Cooperative Learning Articles

This weeks readings on the two cooperative learning articles were very interesting. I am really looking forward to Rose's, Steve's, and Hai's presentation this week. The cooperative learning model is a great model for me because it is very accessible at the elementary level. I use parts and pieces of the model everyday in my instruction without even planning on it. I am a teacher who strongly believes that students at the elementary level need to learn how to interact and socialize with their classmates in a respectful and cooperative manner. It is extremely important to emphasis the communication techniques so that they understand why and how to use them. It is very significant that my students practice and use respectful manners to their classmates and other teachers. The Affective domain is strongly emphasised during this model and the ability to teach and practice teamwork along side a psychomotor skill is highly effective.

You can find this picture at: www.hent.org

There is nothing more enjoyable for me as a teacher to see my students interacting with each other in a kind and friendly fashion while enjoying themselves very much. To see my students showing respect and kindness to each other, while helping each other out is exactly what I am looking for during my lessons. I really hate when a student feels outcasted from a class when their classmates are cruel or disrespectful because that pushes them away from interacting and being physically active. The cooperative learning model will be utilized nicely during my upcoming units!