Presents tips on how to create a positive, friendly classroom community from day one. Ideas include beginning the year with getting-to-know-you activities; identifying and positively involving students with potential behavior problems; offering opportunities for students to assist one another with activities; working together toward a goal; and…

Presents class activities to help elementary teachers prepare their students for cooperative learning. Phase one involves building team spirit and appreciating differences. Phase two includes strategies for trying substantial cooperative projects. Phase three offers ideas for adding cooperation to basic subject areas all year long. (SM)

Outlines the views of three scholars on cooperative learning: cooperation in content areas (team-assisted individualization and cooperative integrated reading and composition); grading techniques (e.g., individual score plus group bonus points, group scores, and scoring only one member's paper); and structuring social interaction (round robin,…