August 27

Truth or Fib?!

Okay everyone, let’s talk ERROR ANALYSIS! Educational researcher guru Robert Marzano found that error analysis promotes higher level thinking as it gets students to analyze work, identify errors, and be able to explain what is incorrect. I absolutely love having my students do error analysis problems. It gives them a chance to dig a little deeper into the problem, and they are being given a different kind of challenge. This type of instruction helps the students to think about solving a problem in a unique way. It allows them to challenge their own thinking.

The textbooks that I use in my classroom are great because they include error analysis problems. I often assign them for homework problems. However, I have a different trick up my sleeve. This activity is one that I usually use in the classroom. It is called “Truth or Fib,” and can be set up and used in many different ways. Here’s one way to implement Truth or Fib:

  • I first provide my students with a list of problems (depending on the topic)
  • The students also receive a worksheet (this can also be done right in their own notebooks). An example of part of the worksheet can be found below.
  • The students each choose three problems from the list (they work independently at this part). They solve two of the problems correctly, and one of them incorrectly (they get to choose which are correct and which are incorrect).
  • After each student completes his/her problems, he/she swaps papers with a partner. They then look over each other’s problems and determine which two are truth, and which one is the fib. Once they identify the ‘fib,’ they must explain why it is a fib and redo the problem so that it is correct.

I absolutely love having the students choose which problem they want to do incorrectly, as well as give them the opportunity to really solve it wrong. In my opinion (as well as based on conversations my students have), this really gives them a chance to think about what students would typically do incorrectly with that problem. It helps them to be mindful of that mistake in hopes that they won’t make the same error on an assignment or assessment.

Now, as I mentioned before, truth or fib can be implemented in many different ways. Another thing that I have done is give students a topic (such as solving equations) and have had them create their own problems, solving two of them correctly and one incorrectly.

Another idea that would involve a whole class activity would be to pass out one problem to each student in the class. Then, that student can decide whether he/she wants to do the problem correctly or incorrectly. Each student can fill out a chart similar to the following:

My problem: Solved Problem:

 

 

 
a) Did you make your problem correct or incorrect?

 

 

 b) If you made your problem incorrect, what did you do wrong?
c) If you made your problem incorrect, solve it again to get the correct answer.

 

 d) If you made your problem correct, solve it incorrectly and answer question b.

Once each student has a chance to fill out the chart, you can have them leave the problems at their desks and cover up the bottom portion (a – d). Then, students can rotate around the room determining whether the problems at each desk are “truths” or “fibs.” They can check their own answers by uncovering the bottom portion and comparing what they got with the paper they were looking at (you can purchase the whole activity right here: Truth or Fib Whole Class Activity).

I hope you enjoyed this little twist on error analysis. I am interested to hear about what you do in your own classroom to have students analyze, identify, and correct errors! Let us all know by posting a comment!

Category: Instructional Strategies | LEAVE A COMMENT
August 2

TIME MANAGEMENT – What I do and When I Start

Welcome back – not only to my blog, but to the upcoming school year (unless you’ve started already!). One of my goals for this new school year is to keep up with my blog to continue growing as a “school teacher.” I also hope that some teachers, parents, administrators, and even students out there will also share helpful tips and strategies on this blog. Let’s work together to help make the children of our future successful!

Today I wanted to talk about time management. As all teachers know, it is important to set rules, routines, and procedures right from the start. In addition, we know that there is a lot to do in a little bit of time. As students are overwhelmed with the new routines from all teachers right from the start, I always make sure to tell them, “Not to worry; you won’t remember what to do this week, or maybe even this month. But after some time, it will become something that you just do without thinking about it.”

So, I guess it may be best to put you in the shoes of my students. When you walk into our 8th grade math class, you will see a small list of things to do/upcoming reminders, as well as a timer, up on my SmartBoard. Here is an example of what I may write on my SmartBoard:

Wednesday, April 24, 2017

  • Take out your homework and homework ticket
  • Take out your planner and write homework down
  • Take out a piece of paper, pencil, and calculator for the day
  • Start Warm-up [which is also on this board or on the white board]
  • REMEMBER: test on Friday, April 26th!

The timer is also a HUGE piece in this time management game. The students know that when the timer is up, I will be coming around to check on homework and they are expected to be working on the warm-up at that time with their homework out on their desk. The only ‘pass’ to not being ready is if a student walked in tardy with a pass in hand.

[TIMER IDEA: At the start of the school year, create a list of your student’s favorite songs and play a song when the students walk in. When the song is over, it is time to start class!]

I have been using this same routine for the past six years of my profession and I have had nothing but success. Sure some students may need that reminder to ‘look at the board,’ but that doesn’t happen everyday (fingers crossed it continues that way!). Not only does the timer present a challenge to the students to get ready before it beeps, but it also keeps them focus on what their goal is at the start of the class. In addition, having the list up on the SmartBoard eliminates me having to say the same thing six or seven different times, or waste time to wait for every student to be in their seats to give directions.

In another post on my blog, I shared how I hold students accountable when they are tardy or absent from class (see it here). As the teacher, having the time open and keeping myself “free” (even if it may just be two or three minutes) allows me to check on students who I know may be struggling with the current topic. If students finish their work before the timer is up, they know to check over their homework, or have a conversation about the homework/classwork with peers at their tables.

This is a routine that I set from day one. Through a flipped video, students are introduced with their expectations from the moment they walk into our classroom. They know that our time is precious, and we need to spend every moment learning and growing. So now I am curious to know, what strategies/routines do you put in place to help save time??

Category: Time Savers | LEAVE A COMMENT