Teacher Reflection (MARS) for December 1, 2010

I put my test grades in my gradebook based on skills rather than a whole test grade. Also, today I worked with one group of six who did poorly on the test, and the rest of the students corrected both the A and B sections of the test in groups. I like the B section because it is a formative assessment. Students who excel can keep working, and students who are struggling can just work on part A. Finally, some students chose to take a pretest for the fractions' unit. 

Based on student preferences and my observations, I will definitely continue to use cooperative groups for teaching math. I don't think the groups have to be permanent, I think I will usually work with a group and I do not think I will assign leaders. Although the grades on this test were not higher than our previous unit, I think it is a case of comparing apples and oranges. The algebra unit was more difficult than statistics. Also, every student now understands the importance of making sure he or she understands the material before the test. Finally, I am making two changes when I begin groups for our next unit. First, students will need to pass an independent "quick" check of the previous day's lesson before moving on, and the cooperative groups will change on a daily basis.