Integrating Cooperative Learning Procedures, Solomon’s Six Types of Information and the Topic of the Middot (Jewish Virtues)

When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices. Accordingly, our mentees should know about the integration of cooperative learning procedures and Solomon’s Six Types of Information.

On the chart below you will find sample applications of five different cooperative learning procedures with the six types of information related to the topic of the middot.

The Integration of Cooperative Learning, Solomon’s Six Types of Information and the Topic of the Middot

Cooperative Learning Procedures	Six Types of Information	Content Question/ Challenge
Rally Round	Facts	In Hebrew, list as many middot as you can.
Think-Write-Pair-Share	Concepts	Select one of the middot (e.g. erech apayim- being slow to anger), and pose this question, “When you think of that middah, what ideas or thoughts come to mind?” Example: “Control yourself, don’t do anything that you’ll regret.”
Paired Interview	Experiences and Feelings	Share a story that illustrates a time when you applied that middah (e.g. erech apayim- being slow to anger) in your life. What happened and how did you feel?
Round Robin Brainstorming	Preferences	Brainstorm a list of all the middot we have discussed in class, and select one that is most meaningful to you at this time.
Group Discussion Using Talking Chips	Informed Opinion	Explain why you selected that middah as your preference.

On the next post we will begin our discussion of the third student-engaged model of teaching, the Problem-Based Model.