#DITCHbook was created by Ditch That Textbook author Matt Miller. The chat focuses on innovative teaching ideas and disrupting standard textbook education.
Craig, RTI Facilitator from Texas. Happy to co-moderate tonight's chat with the awesome @rlfreedm! If I owned a plane, I'd take my wife to Italy #ditchbook
Rayna here from MA! 5th grade T & @masscue pres elect. Happy to be here with #ditchbook tonight after #BLC18. Learning never stops. If I had a plane I would want to go to Miami! Love the beach! #DitchBook
Hey #ditchbook! Stella from KY here! I am an Instructional Technology Coordinator. So happy to learn with you all tonight. If I owned a plane, I would like to travel to ANYWHERE! Lol. I love to travel.
#ditchbook Todd Shriver Technology Coach North White (Indiana). Participating from Reynolds, IN tonight. Would like to be on a plane to Boston to make a visit to @fenwaypark. Goal is to sit atop the Green Monster and watch the @RedSox !
#ditchbook Jen Walter, MS sci teacher and EdTech support specialist from MO! I'd head to Scotland ...any other #Outlander fans would know why. 😉 #gothroughthestones
A1. I would design a new budget with heavy PD, SEL, and #edtech. I also would put money away in case something comes up unexpected. I do think money needs to go to make capital improvements. #ditchbook
A1: I'd tear down my school (old, small classrooms, asbestos, etc) and redesign to make the learning environment more flexible and conducive to collaboration and learning #ditchbook
If I owned a plane, I would be able to accomplish my goal of attending every @NHL stadium and enjoying a local sports bar to be amongst the game day fans and atmosphere in all cities!!! #ditchbook
A1 Modest starting point for this what-if: Our class -- or even our school -- library would be all kinds of on-demand. Readers would demand material they needed, and we'd get it. #ditchbook
Katrina Rehm @RehmKatrina ASL teacher from Spartanburg, SC. If I had my own plane I'd be heading to Europe to see all the sight I read about. I'd start in Germany to see where my family can from. #Ditchbook#conversechat
In reply to
@rlfreedm, @craigklement, @RehmKatrina
Hello #ditchbook PLN. Stephen from KY here. I just teach band and speak sarcastically. If I had a plane I would go SOUTH! Sand and sun are my favorites.
Flexible learning is so important for Ss today. I am still trying to figure out what to do with my desk and saw #BLC18 someone made it a learning station #ditchbook
#ditchbook A1: More resources to help our most at risk students. I could have all the cool toys and tools in the world, but first I want all kids to have full bellies and basic needs met.
A1. I would ask the students how the want to learn and go from there.
I, personally, would implement tons of field trips and hands-on experiences for our students.
I want Ss to begin taking classes that interest them earlier in education. #ditchbook
A1: My first priority would be helping out those Ss who haven't had a new pair of shoes in a while, or those that could use a new outfit. Or, even groceries. Then, fill all Ss lunch accounts to the max. Then focus on technology and pedagogy. #KidsDeserveIt#ditchbook
A1: I'd redesign our communal spaces, purchase flexible seating options for teachers who want them, and invest in a trauma-informed curriculum for staff training. Plus good, healthy lunch food - for all!! And 1:1 devices. Obvs. #ditchbook
A1: Build a performing arts center complete with classrooms, equipment room, new equipment, put air conditioning in our gym, install state of the are HVAC and state of the art security. So really, doze it & start from ground up. #DitchBook
#ditchbook Q1 If budget wasnt an issue I'd buy each student a dictionary as well as any relevant resources to help them learn ASL. I'd also take them for a trip to Gallaudet University. #conversechat#gallaudetuniversity
Hey folks, Micah, HS Spanish teacher ditching from Indiana. I just watched the Cosby episode when Theo wanted to fly. Like him, I would just want to take to the sky. #DitchBook
Hi, Melissa Torrence Garland, TX A1: Provide more experiences for students with things such as field trips and out of the traditional classroom learning #ditchbook
A2. Ps need to understand process and power of feedback and #growthmindset. Starting at curriculum night and holding hands until Ps are comfortable with the shift to let go. Transparency is key. #ditchbook
Great question. Dispose of every single single arm chair desk ever. Bring in more natural light. Less fluorescent overhead lighting. Makerspaces. Make the school into hubs for learning. Outdoor spaces for learning. #learningspaces#studentchoice#ditchbook chat
A1. I would build a new school. Lots of open spaces and large rooms with windows. *man I would love a window in my room* And I would let tea hers and students have input on the design. #ditchbook
Hi, Melissa Torrence Garland, TX A1: Provide more experiences for students with things such as field trips and out of the traditional classroom learning #ditchbook
While we're dreaming big, I'm remembering the plane from the intro question. You might just want to have that (or an entire fleet) available to fly classes to where experts are :) #ditchbook
A2: The best way to explain it to parents is to listen to their concerns, listen first and then back up your responses with research. You never want to do something major without having the parents in the loop. Their kids are their WORLD, respect that! #Ditchbook
A1. If money was not an issue, I would invest in flexible seating. And a way to get the kids out in the community to make a difference with Spanish.
