When I first started flipping, I taught fifth grade and I flipped my math class in the traditional way: students watched videos at night, took notes, and completed an online quiz or used Google Doc to show their understanding. Then in class, we were able to spend time doing more hands-on type activities. Later, I added science to the mix.
Flipping math and science gave me so much time in class to do hands-on activities and labs. After doing it this way for a couple of years, I found myself moving to 3rd grade; with a much younger bunch of students. How would this work with 3rd-grade students? I must admit I was a little worried. But I knew the value of flipping a class so I couldn't give it up!
Moving to 3rd grade meant that I needed to tweak how I flipped my class. Initially, I still assigned videos, but I saw that most of the students ended up watching them in class; which was perfectly fine! Actually, it probably worked out better for this age group. They could watch in class and then work on activities after they finished. I was also there to immediately address any questions they had.
Next year, it will be that way by design. Of course, students can still review the videos at home, I've been reading more about in-class flips or in-flip and it seems like that's the direction I'm headed in. I just read in a newsletter from Jon Bergmann and Aaron Sams how Randy Brown flips his 3rd-grade class. He divides the class into 2 groups. While 1 group watches the video, he helps the other group complete work. Essentially he lowers his student-teacher ratio by cloning himself!
No, I won't spend my entire summer reading or planning. I will go the beach and be mesmerized by the waves coming and going, but until that happens you can find me online @shefish52.
Do you flip a younger class?
Please share what you have found to be successful in the comments below.
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