Activity Structures
p4c meets co-operative learning
Activity structures are patterns for collaborative working in pairs or small groups. For example, you may want pupils to break out from a whole-group discussion and 'think-pair-share' or you might be looking for a way to structure concept stretchers, inquiry builders and other activities so as to maximise the involvement and responsibility of pupils.
The activity structures in this section are taken from the literature of co-operative learning (eg, from work by people like Robert Slavin, Miguel Kagan and Spencer Kagan or the University of Newcastle Centre for Learning and Teaching or devised by members of p4c.com. They could help to make your lessons more varied and effective.
Read on or consider becoming a contributor to share your ideas.
| Title | Category | Author | Created |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conceptlines A good way to explore concepts, explained with reference to the concept of freedom. This is an fuller explanation of one method of stretching concepts mentioned in the concept-stretcher key download. | Activity Structures | Karin Murris | 15/02/2009 - 21:39 |
| Mysteries A 'mystery' is an activity to develop exploratory thinking, often about causes or consequences. | Activity Structures | Steve Williams | 06/09/2008 - 22:41 |
| Question walk | Activity Structures | Steve Williams | 23/08/2008 - 17:02 |
| Paired work Paired work, 'pairs compare', 'think, pair, share' and 'think, write, share, compare.' Inspired by the work of Spencer Kagan | Activity Structures | Steve Williams | 23/08/2008 - 16:18 |
| Lines | Activity Structures | Steve Williams | 23/08/2008 - 10:43 |
| Thumbs up A simple but flexible structure that can be adapted for use in many contexts | Activity Structures | Steve Williams | 23/08/2008 - 08:00 |
| Corners A Kagan cooperative learning structure adapted for p4c | Activity Structures | Steve Williams | 22/08/2008 - 23:56 |
| Numbered heads together A Kagan cooperative learning structure adapted for p4c | Activity Structures | Steve Williams | 22/08/2008 - 23:23 |
| The dialogue wheel An interactive way to air questions, and get some initial thoughts on the questions | Activity Structures | Steve Williams | 19/06/2008 - 15:41 |