Classroom Culture & Collaboration

When teaching with students working in groups throughout an entire class period, we can’t just stand at the front of the room and lecture the whole time. If we do, students will quickly get off task. Instead, it’s important to break each lesson into smaller parts and have a plan for each part. This keeps the lesson flowing and helps maintain student engagement. When done well, group work stops being a potential classroom management challenge and instead becomes an invaluable

First Day of Math Class: How I Set the Tone with Math, Group Work, and 3 Act Tasks The first day of math class sets the tone for the entire year. Instead of spending the whole period reviewing rules or handing out surveys, I want students to experience what learning will actually look like in our classroom. My main goal on day one is simple: Start doing meaningful math immediately. Throughout the first day, I model the expectations that will shape our classroom culture all ye

One of the simplest ways I’ve improved relationships with students is by greeting students at the door before every class. This isn’t an original idea, but it has had a meaningful impact on the culture of my classroom. Taking a few seconds to connect with each student as they enter helps establish a positive tone before learning even begins. Here’s what this routine looks like in my classroom. 1. Greet Each Student by Name As students walk into the classroom, I greet each one

How I Create Group Seating Charts for Collaborative Classrooms In our class, we work in groups pretty much all day, every day. Because of that, seating charts aren’t just about where students sit—they’re about creating balanced groups that can support each other academically and socially. So what does a group seating chart actually look like? Here’s a blank template. Why I Use Strategic Grouping Instead of Random Groups I’m in favor of strategically choosing groups, and the p

This is how my classroom is set up. We work in groups all day, every day (except for assessment days). There will be another post later about how to teach with groups, but for now let’s focus on the features of this collaborative classroom setup and why it works. Why I Use Groups of Four in My Classroom 8 Groups of 4 Students My classroom is arranged into 8 groups of 4 students. I wish I could remember where I first read it, but someone once wrote about the mindset shift from