Cold Calling TO Maintain Accountability and Check FOr Understanding In A Thinking ClassroomNovember 16, 2024One of the challenges that requires constant vigilance in the Thinking Classroom I've Built in Mathematics is assuring that every member of a group thinks and learns during the day's thinking task. There are quite a few ways this can go wrong, I've found.
Routines, expectations, and careful training teach everyone what they should do in each role during a thinking task. However, I use a different technique to make sure those expectations and routines are actually happening - cold calling. Active Observation In A Thinking ClassroomOctober 19, 2024When I'm observed or when I share video from my class with somebody who doesn't know what they're seeing, but knows that it's different, there is one comment that comes up far more often than any other:
"It looks so easy." But if you can bring yourself to watch me rather than the kids for a span of time, and if you observe carefully, you'll notice that I'm doing the same thing any teacher does in any high-functioning classroom of any style: Actively Observing. |
ABOUT MEI'm an award-winning teacher in the Atlanta area with experience teaching at every level from elementary school to college. I made this website to share ideas, stories, and resources from my teaching practice. Building A Thinking Classroom IN Mathematics"Leaning In" To The Science and Engineering PRacticesClassroom PracticesClassroom StoriesIdeas and OpinionsPandemic-Related IssuesMath Instructional Videos |