So last week I decided to try a whole class activity as one of my performance assessments with my students. I feel that I have earned respect in all my classes and my students are starting to let down on the crazy antics and buy in to my math classes. Over the last few weeks I have been teaching my students how to solve different types of equations so as a review I had them play a game called "Search & Rescue". I made 20 different cards with different types of equations. As they solved each equation the answer led them to a new card. I allowed my students to get into small groups, I gave them the rules and expectations, and let them go. As students struggled and their groups could not figure out where they went wrong I was able to help out a bunch of people at once. "In cooperative classrooms, teachers moves among the groups to monitor progress and provide specific assistance. In this role, the teacher is 'the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage' (Hertz-Lazarowitz, 1992, p.77) and the language used is more caring and personal as they work more closely with small groups (Gillies, 2006, p. 272)." I've noticed that a lot of my students ask similar questions over the same stuff and by working in groups, it gave me more opportunity to talk to the group as a whole and accomplish a lot more because my time was better spent. This allowed me to assess the classroom and see where were as a class and plan for the remaining of my unit. Shockingly this game provided me with the best day with my 5th period that I have had since I started teaching. The students were focused, they accomplished what we set out to do, they were able to work on some of their weaknesses, and they had fun.
The next time I had all my classes I asked them all how they felt about the game and everyone said positive things and wanted to do more fun activities. Because it was such a success I have planned on using clickers on Wednesday and Thursday to help review after we take a quiz. I'm hoping to see the same results with the level of engagement, focus, and respect. I don't know if it was a coincidence, but all but two of my students were in my class that day and that has not happened prior to this lesson. One aspect of my next lesson with a game, I am going to monitor my students attendance and see if their is some correlation.
Gillies, R.M. (2006). Teachers' and students' verbal behaviours during cooperative and small-group learning. University of Queenstand, Australia.
Tony.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great success story! Isn't it interesting that this was your best day with them. You were ready for it and they were ready for it! You point out several ways in which this activity benefited them and you. I think the fact that you were able to help more people at once and be able to assess student knowledge more efficiently, are particularly strong arguments for this activity. What a change in a month, huh?
What will you do/think if the clicker activity isn't as successful? Hopefully, you will just see it as growing pains.
Also, you may want to include some metacognitive thinking with them about class that day at the beginning of the next class or interactive activity. For example, ask them to describe the activity, what they learned, what they liked, and their behavior. Then, use that as discussion for setting the stage for the next activity. jill
I can agree with Jill here. SOunds like you had a good day. How did it maje you feel to get this done?? Do you think it was just lucky or do you think you and the class have finally connected? How does this help your research?? What will you do next to keep the class together and on the same page?
ReplyDeleteTony - sorry for the late response - I think it is great this activity worked so well for you - in fact I am most likely going to steal it for my science class.....borrow, share, I mean.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested to see what you find out about attendance the next time you do this activity in class. Be sure to tell us.
I think it might have been cool to ask the students if they felt they better understand the material after this activity....maybe have them talk about the difficulties they faced and how that made them feel...maybe too much...but the instant feedback would be great.
Great job! Wish you would have had a video camera.
D