Cooperative Learning Model

Teacher: Jasey Klein

Subject: Language Arts

Grade level: 4th Grade

Time: Two 50-Minute Periods

I.

Standard: LA 4.1.6.a Identify authors purpose(s) (e.g., explain, entertain,

inform, persuade)

II.

Teaching Objective:
1. Students will identify the authors purpose of a written passage

III. Introduction

We are going to try something new today called The Jigsaw. Im sure you
are wondering what I am talking about. Let me explain. You all know from
science class how there are different types of scientists who specialize in a
certain area and become an expert in that one field. Well, today each of you
are going to become experts in the field of authors purpose. That means you
will become an expert in discovering why the author wrote the passage they
wrote. Youll then teach others about your knowledge as an expert.
IV.

Teacher Input and Activities

Introduce Jigsaw Model

During our jigsaw activity today, each of you will be part of two separate groups.
You will each belong to an expert group and a home group. Youll each meet with
your expert groups first and study one of the four purposes of an authors writing.
During this time youll read an article on a purpose, examine examples of writings
with that purpose, review tips authors use when trying to write with a particular
purpose, and complete your section of the graphic organizer. Youll discuss these
resources as a group and decide what materials youll take with you in order to
successfully teach others who have never heard of this purpose before. Your goal
when you are finished meeting with your expert group is to make sure every team
member completely understands that particular authors purpose and can

successfully teach it to others. This will require students to help one another when
confused, listen to others ideas, and be responsible for their own work. Once each
group feels they understand the material and are ready to teach to others the
expert groups will split and the home groups will meet. There will be a total of four
students in each home group. Each student will be teaching the rest of the
students in their group about the authors purpose in which they researched.
Therefore, if you werent responsible for learning the material in your expert group,
you wont be able to teach your three new group members from your home group.
Then a total of four students wont have learned the material needed to be
proficient on their quiz that youll take at the end of the lesson. Therefore, can you
depend on anyone else to do your work today? (No) Thats correct. You will each be
responsible for your own learning today. During this first day, youll each meet with
your expert group. Tomorrow, youll meet with your home group and then well finish
tomorrows lesson with a quiz. The home group and the expert group with the
highest scores will be recognized.
Expert Group # 1: Authors Purpose Explain
Expert Group # 2: Authors Purpose Entertain
Expert Group # 3 Authors Purpose Inform
Expert Group # 4 Authors Purpose Persuade

Name, Teach, and Practice Targeted Social Skills

As we discussed, you need to utilize two social skills today while working with both
of your groups. The first skill is equal contributions; this means you will all share
the work equally. Youll each offer time to help all group members understand when
learning and teaching the material. Lets practice what this looks like. Ill need
three volunteers. As a group well model one student helping others while the rest
work ahead, one student doing all of his work completely on his own without checking
in on any other group members, and one just sitting while the others work. As a
class well discuss what could be the consequence from this style of work. As a
group wed then model the correct way to participate in equal contributions. Well
continue the same group modeling with three new volunteers with the social skill of
active listening.

Assemble Expert Groups and Set Task:

Students will be sent to work in their expert groups. In their expert groups theyll
find the following materials at their table: 4 copies of an article explaining/defining
an authors purpose, 4 copies of sample passages of that particular purpose, 4 copies
of bulleted tips authors incorporate into their writing when performing that
purpose, and 4 copies of the graphic organizer. Students will begin their work and
Ill circulate the room and guide students through proper usage of social skills and
academic needs as they arise. (End of Day 1)

Experts Teach in Home Group

Everyone did an excellent job yesterday of working equally and becoming experts in
their field. Before we move into our home groups I would like each expert group to
get together and youll have five minutes to review the materials and your teaching
approach of how you will teach the students in your home group. This will help you
refresh your brain and feel confident as a teacher. Once students have completed a
quick review move them to their home groups. Each student will begin teaching their
purpose while the other students actively listen and work together to complete the
graphic organizer. Each student will have 5 minutes to teach his or her purpose.
Once the presenter has finished his/her teaching the other students within the
home group can ask the expert any questions to help clear up any misunderstandings.
This process will continue until all experts have shared. During this time Ill guide
discussion as needed and assist in answering questions that may stump the expert.
Measure Group and Individual Accountability / Evaluate and Provide Team
Recognition
Students will return to their individual seat and complete the quiz on authors
purpose. At the end of the quiz, students will be asked to evaluate the group
members of their expert group and home group. The expert group and the home
group with the highest scores will be recognized.

V.

Assignment / Lesson Extension

Students can choose one of the four purposes of an author and write a short
passage using that particular purpose.
I

VII. Materials
20 Graphic Organizers
20 Authors Purpose Quizzes
5 Entertain Description Articles
5 Persuade Description Articles
5 Inform Description Articles
5 Explain Description Articles
5 Bulleted Tips Entertain
5 Bulleted Tips Persuade
5 Bulleted Tips Inform
5 Bulleted Tips Explain
5 Sample Passages Entertain
5 Sample Passages Persuade
5 Sample Passages Inform
5 Sample Passages Explain