#COOPERATIVE LEARNING STRUCTURES KAGAN HOW TO#
#COOPERATIVE LEARNING STRUCTURES KAGAN FREE#

Many structures have social skills built into their steps. 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. Used to develop and enhance social skills in students.

#COOPERATIVE LEARNING STRUCTURES KAGAN FREE#

'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).

Developing Synergy - building on teammates' contributions.

Mutual Support - feeling supported by teammates.

Class Identity Building - forming a team identity.

Getting Aquainted - getting to know teammates.

'Teambuilding is the process by which different students come to know, trust and respect their teammates' (See chapter 10 Kagan Cooperative Learning course book)ДЄt Richardson Primary School we ensure that Teambuilding happens at least twice a week and should be fun, non-academic and easy for all.

Setting Positive Class Tone - Silly Sports & Goofy Games.

Developing Synergy - building on classmates' contributions.

Valuing Differences - Clarifying and respecting differing values.

Mutual Support - feeling supported by classmates.

Class Identity Building - forming a class identity.

Getting Acquainted - getting to know classmates.

The five aims of Classbuilding Activities are: (See chapter 9 of Kagan Cooperative Learning course book)ДЄt Richardson Primary School we ensure every class does a Classbuilding Activity at least once a week for fun. Teams with shared trait (ability, interest, language) formed as neededД¬lassbuilding '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.

Difficult to manage class of teams at different ability levels.

Too- similar groups lack input in Zone of proximal development.

Opportunities for some high achievers to experience being a team mate, not a leader.

Interaction opportunities for high achievers.

Leadership opportunities for low achievers.

Students select own teams formed as needed

Teams with friends, potential for off-task behaviour.

Classbuilding and networking opportunities.

Limited leadership opportunities for achievers.

Limited contact between the high achievers.

Requires ranking and labelling students.

Management easier for equal ability level teams.

'Teams promote strong bonds between students, facilitate interaction over curriculum and improve learning.' (See chapter 7 of Kagan Cooperative Learning course book)ДЄt Richardson teams of 2 are used in preschool and through the first 6 months of Kindergarten before moving into teams of 4. 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. Students who otherwise would not participate or who would participate vary little become engaged when we equalise participation. Individual Accountability dramatically increases student's participation and motivation to achieve. Positive Interdependence creates mutual support among students. (See chapter 5 of Kagan Coopartive Learning course book) P.I.E.S - The Four Basic Principles of Cooperative Learning Essential information is outlined in the cooperative learning book. 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).ДЄll classes are equipped with Kagan Cooperative Learning resources to assist with the implementation of cooperative learning. The teacher holds students accountable for learning, collectively. These goals are realised through the imposition of structureДЄnd control by the teacher.

#COOPERATIVE LEARNING STRUCTURES KAGAN HOW TO#

'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. Cooperative Learning at Richardson Primary SchoolДЄt Richardson Primary School we are committed to improving student achievement through embedding cooperative learning in every classroom.

Cooperative learning structures kagan