#122edchat is a weekly conversation designed to help inspire educators across the globe to reach their greatest potential in service of others. Megan Hacholski (@megan_hacholski) and Michael Abramczyk (@_on11), along with guest moderators, lead each week with a different focus tied to their strengths and areas of expertise.
Welcome to #122edchat! The home of the fastest 30-minutes on Twitter. Excellent discussion with some of the best and brightest in the field of education. Take a moment to introduce yourself.
Intro: Hey #122edchat! Michael A. #STEM Facilitator for from @Simmonsknights1 in Oak Lawn, IL. My one word: Different. For 17 years, I have taught one way. It's time to do something different for these kids.
Vanessa Heller: #inquiry#pbl & #GiftedEd trainer/ 6th gr. Humanities T in So Cal. #OneWord2018 is “create”. My teacher goal is goal for kids too > be creative, have choice & voice in what we do. “Create” = my life view too: Don't wait around for opportunity; create it #122edchat
Intro: Hey #122edchat! Michael A. #STEM Facilitator for from @Simmonsknights1 in Oak Lawn, IL. My one word: Different. For 17 years, I have taught one way. It's time to do something different for these kids.
Hi everyone! My name is Julia Kasprzak, a preservice teacher studying Elementary Ed, from Trinity Christian College. My one word for 2018 is create!
#122edchat#troll209
Hello #122edchat! Lauren from NY - 6th grade English teacher and author of EMPOWER Your Students. My #OneWord2018 is folding chair. “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” ~Shirley Chisholm
Hey all - can't make #122edchat this week b/c I'm helping w/ ski club, but wanted to share my one word - #evolve : read more about it here: https://t.co/9IwOnk3ES2
Q1: Sandy Rizzo was the first teacher who inspired me to follow my dreams in education. She was always very invested in her students personal lives and cared so much about each and every one of us. She is the type of teacher I strive to be. #122edchat
A1: My 7th / 8th grade science teacher was my biggest inspiration. She made learning come to life & always incorporated those special LCLs. I was a quiet student, & she made me feel seen. #tlap#122edchat
A1: Sarah Callis is the teacher that impacted me the most. She was my fifth grade teacher and always had a ton of energy. She did a great job of engaging her students and making learning exciting.. #122edchat
A1: I was a difficult student, so my interactions with Ts were not always pleasant. Mr. Casper, my Humanities II teacher, was a one that made classic lit relevant. It literally came to life in his class. He was odd, reclusive, but made the content so real. I miss it. #122edchat
A1: My 2nd and 5th grade teachers inspired me as a student. They're amazing people who were passionate, caring, and supportive. They put the student first, and made school a positive experience to remember. #122edchat
Besides chaos???? I think #hyperdocs because they incorporate multimedia and the civilization inquiry projects one of my social studies classes are working on now. #122edchat
A2: Honestly, my parents. Both teachers for 35+ years. Dad - 7th grade, Mom - elem. Their love for their students inspires me still. (They retired 20 years ago and still substitute teach full time)#122edchat
A1: My 8th grade social studies teacher, Mr. Balzer, made me feel like I could make a positive difference and inspired me to be a social studies teacher! I've come full circle! #122edchat
A1: Mr. Miller my AP Euro teacher! He treated me like an adult, pushed me, inspired me, and I appreciated his candor. We still talk to this day! #122edchat
Olchs math T Ellen Luckring inspired me as a S. I was torn between teaching math or science. Her kind & welcoming personality along with her easy way of explaining any concept made math an easy choice! She was always interested in her Ss & dedicated to the school #122edchat
A1: David Bernheim, my creative writing teacher, was a huge inspiration to me. He used creative methods to engage us in our writing and made it fun. #122edchat
A1. Maria Webster is the reason I teach math. I didn’t really like math very much until I had her for Geometry and Algebra I. She made things so clear by teaching for actual understanding, not memorization. #122edchat
A1 Sad to say, no teacher inspired me. I only remember being bored or ignored. I do remember what one teacher told me: “Writing is like a miniskirt. It has to be long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting.” I use this advice with my students #122edchat
Shout out to Mrs. Coffey, one of my ESL teachers in middle school. She made my learning English experience memorable. I would not be where I am today without her. Thank you! #122edchat
At Trinity, I created a Children’s book explaining the importance of Arts in the classroom! While teaching 6th grade religious education, my students are creating connections between the text and their daily lives. #122edchat#troll209
