Just a reminder, tonight's chat has its own soundtrack. Grab some earbuds and listen to some epic break up songs during our chat! https://t.co/RNM2QziOYf#3rdchat
Hi #3rdchat. Heidi joining you on this cold rainy, maybe icy, Massachusetts evening. I'm trying to participate in 2 chats, so I'll be popping in and out with you, but am glad to be here! It's been awhile!
A1: I love to see my students grow and become empowered. You can see it as the year goes on. It reminds me why I do the job. Now, I get to work with teachers as a coach and watch them become empowered when they learn something new. #3rdchat
Something that is going well is my shift toward inquiry based learning. It is still a work in progress but it is something I am excited to see continued growth in. #3rdchat
Q1: I love my morning meeting. This is a great time in my classroom where Ss are becoming a stronger team. This is also a time for me to join them sitting on the carpet and be a part of the meeting not always as the teacher, but as a participant too. #3rdchat
A1: I love the small group math and reading centers I have going on this year. It took a few years but I think I've refined the set-up and structure to exactly what I want it to be. #3rdchat
A1: I love my morning meeting. This is a great time in my classroom where Ss are becoming a stronger team. This is also a time for me to join them sitting on the carpet and be a part of the meeting not always as the teacher, but as a participant too. #3rdchat#3rdchat
A1: Hey #3rdchat peeps! My favorite part of the day is greeting my kiddos first thing in the morning. I love the passion and energy they bring! It also gives me a quick check for who needs a little extra TLC that day and who's ready to learn. #3rdchat
A1 I❤️STEAM challenges, facilitating independent work skills, developing research techniques, building small problem solving skills...to name a few. #3rdchat
A1 I love greeting everyone is the morning, my students as well as those walking down the hallway. I also just ❤️ our #classroombookaday read alouds & the rich conversations #3rdchat
A2: My most successful break up was when I taught 1st grade and broke up with "calendar time." While I loved the spiral review of math concepts, I realized only only one student (the leader) was actively engaged. It was a rough break up, but totally worth it! #3rdchat
A2: I broke up with my Math Workbook 2 years ago. No more over-scaffolding. My students and I were free. Students solved Math problems with tools and strategies of their own. Lot's of Math Talk. I found teachable moments for new skills. #3rdchat
A1: Hi Beth from Dripping Springs. I have loved facilitating "family time" in my classroom this year. It has helped us connect and build relationships with each other. #3rdchat#sycaMOREyr2
A2 homework. So much less anxiety in the mornings. However... it's a double edge sword bc now there is very little being done at home to support learning in school #3rdchat
A2: I broke up with the clip chart. It's been 5 or so years and I couldn't be happier! @ClassDojo has taken its place and I'm in love with every aspect of it. It goes so well with our #PBIS system and #SEL! #3rdchat
A2 I’ve let go of purchasing and accumulating ‘pretty’ activities and lessons. Fancy and pretty cannot come before pedagogically and developmentally appropriate work. #3rdchat
I can relate. I do offer review and enrichment activities in Google Classroom, but few take advantage. It does make me really focus on how we use our time in class. #3rdchat
A2: I "broke up" with the idea that students need to be at their desk all the time. Flexible seating is my favorite thing about my classroom now. Students are hardly never in their desks. #3rdchat
Me too! All I ask my students to do is read something, anything for 20 minutes each evening. No long, honor system. It has been working well for 2 yrs now #3rdchat
A2: I broke up with feeling like I have to fit everything in my plans into my day. It is ok if the day doesn't go as planned. I want to be purposeful with our learning. #3rdchat#KidsDeserveIt#sycaMOREyr2
A2 Morning work. It created stress for Ss & me. Not a positive start to the day, created more work for me. Now the kids do puzzle packets, mind bender puzzles, practice cursive or do choice writing as they arrive in the morning. Completely different mood in the room. #3rdchat
A3: For me it is the use of too many worksheets in some of my math units. For example, Analyzing Patterns on a Table. Other than making our own tables, I struggle with other ways for students to show learning. Anyone have good ideas? #3rdchat
A3: Need to break up with Math Facts on the computer. Need to find better ways for students to become more fluent with Math and gain number sense. I LOVE what @joboaler and @youcubed are Tweeting out. #3rdchat#NPMathKnights
We ditched morning work a couple years ago and it has been a game changer; kids are smiling, happy and ready to start the day after the free time #softstarts#3rdchat
A3 Well I am embarrassed to say t but probably using too many worksheets when I feel rushed or to save time. Meaningful experiences take time and I fall victim to trying to cover everything. #3rdchat
A2: I've broken up with having so much structure during small group time and now lean more towards allowing my Ss to lead the book chat or problem solving task. #3rdchat
I have been toying with the idea of starting with Genius Time. Have kids come in and start with a passion project. I am still working on logistics. I have a set master schedule I am supposed to follow.
