#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Good evening, #ruraledchat folks! Thanks for joining us tonight. We've made commitment to the routine of our Tuesday night chats and we're glad you can be here with us.
Tonight we are talking about the power of rituals and routines to connect us. What's one ritual or routine that you appreciate today but bothered you when you were younger? #RuralEdChat
Hi #ruraledchat ! Natalee from Maine. Down to two 1/2 days of school. When I was younger I hated my mom bugging me to make my bed every morning. Now I do it no problem!
Oh totally...good one. I recall not being very engaged in the ceremonies as a kid, but so moved by them now as markers of change, growth and acheivement. #ruraledchat
I never understood why adults spent so much time holding mugs of warm beverages while chatting. Now that ritual is something I crave more of. #ruraledchat
A1 Read-alouds and student-designer units. Student chosen music in Rock Band. Bonding overnight trips. “Morning Meeting” once a week. Spirit week. End-of-year events.
#ruraledchat
Haha! There are days I can appreciate it the almost meditative quality of dishwashing, but definitely other times where I question why we can't just get our nutrition from things that don't pots, pans and utensils! #ruraledchat
Okay, okay. I've got one. Dinner. Following the news & keeping up on current events. Bit of reading before bed. Typical evening at home w/the 'rents. The news was a bore when I was a kid. Now I'm really into it. Heaven help me. #ruraledchat
I totally picked up a news habit from my folks. I have set it aside intentionally lately, but last weekend I bought not one but two Sunday papers and devoured them. #ruraledchat
A3 We have morning meeting every morning with the entire upper school. Each S is greated by name and has a chance to share on the day's topic. #RuralEdChat
#ruraledchat hey all! I'm Matt, a classroom volunteer for computer science, joining a bit late. I help teach online via Skype, and it works in part because of the rituals we build
A3) every class, every student will get an IM from a member of the teaching team. At minimum, we'll talk about the day's assignment, but often stray into life in general. #RuralEdChat
Almost every day, each student has someone ask them how they're doing - not something they might get otherwise. And even I'm only realizing the depth of that right now #RuralEdChat
@tuliptigerlily is our librarian. She sits in a rocking chair 4 Books & a Chat. It's considered a great honor 2B the 3 chosen to take Horatio (class mascot-stuffed life-sized penguin) & his little rocking chair 2 put next 2 Ms Cia & see if she is ready for our class #ruraledchat
Once Books & a Chat starts, Cia calls on students to say whatever they want 2 share. Big deal. We hear a lot about their animals. #ruraledchat Cia has been known to use Horatio to demonstrate the official fair flourish for fowl.
A1) I teach over Skype, but partner with an in classroom teacher. Every day, he prompts the students to say good morning, and at the end of class, say thank you. The thanks isn't needed, but the routines help humanize us beyond being faces on screens. #RuralEdChat
So when Horatio is not being flourished or fluffed, he gets to sit next to Cia - her in the big librarian rocking chair, him in the little librarian rocking chair - as the book is read to us. Great visual. Super cute. Kids love it. #RuralEdChat
Been learning a lot about the regulation that happens in our nervous systems around greetings & goodbyes. They are mini versions of coming together & departing that are often challenging for many people. This is cool to hear how emphasis can be placed on small acts. #ruraledchat
Loving this sneak peek into a library that is so filled with love and joy. I kinda want to take Horatio home! At summer camp, we have all the beautiful animal puppets out on a discovery table for the Kinder Camp, and kids are so drawn to them. #ruraledchat
A4: building connections. Sure, some of it is to stay organized, but mostly, what we make routine are things meant to help our students and help them connect with us. #ruraledchat
Its interesting to watch the evolution of it with the class each year too - from "are we really doing this?" when we do to "wait, aren't we doing this?" If we have a sub, etc. #ruraledchat
It could be a cardboard box & a Kindle. @tuliptigerlily is the main ingredient that makes it special. She's #magic#RuralEdChat That said, she's got that library tricked out.
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @tuliptigerlily, @tuliptigerlily
yes! isn't that so key? To watch and notice how it evolves for and with the learning community. When kids try to get subs to follow the routines, it's priceless! #ruraledchat
Horatio is understandably very popular. I'm teaching summer school & @tuliptigerlily is doing summer librarian duty. Come visit! Camp & discovery table sound fun! #RuralEdChat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @tuliptigerlily, @tuliptigerlily
Q5 What's on your wish list for a routine or ritual that you'd like to implement next year or in the near future if you are in a year-round learning space? #ruraledchat
As we wrap things up for tonight, I'm grateful for you all chatting on our same channel, same night, same time. You are all shining some light out there in schools. Thank you. #ruraledchat
