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Discover the benefits of using cooperative management strategies in classrooms. From class meetings to room arrangements, explore effective procedures and routines that engage students and promote a sense of control and support.
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Research has found that especially gifted teachers don’t focus on discipline, but the students are busily engaged in learning!! • Class Meetings • Signals • Room Arrangement / Content • Procedures and Routines • Parents as Partners
Benefits of the Class Meeting • Democratic Decision Making • Students obtain a sense of control • Fosters mutual respect and caring • Students and teachers feel support • Problems and Issues are aired and problem solving skills are learned • Teacher and Students are on the Same Side
Agenda for all Class Meetings • Announcements • Appreciation / Inspirations • Suggestions / Problem Solving • Evaluating Progress • Planning • Mutual Support Activity
Appreciations • Rotating basis, different students read the contents of the appreciation box. • A box with a slot on the top is always available with appreciation slips • Students can deposit appreciation slips, poetry, catch others being good notes, or inspirational quotes • Only read on Fridays
Suggestions / Problem Solving • A Box labeled suggestions with a slot on the top is always available with suggestion slips • Suggestions are signed, but may not be revealed • Teachers may “filter” suggestions • During the problem solving phase of the class meeting, suggestion slips are placed in three piles: To Be Solved Now, To Be Solved in a Later Class Meeting, and To Be Solved By Individuals Involved • Teacher serves as the first facilitator and students rotate in when teacher feels they are ready • To solve problems, teachers could use Placemat Consensus, Dot-The-Wall, Fist to Five, Jot Thoughts, Proactive Prioritizing, or Spend –a-Buck • This is done only once per week
Evaluation • Time is taken to evaluate decisions made at prior class meetings • A great opportunity to bring up forgotten rules or suggestions, as well as solutions that are working well. Example: Early in the year, the class made a poster on how we want our class to be. Evaluation time is used periodically throughout the year to revisit and modify the poster if necessary
Planning • Can be used for developing solutions to problems, working on classroom committees, and talking about upcoming field trips or projects • Committees always report back to the whole. Talking Chips is a great structure to use during committee discussions. Possible Commitees: Safety, Fundraisers, Sunshine, Classroom Beautification, Homework Help
Building Blocks of An Effective Class Meetings • Form a Circle • Practice Compliments and Appreciations • Create an Agenda • Develop Communication Skills • Recognize reasons people do what they do ( positions ) • Focus on non-punitive solutions • Role Playing and Brainstorming
Signals • Allows the teacher to have a busy, animated classroom and bring the class back in seconds • Teachers can let students know about instructional needs • Students can signal to a teacher they need help, and continue working • Ask for bathroom break without interrupting the class • Teacher can signal students to control behaviors without escalating emotions
Room Content • Graffiti Board – a designated place where students can draw, or write..with ground rules • Feedback Board / Folders • Cool Down Area • Furniture arranged to allow for classbuilders and brain breaks • Sponge Area • Agendas / Expectations / Calendar / and Reminders posted
Room Arrangement • Interior Loops for Teacher Navigation • Each student should be equal distance from each teammate and all should be angled toward the board • Put tape marks on floor so desks can be moved back and forth for solo and cooperative activities • Student room roles posted
Procedure and Routine Hints • Clothespin Count File Folder System • Make Up Work Folders • Bellringer Every Day • Room Roles • Supply Cabinet with Promissory Notes • Team Boxes or Bins w/cooperative learning supplies • 6-inch voice • Line Up by Teams • Snack • Water Allowed
Parents as Partners • Welcome Letter – be sure to inform parents that you teach in a cooperative classroom and what that may look like • Welcome Phone call with Frequent Communication • Class Home Page ( Wikis are so easy!!) • Portfolios / Student Work Fairs • Family Celebrations • Multiple Intelligences Homework
Remember: • Brain Breaks • Teambuilding • Classbuilding • Team Formation
Research ( and not just Kagan reseach shows)….. • Classrooms who use cooperative learning structures, differentiated instruction, and have high engagement have very little discipline concerns… “ If you want to see a rainbow, you might get wet” - Dolly Parton