Caleb Kigar

Professor Christensen
Social Studies Methods
6 December 2016
Ch. 6 Reading Response
Summary:
The idea of working in groups or more than one has been a part of
social studies for a long time. It makes sense, though, since the
activities that go along with social studies coincide with group work.
Because of the group work aspect, the cooperative learning also plays
a role in developing social skills and how to work as a team. Setting
goals is the most effective way to make cooperative learning work.
Along with that is individuals being held accountable for themselves
and the group, social skills that support one another, and planning
from the teacher.
Use as a Future Teacher:
Three-Step Interview (158). Using this method, it enhances
participation with the class since everyone has a responsibility.
Even when they reconvene, students share their answers, as
opposed to only a few sharing.
The social skills section is a concept I think would be beneficial to
students because it would allow them to develop social skills with
a group, as they will later in life too (159).
Visual arts projects (154). This is my favorite group project
because art always brings people together. Im not an artist, but
it is still fun to do and easy to learn from it.
Authentic Question:
What happens or what can you do to groups who finish early or take
too much time?
Former Assumptions:
Honestly I did not think that group learning or cooperative learning was
so important that it deserved its own chapter. I thought cooperative
learning was something that teachers used every once in a while. I was
not aware of the purposes and effects cooperative learning has on
students. From this, I learned the importance of cooperative learning
and what it can do.