Please Copy and

Distribute to Teachers.

Administrator Keep Originals.

 Kagan Coaching Description

What is Kagan Coaching?

The research is clear; Student achievement is strongly correlated with highly qualified
teachers. The teacher makes the difference! Yet, the challenges of implementing a new
strategy are substantial. Coaching is Kagan’s breakthrough approach to enhancing teacher
skills. After working with thousands of teachers, Kagan has developed a coaching method
that works. Rather than giving feedback out of context after the lesson, Kagan Coaching
offers specific and immediate feedback during the instructional moment.

Traditional coaching models, while effective for some purposes, are limited in the
immediate feedback that is imperative to improving instruction. They focus on pre-
instruction goal setting and post-instruction reflection for the teacher. Not much happens
in the moment of instruction other than silent observation.

Kagan Coaching has a different purpose: to provide support and corrective feedback in the
moment. When learning a new strategy, teachers need to know immediately what they are
and are not doing correctly. This is not an uncommon practice—teachers do it all the time
themselves! For example, if a music group is singing a rhythm incorrectly, the teacher stops
immediately to fix the error. If a basketball coach observes the team running the offense
wrong in practice, the coach stops the play to make sure the offense is correct. If a math
teacher sees a student multiplying incorrectly, he or she corrects the student right away.
It would be unrealistic to expect optimal transfer of coaching tips to be implemented if
teachers and coaches talk about the errors hours after the learning moment. Assistance is
needed “in-the-moment” in order to ensure the highest level of success.

Teachers and administrators are busier today than ever before. Increasing demands on
educators are mounting, yet as professionals, we must keep learning. Kagan Coaching is a
time efficient, effective, and positive approach to improving teaching and learning today!
We know your coaching experience will prove to be a valuable one for you.

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Day 3

Dear Teacher,

We are so excited to be able to support you as you implement Kagan Structures. One of our
Kagan Coaches will be coaching you and your colleagues. This coaching experience may be
new to you; therefore, your coach will do everything possible to make your coaching time
productive for you and your students. To participate in the process please complete the
following steps:

1. Choose a structure
• Mix-Pair-Share
• Timed Pair Share
• RallyCoach
• RallyRobin
• StandUp–HandUp–PairUp
• Quiz-Quiz-Trade
• Fan-N-Pick
• RoundRobin Variations
• Inside-Outside Circle
• RoundTable Variations
• RallyTable Variations
• Jot Thoughts
2. Sign up with your administrator regarding date and time of coaching visit.
3. Obtain coaching form from administrator
4. Practice steps on coaching form with your class prior to the coaching visit.

When the coach arrives in your classroom, he/she will watch you use the cooperative learning
structure with students and help you fine-tune as needed. The trainer’s role is not “evaluator”
but “coach” (See reverse side for What Is Kagan Coaching). You will be directed and supported
in a non-threatening manner. There may be a debriefing session for participating teachers at
the end of the day. Your administrator will determine the time and location for that meeting.

We all have the same goal: To make a difference in the lives of children! We consider it an
honor and a privilege to be a part of this process with you!

Sincerely,

Dawn Odum
Director of Kagan Coaching and Federal Grants

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

Mix-Pair-Share
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Setup
❒ No cards ❒ Upbeat u (optional) ❒ Teacher prepares questions

Steps
❒ Students stand up and mix around the room silently.
❒ Teacher plays music (optional).
❒ Watch for students following others and walking safely.
❒ Watch for no talking.
❒ Teacher calls “Pair”or stops music to signal student to pair.
❒ Students put one hand in the air to find a partner.
❒ Watch to make sure students are pairing up with the person closest to them.
❒ Students who haven’t found a partner keep their hand up.
Classmates help them pair up.
❒ One extra, forms a group of 3.
❒ Each time they pair up, it must be with a different person.
❒ Teacher uses a structure to share.

