Edutopia: A Strategy for Boosting Student Engagement in Math

Try It, Talk It, Color It, Check It. This is one Instructional Coach’s strategy to get their students talking more during whiteboard practice. First, students solve a problem on their own whiteboard. Next, students explain their thinking and reasoning with their partner or group. After the group talks together, the group decides on one answer and then uses a colored cup to show how confident they are in their group’s answer. In the last step, all groups show their chosen answer and the entire class engages in a conversation about the different solutions and strategies from around the room. This strategy takes whiteboard practice to a more collaborative level!