Write it down

Have students write down an explanation of what they understand. Read these explanations to help inform your instruction, and write comments on them (or discuss them with the student) to give them feedback.  In this inclusive classroom we use a Math Journal created in Google Docs.

My Favorite No

Assign students a warm up problem or two. Hand out index cards to the students. Sort the index cards into yes/no piles. Choose your favorite no response and analyze it as a class.

See https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/class-warm-up-routine

Create a video

Students create short videos or screen-casts where they explain their reasoning. You can then watch what they create and see what they are able to explain, what they omit, and what they may not understand.  In our classroom we will use an updated version called "Cuethink."

We use Learnbop because of its unique adaptation ability to review key underlying skills.  In the inclusive classroom this provides immediate feedback and intervention to all students.  The teacher is now the facilitator of learning and technology which supports learning.   

Learnbop will be our formative assessment program in the near future.  Today students will learn how to use the tool to gain a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.   Students access the website using a code provided by the teacher.  The program offers step by step tutorials and message communication to the teacher for additional help. 

The SBAC assessment requires that students be able to problem solve and write about their reasoning and justify their steps.  Collaboration and the discussion of mathematical concepts is also critical skills for learning mathematics.  Cuethink application will allow students to develop a plan to solve problems and share their approach to solving problems with their peers in real time.

How do we get students to do math outside of the classroom?  Watch the Kahoot Challenge Video above.  This app allows students to do tasks at their on pace, place, and time.  Credit is given only for scores of 70% or above.  The student may take the quiz multiple times but before a 3-day window of time.