Classbuilding and Teambuilding: The Keys to a Caring Cooperative Classroom
Students have settled into a routine by now. That probably means your classroom procedures are running more smoothly. It could also mean, though, that some less-than-desirable behavior is showing up, too. So how can you promote a harmonious, energized environment in your classroom? How can you recharge your students’ desire to work together? Classbuilding and Teambuilding might just be the solution you’re looking for. (Source for this information is Kagan Cooperative Learning, 2009, Kagan Publishing.)
How Do I Know It’s a Classbuilder or Teambuilder?
Classbuilding
Students…
· Stand Up
· Move Around
· Interact with Others
Frequency:
Once a week for fun; as needed for content.
Teambuilding
Must be…
· Fun
· Non-academic
· Easy enough for all learners
Frequency:
Two times a week
Most structures can be completed in five minutes or less. That means that 15 minutes a week can result in all the benefits listed below.
Why Take the Time?
Overlooking Classbuilding and Teambuilding is often the cause of problems when teachers implement cooperative learning. If you’re wavering on your willingness to sacrifice class time, think about the payoff for your students:
· Getting Acquainted: When students know each other, they feel more empathetic to others, more important, and less isolated.
· Identity Building: Students have a sense of belonging by discovering the unique identity of their class and team.
· Mutual Support: By interacting with each other frequently, students learn that they can count on their peers.
· Valuing Differences: Students who understand and appreciate differences feel more confident to share their unique perspective, which adds depth and richness to class or team discussions.
· Developing Synergy: Building on each others’ ideas means that students can accomplish more together than they could alone.
Which Structures Should I Use?
Here are just a few options that you may have experienced at the Cooperative Learning module. Pick one according to the challenge you’re ready for or choose another from your Kagan text. (The page numbers listed are in your Kagan Cooperative Learning text.)
CLASSBUILDING
|
TEAMBUILDING
| |
EASY
|
StandUp-HandUp-PairUp
6.36
|
RoundRobin
6.33
|
MODERATE
|
Mix-Pair-Share
6.29
|
Fan-N-Pick
6.25
|
COMPLEX
|
Find Someone Who
6.26
|
Find-the-Fiction
6.26
|
