We believe that the success of our instruction hinges on students’ ability to work together. Research tells us that social and emotional competencies not only prepare students to be productive contributors to learning experiences, but also increase students’ capacity to learn. At the heart of a Collaborative Classroom is authentic academic discourse that helps students to expand on the thinking of their peers and extend their own thinking. But how can we integrate social learning with everything else that we have on our plates? Below we highlight some ways to weave social skills into the school day.