A PowerPoint of the benefits of "cooperative learning" in the elementary school grades.

1. COOPERATIVE LEARNING
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
By Dixie Trent
By PresenterMedia.com

2. WHAT IS COOPERATIVE
LEARNING?
DEFINITION: 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.

3. RATIONALE FOR USING COOPERATIVE
LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM
Cooperative learning supports:
• Students with different knowledge levels and skills
• Students with disabilities/special needs
• Students who have difficulty in social settings
• Students who have behavioral difficulties
• Gifted students
• Slower learners
In other words, cooperative learning aids ALL students!

4. EXAMPLES OF HOW TO USE COOPERATIVE
LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM
Group Size: 2-4 students per group
Teacher can begin to instruct students on what’s expected of them in a cooperative
learning group, and use the following examples to get students working “together.” A
cooperative learning group can begin with 2 students, and then work up to 4 students,
when first introducing into the classroom.
Activities:
• Round Robin
• Round Table
• Write-Around
• Numbered Heads Together
• Team Jigsaw
***Especially beneficial for ELL students.

5. ROUND ROBIN EXAMPLE
Teacher will present a category, such as “Names of
Mammals” for discussion. Have the students in each
group go around the group naming items that “fit” that
category. Teacher will do this with each group.
Example: Bears
Words that can “fit”: fur, hibernate, claws, brown,
black, berries, nuts, cub
***This allows students to
begin learning cooperatively
with their classmates, and others

6. MIXED-ABILITY GROUPINGS
Research has shown that flexible mixed-ability
groups have advantages over homogeneously
grouped students, because the higher achieving
students can “mentor” the students who are
struggling with a particular skill or concept. At the
same time, the students who are more competent
with a particular skill deepen their own learning
by applying higher level thinking skills while
assisting others to achieve.

7. BENEFITS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING
• Develops higher learning thinking skills
• Increases student retention
• Builds self-esteem in students
• Enhances student satisfaction with the learning experience
• Promotes a positive attitude towards the subject matter
• Develops oral communication skills
• Develops social interaction skills
• Promotes positive race relations
• Creates an environment of active, involved, exploratory learning
• Uses a team approach to problem solving
- Encourages student responsibility for
their own learning
- Enhances self-management skills

8. References
ASCD. (October, 1992). Retrieved on November 16, 2014 from
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/oct92/vol50/
num02/Gifted-Students-Talk-About-Cooperative-Learning.aspx
44 Benefits of Collaborative Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved on November 16, 2014
from http://www.gdrc.org/kmgmt/c-learn/44.html
ColorinColorado. (n.d.). Retrieved on November 16, 2014 from
http://www.colorincolorado.org/educators/content/cooperative/
William and Mary. (n.d.). Retrieved on November 16, 2014 from
http://education.wm.edu/centers/ttac/resources/articles/inclusion/
cooperativelearning/index.php