6 Cooperative Learning Strategies to Curate Collaboration in the Classroom

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The most transformative experiences in a student’s journey often revolve around teamwork and collaboration. Whether it’s celebrating a victory on the soccer field, preparing for a stellar musical performance with an orchestra or choir, or collaborating on a group project for class, the ability to rely on peers—and to be reliable oneself—is a skill that students will carry into their academic, personal, and professional lives.

How can educators cultivate collaboration skills within the classroom while still prioritizing independent learning and personal growth? Explore effective cooperative learning strategies suitable for any grade level, along with a collection of low-prep resources and instructional tools. These collaborative activities may leave a lasting impression on students and serve as vital building blocks for teamwork and enduring friendships.

What is Cooperative Learning?

Cooperative learning is an educational approach where small groups of students collaborate to achieve shared objectives. These students work toward common goals—such as earning good grades, delivering strong performances, or fostering mutual understanding—often involving both long-term projects and short-term assignments designed for group contexts.

This method shifts away from competitive learning styles to scenarios where every participant benefits from collective effort. Nevertheless, there remains room for healthy competition between groups or classes within a cooperative learning framework! As long as each member understands their role and how to contribute, the cooperative learning environment can be a positive and enriching space for all involved.

Benefits of Cooperative Learning

Effective cooperative learning strategies mirror the essence of a community working together, where individuals share skills and knowledge in meaningful ways.

Some notable benefits of cooperative learning include:

• Enhanced interpersonal social skills
• Increased confidence in public speaking
• Accountability for both individuals and the group
• Improved active listening and problem-solving abilities
• A positive classroom culture
• Higher mastery of core subjects
• Improved assessment scores
• Structured opportunities for socializing
• Boosted academic confidence and self-esteem
• Friendships that cross skill levels
• Greater leadership and team-building opportunities

Types of Cooperative Learning

Opportunities for cooperative learning can be found throughout the school day across all grade levels, but there are three primary types of cooperative learning that are effective in elementary, middle, and high schools.

• Formal Cooperative Learning: This involves a structured learning environment where students assume different roles in long-term projects and follow specific instructional frameworks to successfully complete cooperative learning activities while assessing their contributions and effectiveness.
• Informal Cooperative Learning: This format utilizes small groups for informal assignments to emphasize the importance of temporary teams. It is more discussion-oriented, allowing students to practice speaking and listening skills as they summarize each other’s perspectives to reach a mutual understanding.
• Cooperative Base Groups: These are enduring groups of students who work together throughout the year on various assignments and discussions, holding each other accountable for both projects and everyday learning.

Teachers who incorporate cooperative learning typically utilize elements from all three models, combining long-term groups with spontaneous discussions and assigned project teams.

Cooperative Learning Strategies for the Classroom

So, how can you integrate this collaborative learning style into your classroom? Implement cooperative learning activities that build upon and innovate classic methods, alongside assignments that scaffold the process and encourage group reflection.

1. Set Up Activity Stations to Reinforce Cooperative Learning

Activity stations are excellent for small groups! Create stations where students can rotate and engage in collaborative learning strategies to complete a series of adaptable short-term projects across any subject or topic.

Activity stations are effective in elementary school once students can work somewhat independently, as well as in middle and high school when class periods allow sufficient time for groups to complete rotations.

Cooperative Learning Activities Using Sticky Notes
By Ford’s Board
Grades: 3rd-9th

This resource includes engaging sticky note activities like Fact or Fib, Guess My Word, and Picture That, providing numerous opportunities for students to collaborate on questions and problem-solving.

2. Use Think-Pair-Share for Quick Discussion Topics

You might already be using this collaborative strategy without realizing it’s a form of cooperative learning. In this exercise, students first think independently about a topic, then discuss their thoughts with a partner, and finally share their partner’s viewpoints with the class. This method works effectively from kindergarten through to senior year, especially in chatty classes during transitions!

Think Pair Share by Wishful Learning
By Wishful Learning by Beckie Lee
Grades: PreK-2nd
Subject: ELA, Speaking and Listening

This CCSS-aligned activity includes anchor charts, mini-lessons, and teaching strategies to help young learners practice sharing their ideas with peers and the wider classroom community.

3. Build Collaboration Skills with a Jigsaw Activity

Jigsaw activities are a fantastic way to ensure that all group members contribute and share information. Each student researches or learns a specific topic at a designated station and then returns to their group to share their findings, resulting in a complete set of data to inform their project!

