1. Turn to Your Neighbour:  3-5min. Ask the students to turn to a neighbour and ask somethong about the lesson: to explain a concept you've just taught; to explain the assignment; explain the 3 most important points of the discussion etc.

2. Reading Groups:  Students read material together and answer the questions.  One person is the Reader, another the Recorder, and the third the Checker (who checks to make certain everyone understands and agrees with the answers).

3. Drill Partners:  Have students drill each other on the facts they need to know until they are certain both partners know and can remember them all. (spelling, math, grammar, etc.) Give bonus points on the test if all members of a group score above a certain percentage.

4. Reading Buddies:  In lower grades, have students read their stories to each other, getting help with words and discussing content with their partners.  In upper grades, have students tell about their books and read their favourite parts to each other.

5. Homework Checkers:  Have students compare homework answers, discuss any they have not answered similarly, then correct their papers and add the reason they changed an anwer.  They make certain everyone's answers agree, then staple the papers together. You grade one paper from each group and give group members that grade.

6.  Board Workers:  Students go together to the chalkboard.  One can be the Answer Suggester, one the Checker to see if everyone agrees, and one the Writer.

7.  Summary Pairs:  Have students alternate reading and orally summarizing paragraphs.  One reads and summarizes while the other checks the paragraph for accuracy and adds anything left out.  They alternate roles with each paragraph.
 
 

From Johnson & Johnson :  See Cooperation in the classroom p.1:19