This document describes several collaborative learning activities: 1) Clock Partners assigns partners based on positions around a drawn clock face to facilitate quick pairing for group work. 2) Continuum lines students up based on their stance on an issue to expose perspectives and pair opposing views for discussion. 3) Ideas Matrix stimulates brainstorming by having groups generate new ideas by combining unrelated concepts in a grid. 4) Listening Triad teaches active listening and paraphrasing skills by having students take turns stating a perspective which is then paraphrased and reflected back by their partners. 5) World Cafe fosters discussion of important questions in a relaxed cafe-style setting with rules of contributing

1. Essential Learning
Experiences
Practical thinking and collaborative strategies for
engaging (most) Young Scholars

2. Clock Partners
• Have participants draw a clock on their book, hand
or prepare one on a piece of paper for them to
hold.
• Ask each person to assign a different partner for
each hour on the clock face (be sure that partners
have coordinated their clocks.
• When it is time for paired group work designate
the partners using the clocks e.g. “Find your 12
o’clock clock partner.
• Use the same clock face for an extended period of
time so that the transitions become fluid.

3. Clock Partners
(A 2 up / 2 down approach)
Use this activity to break large groups
into small groups fast.
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4. Continuum
• Write up a clear statement e.g.. Goldilocks
was a juvenile delinquent.
• We’ll now set up a line around the room,
with Yes at one end, and No at the other.
• Stand in a place on the line that indicates
where you ‘stand’ on this issue.
• Now pair off (e.g. on person from on end,
with on person from the other) and convince
the other person about your perspective.

5. The Continuum
(A 2 up / 2 down approach)
Use this activity to align the collective or
expose individual thought.
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6. Idea’s Matrix
• Create new products or processes by
combining two entirely different concepts e.g.
Laptop Mobile Printer
Chocolate
Wristwatch
Spoon

7. The Ideas Matrix
(A 2 up / 2 down approach)
Use this activity to do quick and effective group
brainstorming. An excellent way to get the
creative juices flowing and wake up sleeping
brains.
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8. Listening Triad
• Person A states his / her perspective on an
issue e.g. what are the 3 factors you believe
are most important to this project?
• Person B then paraphrases what A said
• Person C then says to A: What are those so
important to you?
• Then change roles; and do the process 3
times over.

9. Listening Triad
(A 2 up / 2 down approach)
Use this activity to teach paraphrasing and
active listening skills.
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10. World Cafe
• Clarify the purpose
• Create a hospitable space
• Explore questions that MATTER
• Encourage everyone’s contribution
• Listen for insights and share discoveries

11. Cafe Etiquette
• Focus on what matters
• Contribute your thinking
• Speak your mind and heart
• Link and connect ideas
• Listen together for insights and deeper
questions
• Play, doodle, draw - have fun!

12. The World
Cafe
(A 2 up / 2 down approach)
Use this activity to teach paraphrasing and
active listening skills.
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