Versatile Vertical White Boards

The vertical white boards have become part of our routine.

Students look forward to their time thinking and doing math.

Not only are they vertical, but how we use them is also versatile.

One Problem at a Time

During some lessons, it's best that students only focus on one problem at a time.

I hand out a new problem, after visiting a group that has finished.

This way, I can assure that each group is solving different problems.

The downside is that they cannot use the other boards for specific help.

As the problems vary in complexity,

Using the other boards as support works only for the structure of the problem.

Handout of Problems - Go In Specific Order

At times, a handout of all the problems is the best way to go.

Students can work at their own speed.

Groups can use other groups' board for feedback.

And I can increase the complexity of the problems as they work through them.

Handout of Problems - Go in Any Order

If the lesson contains problems all around the same complexity level,

Students can solve these in any order.  

This gives the student choice.

Data/Computation Problem

Within our math curriculum, the first problem after the intro video is always a discovery problem.

This is where students can make mistakes.

Misconceptions are made apparent.

Whole group discussion is always needed after this one problem 

To move thinking in the right direction.  

Clicker Quiz review

At the end of the unit, the clicker quiz questions make a great review.

Students work at the boards to solve the questions before placing their vote. 

The only downfall is that we are back to "group think" at the end of the learning.

Retrieval Lists

For students to learn new material, it takes six inputs...Or six exposures.

It also takes six retrievals...

Or six times the students goes back into their brain to get the material and work with it.

Individually, students write down everything they remembered about our current content.

Then in random groups, students pass the pen, and write down something from their notes,

Until everyone's notes are all up on the vertical white board. 

A gallery walk can then be used as an "input" activity 

for groups to see other boards and gain more information.

This activity works great if students have been absent or are struggling with the material.