Numbered Heads Together
Engaging Students in Group Work
BIG IDEA:
Cooperative learning is important to the academic and social learning of students. Group work is based on two beliefs: that everyone has something important to say, and that everyone is a resource, so it is important to listen to all ideas. Increase student practice of explaining and justifying their thinking.
DIRECTIONS:
Students brainstorm the correct answer to teacher-generated questions together. Students are assigned a number (from 1 to the maximum number in each group). The teacher poses a question and students are given an appropriate time frame to "put their heads together" and think of a correct response. The group huddles to discuss and agree upon a single answer. The teacher chooses a specific number to respond as spokesperson for the group.
The student with that number from each group must write down the response on a piece of paper. When the teacher gives a signal, the selected student from each team shows his or her number. Groups with the correct response get a point.
By having students work together in a group, this strategy ensures that each member knows the answer to problems or questions asked by the teacher. Because no one knows which number will be called, all team members must be prepared.