Group+Project+Information

====In my classroom, group work is done differently than you might be used to. We will be using cooperative learning groups throughout the year. This means that each group will be accountable to perform the work assigned but each group member must work together to complete it **EQUALLY.** I find that cooperative learning groups drive deeper understanding and the ability to cover more material. Each group will be constructed by me, and will mix students based on strengths and weaknesses. In these groups, each member **MUST** pull his/her own weight. Each group member will share responsibilities as well as having their own. At the completion of each group work project, each member will fill out a survey on the other students in the group to make sure all stay in check on the amount of work that is put into the groups. No one person should do less **OR MORE** work than others.====

1. **Mid– project critiques**:
====We will break into cooperative learning groups to hold mid-project critiques. I expect to see each group member giving and taking constructive criticism on how to improve their projects. These groups will also meet before the final critique to give each other further advice. If all group members receive an 85% or higher on their project, then the entire group will get 5 extra credit points.====

([]

2. **Research Projects**:
====Throughout the year we will do several group research projects. The topics will be assigned and students will have the option of creating a PowerPoint project, web site, or another type of project to show the work they have done. Each group member will have a job. These jobs will be decided as a group and formally assigned after writing their proposal of the break- down of the work to me. As an example, one might have 5 people in a group. Their roles might be all to research the topic then, one writes the text for the website, one does the graphics, one builds the website, one answers questions, and one presents the website. In order for the group to get a passing grade, each group member must do his/her own work, as well as the group work as a whole. The group grades will be assigned based on how well the project is completed, as well as each group member will be graded on their portion of the project (which I will know based on the written proposal), and a grade will be given based off of the survey of each group member’s work effort, all to yield each members final grade.====

([] = =

====***Each cooperative learning group project will have ways to hold each member accountable. However, if a group ever decides that one member is not pulling his/her weight, a statement can be handed in, that is signed by all other members of the group, that asks for that member’s work to not count towards the others project grades. The member who's being pulled from the group's grade will be graded separately and will end up with a lower score because of their lack of effort in the group.**====