#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Welcome to #6thchat! I am Kristin and teach ELA and SS in Lansing, MI. I will moderate tonight's chat. Please introduce yourself and share what subjects you teach!
Hello, #6thchat! Ryan in Michigan, 6th grade social studies. I'll be multitasking tonight, but I look forward to taking part in this innovation chat tonight.
It's good so far. I work at a summer camp and the day I ended school I started there for some training and have been there since. Yesterday was 1st day with campers in 90* heat and today it rained #6thchat
Hi #sdedchat and #6thchat! I’m Kristen, and I teach 6th grade physical science. I am 39 years old and am sweating from my adventures at Chuck E. Cheese, if that puts anything into perspective for you, lol!!! But I did rock at basketball!!
Congratulations Liz! You will love the #6thchat PLN! Keep following people here and you will find wonderful resourceful folks! Very excited you are here! #6thchat
I bet you have lots of emotions filling you for your first year! I just finished year 2, and year 1 was way better! So don't be nervous, year 1 can rock! #6thchat
A1) Innovation means getting "IN" to students through INspiration, INvention, INvitations, INterests, INdependence, INtention, INsightfulnes, and INvolvement. Innovation is finding the best path to illuminate student voice & choice. #6thchat
A1: To me, innovation means doing something in a new way that is an improvement over the old. Now I'm old enough that I'm a little bit more picky about what I consider an innovation! #6thchat
A1: We are currently talking about innovation in one of me grad classes. To me, it means taking learning one step further, creating something new and better, either with tools you already have as an educator or with new tools you are introducing to students and staff.
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#6thchat A1 Innovation to me is a way of thinking that creates something new and better. Innovation isn't just replacement, but meaningful positive changes.
A1: Innovation is about creating a climate that is outside of the traditional sit-and-git. We create opportunities for Ss to move, collaborate, and develop understanding vs. being told what to learn and how to learn it. It is about creating a new normal. #6thchat
A1: ss get to have a choice and a voice. They are part of each step in the learning process. What to learn, how to learn, how and when to show what they learn, and where to learn. They use their strengths, talents, and passions to create something beneficial. #6thchat
#6thchat A1 Innovation to me is a way of thinking that creates something new and better. Innovation isn't just replacement, but meaningful positive changes.
A2) Tough question. Sometimes I'm unsure if what I am doing is innovative. I would have to say using 1) hyperdocs and 2) adding Multi-genre writing opportunities into Ss genius hour final projects (thanks @staceyreeder ) #6thchat
A2: I think the most innovative thing I did last year was having students attempt to create their own Google Site to keep track of poetry they wrote and read. Didn't go as well as I had hoped, but cool in concept to build on for next year
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A2: I created more opportunity for Ss voice by using @Flipgrid (now FREE for educators thanks to the fine people at Microsoft) for summarizing lessons. Ss loved and engaged more with the content and took pride in their learning. #6thchat
#6thchat A2: I'm not sure if I did a lot that was really innovative last year. It was my first year teaching Language after a long time... maybe starting a Literary Magazine. Not a new idea, but new for our school.
A2: My coop teacher did a ton of flipped and blended learning, which was new to me before student teaching, but it really put learning in the hands of each individual student, giving them choice and autonomy in how they were learning required content
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#6thchat A2) This year I experimented a lot with google sites, and it helped mainstream a lot of things in my classroom: lesson planning, parent communication, curriculum organization, etc. I am trying to think how I can use next year for students to extend their learning
I really only learned how to create the grids and set up the classes. The Ss taught me the rest. Let them play by creating introduction videos and they can show you the ropes. #6thchat
I know! How exciting is it to have @Flipgrid available like this! So fantastic. I hope to be more innovative with this tech opportunity and use it more this year. #6thchat
I didn't give as much time as I would have liked to and should have given more instruction when setting up the sites and publishing since some Ss had a lot of trouble with these factors having never used Sites #6thchat
A3: Every year I say to myself I want to gamify my classroom and then I start it off 1st Q and let it fall to the wayside. This year I want to hit it hard and keep at it
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I just learned about @Flipgrid in my #UIMedia18 class! It is seriously amazing that I can use this in my classroom! The power of connection is crazy awesome with this program!