Jigsaw activities can be effectively utilized in elementary school to teach research techniques, and in middle and high school when research materials may be too complex for individuals to handle alone.

Jigsaw Activity Template, Cooperative Learning Note Taking Strategy
By Tess the Crafty Teacher
Grades: 3rd-5th

This resource helps elementary students master the art of collaboration through versatile jigsaw activities that include planning sheets, note-taking pages, and graphic organizers to guide learners in synthesizing information.

4. Assign Roles to Help All Students Contribute

You’ve likely heard the common complaint, “My group isn’t doing any work!” Counteract uneven contributions by assigning specific roles to group members. Younger students can learn to delegate tasks, while older students can use roles to evaluate how effectively the group cooperates.

Group Work Role Cards Expectations Accountable Talk Posters Cooperative Learning
By The Primary Diary
Grades: 1st-5th
Subjects: Classroom Community, English Language Arts
Standards: CCSS SL.1.1, 1a, 1b, 1.3; SL.2.1, 1a, 1b; SL.3.1, 1b, 3; SL.4.1, 1b, 1d

When students are given specific roles to fulfill, they tend to work more cooperatively in groups. This resource includes editable slides, expectations for roles, and sentence stems to enhance their speaking and listening skills while keeping them engaged during group tasks.

COOPERATIVE LEARNING- Journal- Roles- Rubric- Assessment-Bilingual dual
By Ideas Clase abc
Grades: 3rd-9th
Subject: Classroom Community

Group work is not an innate skill for every student. Facilitate collaborative efforts by assigning roles such as Task Manager, Materials Manager, Speaker, and Scribe to keep projects progressing smoothly.

5. Implement Peer Editing in Formal and Informal Assignments

Peer editing allows students to provide valuable feedback throughout the writing or assignment process. Equip them with rubrics and checklists to guide their reviews, and teach them how to give constructive, actionable feedback that their peers can utilize. This strategy is adaptable for all grade levels and should be explicitly taught at the beginning of the school year.

6-8 EDITABLE Peer Editing Checklist – Informative Expository Writing Peer Review
By Sally Hansen – Purposeful Plans
Grades: 6th-8th
Subjects: Essays, Expository Writing
Standards: CCSS W.6.5, W.7.5, W.8.5

This resource includes differentiated revision checklists for 3, 5, and 7-paragraph assignments, ensuring accessibility for every learner in your classroom. It comes fully prepared for you with print-and-go peer editing checklists!

6. Put Students into Long-Term Study Groups

Cooperative learning extends beyond academic skills—it also fosters study skills! Establish study groups for students to quiz one another prior to exams, organize their thoughts at the beginning of a unit, or share challenges throughout the year. These groups can also serve as writing teams in both elementary and secondary ELA classes.

Tips for Implementing Cooperative Learning

While many educators may already use collaborative activities in their classes, understanding how to implement cooperative learning effectively is crucial for maximizing its benefits. Consider these tips to successfully integrate cooperative learning strategies in your classroom, regardless of subject or grade level.

• Teach Communication Skills: Don’t assume students possess innate teamwork abilities! Dedicate time at the beginning of the year to teach and model essential communication skills, including active listening and conflict resolution.
• Identify Leaders Early: Some students naturally emerge as leaders, while others may need encouragement. Recognize these dynamics early on and distribute leadership roles evenly across groups.
• Keep Groups Small: Large groups can become unwieldy, allowing some students to coast without contributing. Smaller groups tend to foster more effective collaboration.
• Ensure Heterogeneous Groups: Diverse skill sets enhance cooperative learning, so aim to create groups that combine advanced, typical, and struggling learners, along with varying levels of leadership and social skills.
• Maintain Fairness: Implement strategies to prevent advanced students from carrying the workload. Role delegation and a focus on equal contributions facilitate a more balanced group dynamic.
• Reflect on the Process: Regularly encourage both you and your students to reflect on group dynamics. Monitor their interactions, and be prepared to adjust group compositions or cooperative learning strategies as necessary.

Coordinate Cooperation with TPT

Classrooms thrive when students engage in collaborative learning. Whether they are involved in a quick think-pair-share or embarking on an extensive group research project, effective cooperative learning strategies can facilitate peer learning just as efficiently as traditional teacher-led instruction—perhaps even more so!

Discover more cooperative learning lessons and activities that can elevate your elementary, middle, or high school classroom functions and encourage vibrant student interactions. Explore additional thought-provoking strategies as well, including inquiry-based learning activities and assignments.