#DitchBook
A2: Google Site of student portfolio and how their learning can translate into realistic skills for other grades, ages, and goals on their lives. #ditchbook
A1 I'd integrate arts- costumes, instruments; tech- green room, media; additional support- counselors, social workers; survey Ss to see what they wanted. #DitchBook
A2 - I would explain the importance of the learning process to parents and everything isn't about the product(grade). I think having students set goals and track their progress would be a great way to get parents on board with no grades. #ditchbook
A2. I am looking at using Can Do statements to help document and track progress. Students self assess and create a portfolio to demonstrate what they can do.
#DitchBook
A2: Masteryis not dependent upon grades. Grades do not necessarily reflect mastery. Explain to parents that the world now needs Ss who can
🌟Adapt
🌟Create
🌟Share
Shoutout to CUE Craft #DitchSummit ~ @jcorippo@CateTolnai@jmattmiller#DitchBook
A2: A plethora of student work and reflection to show growth - and many many many student led conferences to show off their knowledge. Let the happiness and strengths of their child sell it #ditchbook
#ditchbook A1 Bring speakers in to engage with students. Allowing Ss to hear the story of a person from history and the interact is powerful! We have been fortunate!
I still cannot believe that stuff is still in schools. Today #BLC18@JoyKirr mentioned if we still did our hair like 1980s we would be in a hot mess. Why do we change hair styles but not classroom furniture? #ditchbook
#ditchbook A2: explain that letter grades don't necessarily equate with mastery of a topic...letter grades are too often the goal, when it should be the understanding.
Q2: Students create their own data charts which show progress on formative assessments which could be anything...projects, quiz, test, performances. Also PTC could serve as the point of discussion for students not just a letter grade. What a world it would be w/o GPAs #ditchbook
#Ditchbook A3 I would teach my students to love learning. Find something they are so passionate about they have to share it with everybody either by artistic methods or by not being able to stop talking about it. That's how I love ASL and history #conversechat
A3. I would love to show Ss how to play four square the way I used to. I think teaching them some great outdoor recess games is important or have them design their own. #ditchbook
A3: Man this question is loaded. I would want to have a Genius Hour class where students learned how to find their passions, how to ask questions, do research, make connections to employeers/professionals in their passion, and then make their own project. #Ditchbook#DREAMING
A3 - Luckily, I get to teach exactly what I want...psychology. Within that curriculum, I LOVE being able to teach Ss about the science of learning. Incredibly important for study habits and future learning. #Ditchbook
A2 Rather than a what-if, more like a what-was. Here's how students, families, & I started this conversation in 2017-18: https://t.co/sWSQigNfni From there, sometimes bumpy, sometimes fulfilling road. 2018-19 remains TBD. Conversation starts anew in less than 2 weeks. #ditchbook
A3: this is a hard one.. I think it would be constantly changing depending on what those students were interested in at the time - following student passions and giving them the support they needed to pursue dreams even at a very young age #ditchbook
A3: I would love to teach our middle schoolers about getting their first jobs and how they can begin to market themselves for their future. Then, based off of @rlfreedm suggestion, I'd take 'em to the tetherball court!! #ditchbook
#ditchbook A3: I'd teach them whatever they want to learn...I would love to do some #passionprojects...anyone do those? I would also love to teach students life skills and have a #studentPD a la @Erin_Lawson3 !!!
