I'm thinking of ways to celebrate the struggle - how ideas get clarified as we work through problems. I think emphasizing the team idea - we are all struggling together - might help them. We're willing to struggle harder when we're doing it as part of a group. Or at least I really think so.
I'm thinking Physics t-shirts. We'll design a logo, I'll get it on t-shirts for us all. Group identity.
And I have a brand-new pair of pink Chuck Taylor's. I'm thinking of having them decorate the shoes with physics stuff and their initials.
Symbolic stuff, I know, but groups are forged with symbols. (Right, cheeseheads and parrotheads?) These are things I could make into traditions.
Lastly, not so symbolic, I'm thinking of using more of the CPM team strategies with this group. We do work in teams but it has been fairly unstructured.
Something like:
- Carousel: Around the World
- Write a different problem/topic/question on large poster sheets hung on the walls or on each table.
- Each team is given a different colored marker.
- Each team goes to a different poster, discusses the topic and decides what to write.
- Teams rotate to all of the posters, adding to what was written by previous teams (have a time limit).
- When done, each team does a “gallery walk.”
- A large class discussion/debrief can then be held.
I'd love to hear suggestions! Any ideas on how to help them appreciate a different classroom model?
