My kiddos love working in cooperative groups. Let’s face it,
they love to talk. I am tickled pink when they are talking about math, not so
much when they get distracted and start talking about their weekends.
Each time we start a new task, I let my students select
their own group. My rule is they are only allowed one person to be the same
from the last group. I tell them to stand up push in their chairs and then I
give them 1 minute to find a new seat. If they are not seated after one minute,
I find a seat for them. For some classes, I have a few students that do not
work well together. In these cases, I sit each one of these students down at
different groups prior to starting the 1 minute clock. The other students will
then fill in around them.
I few years ago, I created a cooperative learning rubric
that works well with my students. I recently updated the rubric with adorable
troll clipart, and I would like to share it with you.
Before I use the rubric with a class, I teach them HOW to
work in a group. I let them model appropriate group behaviors. I show them
quality work. I may have to do this throughout the year, depending on the
class.
I print the rubric on half pages and give one to each group.
I know not everyone agrees to competition in the classroom. I am a very
competitive person and somehow can’t help turning everything into a game or
competition. I tell my classes the group with the highest score will be
rewarded. This is where knowing you class is valuable. What reward will be the
most beneficial. Some classes like to clip up on our behavior chart, others
like candy, while others like earning math game time. As students get more proficient at working in
groups, start using the reward more sporadically. Do not get rid of it all
together, but keep them guessing.
