Group work does not have to be hard anymore..

Collaboration = Frustration

Frustration = Collaboration 

My entire university career, high school and elementary years was filled with collaboration and group work in multiple subjects. Every time someone mentions collaboration and group work I instantly get frustrated and if someone were to ask me what frustrates me, my response would be collaboration. This has all changed since teachers college and learning to work collaboratively with my teacher candidate peers in classes. I always felt that I was left doing all the work by the end of the task but, and this is shown through this weeks class particularly, the teacher candidates are all learning and want the same thing. We all want to work and help each other succeed and in the end we will be working in collaboration with our students to ensure the same thing. This weeks lesson was enjoyable and went by very quickly because of the hands on, on our feet, critical and fast thinking that each task required and that each group had to master. 

"Alone we are smart, together we are BRILLIANT" - Steven Anderson

Below I have attached two different anchor charts as examples of what an educator and their class can create at the beginning of the year. Both are a different approach at the same outcome - ensuring that the students know what group work is and how it works. Anchor charts are a great resource to have in the classroom to redirect the children to it if they fall off task. As long as students are aware of their expectations and understand them, collaboration within the classroom is possible!

                                 

When entering into the classroom the teacher candidates were instructed to choose a popsicle stick. on each stick there was a printed number on it. Each table was to organize themselves into a group containing one of each number (1-6). This is a great tactic and way at organizing group work. All students are mixed with a variety of levels and skills. Everyone has something to bring to the table and people will work hard to ensure not to let down their group partners. This also acts as a great way to keep kids on track instead of pairing them up with all of their friends they can socialize and mingle with other students in the classroom. I have seen a variety of methods when putting students into different groups and this is by far one of my favourite! Try it and let me know how the groups work out!

After meeting up with our group the instructions were to go to each station and complete the task with our friends. Each group member is given a clue that they read out and from there they can either, build the figures or find the solutions! The stations were enjoyable because it sets up that every member of it has a valuable part in order to complete the solution. Everyone is given importance in the group and this motivates everyone to work together which results in SUCCESS!

Here are some of the stations our group visited and completed - together!

 

Most successful group work/ collaboration experience that I have had yet! Collaboration is important, for more reasons than just working as a team. It teaches students to be able to provide feedback, receive feedback, work together, orally communicate their thoughts and understandings and overall will benefit them in their future. With any job and career one has collaboration will be a component of it. By students learning these life skills through their education they will not only succeed through the class they are taking but also in their future. Three cheers for group work!!! Cannot wait to try an activity like this within my classroom!

And for a little inspiration as you leave my blog today here is BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY!!

Couldn't have said it better Bill,

Emily