This handbook presents a collection of over 35 experiential and adventure-based activities using only a single item of equipment--a 15-foot long section of 1-inch tubular climbing webbing, called a raccoon circle. Some of the activities are quiet, some are loud, and they range from low to high challenge levels. Different-sized groups can be…

Suggests that building unity and pride through activities, social events, and professionalism will prevent destructive conflicts among the staff members of student publications. (JL)

Questionnaires were completed by 103 staff and 76 parents of clients of a day training and residential agency for persons with mental handicaps. Although, in general, respondents felt part of their respective teams, differences of opinion arose with respect to team cohesiveness, and comprehensibility and participatory equality at conferences.…

Evaluates the 1975 California administrator group's decision to have principals form a leadership team instead of forming collective bargaining units. Although a 1984 survey of 100 principals found that most support the decision, it also revealed that 45 percent are dissatisfied with the concept. (MD)

This book provides activities and examples for learning about creating, sustaining, and enjoying new ways of working together. The book helps to develop a new language to deal with complicated situations on the journey to collaboration. The book is divided into four parts. Part 1, "How Do We Begin?" shares a story to develop the scenario. Part 2,…

Briefly reviews children's literature on the themes of cooperative learning, community cooperation, interdependence, and putting the social back into social studies. Summarizes three books for primary readers, four for intermediate grades, and three for young adults. Covers a wide variety of cooperative learning situations. (CH)

Focuses on recognizing key indicators for developing teamwork and collaboration among child care staff. Addresses communicating clearly, interacting respectfully, demonstrating trust, negotiating different perspectives, building on each other's strengths, and promoting reliability and responsibility. Identifies strategies to cultivate growth in…

Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy that promotes the positive interaction of children in small, heterogeneous groups. Each group contain three or four students of varying achievement levels, backgrounds, socio-economic status, and sex. Cooperative learning processes promote student motivation, build group skills, foster social and…

This book, which is intended for educators and trainers involved in designing group activities, examines the theory and practice of group activities. The first three chapters, which introduce theories about group instruction, deal with the following topics: the rationale for group instruction (types of group methods and reasons for using them);…

Involvement in student activities has many advantages for the middle level student. Such activities promote achievement, citizenship, and service to the community while developing self-esteem, self-confidence, and social cooperation. This book is intended as a tool for middle level schools to motivate, develop, guide, involve, and provide middle…