How to Teach Interpersonal, Social and Group Skills in a Math Class

Math teachers can teach interpersonal, social and group skills by breaking the class into groups.

Interpersonal, social and group skills are necessary for future careers and relationships. Students need to learn how to work cooperatively together so that they are able to work with others and understand the math. When teachers are using cooperative learning in math classes, students are learning the skills of working in groups and interpersonal or social skills.

Instructions

1. Break the class into small groups. To teach group skills to students in a math class, the students must work in groups. Keep the groups to three to five students for small groups that can all voice opinions while working together.

2. Give the groups math goals. The goals will differ depending on what the students are learning in math. Goals might include real-life math application for the current math problems or solving specific problems as a group.

3. Explain working together before letting the students start. The teacher must explain how the groups can achieve goals by working together and how the individual grades are determined. While the group as a whole must learn to succeed, teachers must also ensure that the experience allows all of the individuals to learn the math and meet individual goals as well. Individual accountability is as important as the group accountability.

4. Allow the students to start working together. Once the groups are selected, instructions given and goals determined, students are ready to work. Walk among the groups and give advice to the groups about how they can work together when necessary. Pay attention to any groups that are having difficulties working as a group.

References

• Carleton College: What is Cooperative Learning?
• LD Online: Using Cooperative Learning to Teach Mathematics to Students with Learning Disabilities