If you are looking for a super simple, and fun way to make learning more fun and interactive in your classroom, have I got an idea for you!
About 4 years ago, I was teaching a small group during math workshop. Each of my students had their dry-erase boards, and were working out problems. I remember feeling agitated for two reasons; 1) They were holding their boards up as they worked, and I couldn’t see anything they were doing!!! This was a major problem because I couldn’t correct them if they were making mistakes. 2) I was sick of the same old routine! I needed to change things up.
Suddenly it occurred to me…if the boards are a problem, get rid of them! Could it be that easy? YES!
I took all the boards, walked across the room, and threw them in the garbage. From that point on, during a small group activity/lesson, I simply passed out markers and my students did their work right on the table!
This strategy was a total success! Here’s why…
1. Less to pass out, saving time! (always important)
2. I could see everything my students were doing, and provide them with immediate feedback. (No hiding and drawing pictures)
3. My students thought it was the coolest thing in the world! In their eyes they were breaking the rules. Now come on…even us teachers can admit it’s fun to break the rules now and again (and again, and again, and again). Talk about taking a normal group lesson from “just okay” to highly engaging.
