Steph

If the children get the answer wrong still ask for the strategy – they may have the strategy correct.
 * __ Workshop 31.03.09 __**

In a strategy lesson you do not want there to be an LI that tells them the strategy. Give a general LI and see what strategies they use.

I have been doing this in class and gives the children the opportunity to explore all strategies for working out an answer. This does not therefore restrict their thinking.

Children are given many opportunities to visualise further. All answers are taken on board and then explored. Lots of use of materials that are appealing to the children.
 * __ Observation One: __**

Excellent questioning skills – leading the children to think critically.

Brian broke fractions and decimals down for the children.
 * __ Observation Two: __**

We looked at the decimal place and its job.

Every number has a decimal, we just down bother putting it in. The decimal point points out when the ones are. It is your job to work out everything else.

Decimal Place value: Anything can be a one block. What determines the size?

Make a fuss about the whole. Confusing when in life we say, “I will have the bigger half of the cake”. This does not make sense as it obviously cannot be a half as it is not even.
 * __ Fraction and Decimal Workshop: 20.10.09 __**

Geoff showed us that it is important to use visuals even at Stage 6 and up.


 * __Presentation:__**

To become more familiar with stage 5 and up of the Numeracy Project. Learnt that at this stage it is important not to tell the children the strategy you want them to use but allow them to show you a number of strategies and discuss. Lots of discussion with children - so that they can find the one strategy that works best for them. Then discuss the strategy you wanted to look at if it does not come up. Use materials and image further. For example cut and pasting – children have to imagine cutting one image and pasting it once, twice etc. Lots of hands on materials even at stage 6 up. Challenge children. For example: Can a ¼ be bigger that a ½? Discuss the importance of the whole. Pizza example. Children have become a lot more confident when sharing a strategy. Remember strategies and use them when out of context. Eg Gloss Testing. Children need materials even at stage 6 and up – they are still just children and still love new materials and role play. Lots of follow up activities that help them practise the strategy. Small groups – not whole class teaching. Can be too daunting and some children will not contribute. Revision groups for those children who are still unsure. Become more confident at questioning – Geoff is amazing at it. Continue having small groups and revision time. Get together new materials Geoff has shown us. Keep using general LI’s rather than specific ones that restrict children’s learning.
 * Goal: **
 * How I worked through it and what I learnt along the way: **
 * Where to next: **