One of of the activities that the Learning Communities did today was called "Jigsaw Plus." The purpose of the activity was to introduce all the participants to the book Building Shared Responsibility for Student Learning by Anne Conzemius and Jan O'Neill, and reinforce the relationship between Focus, Collaboration, and Reflection. I also wanted to challenge the participants to actually use some of the attributes of quality teaching and learning instead of just presenting a simple poster. Here are samples of some of the better presentations that I saw as I circulated among the LC rooms.
Click on the thumbnail photo to see a larger picture.
Janet and Ron's group created a list of attributes of quality teaching and learning before they started the activity.
The Collaboration Station highlights key words from the chapter.
This group's poster demonstrated how reflection was the "secret ingredient" for student success.
This group wove a strong "safety net" of collaboration. Even the "messiness" [the green paper snake] can't break up reform when the safety net of collaboration is in place.
The light streaming out of this flashlight demonstrates the power of focus.
Bravo to every group who rose to the challenge of creating something that helped me LEARN!!
Comments (2)
Jigsaw Plus is a wonderful activity, not only for educators, but especially for students. As a Student Team Learning (STL) facilitator/trainer following the principles expressed by Robert Slavin and Johns Hopkins University, I have come to believe that collaboration and cooperation produce far better results than independent study could ever do. Through the division of labor offered with Jigsaw Plus, learners have the opportunity to share both elements of the texts and personal insights gained, and that sharing expands comprehension expotentially. I use this technique with my ELA 4 classes quite regularly, and the students love it! As used in the Fondren School Reform Institute, Jigsaw Plus provided excellent contributions to otherwise dry materials.
Posted by Larry Davis | July 28, 2005 2:26 PM
Posted on July 28, 2005 14:26
Larry, great connection and since I have worked with you for 13 years I know about the connections in the classrooms. I also thought (because we were in the same group) that the additional accountability to meet the standards produced by the group of quality teaching and learning pushed the presentations from dry posters to real interactive and as the group said 'active learning'. I am wondering if setting a classroom norm for quality learning would benefit students?
Posted by Michaelann | July 30, 2005 8:30 AM
Posted on July 30, 2005 08:30