Timed Pair Share—Open-ended question RallyRobin—Verbal list

Steps Steps
❒ Teacher announces question or topic. ❒ Teacher poses a problem
❒ Teacher states how long each student will have to share. or assignment to which
❒ Teacher provides at least 3–5 seconds think time. there are multiple
❒ Teacher announces who will go first. possible responses
In pairs or solutions.
❒ Start timer for A ❒ Teacher provides at least
❒ A shares (6 inch voice) 3–5 seconds think time
❒ B listens (active listening) ❒ Teacher announces who
(ask questions if A finishes early) will start.
❒ B responds with an appreciation gambit ❒ In pairs, students take
sample—“Thank you for sharing.” turns stating responses
❒ reset timer for B or solutions orally.
In pairs ❒ B shares (6 inch voice)
❒ A listens (active listening)
❒ A responds with an appreciation gambit
sample—“It was nice listening to you.”

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

Timed Pair Share

Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Setup
Students have a partner—
❒ at tables
❒ on floor
❒ standing

Steps
❒ Teacher announces question or topic for each person to answer.
❒ Teacher states how long each student will have to share.
❒ Teacher provides at least 3–5 seconds think time.
❒ Teacher announces who will go first.

In pairs ❒ Start timer for student A.

❒ A shares (6 inch voice).
❒ B listens (active listening; ask questions if needed).
❒ B responds with an appreciation gambit.
sample—“Thank you for sharing.”
❒ Reset timer for student B.

In pairs ❒ B shares (6 inch voice).

❒ A listens (active listening; ask questions if needed).
❒ A responds with an appreciation gambit
sample—“It was nice listening to you.”

Comments

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

RallyCoach
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Setup
❒ 1 paper, 1 pencil per pair
❒ Shoulder partners (not upside down)
❒ If 1 extra student, make 1 team of 3
❒ No music

Steps
❒ “A” does the first problem; talking outloud, explaining thinking
(no writing).
❒ “B” watches and coaches, if needed, as the problem is being solved.
NOT AFTERWARDS!
❒ “A” ask for OK before writing.
❒ “B” gives an OK.
❒ “A” writes answers.
❒ “B” praises (specific praise).
❒ Switch roles and “B” does the 2nd problem.
❒ Continue until worksheet is complete.

Do students know how to “Coach” and

not just tell answers?

Note:

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

RallyRobin
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Steps
❒ Teacher assigns Pairs.
❒ Shoulder Partner
❒ Face Partner
❒ Standing Partner
❒ Teacher poses a problem or assignment to which
there are multiple possible responses or solutions.
❒ Teacher provides at least 3–5 seconds think time.
❒ Teacher announces who will start.
❒ In pairs, students take turns stating responses or
solutions orally.

Comments

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

RoundRobin Variations
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Steps
❒ Teacher assigns a topic or question with multiple
possible answers.
❒ Teacher provides Think Time.
❒ Teacher selects starting student.
❒ In teams, students respond orally, each in turn talking
about the same amount of time.

Single RoundRobin Continuous RoundRobin

❒ 1 time around ❒ Many times around
❒ Brief answers ❒ Brief answers
❒ Team signals when they have gone ❒ Team continues until teacher calls “stop.”
all the way around.

Timed RoundRobin Think-Write-RoundRobin

❒ Tell them ahead of time how much time ❒ Students think.
they will have to share. ❒ Students write down their answers—SOLO.
❒ Lengthy responses ❒ Students RoundRobin to share what they
❒ Timer must be visible or teacher have written.
calls “switch.”

AllWrite RoundRobin AllWrite Consensus

❒ Each student has a sheet of paper.
❒ First student shares their idea.
❒ All students record that idea on their own sheet.
❒ Students do not pass papers.
❒ Process is repeated by next student.
❒ Can RoundRobin more than once.
❒ Each student has a sheet of paper.
❒ First student shares their idea.
❒ Teams discuss.
❒ If consensus is reached, then all students record
that idea on their own sheet.
❒ Students do not pass papers.
❒ Process is repeated by next student.
❒ Can RoundRobin more than once.

