November 2023

Featured Strategy

Numbered Heads Together

What is it?

Numbered Heads Together is a cooperative learning strategy that holds each student accountable for learning the material. Students are placed in groups and each person is given a number (from one to the maximum number in each group). The teacher poses a question and students "put their heads together" to figure out the answer. The teacher calls a specific number to respond as spokesperson for the group. 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.

How to implement Numbered Heads Together

Divide the students into groups of four and give each one a number from one to four.
Pose a question or a problem to the class.
Have students gather to think about the question and to make sure everyone in their group understands and can give an answer.
Ask the question and call out a number randomly.
The students with that number raise their hands, and when called on, the student answers for his or her team.

How can you stretch student's thinking?

This is a flexible strategy that can be used at a variety of levels. The teacher may start with factual information questions, and as students become more familiar with the strategy, ask questions that require analysis or synthesis of information. After the students respond, have the other groups agree or disagree with the answer by showing thumbs up or thumbs down, and then explain their reasoning. Or, if the answer needs clarifying, ask another student to expand on the answer.

When can you use it?

Reading/English

Comprehension questions can be posed to groups, and students can work together to find the answers. For example, when reading a story, students can be given the task of analyzing one of the characters. They can be asked questions such as, "Which character traits are stated directly, and which are implied by the author?" and "What information do you get from the character's speech and actions?"

Writing

Students can evaluate the quality of a piece of writing using a rubric. Have students review the writing as a group and assign scores as a group. Ask them to respond with their scores and rationale using the numbered heads together strategy.

Math

Numbered heads together can be used when solving math problems. Ask questions such as "What are the facts in this problem?" "Which strategy would be most appropriate?" and "What solution did your group agree on?"

Social Studies

This strategy can be used after reading a chapter in a text, or after material has been presented. Ask clarifying questions about the text and have students find and discuss the answers. When groups are ready, review the answers using this strategy.

Science

This strategy can be used in preparation for a test or quiz. Allow time for students to study together in their groups and perhaps create questions that might be on the test or quiz. Using the numbered heads together strategy, ask questions about the material that will be on the test or quiz.

Video Demonstrations

Variations

Make Charts

During brainstorming time, have students chart their ideas. This gives you a record of the group’s work and gives students practice organizing language and writing.

Change Groups

Once a number has shared, mix up groups. Call 2’s together, number that group1–4 again, and have them do another prompt. The shuffling keeps students moving and working with more students, which makes the routine feel like a game.

Gave it a try? Great! Tell us how it went and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize! You can also share any photos of your implementation of this month's strategy with jamie_cook@charleston.k12.sc.us

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