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Get Organized: Create A Bulletin Board Rotation Schedule

As a teacher, I have always been a stickler for my students’ showing their work, and while I can analyze their work and try to discover where the problem lies while grading their paper, I am not able to determine the thought process that went into solving the problem.  And, unfortunately, many times, it seems I need a secret decoder to decipher ‘the work’ a student has shown.  In addition, being able to diagnose and intervene early is essential and waiting until I grade a student’s work is simply not timely enough.  For all these reasons, I decided I needed a resource that would allow me to watch a student as they work their way through math problem.

From this need I created “Calculate & Clean”.  True, I can move around the room and conference with students as they complete their work.  I have found, however, that pulling the students into groups of 4 or 5 and asking them to work through a single problem while I circulate around the group is more effective.

Each calculate and clean card has what I refer to as ‘jumbo-sized’ problems.  The mere fact that there are a limited number of problems on each card encourages struggling students to give it a try and attempt a problem.  Likewise, a paper filled with problems can cause a struggling student to immediately shut down.

Each card is laminated so students can use an expo marker when working the problem.  If the student, makes an error, it is easy to erase, intervene and move on.  For each card there is also an answer key card.  The card not only provides the answer, but for more compleicated skills like long division, shows the detailed work involved in solving the problems, as well.

Many times, I will have the student use the answer key to check their work.  If the answer is wrong I like to have the student diagnose their own errors using the detailed cards.  For many students, making the discovery on their own, has a greater impact on their learning that if I show them where the error lies.

As a teacher, it is usually fairly easy to see what is causing the breakdown when watching a student engaged in completing a math task.  In my experience about eighty-percent of the time it is a simple, ‘do this, instead of that’.  The other twenty percent, either lack a foundational skill or need to have the foundational skill taught again.  I can also see who is able to perform the skill, but lack the ability to complete the task fluently due to the lack of number sense or of having mastered their math facts.  Once the students have completed the task, they simply wipe the card clean and return to their seat to continue practicing the skill at their desk.

Calculate and Clean cards are also a great way to spiral back and review a critical skill that was taught earlier in the year.  It makes for a quick assessment as to who has retained mastery of the skill and who needs additional review.  The cards can also serve as an exit ticket after the culmination of a lesson.  

Occasionally, I use Calculate and Clean as a ‘prove-you learned it’ tool.  ‘Prove you learned it’ is nothing more than giving the students the opportunity to show me that they have mastered a skill in an attempt to reduce the number of problems they are required to complete on an assignment.

If Kagan’s cooperative structures are something you use in your classroom, these cards work well!  I use the cards often with the Rally Coach structure.  Students are engaged and those that struggle have the opportunity to learn from their peer.

 

Calculate & Clean has quickly become one of my favorite classroom resources.  The resource is easily assembled and stored.  Not only is it versitale, but more importantly, it is a quick and efficient way to diagnose and intervene with students.

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