Use structured CL techniques such as Showdown and Trade-A-Problem when the whole class reads the same book¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

For class reader schemes in which "the entire class reads the same book", the article recommends structured techniques: Showdown, where students in groups of four each write answers to a teacher question independently, then compare responses and reach consensus before celebrating; and Trade-A-Problem, where groups write thinking questions, exchange them with another group, and discuss responses. Each technique is analyzed against PIES; e.g., in Showdown "Groupmates provide each other immediate feedback to questions."

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Groups of four with numbered roles such as a rotating Showdown Captain; questions distinguishing text retrieval questions from thinking questions for Trade-A-Problem.

Constraints¶

• The article presents these as a small sample of possibilities, noting some techniques were modified from their original version; they are suggestions, not tested interventions.

Target Learners¶

• L2 students in classes doing extensive reading with a shared class reader

Target Learning Goals¶

• comprehension of the shared book, question generation, and participation in post-reading discussion

Affordances¶

• Kagan Pies Cooperative Learning Principles

Related Strategies¶

• Use art-based sharing, short reviews, interviews, and Book Wheels when students each read different books
• Book Clubs / Literature Circles

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Jacobs, George M. (2000). Reading Alone Together: Enhancing Extensive Reading via Student-Student Cooperation in Second Language Instruction. Paper presented at the Malaysian International Conference on English Language Teaching, Malacca, Malaysia. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED444377