Dry-Erase Easels Equal Opportunity to Build Math Confidence Around Mistakes

Funded Oct 2, 2017

Thank you for your generous donation that funded our Donor's Choose Project: Dry-Erase Easels Equal Opportunity to Build Math Confidence Around Mistakes. When the easels first arrived, my students were surprised by the number of easels and they were also curious of the easels' purposes in the classroom. A couple days later, I presented each table group a problem and told them to show their thinking on a board. Each group was delegated one marker, one eraser, one easel, and one problem. Everyone's handwriting was required to be on the board, and the results of every period and every group's mathematical thinking was surprising.

Acting as non-vertical and non-permanent writing surfaces, these easels are positively encouraging students to write down their thinking faster. Some students have become less afraid to make mistakes because they are easily erasable. By granting a group of 3 or 4 students only one pen, I push the students to LOOK and MAKE SENSE of each other's ideas. The easel provides a surface for students to make sense of and critique mathematical arguments, one of the eight mathematical practices. Ultimately, students are engaging more, participating more, and sharing excitement to discuss problems within their group.

Additionally, Dry-Erase Easels have become a platform for students to learn from each other. Groups can see other boards around the classroom to get ideas when they're stuck and students are persevering longer with tough problems. I love the idea of being able to look around the room and see all of the thinking on all the boards at once. This allows me to easily identify groups that need help, and I can offer in-the-moment feedback for learning. Thank you for making this all possible. We really appreciate it.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Song