The flipped maths classroom

With the half-term break starting yesterday, I have managed to allow myself time to reflect on the year so far. As with most teachers, I remember starting the year with such promise and direction. I was going to ensure I stayed on top of all my classes and I was going to try out new things.

I did start off as I meant to continue. I started to develop a sort of 'Flipped' classroom. Which was generally well received by students, but even better received by parents. Unfortunately, the year has taken its toll. With a change in our VLE and a responsibility for timetabelling the drive to continue was sapped out of me, and the status quo of the teacher at the board returned. 

I have not abandoned hope for the flipped classroom. Far from it! The idea and benifits of flipping far outweigh the gain in student attainment which is in itself massive. I will return to the flipped classroom. 

The educreations.com website is great for getting the lessons up on the web and reachable for the students, but I have found that the stability and reliability of hosting the lessons on YouTube to be far better. The only problem with this method is the inability to be able to check who has or has not attempted their homework. So thought has to be put into the setting of questions and the duration of the homework task in order to ensure enough monitoring can take place. 

In conclusion, I would recommend trying the flipped classroom as it will lessen the shackles within your own classroom, but be warned it does demand time in the planning stages. 

First takeaway

Embarking on this new journey has led me to develop my first takeaway homework menu. It is downloadable from the following link, but rather than reinvent the wheel I have adapted ones available from the TES. Feel free to use it yourself. I will be waiting to see how my pupils respond to the new style. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z3pke3gcei8w5cg/Template%20Version%20Take%20Away%20Homework.pdf

Looking at other takeaway homeworks, I decided to add a little classroom management on to the menu. By adding in an extras column I was able to offer additional credit for things such as punctuality, being equipped, courteous, handing in homework early and other factors. I hope it has the desired affect. 

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So following on from my first takeaway homework. I have seen first hand the enthusiasms and pride from my pupils and their work. This has been fantastic start and has me eager to start this fully from September. 

With the correct structure and coupling this with the flipped classroom I can see a better balance between work and life. Although I am under no illusion that this will need a lot of preparation in the first instance. 

Here are a few pictures of the resouces that the pupils produces. They range from board games to videos, and incorporate poems and essays. 

Very proud of my pupils. 

Trying new things...

With GCSE exams clearly in the cross-hairs and the end of the year looming, now may not be the best time to try something new in the classroom. However, why not try it anyway, so that when you return fully recharged after the summer break you will have the energy to push with the aspects that worked and yet the wisdom to drop the parts that don't. 

I have decided to couple my flipped classroom with the new takeaway homeworks. I am trailing it with my year 10 class and I am considering pushing it to all classes after the half-term. 

I hope to continue this blog with example of my takeaway homework menus and the final products from the pupils. 

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