We use a great deal of cooperative learning strategies in our classroom. I am a huge advocate for using cooperative learning activities. These strategies create opportunities for students to cooperate with each other, share responsibilities, solve problems, and control conflict.
One of my favorite structures is Rally Coach. I introduced it for the first time this week as a support for regrouping. To use this strategy students have partners. One partner solves a question while the other takes on the role of “teacher”. As they are working they “talk out” their thinking and the other partner offers support when necessary. When one problem is finished, they switch roles and repeat the process until all problems are solved.
This structure puts the students’ in the role of teacher. They really take ownership of helping their partner to be successful. Also, both students are held accountable for their input. Regrouping was the perfect skill to use with this structure. The students supported one another and celebrated one another’s successes.