There are hundreds and hundreds of cooperative learning lesson ideas out there for all content areas. Cooperative learning is similar to differentiation, or can be described as a component of differentiation. Cooperative learning is aligned with Vygotsky's Social Learning Theory. The following definition comes from the office of education research and states:
This is a great definition because it encompasses different levels of ability and strategies to improve understanding. While students are working towards improving their understanding, they also are improving different skills. The artifact above is called RAFT and is a great example of cooperative learning. This is most commonly used in ELA and Social Studies classes, however they can be used in all subject areas. RAFT can be done in hundreds of different ways. It can be done in groups, independently, as a class, or all three in the same assignment. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. Role would be what the student is doing. For example, if students are writing a letter, the role would be them as librarians. Audience is who students are writing to. For example, students will be librarians writing a letter to the state allowing the list of banned books to be allowed in the school library. So the format would be a letter, and the topic would be allowing banned books in the school library. What is great about RAFT is that opportunities really are endless with what you have students do, and all students will come up with different creations. This is also a great way to see what students are learning from the lessons and activities in class. What students create can be shared in class so students can see what others created as well. You can also give each student a different role, a different format, and a different audience, but give them the same topic and see what they create. You can decide on this depending on student interest and learning styles. Like I said, the options for this cooperative learning lesson idea is endless.
Cooperative learning taught me a lot about how you can meet the needs of all students on one activity. RAFT along with sever others cooperative learning strategies (Jigsaw, think-pair-share, expert groups, etc.) are designed not only for the students to learn individually, but also to learn from each other. Giving students different roles makes them responsible for their learning. RAFT can be done independently first, then shared in small groups and then the small group creates something, and then each small group shares, and then the class creates something. Cooperative learning is active learning and it can meet the needs of all students and is designed for all types of learning/learners.
- Cooperative learning is a successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject.
This is a great definition because it encompasses different levels of ability and strategies to improve understanding. While students are working towards improving their understanding, they also are improving different skills. The artifact above is called RAFT and is a great example of cooperative learning. This is most commonly used in ELA and Social Studies classes, however they can be used in all subject areas. RAFT can be done in hundreds of different ways. It can be done in groups, independently, as a class, or all three in the same assignment. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. Role would be what the student is doing. For example, if students are writing a letter, the role would be them as librarians. Audience is who students are writing to. For example, students will be librarians writing a letter to the state allowing the list of banned books to be allowed in the school library. So the format would be a letter, and the topic would be allowing banned books in the school library. What is great about RAFT is that opportunities really are endless with what you have students do, and all students will come up with different creations. This is also a great way to see what students are learning from the lessons and activities in class. What students create can be shared in class so students can see what others created as well. You can also give each student a different role, a different format, and a different audience, but give them the same topic and see what they create. You can decide on this depending on student interest and learning styles. Like I said, the options for this cooperative learning lesson idea is endless.
Cooperative learning taught me a lot about how you can meet the needs of all students on one activity. RAFT along with sever others cooperative learning strategies (Jigsaw, think-pair-share, expert groups, etc.) are designed not only for the students to learn individually, but also to learn from each other. Giving students different roles makes them responsible for their learning. RAFT can be done independently first, then shared in small groups and then the small group creates something, and then each small group shares, and then the class creates something. Cooperative learning is active learning and it can meet the needs of all students and is designed for all types of learning/learners.