We had fun coming up with the Qs tonight! #ditchbook Loved listening to @JoyKirr#BLC18 about genius hour. Teaching Ss how to ask questions. Now there is a novel idea.
#ditchbook A3 18 years ago, created a class over the decade of the 1980s. It has been fabulous to teach. I never get old lol! Study news, music, pop culture etc. Been fortunate to have many icons join us and share. All started with Mark Goodman!
A3: at our school we have implemented an additional time slot where Ts get to choose a passion to teach and students sign up for their interest. We also incorporate RtI & genius hour during this time #Ditchbook
A3 With blank check provided by this question & limitless budget carried over from Q1, I'd love to foster students' learning about cooking in finely appointed kitchen space with well-stocked fridge & pantry. #ditchbook
A3: I get to do it already! I love teaching Ss how to read. My favorite is showing Ss how informational books can teach you new things! There is no better feeling than a S reading a book own their own for the first time. #ditchbook
Q4- One thing I would change about school is the time it starts. We know a later start for HS students is better, so did it. Or shorten the day like some European schools do, more time in class doesn't equal to more learning. #Ditchbook#conversechat
A3: If I could teach anything I wanted - today it would be getting kids to investigate various #pseudosciences and #skeptical problem-solving. Dive deep into some form of alternative medicines. #ditchbook
A4. I would ask the Ss what they would do. Maybe build something in @Minecraft or Google Draw. Then we could discuss together what would work for our school. Maybe @thelivbits has some ideas for the perfect design of a school! #ditchbook#blc18
A4: I'd make much bigger classrooms that had plenty of spaces and technology for collaboration on projects. We would help solve problems in our community so their learning is authentic and practical #ditchbook
A4: I would transition away from standardized testing and traditional grading. I would look at other ways to determine the growth of the students in the school year. #ditchbook
#ditchbook A3 One of the best discussions: Mike Eruzione and the 1980 Olympic Hockey Team. Honored to have him speaker with our students!
https://t.co/9jMOLVu7SN
Cramped classrooms are no fun! Windowless classrooms are draining. Schools need to be a place where students can go and feel inspired, not institutionalized.
#Ditchbook
A4: I'd make much bigger classrooms that had plenty of spaces and technology for collaboration on projects. We would help solve problems in our community so their learning is authentic and practical #ditchbook
First point of order? Have students working in smaller sets with teachers as coaches. I think basically we could achienve whatever we wanted to if we could set it up into an academic adviser style system as opposed to large classes - however, resources :(
#ditchbook
A4 redesign the look of schools, more open spaces, purposeful spaces, makerspaces, greenhouse, create space where students can tinker, create, learn #ditchbook
A4: Get rid of unnecessary textbooks. Never ever even consider another state assessment to determine our funding, and start offering classes that students are passionate about taking, just as much as teachers are about teaching them. #ditchbook
A4: I would put outside activities in elementary schools like an outside classroom, a garden, a place where you can have animals. My students love learning outside. #ditchbook
Q4: Our instructional leaders spend too much time supervising (for safety of course). Hire people to do the supervising. Let our leaders lead in the classrooms. More mentoring could happen this way. More authentic interaction by admins with Ss would hopefully result. #ditchbook
A4: Make the scheduling like college (for HS/MS) with M-W-F and T-TH classes. Eliminate the “daycare” structure of upper grades. Electives & other activities could be scheduled too, and based on S interests and job experiences. #ditchbook
Ha!! So did we!!! I'd love to hear more about your structure and the trials and tribulations you had while setting it up and while it was running. #DitchBook
