Student Engagement in Sixth Grade Math

I have been invited to share in a 6th grade math lesson and am very impressed by the level of student accountability and ownership of their learning. Sixth grade teacher Ms. Small has organized the class into families of 4 students. Their task in this activity is to present problems and solutions related to the CA standard that requires students to solve problems involving percent and interest rate.
When I entered the classroom I had to look hard to find the teacher; she was sitting quietly at the back wall while student teams led the instruction, posed and answered questions, and exercised real ownership for their learning. 

This is not to suggest that the teacher is not involved in the instruction- quite the contrary. She is assessing students based on a rubric that the class has reviewed, and when needed steps in to explain or deepen understanding or pose additional questions. The point is that the teacher is the facilitator, not the exclusive owner and purveyor of learning.

I encourage parents and community members to look for examples of student engagement and problem solving when you visit our campus. These examples deserve to be celebrated and shared throughout the school community. 

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David Sciarretta, Principal
Albert Einstein Academy
Charter Middle School
3035 Ash St, San Diego, CA, 92102
tel: 619-795-1190
www.aeacs.org
Principal's blog:
http://aeacmsprincipalscorner.blogspot.com/

Teaching our children today to advance our shared humanity tomorrow.