This is the official chat for Union County Public schools. Here all resources and ideas tweeted around #UCPSChat will be curated and showcased in one place.
One of the #EmpowerED components that we've see in many classrooms this year that represents COLLABORATE is the idea of updating the physical environment. #UCPSChat
A1: This arrangement doesn't allow for collaboration at all...also, it's just not comfortable! Sts are able to focus more when they're comfortable in class! #UCPSChat
A1: Proximity to my peers which discourages collaboration and working together as a team. Really hard to have great discussions about the content we are learning. #UCPSChat
A1: The image says “boring”...we want our Ss to come home excited abt what they did/learned in school. A classroom environment like the one depicted can’t yield that result on a consistent basis! #UCPSChat#TeamUCPS#EmpowerED
A1: Traditional seating arrangements in the classroom don’t allow students to collaborate easily. Clunky desks block the movement around the room. Students can’t move to area that best suits working together as a group. #UCPSChat
A1. That brings up bad memories of high school - trying to lean SO far over to talk to someone. Of course, back then, we weren't encouraged to collaborate. #oldtimes#backintheday#bummer#ucpschat
A1: students are structured in ways that are not productive when it comes to collaboration. If we want students to collaborate they need the freedom to move around and move! Traditional desks don’t move well. #ucpschat
A1: I The greatest barrier is the mindset of educators. Collaboration & collaborative discourse is about classroom culture/ school culture; st centered learning. Once we begin to #Empower kids, it won’t be about the furniture. #UCPSChat
A1: The traditional classroom setup is a barrier all in itself. No areas for group work, partner talk, student-led learning... students need to learn from each other through collaborative groups; this set-up does not provide the means for effective communication. #UCPSChat
A1: The environment and feel of the classroom does not promote a creative and positive atmosphere where students feel comfortable enough to fail and have persistance #UCPSChat
A2: The classroom setup is critical to creating a collaborative culture...however, much like tech., the setup will never take the place of the T and effective instructional practices. It should be used to facilitate learning at a high level! #UCPSChat#TeamUCPS#EmpowerED
A2: My setup is great and allows for freedom of movement, flexibility, and comfort. Sts pick a home base for the week, but can work where ever they choose to during the day. This allows for collaboration & the ability to ask ?s of Sts easily. #UCPSChat
A2: I always had lab spaces set up for inquiry based activities and students chose where they worked. In addition, Ss desks were in groups of 4. Now, when I conduct PD I try to ensure that my seating arrangement are conducive to collaboration. #UCPSChat
We have a variety of chairs, tables, and floor spaces. I don’t spend my whole day teaching in one spot so why should my students spend their day that way? Shout out to @boatcandice for helping to make my #flexibleseating dreams come true 🤗#ucpschat A2
Q2: my class has many pockets of areas, carpets, low tables, large tables, a variety of seating and most importantly a"Pause Button" area... a quiet place to breathe, journal, reset #UCPSChat
A2: Sts @IndianTrailES have autonomy, voice & choice to move, stand, sit, work in teams, or work independently to personalize their learning experience based on seating/ room structure. The desk doesn’t get in the way of the learning experience. #EmpowerED#Ucpschat
A2: In class, students are given the choice to sit where they feel they learn best. We also use yoga balls instead of chairs and crate seats around the room. Students can choose to work at their desk or in a regular chair too. Focus on learning- not being uncomfortable #ucpschat
A2 Ss sit in small groups where they can easily see and share with at least four other Ss. Ss also have two small group tables one with chais and one with wobble stools. I also have many small carpets for Ss to use when working alone, in a group or with a partner. #UCPSchat
A2- I can only speak to what I have seen in classrooms with this...but the setup in some classrooms makes it SO EASY for students to move throughout the room, or "pull up a spot" and work with a partner. The setup itself begs for communication and collaboration! #ucpschat
A2: The classroom setup does not DETERMINE effective instructional practices but it can PROMOTE collaboration and make using best practices more feasible when you allow flexible arrangements #UCPSChat
A2: Lucky enough to have flex seating funded by DC last yr. Ss desks are in groups of 3-5 (or floor option), seating stays at a desk, Ss choose their seat each day. Ss have the opportunity to collaborate w/ new peers daily. I can facilitate groups during discussions. #UCPSChat
A2: It allows students to have choice in how they learn best. The have a spot for their things but then are free to move around based on activity. #UCPSChat
A3: We really need to come together w/businesses and higher ed to determine the skills Ss need for postsecondary success. Creating a graduate profile for @UCPS_MonroeNC would be a powerful way to connect curriculum w/skill development! #UCPSChat#TeamUCPS#EmpowerED
