Section 7: Cooperation With Peers

This section considers the importance of peer relationships and examines the need for students to cooperate at school. Some educators and researchers have concluded that nearly all instruction should take place within a cooperative environment. Some, in fact, have specifically recommended peer tutoring and cross-age tutoring as avenues to promoting both cooperation and achievement. Although competition often motivates students and promotes their academic success, students need to recognize that cooperation often results in satisfying and important academic successes. Here are some possible discussion topics for Section 7:

A. The importance of friendship in the lives of students.

B. How relations with peers may affect academic success.

C. The importance of cooperative learning in the classroom.

D. The value of peer and cross-age tutoring.

E. Helping students focus on ways to help each other at school.