#LearnLAP occurs on Mondays starting at 7pm Central Time. Guest moderators and participants discuss topics from author Paul Solarz's book Learn Like a PIRATE.
Rich Anderson
North Syracuse
9th grade Global History
Not really a football guy—used to coach college hoops though. I guess I kinda root for the Bulls....6 years on WNY will do that to you.
#LearnLAP
#learnLAP Take the time to do activities where students learn about eachother--build those relationships. Also teach them what these discussions look like and sound like-- lean in, orient, looking at the other person, etc. #learnLAP
A1 Starts from Day 1... creating the right vibe with fist bumps at the door—then “Good Morning” and “What’s Good?”....I think that, plus being genuine in my actions, provides example for students that aids their discussion. Also work on accountable talk. #LearnLAP
A1.1 4th & 5th grade multiage classroom teacher in Maine. S to S discussions start day one in morning meetings. Handshake, Dance Move, Battle Cry is a wonderful ice breaker that promotes sharing throughout the year. #LearnLAP
A1) #LearnLAP I try to model behaviors for interactions by simply interacting with students & colleagues. I have an open-door policy, and Ss know they are always welcome to come in & chat. We also goof but do a lot of discussion (see my tweet from a while back about nametags!)
A1 Plan lots of partner/small group learning opportunities for classmates to learn to collaborate. Model positive responses and use sentence stems #learnLAP
A1.2 After expectations are set, modeling, and practice in morning meetings we open up the content areas for S to S collaboration & discussions. Flexible seating and engaging works helps Ss dig deeply into conversation. #LearnLAP
Hello #LearnLAP ! Tika (2nd grade teacher) from Las Vegas jumping in! I create a comfortable environment for purposeful discourse by modeling with sentence stems, fostering trust. Number Talks and Socratic Seminar are great ways to do this😊
A1 Start with self. Build relationships with Ss, which also serves to model interactions between ppl. Highlight student commonalities. Set the expectations and allow the space for student voice. Thank all Ss who take the risk to share with each other and whole group. #LearnLAP
2) Some students are quiet, while others are outgoing. How do you differentiate your instruction or expectations for student-to-student discussion? #LearnLAP
pt1. It really amounts to a "battle whisper" bc it gets unleashed during the day. Each S has a Dance Move, Hand Shake, and Battle Cry partner. They create their own move/cry & when I call out HS, DM, or BC they find their partner, unleash the move and enter into collab. #LearnLAP
A1. Take time building relationships where Ss are learning about each other and sharing ideas. Giving Ss time to have discussions amongst themselves about topics where they can share their answers and ideas. #learnlap
A2) #LearnLAP when we do discussions, I have an inner & outer circle. Inner talks, outer notes. However, notes are the same things they'd say if they were in the circle & they make specific references to the circle. Like an overwatch! Kids are accountable for same thing!
A2 I try to ensure my Ss have different partners with sentence stems. Sometimes I make trios so my quieter students can listen to others and jump in when ready. #learnlap
2) Some students are quiet, while others are outgoing. How do you differentiate your instruction or expectations for student-to-student discussion? #LearnLAP
A2 I think this is one of the toughest things to do but making sure that all have a voice. If it’s a paired discussion I sometimes try to pair quiet kids so they have more opportunity...building in accountable talk & listening skills—extremely hard with 9th graders lol #learnlap
2) Some students are quiet, while others are outgoing. How do you differentiate your instruction or expectations for student-to-student discussion? #LearnLAP
pt2. I learned this from @WickedDecent who modeled an entire story around camp. I have changed the story from year to year, but open up the experience on the first day, finding creative ways to get my Ss to bust out a dance move etc. #LearnLAP
3) On page 128 of #LearnLAP, “rituals encourage students to interact with and support one another.” Describe the "Discussion Rituals" that you've created for your students or that they've created themselves.
A2 Everyone must share an idea and everyone must listen to all ideas 💡Students can share and collaborate through @Flipgrid too 😀 Some of my shy students like to share in Flipgrid #learnLAP
2) Some students are quiet, while others are outgoing. How do you differentiate your instruction or expectations for student-to-student discussion? #LearnLAP
A2 Expectations need to be high for ALL Ss. Differentiate by providing sentence stems and other scaffolds/resource supports. Likewise mix up the format: turn & talks, fish bowls, small group activities #LearnLAP
A2. Trying to pair different types of students of together, extroverts and introverts, allows for the quieter Ss to speak when they are ready and feel comfortable! #learnlap
A3 If in a circle, we listen to the person with the talking piece. If in other structures, we work to track the speaker and rephrase and/or elaborate the thought. We use each other's names when appropriate. #LearnLAP
A2.1 There are different avenues for communication. Dialogue Journals and #edtech boards such as @padlet let students communicate. Also, setting the expectation that during certain chats everyone is heard. 1 on 1 and small group chats also help some open up. #LearnLAP
A2 Expectations need to be high for ALL Ss. Differentiate by providing sentence stems and other scaffolds/resource supports. Likewise mix up the format: turn & talks, fish bowls, small group activities #LearnLAP
#learnlap A3) A little gift for my participants....this is my little HyperDoc with our discussion protocols. After the first / 2nd chat kids have this down pat.
