Do you remember sitting in class doing a worksheet of math problems alone at your desk? My students do not respond well to worksheets, but they do respond when I make activities where they get up and move around the room. They respond when they do their problems on whiteboards.
My students are great kids who sometimes lack motivation.
They get bored easily with lecture. They like variety. They enjoy talking to each other much more than listening to me. They enjoy learning from each other and teaching each other. They like the activities and games because they aren't bored.
My Project
We often do activities in class that are really math problems from a worksheet in disguise. I post the problems around the room or in the hall and they work with partners doing the problems. I let them play "dots" but to capture the box they must get the math problem correct. We play musical chairs with different math problems around the room. They are still practicing the content, just in a different manner. We use whiteboards to practice problems and hold them up so I can determine who is struggling and who knows the process.
I can use the materials requested to maintain variety and interest in my classroom.
They often get to work with their friends instead of listening to me. They are active during the games and activities rather than passive. These materials give me the opportunity to engage them.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Conner and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.