Kagan Numbered Heads Together
Kagan Numbered Heads Together
Kagan Numbered Heads Together
This is a cooperative learning activity where teammates put their “heads together” to
Reach consensus on the team's answers. Everyone keeps on their toes because their
number may be called to share the team's answer. This structure functions to build
Interpersonal and academic skills. These include team building, social skills,
communication skills, decision making, knowledge building, procedure learning,
processing information and thinking skills.
How to use
2. Teacher poses a problem and give time to think. (Example: “How are rainbows
formed? Think about your best answer.”)
4. Students stand up and “put their heads together,” showing answers, discussing and
teaching each other.
5. Students sit down when everyone knows the answer or has something to share.
6. Teacher Calls a number. Students with the number answers simultaneously using:
When to use
Check grammar
Review math problems
Discuss any concrete answers
Discuss steps to solving
Build team building
Use anytime in a lesson
Variations
Paired Heads Together Students are in shoulder partner pairs. Are the teacher asked a
question, pears huddle to improve the answer they have each written. The teacher then
calls for either partner A or partner B to share their best answer with their face partner.
Stir-the-Class Team stands around the outside of the class with spaces between teams.
Teammates stand shoulder-to-shoulder. The teacher poses a question and then students
write their own answers on an answer board or slip of paper. Teammates huddle to
reach consensus, then un-huddle when done. The teacher selects a number and tells
students with that number how many teams to rotate forward to share their answer.
Traveling Heads Together Traveling heads together starts the same as numbered heads
together, but when the teacher calls a number, the student with that number on each
team stands, then “travels” to a new team to share their answers. For fun, seated
students back in for standing student to join their team.