“Joy” by jaredjhansen is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
2020-2021 A.K.A. WHAT IS EVEN GOING ON?
The 2020-2021 school year was a challenge. Implementing in-class learning safely due to Covid meant that our students were taught in desks, facing forward, with minimal movement around the classroom and no flexibility in seating arrangements or table partners. Group work was not allowed. It was a strict, traditional way of teaching that was not in my preferred toolbox of instruction, but it was necessary for the safety of students and staff. This year, because we have been able to loosen some of the restrictions in school, it feels more “normal” and I have taken this opportunity to reimplement and enjoy more of the non-traditional strategies that I use, as well as to introduce some new strategies in my classroom. I have made it a personal and professional goal to return to a more joyful, energetic, engaging practice.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Spirit Day
What I know for sure
Making class activities as engaging and interesting as possible increases student participation and learning. This year, after reading Peter Liljedahl’s amazing book, The Thinking Classroom, I was eager to incorporate the strategies in my Grade Five classroom. Giving students the opportunity to develop their critical and creative thinking and problem-solving skills as well as to build their confidence as self-directed learners and collaborators was my goal. The use of vertical non-permanent surfaces and random groupings to work in teams has proven to be an excellent way to increase engagement, participation, and to foster a safe environment to work with others.
Enter Wipebook
Although my classroom has two large whiteboards to use, this is clearly not enough to create the kind of environment that I needed to facilitate this strategy. Enter the Wipebook Flipcharts. With 10 separate charts, there are enough to be spread around the classroom to enable the students to work comfortably at different levels and in different spaces. The Wipebooks are a perfect size, have an excellent surface for all types of dry-erase markers, and clean up with no left-over residue. We have successfully used both brushes and dry-erase board spray to make the Wipebooks look like new!
Two-Sided Flexibility
With the Wipebook’s double-sided charts, there is flexibility for assignments that need more of an ‘outline’ in which case the grid side is excellent. One of our favourite uses for the grids on Wipebook is to make our class seating plans. We work collaboratively and then vote on classroom design. The grids are also excellent for graphing and demonstrating and practicing math strategies, such as lining up numbers when using the traditional algorithm for long division.
Creating our seating plan:
The blank page is perfect for an infinite number of activities! Drawing, lists, math operations and problems, brainstorming. . . the list is endless.
Discussing the problem, “How many ways can you make $1 with only quarters, dimes, and nickels?
Solving the following problem: “I bought a DVD for $10, then sold it for $20. Then I bought it back for $30 and then resold it for $40. How much money did I make or lose?”
Because of the simple design of Wipebook Flipcharts. I also integrate them into bulletin board spaces where I do small group instruction and mini-lessons during both math and literacy times.
Space for Small Group Instruction/Practice
Wipebook Flipcharts are used on a daily basis in our classroom. The flexibility that it gives me in planning activities with different groups of students, the collaborative environment that it supports, and the gallery-walk options that we do to share our work have all been successful with these additional vertical non-permanent surfaces.
Bringing movement and joy to 2021-2022
The 2020-2021 school year was hard. This 2021-2022 school year also has its challenges. With the ability to return to more flexible classrooms, movement, and collaborative learning approaches, we are able to incorporate more collaborative, joyful, engaging lessons and activities once again. This year is still not “normal.” I don’t even know what that is, anymore. What I do know is that I will continue to use vertical non-permanent surfaces and our Wipebooks will be a big part of that.
To Learn and Connect ~ Trina Crawford 