A framework for approaching an issue-oriented American history course through the small group technique (grouping of 5 to 7 students) is provided in this paper. Student grouping in a cooperative style enhances affective and cognitive development and, further, allows for evaluation of each member's and group's contributions. Provided are rationale; educational objectives; suggestions for small group implementation, including information on the methods of cooperative grouping and evaluation; twenty most often asked questions about the cooperative group process with an answer to each question; training for roles in the cooperative group with responsibilities enumerated for the key roles of moderator, evaluator, assistant moderator, and teacher; and instructions for small group teams. Also included are forms to be used in small group evaluation along with a practice session rating sheet, student rating sheet for a tournament, and a guide sheet for rating. (SJM)