A1: my 6th grade social studies and high school social studies/ baseball coach. They kept us engaged, interested in things around the works and in our community. My high school teacher instilled a confidence in me I didn’t have. #122edchat
Hello #122edchat! Lauren from NY - 6th grade English teacher and author of EMPOWER Your Students. My #OneWord2018 is folding chair. “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” ~Shirley Chisholm
A1 hear me out...Best teacher ive ever had was my grandmother. She was never in the schoolhouse but she taught me more lessons I use day to day -than any teacher I had k-12 #122edchat
A1 My most memorable was my HS Bio T Mr Sammon. He was so enthusiastic and loved his job. He is the reason I am a science T. I even got to tell him that when I ran into him a few years ago. #122edchat
A2: With my SPED students, I motivate them by creating small successes, and reinforcing their hard work. I also try to show genuine excitement about what they're doing. #122edchat
A2: Individualized conversations. Education CANNOT be one-size-fits-all. I like to pull kids aside and give them the "dad view" of what they are doing/producing. Free advice on how to improve or how to keep on going. #122edchat
A2: The best way to motivate students is encouraging them to push through when they meet challenges. Celebrate their "failures" as opportunities to learn! #failforward#122edchat
A2: I find humor to be one of my best motivators for students. Kids won't work for teachers they don't like. By helping them laugh we are able to build a connection. One of my biggest motivators is being able to end every day with my loving wife! #122edchat
A2:Student accountability is a big motivator in my classroom. Each unit the students keep a progress tracker to monitor their academic growth. This was implemented as a way to focus on the learning process from the pre-assessment to the post. #122edchat
A1: Gilbert Briscoe. He gave everything to me as a student and tricked me into getting into teaching bcuz he saw something in me I didn’t even see in myself. He’s the 🐐 #122edchat
He had us experience situations and then write about a character in that same situation. I would say it was a lot like participating in theater warm-ups and then pretending we were writing from our character's perspective. #122edchat
A2- I try to make it fun for them. The greatest motivator for the students is really each other. They want to do well for me and for each other. My motivator is the rush of seeing the Ss eyes light up when they finally understand something!! #122edchat
A2: Provide constant positive feedback.. show your Ss you believe in them! Also, connect math to real world situations & Ss interests! ..orange team & @_on11 are great motivators. Loved the fist pump before my formal, Mike! :) #122edchat
A2: I like to change things up a little. When I can tell Energy is low I bring it up and get everyone else involved. Music is what gets me though. @Spotify 90s hits is great!!! #122edchat
A2. I talk to them. I work really hard to create strong relationships with my kids. My kids motivate me. They energize me, and definitely make the job worthwhile. #122edchat
How did that work out? Our kids always want me to teach at their school. I try to dissuade them. I know too much about them for me to be their teacher. Ha. #122edchat
A2 I motivate my Ss with my relationships with them. I hope they know I’d run straight through that wall, be the one who hears them out, or give them the pick me up they need. My favorite motivator: You got this bro! #122edchat
A2: For those who know me they know my motivator and driver is #Gamification. The journey it had led me on over the past 3 years has been amazing. The doors it’s opened and the PLN I’ve developed are even more so. I even wrote a book! All about fun & play! #122edchat
A2: One of my favorite ways to motivate/connect with students is to be real. I have had push up competitions, dance offs, joke offs etc. They need to see you being nerdy, silly and just plain weird. #122edchat
During Spanish, I seem to use an old little lady on the bus stop asking questions in Spanish that my Ss need to answer to motivate them. If she asks for the time, the Ss need to tell her the time in Spanish. #122edchat
A1 Sad to say, no teacher inspired me. I only remember being bored or ignored. I do remember what one teacher told me: “Writing is like a miniskirt. It has to be long enough to cover the subject but short enough to be interesting.” I use this advice with my students #122edchat
A2: I like to change things up a little. When I can tell Energy is low I bring it up and get everyone else involved. Music is what gets me though. @Spotify 90s hits is great!!! #122edchat