#3rdchat
A3: I need to break up with morning work. I feel my students could be doing something more beneficial and not all my students are in the room at the same time, so some finish really early and some do not get to do it all. #3rdchat
When we enter groups, we don't have tasks divided up for us, so I'm wondering why we insist on this in classrooms. I think it's often for "accountability," but I think if the task is relevant + the ask is meaningful, we can trust students to navigate what's at hand. #3rdChat
Pencil and paper work is ok imo. It’s when it turns into a boring sit alone drill when it’s an issue. One paper per pair of kids can be effective, or while class work on a math task on whiteboards and have the task/prompt posted. Check out- @SteveWyborney#3rdchat
A2: I broke up with feeling like I have to fit everything in my plans into my day. It is ok if the day doesn't go as planned. I want to be purposeful with our learning. #3rdchat#KidsDeserveIt#sycaMOREyr2
A4: I love connecting on Social Media with educators. I may need to "break up" with a couple platforms and simplify things. Also need to know when to "go on a break" with social media and have face to face interactions. #3rdchat
A2: I also broke up with a lot of the procedures I used to live by in the first several years of my career. Like bathroom request and pencil signal #3rdchat
Yes, I've considered this genius hour morning workidea too...Maybe there's a way you could craft it so that their #passionproject fits into elements of the master schedule #3rdchat
We end up using worksheets when we as teachers do state 1 on 1 assessments & need the rest of our children to be quietly occupied, so frustrating #3rdchat
A4 Time has always been my biggest nemesis. I try to use every single minute. We skip count, review vocabulary, do mental math, etc. during transitions. The minute they walk in the door I want them engaged but I am certain I could do a better job. Any tips? #3rdchat
A 3 I was very creative when I had iPads and kids were doing really cool things. This year have chrome books and found myself doing a lot of substitution things. Letting go of that and letting creativity back in. #3rdchat
A4: I need to break up with the amount of time I spend on social media. Don't get me wrong, I love my PLN, but now that I can track how long I am on my phone...I see that I am spending a bit too much time on it...Okay a lot #3rdchat
School shouldn't be about learning how to be obedient, but it should be about learning how to thoughtfully navigate through complex issues (like group dynamics!). We can set frameworks, but students have to do the work or else we're perpetuating dependence + compliance. #3rdChat
Take baby steps. That is how I was able to do it comfortably last year. It’s was a growing experience for me & my students. They totally ❤️ it!#3rdchat
If you use @BookCreatorApp - it works on chrome books now I believe. I also find @Flipgrid works well on chrome books. Certainly no substitution for paper with those. #3rdchat
In reply to
@SRyan3rdgrade, @BookCreatorApp, @Flipgrid
A4. Morning routine has really bogged down for me this year. I changed lunch count/attendance to be included in a form to gauge Ss feelings etc and it's caused me to get out of the gate much slower #3rdchat
We use the words as a password to get in the classroom from each recess. First time, give definition, second use in sentence, 3rd their choice. 1/2 class to me other 1/2 talk to student of the week. If they don’t know end of line to listen to others #3rdchat
A4 I broke up with hank f kids then in some assignments and use @goformative has helped so much because we then discuss what made answers weak or strong. #3rdchat
A5: Good question! I am pretty selective of the tech tools I use. I don't get too crazy over them. I usually research them pretty well and find the most practical applications. I don't need an app that makes more work for me or my students. #3rdchat
Yes we use @BookCreatorApp and @Kidblog it we used to do so many movies and things. That is missing. Got an iPad for the classroom and have spent some time learning how to do this on the chrome book too. #3rdchat
In reply to
@MrsJKowbel, @BookCreatorApp, @Flipgrid, @BookCreatorApp, @Kidblog
I tried paperless exit tickets by shifting to digital responses. I realize now that it takes up too much time (I am not 1:1) and I am not getting the quality responses I used to get with paper/pencil. It was just a substitution move. It's time to break up. #3rdchat
A5: I really try to not over load my students with new sites or apps. We have a group of 5-6 apps/sites we use and that pretty much it. I really research the app or site before jumping right in. If I need to introduce something new, slow and steady wins the race. #3rdchat
A4 I’ve started breaking up with keeping too many student work samples. I’m learning what is valuable for my formative and summative assessment references and what can be sent home. No more 2 inch think files. #3rdchat
