My Favorite No

Summary

Leah Alala, an 8th-grade math teacher, shares her unique warm-up routine designed to engage students through active participation. Using index cards to collect and sort answers, Leah identifies mistakes and teaches from them, encouraging students to view errors as opportunities for growth. By focusing on what's right before discussing mistakes, she fosters a supportive, nonjudgmental classroom environment. This approach not only builds student confidence but also helps the teacher assess understanding quickly and address learning gaps before tests. Leah’s routine encourages a collaborative, positive learning experience where all students feel safe to make and learn from mistakes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Leah Alala, an 8th-grade math teacher, uses a warm-up routine to engage her students daily.
• 😀 The warm-up involves students solving a problem on the board and submitting their answers on index cards.
• 😀 Leah collects and sorts the answers quickly to identify the percentage of students who understand the problem.
• 😀 The routine is a low-cost alternative to clickers, costing just 40 cents instead of $15,000.
• 😀 Leah emphasizes that mistakes are valuable learning opportunities, and students should recognize and analyze their errors.
• 😀 Mistakes are presented as opportunities to understand mathematical concepts better, not as something to be ashamed of.
• 😀 Leah uses 'favorite wrong answers' to highlight good math work even if the final answer is wrong, focusing on what was done correctly.
• 😀 Analyzing incorrect answers allows students to see what went wrong and understand how to fix their mistakes.
• 😀 The classroom atmosphere encourages high engagement and comfort, especially for students making mistakes.
• 😀 Leah fosters an open dialogue with her students, helping them feel comfortable making and learning from mistakes.
• 😀 The goal is to teach students before a test, not during it, by identifying misunderstandings early in the learning process.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Leah's warm-up routine?

The main purpose of Leah's warm-up routine is to engage students in active learning by quickly assessing their understanding of a concept, identifying mistakes, and using those mistakes as learning opportunities.

How does Leah collect and assess her students' responses during the warm-up?

Leah uses index cards to collect student responses. After handing out the cards, students write their answers, which Leah collects, sorts, and analyzes to quickly gauge their understanding.

Why does Leah prefer index cards over clickers?

Leah prefers index cards because they are an affordable alternative to clickers. While clickers can be expensive, the index card system costs much less and allows her to quickly gather data on student understanding.

How does Leah create a positive atmosphere for students making mistakes?

Leah creates a positive atmosphere by framing mistakes as learning opportunities. She highlights what students did right before focusing on where they went wrong, which helps students feel comfortable and supported.

What does Leah mean when she refers to a 'favorite no'?

Leah refers to a 'favorite no' as an incorrect answer that contains some correct elements. By pointing out what was done correctly first, she helps students recognize their progress before addressing the mistake.

How does Leah address student mistakes in the classroom?

Leah analyzes incorrect answers by discussing them with the class, asking students to help identify the mistake, and encouraging high student engagement through hands-on problem-solving and discussion.

What role does student participation play in Leah's warm-up routine?

Student participation is crucial. Leah actively encourages students to raise their hands and explain where the mistakes are, fostering a collaborative environment where students learn from each other.

Why does Leah focus on specific mistakes, like distributing a negative sign?

Leah focuses on specific mistakes, such as distributing a negative sign, because she wants to ensure that students understand important concepts thoroughly and avoid common errors. This focus helps her address key learning gaps.

How does Leah ensure that all students feel comfortable making mistakes?

Leah ensures students feel comfortable making mistakes by creating a low-pressure environment. She makes it clear that mistakes are part of learning and that they are not being judged, which encourages students to take risks and engage with the material.

What is Leah's approach to classroom engagement with low-level students?

Leah ensures that low-level students are actively engaged by creating an environment where they don’t fear making mistakes. This allows them to feel comfortable participating and gaining a better understanding of the material without the fear of being penalized.