A2 MS kiddos need to see your personality. I motivate by being whatever cheerleader they need. Some need positive and enthusiastic, others need realness and more subtle. I want to do what is best for the kiddos. #122edchat
A1. A little late coming on, however, a former teacher of mine taught me perseverance in life and in the classroom. That has stuck with me to this day. #edfb4338#122edchat
A2 Humor!!!! Honesty too. No bag of tricks but I have a high tolerance for silliness & wiggles which takes edge off whole compliance vibe some Ts get into. I also don't give extra credit nor prizes like HW passes. Our motivation is doing a kick-tush job no matter what. #122edchat
A3: I like connecting struggling students back to successes that they have already accomplished, no matter how small the progression. At the end of the day, a win is a win. #122edchat
Peer collaboration is a great way for the students to get comfortable with making mistakes and to reach out for help. Stations is one way that students work through tasks while monitoring their work through self-assessment #122edchat
A3: Positive thinking and open communication is how I like to instill confidence in my students. Always encouraging them to change their words in order to change their minds. #122edchat
A3: Public and private praise. Some Ss want to be publicly affirmed, and even if they struggle, just praising their positives builds them up. Some students want that silent affirmation that you recognize what their hard work. Words of affirmation is essential! #122edchat
A1 My most memorable was my HS Bio T Mr Sammon. He was so enthusiastic and loved his job. He is the reason I am a science T. I even got to tell him that when I ran into him a few years ago. #122edchat
A2: I find humor to be one of my best motivators for students. Kids won't work for teachers they don't like. By helping them laugh we are able to build a connection. One of my biggest motivators is being able to end every day with my loving wife! #122edchat
A3: We build toward the big challenges from smaller ones. We make sure to celebrate our successes and talk about how we are growing from our mistakes. #122edchat
A3: Ss confidence builds through their environment. If you provide a safe, caring, and engaging classroom where Ss know it's okay to make mistakes, their confidence will build. Mistakes are respected, expected, inspected & corrected :) #122edchat
A3- I just keep encouraging reminding them they can do it!! Model both apprehension and confidence. Show the students even someone as OLD as me can be a little less than confident. I show them how I build it within myself. #122edchat
I had a group of Gr8s who believed they were destined for medical related careers. I turned my class into an autopsy room, built them a corpse with real organs and asked them to solve it. 14 gr 8s diagnosed a stroke. I wanted to let them put their passion into play. #122edchat
I was never in trouble, but my teachers didn't like me.... I may have told them I was bored ...and corrected their mistakes... #122edchat (BTW, karma is a bitch!)
A1. In my child development lab class, Ms. Shekleton inspired me and sparked confidence in me to become a teacher. Very grateful for her kindness. #122edchat#troll209
A2: Motivation starts before class begins (high five, smile, greeting the kids). When they are inside the classroom, it's about feedback and encouragement. #122edchat
A2 MS kiddos need to see your personality. I motivate by being whatever cheerleader they need. Some need positive and enthusiastic, others need realness and more subtle. I want to do what is best for the kiddos. #122edchat
This is important! Some students are embarrassed when getting pointed out in class, even if it’s positive! Your praise could have the opposite effect, because they may not want it to happen again. #122edchat
A3) I say YES. When they ask “is this okay to do,” or “is this okay to answer” I say Yes. Given I’ve scaffolded correctly, I give them the chance to take a risk first and see what they can do simply by empowerment. #122edchat
A3. I share my own experiences with struggle, and I also own up to my mistakes. When I make a mistake, we discuss it, I apologize for it, and we fix it together. I try to model the growth mindset for them. #122edchat
A3 help them see their hard work, show them their growth no matter the size, growth is growth. Give them extra time outrside of group time to talk and listen. #122edchat
A3 Ss need to believe they can do it before they will do it. I try to give options and choices for learning, so that Ss can figure out what works for them. I tell them I am like their safety net. If they take risks I will help them land safely to try again. #122edchat
A3 Personal stories of how I have failed...both hilariously and horribly at the simplest things. Then I highlight things that students are way better at than I am. #122edchat
