My redesigned classroom. I have been meaning to upload this video for the last couple weeks. (I got my son to help me since I'm not very computer savvy) As I mentioned previously, my New Year's Resolution was to revamp my teaching style. I have switched from the traditional row/column method of teaching so that so many of us grew up with to a more student active learning style. I went to Lowe's and purchased whiteboard (actually shower boards) and cut them into pieces and hung them on the wall (with the help of a couple former students). I keep the lecture time somewhat short and get the students working as a group solving problems on their own as I circulate the room and assist them. Together they analyze problems and teach each other.
Grouping is also very interesting. They have new partners every day. If you can see it above each board is a number starting with 2 and going to 10. I use a deck of card with three 2's, three 3's, three 4's, etc. They draw a card and that is their partner for the day. The next day, they get new partners through the drawing method. I DID NOT come up with this idea but I thought it was ingenious, so I adopted it myself! I welcome your comments no matter how good or brutal. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.