https://t.co/0vQ0P0hy5A
A2.2 Again, the power of morning meeting, everyone starts the day by speaking when they greet a classmate. We are all heard and if we can do it in circle we can bring it to the content areas. Starting small and moving on... #LearnLAP
Q1: Like the others we work hard to create a collaborative environment where it feels safe to share. I teach 1st and this mostly happens in our morning meeting/circle. Also being consistent in expectations. #learnlap
#learnlap A3) A little gift for my participants....this is my little HyperDoc with our discussion protocols. After the first / 2nd chat kids have this down pat.
https://t.co/0vQ0P0hy5A
4) “We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience.” - John Dewey. How do your students reflect upon the discussions they have? #LearnLAP
A3 My Ss use nonverbal sparkles and show their hands pulling away from their heads to show “mind blown.” We also use specific sentence stems to show respectful disagreements and to add in #learnlap
3) On page 128 of #LearnLAP, “rituals encourage students to interact with and support one another.” Describe the "Discussion Rituals" that you've created for your students or that they've created themselves.
Q2: I differentiate by having them turn and talk. I have an ELL student who doesn't speak much - I put him in a group of 3 so he can see/hear the model of turn and talk. Then I let him watch and listen. Then after a few times I will call on him. #learnlap
#learnlap A4) I recently got the idea to film some of my kids discussion & do Sports Center style hilights where we can pick apart our strengths & weaknesses.
Q3: I taught my students to give a thumbs up if they agree or like what the speaker is saying. So that if someone goes swimming one day - we don't have 20 others chiming in saying I did too, I did too. The thumbs up gives support knowing their friends agree. #learnlap
I cannot remember where I got the idea from but came out of my PST days. Low tech email that Ss write in when they cannot talk to me or to the class for whatever reason. I also ask Ss to write responses based on questions that will lead to deeper #SEL class discussions #LearnLAP
4) “We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience.” - John Dewey. How do your students reflect upon the discussions they have? #LearnLAP
5) One goal we should all have as teachers is to help students constantly improve their skills. How do you assess (not grade) your students' discussion skills? #LearnLAP
A3. Sometimes we have Ss answering with their feet and lining up whether they agree and disagree with the answer. Then they can share the why parts of the answers for the debate! #learnlap
A4. Giving Ss time to flect with a written response or comment as to likes/dislikes things that could be changed and brought into discussion, etc. #learnlap
#learnlap A5) My friend @mrslaiso invented this circle method that I've adapted for my class. I color-code each question & follow the progression of discussion & they get 'bonus points' for using They Say/I Say, text evidence & outside connections! https://t.co/Uq8FDE8DNy
Q5: I sit in the circle with my class during our discussions. I will model how to ask if it seems like the class doesn't understand. Or during sharing time in writing if someone isn't asking questions - I will model how to ask a question. #learnlap
6) Communication as a whole is an important 21st century skill. How do students apply these communication techniques outside of discussion in your room? What other activities do you do to encourage communication? #LearnLAP
#learnlap A6) Like I've mentioned, open-door policy. Keep communication open. I try to remain accessible to my kids & encourage posts in our Google Classroom with any tips / tricks kids find or updates for our class!
A6 I will never forget 2 of my Ss using sentence stems when they we they had to explain what happened during an altercation. Also, @ronclarkacademy has the #greatshake which’s a purposeful way to show the importance of effective discourse. #learnlap
6) Communication as a whole is an important 21st century skill. How do students apply these communication techniques outside of discussion in your room? What other activities do you do to encourage communication? #LearnLAP
Q6: We mostly work on SEL communication skills. They constantly want to tattle and fight (words) with each other. I walk around during morning tubs time or Fun Friday time and remind them - ask for the toy/piece you need. Use your words, don't grab. Modeling. #learnlap
A2: I put quiet students together with the outgoing students at times because it causes the quieter ones to get out of their comfort zones a little bit. It also means that the outgoing students aren't left to dominate conversation. #LEARNlap
#learnlap A7) I give student choice entirely. They pick if they want to talk or observe & can change their mind at any time. So maybe Monday they don't want to jump in but they're really feeling it Thursday. No pressure.
A7 I find 2nd graders get to know each other quickly so I need to change the groupings and the protocols quite often to make things interesting and purposeful. #learnlap
#learnlap A8) Plot twist - I don't write the Q's (see my Hyperdoc below), the kids do. I model how to craft questions (open-ended, clear), they write them, we vote on the best & those are what we choose!
Thanks to everyone who chatted this evening! Especially to @MsTayGrade7LA for moderating!
Please join @EffectualEdu NEXT MONDAY (11/26) at 7pm Central for #LearnLAP! TOPIC: "Showing Up and Showing Off: Bringing our A-Game every day for students."
