In 2003, Jane, a middle school math teacher, struggled with a new problem-solving curriculum, revealing that traditional teaching methods kept students busy but not truly thinking. Over 15 years, working with 400 K-12 teachers, 14 key factors were identified to foster deeper student engagement and thinking. Implementing specific practices such as using vertical non-permanent surfaces (VNPSs), random grouping, and dynamic workspaces led to the development of thinking classrooms where students actively engage in meaningful learning. These innovative methods break institutional norms, creating environments that promote sustained intellectual engagement and collaboration.
MathReps Wipebooks make practicing math standards fun and engaging by allowing students to edit and redo their work without fear of mistakes. These reusable boards reduce cognitive load and improve speed and confidence through daily practice. They also help maintain skill proficiency and are excellent for test preparation.
My favourite part about using the Wipebook Flipcharts in the mathematics classroom, is the ability to give students low floor, high ceiling and open middle problem solving questions. This means that there is an entry point for all students no matter what level they are working at.
The Wipebooks flipcharts allow students to not only think about and discuss their reflection questions, but also write out some of their ideas. We tend to retain more information when we’ve seen it, discussed it, and written it down than when doing one of those in isolation.
The addition of Wipebook Flipcharts into my classroom has been such an enjoyable experience for myself and the students. Being able to incorporate VNPS easily into exercises allows for a more engaged classroom and the experience of using the VNPS with their peers has blossomed an amazing community.
From the very first day I introduced the Flipcharts to my class, the students LOVED using them. They allowed students to be able to stand up, spread out and work in collaboration with their classmates. The students loved getting to work with partners in a new and exciting way.
Using the Wipebooks Flipcharts, teachers began working out their problems, discussing the problem, drawing, writing, and erasing as their discussions changed. I noticed that teachers were more liberal with their writing and editing of problems since the Wipebook made it easier to correct their mistakes or change their work product.
As an educator, I quickly realized that I needed to use Wipebook flipcharts for as many non-curricular and curricular tasks as possible. Students were up and moving, communicating with their classmates, problem-solving, and demonstrating perseverance while encouraging one another.
We use our Wipebook chart paper to practice our letter formation, write our names, collaborate during writers workshop and during math centres as well. Students are able to make mistakes, quickly erase and try again. There are so many different engaging activities you can come up with for the Wipebook flipchart.
Since adopting Wipebook Flipcharts this fall, I have found them an extremely valuable support to build these skills within both my 11th grade Chemistry and 12th grade Environmental Science classes. Students are much more engaged when they are able to use creativity and tactile learning to practice scientific reasoning.
On this particular day, there were teachers from the Junior High that came by. They loved getting the students up and using the vertical non-permanent surfaces around the room. Seeing how it was managed, the teachers were not as intimated to try the approach, as long as they could get the flipcharts to make it happen. They love the conversations between the students, and how I was able to redirect and ask reflective questions to help the students make the progress needed.
