The Teacher as Facilitator
This
activity gathers the students into cooperative groups to observe,
predict, gather data, set up a record of their findings and discuss
the difference between estimation and exact totals.
Allowing
the students to determine which characteristics they will examine
gives them responsibility for the activity and an ownership in its
outcome.
As
the groups begin their task, the teacher acts as a facilitator,
helping them start their examinations and encouraging participation
by every group member.
Each
member is responsible for a question, but some of the questions
are more complicated than others: measuring the pumpkins' circumferences
and translating them to inches will take more time than listing
their colors. To complete the data sheet, group members will need
to negotiate and distribute the work.
Cooperative
groups can accomplish academic tasks as well as promote the social
skills necessary for successfully working together. Listening to
each other, assisting one another, sharing and disagreeing in a
positive way are all skills that are required for productive group
work. Praise group members who are exhibiting those skills.
Monitor
the groups' interactions, but give them time to work out problems
that may occur. If the teacher tries to immediately step in and
resolve conflicts, the students will not build the skills needed
for future activities.
Pumpkin
Exploration: An Elementary Activity
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