Classes as Learning Teams
In any class and at any grade level, most individuals learn more, learn better, and have more fun in the learning process when learning together in some type of group.
Think of this group effort as if a class, any class, is a learning team.
If you've participated in any team sport or team activity, the power of a team is that every member looks out for each other, cheers for each other in victory, consoles each other in defeat, and helps each other when a teammate has a bad day. Support and encouragement are what teammates provide for each other, so that everyone can grow, improve and succeed. As the old saying goes, "we win together, and we lose together."
Take this mindset with your classes...why not?!?!
In class, we will do whole group, small group, lab group, and individual work in some combination nearly every day. And since teams have captains, our learning team will have captains. Every student in class will have a chance and be the class learning team captain. The class will rotate and have a new learning team captain every 1-2 weeks; the student rotation for this role should be determined by the teacher and students of that class.
Captain's role: is simple...the captain for the determined period of time will be responsible for personally contacting every teammate (i.e. classmate) at least 1-2 times during their tenure as captain. This will include asking each teammate how they are doing, if anything is not making sense, if anyone is feeling confused or anxious about what we are doing and learning in class, if anyone feels they are falling behind, and if there is any issue academically or personally that is affecting them in school. The captain can help the teacher figure out how the team can help and support any teammate who needs it; it is recommended that the teacher provide a class list to the captain, and might consider asking students if they would like their email address on the list so there is an option for students to communicate another way (some students may be more comfortable talking or writing outside of class, for instance; it also provides an option to communicate if something comes up when not in class).
Think of this group effort as if a class, any class, is a learning team.
If you've participated in any team sport or team activity, the power of a team is that every member looks out for each other, cheers for each other in victory, consoles each other in defeat, and helps each other when a teammate has a bad day. Support and encouragement are what teammates provide for each other, so that everyone can grow, improve and succeed. As the old saying goes, "we win together, and we lose together."
Take this mindset with your classes...why not?!?!
In class, we will do whole group, small group, lab group, and individual work in some combination nearly every day. And since teams have captains, our learning team will have captains. Every student in class will have a chance and be the class learning team captain. The class will rotate and have a new learning team captain every 1-2 weeks; the student rotation for this role should be determined by the teacher and students of that class.
Captain's role: is simple...the captain for the determined period of time will be responsible for personally contacting every teammate (i.e. classmate) at least 1-2 times during their tenure as captain. This will include asking each teammate how they are doing, if anything is not making sense, if anyone is feeling confused or anxious about what we are doing and learning in class, if anyone feels they are falling behind, and if there is any issue academically or personally that is affecting them in school. The captain can help the teacher figure out how the team can help and support any teammate who needs it; it is recommended that the teacher provide a class list to the captain, and might consider asking students if they would like their email address on the list so there is an option for students to communicate another way (some students may be more comfortable talking or writing outside of class, for instance; it also provides an option to communicate if something comes up when not in class).
We do not let a single classmate fall through the cracks! If that happens, and someone is not successful or learning or growing, or someone feels they do not belong on our team, then the team has not been successful.
If a captain does find anyone who is not feeling good about their situation, the captain will meet with the teachers and the student(s) so the team can figure out some new approaches sooner rather than later. We will never criticize or make fun of anyone. We will instead lift each other up and have respect for each other. We will get each other through any issues anyone has!
Over the course of the year, each student will have a chance to be the learning team captain, and this also ensures that everyone gets to know each other pretty well. Over a student's years in school, many will see some of the same students in other classes, and hopefully the relationship developed in your class will continue to grow in future years. We don't expect everyone to become best friends in the class, but there is nothing wrong with being cheerleaders and supports for everyone else in class. We are here together every day, so why not make the most of it...for everyone's sake.
A class motto might be:
We all belong here, we all can do well in here, so let’s make sure good things happen for each of us, together!! We may even have some fun along the way!
From the SECD perspective, this approach is loaded with SEL skills and competencies and character development features.
Self-awareness:
- helps every student reflect on their learning and feelings in class
- builds self-confidence for each student, knowing they are not alone in their effort
- helps each student identify strengths and weaknesses in the class
Self-management:
- helps each student manage stress by having someone to talk to and identify possible stressors
- self-discipline should improve for each student since there is a peer checking in and encouraging them to hang in there
- students should feel a sense of motivation from their peers as a team mindset develops
- goals are set for each student, and support provided by captains and the class to help meet goals
- organizational skills should develop as captains must be sure to meet with each classmate, and keep track of how each individual is doing
Social awareness:
- empathy is learned and practiced: each student will have experience putting themselves in each other's shoes as they are in the role of captain, and learn what each other is going through
- the diversity of the class is experienced and hopefully appreciated by each student when in the captain's role, when getting to know each classmate a little better
- this model is built around the notion of having respect for each other, and trying to build a genuine sense of caring more about each other
Relationship skills:
- communication is the key to this model; all students are expected to get better communicating with each other
- social engagement is built into this model for every student
- relationship-building is another core feature of this model; the idea is to develop a sense of community and togetherness
- a learning team must learn the principles of teamwork
Responsible decision-making:
- students, upon self reflection, must identify and share some of the problems they are facing, whether academic or personal, if they expect to get help and support from their teammates
- to help each other overcome problems, analysis of what is shared must take place
- the basic idea of this model is to help each other solve problems, so everyone has a chance to improve, grow and succeed in the class
- evaluating problems and possible solutions must be done in order to help each other
- after possible solutions are implemented to try and help one or more students, both individual and group reflection should be done to determine the effectiveness of what was tried
Character development:
The hope is that each individual learns the values of taking their own beliefs, skills, feelings, attitudes, and other individual attributes they bring to the table, and use the whole package of who they are to help develop solutions that will help a classmate, a teammate, get through whatever it is they need to get through. This is an example of what a good human being does - to see if they have the character to help not only themselves, but others.
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