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💡 A tip to try in class this week 💡
Here is a super quick tip to improve mini-whiteboard use. Whilst students’ boards are still in the air, say to them: In a moment I am going to ask you to put your boards down. When I do, do not clean your board!
It is a natural human reaction to reach for the duster as soon as the mini-whiteboard lands back on the desk. Students assume that once they have shown their answer, then their answer has served its purpose. Also, if a student senses from glancing at the boards of their peers that their answer is wrong, then they are likely to be in a hurry to get rid of their work.
But that makes whatever you plan to do next so much more difficult. You can no longer:
Ask students to place their boards between them and their partner to compare their answers
Borrow the boards of two students to compare in front of the whole class
Place a board under the visualiser
Warm Call a student and ask them to take you through their thinking
There is so much valuable data contained on mini-whiteboards that students need to be trained to fight against their instincts and leave their work untouched until you tell them otherwise.
What do you think of this idea?
What would you need to change to make this tip work for you?
When could you try it for the first time?
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🏃🏻♂️Before you go, have you… 🏃🏻♂️
… tried last week’s tip about how to make Call and Respond (even more) fun?
… read my latest (controversial!) Eedi newsletter about why correcting in green pen does not work?
… listened to my latest podcast about rehearsal, CPD and asking who got 8/10?
… read my Tips for Teachers book?
… considered booking some CPD, coaching or maths department support?