#Kinderchat Archive
#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Monday May 9, 2016
It's like the greatness of a black and white cookie: and come together for a great night in 1 minute!
Thought I missed last night, but I didn't! Joint chat tonight with !
Hello, & ! Great to have a joint chat tonight! Leka from Iowa co-moderator of
Like peanut butter & jelly! Or peanut butter & chocolate... mmmm...
Hello . Lori from MO. All my favorite people together. This is going to be good!
Hello! Val from Michigan co-moderator of . Happy to be joining our friends tonight!
That food discussion could go on forever. We know this about ourselves.
Excited for . Lauren here from Calgary Alberta!
Natalie from Louisiana! Instructional/tech coach, but will be teaching first come August! 🎉🎉
this looks like such a fun activity, great for spring too!
Hello everyone! Jessica from Iowa.
HI Everyone! I'm Holly, K-5 STEM Coordinator, from Tampa, FL! Excited to be a part of and
first time chatting here 😊
Hey everyone! Introduce yourselves and tell us what sweet treat you enjoyed on Mother's Day...
Hanging out w/incredibly slow internet tonight and hoping I can keep up! Andrea, 1st grade Cali
Faige from Los Angeles. Glad I can join and
Hello! Kristen from Austin, TX. First time chatting
dueling piano show with mom on Saturday and boiled crawfish on Sunday with step mom!
Hello!! Kelsey from Tampa, FL!
Hi everyone - Cassie from MN .. excited for & tonight
Hi, Dawn! Glad you are here tonight. Can you make sure to tag your tweets with tonight?
Hello, Jen! How are you tonight? Please make sure to tag your Tweets with tonight. Also follow fro Qs
Amy here, school admin in Calgary. Treated mom to brunch at . RECOMMEND. . ...
Kathleen from Edmonton. I made a chocolate cake w/ cream cheese frosting on Mother's Day. And got to keep the leftovers!
Hello from Oregon! K Tchr here.
Hi! Erin from Wisconsin. Nice to see you all!
My family made me cream cheese/strawberry stuffed french toast yesterday! yum!!!
Before we get started with the first question, please make sure you are adding the hashtag to all your tweets. Q1 A1 format.
Hi Erin. How is your beautiful boy
I would eat all of that. All of the things.
Oh! You're so sweet! He is great! How is everyone in your family?
Hi, Michelle! We are over at . Make sure to use that hashtag!
Grandkids getting so big. They're a delight and we're all ok.
Q1: Currently, my Kindergarten students are ________________. (More creative than "crazy". Struggle is real for all)
A1 - Currently my K Ss are trying super hard to act like future 1st graders.
this is too cute. You must be proud !
A1: testing my student teacher during her takeover. :(
how old are your grandkids again? Were you able to see them yesterday for mother's day?
A1: are no longer the k's who started in sept. showing so much growth!
Joining in - Jaime from MD and currently my Kinders are exhausted - field trip today and ramping up for testing
Chelsea from South Dakota. On my phone so will so my best
A1: But totally smart, awesome thinkers amazing problem solvers and ready for 2nd!
Hello from your neighborhood, Jessica!
Ahh, that's always tough.
A1: currently third graders! 😂 taught K in 2012-2013. Is my math correct? 🙄
That's great! 1st grade teachers appreciate hearing that.
A1: Don't have KDG Ss of my own, but I am extremely impressed with the amount of independence of they have developed!
A1: Currently, my kindergarten students are AMAZING ME with their reading growth over the year! https://t.co/Qda3j45vQz
A1not in the classroom but visited today & must say kinders & all grades ready to move up (or wondering about what's next)
My first graders are trying to act like second graders right now!!
definitely! It will be sad to see them go, but so exciting to see who they turn into in gr.1!
A1: Finally willing to write words on their own
Currently- my kinder students are more creative than ever!! Make it Monday is always a blast! https://t.co/995basoUsY
A1: Currently, my k's are creating so much! Gelato shop, cookie factory, "all about" books, pirate ships...
A1 currently impressing me everyday with their growth.
We start ocean next week! Such a fun unit!
A1: My kindergartners are currently writing small moment stories. STORIES people! these babies could barely write their name
need some of these templates. We did these when I taught K, but forgot where We found them.😂
yes! It's so amazing to see the interest in this as they become more confident in themselves and their abilities
We'll continue to praise and encourage them for that as 1st graders :)
11 1/2 girl 9girl & 7 1/2 boy. Live in Dallas. So we FaceTimed and shared what we did.
I make my own!! DM me your email and I'll send you some!!
I love this ! What a great idea
ugh but our handwriting struggle is real
A1: Currently, my Kindergarten students are sequencing stories! Some do it verbally, and verbatim. Some can write it all out!
oh awesome! Thanks a bunch! I'll return the favor when I have some free time!
Can I DM you too? What an awesome idea!
Stories are impressive! No more strings of letters? Congrats! https://t.co/W0vnkVDSVF
A1: My kindergartners are currently writing small moment stories. STORIES people! these babies could barely write their name
would LOVE to see more of these ideas!
such great progression throughout the year !
my STEM coordinator showed me-gets my Ss thinking more critically & being creative at the same time!