A4: One strategy that is different this year is the self-pacing. I've had the students create checklists for what they have to complete, and facilitate as they check each task off. #122edchat
A4: I have been doing this for a few years, but majorly stepping back from the "sage on the stage" model and allowing the students to take the lead. #122edchat
A4: Developing authentic tech-based projects. Last year I veered away from projects after being given so many bad ones as an S. Now, I am always trying to incorporate tech into my class whenever possible. Super pumped to be going 1:1 next year!! #122edchat@ERobbPrincipal
A4: In the CLS @SmartLab_tweets Lab, the focus is on putting the students in charge of their own learning. Translation: I push kids to find the answers instead of supplying them with their desired outcome. #122edchat
A4: This year I began Monday Motivation videos. I pick a quote and relate it to what is happening in the classroom as a way to jump start the week. The students have begun to create their own which is exciting to see them involved in the movement. #122edchat
A3: Reviewing progress is key to increasing confidence. Students need to know its okay to have productive struggles and I look for opportunities to show growth. In my classes, little progress is HUGE. We value risk taking! #122edchat
I always tell students "If you say 'I can't' you become 30% more likely to fail, but if you say 'I can' you become 30% more likely to SUCCEED." It's all about the mindset. #122edchat@ERobbPrincipal
A4: I am more intentional about talking about growth with them this year and having them reflect on their progress in writing journals. That is new for me this year. #122edchat
A3: I try to raise my students confidence by giving them meaningful praise and reminded them that I care about them and they are capable of accomplishing big things. #122edchat
A4: Using @Desmos in class for review & warm up questions. Ss love using technology and they're always engaged using it! They love seeing all their screens pop up on my screen..they always want me to highlight theirs! #122edchat
A3 Humor, specific praise, patience, extra time, 2nd/3rd/4th chances on many assignments, extra help 4 days a week, pointing out tricks of trade to help kids learn how to learn. I teach intervention to gifted…. Everyone gets frustrated & benefits from this ‘help menu’ #122edchat
A4: I had a student teacher who was a table top gamer. He threw out some ideas to connect the content to the game deeper using different strategies. Was amazing. So many layers are added each year. #122edchat
A3. I have always valued one on one conversations about both my strengths and weaknesses. I felt heard and encouraged. I hope to do the same with my future students! #122edchat#troll209
A4) different ways I’ve incorporated #blendedlearning into my room by grouping and really individualizing rhrbwork for the students needs. Not just a one-size-fits-all approach. #122edchat
I'm hoping to flip my classroom more in the future. My mind has so much history retained it is fun to be able to share it with my students, but I need to take a step back to allow my students to learn some of this stuff on their own! #122edchat
A2. I talk to them. I work really hard to create strong relationships with my kids. My kids motivate me. They energize me, and definitely make the job worthwhile. #122edchat
A3: I always find a way to celebrate success...even if I have to search for it. I went and found one of my ESL students today at the after school study program to tell him how proud I was of his 81% test score. This was the best score all year. I teared up. #122edchat
Maaaaan EMBRACE the tangent! Holy moly if Ss are interested I run with it. I can catch them back up on mixed numbers tomorrow. Bring back the fun, not just the rigor. #122edchat
A2. I talk to them. I work really hard to create strong relationships with my kids. My kids motivate me. They energize me, and definitely make the job worthwhile. #122edchat
A4. I’ve started grading with a highlighter and colored pens. I just color code, highlight, and write questions to get them thinking. I don’t mark things right or wrong. They have a week to revise and resubmit. #122edchat
A3: A lot of Ss respect me as a T & we have awesome relationships in the class. When they hit that point I tell them how I was told I was going to fail as a teacher by my first host during practicum. They are often shocked. I remind them they can do it no matter what! #122edchat
A4 “Expect the unexpected” is how I roll. Way less lecture, fewer tests. More working thru content as process. I accidentally eliminated most late work since I give more feedback & flexible deadlines on many assignments. Not sure how it'll will pan out but gotta try! #122edchat
A4 I started using materials from the Center for the Science of Social Connection @UW to help students understand the roles of awareness, courage, and love in close relationships—in books and in their lives.
