Making It Our Own

Now that we are six weeks into the new year,

With implementing the strategies for Building Thinking Classrooms,

I can see how it is slowly evolving into something that fits us.

At this point we have implemented the following...with our style added to some of them as we find our way for what's best for us. 

• Give thinking tasks
• The tasks from the curriculum are usually the Data/Computation problem from the intro lesson
• Sometimes the tasks have been practice problems that vary in complexity
• Frequently form visibly random groups
• Most of the time, we have formed random groups.  Sometimes due to time constraints, they move to a board in their table groups
• Use vertical non-permanent surfaces
• We have varied this approach.  Sometimes using horizontal large group boards or even individual boards so everyone can work on the problem 
• Defront the classroom
• This was easy.  I already had two "fronts"...my large whiteboard and the TV.  Now I just added all the vertical boards into my teaching focal points.
• Answer only keep thinking questions
• Give thinking task early, standing and verbally
• We don't always stand anymore, but the thinking task is always given at the beginning of the hour. 
• Give check-your-understanding questions
• The Practice Printable from our curriculum has worked great for checking for understanding.  I do not take grades on these, but instead encourage students to check where they are at.  Would they be able to take a quiz the next day based on how they know the content we have been working on?  After getting feedback from the answer key, students code their work with a checkmark to show the correct answer, an X if it's incorrect, an H if the answer key helped them, a G if their group helped them.
• Mobilize learning
• Students are learning that they can use what they see on other boards to help them move their thinking instead of remaining stuck.
• Have students writing meaningful notes
• This is an area that needs a lot more practice!  We will continue to work on these skills of getting meaningful notes down in writing.