Math Problem Solving
Strategy
Strategy: Scored Discussion
Appropriate Grade Level: Elementary
Procedures/Steps:
 Make a rubric to measure cooperative behaviors in connection to
related classroom content area knowledge.
 Explain effective, cooperative behaviors, and undesirable behaviors,
in respect to being evaluated on the rubric you have made.
 Have students use past experience to self assess on a brief survey
how they have worked cooperatively, previously.
 Using the rubric, score a group of 3-4 students at a time while they
work on a problem. The group may be working in front of the class
or as one group among many other groups.
 Assess what concerns/ opinions/ reactions students have in journals
 Between graded rounds, have students work in cooperative groups.
 Repeat steps
 Monitor improvement; assess how they think they have changed.
Comments and/or tips:
 Can be used to help students learn cooperative skills, and to reflect
upon their own progress.
 Teachers gain information to help plan where to go next by observing
students’ understanding.
Source:
McGrath, K. (1998). What is the score on scored discussions? Mathematics
Teaching in the Middle School, 4, 50-58.