Accountability is a critical 21st Century and social-emotional skill
Numbered Heads Together is a cooperative learning strategy that holds each student accountable for learning the material by having students work together in a group. This is an excellent strategy for teaching accountability in the classroom.Looking for more resources on 21st Century skills and social-emotional learning? Find them in our FutureFit resources center.
When Can You Use It?
Reading/English
Comprehension questions can be posed to groups, and students can work together to find the answers. For example, when reading a story, students can be given the task of analyzing one of the characters. They can be asked questions such as, "Which character traits are stated directly, and which are implied by the author?" and "What information do you get from the character's speech and actions?"
Writing
Students can evaluate the quality of a piece of writing using a rubric. Have students review the writing as a group and assign scores as a group. Ask them to respond with their scores and rationale using the numbered heads together strategy.
Math
Numbered heads together can be used when solving math problems. Ask questions such as "What are the facts in this problem?" "Which strategy would be most appropriate?" and "What solution did your group agree on?"
Social Studies
This strategy can be used after reading a chapter in a text, or after material has been presented. Ask clarifying questions about the text and have students find and discuss the answers. When groups are ready, review the answers using this strategy.
Science
This strategy can be used in preparation for a test or quiz. Allow time for students to study together in their groups and perhaps create questions that might be on the test or quiz. Using the numbered heads together strategy, ask questions about the material that will be on the test or quiz.
