The present book entitled “co-operative learning: a strategy for effective classroom teaching in social science” (An empirical study) has been specially designed to equip the teacher and teacher educators with as much knowledge on all aspects as per recommendations of NPE-1986, NCF-2005and 2011. Education is one of the most important factors in achieving the developmental goals of a country. Social Science is one among those subjects which is an essential element of education. Social Science is a subject which broadens the horizon of an individual and develops various skills and provides opportunity for the professional growth of an individual. Social Science has become a greater value in the present day; Social Science has spread its net on all over the fields of life. Before the days of early printing when books were not easily available, the knowledge was imparted by the teachers from their own store by lecturing and discussion. With the advancement of educational technology and educational research the educationists evolved many teaching skills and techniques, which resulted in effective teaching. The teachers are required to teach in such a way xii that the students should learn better, understand well and also feel interested while learning. The scope of the book has been made broad-based and comprehensive and the approach is practical and functional. Practical approach followed in dealing with topics such as model approach with reference to Cooperative learning model, currents trends in social science teaching-learning process like collaborative learning approach, methodology, analysis and interpretation of data and at the end findings of research along with educational implications of present study are discussed. The author, therefore hope that this book which is very informative for teachers working at secondary schools and teacher-educators. We hope that this book would meet the needs of both the students, teachers and teacher educators and especially would be researchers in the field of education. We look forward to and appreciate suggestions from the intelligentsia to improve the book.

"Gilles focuses the majority of the book on the relationship in the classroom between the individual teacher and the students. She gives teachers ammunition to overcome resistance to cooperative learning by presenting well-substantiated research on virtually every page of her book showing the benefits of having students study together." —Ted Wohlfarth, PSYCCRITIQUES "This text's greatest strengths are bringing together a range of powerful teaching strategies connected to students taking responsibility for their own learning and the learning of others. The focus on both teacher strategies to encourage effective group talk and student strategies to encourage effective discourse is helpful." —Nancy L. Markowitz, San Jose State University Although cooperative learning is widely endorsed as a pedagogical practice that promotes learning and socialization among students, teachers still struggle with how to introduce it into their classrooms. This text highlights the strategies teachers can use to challenge student thinking and scaffold their learning as well as the strategies students can be taught to promote discourse, problem—solving, and learning during cooperative learning. Key Features Presents cooperative learning in conjunction with national standards: The book situates cooperative learning within the context of No Child Left Behind and a climate of high stakes testing. Links theory with practice: Numerous case studies and small group exercises highlight how teachers can assess both the process and outcomes of cooperative learning. Emphasizes the key role teachers play in establishing cooperative learning: Guidelines are given on how teachers can establish cooperative learning in their classrooms to promote student engagement and learning across various levels and for students of diverse abilities. Incorporates the latest research on cooperative learning: An overview is provided of the major research and theoretical perspectives that underpin the development of cooperative learning pedagogy. Intended Audience This is an excellent supplementary text for several undergraduate and graduate level K—12 teacher preparation and certification courses regularly offered in schools of education. It can also be used as one of several texts in courses on cooperative learning and as a supplement in K—12 teaching methods courses. Talk to the author! r.gillies@uq.edu.au

Cooperative Learning In Social Studies provides practical assistance to both new and experienced teachers who are seeking effective small-group alternatives or additions to their current social studies teaching repertoire.

· INTRODUCTION Education is one of the most important factors in achieving the developmental goals of a country. Social Science is one among those subjects which is an essential element of education. Social Science is of great value and introduces the new ways of thinking reasoning and living. It develops the consciousness among' the individuals. Social Science is a subject which broadens the horizon of an individual and develops various skills and provides opportunity for the professional growth of an individual. Social Science has become a great value in the present day; Social Science has spread its net on all over the fields of life. Before the days of early printing when books were not easily available, the knowledge was imparted by the teachers from their own store by lecturing and discussion. With the advancement of educational technology and educational research the educationists evolved many teaching skills and techniques, which resulted in effective teaching. Social Science is such a subject which includes the skills, techniques, Methods, some time laboratory experiments, field study and so on. The teachers are required to teach in such a way that the students should learn better, understand well and also feel interested while learning. Hence in every school, there is need for Social Science laboratory to do simple demonstration and activities to develop scientific attitude, creativity, interest and attitude to get knowledge of handling equipment, models, specimens etc and to practice skills. Through practical knowledge a child learns better and understands the concepts clearly. Hence, activity based method of teaching is very essential to develop scientific and Critical Knowledge among the students at the secondary level.

