I love this NCTM quote from Larry Buschman's book Share and Compare. I saw it play out more than once this week while working on the concept of time. (If you need some quality clock lessons grounded in understanding instead of memorization, go here.)
I've still got much to learn about questioning kids and ensuring they are doing most of the talking, but my goal is to purposefully orchestrate discussions so the children are discovering and not simply receiving information from my great wealth of knowledge. In one instance, we were investigating a numberless clock with only a minute hand. As I moved the minute hand to a numberless spot on the clock, we would figure out how many minutes it was past the hour. Of course, I didn't tell them there was an efficient way of counting the minutes. I knew someone would figure it out. Not surprisingly, Walter chimed in and explained the way he thought we should count them, by 5s of course. We dubbed it, "Walter's strategy" and I consistently referred to it throughout the remainder of the lesson. As we were transitioning to another part of the room for additional practice, Michael had to tell me something. "Miss McMorrow, Walter's strategy really does work!"
I don't believe I've ever heard them say, "Miss McMorrow's strategy really does work!" It's not that they don't believe me or can't learn from me, but there's something extra poignant about moments when they learn from each other. If the teaching comes from one of them, there's a better chance that they'll grab on to it more quickly than if it was something I mandated. If it comes from Walter, they know it's worth listening to, and he's not the only one. They've heard me say many a time, "I'm not the only math teacher in here. This room is full of them." Sometimes we simply need to remember to let them beat us to the punch. The others will listen when we do. Something clicked for Michael when he heard and practiced Walter's strategy, and I'm pretty sure he wasn't the only one.
I love this ... Walter's Strategy ... sounds like a children's book I'd buy! Once again, you've managed to give me pause and start me to reflecting ... thank you! {As an aside, I'm pretty sure my strategies wouldn't help anyone ...}
ReplyDeleteSmiles from the South,
Barbara
Barbara, if you write the book, I'd buy it!
DeleteBrilliant and inspiring, as ever.
ReplyDeleteLaur, you're very good to me.
DeleteI am a firm believer that if they can come to the conclusion themselves, it will lead to better understanding. I do need to work on including that more in math. Thank you for the food for thought once again! :)
ReplyDeleteNotJustChild'sPlay
Miss Trayers, I'm trying to get better at it too!
DeleteTammy - I've been fumbling around, especially at conferences last week, trying to help parents understand what I'm trying to do in math. Your phrase "grounded in understanding, instead of memorization" is it! {And I'm already borrowing your clock ideas :)}
ReplyDeleteSara
Sara, I hope you enjoy those clock ideas. They sure revolutionized the way I approach the subject.
DeleteWalter's Strategy- that just made me smile! Students are so good at discovering ideas and teaching them to one another. Another great post!
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, I'm figuring out that they are indeed really good at teaching one another!
DeleteI love this quote!
ReplyDeleteMs. Smith, me too!
DeleteTammy...I loved reading your post! You have a way with words. Melissa
ReplyDeleteMelissa, that's very kind of you to say. Thank you for reading.
DeleteGreat quote from a great book! Very insightful:)
ReplyDeleteTara
The Math Maniac
Tara, it is a great book. I found it from your blog. :)
DeleteIt's so important to let students know that we value their thinking and they are teachers, too! Great post:)
ReplyDeleteConnie, we value and expect them to think and then be able to share it with all of us. Great stuff!
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