The effects of a cooperative learning program on the social acceptance of 51 children (ages 6-7) with moderate to severe mental retardation by children without disabilities were examined. Children without disabilities in the cooperative learning program gave the children with disabilities higher peer acceptance ratings, greater popularity indices,…

Describes the use of a focused learning strategy designed to help students in developing critical reading and writing skills. A major focus of the "learning to learn" strategy is decreasing student passivity through structured silent reading of relevant magazine and newspaper articles in a small group cooperative learning situation. (DMM)

Described is a laboratory experiment designed to expose students to problem-solving methods individually and as a group. Included are background information, a list of materials, laboratory procedures, analysis methods, and probable results. (CW)

This article describes an effort to employ cooperative team learning (CTL), specifically the Jigsaw technique, as a vehicle for helping prospective middle school teachers enrolled in a social studies methods course translate theory into practice. Recommendations are made for broader implementation of CTL in middle school teacher education…

The effects of peer collaboration on mathematical and spatial reasoning were assessed for 152 fourth graders. Effects on learning with logical-physical materials were assessed 1 year later. Findings suggest that peer collaboration is effective for tasks that require reasoning but not for tasks that require rote learning or copying. (SLD)

Cooperative lesson plans are presented for the following: current events for middle and high school; lessons on group process for elementary school; cooperative collage making to summarize a unit; group thank-you letters after an excursion; a team-building/language development lesson; and a values lesson on "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." (JD)

Describes the cooperative learning technique and the advantages of using the technique. Presents the most widely used cooperative learning techniques and describes those suitable for the reading/language arts classroom. (MG)

Preventing rejection of a student by his/her peers and helping the child to cope with such rejection are ever-present challenges for teachers. Suggestions are given by teachers who have successfully dealt with students who were rejected by classmates. (IAH)

A Job Training Partnership Act-funded reading, writing, mathematics, and cooperative learning program for 83 participants aged 14-21 was evaluated with pre- and postassessments. Program strengths identified were emphasis on a workplace atmosphere, structure with flexibility, variety in grouping procedures, computer-assisted writing, and outside…

In a survey of 33 teachers about their instructional planning practices, most reported using the required Madeline Hunter model of planning, but in a flexible manner to allow for wide ranges in student ability and interruptions in the school schedule. Difficulties in use of the model are discussed. (JD)

Examines a cooperative learning technique called Jigsaw that was used to determine whether college-level students taught by this method scored higher on a posttest than students who were not. Results showed no significant difference between those taught by the Jigsaw technique and those who were not. (GG)

Describes an instructional model for presenting students with opportunities to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate ideas through cooperative problem solving. Provides suggestions for implementation using examples from the author's classroom experiences. (MM)

Uses pentominoes to examine the concepts of congruence, similarity, transformations, tessellations, networks, perimeter, area, and volume in a problem-solving, cooperative learning environment. Discusses the construction of three-dimensional pentominoes. (YP)

The process of implementing cooperative learning techniques in an elementary school in Montgomery County, Maryland, is described. Discussed are: learning techniques used, such as Student Teams Achievement Divisions, Round Table, Think-Pair-Share, and the Trading Game; student and teacher reactions to cooperative learning; teacher recommendations;…

Investigates how primary-level pupils can solve word problems more effectively using computational skills in small, cooperative groups. Points out six principles for successful cooperative groups through problem solving protocol analysis: (1) teach strategies; (2) rehearse techniques; (3) involve everyone; (4) cooperate to solve problems; (5) keep…