Kagan strategies are nothing new – if you haven’t been to a conference then surely you know a teacher who has. I was one of those teachers that absorbed all the information teachers could give me about Kagan Learning since I was never lucky enough to attend.

While I pushed cooperative learning and being interactive, there is one strategy I loved the most and that is the Kagan table numbers.

I blogged about this ages ago but I think it is completely worth revisiting.

Benefits of Kagan Table Numbers

-They can take place of your job chart (my FAVORITE thing about them!)

-Leaders are formed

-No more looking for volunteers to solve a problem

-A solid structure is formed

-ORGANIZATION!!!!

What do Kagan numbers look like?

The basis is, there are four students to a group, each with their own number (1-4) and a letter either A or B.

You tape each number to a child’s desk. With practice, students quickly learn what number and letter they are. I have been thinking about how this would work with flexible seating… Maybe place the number above their backpack hook or cubby? I think it would work someplace that the child deems his/hers.

How I used Kagan numbers

I had rectangular tables so I had all four numbers set up and each table was color coded.

Each day I had a team captain that was appointed by the number of the day. So for example, Monday was number 1. Everyone who is a number 1 is the captain of their table (or section for flexible seating). They are in charge of getting supplies for the table, cleaning up at the end of the day and whichever other jobs I had for the classroom. Tuesday is 2, so everyone with a 2 is captain. This continues on and on throughout the year rotating numbers. I kept track of where I was by writing it on the board and making it look special.

This also helped when completing work. During a math lesson, I would say “I want all the A’s to do the first problem and all the B’s to do the second.” Or if I needed students to partner up, instead of hearing them argue over who gets to be with who, I would just say “The two A’s at the table are partners and the two B’s are partners.”

Also, turning in work was never a mess. It was so easy to just say “purple table (or purple captain) bring me your work.”

I loved that it was so easy and there was never any arguing or irritation with this method because it was what was expected. I also began it at the beginning of the year so the students were completely used to it right away.

Kagan numbers are versatile

This is a method that can be used in all grade levels. I personally think it would be super beneficial in middle school! Students at that age are reluctant to do things and this might be the expectation that is needed for them.

You can also come up with your own unique spin and way to use these. Really the possibilities are endless!!!

Where can you get Kagan numbers?

Lucky for you, I have made a set that you can use in your classroom FOR FREE!

Come on, who doesn’t love free!!!

After you download and use them I would LOVE to see them in use! Tag me on Instagram or Facebook to share 🙂 Also, don’t forget to leave feedback to let me know how it is going.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact me if you ever have any questions.

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