The Carousel is a collaborative learning strategy that promotes active engagement, student movement, and peer-to-peer interaction. Students work in small groups and rotate to different stations, where they complete a variety of tasks related to a common theme or topic. This strategy allows students to share their ideas, receive feedback, and deepen their understanding of the material.

Materials:

• Large sheets of paper or flip charts
• Markers or pens
• Timer (optional)

Procedure:

1. Preparation (15 minutes):
   • Divide the classroom into a number of stations, ensuring that there is enough space for students to work comfortably at each station.
   • At each station, prepare a prompt or task related to the common theme or topic. The prompts can vary in format, such as open-ended questions, case studies, or creative activities.
2. Form Groups (5 minutes):
   • Divide the students into small groups of 3-4 students.
3. Introduce the Activity (5 minutes):
   • Explain to the students that they will be working in groups to complete a series of tasks related to the common theme or topic.
   • Briefly review the prompts or tasks at each station.
4. Begin the Carousel (30-50 minutes):
   • Assign each group to a starting station.
   • Set a timer for a specific amount of time (e.g., 5-10 minutes).
   • Once the timer starts, instruct the students to work collaboratively on the task at their assigned station.
   • After the timer goes off, instruct the students to rotate to the next station.
   • Repeat the process until all groups have had a chance to visit each station.
5. Wrap-up (10 minutes):
   • Bring the class together for a brief discussion.
   • Ask students to share their key learnings from the activity.
   • Summarize the main points of the discussion.

Differentiation:

• Vary Task Difficulty: Offer tiered activities at each station based on student needs.
• Provide Choice: Allow students to choose their starting station or specific tasks within stations.
• Multiple Intelligences: Design activities that cater to different learning styles and intelligences (e.g., kinesthetic, visual, auditory).
• Scaffolding: Provide additional support or prompts for struggling students at specific stations.

Technology Integration: 

• Interactive Whiteboards and Digital Displays: Use an interactive whiteboard or digital display to create a central hub for your Carousel activity. Display the learning prompts, student responses, and progress tracking visually. This fosters collaboration and allows everyone to stay engaged in the flow of the activity.
• Online Collaboration Tools: Utilize online collaboration tools like Google Docs, Padlet, or Miro to create digital “stations” for each phase of the Carousel. Students can work on their assigned tasks asynchronously or in real-time, adding their contributions to the shared document or board.
• Gamified Quizzes and Polls: Incorporate gamified quizzes and polls using platforms like Kahoot! or Quizizz. This allows students to test their understanding, receive immediate feedback, and compete in a friendly way while moving through the Carousel stations.