Learning & Teaching

For most parents, the classroom environment has changed a lot since you went to school! Each fortnight, the Learning and Teaching Team will write about an instructional practice that teachers at Holy Family use, to give you a better insight into how your children are learning each day, in their classrooms.

Mini Whiteboards

If you walk into our classrooms during a maths or literacy lesson, you are likely to see our students busily writing on mini whiteboards. While they might seem like simple tools, these boards have become one of the most effective ways for our teachers to boost engagement and check for understanding in real-time.

100% Participation 

In a traditional "hands-up" scenario, only one student gets to answer a question. With mini whiteboards, the teacher can say, "Write your answer and 'chin-it'  and instantly see a response from every single student in the room. No one can opt out, making every student actively engaged in their learning!

Immediate Feedback 

Our teachers use whiteboards to constantly "Check for Understanding." By scanning the room of boards, a teacher can immediately see who has mastered a concept and who needs a little extra help. This allows our teachers to adjust their lesson on the spot, rather than waiting until the end of the lesson to find out that students may be having difficulty.

High Engagement 

There is a tactile, fun element to using markers and boards that our students love. Whether we are practicing our spelling, or solving maths problems, the fast-paced nature of whiteboard work keeps students focused and engaged in their learning.

Next time you hear your child talking about "chin it," you’ll know they are participating in a powerful, interactive way to demonstrate their learning each day.

Pauline Moran, Simone Crist, Serena Jordan-Munro

Learning & Teaching Team