New Teams!

Each six weeks, we change our desk arrangements and I allow the students to select their new tablemates. Although many teachers would say this is crazy and kids will choose to sit next to their friends and cause great commotion, I believe strongly in allowing students the choice in whom they work with. We do a lot of cooperative learning in our classroom, and I think it is important to have many different groupings of students. As much as possible, I allow students to select their groups and partners because I know that working with friends can teach students a lot. Often times, students learn a lot about themselves when they are allowed to select where they sit and whom they work with. Brandon may always choose to sit near the front of the room so he can see the board, while Diego may want to sit next to his best friend. It is quite interesting, however, to listen to the kids think aloud about where they should seat themselves. They often vocalize how they need to sit next to someone who is a positive influence or someone who stays on task. David may say "I don't think I should sit next to so-and-so because we talk alot". Qualandra may say "I work really well with so-and-so and I liked sitting near them last time." I think how to select teammates is an important skill to teach children. In doing so, they come to understand their strengths and needs as cooperative learners.

Each six weeks we vote on a "theme" from which our team names are created. This time we voted to choose names that are "imaginary places". What creative children I have! This team is "Take-N-Bake World"
This is Gold World
This is Candy Land
This is Money Island
This is Super Town

Our favorite part of working in teams is earning points together. Each team can earn points by staying on task, working quietly, cooperating with one another, using kind words and polite manners, following directions quickly, or finishing assignments with excellence. The points are displayed on the white board and on Friday the winning team is awarded a special prize.I am always proud of my students when they help each other and learn together!