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In reply to
@mrskochheiser, @Mr_Lisek, @Flipgrid, @Flipgrid
A3) I plan to use @Seesaw to have Ss create digital collages to "get to know them"; research habits to become a successful student & then Google draw to make "memes" to spotlight school success behaviors/habits; @Flipgrid to introduce themselves. #6thchat
@MrsFaucett One day I’ll write a blog post, but they had to recreate scenes that were important to the book and tell why. I’d put a little more into the plot line and character development next time, but we only met one day a week. #6thchat
after going to RCA and seeing their exciting lessons, I now set up my room as a restaurant to have students practice with percents & decimals. #6thchat
Looking at the old with new lenses helps to infuse innovative ideas for Ss. I think we often struggle to consider what we are doing as innovative. #6thchat
A3: This is where I would love to use @Flipgrid, maybe having them do a quick introduction or tell about their favorite book. I am also going to redouble my efforts to conference with all kids frequently in order to get to know them better. #6thchat
we use Google a ton at my school! Google Classroom has a function where students can answer ?'s as TTOD and all students can see replies! super cool #6thchat
I'm also researching morning meetings for my grad class to implement in my 6th grade class for the first time. Hopefully to build relationships and better sense of community! #6thchat
I only see my kiddos for 9 weeks, so building relationships in a short time is key. Like @JessSauer13 said, I think @Flipgrid would be a really cool way to start those connections. Teaching a tech-based class, it would be great to start by introducing a new tech tool.
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As part of *required* summer work, I’ve had upcoming Ss join my @GoogleForEdu classroom and answer a pole on the types of reading they like. All are also enrolled in the @Scholastic summer reading challenge so I can encourage them throughout the summer. #6thchat
A3: We are starting with a 2 Truths-1 Lie Snowball Fight. Ss will write on a piece of paper, then they will crumple it and throw it around the room. They will then find a new ball & find out which S it belongs to determine the 1 lie. Start with team building right away. #6thchat
A4) I think flexibility and curiosity. The willingness to try new things with an "explorer" attitude, an understanding that things may not go well, and then constant "what if" curiosity to peer into possibilities. #6thchat
A4: I think one characteristic that I expect to see in innovated classrooms and schools is the ability to take risks! Having the faith something new and innovated will succeed is so powerful. #6thchat
A4: I think innovative schools and teachers aren't afraid to try new things each year and to change things even mid-year if they aren't working. Kids often like to try new things, so engagement should increase also. #6thchat
A4: I want to say FEARLESSNESS is a trait you see in innovative teachers. They are not concerned about a lesson or an idea going wrong. They use the missteps as fuel to improve and try again to make it better. #growthmindset#6thchat
If you have Qs about community meetings or need ideas, ask @KMHundt and @kttasch as they are masters in this area and have led a chat about it here before. #6thchat
A5) Through Global Read Aloud, and a couple of years ago I did pen pals through @PenpalSchools (which I hope to do again this year--earlier!). Want to do more to make global connections. #6thchat
After focusing on their "big question" for their passion project, Ss made decisions on how to share their learning--some wrote fiction stories, poems, created advertisements, etc. Here is a partial list Ss could use. I had more. Read Tom Romano's books about this topic. #6thchat
A5: I'm super excited to participate in the Global Read Aloud this year. First time, so no idea what I'm doing or how it works, but I'm determined to do it somehow... #6thchat
A5: starting #pasionprojects next year. For that and for energy unit students need to ask an expert. (For energy- what kinds of energy do you use?) also want to create a #flipgrid where ss can talk to ss from another school. #6thchat
A5: I was not so great at connecting with people around the globe this year (was getting used to working with a new curriculum at a new school). I did take my Ss on some virtual field trips and used Google Maps/Earth tools to allow them to explore the world. #6thchat
Yes! We tried to partner with another school (former colleague), but their lack of tech didn’t allow us to connect the way I would have liked. #6thchat
We did a virtual field trip of the Anne Frank House with my 8th graders during student teaching! They LOVED it. It allowed them to really visualize the impact of Anne's story #6thchat
A6: I have been learning some cool things in my grad school class about simulations and hypermedia that I really want to try and incorporate next year.
