Access Strategy:

Cooperative Learning

Strategies

Shuffle Traditional Group Work Cooperative Learning is

Goals

OPractice effective scaffolding of Cooperative Learning techniques to increase ELs’ listening and speaking skills.

Why Cooperative Learning?

For SELs, ELs, Students w/Disabilities, and Gifted students, cooperative learning promotes: Olanguage acquisitionOopportunities to practice their skills with more advanced students Othinking skills when students brainstorm, explain, question, disagree, socialize, persuade, and problem-solve.

Traditional Group Work Cooperative Learning is

SELF-LEARNINGAssignments are discussed with little commitment to each other's learning.

COLLABORATIVE TEAMWORKGroup members help, assist, encourage, and support each other's efforts to learn.

SOCIAL SKILLS ASSUMEDSocial skills are assumed or ignored.

SOCIAL SKILLS DIRECTLY TAUGHTTeamwork skills are emphasized -- members are explicitly taught and expected to use collaborative skills.

TASK –ONLY EMPHASISNo processing of how well the group is functioning or the quality of its work.

REFLECT ON GROUP DYNAMICSStudents have time and are given a procedure to analyze how well their groups are functioning, how well they are using the appropriate social skills, and how to improve the quality of their work

NO INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITYIndividual students not held responsible for their share of the work, “hitchhike” on others

INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITYLeadership shared by all members. Each student is assessed on their mastery.

Essentials for Cooperative Learning

1) Clear “student-friendly” objectivesEx: We are going to do a gallery walk activity. My

goals for you are to practice your listening and speaking skills. I also want you to begin to think about the image of America which will help you as we go into our unit on foreign policy.

2) Expectations of behavior3) Modeling – short model of what the activity looks like and sounds like in action4) Prompts – give students sentence starters

4 Corners Activity O Low risk for studentsO Facilitates small group interactionO Helps ELs practice oral languageO Can be spontaneous

Student-friendly Objectives

OThe goals for you are to practice your listening and speaking skills. OI also want you to begin to think about “American Values”. This will help you as we go into our unit on the Bill of Rights.

4 Corners Directions1. Determine whether you Strongly

Agree, Agree, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree with the statement

2. Write your response on a 3x5 card3. Move to the corner of the room that

matches your response 4. While in your corner, you will have

a small group discussion with your peers

Expectations

OEveryone will participateOStudents will respectful of each

other’s opinionsOStay on taskOBe mindful of time

Statement 1: The United States is welcoming to

immigrants.

O I agree with the statement because …

O I chose this side because…

O My reason for choosing this side is because…

Good words to use are: support, evidence, basis, proof, facts, data,

demonstrate

ModelingOI came to the “no” corner because I don’t agree that the United States is welcoming to immigrants. My reason is that everyday you hear that they want to keep building more fences and hire more guards at the border. That’s evidence the US wants to keep immigrants out.

Statement 2: We have more freedom now than

we did 50 years ago.

O I agree with the statement because…

O I chose this side because…

O My reason for choosing this side is because…

Good words to use are: support, evidence, basis, proof, facts, data,

demonstrate

Gallery Walk Activity

1. Walk around the room and take a look at the images on the walls.

2. Question: Which image BEST represents American values?

3. Select and stand by the image you have chosen. (There cannot be more than 5 people in each group.)

Gallery Walk Directions 1. Have a Round Robin discussion (each

person speaks) OI chose this image because it shows

…OThis image most represents America

because…OI think this image most represents

America by …

Gallery Walk Example

I chose this image of a cowboy because to me it reflects the American value of independence and having an adventurous spirit. I see this image in movies and ads.

Group Statement

1. As a group write a statement on how the image you selected represents our American values.

2. As a group “walk” around the room to read each statement.

3. CHALK TALK: Respond to other groups’ statements. Use marks, words, or add additional comments.

Helpful Hints for CLO Monitor the noise level and have

consequences when kids get too loud.

O If you are asked the same question by two groups, you may want to stop the whole class to clarify and take additional questions.

O Use a rubric or checklist for students to grade their group’s collaboration.

O Assign a group monitor if you are concerned about off task behavior. Assign a role to each student.

ReflectionOHow could the CL activities be

beneficial for ELs?

O Is there an upcoming lesson where you could use either 4 Corners, Gallery Walk or Stay and Stray?

OWhat barriers/issues could you see for using one of the CL activities in your classroom?