Weekly chat for excited 1st grade teachers who love to learn and share ideas. Participants are interested in a variety of topics including literacy, math, technology, play, inquiry, and being the best educators they can be!
Hello! I teach 1st grade in Truckee Cal near Lake Tahoe. #1stchat we're in the second year with the same group of students. It's a two year K/1 looping program. Been doing it for 20 yrs. What?!?
A1: Student engagement is shown through student centered classroom with teachers doing formatives to learn about their students to activate their deeper learning. Students will be challenged appropriately if teachers are aware of their prior knowledge and misconceptions #1stchat
A2: Read a great picture book, sing silly songs, dress in costume, use tech in a teaching way, games. These have all been used in my room. I have also been known to redecorate my room for an event. I treat learning as an event. #1stchat
A2 I show my excitement for learning. I try bringing in more authentic learning. Also get to know my students so that I know their interests & passion. #1stchat
It's fun to involve the Ss in the redecorating too, but I do love to set up my dramatic play area at night and I love their ooooos when they come in #1stchat
A2 example: To intro my fairy tale unit, I wore a shirt with Disney princesses on it. When I introduced our reading in the afternoon, one of my students said "That's why you are wearing that shirt!" #1stchat
A2: A story about my family (or about me growing up), telling them what a BIG KID/GROWN UP thing that I’m about to teach them, novelty of hands on experiences, take the learning outside, etc. ANYTHING to jazz up the day, capture their imaginations, and make learning FUN! #1stchat
The oohs are the best thing to hear! For Polar Express Day, my kids walked through a "snowstorm" into a Christmas lighted room playing the soundtrack. I love the wide eyes and smiles. #1stchat
A3: we have to teach our littles how to use their voice, learn what they like and how they like to learn, give them opportunities to use that voice. #1stchat
A3: Ask questions, listen to their answers, give choice when possible. I think using portfolios like @ClassDojo or Seesaw also help the students give their learning a voice. #1stchat
A3: Ask questions, listen to their answers, give choice when possible. I think using portfolios like @ClassDojo or Seesaw also help the students give their learning a voice. #1stchat
A4 I try explain how choices come into a place as an adult. I explain my reasoning & model how I make a choice. ex. flexible seating, helper job, reading & math center tasks. #1stchat
A4: I try to make connections to real world as much as possible.
Giving choices is an area where I am working to improve, but I do work to help my kids understand the importance of their choices. #1stchat
I"ve made our centers student choice and they have personal goals they are working on, so that guides them to what centers to work on in reading and math #1stchat
Kids are doing really well and are very motivated to reach their goals and tell me about it. I have some real success stories and still a few kiddos who need help with the choice area, they want to be told #1stchat
I think watching another teacher in their classroom was an alternative PD idea on a recent tweet. They didn't say it couldn't be in another state! #1stchat
A5: I do lots of different exercises with counting, and spelling. We use @GoNoodle several times in the day and try to have kids move around in different places to do their work in ways thay work for them #1stchat
A5: I also use @GoNoodle and games, exercises, etc. We also have community supplies that students must get when needed, so movement is pretty constant in my room. #1stchat
No most of their goals take longer, some want to tie their shoes, working on sight words, etc. They have picked their own and I guide their academic goals according to where they are #1stchat
Each Ss has a binder where we write it down and they keep their data in. We meet at least once a week to discuss how things are going with their goals. #1stchat
A6: I believe having a relationship with our Ss is the most important way to increase engagement. They know we really care about them as a person #1stchat
A6: I believe having a relationship with our Ss is the most important way to increase engagement. They know we really care about them as a person #1stchat
