Ready-to-use classroom activity
Small groups work on whiteboard surfaces to solve problems, showing all work and explaining their process to the class.
Grade range
Works across
Activity style
Classroom walkthrough
One concrete example you can borrow, adapt, or teach as written.
Example lesson context
Gather these before class.
What to have ready before students begin.
Create sets of fraction operation problems at varying levels of difficulty (addition, subtraction, mixed numbers). Prepare whiteboard surfaces for each small group – either commercial whiteboards or laminated poster board. Develop a presentation format for groups to share their solutions. Create a process recording sheet for students to track final answers.
A classroom-ready sequence from launch to follow-up.
Introduction to tabletop whiteboarding (5 minutes):
Explain the collaborative problem-solving process
Set expectations: everyone participates, all work is shown, process is as important as answer
Demonstrate how to organize the whiteboard space to show thinking
Establish norms for group work and marker sharing
Fraction concept review (8-10 minutes):
Quick review of fraction operations to be practiced
Demonstrate strategies for solving fraction problems:
Finding common denominators
Using visual models to represent operations
Simplifying answers
Model solving one problem using the whiteboard format
Group formation and roles (3-5 minutes):
Arrange students in groups of 3-4
Assign or have groups select roles:
Process Manager: guides group through steps
Recorder: writes on whiteboard
Strategy Suggester: proposes approaches
Presenter: explains to class
Roles can rotate with each new problem
First problem set (10-12 minutes):
Distribute first level fraction problem to each group
Groups work collaboratively on whiteboards:
Write the problem at the top
Show all steps of the solution process
Use visual models to explain thinking
Circle final answer
Teacher circulates, observing group dynamics and mathematical thinking
Quick presentations (5-7 minutes):
Select 2-3 groups to briefly present their solutions
Use document camera to display whiteboards
Presenters explain process and strategies used
Class asks clarifying questions
Second problem set (10-12 minutes):
Distribute more challenging fraction problems
Groups repeat whiteboard solving process
Encourage use of multiple strategies or representations
Take photo of completed work before erasing
Gallery walk (8 minutes):
Groups display final whiteboards around room
Students tour solutions with recording sheets
Note different strategies and approaches
Identify especially clear explanations or efficient methods
Reflection: Groups discuss what strategies worked best and how the visual whiteboard format helped their thinking.
Adjust the activity without losing its core purpose.
Provide tiered problem sets so groups work at appropriate challenge levels. For struggling groups, include fraction model templates or hints. For advanced groups, add word problems or fractions with unlike denominators. For English learners, provide visual models and encourage drawing to demonstrate understanding.
Use these signals to assess understanding.
Observe group participation patterns and note which students take leadership roles. Evaluate whiteboards for mathematical accuracy, clear process steps, and appropriate models. Listen to presentations for evidence of conceptual understanding beyond procedural knowledge.