Thanks! Had an inspiring day today at #RCET2018 and @kevinhoneycutt who pushes us to not just go half way, but let kids take their learning and ideas all the way to market or used in the real world, real time. Love! #MakeItReal
Deep in it in Connecticut! Kids had a snow day even though the storm didn't show up till later in the day (and they would have gotten out early for conference week). But it's really bad now. #MakeItReal
Q1: A #snowday (or any weather cancellation) is a common experience we share with our students. What do you love/hate about days off that you can turn into a learning experience?
#MakeItReal
A1: For me, I hate not knowing when it's going to end so I can get on to cleaning up the snow. That's like when Ss want us to move on because they know it already. How can we make anticipation work for them? #makeitreal
A1: I am not a fan of snowdays, but the unstructured time allows Ts and Ss a free opportunity to get out and explore or pursue a passion that might not happen if there were structured study time. @mrpstrunk has some excellent views on this. #makeitreal
Q1: A #snowday (or any weather cancellation) is a common experience we share with our students. What do you love/hate about days off that you can turn into a learning experience?
#MakeItReal
A1: One year we missed 23 days of snow, which left us with no Spirit Week, and that was a problem for my yearbook staff. We brainstormed then made a challenge to all Ss to submit snowday pics of their activities & we created a two page snowday layout of awesomeness! #MakeItReal
#MakeItReal A1 In Indiana, schools can use eLearning days. They count as a day for Ts & Ss. We use Google Classroom to push out assignments. Ts monitor from 9 am-3:30 pm.
Thanks, Michael! Yes I am a huge lover of the unanticipated day off to allow students and teachers a time to rest and grow in something they enjoy. Sometimes we all need a brain break. #makeitreal
Too many times people try to predend the #snowday didn't happen. Bringing it in is a great way to connect our experiences. Like my Ton of Snow 3 ACT Math problem! #makeitrealhttps://t.co/tEVY8JTepW
A1 I like the disruption and the opportunity for my Littles to come back full of stories. We don’t often get a lot of snow but ten inches earlier this year created new, relevant moments! #makeitreal
That's excellent! Plus, I'd count some outside playtime as Phys Ed class, for sure! Based on how I feel after cleaning up the snow, it's definitely exercise #makeitreal
Q2: Our students also have the #snowday off, but we’re not with them. How can you gather their experiences, thoughts, and questions and use them in your classroom?
#makeitreal
Yes, our PE teachers build their lessons around outdoor activity, temperature permitting. We have had eLearning for three years. Ts getting better with it each year. #MakeItReal
A1: We've had a lot of ice days this year...but not a whole lot of snow. I like that my kiddos get to spend time with their family. For me, I did a lot of professional reading to help implement new ideas in my classroom. #makeitreal
A1: Today was a blessing as I spent the last two days with no power at my school. We moved 550 students to the high school for two days. We made it work. My teachers were awesome! Spent today reflecting and blogging! #makeitreal
A2: Using collaborative tools like @flipgrid and Google Classroom break down the walls that are built on unscheduled days off, allowing both Ts and Ss to stay connected and active. #makeitreal
Q2: Our students also have the #snowday off, but we’re not with them. How can you gather their experiences, thoughts, and questions and use them in your classroom?
#makeitreal
A2: Tomorrow I am going to send them a @Flipgrid and have them reflect on their experience of being at the high school. We watched the moview "Wonder" together so I'll have them address that as well by making their own precept. #makeitreal
Right now I'm hearing a neighbor outside the window with a snowblower, at night when it's still snowing, and I'm thinking, I REALLY wouldn't want to do it twice. (Only have a shovel.) #MakeItReal
#makeitreal A2 We try to use our eLearning days as a flipped classroom. Indiana DOE policy requires teachers to plan lessons as if they were in school that day. Cannot just randomly assign work. Goal is continuity.
