I continue to try changing the way I do things. Trying very hard to limit the time I spend at the front of the room. Its not always possible.
Yesterday i was teaching year 13 stats class about solving simultaneous equations. This is a alternative class so students range in ability and intrinsic motivation. I did a fairly traditional period of teaching around this because these students really need the basic ability to follow a procedure when solving. Some students got it but many struggled and shut down. Today I wrote down 5 questions on sticky notes and placed them on my wall white board, my interactive board and , and 2 small mobile whiteboards. I gave them pens, told them to work in 2s or 3s and complete 3 of the 5 questions..some did all of them.. I was able to go around and coach the group that was really struggling but the change in engagement was exponential. Those students who sat in chairs yesterday blinking continually, were up and writing.
It was very unstructured a bit chaotic but very enjoyable...and the girls came away with a lot more confidence that they could in fact do this. Sometimes its just a little change, a subtle, low tech hack that can be very effective.
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