Peer Support Cards

Co-teaching can be such a creative process! When partners combine their expertise and problem-solving skills, they generate unique solutions to classroom challenges. Peer Support Cards were the brainchild of Joey Tilton and Anthony Kresto, partners in a middle school math course. Even with two adults in the room, they found that more students needed assistance than the partners could always provide. They created a simple yet effective peer support strategy using colored index cards.
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First, they designed the independent math work in a hierarchy of difficulty. As students finished level one, they asked a teacher to check it. If correct, they were given a #1 card and continued their work. Any other student in the room could then approach a peer with a #1 card for assistance with a level one problem.  (Same for level two, three, etc.)

On the back of the index cards was a hierarchy of questions for the peer-supporter so that they could guide the student needing help, rather than just providing the answer.
 
Hierarchy of Questions

1. “Did you read the directions?”
2. “Do you understand what you are supposed to do?”
3. “What strategies have you tried?”
4. “What is a strategy we just discussed?”
5. “Did you try ________?”
6. Ask more detailed, problem specific questions, such as, “What color do we highlight negative numbers?”

 
This card system increased student collaboration and allowed both teachers to spend additional time with students in need of direct instruction or re-teaching.
 
Thanks to Mr. Tilton and Mr. Kresto for allowing me to share their idea with teachers around the world!