A3: Being a problem solver, not being afraid to communicate with others, building self confidence and work ethic! These are things that are going to be wanted by any employer!! #UCPSChat
A3: Instead of focusing on just themselves, students are encouraged to work together and become active participants in their own learning. They learn how to empathize, solve problems, become a team player, and how to be empathetic to classmates. #UCPSChat
A3: Ss learn to work through problems together, how to communicate effectively and how to treat others respectfully in order to successfully collaborate. #UCPSChat
A3: Work ethic, time management, effective communication, creativity, interpersonal skills ... the things employers may see in a job interview and not a resume. #UCPSChat
A3: Saw this in a recent presentation by @RimmerEdTech . Proud to say that the 7 Habits & @TheLeaderinMe helps us build systems & structures that develop these soft skills. But we have to create a culture of forward ready leadership. #ucpschat
In reply to
@ucpschat, @RimmerEdTech, @TheLeaderinMe
This has been the greatest achievement with my #classfamily this year. We have worked hard to create a #culture that values everyone’s voice. Student respond to each other’s thinking and reflect on their own work when speaking with a group/class. #ucpschat A3
A4: By allowing students to choose their workplace, they are better able to stay focused and motivated throughout the day. Instead of focusing on being uncomfortable, they are allowed to move and go to areas of classroom that best suit their learning needs. #UCPSChat
A4: Elevates #empowerment & productivity in our sts as they have voice & choice in how they show their learning. Also involves sts as co-collaborators in classroom & learning design. #ucpschat
A3: We teach STs how to collaborate from the 1st day they walk into K & every day after. How to work with a partner; disagree agreeably; value everyone's ideas; work with different kinds of people. These are just a handful of things STs learn everyday #UCPSChat
A4: Ss choice, w/work and setting, is imp. and promotes resp., accountability and leadership...so does Ss choice when it comes to assessment! Ss show mastery in many ways. Why not give them choice w/that as well? #UCPSChat#TeamUCPS#EmpowerED
A4 Ss begin to understand that their choices impact their success. It also teaches them to get to know themselves and how they learn and work best. Student choice must move from just seating options to choice in product and presentation of material as well. #UCPSchat
A4: This has huge benefits-finding your own workspace helps you build confidence in yourself as a St-it allows Sts to find the best spot for a particular task. If they know they need to be near someone for help they can be, they also can pick a quieter spot if needed. #UCPSChat
They are comfortable so they can better concentrate! Some prefer a traditional desk, some the floor, a yoga ball, my teacher table or even some book boats! #ucpschat A4
A4: The bottom line is choice and voice leads to engaged Ss. They have some say in the learning. Not all Ss learn the same way. This works with adults too! #UCPSChat
A4: Students take more ownership in their work when they feel comfortable in their learning environment. They will be more intrinsically motivated to put in greater effort to their work. Ss wont feel forced, and will feel involved in their educational choices. #UCPSChat
A4: Elevates #empowerment & productivity in our sts as they have voice & choice in how they show their learning. Also involves sts as co-collaborators in classroom & learning design. #ucpschat
A4: People in general are able to produce a better product when they are able to have some choice in the method of creation. Whether that be the choice of a tool, style or work environment, the end product is higher quality when there is personal choice in the process #UCPSChat
As always, thank you for taking 30 minutes out of your evening to chat with us! Have a great night and hopefully we will have some sun this week!! #UCPSChat
A4: it gives Ss a sense of empowerment. It lets them know we care about how they best learn. They are leaders.. they need to be in charge/control of their learning. #UCPSChat
A4 it’s awesome to see Ss rush to class to pick the workspace or seat they want! They feel comfortable as empowered in a place where many decisions are made for them.#UCPSChat
For sure! I love that our PDs have moved in the direction of teacher choice this year too! Plus, I hate sitting in a chair! When given the choice, I’m almost always pulling groups on the carpet! #ucpschat A4
Connecting ✔️ Collaborating ✔️ Creating ✔️ 3rd graders are working together to create questions based on a graph we all created together! They sure take more ownership when they create it themselves & don’t just practice it on a worksheet! #ErbsClass@StallingsES@UCPS_MonroeNC
3rd graders looking for examples of personification today. Collaborating with one another to gain a better understanding of this type of figurative language. @StallingsES@UCPS_MonroeNC#ErbsClass
Catching up on #UCPSChat after mommy duties (aka making Valentine's cards for teachers). I love all the great ideas shared in this PLN!! UCPS students are so lucky.
