Cooperative Learning

Kagan cooperative learning is built on a single tenet: engagement. When students are engaged and motivated, "learning sticks." In a Kagan classroom, all students must be engaged and accountable. This happens through the use of Kagan Structures.

Click the link to learn more about What is Kagan?

Kagan structures provide a framework for scholars to work together in a small group on an activity. While working on their task, scholars are individually accountable for their own work. Scholars also practice social skills and other 21 centaury skills key to being successful in college or career.

The following is a list of my top 6 favorite Kegan structures.

Quiz-Quiz- Trade

Using question cards, students quiz a partner, get quizzed by a partner, and then trade cards to repeat the process with a new partner.

Fan-N-Pick

The collaborative learning strategy Fan and Pick is best completed in a group of four as there are four roles for students to complete ( It can be done with groups of 3). Students are divided into groups of four, then are numbered off student one through four.

Student 1 fans out the cards, offers them to Student 2 and tells Student 2, "Pick a card, any card." Student 2 picks a card and reads the question or prompt to the group. Student 3 answers the question or responds to the prompt. Student 4 then paraphrases/repeats, checks, clarifies and praises the answer. Cards then rotate to the right and steps are repeated so that each person in the group has at least one chance at each role or until the timer has ran out of time.

Rally Coach

This strategy is particularly valuable for students who need a little extra assistance when learning a new concept in class. Teacher determines who starts. Scholar A solve a problem and explains their answer to scholar B. Scholar B watches, listens, checks solution and praises. Scholars then switch roles.

Mix-Pair-Share

Scholars mix around the room to music or just the beat of their own drum. When the music stops or the teacher calls “pair,” scholars pair up with the classmate closest to them. The teacher then gives the class a topic to discuss with their partner. Scholars then repeat the process for a specified period of time.

Numbered Heads Together

In the structure number heads together, scholars number off. Each scholars on the team has a different number (typically 1 – 4). Teacher asks a question. Ideally, the question requires a multiple parts response, so that more than one team can respond. Scholars literally put their heads together and make sure everyone knows the answer. Teacher calls a number. After the teacher calls a random number (1 – 4), the scholar in each time with that number either raise their hands or stand and the teacher calls them one at the time.

A spinner or some other method to randomize the calling of numbers may be used. When the teacher call the number, that student raises their board. This enables all teams to respond simultaneously. Teacher repeats this process for a period of time.

Inside-Outside- Circle

Scholars rotate in concentric circles to face new partners for sharing, quizzing or problem solving. In this structure, scholars form pairs. A scholars form each pair moves to form one large circle facing inward. The reaming scholars find and face their partner.

Inside circle scholars ask a question from their question card. Outside circle scholars answers the question. Inside circle scholars praise or coaches their partner. Then partners switch roles and question cards. Inside circle rotates clockwise to a new partner.

Click here to learn about other Kegan structures and the steps to each of the structures.

If you need any assistance in learning best practice's in implementing Kegan Structures into your classroom, please do not hesitate to reach out and email me at tmartin2@apslearns.org.

" All APS Scholars will graduate as architects of their future, prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world."

-APS Vision

Reach out to the Math Department Via email if additional support is needed at math@apslearns.org

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