#122edchat
I've given less tests this year, and the students are stunned when I give them a PBA instead. "Wait so there isn't a test?" Cracks me up every time! #122edchat
A5: One of my more shy students has been telling and writing jokes. He has been laughing and smiling more often, and interacting more with his peers. It's amazing! #122edchat
A5: Last week was tough, as we were learning to calculate heat in calories. That math connection proved tough for a lot of my science Ss. Every time someone had that "a-ha" moment was a proud one for me! #122edchat
A5: We were working with @tinkercad and the kids wanted to print jpeg images. I told them they needed to figure how to make the conversion on their own...when they did it was like Vegas. Lit up the room. #122edchat
A5:I have a student who is very insecure in her math abilities and has been all year. She was recently in my intervention group (small group) where we were able to build some of her confidence. On our last unit test she scored 100%. The smile on her face was priceless #122edchat
A5: One of my struggling students had one of the famous light bulb moments. After understanding the concept, he was able to SHINE by leading a class discussion and showing others who were struggling how he came to his answer. #122edchat
A5: A very simple but extraordinary moment. A student was passing out papers to his group, one of them fell & got wrinkled on the floor. Instead, the S took the one in bad shape and offered his partner the nice one. I was stunned #littlethings#122edchat
Congratulations to @MrCoachEli, the February inductee onto the #122edchat Fridge of Fame! Thank you for all that you do! Do you know someone that is worthy of this honor, nominate them here: https://t.co/pKt8neF9eK!
A5 We started building with Bloxel Builders this year, when the kids put their characters into the games was a big Sparkle, they were thrilled. #122edchat
A5: We are reading Twelfth Night in class, and one student has been pointing out literary devices left and right---doing an AWESOME job with Shakespeare, which is difficult. She has been working so hard, and getting it!! I am proud of her. #122edchat
2nd grade, had a student who refused to do work, very little participation or effort. Whips out a poem about how tornadoes arnt evil and maybe they leave so fast because they’re ashamed. A SEVEN YEAR OLD YALL #122edchat
A5: I got a picture of a student’s letter who got early acceptance in Uni that I taught 5 years ago. It was tied to a really thoughtful note. Reminded me that every bit of time, every ounce of ourselves, that we put into this job makes a difference. #122edchat
This is great! Sometimes that initial grade can be deflating, and students might give up. But no grade and time to correct and resubmit is encouraging and shows the students it’s ok to make mistakes #122edchat
Special thanks tonight to @RChagnonMath and @ValeriePelak for minding the controls for #122edchat. We appreciate your leadership. And thank YOU, loyal friends and contributors to this ongoing, global conversation!
A5: Most recent 2 are when a Ss finished sewing a Tshirt from scratch, complete with silk screening, and a pair of students who made a @PlayCraftLearn MOD and watched it work for the first time! They are hooked for good #122edchat
A5 Monday a student made it thru an entire period without an anxiety attack/fainting. Our support team backed the child in class & out and the morning went off well. The student was relieved, happy, & felt accomplished. Not all accomplishments are academic, right? #122edchat
A4. This year I was introduced to the Jigsaw Method of learning. Each student is a piece of the classroom puzzle and responsible for learning, contributing, and listening to one another. Very interesting concept! #122edchat#troll209
A5 today a student who usually waits to see and listen to other students before doing was decoding words before the rest of the group. Such a great moment!#122edchat
In 3.5 hours, January will be over. Good news #122edchat, you have survived the most unfriendly month of the year. To say "Job Well Done", we offer you this special certificate. Sorry kids, you have to personalize it yourself.
A5) A student today asked me a question. Before I could answer the girl next to him went into a very (more than I would have ) detailed explanation. It was a great moment. I have her my marker to “drop the mic” #122edchat
A5. I started doing number talks with my intervention group, and I had a very reluctant learner exclaim in disappointment when it was time to move on yesterday “Wait! Can’t we do more? This is fun!” #122edchat
A5: Me: "Wow, you've improved in writing so much this year."
