Productive Group Work: How to Engage Students, Build Teamwork, and Promote Understanding

Frey, professor of literacy at San Diego State University and a classroom teacher at Health Sciences High & Middle College, offers research-based principles for introducing and using collaborative learning routines in the classroom, illustrated with classroom examples from different grade levels and subjects. The framework presented is based on the 'gradual release of responsibility' model of instruction, encouraging a transition from the teacher's responsibility to the students' responsibility for learning. The framework is composed of four components: a focus lesson that models the teacher's thinking; guided instruction to lead students toward more complex thinking and responsibility for task completion; collaborative learning where the teacher designs and supervises group tasks; and independent tasks, where students apply information they've earned to create new products. The book ends with FAQs on getting started, and a list of print resources for teachers. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)