Learning About Math at Woodhull School

Woodhull Intermediate School fourth graders have been learning how to self-assess their understanding while engaging in student choice during math class. After learning a new skill, students independently practice solving problems on their whiteboards. Teachers Kathleen Cushing and Mallory Travers have been collaborating.

“To meet the needs of all learners, the exit ticket whiteboard problems are displayed on a range of Spice Levels,” Ms. Cushing said. “While many students start warming up their skills with Mild Spice number sets, other students may challenge themselves with advanced number sets on a Hot or Extra Hot Spice level.:

Looking to really show your understanding with some advanced numbers? Choose the Ghost Pepper Spice level to apply your understanding using critical thinking skills! Students solve as many Spice levels as they can.

After, one student model is displayed on the document camera for the whole class to analyze and provide feedback on. Compliments range from “I like how you used multiple strategies to show your work” to “I like how you explained your thinking with a sentence and rated your understanding!”

“Providing access to the Reveal Math program problems using this method has encouraged all students to self-reflect on their understanding while promoting student choice when solving problems at their independent, instructional, and extended thinking levels,” Ms. Travers said.