Planned the necessary number of library lessons for the project and booked the class periods.
Prior to coming to the library the teacher assigned students to groups. When students entered the library they went directly to their group and were able to get started immediately.
Library Tables Preparation
When the class came into the library the room was set up for their cooperative learning project.
Each library table had a sign that was clearly visible that indicated the group name.
Books, encyclopedias, materials from the vertical or information files pertaining to that group were on the table as well as any arts and crafts materials necessary.
Instructions for each group member were on the table. For example: the computer team member was given specific instructions for computer use.
Materials for each group were kept in cartons and were stored in the library office.
For some cooperative learning projects different stations were set up in various parts of the library. For example, for the plate tectonics project I used a large map indicating the various plates around the world. Students had to find the location on the map.
Health & Physical EducationAnatomy (Body Systems)
Dental
Diseases
Drug Effects
Exercise
Health Careers
Mental Health
Nutrition
Personal Hygiene
Sports (Rules, History, Techniques)
STDs – Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Language Arts
Authors
Biographies
Careers
Mythology (Children selected an ancient myth and modernized it.
Each student presented their myth to the class.)
Math Stock Market Game
Math class met once a week in the library for cooperative group lessons in
various math topics. (see “Questions about “M&M’s” ® Chocolate Candies)
M & M's
Science
Energy
Geology
Plate Tectonics
Planets
Severe Weather
Social Studies
Ancient Civilizations
Black History
Colonial America
American Revolution
Decades
Explorers
Hispanic Heritage
This cooperative learning project can be done in any subject area. First, students do research on the topic that they have been assigned in their cooperative learning groups. Then, they are shown some actual board games and told that they have to create a game board for their topic. Each group has to come up with the directions to play the game, the game board and any required cards or playing pieces. Once all the games are done each group has to present their game to the rest of the class and they are rated on their presentation, originality of the game and learning outcomes.
Country or State Project
Materials: Construction paper sheets of all the colors in each flag of the country
or state. Scissors, glue, tape or stapler, rulers and markers. Large
blank construction paper for map. Magic markers and crayons.
Information question sheet on each state or country (e.g.: population,
area, neighbors, industries, etc.)
Students are told that they will be researching particular country or state. They first do a complete profile of the country or state. Then, in the next phase they are given their supplies and told to make the flag of the country and a map. They are also to provide ten interesting facts about that country in any format they choose (play, poem, pictures,songs,etc.). Travel brochures are also created.
Planet Project
Materials: Construction paper sheets of all the colors. Scissors, glue, tape or stapler. Rulers, crayons and markers. Blank white paper sheets.
Students are told that they will be researching a particular planet in the solar system. They first do a complete profile of that planet. Questions sheets are prepared for that research. After this is completed they are told that they can bring in their own materials to create a model of the planet. Then, in the next phase they are given their supplies and using their own materials they build the planet. Each group then presents their planet model and shares what they have learned with the rest of the class.
More on Cooperative Learning with links from Cybraryman
