Formal Cooperative Learning: Text Comprehension/Interpretation Karl A. Smith Laura Apol

1. Formal Cooperative Learning: Text Comprehension/Interpretation Karl A. Smith Laura Apol

2. Reading Comprehension/Interpretation TASK: Read the text (article, chapter, story, poem) and answer the questions. INDIVIDUAL: At least one contribution from each member for each question. COOPERATIVE: One set of answers from the group, strive for agreement, make sure everyone is able to explain the group’s answer(s) for each question. EXPECTED CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS: (1) Best answer(s) within time available, and (2) Everyone must be able to explain the process used to answer the questions. INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY: One member from your group may be randomly chosen to explain the group’s answer(s). EXPECTED BEHAVIORS: Active participating, checking for understanding, encouraging everyone’s participation. INTERGROUP COOPERATION: When you finish compare your answers with those of another group and discuss.

3. Group Roles • Reader: Read through the material slowly, carefully, with expression, so members never forget it for the rest of their lives • Recorder: Write down all the group’s ideas, make sure there is at least one idea from each member for each question. Go back and try to choose one answer for the group for each question. • Checker: Ask other group members to demonstrate comprehension and help diagnose problems in understanding.

4. Mother to Son by Langston Hughes Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor – Bare. But all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on And reachin’ landin’s, And turnin’ corners, And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no light. So, boy don’t you turn back. Don’t you set down on the steps ‘Cause you find it’s kinder hard. Don’t you fall now – For I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still climbing’, And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

5. Comprehension/Interpretation Questions • What are the emotions/attitudes expressed by the poem? • What are your reactions (feelings and thoughts) to the poem? • What are the three key words in the poem? • What is the poem saying?

6. Group Processing • Rate yourself on the following involvement scale: Low1--2--3--4--5--6--7--8--9--10 High • Share your self-rating with other members of your group and explain why you rated yourself as you did. • As a group, list three ways of increasing members’ involvement in the next cooperative assignment.

7. Cooperative Learning is instruction that involves people working in teams to accomplish a common goal, under conditions that involve both positive interdependence (all members must cooperate to complete the task) and individual and group accountability (each member is accountable for the complete final outcome). Key Concepts Positive Interdependence Individual and Group Accountability Face-to-Face Promotive Interaction Teamwork Skills Group Processing

8. Hold onto what is good Even if it is a handful of earth Hold onto what you believe in Even if it is a tree which stands by itself Hold onto what you must do Even if it is a long where from here Hold onto life Even if it is easier to let go Hold onto my hand Even when I have gone away from you Pueblo Indian Poem