Cooperative Groups: A Job For Everyone!

Using cooperative groups in the classroom has become more and more popular in recent years. Research supports social interaction as a means to boost conceptual understanding.  We all know that some of the best teachers out there are the students themselves.  They are able to explain things to each other in ways that make sense.  Having the opportunity to bounce ideas off each other is also a benefit to working in cooperative groups.

Of course, we've all experienced the pros and cons of cooperative groups.  Sometimes, strong students end up pulling the weight of the group.  Other times, bossy students take over and don't let everyone contribute.  One solution to these issues is assigning specific jobs to students with detailed duties.  When students have specific roles, everyone is involved in the lesson and has a vested interest in the group.

Check out this freebie from my TpT store.  There are 7 jobs total, so you can pick and choose which ones work best for your particular activity.  One of my personal favorite jobs is Ambassador.  This job allows students to visit other groups to ask questions and see ideas from other groups.  Enjoy!