In New Zealand, a lot of teachers especially those who teach the Juniors--Year 1 to Year 6, use task boards to help them manage their class. The task boards are essentially a list of rotation activities that the children can do while the teacher carries out his/her micro teaching groups. Why micro-teaching? Well, the little children can not handle whole class teaching. They get lost easily and many can't bear listening to a teacher talking in front of the class for a long duration of time. The next reason which could be a more valid reason is that the children are of different abilities or levels right across the curriculum areas from reading and maths and social studies. Because of this, the children are sorted into different ability groups and hence there are small groups teaching.
How do task boards work ? Well, the children's names are listed under the names of the activities and when they are asked to change activities, they look at the chart and go to do the appropriate actitivities. In this way, all children have something meaningful to do while waiting for their turn to be called to the teacher.
When I first started teaching in my first few years, I had found that the task boards were extremely useful in the year one classes. Children at this level,--five year olds, found all activities helpful and kind. Nowadays, I have progressed so much in use of integration of e-learning that I have found the constant interruption of the rotation cycle actually break the link in e-learning. Many children are not happy to leave the computers to do another activity that is listed. Many have found out that going back to the computers later on is just not so cool because the original ideas have gone from their heads. Because of this, I have modified the task boards in a way that the children ar allowed on the computers till they have finished the projects.
I have also changed the way the task boards work. The task boards that are just lists of things on the charts that the children can do. They are encouraged to choose wisely --like attempting different activities, never overcrowd an activity (Max:4 persons). So far, this is working and I am happy that there is flexibility.
I've always used taskboards in my teaching too. I've had similar difficulties in using the classroom computers as a station and fairly quickly realised I had to modify the way I used the task boards. Now, similar to you I think, I use mine as a visual list of tasks to be completed during the reading time. I still think taskboards are useful in the classroom, as many children need that visual reminder of what they should be doing.
ReplyDeleteMs. She,
ReplyDeleteI was glad to see your post. I have used a technique like this in my classroom. We call them "Centers" and not taskboards, but they are very similar. I like that with taskboards the students can actually go and see where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing. In Centers the students are in certain groups and go do certain things while the teacher completes guided reading with a group. The other students that are not in the guided reading group are assigned to a certain center. Teachers can either create their own center depending on what they are working on that week or month, or they can have a set center such as computers. I also see students getting frustrated when they have to leave a certain center that they have not completed. I will try your technique. I am sure this will work much better and the students will get the full benefit of the center. I will also try the taskboard. That will also help with confusion and questions. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas.
Thank you for this post. I am planning on being a special/elementry school teacher in the future. This post will help me in the future! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is very similar to how I use my taskboard. Each group and sometimes individuals have a learning experience and when this is completed they go to the taskboard. I have a range of activities, 4 per day, which they can choose from and each day I move the group symbols along to the right so the children have different choices each day. I find this allows the children to gain confidence and be familiar with activities without getting bored by them, they are encouraged to do at least 2 of the 4 each day as well as their set task. On Fridays we have free choice where the children can choose whatever they like as long as there is no more than 3 at a time on ac activity. Teaching new entrants I find that they need repetition but also variety. If I had straight year 1s where there weren't new children arriving sometimes on a daily basis I would probably encourage the children to work even more independently to allow myself the opportunity to work with target groups and individuals.
ReplyDeleteMs. She,
ReplyDeleteYour task board sounds awesome! I think it is great that you recognize and accommodate different learning styles and abilities in your classroom. I know so many teachers who recognize that but do not accommodate to all students' needs. All of the classrooms that I have been in have the same assignments for every single student to work on at his or her desk. There is very little or no diversity in the assignments. It sounds like you have a great classroom and your students are able to learn in a way that is best for them.
Hi! I'm from Dr. Strange's EDM 310 Class at the University of South Alabama! I really enjoyed reading about your task board. I think that this is a great idea. I also like that you included the things that you have found to work and not work with task boards that way other teachers can learn what might work for their own task boards. I am working on becoming a teacher and the task boards are definitely something I am going to keep in mind.
ReplyDeleteHello. I am also from Dr. Stranges class. I absolutely love the idea of task boards. I, also, have heard them called centers before, but they do work a little differently. I think that task boards would be beneficial not only to younger children, but to older students as well. Like you say, children have different skills and abilities, and some learn on different levels than others. Also, I agree that some students (especially younger ones) have a harder time concentrating and staying on track. I also think that your choice in having flexible choosing options was a great idea. This way, a few student's can do one activity at a time, and they get a chance to choose their own activity. Thanks for this idea!
ReplyDeleteHello! I'm from Dr. Strange's class. It seems to be the task boards/centers are very common! I think I have witnessed centers in just about every young classroom I have had a field experience in. Task boards are great because they allow more individualized attention for the micro-group that's working with the teacher. I've seen teachers do "stations", in which the child moves from one station to the other after a specified amount of time (the teacher works with a small group of students in this time). This is great when it comes to the younger children because it seems the little ones have a very short attention span and want to do a little bit of everything at once.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, I am a student in Dr. Strange's edm310 class and I think that task boards are an excellent tool for the classroom, especially in the lower class levels. There is more organization and the kids feel like they have accomplished something when it's time to change from one activity to the next.
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm a student in Dr. Strange's EDM310 class and I agree with task boards being important for students especially in lower grades! I think having them in groups to learn is great and a good way, like you said to separate the different types of learners and levels! I think it's great you are giving the children the ability to stay on the computer until the project is done! I think it's important for them to love the computer and learn how to do fun things on it! Also, modifying the task board itself is a great way to implement a new and fun way to use them. As a teacher you have to be able to modify and adjust to what your students like! Thanks for the post! Check out my blog at doughertycarlyedm310.blogspot.com!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny. It is a pleasure reading your ideas about task board in classrooms. I have always been a junior high teacher until this year. I am searching around for ideas on student management during learning sessions-rotation of group task especially for numeracy and literacy. Do you do video while having these sessions with your students, if not thats okay. Otherwise thank you for sharing your knowledge to others. God bless.
ReplyDelete