Mr. Garcia's peer-to-peer focus for the 2005-2006 school year is to involve as many students as possible in homework review. He has students explain homework problems at the board one by one, with another student continuing where the previous left off until the problem is solved. This allows him to evaluate each student's work, check their preparation, and provide feedback to help them understand expectations. The process also emphasizes academic rigor through discussion of problem-solving techniques and holds students accountable through daily grades worth 15% of their quarter grade.

1. Memorandum
To: Ms. Stevens, Math Dept Chair
From: A. Jorge García, Mathematics Teacher
Re: Peer­to­Peer Focus 2005–2006
Date: 10/24/2005
My P2P Focus for the 2005–2006 school will be “How can I involve as many students
as possible during HomeWork review.”
The day after new material is presented to my Math students, I have them explain
their HomeWork at the board. I randomly select one student at a time to explain part of a
problem. Then I randomly select another to continue the problem. I continue this process
until each problem is solved and we then start the next problem.
In this vein I have Clear and High Expectations that each and every student can
achieve a high­quality of work. As the students develop their solutions at the board, I make
sure to interject appropriate learning standards for that problem. I also make sure to make
examples of the best solutions.
We also accentuate Academic Rigor in a Thinking Curriculum. We focus on the core
ideas of each problem as the solution is developed by the students. I also expect the
students not at the board to ask questions about the solution if they do not understand or
add to the solution if they see a better mode of attack. I challenge the students at the board
to explain key ideas that come up in the solution.
This process also lends itself to Fair and Credible Evaluation. When I select a
student to go to the board I evaluate their work on the problem at hand. I also check
preparedness for class. In other words, I check their HomeWork, NoteBook, TextBook and
Calculator as well as BoardWork. Everyday, each student can earn up to 5 points. This
grade then forms 15% of the quarter grade for class participation. In this way, I provide
feedback to each student so they know what is expected of them.
Sincerely,
A. Jorge García
Applied Math & CS
Baldwin SHS & Nassau CC
http://calcpage.tripod.com
calcpage@lycos.com
p2pMemo.doc 1