In Dewey's article on School and Social Progress, I thought it was interesting when he wrote, "Where the school work consists in simply learning lessons, mutual assistance, instead of being the most natural form of cooperation and association, becomes a clandestine effort to relieve one's neighbor of his proper duties." I find it really difficult to help my first grade students understand when it is appropriate to help their classmates, and when it isn't. We do a lot of cooperative learning, so when I give the students a quiz of assessment, they naturally want to help each other. I don't want them to get the impression that helping others is a bad thing, but I try to let them know that in these situations I am trying to see what they have learned, so they should give their own answers instead of working together. I see how much my students enjoy helping each other and sometimes they are able to explain things to each other better than I can. I really enjoy watching the students work together and explain things to each other. As Dewey wrote, "Helping others, instead of being a form of charity which impoverishes the recipient, is simply an aid in setting free the powers and furthering the impulse of the one helped."

I agree! I liked when Dewey mentioned the importance of observation,
constructive imaginations of thought and a sense of reality acquired through first-hand contact. When children and adults are actively involved
with others they develop all of these qualities that help them become
more equipt to deal with society.

Melissa, I agree that there are times children can explain things better than we can. Sometimes many children have the same question about a question or problem on their work. When this happens I'll explain it to a few and then let them explain it to the others. I know if they can explain it to another student they are more likely to understand it themselves. They love being the "teacher" and I like to hear what they have to say to each other.