Henrico Counry Schools
Carousel Brainstorming
Round Robin Brainstorming Directions:
Directions:
1. Teacher presents a problem or a topic to the whole group or small groups 2. A recorder(s) is selected to write down the answers of the group(s) 3. Students in turn share orally in a round-robin fashion. 4. Teacher directs the students when to stop using a signal.
Purposes:
Purposes:
1. This is a teambuilding activity. 2. Students are able to express ideas and opinions in a small setting. 3. There is equal participation. 4. Ideas for Application:
©HenricoStaffDev
1. This is a team building activity. 2. Students are able to express ideas and opinions in a small setting. 3. There is equal participation
Ideas for Application:
1. Creating a story 2. Express ideas on a story that was read. 3. Sum up key points of whole class discussion, a story that was read or a presentation. 4. Brainstorming. 5. Collection of ideas.
Page 1 of 16
1. Teacher posts charts on the wall with key questions or ideas at the top. 2. Groups are formed and one person scribes for the group and adds to the chart as they brainstorm. 3. Groups move to a new chart, read other groups’ responses and then add to the chart. 4. Each group uses a different color marker.
1. Creating a story 2. Express ideas on a story that was read. 3. Sum up key points of whole class discussion, a story that was read or a presentation. 4. Brainstorming 5. Collection of ideas.
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Round Table
ThinkPad Brainstorming Directions:
Directions:
1. Students brainstorm individually. 2. Write down their ideas on a sheet of paper. 3. Once they are done, they will share their ideas with a partner or team.
Purposes:
Purposes:
1. Students are able to express their ideas and opinions in a small setting on paper. 2. There is equal participation
Ideas for Application:
©HenricoStaffDev
1. This is a teambuilding activity. 2. Students are able to express ideas and opinions in a small setting on paper. 3. There is equal participation. Ideas for Application:
1. Creating a story 2. Express ideas on a story that was read. 3. Sum up key points of whole class discussion, a story that was read or a presentation. 4. Brainstorming 5. Collection of ideas.
Page 2 of 16
1. Each group member has a piece of paper. 2. Teacher presents a problem or topic. 3. Students in turn share on paper in a round-robin fashion. 4. The papers go around the table, not voices.
1. Creating a story 2. Express ideas on a story that was read. 3. Sum up key points of whole class discussion, a story that was read or a presentation. 4. Brainstorming. 5. Collection of ideas. 6. Pass around rough drafts and have peer editing and revising. 7. Writing types of sentences. 8. Pass around study guides and have students fill them in.
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Timed Team Interview
Three-Step Interview
Directions: Directions: 1. Number off 1-4 in group. 2. Number one stands or identifies who will go first. 3. Students left sitting interview person standing in round robin fashion asking open-ended questions. 4. Two minute time limit is set. 5. The cycle is repeated until everyone has a turn.
1. Partners are formed. 2. Partners interview each other. 3. Partners share what they have learned about the other partner with another team of two.
Purposes: Purposes: 1. Encourages listening to peers. 2. Equal participation for questioning and answering. 3. Can raise individual’s level of concern when the student stands.
1. Encourages listening to peers. 2. Equal participation for questioning and answering. 3. Encourages listening.
Ideas for Application: Ideas for Application: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Page 3 of 16
Sharing personal information/ideas. Reactions to read material. Draw conclusions (science and literature). Make predictions (science and literature). Review questions.
©HenricoStaffDev
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Sharing personal information/ideas. Reactions to read material. Draw conclusions (science and literature) Make predictions (science and literature) Review questions
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Showdown
Walk About Directions:
Directions: 1. Teammates write a topic on a piece of paper. (Teacher can already have this prepared.) 2. “Showdown Captain” reads a question about that topic. (Teacher can already have this prepared.) 3. Teammates write answer. 4. Captain says, “Showdown.” 5. Students compare answers. If someone has an incorrect answer, the team must explain. 6. Celebrate quietly. (Each team can have its own way).
1. Students line up and the teacher indicates how she wants them to be paired. 2. Teacher gives directions on discussion parts. 3. Teacher plays music (optional) while the students walk about and discuss what the teacher wants. 4. When the music stops or teacher directs the students to stop, the students stop discussing. 5. The teacher asks another question or provides another topic for discussion and the walk about begins again. Purposes:
Purposes: 1. Teambuilding activity. 2. Requires individual thinking but team can help each other when answer is wrong. 3. Can lower level of concern since only the team will see the incorrect responses. 4. Motivating because of the “celebration”.
