The Trouble with Boys Chapter 9 Notes from the Front: The Wilmette Solution

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Zinski on March 30, 2010 at 11:01am

Well,the Wilmette solution seems perfectly logical at this point, doesn't it? However, I along with the "data-hungry parents of Wilmette," would like to see the results of their standardized tests. The changes they made, this "one piece of the puzzle" sounds possible, though, and Somers Point has made progress in the reading material. Now we need to find time to let the kids get up and move more often.
My ideal classroom has counters for those who think better standing up, desks for those who chose to sit, and walls made of chalkboards or marker boards. When I allow a child to work on the board I can view his work easily, confront his mistakes before he does the same thing on 6 more problems, and usually he likes being there instead of sitting with paper and pencil. I have a basic skills class of 5 fifth grade math kids and they do all their calculations on the board where I can observe their work and they can observe the work of any student who successfully solved the problem. They love it, and I can help them see the process step by step while they're working. I mean, if we're ready to make changes I'm not missing this chance to put my two cents in.

Permalink Reply by Tracy Esposito on March 30, 2010 at 7:58pm

After we finish the book, we should have another meeting and create a punch list of things that we may be able to implement and/or share what we have already implemented in the classroom. I know that one of my students responds positively to playing a simple inference game during guided reading and that many boys enjoy studying when it's done Jeopardy style. In addition, many boys are very engaged during math centers and whenever they are able to use the laptops.

Permalink Reply by Joan Timmons on March 30, 2010 at 8:21pm

Differentiate instruction, something we have been working on to get the most from our students. What happens when other students want to stand or whatever when I know they don't need to, they just want to? I am not against allowing students to do what they need to to learn but I also need some structure. It is finding the balance that can work for everyone.