Flipping

I lectured today in calculus because I wanted my kids to have a true break from the class over fall break and not even have to watch a video lesson.

I hated it, you all.

I hated the feeling of knowing I was going too fast for some and too slow for others.

I hated how most people didn’t answer my to-the-whole-class questions.

I hated that the kids didn’t get to practice on their own or synthesize at the beginning of class before diving into the assignment.

So what was good about today?

Just continued verification that flipping was a really good choice for me and my kids. It’s not for everyone, don’t get me wrong. And I don’t even think it was for me a few years ago. But with the technology now available to me and the sheer number of calculus students I have (who range from coming to school every day to never coming to school to sometimes coming to school this year), it’s been such a great fit for us.

I love that every kid gets a voice, as everyone has to answer every to-the-whole-class question. I love that they can speed me up, slow me down, rewind, and pause as they need, taking ownership of their own learning. I love that they have time to synthesize at the beginning of the hour before jumping into the assignment. Most of all, I love that I always have the time to check in with every single kid every single day, no matter how big the class.