Level E

This is the highest level of cooperative learning and requires a time commitment from those in­ volved. Regular attendance is necessary as is timely completion of the work the group requires because membersí individual work contributes to the work of the group as a whole and is not duplicated by another group member.

15. National Issues Group: Group members consider an important social problem and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of several solutions. This includes the group members doing research and working to come to a consensus about the most viable solution.
16. Literature circles: This group commits to meet over several sessions as the study group for the reading of a novel. Adult learners read and discuss the novel, using questions that invite dialogue rather than those that require specific right/wrong answers. Many novels come with book group discussion guides. Roles such as discussion leader, fact checker, expert on historical context, and word expert may be assigned, adopted, or rotated.
17. Theme studies: Teacher and students decide on a topic of study and a group goal for learning (to understand all sides of an issue; to understand the history of an issue; to understand the arguments against an issue; to develop a position in response to the issue, etc.). The various group members read different relevant materials, including informational texts, newspapers, stories and novels, maps, charts, etc. Group members share their research with the whole group as it works to meet the group goal for learning. Thematic studies underscore the interrelatedness of learning and group members listen, speak, read, write, and think independently and as a group.