Collaboration with Mainstream

Today, my Sommerville colleagues and I were discussing collaboration and we used google jam board to brainstorm what we thought it meant to us. It highlighted how big the concept of collaboration is and what is means to us all, yet I don't unpack it with the students but expect them to collaborate all the time!! 

As part of our learning through play focus, I am expecting the students to collaborate with each other and their main stream peers but do they understand why? When we start back next week, I am going to allocate some time and use jamboard with the students to discuss their understanding of what 'working together' actually means for them and why its so important for our games. Can they develop their self regulation skills if they can't collaborate effectively? 

I also need to allow time to have the same discussion with Jo, the mainstream teacher I am collaborating with. Does she share the same understanding of collaboration as I will be working closely with her to provide a play based learning programme for my students.