Cooperative learning is a big part of what we do at The Summit! Cooperative learning is when students work together in small teams or with partners, and it’s a great way to support different learning levels, build classroom community, develop leadership and interpersonal skills and have fun!
In first grade, this takes many forms. Students work with partners or small groups daily for literacy and math games, phonics and math skill practice, partner reading, and content exploration. Check out these students sorting L blend words by initial sound!
Yesterday, students tried out a new activity called Write the Room! In this activity, students have a recording sheet and clipboard and work with a partner or small group to find cards placed around the room. They work with their team to answer the questions on the cards and record their answers on the recording sheet. Yesterday’s topic was goods and services. Students decided whether the businesses/workers on the cards provided a good or a service. Some of the businesses that provide goods included ice cream shop, butcher, and bookstore. Some of the services included dog walker, dentist, and teacher. (It was pretty exciting to see a photo of Ms. Ursino on the write the room cards!) The first graders had some great discussion about what makes a business a provider of a good vs. a service. Some of them, such a waiter, were tricky! A waiter brings you a good (your dinner!) and also provides a service at the same time. After students finished recording with their teams, we discussed as a group whether each card around the room was a good or a service.
