After over a year of students learning in isolation, we have felt it was important to re-teach students how to learn with and from one another again. Also, we felt by focusing on holding student individually accountable for their learning through Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures, we could reacclimate students to the junior high’s more rigorous curricula and work expectations.
After students spending the better part of the year learning from home, Jefferson staff wanted to ensure that our classrooms were set up for success upon students return. Through the implementation of preventative procedures, staff are able to create a safe, brain-friendly learning environment that is responsive to meeting students’ needs.
Focus on the PIES principles of cooperative learning:
Specific focus on individual accountability as it is necessary for all other principles.
Create clear expectations for positive student behavior with students
Teach students what the expectations look like, sound like, and feel like
Develop a class environment that is responsive to student needs
Clear redirections and consequences for disruptions
Positive reinforcement for when students meet the expectations