For my "Tried It" I let my student be the teachers otherwise known as Sage on the Stage. Let me explain. About two weeks ago now, I taught my students how to measure angles using a protractor. First I gave them some angles and a protractor and didn't give them any instructions on how to use the protractor. This was their first experience with this math tool and boy was it interesting! They tried all sorts of things, most of which were WRONG! After about 4 minutes, they were frustrated and I couldn't take it any more either! I showed them the proper way to measure an angle and we did a few examples in our math notebooks with one of Jennifer's foldables. Then I gave them a simple measuring angles worksheet to complete independently. Easy enough, right???? SO WRONG!
I graded their papers and it was BAD! I had 3 students who got a 100% and I decided that I would let them be the teachers. I had a review mini lesson with the whole class about acute, obtuse, and right angles. The biggest problem on their papers were that they put the wrong measurement, not that they couldn't measure correctly. For instance, putting 40* when the the angle was obtuse and actually measured 140*. So we had the discussion about does it make sense that an obtuse angle would only measure 40*? Of course not, and all of my students understood this!
So I made my three students with perfect papers the "teachers" and split the rest of my class up into three groups. The teachers helped everyone in their group identify their mistakes and correct their papers. I made everyone stay with their group even when they finished correcting their paper and told them to help the other members until everyone was finished. I loved listening the conversations in the group. My students have learned such great questioning techniques, asking "If that's an acute angle, would it make sense for it to be 140*?" Melt my heart!!!!
After the time to correct, I gave them a second practice sheet. For the most part, they did a lot better. I still have a few that I need to work with, but I was pleased with the progress!
Have you ever let your students be the teacher? How did it go? Make sure to check out all of the other Tried It's for the week!
What a great idea! I love it when the kids can be the teacher. It is so empowering for them and it seems like the other kids learn better from them. Maybe there is a secret language or something that we teachers don't know about.... :)
ReplyDeleteI am seriously jealous of your upcoming heat wave...We hope to get to 32 by Friday here in WI. (Even with that, there probably will be some people walking around in shorts. No accounting for a lack of common sense...)
Jennifer
Mrs. Laffin's Laughings
I'm pretty sure my students would appreciate it if I let them be the teachers all the time. I giggle when I have a sub because I always tell them my kids independence will knock their socks off. I agree...it melts my heart too to hear them I hear them transferring what they have learned and sharing it with others.
ReplyDeleteAlison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
It always seems like such a shock when students don't "get" a concept that we thought they had mastered. I love that you had the three students who mastered the concept be the teachers! Sometimes it helps to hear it from someone else! Thanks so much for linking up, BBB!! :) (sorry it took me so long to get to reading the link ups this week!).
ReplyDelete~Holly
Fourth Grade Flipper