Learning from Each Other

Like I mentioned earlier, we share our classroom with a Texas history class.  I'll be honest, growing up in St. Louis, I don't ever remember learning so much about Missouri as today's learner does in Texas!  Crazy thing is I not only learned about how Texas came to be, but I also began to collaborate with Coach Lawson on instructional strategies. 

One of my most favorite formative assessments that he implements is Jot Thought!  In all my years of being in a classroom, I thought why haven't I ever thought of this.  After watching his learners actively participate, the wheels in my brain began spinning.  I started asking questions and by fifth period, I was implementing this "new to me" strategy with my 6th graders! 

Our first Jot Thought was over ratios and equivalent fractions.  Our goal was to see which group could come up with the most words to describe ratios.  This was a great way for me to assess my learners' prior knowledge, as well as help plan our upcoming learning opportunities. 

Stacks of Post-It Notes were passed out to each table.  Learners would have 1.5 minutes to work independently to write down everything they knew about ratios and equivalent.  After the independent think time, each table group categorized their words and eliminated any duplicates. 
                           
I'm proud to say that Coach Lawson implemented stations based on what he had seen in our classes!  These stations focused on reading strategies, implementing technology and vocabulary, as well as writing.  Texas history was no longer just notes and discussion, but now created opportunities for collaboration and inquiry. 

                            

There was an excitement sparked in our room after these activities which served as a reminder of the importance of working together, even if you teach different contents....we can all still learn from each other!