Above the Line in Elementary

One of my favorite strategies to use in my math class is "Math Around the Room" My students refer to these activities as scavenger hunts. This strategy works best when reviewing a concept in which most students can work independently. I usually have at least one or two scavenger hunts per unit that we are working on. I use this strategy mostly with Math, but the idea can be transferred to any content area. I start by having the students create a recording sheet by folding a piece of plain white paper into eighths. The students number the sections 1-8 on the front and 9-16 on the back. The first time they do this it takes some time and can be a math lesson by itself with lots of good math vocabulary (lines of symmetry, fractions, equal parts etc...). Once the students do this two or three times it is a breeze. Now, when I have a scavenger hunt planned, the students enter the classroom, see the neon pieces of paper around the room, and immediately start preparing their ...

I previously shared my Round Robbin strategy for working on word problems  HERE My participation in the Leading Edge, Online and Blended Learning Certificate program forced me to consider how to transfer this type of lesson to a solely online classroom environment. The basic strategy that I use in the classroom is to divide the students into small groups and have them rotate through a series of word problem stations to collaborate on problem-solving.  Instead of using paper and pencil, and having students physically move around the room, the word problems could be presented in a Google Slideshow. Each team members would select one slide for which they would be responsible.  Here is an example of a slide deck set up with word problems Word Problem Slide Deck Example By using a Google slide deck, students can work collaboratively even if they are not all in the same room. They can leave comments for their group members.  The slide deck p...

Another strategy that I use in my Math class that promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and collaborative conversations is what I call a "Round-Robin."  It is fairly simple, but it gets the students up out of their desks and working together to solve story problems. I divide my class into six teams (about 4-5 students each) and each student creates their own recording sheet by folding a plain sheet of white paper into thirds. The first time they do this it takes some time and explicit instruction, but after a few times, students can create their recording sheet quickly and with little direction. I put two copies of the story problems in plastic sheet protectors at each table group. Students begin working on solving the problem together in the appropriate section on their recording sheet. To ensure equal participation, all students must complete a recording sheet, and the group does not know which sheet I will collect from each group to be awarded points....