Little Minds Big Thinkers 48. Shadowing Peter with Melisa McCain & Mandy Ramey
Nov 22, 2024
Melisa McCain and Mandy Ramey, instructional coaches from Indiana, share their transformative experiences shadowing math education expert Peter Liljedahl. They discuss innovative strategies for teaching math effectively, including the use of Numicon shapes to enhance early numeracy skills. The duo emphasizes redefining educational equity by focusing on student engagement and collaborative learning. They also highlight practical classroom management techniques and the excitement of inviting Peter into their classrooms, enhancing both teacher and student experiences.
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The 59-Cent Pencil
- Melissa McCain's first BTC experiment involved a kindergarten summer school class discussing a 59-cent pencil.
- Students' engagement with the task demonstrated the effectiveness of open-ended questioning and valuing their reasoning.
From One to Many
- Mandy Ramey and Melissa set a goal of one BTC lesson per unit, but quickly increased frequency due to student engagement.
- Students became so accustomed to the active learning style that they questioned the absence of board work.
Renewed Passion
- BTC revitalized some teachers' passion for education, even those considering retirement.
- Students' enthusiasm for board work and autonomy highlights the relationship-building aspect of active learning.
