Colleagues- I recently retired, built a new home, moved, and sold the old home.  Since May, my life has been hectic and filled with change.  We all go through these trials and tribulations, but it's time to get back to what I enjoy- Edumentality!  Although my office is still a work in progress, I unpacked my computer and here I am.  October's Protocol is immediately below this post. 

You may not know, but this website, as crude as it is, was born from my days at Cross Creek Early  college in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  I was the instructional liason between the school district and Fayetteville State University and we became a model school for early college.  The protocols that you enjoy started as a mini book for educators that came to the school for study visits.  We highlighted particular protocols and modeled them so that teachers could experience the protocols and understand the processes.  It was a huge success.  

Very important to the program was the catalyst organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. While I am no longer compensated by the foundation, I decided to branch out and continue to share strategies, methods, and philosophies through the Edumentality website,  I assure you, there is no charge for any of the information found here. My co-author in the compiled protocol book is Brenda Bass. I owe much to her as she has served as editor for many of the protocols within the website. Continuing to keep the website is my way to give back, much like the Gates Foundation did all those years ago. 

Let's give students opportunities to work through mathematical word problems in a collaborative and meaningful way!! Share with math colleagues if you can't use this in your classroom.   

LAURA CANDLER’S RECHARGE AND WRITE! (Collaboration, Writing, Discussion, Feedback)
 
Description: This activity promotes the ideas of meaningful collaboration, active listening, and personal accountability while students solve mathematical problems. It combines “team discussions with independent written responses” in a fun and systematic manner.  
 
Application: This protocol may be used in any subject that contains mathematical problems to solve, but it is especially useful in solving math word problems. (Can be adapted for other subjects.) 
 
Process: With a particular concept in mind, create/provide a minimum of four math word problems on a document with ample solving space, printing one for each student.  Before class meets, determine team members and gather as many pencil cups as groups. Try to place like-ability students together in groups and differentiate word problems as necessary. On class day, group students, hand out word problem documents, and place a pencil cup in the center of each group. Give groups a moment to select a leader who is willing to lead the discussion.  Display and discuss the following guidelines: 

1. Keep paper face down until signaled to turn it over.
2. Select a leader for the team who will guide discussion time. 
3. Before starting the activity, put all pencils in the cup. Remember: NO WRITING!
4. At signal, turn papers over. Team leader reads word problem one and starts discussion.  
5. All members verbally contribute to how the problem could be solved.  
6. Do NOT solve the problem during discussion time, but about the approach to the solution. 
7. At signal, stop talking, take pencils out of the cup and SILENTLY solve the problem, showing ALL work in space provided. Remember: NO TALKING!
8. Working ahead is not allowed. 
9. At signal, put pencils back into cup. Go to the next problem and repeat procedure. 
10.  Golden rule: “Pencils In = Talk It Over. Pencils Out = Write Without Talking.”

Monitor groups during both talking and writing phases. Decide ahead of time if calculators can be used but emphasize all work must be shown. Collect and grade work as usual, adding possible points for participation and/or effort. 

Resources and for more information
​Laura Candler's Recharge and Write!
Based on Laura Candler’s Blog post, "How to Recharge Mathematical Thinking" (lauracandler.com)