Stand Up and Think

Funded Nov 17, 2023

Thank you for helping to fund "Stand Up and Think". Our 6th grade mathematics students are currently using the erasable surfaces and dry erase markers you supplied to us as part of an ongoing effort to combat deep pandemic learning losses. According to the best selling book, Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, by Peter Liljedhal, when students work on vertical erasable surfaces, standing up in randomized groupings of 2-3 students, using highly structured protocols, they can make significant gains.

We have seen this in action thanks to your generosity. Our students look forward to getting out of their seats to collaborate with classmates equitably and effectively. We notice that they are demonstrating more independence and risk taking, as they know they can always erase. Their communication and leadership skills are improving, as they take charge and problem solve within their own peer groups, instead of being directed by a teacher.

Other teachers in our school are hearing about the way our students are working with vertical erasable surfaces and have expressed interest in coming to observe them in action. We hope to inspire other math teachers and teachers of other subjects, to use this innovative and promising teaching style.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Silver