Elementary teacher describes a two-week project which involved using cooperative learning to teach sixth graders about averages. Cooperative groups worked to find the daily average of a variety of items. Students had real-world examples of averaging to replace standard textbook drill and practice. (SM)

Compares the language of business writing students communicating face to face and on a real-time computer network. Finds that during network meetings, participation was more equal, responses more substantive and text specific, and students more willing to offer direction than during face-to-face meetings. Notes more positive evaluations by…

Cites research underscoring cooperative learning's value in global education. Examines the nature and structure of cooperative learning and describes the strategies of conflict analysis, reversals, and case studies. Explores the evaluation of and some of the limitations of case studies. Argues that a cooperative approach to global studies can…

A collection of back-to-school ideas helps elementary school teachers facilitate their students' adjustment to new class environments with across-the-curriculum activities. The suggestions focus on getting acquainted, learning class rules, discussing topics of study, building self-esteem, working with parents, learning cooperatively, thinking…

Suggests a perspective for the notion of a community of learners based on respect and recognition for children and the concomitant freedom of children to take responsibility for their own learning. Advocates getting away from rigid inflexible structures, and proposes collaboration not as a formal structure but a way of being. (SR)

Presents a study of the role of sociocognitive conflict theory in cognitive growth. Analyzes whether five- to seven-year-old student dyads can solve a conservation of length task when presented with contradictory solutions or whether they require the correct answer. Concludes that conflict does not result in appropriate learning. (SG)

Describes one educator's whole-language approach to elementary school reading. Her class activities focus on books and friends during February to help celebrate Valentine's day. Two student pages offer friendship-oriented student activities. (SM)

Describes a map skills unit used in a second grade classroom in which teachers and students engaged in activites that moved from the concrete to the abstract and from trips around the school neighborhood to a "trip" to Europe. An insert includes two map study ideas for use in intermediate grades. (SM)

This interview with Research Professor of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago discusses a wide range of education topics, including improving school science, allocation of finite human capital, factors contributing to educational productivity, effect of social obstacles on higher education achievement, use of cooperative learning,…

Participating in a transition to a middle-level school provides the most potential for professional growth within a given school culture. In this article, a former middle school principal shows how a content-oriented, somewhat inflexible veteran seventh-grade social studies teacher reluctantly embraced middle-school teaming and eventually…

Assessed the effects of engaging in cooperative activities (such as sharing, engaging in dramatic play, showing affection, helping, cooperating, and taking turns) upon the prosocial behavior of 80 children in 4 kindergarten classes in Montreal, Canada. Found an increase in all prosocial behaviors except helping and turn taking. (AC)

Presents activities involving multiple embedded figures beginning with the problem of counting the number of squares on a checkerboard. Offers several extensions and assessment suggestions. Includes student worksheets. (MKR)

Presented is a cooperative learning activity in which students assume different roles in an effort to produce a relief map of the ocean floor. Materials, procedures, definitions, student roles, and questions are discussed. A reproducible map for the activity is provided. (CW)

An example of how a traditional activity on motion and acceleration can be adapted to the learning-cycle format is described. The three challenge statements given to students to solve are provided. The key learning-cycle steps of exploration, expansion, and extension are discussed. (KR)

Discusses selected children's literature dealing with geometry and measurement concepts. Suggests activities for grades three through six to be used as part of a learning center or to be completed in cooperative learning groups. (MG)