This document outlines the agenda for a class focusing on collaborative learning strategies. On Monday, students will participate in a jigsaw activity to analyze articles on grading and provide arguments. They will also use de Bono's six thinking hats to analyze proposed fixes to broken grades from multiple perspectives. On Wednesday, students will engage in a four corners activity on group grades and a horseshoe debate on re-tests before reflecting individually. They will also exchange cheers with other teams. The following Monday will include a formal debate on whether middle schools should use grades to measure learning.

1. Topic #9:
The Power of Movement, Fun & Participation (Part 2)
Academic Controversy
“What if…. YOU were only given feedback
instead of grades for your work?”
Critical Thinking to Engage Today’s Learners

3. Today’s Agenda:
Monday:
• 1. “What if….
• 2. Video: Academic Controversy in the Real World
• 3. Review: Cooperative Learning Structures/Tools
• 4. Collaborative Learning Instructional Strategies for Academic Controversy:
Team Analysis, Horseshoe Debate, Formal Debates, Six Thinking Caps, Value
Lines, Four Corners, Debate Dyads, Inside/Outside Circles
• 5. Graphic Organizer: Decision Making Guide (for learning activities)
• 6. Prepare for learning activities: Class Debate, and 6 Thinking Caps
• 7. Team Analysis – deBono’s six Thinking Hats: 15 Fixes to Broken Grades – Wed.
8. Formal Debate: “Be it resolved that all Middle Schools use grades as evidence
of student learning.” – Next Monday
Wednesday:
• 1. Video: The Hole in the Wall – Do we need teachers?
• 2. Four Corners: Should we give group grades to middle school students?
• 3. Horseshoe Debate: Should we allow re-dos in middle school?
• 4. Personal Self Reflection
• 5. Doing: Group Energizers/Cheers (following each team)
• 6. Wise Words of the Week
• 7. Hand back “Integrated Unit Plans”

4. The Power of Movement, Fun, and Participation in the Classroom:
Collaborative Learning
• What is the difference between cooperative/collaborative
learning?
• What are the essential elements of cooperative learning?
• What is PIES? What are STRUCTURES? What are some CL TOOLS?
• How does CL help address the 21st Century Learning
Competencies/Cross Curricular Competencies?

5. Today’s Graphic Organizers

6. Jigsaw
1. Two groups (Assessment
and Homework – 20
people/side)
2. Six mini groups (based on
assigned articles – groups of
3 or 4)
-summarize article/write a
1-2 sentence generalization
3. Base Groups (six people
with 1 person/article)
-each person shares
-record arguments on
decision making guide

7. Team Analysis
• Team Analysis – deBono’s six Thinking Hats: 15 Fixes for Broken
Grades
• Students are to view this topic from all perspectives. The
collaborative skills emphasized in this activity are disagreeing in
an agreeable way, and accepting/extending the ideas of
others.
• After hearing from each perspective, students will aim to gain
consensus as to what the recommendation is to be carried in all
middle schools (for grades/for learning, etc.)
• This will be worded as a position statement: “Be it Resolved…..”
• This activity will take approximately 30 minutes:

8. Other Structures:/
Collaborative Learning• Four Corners: Should we give group
grades to middle school students?
• Horseshoe Debate: Should we allow re-
dos/re-tests to middle school students?
• Processing: Personal Self Reflection
• Team Cheers/Encouragers

9. Debate: “Be it resolved that all Middle
Schools use grades as evidence of student learning.”
• Preparations/Brain Break
• The debate will take approximately 40
minutes as follows:
– Constructive Speeches: 10 minutes
– Discussion Period: 20 minutes
– Rebuttal: 5 minutes
– Verdict: 5 minutes
• Know and carry out your role based on the
acquired knowledge from the Jigsaw Activity

10. “When challenge and skills are in balance,
the activity is its own reward”
***Carol Ann Tomlinson
Wise Words of the Week
Next Week: Simulations
(Special Guests: Aspen Heights Elementary School)