I inherited a class set of student white boards (about the size of a piece of paper) in my first teaching position and it was The 👏 Best 👏 Thing 👏 Ever 👏.
I bought a set with school money at my next school because I couldn't live without them.
Scroll down and see how you can get them for cheap if you don't have school money to spend.
You can spend that extra class time reviewing that day's lesson in a fun way. Students won't feel like they have extra work to do that other classes "didn't have to do" and instead they'll feel like they are being rewarded for finishing their work early with a fun activity they "get to do".
White boards will save you in 2 ways:
1. Fill extra time
The class that finishes everything 10 minutes faster than all other classes and cannot just chill (because they're bonkers) are the perfect candidates for white board activities.You can spend that extra class time reviewing that day's lesson in a fun way. Students won't feel like they have extra work to do that other classes "didn't have to do" and instead they'll feel like they are being rewarded for finishing their work early with a fun activity they "get to do".
2. Make boring activities automatically engaging
You know that activity you planned that you thought students were going to be really into and complete it silently, but the reality in your classroom is loud borderline chaos? (What were you thinking?)It's time to take out the white boards.
There's something about holding the white board in their hands and getting to draw on it with a marker. Students calm down and suddenly WANT to conjugate verbs or complete whatever activity you assign them.
Your boring activity just became interactive. Magic! ✨
Students have to write their answer on the white board (big enough so you can see it!) and hold their white board up to show you their answer.
You can quickly assess (A) who gets it and (B) who doesn't get it.
You can give students immediate feedback with a thumbs up or thumbs down and those with wrong answers can immediately learn what the right answer is. #LearningInProgress
Activities where students have to write out entire sentences are not ideal for white boards because it takes too long for you to read each answer and give feedback.
There's something about holding the white board in their hands and getting to draw on it with a marker. Students calm down and suddenly WANT to conjugate verbs or complete whatever activity you assign them.
Your boring activity just became interactive. Magic! ✨
What types of activities lend themselves well to white boards?
I'm so glad you asked this question.1. Fill-in-the-blank
Type up fill-in-the-blank sentences and have students conjugate the verb correctly. Project each sentence one at a time on the screen at the front of the class.Students have to write their answer on the white board (big enough so you can see it!) and hold their white board up to show you their answer.
You can quickly assess (A) who gets it and (B) who doesn't get it.
You can give students immediate feedback with a thumbs up or thumbs down and those with wrong answers can immediately learn what the right answer is. #LearningInProgress
2. Any other activity with 1-2 word answers
You're going for speed in order to keep everyone engaged.Activities where students have to write out entire sentences are not ideal for white boards because it takes too long for you to read each answer and give feedback.
You want to be able to scan the classroom and quickly make eye contact with each student with a thumbs up or down.
Maybe you're teaching a novel? Grab the white boards and review each chapter with students.
I never bought erasers because (1) students will throw them and (2) you can erase with your finger.
Maybe you're teaching a novel? Grab the white boards and review each chapter with students.
Where can you get a class set of white boards?
If your school has money you can spend...
I bought white boards from SchoolSpecialty.com. You can get just a class set of white boards or white boards with pens and erasers.I never bought erasers because (1) students will throw them and (2) you can erase with your finger.
Or with tissues if students are morally opposed to using their fingers and then washing their hands. 🙄😂
If your school doesn't give you money...
Holly from Spanish Sundries has an amazeballs post on how she has used white boards in her classroom and how to make your own white boards for cheaper than buying them.I know teachers who have done this IRL.
White board tips from a pro:
- Designate a Passer Outer (or two) for the white boards and another Passer Outer for the markers.- Set a time limit for passing out and collecting supplies. Students will take 25 minutes to pass out boards if you let them.
- Set routines for how students pass out and collect white boards. Be specific about how you want them to go up and down rows or what order to pass out supplies to groups (whatever makes the most sense with how your desks are arranged). Otherwise they'll pass out supplies to random students and others will get overlooked.
- Markers require caps before they can be collected or you'll spend half your paycheck on replenishing your marker supply.
- I recommend you tell students that markers don't have wings and can't fly, so if their marker does fly then they will sit out of the activity.
What sorts of activities have you used white boards and had success with? Please share in the comments!
Creo que puedes poner velcro en los marcadores y las pizarras para que sea mas fácil recoger el marcador junto con la pizarra.
ReplyDeleteQue buena idea! Gracias :)
Delete