Integrating Reading to Learn and Cooperative Learning in Eight Grade Social Studies

The problem this project tried to address was the lack of reading and cooperative learning in an 8th grade U.S. history classroom. The class had mostly consisted of reading from the text, individual work and a few group assignments with a lack of accountability for every group member. After taking a few classes about reading to learn and cooperative learning they were instituted into the class to see if there was improved participation and learning. Students seemed to participate about the same amount and grades were a little lower than previous years. The written answers given by students did improve and the overall thinking ability improved also.