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A6) I look forward to "Hacking" my writing workshop to include more "making" opportunities in the way @AngelaStockman describes in her book; writing is my main area where I hope to innovate in order to inspire and help Ss get more excited to tell their stories. #6thchat
We do a lot of organizing and sharing of resources here on #6thchat regarding #GRA. Be sure to keep looking as I will tweet out opportunities, ideas as quickly as I can. #6thchat
Jess, my class and I did #GRA last year. We used @flipgrid and @Padlet to collab with another class. I'd love to partner up. What book are you intereted in?#6thchat
A6: I'm looking forward to using @jmattmiller's Ditch that Textbook to develop lessons more this year with tech. Saw him at MACUL two years ago and dabbled with his strategies. Now, I want to work harder so my Ss are immersed in the #ditchbook world. #6thchat
A6) I use #GoogleCSFirst coding modules at the EOY. Next year, I want to do one at the BOY so that Ss can use coding as an option for authentic pieces. I also want to ramp up S inquiry. #6thchat
A7) I use an acronym I created awhile ago for my website where I curate tech links: CLICK--tech/tools/strategies must allow me to Coach, Ss to Learn, deliberately Involve Ss, allow for Collaboration and remain Kid-focused (Coach, Learn, Involve, Collaborate, Kid-focus) #6thchat
A6 my goal next year is with writing and my students. I’m not sure what I want it to look like exactly and it’s not necessarily innovative, but will be for me. #6thchat
Good point. I'm not sure of the finalists excepet #Refugee, which is great! Three classes could definitely work together. Let me know when the time gets closer. #6thchat
A7: I am pretty picky about what I choose to devote time to. For reading, I really believe that most important is students having time to read and plenty of books to choose from. It's the writing and communicating areas that I really want to step up my game. #6thchat
A7 I have to step back and think about why I need this tool. What are other tools I use missing. There is so much out there, so it can be overwhelming. Changing it up though keeps the Ss interested. I always try to reflect on our needs first. #6thchat
A7: Is the tool/method going to enhance the experience of learning, or is it a gimmick? Will Ss get a better understanding of the concept or could they get the same level of understanding from a traditional method? #6thchat
A7: Will the students be creating something? I find it hard to LOVE new things if that isn’t involved. That being said, I love problem solving so I did get hooked on @quizlet LIVE and @breakoutEDU is amazing. #6thchat
My site is https://t.co/RnqDnNw4cZ and I have many more updates I will be adding after my time at #innedco18! I can't wait to add them on...probably next week! #6thchat
A7) I use an acronym I created awhile ago for my website where I curate tech links: CLICK--tech/tools/strategies must allow me to Coach, Ss to Learn, deliberately Involve Ss, allow for Collaboration and remain Kid-focused (Coach, Learn, Involve, Collaborate, Kid-focus) #6thchat
A7: So my goal is for them to write more and connect more with others. Tools that will help with this are where I will put my time and efforts. #6thchat
A7: I will always ask myself, WHY! What is my purpose and will my students benefit, will they buy-in! Watched a @simonsinek TedTalk today about buying what you believe. It is important to make sure I believe in the power of the tool/strategy so that my students can too!
#6thchat
A7) Is this the best tool for the task? How does it connect with the standards? Is the application intuitive for Ss? Unfortunately . . . is there a budget that will support the purchase of the tool? #6thchat
A8: Google Expeditions. I will be working on investigating them and acquiring the necessary equipment so I can make my Ss experience in my class that much better. #6thchat
A8: Can't wait to do some more digging on information about global connections with my students! Think it would be a great way to develop empathy as well! #6thchat
I am putting one together for #6thchat as we talked about doing it to share our progress on summer PD and ideas. Stay tuned. It will help us all. #6thchat
I was scared off from Padlet after they changed the payment options. I may need to go back and investigate it further to see if it will do what I want it to do. #6thchat
In reply to
@mrskochheiser, @amylpie, @nearpod, @padlet