1. Equal participation. 2. Communication skills can be improved. 3. Students can have a conversation with another student whom he/she never really talks to. 4. Respect different points of view.
Ideas for Application: Ideas for Application: 1. Use whiteboards or paper to review vocabulary, math or spelling.
Page 4 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
1. 2. 3. 4.
Answer questions on reading. Discuss theme, conflicts, characters, setting, etc. Discuss essay topics or essay questions. Discuss personal goals, interests and fears.
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Think/Pair/Square
Think/Pair/Share Directions:
Directions:
1. Teacher presents a question, problem or topic. 2. Teacher tells the student to think of the answer and write it down. 3. Students share their answer with their partners
1. Teacher presents a question, problem or topic. 2. Teacher tells the student to think of the answer and write it down. 3. Students share their answer with their partners. 4. The partners then share with another set of partners.
Purposes: 1. Equal participation and involvement. 2. All students must think and write answer before they share ideas. 3. This can lower level of concern because they discuss in pairs before sharing with the class. 4. It can also raise level of concern when a teacher tells them that pairs will share with the class. 5. Students receive immediate feedback.
Purposes: 1. Equal participation and involvement. 2. All students must think and write answer before they share ideas. 3. This can lower level of concern because they discuss in pairs before sharing with the class. 4. It can also raise level of concern when a teacher tells them that pairs will share with the class. 5. Students receive immediate feedback.
Ideas for Application: Ideas for Application: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Sum up reading discussion. Share bell work Brainstorm for a paper. Rather than one student doing a math problem for class, they all do it this way. 5. Review key points.
Page 5 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
1. 2. 3. 4.
Sum up reading discussion. Share bell work Brainstorm for a paper. Rather than one student doing a math problem for class, they all do it this way. 5. Review key points.
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Four Corners
Find Someone Who…
Directions: 1. Teacher names a topic or asks a question with four potential responses. 2. Students think and then write their choice on a piece of paper. 3. Students cluster with others who have same response. They can go to tables or corners. 4. Students discuss or answer questions given by teacher. Or, Teacher can have the group paraphrase their discussion.
Directions: 1. Teacher prepares a worksheet with boxes and questions in them. 2. Students mix around the room and pair up. 3. Students ask partners the questions on worksheets. 4. The partner must answer the question before signing the box. 5. When the pair is done, they mix looking for a new partner. 6. When all questions are answered, the students sit down. **There can only be one student signature per partner.
Purposes: 1. Classbuilding Activity. 2. Knowing and respecting different views. 3. Interesting and motivating. 4. Students can see the similarities that they may have among one another. Ideas for Application: 1. Most meaningful theme or conflict of a story (narrow it for them). 2. Which one of the six traits was displayed the best in this essay? 3. Which character can the student identify with the most? (narrow it for them) 4. Which math concept for this chapter is the most difficult? (narrow it for them) 5. Which step of the scientific method is the most difficult for this lab and why?
Page 6 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
Purposes: 1. Classbuilding activity. 2. Questions can range in difficulty making it easier for all students to participate. Ideas for Application: 1. Define vocabulary words. 2. Math problem solving. 3. Synonyms/Antonyms 4. Name elements of a story or poem. 5. Identify parts to a lab. 6. Identify parts of a cell. 7. Answer questions on reading.
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Stir the Classroom
Mix/Pair/Discuss
Directions:
Directions:
1. Team members number off. 2. Teams stand up and form clusters around the room (perhaps in the corners). 3. Teacher asks a question. 4. Students huddle together to answer the question. 5. The number is called by the teacher. The team member whose number that is rotates to the next group and tells that group the answer. 6. A new group is formed and another question is asked. *A spinner or dice are good to use for selecting numbers.
1. Students mix around the room. 2. Students pair up—different student each time. 3. Teacher asks a question and they discuss the answer.
Purposes: 1. Class building activity. 2. Equal participation. 3. Students receive immediate feedback from peer.
Ideas for Application: Purposes: 1. Teambuilding activity. 2. Equal participation. 3. Raises level of concern because any number can be called. 4. Tutoring and coaching among peers.
1. Any kind of review. 2. Discussion questions on a smaller scale.
Ideas for Application: 1. Any kind of review.