A2 We had a schoolwide # centered on Snow Day reading. Families posted photos of reading time during our off days. I will send photos on Remind to share, too! #makeitreal
A2: W/today's technology, we can easily gather info, pics, questions, ideas, videos-you name it from Ss on a day off. Fun challenges as to who can make the tallest snowman, or how much snow do you have in the front yard vs. the back yard, etc. Endless possibilities. #MakeItReal
LEads to a great analogy for us as teachers and leaders. What is worth doing twice, and what would our students be willing to do twice if it made each time easier? #makeitreal
A2: We start each day with a class meeting, so students can share their experiences with peers when they return. While they are away, I typically stay in touch with families through email. I am hoping to incorporate other methods in the near future. #makeitreal
Q3: What is your favorite “out of the box” or even BRAND NEW way to bring a #snowday or cancellation into your classroom in a relevant, engaging way?
#makeitreal
A3: MUSIC! Best snowday song/rap/instumental/acoustic/heavy metal, etc. Ss can create digitally or actually. Record, produce, submit. The Snow Day Free Day No School Day music challenge! #MakeItReal
#Educators, I wish you all an amazing week, if you're amazing in the classroom, I totally respect and value your efforts. #BeTheOne#KidsDeserveIt#MakeItReal | Thanks for having me peek in, Okema - Parent
A3: I noticed that the language of the Special Weather Alerts was significantly different between the types of alert. Great way to have Ss analyze text, parts of speech, and usage for impact. #makeitreal
A3 Oh. And I did bring in a snowball and kept it in the freezer. We guessed how long it would take to melt sitting in the middle of our meeting floor. #makeitreal
Tried going Instant Relevance here...
A3.1: Very outside the box, look at what caused the cancellation and turn it into a question. How much snow would it take to fill the classroom, the gym, the principal's office. #makeitreal
Q3: What is your favorite “out of the box” or even BRAND NEW way to bring a #snowday or cancellation into your classroom in a relevant, engaging way?
#makeitreal
A3b: My principal, the spec ed coordinator, and the elem principal got together to do popular song parodies to annouce that there's No School Tomorrow and we share on SM. Would be fun to see what the Ss come up with too! #MakeItReal
Love it! What would happen if all the snow fell in one shot? How much water would the snow in your town be, and how can you send it to somewhere in a drought? #makeitreal
A3: I noticed that the language of the Special Weather Alerts was significantly different between the types of alert. Great way to have Ss analyze text, parts of speech, and usage for impact. #makeitreal
A3: A Snowball Fight! In PreK, each S get a piece of paper with a letter (or number) on it. Ss wad it up and throw them around the room. When the music stops, everyone gets a "snowball," smooths it out and takes turn telling the rest of the Ss what it is. #MakeItReal
Here's Part 2!
A3.2: How much liquid would be produced if all the accumulated snow were to melt simultaneously? What object would be able to hold the liquid produced? #makeitreal
Weathermen all across the country vote on most difficult places to predict weather. That would be a fun convo and research to see where your city ends up! :) #MakeItReal
Thank you all for an AMAZING #Snowday#MakeItReal Chat!!! Be careful out there, and use those Sudden Changes To Your Surroundings for Instant Relevance in your classroom!
A3: Many here without power, actually POWERLESS. Great way to use those feelings as analogy for others who feel powerless and what to do to Restore their power! #makeitreal
#makeitreal Thanks for letting me be part of the chat tonight from Indiana. Thoughts and prayers to everyone on the East Coast for safety and return of power to many. Spring will be here soon. Thanks to everyone who shared their ideas! We are all in this together!
Fav quote from @kevinhoneycutt today also has to do with power. From Ss to T, "Tell me I can be powerful in your room." LOVE that! Give Ss power, even if weather produces homes without power. #MakeItReal
Sounds fun! HOwever, not sure 10 inch diameter would be a "snowball" in my classification system. It's more a snow cannonball, or easily a snowman head. #makeitreal
Sounds fun! HOwever, not sure 10 inch diameter would be a "snowball" in my classification system. It's more a snow cannonball, or easily a snowman head. #makeitreal
