One Drop at a Time!

Individually we are one drop, but together we are an ocean.  In my last post I discussed our sandbagging efforts, today I would like to add to that.  Over the past week our small community has come together to form an ocean.  People from all walks of life and all ages joined together to support one another.  Even the National Guard joined in the efforts to help build sandbag walls to keep the rising waters out of homes, roads, and businesses.

Why do I mention this in a math blog you ask?  Cooperative learning, that’s why.  There are many ways that students learn, but I feel that one important tool is to use cooperative learning by teaching math as a social activity.  Getting your students engaged in math early and allowing them to work with others to come to a consensus on an equation or problem, makes learning math fun.  If you get a chance, watch this video of a teacher who believes in using math as a social activity.  He has some really great ideas, especially one called the "fishbowl". 

 

 

The "fishbowl" is an awesome way to pull kids out of their comfort zone and get them to join in the learning efforts of the class.  For those that are shy and don’t normally share or answer questions this is a great opportunity to get them the experience of talking in front of a group.  Also, as a student in the audience watching the group work together and communicate, this a great way for those students to learn how others communicate and work together.

 

 

Cooperative learning can be a great tool to use in your classroom.  Give it a shot and see what you think.