Maths 19/10

Teacher time with group: Einstein 

This is an image of the working out that the group shared during a session on the mat. There were 14 learners in this particular group.

The task was displayed on the Promethean board for all the learners to see. I read aloud the information and asked: What equations could you use to work out how many students there are in 11 classes? I received a range of responses and positively praised the learners who took up the challenge by voicing their ideas.
I previously wrote the information & questions down on A3 paper, for learners who wished to group themselves (change positions on the floor space, and couldn't see the board), whilst solving the questions. Learners were told they could work together and share their strategies.
"You have some time to discuss and write down the equations you would use to answer these questions." I left the group on the mat to work together in smaller groups, and roamed about the class checking out how the other two groups were doing. Pythagoras were working away on Ratios & Fractions, and Fractions of Amounts. They were all happy working in small groups and only needed assistance with clarifying answers. I asked multiple learners to show me the strategies they were using to solve equations/problems.
I had to redirect some Fibonacci learners who were working on the wrong task, (all tasks were displayed on the Promethean board, with clear page and activity numbers). Some Fibonacci learners also needed clarification, this time on Fractions and Ratios.
I kept my eye on the group on the mat and noticed a couple of boys were distracting one another, I redirected them back to the task by focusing on the first questions and asking them the strategies they would use to solve it...
When Einstein had had sufficient time, at least 9 minutes by my watch, I asked them to prepare to share back to the group, no matter if they had finished or not. We would solve the problems, on the board as a group.
The whole group were really fantastic when it came to sharing their strategies, (and dealing with my messy writing!!). We focused on the fact that they were asked to estimate, but also that the *two students organising the chips and drink didn't want too much left over. The learners therefor had a range of answers and all were acceptable in a "real-world scenario".
This session was awesome and I continuously praised the learners for sharing their ideas and justifying their strategies :-)
They all left the mat happy with their strategies, having learnt a range of others, and confident to share in group situations.