I am the type of teacher that can’t move on to a new
topic unless I know for sure everyone understands what I am teaching. During my
first year teaching, I would use the method of raise your hand if you agree and
use some tricks to make students doubt their answers. I taught at an elementary
level, but I will use an example of what I would have done if I was in grade
7-10 math class.
For example, Solve: 20-10(5-3) = ?
a) 0
b) 2
c) 4
d) 6
e) None
of the above
During this period, as educators, we know which
students are doing well in class and which students are struggling. Using my strategy
of raise your hand if you think (a) is the right answer, students that have no
idea will raise their hands with the majority of the class. That doesn’t help
me as a teacher know who actually understands. To doubt that students I would
say “but 20-10= 10 and 5-3=2. 10(2)=20. I think the answer is none of the
above, would anybody agree with me.” Then we would start a classroom discussion.
The following year, I used the strategy of the mini
white board and had students write down their answer on it and raise it up for
me to take a look. I noticed a big difference in answers and I had a better
idea of who understands the lessons and who needs help. I would fix the problem
right there by reviewing the lesson and using different strategies.