Page 7 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Numbered Heads Together
Mix and Match Directions: 1. Students move around the room and trade premade cards without looking at them. 2. Teacher calls, “Freeze.” 3. Students must find the match to their card and move to the outside part of the room. 4. Teacher poses an open question for the pair to discuss. 5. Call on non-volunteers to hold them accountable. **Make a duplicate of one card to accommodate an odd number of students. **Students can prepare cards with given content. **The question should be relative to the card’s content. Purposes: 1. Class building activity. 2. Interesting and motivating. 3. Equal participation. Ideas for Application: 1. Vocabulary word/definition 2. Synonym/Antonym 3. Characteristic/Six Trait 4. Cause/Effect 5. Spelling rule/word that follows rule 6. math problem/answer 7. scientific theory/scientist 8. editing symbol/its usage
Page 8 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
Directions: 1. Students number off in their groups before instructions are given. 2. Teacher asks a question and gives think time. 3. The group consults to make sure that each member knows and understands the answer. It’s a good idea to have them write it down too. 4. Teacher randomly calls a number. 5. The number of the student from each group must paraphrase what the group said to the class.
Purposes: 1. Tutoring and helping one another. 2. Equal participation. 3. Communication skills.
Ideas for Application: 1. Any kind of review. 2. Great for teacher to receive a quick check for understanding.
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Jigsaw
Inside-Outside Circle Directions: 1. Students stand in pairs in two concentric circles. 2. The inside circle faces out; the outside circle faces in. 3. Students use flash cards or respond to teacher questions as they rotate to each new partner. Rather than partners rotating, the cards could rotate instead. 4. The teacher indicates who is asking questions/ holding cards or answering the questions each time.
Purposes: 1. Classbuilding. 2. Tutoring. 3. Sharing.
1. 2. 3. 4.
1. Review of any kind (spelling, vocabulary, history content, math and science concepts). 2. Math problems/answers 3. Animal classification. 4. Sentence structure. 5. Parts of speech.
©HenricoStaffDev
1. Each group/team works together on one topic/assignment of a major topic. That group consists of experts on that topic/assignment. 2. One member of each first group joins one member from all the other groups creating new groups. 3. Each member must teach or share what they are an “expert” on to their second group. 4. After each member has gone, they all return to their original groups to teach them what they learned. 5. All students are held accountable for all aspects of the major topic.
Purposes:
Ideas for Application:
Page 9 of 16
Directions:
Interdependence. Status equalization. Equal participation. Communication skills.
Ideas for Application: 1. Divide content to read. 2. Break up new material. 3. Any form of review.
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Pairs Check
Guess the Fib
Directions:
Directions:
1. Pair Work—Teams break into 2 sets of pairs and partners work on a worksheet. One student works on a problem while the other coaches, watches, and helps, if necessary. 2. Coach Checks—Checks partner’s work for agreement. If they don’t agree, they may ask the other pair on their team. If the team does not agree, all four hands must go up for teacher. 3. If the partners agree on the answer, the coach offers his partner praise. 4. Partners switch roles and repeat steps 1-3.
1. Students write two facts and one fib. 2. In turn, they each announce the three statements to team members. 3. Teammates come to consensus as to which one they believe is the fib. 4. If the teammates are fooled, they guess among the two remaining possibilities.
Purposes: 1. Practice skills 2. Teambuilder 3. Sharing
Purposes: 1. Practice of skills 2. Immediate and frequent reinforcement 3. Peer relations
Ideas for Application: 1. Review of any kind (literature, grammar, math, social studies, science, etc.) 2. Get to know team members (facts/fibs of self)
Ideas for Application: 1. Review of any kind (grammar, math, social studies, science, etc.)
Page 10 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Split Value Lines
Send-a-Problem Directions: 1. Each student in a group writes a question or review problem on a card. 2. Each student asks his group the question or review problem. 3. If there is a consensus, the student writes the answer on the back of the card. Student writes Q on side for question and A on side for answer. 4. If there is not a consensus, the group must revise the question or problem. 5. Team sends the stack of cards to another team. 6. Each team answers the questions in an organized manner (multiple ways can be used). If there is a question or need for clarification, the team members write a brief note on the card. 7. The teams continue to send the questions/problems until all groups have answered all questions. 8. Upon return of the cards to the senders, there is opportunity to discuss and clarify and questions. Purposes: 1. Teambuilding 2. Practice 3. Mastery Ideas for Application:
Directions: 1. Students line up—Students line up on a value line (agree-disagree) 2. Fold Value Line—One end walks so opposing opinions meet 3. Pair Promenades—The pair on one end of the folded value line walk to the other end so pairs pair up. 4. Teams Formed—The two pairs sit down as a team of four 5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to form additional teams. Purposes: 1. Form heterogeneous groups. 2. Communication skills 3. Information Sharing 4. Teambuilding 5. Class building Ideas for Application: 1. Form groups that vary in skills, experience, etc. 2. Form groups that vary in beliefs. Example: Have students line up according to their belief or agreement in a topic and rate them from 1-10 and have them line up. 3. A variation would be splitting the line in half and the students would be more in homogeneous groups.