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

StandUp–HandUp–PairUp
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Setup
❒ No music ❒ No cards ❒ Best 1 or 2 questions

Steps
❒ Students stand up.
❒ Students put one hand up in the air.
❒ Keeping hands up students find a partner close to them.
Person cannot be on their team.
❒ When students have found a partner they do a high five,
put their hands down, and wait quietly.
❒ Classmates help students who still have a hand up find a partner.
❒ There can only be one group of 3.
❒ Teacher assigns a topic or gives a question.
❒ Student answer using Timed Pair Share or RallyRobin.
❒ After sharing, return to seat.
Timed Pair Share—Open-ended question RallyRobin—Verbal list
Steps Steps
❒ Teacher announces question or topic. ❒ Teacher poses a problem
❒ Teacher states how long each student will have to share. or assignment to which
❒ Teacher provides at least 3–5 seconds think time. there are multiple
❒ Teacher announces who will go first. possible responses
In pairs or solutions.
❒ Start timer for A ❒ Teacher provides at least
❒ A shares (6 inch voice) 3–5 seconds think time
❒ B listens (active listening) ❒ Teacher announces who
(ask questions if A finishes early) will start.
❒ B responds with an appreciation gambit ❒ In pairs, students take
sample—“Thank you for sharing.” turns stating responses
❒ reset timer for B or solutions orally.
In pairs ❒ B shares (6 inch voice)
❒ A listens (active listening)
❒ A responds with an appreciation gambit
sample—“It was nice listening to you.”

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

Quiz-Quiz-Trade
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Setup
❒ Each student needs a question card.
(Answer on inside or on back is optional.)
❒ No music

Steps
❒ Students stand up with their card.
❒ Students put a hand up and find a partner.
❒ Groups of 2 only
❒ Partners give a greeting gambit.
❒ Partner “A” asks the question on the card they are holding.
❒ Show question
❒ Don’t hold up so partner sees answer
❒ Partner “B” answers.
❒ Partner “A” praises or coaches.
❒ If the answer is wrong, Partner “A” coaches.
❒ Partner “A” reasks the question.
❒ Partner “B” answers.
❒ Partner “A” then praises if answer is correct.
❒ Switch roles. The other partner asks, then praise or coaching is given.
❒ Partners trade cards.
❒ Partners give departing gambits.
❒ Partners split up, put a hand up and find a new partner without
teacher prompts.
❒ Quizzing continues until the teacher calls time.

Comments

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

Fan-N-Pick
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Setup
❒ Questions are written on cards. One question per card.
❒ Each team receives a set of question cards. Around 8 cards per team.
❒ Students sit in teams.
❒ Students have numbers 1–4.
❒ Any student may start.

Steps
1. Student 1–– ❒ fans cards
❒ says “Pick a card, any card”
2. Student 2–– ❒ picks a card
❒ reads question to team
 ❒ counts 5 seconds silently (think time) while holding
card up for students
❒ sets card on table signaling that think time is over
3. Student 3–– ❒ answers the question to their teammates
4. Student 4–– ❒ responds

• if used for mastery—student 4 checks the answer then praises or tutors
student. Put used card down on table.
• if used for higher level thinking—student 4 praises and/or paraphrases.
Teacher or team can decide if card is discarded on table or returns to deck.

5. S tudents rotate roles one clockwise for each new round.

Comments

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

Inside-Outside Circle
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Setup
❒ Teacher prepares questions.
❒ Questions can be on cards or presented orally by the teacher.
❒ If cards—1 card per student
❒ No music

Steps
❒ A’s stand in 1 large circle around the room.
❒ B’s step inside to face outside partner. (form inside circle)
❒ Teacher checks for odd student.
❒ Make a set of twins
❒ Greetings to partners

Quiz-Quiz-Trade (Cards) Teacher generated question (no cards)

❒ Outside student asks a question. ❒ Teacher asks a question.
❒ Inside student answers. ❒ Teacher gives think time.
❒ Outside praises or coaches. ❒ If verbal list use RallyRobin to share.
❒ Switch roles. ❒ If open-ended question, use Timed Pair Share.
❒ Trade cards. ❒ Parting gambit
❒ Students face the center of circle to signal they are done.
❒ Parting gambits

❒ Teacher indicates which circle will rotate and states number of people to rotate.
❒ Students stay in order. (can’t walk through center)
❒ Class may do a choral count as they rotate.
❒ Teacher checks to make sure everyone has a partner.
❒ New Quiz-Quiz-Trade round is begun or new teacher generated question is asked.

