Grade 4 Math: Small Group Rules Are Critical to Learning

I taught my first Math Intervention Class this past week and I wanted to share my reflections on the Grade 4 small group of 6 students.

Since we are a small group and they had never met me before, our first class was just getting to know this new group and to establish rules we all agreed upon.

I first introduced myself and then the students did the same. Each student shared from a few prompts I had on the board like: What is your favorite food?, What makes you happy?, Where would you like to travel?, etc. This was fun and I asked why do you think we are doing this and not learning Math yet? Students shared that we need to work together as we learn.

It was a good start then I wrote down the rules that the students shared and we all agreed to follow them. I wrote down each rule as students shared their ideas. One rule was raise your hand before you speak. And here are the others: respect each other, treat others the way you want to be treated, mistakes are OK, take pride in your own work, don't judge a book by it's cover, have fun with the teacher, and respect the equipment.

Looking back, I am like "Wow"! If we can follow these rules this year in our Math group, we will really elevate each child's Math level! It will be up to me to bring each student back to these rules over the year that will help each student to stay on track.

When I taught large Math classes (30 students) in High School as a new teacher, it was very hard to manage all of them. I tried to manage it well, but my inexperience did not help me. Looking back, I would get angry if students were being disrespectful. Instead, I should have been more calm and reminded them of the rules. This doesn't always work, but calmness in a storm is my goal now.

I like working now with smaller groups and hope to see students follow the rules and help each student in the group to learn Math rather than have behavior issues take away from the learning environment. Education in a small group has such potential to help each student but each student and teacher has to submit to the rules.

I loved the rules the 4th graders came up with! I love "It's OK to make mistakes." A problem in a Math class can be students looking down on other student's mistakes which shuts down a student from participating. Students that are better in Math can help other students but also they need to be challenged as well. It's up to me as the teacher to model the "mistakes are OK" growth mindset to help the students make great strides this year in Math! This does not mean make the same mistake all year though.

I also loved the rule "Take pride in your own work." Students were referring to not copying each other's answers. Sometimes students only focus on the grade and will copy to make sure they don't get in trouble with their parents. But sadly, they are losing their education and knowledge for a grade. I told them that copying robs you of your own Math confidence which you can carry around with you until you learn the Math in your own head.

How about the rule "Don't judge a book by it's cover."? There's alot of parents that also struggle with this as all people are naturally judgemental. But it hurts the learning when you do this. That student you are judging may be the one that becomes the one that helps you this year if you can follow the rule "Don't judge..."!

Well, I look forward to seeing this group thrive in Math this year. I'm sure each student will have their own challenges individually and within the group. But if can help the students to follow the rules they came up with, there will be a greater chance of everyone making progress in Math. And that's the goal: help every unique child to reach their potential and learn Math!