What is it?

Carousel is a cooperative learning structure suited to brainstorm (analyze and evaluate) cause and effect for conflict.

How do I do it?

Preparation for class:

Write different conflicts on separate sheets of chart paper.  Examples of conflicts:

§         two – vehicle accident

§         arriving late to class

§         argument between students or siblings

§         questioning change from a cashier

§         stopped by a police officer for speeding on the highway

In the classroom:

§         Hang the chart paper with different conflicts around the room.

§         Divide students into cooperative-learning groups.  Groups of three or four work best. 

§         Give each group a marker, and direct the group to one of the conflicts.

§         Give each group three minutes to brainstorm causes and effects for the conflict on the chart paper. 

§         When time is called, ask the groups to rotate to the next conflict. 

§         Give the groups the first minute to read what the previous group wrote. 

§         Have them place a question mark beside any answers they disagree with or have questions about. 

§         Give them the next two minutes to write any other causes and effects for the conflict.

§         Follow this procedure until each group has rotated to all the conflicts.  Monitor the time at each chart, and adjust as necessary.