A stick-it-together mat is a collaborative tool that allows students to have individual processing time before they engage in discussion with a group. After introducing students to new content, the teacher pauses and poses a question so that students can digest what they have learned. The students take a few minutes to review their notes and compose an individual answer on a post-it note. In small groups, students place their response on the mat and take turns sharing their answer. Once all group members have shared, the group works together to come to a consensus on what the best, most complete answer to the question is. 
When using this strategy, it is imperative that there are group roles and procedures in place that ensure individual accountability, as well as cooperative learning.
Beyond giving students time to process and discuss content, it is even more likely that learning will stick if the question posed by the teacher asks the students to make a connection. By having students link new content to previously taught content or to a real-life experience, the content will be cemented even further.
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