Implementing Collaborative Activities

Collaborative activities are any activities where learners work together in pairs or groups to develop important social and cognitive skills. Examples of collaborative activities that facilitate cooperative learning include:

Pair or group discussions
Completing shared tasks
Activities or games with a competitive element
Drama and role-play
Information exchange activities

There are various collaborative activities and strategies that can help implement cooperative peer interactions among students in the classroom. Teachers get to learn comprehensive strategies to achieve this through our workshops and training sessions.

How Collaborative Activities Work

Teaching students to be flexible and adaptable is crucial for their development. Providing collaborative and interactive opportunities helps students grasp the difference between flexibility and rigidity. This approach offers opportunities to apply this skill, and encourages students to become more aware of their emotions and reactions in various situations and to respond more positively to changes. As students practice these skills, they can build healthier relationships and navigate life’s challenges more effectively.

Beyond flexibility and adaptability, several other important skills can further benefit students:

Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding one’s own emotions and reactions in different situations.
Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings and perspectives of others.
Problem-solving: Developing constructive approaches to resolving challenges and conflicts.
Resilience: The capacity to recover from setbacks and adapt to changes.

Consider Your Student's Age & Level

Every student is different, so it is important to think about how old they are and their capability. This will help you choose the right activities for them to work on together.

Pair Students Strategically

Think about how students can support one another when pairing them up. That doesn’t mean you should always pair students with the same skills or skill levels together. Pairing students at different levels can help one group of students see what they need to do and can help the other group of students explain what they know.

For example, it can be helpful to pair early-stage bilingual learners with classmates who can either provide good examples of English or share the same first language. This can make it easier for everyone to understand and contribute to the activity.

Establish Clear Expectations

It's important to let your students know how they should behave during collaborative activities. This means clarifying their roles, whether it's asking and answering questions, observing, or working together on the task.

When everyone knows what is expected of them, it becomes easier to have productive and successful group work. For students new to collaborative learning, having visual support structures to help guide them through this process can be helpful.

Encourage Language Use

During group discussions, students can communicate in English or their first language(s), depending on what you want them to learn. Think about what you want them to gain from the discussion and decide which language(s) would be best to use.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can create an environment where collaborative activities help your students learn and grow together.

Join The CMS Community

Cooperative peer interactions offer invaluable support and opportunities for students with ASD and related disabilities to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. These activities provide a supportive and inclusive environment where students can feel valued, accepted, and empowered to participate actively in their learning journey.

Cooperative peer learning areas and activities are an essential part of The CMS Approach™. By embracing The CMS Approach™, you are not only enhancing your own teaching experience but also shaping a brighter future for students with ASD and related disabilities. We invite you and your school district to become part of a community that values expertise, empathy, and empowerment.

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