Blueprints for a Collaborative Classroom

The Blueprints for a Collaborative Classroom Package has been designed to demonstrate the importance of establishing a classroom climate of community. It shows why, when, and how to use collaborative activities successfully across the curriculum; it shares the experiences of other teachers in implementing these formats; and it helps teachers and students to practice collaboration in a variety of settings, groupings, and academic subjects. It also provides the guidance and practice needed to collaborate effectively and integrate the process seamlessly into the class day. The package uses elementary school examples, but the concepts are equally applicable in middle and secondary school settings, or in preservice classes where effective collaboration and community building are sought.The book, Blueprints for a Collaborative Classroom, highlights the design elements of 25 basic collaborative learning formats -- and then supports these with 250 activity suggestions to help teachers and students get comfortable using them. Some of the 25 formats explained and illustrated include:
-- Brainstorming
-- Interviewing
-- Mind mapping
-- Venn diagrams
-- Benefits and burdens
-- Investigating
-- Problem solving
-- Cooperative games
-- Editing
-- Reviewing
-- Writing poems
-- Building models
-- Writing reports
-- Role-playing

The Blueprints book discusses the "why, when, and how" of using each format for maximum effectiveness, and gives advice on developmental and grouping differences for older and younger students, academic and social/ethical preparation for cooperative learning, ways to use and get familiar with the format, and how to extend or modifyactivities for specific circumstances.

Blueprints also includes "Fly on the Wall" vignettes -- illustrative descriptions of actual classroom interactions which give you the chance to listen in while students work in partnerships and small groups, as well as to experience the academic and social benefits of collaborative learning through their own words.

Whether you're new to cooperative learning or a seasoned practitioner looking for some fresh resources, you're sure to find useful, practical, and thoughtful ideas in this field-tested guide.