Magnetic wipe-off boards offer error-free ways for all students to participate
If you provide a small, magnetic wipe-off board to each student in the class, students can interact with concepts and practice skills in the large group with little concern for making big mistakes! In addition to acting as individual response boards for informal student assessment, the small dry-erase boards can be used for sorting and classifying.
For instance, the class discusses what the word "freedom" means, and students are asked to provide examples of freedom. On their small markerboards, they draw a picture or write a few words to illustrate the concept of "freedom." Students can erase as much as they want, use dry-erase stamp sets, and use peel-off stickers. The teachers can redirect and guide students as they work. Students then stick their magnetic boards to the main board and explain to the class what they wrote or illustrated. When it comes time to sort the boards into personal freedom and public/group freedom, any student can move the concepts around in the way they think is best, with no need to write--just re-stick on the board under a different heading! Also, no "error" or changed decision is difficult because the markerboard can simply be moved under a different hearding. The resulting graphic organizer can be copied down by students or could easily be digitally photographed, photocopied, and added to student notebooks.
Boone makes 5"x8" markerboards that are also magnetic and come in sets of 4, so 6 sets would outfit most classrooms. Want to make your own? Try laminating large index cards and sticking heavy-duty business card-sized magnets (available at office supply stores cheaply) to the back.