The Big Picture in a MiniBook! Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures have revolutionized the way tens of thousands of teachers teach. Students achieve remarkable academic gains and acquire a range of social skills. Discipline problems disappear. And teaching and learning are fun! To good to be true? No. The data is in! This MiniBook reveals the secret to success. With no change in your curriculum, and with no specials materials, you will transform your class and your career. It is easy! Read this MiniBook and join the instructional revolution.

Using a very interactive, hands-on approach that captures the essence of how a stimulating and active Cooperative Learning classroom operates, this text guides students through the concepts and steps necessary to develop and implement a successful Cooperative Learning strategy K-12. Comprehensive in approach, it provides a broad, accessible review of the research base; offers a new, simplified model for teachers to use when implementing team learning; provides an exceptionally wide range of examples of successful lessons at every grade level and in all subject areas; and features an abundance of activities and classroom tasks that require students to actively solve problems, make decisions and think critically about Cooperative Learning programs.

Active learning is now a form of learning that accompanies the knowledge evolution that challenges the learner to promote it, but also encourages him to investigate and become emotionally involved in the task. The great key to obtaining this behavior successfully depends, therefore, on the subject's involvement and ability to undertake, so that active learning becomes emotional entrepreneurial learning that generates new ideas and new forms of knowledge. From memorization, we move on to inquiry, from questioning to constructive participation, from hypostasis to problem-solving, from generalization to critical thinking. When we look at this book, we see real examples, concrete, and senses, from the most important act of human nature: learning!

Describes different forms of professional development for cooperative learning and shows how the use of cooperative learning in professional development is leading to new insights into teaching and professional growth in schools.

′What is cooperative learning? Why should teachers use it in the classroom? What are the benefits? In eight accessible chapters, Wendy Jolliffe, lecturer in primary education at Hull University, outlines the theory and practice of cooperative learning and shows how the "outcomes and aims of Every Child Matters (2004) can be clearly mapped to the advantages of cooperative learning."... A useful resource for teachers, headteachers, trainee teachers and support staff′ - Learning and Teaching Update Cooperative Learning is about structuring lesson activities to encourage pupils to work collaboratively in pairs or small groups to support each other to improve their learning. This inclusive approach to teaching is very much in tune with current initiatives such as Every Child Matters and Excellence and Enjoyment and the focus on learning styles. This book is an accessible guide to implementing cooperative learning in the classroom. It includes: " an explanation of the key factors that make cooperative learning work " a step-by-step approach to implementing cooperative learning in the classroom " advice on how to measure the effectiveness of cooperative learning " guidance for using cooperative learning to encourage effective talk " links to supporting children′s emotional intelligence " ideas for practical activities " an action plan and programme for whole school professional development The book is an invaluable resource for individual teachers using cooperative learning techniques in classrooms, this book will also be of interest to headteachers, trainee teachers and learning support staff.

Leadership, collaborative learning, and student achievement – discover what works! This resource-rich book provides a straightforward, strategic path to achieving sustainable communities of collaborative learners. Research-proven inquiry techniques, vignettes, case studies and action-oriented protocols help you build strong learning relationships for high-impact student achievement. System leaders, principals and teachers learn to: Integrate diverse views and perspectives Build trust and hear every voice Leverage key resources and processes Build students’ cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills Use “Assessments-in-Action” to improve, monitor and sustain progress Build a collaborative culture through learning together Use this go-to guide to transform your school from a place of ‘good intentions’ to a center of intentional practice today!

A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection

"Gilles focuses the majority of the book on the relationship in the classroom between the individual teacher and the students. She gives teachers ammunition to overcome resistance to cooperative learning by presenting well-substantiated research on virtually every page of her book showing the benefits of having students study together." —Ted Wohlfarth, PSYCCRITIQUES "This text′s greatest strengths are bringing together a range of powerful teaching strategies connected to students taking responsibility for their own learning and the learning of others. The focus on both teacher strategies to encourage effective group talk and student strategies to encourage effective discourse is helpful." —Nancy L. Markowitz, San Jose State University Although cooperative learning is widely endorsed as a pedagogical practice that promotes learning and socialization among students, teachers still struggle with how to introduce it into their classrooms. This text highlights the strategies teachers can use to challenge student thinking and scaffold their learning as well as the strategies students can be taught to promote discourse, problem—solving, and learning during cooperative learning. Key Features Presents cooperative learning in conjunction with national standards: The book situates cooperative learning within the context of No Child Left Behind and a climate of high stakes testing. Links theory with practice: Numerous case studies and small group exercises highlight how teachers can assess both the process and outcomes of cooperative learning. Emphasizes the key role teachers play in establishing cooperative learning: Guidelines are given on how teachers can establish cooperative learning in their classrooms to promote student engagement and learning across various levels and for students of diverse abilities. Incorporates the latest research on cooperative learning: An overview is provided of the major research and theoretical perspectives that underpin the development of cooperative learning pedagogy. Intended Audience This is an excellent supplementary text for several undergraduate and graduate level K—12 teacher preparation and certification courses regularly offered in schools of education. It can also be used as one of several texts in courses on cooperative learning and as a supplement in K—12 teaching methods courses.

Cooperative/collaborative learning procedures increasingly attract great attention in school and higher education settings. This book has two main purposes: first, to enable educators to make informed decisions and choices about selecting, implementing, and evaluating cooperative learning models with respect for the differences and diversity of goals among professionals in school communities, and second, to consider the goals of teachers' professional development in the context of organizational reforms that foster systemic school change, such as the development of learning communities. The authors encourage professional development that goes beyond inservice workshops to include multi-year development and support for teachers. They advocate that schools be administered under collaborative principles so teachers can "live the experience" that they are trying to create in their own classrooms. Professional Development for Cooperative Learning describes what works for professional development in cooperative learning and how difficult it is to bring about lasting change in school settings. Brody and Davidson focus the dialogue on the nature of professional development linked to systemic changes and the successes, failures, and challenges encountered in the process.