Math teachers everywhere are in the middle of full implementation of the Common Core. If it weren't for all the math teachers blogging everywhere, I'd feel pretty alone in my quest to make this transition. I've been slowly implementing changes in the way I teach. I do mean SLOWLY! Some days it feels like slogging through thick mud that keeps sucking my feet in place. So here's another effort at communicating my efforts.
Yesterday I gave my students a task to do with partners. I spent quite a while planning out the task. I knew it would be challenging to my students. My biggest A-HA from nearly 45 minutes of student engagement is that the kids don't all know what it means to work with a partner. They are not adept at how to communicate their ideas verbally to each other, how to ask thoughtful questions, and how to share strategies. To them, working with a partner often just means sitting closer to another person whose company they enjoy. It makes the ominous math task more tolerable. They still work side-by-side doing their own thing. Teaching students how to collaborate is a whole other set of skills.....food for thought.
How do you teach students to collaborate? What strategies, ideas, or guidelines do you use?
