Cooperative Learning at Richardson Primary School

At Richardson Primary School we are committed to improving student achievement through embedding cooperative learning in every classroom.

What is Cooperative Learning?

"Cooperative learning is a social process grounded by structured group work, and is concerned with promoting both social and academic outcomes; that is, students learn new social skills and how to work together in order to achieve academic goals. These goals are realised through the imposition of structure and control by the teacher. The teacher holds students accountable for learning, collectively. In doing so, the teacher acts like a manager or director who uses instructional strategies to engender social skills, positive interdependence, cooperation, and accountability" (Brody, 1995).

All classes are equipped with Kagan Cooperative Learning resources to assist with the implementation of cooperative learning. Essential information is outlined in the cooperative learning book.

P.I.E.S - The Four Basic Principles of Cooperative Learning

(See chapter 5 of Kagan Coopartive Learning course book)

P - Positive Interdependence

Positive Interdependence creates mutual support among students.

I - Individual Accountability

Individual Accountability dramatically increases student's participation and motivation to achieve.

E - Equal Participation

Students who otherwise would not participate or who would participate vary little become engaged when we equalise participation.

S - Simultaneous Interaction

The amount of participation per students and our efficiency in teaching and managing the classroom are increased enormously when we use simultaneous rather than sequential structures.

Teams

"Teams promote strong bonds between students, facilitate interaction over curriculum and improve learning." (See chapter 7 of Kagan Cooperative Learning course book)

At Richardson teams of 2 are used in preschool and through the first 6 months of Kindergarten before moving into teams of 4.

Classbuilding

Classbuilding "provides greater student empowerment and ownership and result in a feeling that this is "our class"" The two primary approaches to Classbuilding are Classbuilding Activities and Class Restructuring. (See chapter 9 of Kagan Cooperative Learning course book)

At Richardson Primary School we ensure every class does a Classbuilding Activity at least once a week for fun.

The five aims of Classbuilding Activities are:

1. Getting Acquainted - getting to know classmates
2. Class Identity Building - forming a class identity
3. Mutual Support - feeling supported by classmates
4. Valuing Differences - Clarifying and respecting differing values
5. Developing Synergy - building on classmates' contributions

Purpose for Class Restructuring;

1. Class Meetings
2. Setting Class Goals
3. Setting Positive Class Tone - Silly Sports & Goofy Games
4. Enhancing the Class Climate
5. Class Empowerment
6. Student Input
7. Student Ownership of the Classroom
8. Student Choice
9. Student Evaluations

Teambuilding

"Teambuilding is the process by which different students come to know, trust and respect their teammates" (See chapter 10 Kagan Cooperative Learning course book)

At Richardson Primary School we ensure that Teambuilding happens at least twice a week and should be fun, non-academic and easy for all.

The five aims of Teambuilding are:

1. Getting Aquainted - getting to know teammates
2. Class Identity Building - forming a team identity
3. Mutual Support - feeling supported by teammates
4. Valuing Differences - Clarifying and respecting differing values
5. Developing Synergy - building  on teammates' contributions

Structures

"A structure is the way a teacher organises the interaction in the classroom at any moment." Structures organise classroom instruction, are content free and implements the basic principles of Cooperative learning (PIES) (See chapter 6 Kagan Cooperative Learning course book). Many structures can be used to develop and enhance social skills in students.

Kagan Trainer Rob Jutras in consultation with Dr Spencer Kagan identified "The Essential 5" Cooperative learning structures as a starting point for any Cooperative learning classroom.

1. RallyRobin
2. Timed Pair Share
3. RoundRobin
4. RallyCoach
5. Stand Up, Hand Up Pair Up

Many structures have social skills built into their steps. At Richardson we regularly use structures that give students opportunities to practice social skills in a natural way. A chart identifying the specific social skills used in each structure can be found in the Social Skills chapter (chapter 11) of the Kagan Cooperative Learning course book.

Cooperative Learning at Richardson Primary School 2015 ( 556 KB)

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