2018 MidSchoolMath National Conference

You’ve heard it: “use more pictures and words” or “organize your work better.” Ugh! 
Tired of hearing the same feedback suggestions that just did not make a difference in improving learning, we set out to develop an approach to peer-to-peer feedback that would revolutionize our math classroom. We knew that in order for our students to give better feedback, they needed to truly appreciate WHY they were giving it, and HOW to make it meaningful. 
From this journey evolved, “Helping Hands.” We'll share the success criteria that has been co-created with students for a math task and model how weak feedback can be kicked up out of the stratosphere with thoughtful choices in language and reflective mathematical thinking. We'll demonstrate to implement this practice with your students, and, using videos, testimonials and maybe even a live Q&A with our students in Toronto, you'll hear first-hand how it is having a positive impact on our students!  can have a positive impact on their learning!  

When analyzing student work, what do you look for? What patterns can you find? How do your findings guide your feedback and future instruction?
 
In this session, you'll work in small group professional learning communities (PLCs) to learn from student work. Each participant needs to bring a classroom set of student work to share with their small groups.  We will analyze the level of alignment the work has to the objectives and do an error analysis to find patterns in student understanding.  Finally, we'll consider next steps in instruction and assessment. You'll leave with new ideas and new understandings of how to use feedback and assessment to better support your students. 


Note: Plan to bring examples of student work with you to this session for analysis. 

The drawings, diagrams, and doodles found on student work can all provide valuable insight into student thought processes - and help you identify where they struggle.

In this Master Class, we'll explore the protocols outlined in Making Sense of Student Work. You'll learn how teachers can collaboratively unpack students’ problem solving strategies to understand student ideas and the logic behind them.  You can then look at misconceptions to help identify the learning gaps and leverage opportunities for improvement, modifications and next steps.  This process is a valuable window into student thinking.