​A Cooperative Learning approach is the central method we use to teach at Stalham Infant & Junior Schools.

 

What is Cooperative Learning?

 

Cooperative Learning is an approach to teaching.  Knowledge and skills are modelled by the teacher and then learners are able to practise these skills in a series of structured activities.  These structured activities are called CLIPS.  CLIPS means Cooperative Learning Interactive Pattern.  Each CLIP is designed to encourage certain elements of listening, speaking, questioning and response.  The teacher will use the CLIP they feel best supports the learning of the groups of learners in their class.  Cooperative learning is very interactive with pupils moving around the class, speaking to each other and answering questions.

 

What are the CLIPS?

 

CLIPS are content free – this means they can be used in any subject.  At present there are 8 CLIPS used in classes to help learning.  These are:

• Catch one Partner

• 3 for Tea

• Simultaneous Write Round

• Role Rotate Reading

• Word Round

• Boss and Secretary

• Meet in the Middle

• Think-Pair-Share

 

One of the most popular of these is Catch 1 Partner – Each child has a question on a card.  They approach a partner and say “Excuse me, can I ask you a question please?” The other child answers them.  They repeat and then swap cards.  Usually this activity is used as a starter to remind children, where by the teacher models something or refers back to something taught before.  However, like all the CLIPS, they can be used at any time and/or in any situation.

 

Word Rounds, Think-Pair-Share, 3 for Tea and Meet in the Middle allow children to express and question each other in a timed situation so that they can explain how they solved a problem or answered a question.

 

Simultaneous Write Rounds encourage children to write in a supported way – reading each other’s work and adding examples – it means that children feel confident about their writing and allows them to “think of something to write”.

 

Boss and Secretary allows for procedures to be practised in any subject.  After teacher modelling, one child is “The Boss” and explains, without writing, how to solve a problem to the other child (Secretary) who writes down everything they say in the procedure.  The Secretary can ask questions to check but it is not always necessary.  They then swap.

 

Role Rotate Reading is a method of children accessing the same text when they are at similar abilities to develop their comprehension.

 

What Does a Cooperative Learning Classroom look like?

 

As far as possible your children will work in groups of 4.  Sometimes an adult may make up the fourth person if there is an odd number.  These groups can be in ability groups or mixed ability depending on how the teacher wishes to differentiate.  These groups are not set in stone and children will find themselves working alongside a variety of people in their class.  This encourages and installs respect and positive behaviours in learning.

 

Will my Child still Work Independently?

 

Yes, they will.  A “typical” lesson may look like this:

 

The teacher Models then uses a CLIP to practise the new skill.  Then the teacher will model the next step or focus of the lesson followed by another CLIP.  After that, the children will show what they know independently.  This work is then marked in the book and tracked as evidence to show your child’s progress.

 

Cooperative Learning gives confidence, practise and support to a child before they start their independent work.

 

So how does Cooperative Learning Help?

 

Cooperative Learning is a way of ensuring that children develop communication skills and an acknowledgement that peers working together is an effective way of building skills vital for work and thought in the future.  Also it helps to build confidence before independent work is undertaken.  Cooperative Learning also encourages deeper and critical thinking skills as the follow up questions we usually ask are how? and why?

 

Is Cooperative Learning being used in any other Schools?

 

Many schools have parts of the Cooperative Learning approach as part of their teaching.  A recent report from the Sutton Trust noted that Cooperative Learning was very effective at improving pupils’ progress.   As the CLIPS are very structured in nature, they are very good for all children including those with additional needs.

 

How can I Help?

 

You can help in the same way as you usually do: reading regularly with your child, listening and talking and encouraging your child to explain their answers.  You may even wish to ask which CLIPS your child has been using in class that day.

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