RallyRobin Timed Pair Share

❒ Standing Face Partner
❒ Teacher poses a problem or assignment to
which there are multiple possible responses
or solutions.
❒ Think time
❒ Teacher announces who will start.
❒ In pairs, students take turns stating
responses or solutions orally.
❒ Teacher announces question or topic for each person to answer.
❒ Teacher states how long each student will have to share.
❒ Teacher provides at least 3–5 seconds think time.
❒ Teacher announces who will go first.
In pairs ❒ Start timer for student A.
❒ A shares (6 inch voice).
❒ B listens (active listening; ask questions if needed).
❒ B responds with an appreciation gambit.
sample—“Thank you for sharing.”
❒ Reset timer for student B.

In pairs ❒ B shares (6 inch voice).

❒ A listens (active listening; ask questions if needed).
❒ A responds with an appreciation gambit
sample—“It was nice listening to you.”

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

RoundTable Variations
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Steps
❒ Teacher poses:
❒ a project.
❒ a question with multiple possible answers.
❒ a topic to write about.
❒ a task to which there are many possible solutions, steps, or procedures.
❒ Teacher provides Think time.
❒ Teacher selects starting student—writing.
❒ Students take turns writing one answer or making a contribution.
❒ Students pass paper/project after each contribution.
Single RoundTable Continuous RoundTable

1 paper per team 1 paper per team

1 pencil 1 pencil

❒ 1 time around. ❒ Many times around.

❒ Team signals when everyone has shared. ❒ Team continues until teacher calls, “stop.”
❒ Need to go all the way around in under
one minute.

Simultaneous RoundTable RoundTable Consensus

1 paper per student 1 paper per team

1 pencil 1 pencil

❒ All students are writing at the same time. ❒ One student announces response orally.
❒ Students signal when done writing. ❒ Teammates agree or disagree.
❒ Wait for all students to signal. ❒ If teammates disagree, team has discussion.
❒ Students all pass clockwise at the same time. ❒ If consensus is reached, student writes answer.

Note
Student can orally announce

Kagan Coaching Manual

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 Structure Coaching Form

RallyTable Variations
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Setup
1 paper, 1 pencil per pair

Steps
❒ Teacher poses a problem or provides a task to which there are multiple
possible answers, steps, or procedures.
❒ Think time
❒ Teacher announces who will start
❒ In pairs, students take turns passing the paper and pencil or pair project,
each writing one answer or making a contribution.

Optional
Students may announce what they are writing. “Say it, write it, pass it”

NOTE: Works best for making a list.

Comments

Variation: Simultaneous RallyTable

Setup
1 paper, 1 pencil per person

Steps
❒ Teacher assigns topic(s) or passes out worksheets.
❒ Each student records a response.
❒ Students signal when done.
❒ Students trade papers with partner.
❒ Repeat until Teacher calls time.

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com
 Structure Coaching Form

Jot Thoughts
Teacher Date
Subject Lesson
Coached by

Setup
❒ Stack of scratch paper or post-it notes for each student
❒ Clear area in center of table
❒ 1 pencil, crayon, or different colored pen per student

Steps
❒ Teacher names brainstorming topic.
❒ Think time (3–5 seconds)
❒ Teacher sets time limit for brainstorming.
❒ Students simultaneously brainstorm ideas.
❒ One idea per piece of paper
❒ Announce idea to teammates
❒ “Say it, write it, place it in center.”
❒ All teammates can see, spread out, not stacked
❒ Watch for duplicates
❒ Teacher calls time.

Comments

Kagan Coaching Manual

Kagan Publishing & Professional Development • 1 (800) 933-2667 • 1 (800) 266-7576 • www.KaganOnline.com