How to Create a Collaborative Classroom Environment Part 3

Be sure to check out the previous posts if you missed Parts 1 and 2 on how to create a collaborative classroom.

Another way to foster a collaborative classroom is to have your lessons be rooted in meaning. People are simply motivated to persist and achieve when they find value and meaning in what they do. One way to ensure meaning in your lessons is to give students a few choices. When a group can collectively pick a path, they become bonded by that choice and there will be a higher chance of success for that group.

Another way to instill choice is to have students assume a group role or job, otherwise negative roles can and probably will be assigned from crowns to dunce caps. A helpful tip I came across was to identify the gifts or strengths each student possesses beforehand and create thoughtful groups that way or have the group decide who wears which hat. Here are some categories to consider:

Detail Oriented or Eagle Eyes - students who can spot out mistakes, make revisions, keep the group on task, and can follow directions

Persistent Conflict or Problem Solver - students that work until the job is done and never gives up

Eye for Design or Aesthetics, Illustrators, Designers - students who are the artists and create beautiful work

Creators and Idea Generators - students who are the creative outside of the box thinkers, the clever ones

Great Question Generators - the students who point out other perspectives or possibilities

Collaborators and Ambassadors - the students who get along with everyone and can help keep the group motivated to work together