Student: "If I put more figurative language in my paper, it will be even better."
Me: 👌🏻👍🏻🤗#122edchat
So Cornell Notes for ex... pretty low level but tool to attack info text. I create the frame of the notes, they add the info, I give comments/feedback, they revise, Icomment again...."Grading" becomes an side conversation. #122edchat
I always tell students "If you say 'I can't' you become 30% more likely to fail, but if you say 'I can' you become 30% more likely to SUCCEED." It's all about the mindset. #122edchat@ERobbPrincipal
Q5 - Recently a student with special needs who rarely gets his work done has been turning in their work. The best part about it is he is completing the work on his own at home and submitting it via @googledrive. Show proud of his recent found independence #122edchat
A5 One student who is always a little hesitant about my “let’s get up and move” method of teaching, fully participated when he saw how much fun his peers (and I) were having! Definitely saw the importance in leading by example- no matter how silly we looked! #122edchat#troll209
Hahahaah! This is great Scott! I was in a workshop in the fall where a woman converted/connected all of her old board games to each of her units. Fantastic. #122edchat
I'm hoping to flip my classroom more in the future. My mind has so much history retained it is fun to be able to share it with my students, but I need to take a step back to allow my students to learn some of this stuff on their own! #122edchat
I love them Canucks. You can tell them that I said that. Let me know if you need help. I am sure that I can talk @megan_hacholski into relocating. #122edchat
Use of #inquiry#pbl focuses on process over product. I use to teach ancient civs chapter by chapter. Now we look at civs thru lense of econ, government, social structure, etc. Our driving Qs "What is a civilization? What does it mean to be civilized?" drives learning. #122edchat
Was talking about this tonight. The most disengaged students tend to wow us the most here in the Lab. They are all in. Why? "Because this is what I normally do when I am not in school". Maybe we need to change what school looks like? #122edchat
In reply to
@MrPStrunk, @KGT_Educator, @ERobbPrincipal, @misskoplin, @ToddRisser, @MathWithMsHawes, @HistoryislifeDC
Congratulations to @MrCoachEli, the February inductee onto the #122edchat Fridge of Fame! Thank you for all that you do! Do you know someone that is worthy of this honor, nominate them here: https://t.co/pKt8neF9eK!
Can't wait to connect! When we have PBL, it feels like we leave school. The kids become scientists, investigators, and detectives. I love it! #122edchat
Ts confuse disengagement with 'dumb' (when kid could be highly gifted)...it's our job to find what works for all kids. Hands-on opportunities, discussion, choice, multimedia/varied ways to get and give info.... funny how interested kids tend to behave better too, huh? #122edchat
In reply to
@_on11, @MrPStrunk, @KGT_Educator, @ERobbPrincipal, @misskoplin, @ToddRisser, @MathWithMsHawes, @HistoryislifeDC
A1: As a kid, I always wanted to be heard. I still do. We used to have our own weekly podcast, run by students, about students. Lack of time killed it. I miss producing our show. #122edchat
Ideally, yes!!!! We are a bit isolated in middle school and we teach 3+ cores/sets of kids so coordination & collaboration isn't easy...but I do teach humanities which allows the pairing our ELA novels and topics with history at least (small steps...) #122edchat
Sorry. We were a bit underwater tonight. Curriculum night here at our building. We are just trying to connect our community with some really excellent people out there on Twitter. @NowakRo did the honors of putting you on our radar. Thank you for all that you do, Eli! #122edchat
The 'thing' in my classes is when I tell the kids that we're going to do something fun and they ask me, "Is this your kind of fun or ours?" It's all about marketing the 'have to' as a "want to". #122edchat
In reply to
@MrPStrunk, @_on11, @KGT_Educator, @ERobbPrincipal, @misskoplin, @ToddRisser, @MathWithMsHawes, @HistoryislifeDC
Thank you, Melissa. I am inspired daily by you. Your quote is the first thing that I see before I walk into our Lab. It's a daily reminder that good things are going to happen. #122edchat
