Reflective Break #1

What is one point that you like about the lesson plan and why did you like it?

Sample Response #1

I like the CL technique, Tell/Check and Record, because it gives both members of the group thinking roles in the activity, and the roles rotate. No one is left out; both members do both roles. Another point I like about the lesson is that each group of two has a clear goal: to earn as much rice as possible. At the same time that they strive to achieve the goal of reducing hunger by earning rice, they work toward the goal of increasing their vocabularies.

Reflective Break #2

Look at Cooperative learning and the SDGs in which the FreeRice Game lesson is found.

Choose a lesson from the book that you or another teacher you know might be able to use, although maybe you would need to change the lesson a bit. Explain why you like the lesson.

Sample Response #2

I chose the lesson Would You Like To Be A Teacher on page 136 of Cooperative Learning and the SDGs. First of all, I like the lesson because I’m a teacher, and the lesson encourages students to put themselves in their teachers’ shoes. Maybe this will help students empathize with us teachers and be nicer to us. Secondly, I like the CL technique in the lesson: 7S. I like 7S because it gives students a chance to stand up, instead of always sitting. 7S is also good because when students interaction in pairs, that fits with the CL principle of maximum peer interactions (quantity). For instance, in a class of 56 students, when they do 7S, 28 peer interactions will potentially be happening. Furthermore, the questions in the lesson are thinking questions. Therefore, the lesson also encourages the CL principle of maximum peer interactions (quality).

Comprehension Check

Without referring to the text, write a paragraph or two on how CL supports learning of important social issues. If you are working with others, compare your answers and discuss point of agreement and points of disagreement.