Headteacher: Mr. Kevin Beaton

Kingswood High School

Wawne Road

Hull

HU7 4WR

Tel: 01482 879967

Fax: 01482 8878934

e-mail:

website: www.kingswoodhigh.com

Started programme January 2003

Facilitator: Hazel Hutchinson

Teachers in the Year 7 Unit and Science faculty received their first days training in co-operative learning in January 2003. Since then they have been using these strategies in classrooms. The facilitator has interviewed staff individually and observed classroom practice. A follow-up training session is scheduled for 2/6/03

Recent observations of the work being done within year 7 and the Science faculty

(1)   A year 7 mixed ability Geography group were given letters A-D to form mixed ability, mixed gender groups. Within their new groups, they were numbered 1-4 and given roles. Their task was to learn the meanings of key words for the current topic. Pupils were tested individually and their scores recorded. In their groups they were given time to work together to learn the meanings of the words and were then retested to find the biggest improvement.

(2)   A Year 8 Science group were preparing for a test on respiration by attempting to answer multiple-choice revision questions. Working in pairs, they were given a fixed time to think about the question, to discuss it in a pair, and then to share their answer with the class by writing it on a white board.

(3)   A Year 7 English group were discussing the nature and effects of bullying. Desks were arranged into L-shapes to facilitate pair and group talk. Pairs (or 3s), numbered 1 and 2 (or 3), were given roles of speaker and listener and given a fixed time for pair talk. The listener reported back to the class, whilst the class used active listening. Pairs swapped roles and the listeners then reported to another group, who in turn gave feedback to the class.

Updated 20 May 2003