Hartman MS teacher’s secret weapon: Popsicle sticks
Students in Anjanette Abbs' class at Hartman MS indicate their understanding of a particular concept with signs on popsicle sticks.
Because so many mathematical principles build upon one another like scaffolding on a foundation, it’s critically important for teachers to make sure their students understand one particular concept before moving on to the next.
That’s why Hartman Middle School teacher Anjanette Abbs employs the Teach Like a Champion strategy of “Check for Understanding” in her classroom.
And her secret weapon of choice? Popsicle sticks.
“I am an eighth-grade mathematics teacher, so I always need to know what my students understand and what they may not,” said Abbs. “I created response cards on popsicle sticks that read, ‘NEED HELP’ on one side and ‘GOT IT’ on the other, and I use the cards daily to check for understanding.”
“The cards assist me in accomplishing my most important teaching goal,” said Abbs, “which is for all of my students to be successful. I have a sign in my room that reads, ‘Failure is NOT an Option’ and this technique validates that. It allows me to gather data quickly and informally—and since my students do not realize that I am collecting data, they are more relaxed and the data is more accurate. My students receive immediate intervention when they don’t understand something, and they seem to love the instant response.”
Sixteen HISD campuses are now involved in a partnership with Doug Lemov, the author of Teach Like a Champion, and Uncommon Schools. The pilot program was launched during the 2011-2012 school year at seven HISD middle schools. Read more about it here.
| Had a breakthrough in your classroom? Tell us about it! Just send an email to info@houstonisd.org briefly describing your situation, and we could feature it here. |