1. Review, study, teambuilding
Page 11 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Circle the Sage
Say and Switch
Directions:
Directions:
1. Students are in partners 2. The teacher gives one partner a topic/question to respond to 3. Teacher signals to stop responding 4. The other partner who is listening must pick up from their partner’s train of thought before adding new ideas
Purposes: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Encourages listening to peers. There is equal participation. Requires individual thinking. Information sharing
Purposes: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Ideas for Application: 1. Review of any kind (literature, grammar, math, social studies, science, etc.) 2. Great for teacher to receive a quick check for understanding.
Page 12 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
1. The teachers polls the class to see which students have special knowledge to share on a subject. 2. Those students become the “sages” and spread out in the room. 3. The teacher divides the remaining students evenly into teams and teams send members to different sages 4. The sage explains what they know while the classmates listen, ask questions and take notes. 5. All students return to their teams. 6. Each in turn, explains what they learned from their sage.
Encourages listening to peers. Information sharing. Teambuilding Communication skills
Ideas for Application: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Review of any kind Encourages listening to peers Equal participation All students must think and share information
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Gallery Walk
Talking Chips Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Directions:
Each student is given a certain number of chips. Each time they talk they must submit a chip. Once their chips are gone they may no longer talk. Students must use all their chips.
Purposes: 1. There is equal participation 2. Information sharing 3. Raises level of concern because all chips must be used.
1. Teacher forms teams of students. 2. Teacher names a topic and teams generate ideas on the topic on a sheet of chart paper. 3. Each team appoints a “docent” or teacher to stay with their work. 4. The other team members rotate around examining other team’s ideas and ask questions of the docent. 5. Teams meet back together to discuss and add information they gathered so the docent can learn from other team members.
Purposes: Ideas for Application: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Review of any kind Equal participation All students must think and share information Communication skills Information Sharing
1. 2. 3. 4.
Communication skills Team building Encourage listening Sharing ideas
Ideas for Application: 1. Any kind of review 2. Discussion and sharing information 3. Collection of ideas
Page 13 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Pass a Problem
Team-Pair-Solo
Directions:
Directions:
1. Teacher creates teams 2. Teacher creates problems/dilemmas for teams to solve and writes or attaches them to envelopes. 3. Teams read the problem and then place their solutions in the envelope. 4. Teams exchange their envelope with another team to check their solution and to determine if they solved the problem in a different way.
1. Teacher creates teams of students 2. Teacher gives each team a problem to solve or topic to discuss. 3. Students solve the problem first as a team 4. Next students solve the problem with a partner 5. Finally, students solve them on their own.
Purpose: Purpose: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Information sharing. Teambuilding Communication skills Problem solving
1. Team building 2. Communication skills 3. Students must think and share information 4. Individual thinking
Ideas for Application: Ideas for Application: 1. Review of any kind. 2. Discussion and sharing information 3. Collection of ideas
Page 14 of 16
©HenricoStaffDev
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Review of any kind Collection of ideas Discussion and sharing of information Practice Mastery
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Three Minute Pause
Three Stay, One Stray
Directions:
Directions:
1. Teacher forms groups of students 2. Teacher stops any time during a lecture/discussion and gives teams 3 minutes to review what has been said and to ask clarifying questions.
1. Teacher forms students in groups of 4. 2. A problem/dilemma is given to each group to solve. 3. While students are working, they send one member to “stray” to another group to compare teams solutions.
Purpose: 1. Encourages listening 2. Raises level of concern because students will have to review what they have heard and ask questions. 3. Team building
Purpose: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Information sharing. Teambuilding Communication skills Problem solving
Ideas for Application: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Page 15 of 16
Review of any kind Discussion and sharing information Collection of ideas Discussion and sharing of information
©HenricoStaffDev
Ideas for Application: 1. Review of any kind. 2. Discussion and sharing information 3. Collection of ideas
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
Henrico Counry Schools
Visible Quiz: Directions: 1. Teacher creates teams of students. 2. Teacher poses questions with multiple choices and responses. 3. Teams discuss the questions and responses. 4. Teacher then asks teams to explain their team’s reasoning.
Purposes: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Encourages listening to peers. Information sharing. Teambuilding Communication skills
Ideas for Application: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Page 16 of 16
Any kind of review Discussion and sharing information Collection of ideas Problem solving
©HenricoStaffDev
Communications and Collaboration Strategies
http://henricostaffdev.org/commcollab/
