Resources, Lesson Plans, and Activities for Kindergartens

Cooperative learning is a successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. Each member of a team is responsible not only for learning what is taught but also for helping teammates learn, thus creating an atmosphere of achievement. Students work through the assignment until all group members successfully understand and complete it.

As public schools continue emphasizing collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills in 2026, cooperative learning remains one of the most effective instructional strategies for preparing students for both academic success and future careers. Research from the Institute of Education Sciences continues to support instructional practices that actively engage students in learning through discussion, teamwork, and shared responsibility.

Cooperative efforts result in participants striving for mutual benefit so that all group members:

• Gain from each other's efforts.
• Recognize that all group members share a common fate.
• Know that one's performance is influenced by both individual effort and the contributions of teammates.
• Feel proud and jointly celebrate when a group member is recognized for achievement.

This video illustrates the team model of learning.

Why Use Cooperative Learning?

Research has consistently shown that cooperative learning techniques:

• Promote student learning and academic achievement.
• Increase student retention.
• Enhance student satisfaction with the learning experience.
• Help students develop oral communication skills.
• Develop students' social and interpersonal skills.
• Promote student self-esteem.
• Encourage positive relationships among students from diverse backgrounds.

What would it take for you to complete high school, even if all the odds were against you? Would the promise of a job after graduation entice you to see your high school career through to the end? That is the hope of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has recently proposed a program to inspire Chicago youth to graduate from their city high schools. Some see the proposal as a blatant bribe, while others call it an initiative that could potentially increase the dismal graduation figures that are currently a reality in the city.

The Problem with Chicago Schools

Graduation rates in Chicago Public Schools are dismal indeed, although they have seen the slightest uptick in recent years. The Chicago Tribune reports that during the last academic year, graduation rates stood at just 60.6 percent, which was higher than it had been in previous years. Students in the city have many obstacles getting in their way of education, including a high crime rate in their neighborhoods, low-income families, and many kids with just one parent. Many kids in the Chicago school system are receiving some sort of government help, with a large percentage qualifying for the free or reduced lunch program.

Recently, Chicago Public Schools experienced a 10-day teacher strike after the teachers union and city officials could not come to an easy agreement on contract terms. Some of the concerns voiced by teachers at the time could play a role in low

STEM education, the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects, is an essential component to preparing the workforce of the future. However, it appears schools across the country are failing to answer that call. Few primary and secondary schools are offering courses in these subjects that directly apply to the workforce needs of today, and even where courses are available, they are still not considered part of the core curriculum. The good news is that as gurus in these industries begin to sit up and take notice of the gap in our education system, some schools are also rising up in an effort to bring STEM studies to public education.

STEM is not widely embraced by the public education system in the U.S. currently. According to a U.S. News and World Report report, only 2,100 high schools out of 42,000 currently offer the Advanced Placement test in computer science. This number is actually down 25 percent over the past five years. In addition, few states allow computer science to be taken to meet a math or science requirement. Only nine states allow computer science to be used as a core class that goes toward meeting graduation requirements.

“It will get you just as close to graduation as it will if you take woodworking,” Brad Smith, executive vice president of legal and corporate affairs at Microsoft, told U.S. News and World Report. “I love wood, but it’s not the future of our economy,”

Homework is the opportunity for children to practice the skills that they are learning at school at home. It allows parents to assess how their child is doing in school and to give extra help when needed. Homework also provides students additional time to research and grasp important concepts fully.

Getting Homework Help

If you are having trouble solving a problem or finding the answer to a question, there are several resources you can turn to. You may want to begin by asking an adult for help with your homework. Another resource is to look online for answers. Several online sites offer free tutoring help whenever you ask.

• Homework Help: Resources to help you get started on your homework
• Online Homework Help: Free online homework help

Search First! The Answer May be Right in Front of your Nose

Students often overlook prominent places to find the answers and solutions to the problem. Before you turn to online sources, check your textbook for answers. Carefully reading the assigned chapters can often help you find the information. Another great source is doing a quick search on the Internet.

• Fact Monster Resources: Online site to help get you started researching

This video offers an opinion about homework, i.e., the pros and cons.

Found Answer Online, How Do I Know If It's Right?

When researching, it is important to consider your online sources carefully. Sites that end