Getting Kids Talking About Math with Concensus Boards

One of the biggest challenges I’ve had in my classroom (no matter the grade level) is getting students to talk about math.  I know that students sharing strategies and their thinking about math is important.  When teachers create opportunities for students to learn from each other, students can benefit significantly—they gain greater insights, get inspiration, and feel encouraged to improve their ideas.   I have found that consensus boards are a great opportunity for students to talk with and learn from each other.

Using consensus boards allows my students to engage in most of the  Mathematical Practice Standards my state has adopted through a version of the Common Core State Standards. One of the practices being “constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others.”

So, what are consensus boards?

In my classroom, consensus boards are a 2ft x 2ft whiteboard that 2 - 4 students share.  You can purchase white shower board from a local home improvement store and ask them to cut it to size for free since you are a teacher and they are for your classroom.  I have seen other classrooms where students write directly on the desks or tables with dry-erase markers.

Here’s how it works:

1. The board is divided into 3- 5 sections - one section for each individual student’s work and a center section for the answer the group agrees to be correct (the consensus answer).

2. Each student has their own dry erase marker, preferably each a different color.

3. The students are given a challenging problem to work on independently for several minutes.

4. Once most students have finished, they are instructed to take turns sharing answers and how they arrived at their answer within their group. Encourage them to ask questions of each other.

*While this discussion is taking place, walk around, eavesdropping and asking students to clarify a step or their thinking if you feel it would benefit the others in the group.

5. Once everyone has shared, the group agrees to one correct answer.  The determined consensus maker writes the group’s answer in the central section of the board.

*Pro Tip: assign the consensus maker by the color of their marker,  e.g. the student with the green marker helps facilitate the discussion and writes the consensus in the center of the board.

Using consensus boards in my classroom has proven to be a much better way to get students engaged in the practice and discussion of mathematics.  In the past, when asked to do the independent practice that accompanied my curriculum, engagement was very low.  Now, students are up, talking, and thinking, together!

Looking for other ways to engage students in mathematics?

Check out the fun standards-based math games I have created.

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