When I was in the classroom, I'd say my students spent at least 85% of the day talking. Yes, it was often noisy and messy, and my ears would still be buzzing on the drive home... but I loved it. As the students were talking, they were making meaning together. The more they talked, the more they learned. I just had to remember to make it purposeful, to make the expectations and objectives clear, and to hold them accountable for their collaboration time.
I found some amazing resources for you on the topic of collaborative work. Please take a look at these!
Here are 3 quick, easy-to-read-but-packed-with-information articles:
Deeper Learning: A Collaborative Classroom is Key
Case Study of a Teacher: Creating a Collaborative Learning Environment
Nurturing Collaboration: 5 Strategies
I love these Teaching Channel videos of actual classrooms practicing collaboration. They will get you thinking about different ways to guide your students in collaborating effectively:
Literacy Partners in the Science Classroom
Formative Assessment: Collaborative Discussions
Choosing Collaborative Groups
Group Contracts for Collaborative Work
Collaborative Group Work with the 1-3-6 Protocol
I found some amazing resources for you on the topic of collaborative work. Please take a look at these!
Here are 3 quick, easy-to-read-but-packed-with-information articles:
Deeper Learning: A Collaborative Classroom is Key
Case Study of a Teacher: Creating a Collaborative Learning Environment
Nurturing Collaboration: 5 Strategies
I love these Teaching Channel videos of actual classrooms practicing collaboration. They will get you thinking about different ways to guide your students in collaborating effectively:
Literacy Partners in the Science Classroom
Formative Assessment: Collaborative Discussions
Choosing Collaborative Groups
Group Contracts for Collaborative Work
Collaborative Group Work with the 1-3-6 Protocol