Teams-Games-Tournaments

Teams-Games-Tournaments (Slavin, Using student team learning) is a cooperative structure in which teammates cooperatively study to master learning, then individually apply their learning in a competitive game.

There are at least two ways to form teams:

1. Heterogeneous teams - Ideally, each team in composed of members possessing mixed abilities. Preferred way when the objective is to study or review learning from previous teaching

2. Homogeneous teams - typically, to compete in a game based on the learning

The game is one in which students take turns answering questions. Individuals win points for each question correctly answered.

After the tournament, students return to their Cooperative Teams with their individual scores. Each Cooperative Team calculates a Total Team Score and winning teams are recognized.

Such method also provides opportunities to practice and process social skills that comprise good sportsmanship.

Prior to the tournaments it is essential to review what it means to be a good sport, encouraging them to describe specific examples.

During such Cooperative Structures, in order to have FUN, it is important to practice good sportsmanship.