nonthreatening way.  They allow their staff to take risks and encourage innovative teaching styles. A good administrator is visible and professional.  When the staff, students, and parents know you care, they are more willing to go the extra mile for you.

Showing Some Appreciation

Our library assistant is leaving this week. She has been an amazing motivator for my students this year. We wanted to show our appreciation so I gave each student a colored index card and had them fold it so the lines were on the inside. This created mini-cards that we posted on a piece of poster board I had in my classroom.

Here are some of the notes from their cards:

"Thank you for helping me to become a better reader. It is because of you that I am going to 3rd grade."

"You are so nice. I like you. Thank you for helping me find books."

"I will be so sad not seeing you anymore. Thank you for helping me in the library"