Get Organized: Two Weeks Planned and Ready to Go
So often in math, students find themselves ‘hung up’ on a skill. They are at a standstill and have no idea to do next. When this happens not only is the student not engaged in learning, but there is a very good chance they will find a friend or two and together they will become engaged in chaos.
As the classroom teacher, I try to be available to guide students through those skills, but there is only one of me and I am not always able to get to every student that needs help in a timely manner.
Because my goal is to have students engaged in their own learning, I have resources in my classroom that students can easily access to help them through a challenging task independently. When students are able to help themselves they build their confidence and that self-learning sticks.
One resource, the one my students will go to time and time again, is the “We Flip for Math” Step-by-Step Flip Book resource.
With some initial encouragement, students will instinctively seek out these books when they are struggling on a math task. They enjoy the independence this resource provides them with. Often I’ll see two students huddled over a “We Flip for Math” book talking their way through the problem they are trying to solve. Before long, students are even asking to check out the flip books so they have them at home to help with their homework. Likewise, parents will begin to request the books come home so they can see how to help their child complete the task.
I know a number of teachers have made multiple copies, so each student has a book of their own. I, however, have several copies of each in a central location in my classroom. Students know that they can get a book and take it to their desk whenever they need it. If the book has already been ‘checked out’, students can wait until it is returned or join forces with the student seeking the same help. By requiring them to get up out of their seat to seek out this resource, I believe it requires the student to struggle a bit and then realize they can own the struggle by physically getting out up out of their seat and seek a resource that will help. This allows them to own their own learning as it builds their math confidence.
In short, I think having the books in a central location, increases the value of these books in the student’s eyes. It gains an increased degree of importance. Remember when we use to go to a shelf to get a dictionary or an encyclopedia? I do. It made me feel like I was on an important mission, like I was in control of my learning. Weird? Probably. But sometimes it is the littlest things that can make a big difference in how an idea, or resource, is received by students.
I have a number of “We Flip for Math” books available in my store. You can buy them individually or buy them as a bundle at a huge savings. Start by checking a “We Flip Book” for free here Flip for Math: Step-By Step, 3-in-1, Flip Book for Multiplying Fractions.
Many teachers have told me that purchasing the “We Flip for Math” products, particularly the bundle, is the best purchase they have ever made on Teachers Pay Teachers.
If there is a particular math skill you would like to see featured in a “We Flip for Math” book, please leave a comment below with your idea. I love hearing from teachers and the topics they are looking for. Additionally, I would love to hear how your students use the resource. By reflecting on successes and struggles, I can work to improve the product which allows us all to benefit!