A5. Not sure because we changed schools (I have a teaching partner - we each teach 1/2 the week and coach the other 1/2) so I feel like im@not where I should be in terms of the calendar year. Maybe just need to let go of some of the work I bring home #3rdchat
Yes, I agree. Sometimes I find myself trying to incorporate too many apps/tools and it's overwhelming for the kids (and sometimes me). I often have to remind myself that slow and steady wins the race #3rdchat
A5. Guess I'm not overly cool or trendy (middle school taunts flooding back)... but can't think of anything I've added that was flash and no substance #3rdchat
A6: I broke up with Classdojo. I think they need to change their dashboard. Not cool to have all the kids names and scores on the default screen. They need to make the default screen full of classroom data. #3rdchat
A6: I love Class Dojo, but sometimes I find myself going days (maybe even weeks) without giving or taking points. My students are really motivated by it, but I just cannot remember to use it. Any tips from any Dojo pros out there? #3rdchat
A5: I have used several tech tools and sites over the years. Last year I used @Flipgrid, @Seesaw, @Kidblog, and @ClassDojo portfolios. They are all wonderful, but most of them were doing the same thing, so I had to cut back on some platforms. #simplify#3rdchat
I love the info I get from survey and thought it would free up my board to include these routine tasks, but I'm going back to sign in on Smartboard next year I think. It will also bring back a class job I sacked b/c of the switch #3rdchat
A6 I don’t have ‘class rules’ or a behaviour clip chart as I broke up with those years ago. 💔I have not looked back. Authentic relationships and trust building took over and they were not needed. #3rdchat
A6: I need to break up with giving way too many warnings and not always following through. Something that has helped is my campus has set expectations for common areas. Now that we have common expectations/language, it has helped. #3rdchat
I haven't put much thought into homework until my own children started getting it. My family time is important and I don't want to fight about homework in the 4 hours we have until bedtime! #3rdchat
A5 It’s hard to think of 1 off the top of my head. I’ve been trained on several different reading & writing programs. None of which are perfect because our learners are so unique, we need to take varying strategies to cater their support. #3rdchat
Just had same issue. Think I'll roll out choices slower and be more limiting through first semester next year and see how it goes. Same with morning choice time/soft start. #3rdchat
I totally agree with this! I couldn't think of a program or technique that I use. I just expect my people to do the right thing. We don't have time for shenanigans - we have learning to do! #3rdchat
Most teachers aren’t doing much video recording outside of flipgrid (which is great) and in my position I am able to teach other teachers. Just need to find the right tools for third graders. #3rdchat
In reply to
@MrsJKowbel, @BookCreatorApp, @Flipgrid, @Kidblog
Yes! I feel like if you set up class expectations and build relationships you don't need "class rules." #3rdchat#sycaMOREyr2@SycamoreSprgsES we have school wide expectations that transfer to the classroom. Being MORE. Mindful, Owners, Respectful, Encouragers
Huge time waster. Turned off the videos a while back. The books kids are "reading" are not always great fits (which would be ok if they weren't always picking them) and get no real responses/evidence of reading like I do when they use physical books. #3rdchat
We tie it all to our PBIS as well. It becomes part of the class culture. Our enhancement teachers give a good report, we all earn a Dojo. Is all abou focusing on the positives. #3rdchat
A7: I need to break up with the habit of staying a bit too late at work. I normally stay until my husband texts me that he is leaving. We both live about 10 minutes away from our jobs. I try not to take anything home, but I think I need to leave earlier than I do. #3rdchat
My Ss last year actually asked to stop with it... didn't care about points. Which was fine by me. The sound effects for positive or negative was most impactful... Almost Pavlovian #3rdchat
I started getting to work early (6:30 am) so I can leave on time. My family time is very important and I did not have a good work/life balance. #3rdchat
A7 I am constantly revisiting my assessment practices to improve and streamline them. I like seeing how other teachers organize their markbooks as inspiration. This gif does not inspire me, but it’s worth a laugh. #3rdchat
I am going to work on leaving work earlier. I am going to ask my husband, to hold me accountable.
Also, scale back on the social media time. Will you all hold me accountable?
#3rdchat
A7: I'm a perfectionist. I spend so much time trying to make everything "perfect" when it really isn't necessary. I need to keep telling myself that things will be fine and I don't have to spend forever on them. #3rdchat
