tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246418667558765155.post1920641433238017140..comments2022-12-11T10:51:50.769+01:00Comments on Learning (by) Teaching: Groupthink about group work?Julia Tsyganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04354702485097004759noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246418667558765155.post-72839104985531236902011-03-07T17:29:57.915+01:002011-03-07T17:29:57.915+01:00Thanks, Paul. If I do decide to assign specific ho...Thanks, Paul. If I do decide to assign specific homework problems (I usually just tell them "this is what you should master/understand") I'll probably do just like you're suggesting.Julia Tsyganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04354702485097004759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246418667558765155.post-73424095808389344332011-03-07T15:49:08.879+01:002011-03-07T15:49:08.879+01:00I talk about my bellwork procedure in detail here
...I talk about my bellwork procedure in detail here<br /><br />http://challenge-of-teaching-math.blogspot.com/2011/02/remember-shy-kids-in-class.html<br /><br />but basically, at the bell, students are working on a warm-up problem while I check the homework. If they complete the warm-up before I finish checking homework, they have a minute or two to watch the pair at the board or to chat with a neighbor: it doesn't really matter to me. If the pair is really stuck, I'm usually willing to allow them to "phone a friend" for help, but I'm just as likely to say, "No, keep thinking and if you can't figure it out by the time I'm done with checking homework, that's okay."<br /><br />Once I'm done with the homework check, I collect the warm-ups and then I have everyone give their undivided attention to the pair at the board while they present their work to the class. It usually doesn't take any more time than if I had worked the solution and explained it to the class, so it doesn't cost me anything, i.e. I don't have to cut my lesson to fit in the daily pair work.<br /><br />This assumes of course that the rest of class isn't going to get out of control when they finish the warm-up problem and have idle time on their hands. I have had classes that were so inclined, and having them do 5 or 6 warm-up problems or a mini-quiz to keep them occupied, until I finished checking homework, was the better option.<br /><br />Paul Hawking<br />Blog:<br />The Challenge of Teaching Math<br />Latest post:<br />Jo Boaler and The Railside Report<br />http://challenge-of-teaching-math.blogspot.com/2011/03/jo-boaler-and-railside-report.html?https://www.blogger.com/profile/09000980455095316183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246418667558765155.post-85020091301081268702011-03-07T09:02:26.131+01:002011-03-07T09:02:26.131+01:00Paul, sorry for the late reply...
This goes in al...Paul, sorry for the late reply...<br /><br />This goes in all my classes, honors to "remedial" (just a lower level, really) as well as psychology. The lower level students in particular are reluctant to let go of each other. <br /><br />I give mini-quizzes every lesson instead of having students up at the whiteboard, but I've been meaning to try out what you're suggesting. How do you get the other students (not at the board) to focus on the math at that point though?Julia Tsyganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04354702485097004759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246418667558765155.post-44545004634227048002011-02-24T17:55:11.299+01:002011-02-24T17:55:11.299+01:00I’m assuming you are talking about your honors or ...I’m assuming you are talking about your honors or regular math classes: in my remedial or “basic” math level classes, the goal is often to get them to work together rather than giving up at the first bit of difficulty or waiting until I notice they’re struggling.<br /><br />My goal is for all of my students to solve problems without a net: no notes in front of them, no classmate with the answer when the solution doesn’t come easily. If they can’t, then they’re not ready for the test. Unfortunately, too many students do the homework with their notes in front of them and then are baffled when they bomb the quiz/test.<br /><br />While I’m checking homework, I send up two students to solve one of the challenging problems at the board without any notes. I would love to have a student work the problem at the board without a partner, but in the USA, the student would feel embarrassed if they got the problem wrong in front of their classmates. For many of the students, this is an eye-opening experience if they did the homework correctly (with their notes) and then find themselves completely clueless as to what to do when at the board (without their notes).<br /><br />Beyond that, I have no easy answers. On the one hand, it is wonderful for the students to ask each other for help when they hit a wall, especially as there is only one of me to help everyone needing assistance. On the other hand, like you, I want them to struggle for a bit longer if it translates into their figuring it out for themselves. <br /><br />Paul Hawking<br />Blog: <br />The Challenge of Teaching Math<br />Latest post:<br />Dear Parents Letter<br />http://challenge-of-teaching-math.blogspot.com/2011/02/dear-parents-letter.html?https://www.blogger.com/profile/09000980455095316183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246418667558765155.post-46429301379484284072011-02-24T09:18:01.129+01:002011-02-24T09:18:01.129+01:00Sounds like a good way to introduce a new topic, I...Sounds like a good way to introduce a new topic, I might try it in psychology. I wonder how that could be adapted in Math though.Julia Tsyganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04354702485097004759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246418667558765155.post-7575443774208821112011-02-23T01:10:52.209+01:002011-02-23T01:10:52.209+01:00One thing that I want to implement is something my...One thing that I want to implement is something my co-worker does. She is a Biology teacher, and her routine is, the day after a unit test, students bring in their textbooks, and do reading/questions about the next chapter. I'm not sure what the questions are -- obviously not the end-of-chapter questions! But it seems to be a good way for students to overview the chapter independently, maybe think of prior knowledge, and since it's a class routine, the teacher doesn't even tell them to bring their books -- they know. (or else...!)<br /><br />Nancy <br />NJAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com