How does a teacher make a classroom of 24 students and 1 teacher into a learning ratio of 1 teacher to 3 students?
By implementing whiteboard collaborative spaces!
We have implemented whiteboard collaborative areas in our classroom this year. This is an update as to their use. Students are really starting to use the tools in the areas. The small whiteboards are cut from a 4 x 8 piece of shower board from Menard's or Home Depot.
One of my favorite aspects of these areas is how much positive learning conversation is generated while students are in these groups. In the old days (5-10 years ago), two people always dominated the classroom conversation: the teacher and the student that was called upon.
While these groups are in session, I am always taking pictures of students' work and sending it to our classroom blog. You can set that feature up on your classroom blog by completing the posting section as an email.
Examples: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
Playlist of Videos Link (needed for iPads)