RAG cup on red, partner helping
RAG cups are red, amber and green paper cups which some schools make available to every child in every lesson. The expectation is that children will continuously reflect on their learning, asking themselves throughout the lesson How is my learning going? and showing their answer using the cups. In simple terms red means I’m stuck, amber means I‘m not sure, green means I understand.
Here’s what a deputy headteacher in Manchester had to say about their transformational effect:
“I used to give children differentiated tasks based on my own preconceptions of their ability. But one day after we introduced the RAG cups, a ‘lower ability’ child put her cup on Green, meaning she wanted to try the most challenging fractions activity. I really wanted to stop her – but resisted. The child did the ‘Green’ activity – and she excelled!
I reflected and realised that in the moment, the children are probably in the best position to select their right level of challenge. I realised that in the past, I may have put a limit on what some pupils can achieve.”
Here are some quotes from Manley Park pupils:
“The cups build your honesty. You have to trust yourself – you have to make the right choice about your learning.”
“The teacher knows if we don’t know.”