Writing on the Table

Imagine my surprise when Scott Ritter actually told the students in his third grade class to write the word algorithm on their tables. That astonishment continued when he asked them to write what they think the word algorithm means – on their tables. Scott actually likes academic content being written on the tables that students have instead of desks. By the end of the day, each table is an amazing collection of the learning that has occurred throughout the day. Besides the obvious saving of paper, I was struck by the notion that writing on the table makes learning seem more like the practice that it actually is. Spelling, math problems, sketches of ideas all become explicit rather than hanging in the air or kept tucked away in our brain. Different versions of an idea or word can be easily shared, easily corrected, and quickly referred to later in the day, if needed. No needless graffiti, scribbling, or otherwise non-academic writing is allowed. And of course, at the end of the day tables are cleaned by the students in preparation for the next day’s blank slate to be filled with new learning.