"The Teacher′s Sourcebook for Cooperative Learning has ideas and activities that can be used by all teachers who want to improve their classroom management and promote community building." Rebecca Den Hartog, Elementary Classroom Teacher Mercer Island School District Mercer Island, WA "I unreservedly recommend this important resource to any preservice or inservice teachers of young children." Chris Iddings, Assistant Professor of Language and Literacy Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN "The authors reveal considerable wealth of experience as teachers and as users of CL. This will be a very successful book." Jon A. Scaife, Lecturer in Education School of Education, University of Sheffield Sheffield, England Can today′s students excel individually by working in tandem with their peers? Yes! says this dynamic team of authors who have combined their first-hand experience and in-depth research to create this essential guidebook. In The Teacher′s Sourcebook for Cooperative Learning, the authors demonstrate how any classroom teacher can use CL techniques for lesson planning and classroom management. Learn how to: Incorporate the basic principles of CL into everyday learning experiences Improve students′ collaborative skills, positive interdependence, and individual accountability Prepare for, manage, and create tasks for CL lessons Handle special situations, avoid trouble spots, and collaborate with other teachers, administrators, and parents This exciting book represents best practice based on hands-on experience and in-depth research. Incorporate these principles into your lesson plan and see how you can achieve one of every educator′s most rewarding contributions . . . helping students to help themselves, and each other.

The contributors to this book, many of whom are recognised world experts on cooperative learning, make insightful links between the theories that underpin the study of group dynamics and their practical application to the classroom.

"These activities will foster participation and critical thinking in the classroom." —R. Jon Frey, Director of Speech Activities Aberdeen Central High School, SD "Cooperative group learning is a powerful approach, and this book provides explicit ideas and guidelines." —Stephanie van Hover, Associate Professor of Social Studies Education University of Virginia Give your students the opportunity to think, discover, and learn together in social studies! Teamwork helps students strengthen individual retention, improve performance, and promote meaning-making in the classroom. To give adolescent minds practice in critical thinking, the authors use their considerable teaching experience to present more than 40 problem-solving activities that are ready for immediate use in the social studies classroom. This second edition of Catch Them Thinking in Social Studies demonstrates how to use collaborative learning strategies to fully engage students in meaning-making. Cooperative Problem-Solving Activities for Social Studies, Grades 6–12 offers lessons in five areas of social studies instruction: geography, politics, economics, culture, and history. Each activity includes background information, clue cards, objectives, tasks, and worksheets. This updated edition helps teachers: Develop students′ decision-making, analysis, and communication skills Foster teamwork and interdependent learning Construct cooperative problem-solving activities using their own curriculum Featuring current research and new activities, this hands-on resource helps teachers facilitate cooperative problem solving in social studies and provides teacher tips throughout the book.

This collection of theoretical and empirical research addresses the most recent advances in cooperative learning and its applications, implications, and effects on teachers and students at both the elementary and secondary levels. The central concern of the contributors is how a set of particular instruction methods affects people in classrooms and what this form of instruction contributes or fails to contribute to them. In their attempt to illuminate some of the major effects of cooperative learning methods, the contributors discuss a number of theoretical and practical issues not covered elsewhere, including the effects of cooperative learning on teachers, on high school science studies, on student motivation, and on the acquisition of group process and learning skills. Educational psychologists and researchers as well as teachers in training will find Cooperative Learning an illuminating source of information about a model of teaching that, the contributors argue, produces a wide range of positive effects on both the teacher and student populations. Taken together, these chapters demonstrate a wider applicability and more socially and psychologically important impacts of cooperative learning than have been documented before. Among the topics addressed are cooperative learning and achievement, treating status problems in the cooperative classroom, cooperative learning models, teachers' verbal behavior in cooperative and whole-class instruction, and the effects of cooperative learning on ethnic relations. The contributors are united in their belief that cooperative learning promises to provide a viable alternative to the predominantly verbal-presentation type of teaching that is still the norm in most Western classrooms. The research reported here will help establish a central role for cooperative learning methods in the training and practice of classroom instruction as we enter the 1990s.