I love watching this process unfold!
So fun! Have you ever had your students view a live cam feed before? We love Monterey Bay Aquarium's!
Q2: The most important takeaway from Kindergarten is ________________.
Hi ! Sorry I'm late...flat on my back with muscle spasms. Teaching short people is hazardous to my health. 😜
Handwriting is still a challenge in first grade. Yikes!
I'm going to bawl when this group moves up. They are nothing short of amazing.
We LOVE Monterey Bay's live cam! I went there the year before I started teaching & have used their feed since!
A1 My students are really blossoming with their writing. LOVE IT!
Have to say it: reading tweets re: reading & writing in K makes me glad to teach where those are NOT expected so young.
Wow! Amazing growth in your students! They are ready for first grade:)
Hi! Oh no! That back was acting up the same time last year, no?
A2: curiosity is the biggest take away for my K's in science class
ME TOO. I am in denial about how many weeks are left.
A2: That they can do or be anything. The world is their oyster and is bigger than the community in which they live.
A2 - confidence in all that they can do or want to learn!
Um...yeah...it's a chronic problem. Has been great lately...until today.
A2 for Ts it's patience ;) for Ss its that mistakes matter!
Love it! https://t.co/93SsT9wtV7
A2: That they can do or be anything. The world is their oyster and is bigger than the community in which they live.
yes!! I'm excited to share😊
A2: Most important takeaway for Ss is to be risk takers. Keep the love of learning going! https://t.co/ADiXZbfBwn
Q2: The most important takeaway from Kindergarten is ________________.
A2: The most important takeaway from kindergarten is: be kind! have fun!
Biggest takeaway: they can "do" school, and are part of our community.
A2: Play nice in the sandbox ;)
I can't believe that some of you are done in May! I'm a tad jealous :)
That is so awesome. I really want to go. Today we watched the live feeding of the sardines. My kinders LOVED it
A2: The most important takeaway from Kindergarten is social skills.
I can tell you provide a safe environment for students to take risks! https://t.co/DtT82BMB7o
A2 - confidence in all that they can do or want to learn!
A2: that they are ALL successful & are capable of learning/growing. They are such amazing little humans ❤️
That stinks. I have to visit the chiropractor about once every 6 months.
love this. For some this is the biggest lesson one can teach.
A2 learn social skills how to play/work with a group. Have a solid foundation of basic learning skills.
If you ever get the chance absolutely go! Live feedings just complete any unit for us!
A2 Biggest K takeaway is all in the Robert Fughum poem "All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten."
A2 I agree with you about patience. First time teaching K; needing patience to teach K is an understatement!
A2: The most important takeaway is that relationships are everything.
Looking from the outside I wonder about this. Keeping kids well being a must, so 1 size doesn't fit all https://t.co/ZrPLEMNzHv
Have to say it: reading tweets re: reading & writing in K makes me glad to teach where those are NOT expected so young.
oh no! I hope that you get relief soon!
I am so impressed with the live feeds and their curriculum ideas!
friends, please join for our Summer Book Chat in July. I think the book will support your kinder kids, too.
most important take away from kindergarten is that they love learning and feel they are part of our school family
so wish these were stressed more as K is more and more academic focused!
Boo! I really haven't had back problems since last year.
A2 Biggest takeaway is making sure kids develop a love of learning at this age.
Thanks Erin! And belated Happy Mommy's Day!
Agree! Love the global connection for my Ss to interact with!
A2: I'd love for Ss to have social/emotional skills
A2: it's important they take away that anything is possible and that they never lose their curiosity.
So great to know we can continue on working on this in first grade:) https://t.co/Sb7wifRlVN
A2 Biggest takeaway is making sure kids develop a love of learning at this age.
This is my goal for next year. SEL all day every day.
So important. We are a Trauma Sensitive trained school.
The book is A Mindset For Learning.
A2 Biggest take away the joy in their faces, the laughter in their voices and their I Can attitude
i still have your articles Lori from our 1stchat on trauma. I need to learn how to address it better.
We work on skills every morning during morning meeting.
I find it amusing that all our takeaways we stated are NOT outcomes, KLOs, or Common Core stuff.
The summer book chat book is A Mindset for Learning.
my students are currently running my room and even making up their own question of the day
Just added it to my Amazon cart!
A2: biggest takeaway from kindergarten is learning how to work with others
Imagine that! We know the real deal. https://t.co/eSZ4syq3CH
I find it amusing that all our takeaways we stated are NOT outcomes, KLOs, or Common Core stuff.
A2: I've also learned that taking risks is important. I try to instill that in my kinders. Having that confidence.
I need to touch base w you on strategies to use.
sounds great - count me in!
We work on resilience. How to take care of ourselves.
Can you. Share that article again with me
A2 I tell my first graders to…"Show me that you Know." That reminds them to demonstrate their learning.
when i get back to my computer, i will share the resources i saved
oh thank you! To you too! Hope you had a great day!
Q3: What area do Kindergarteners still need to improve upon in Grade 1?
Hope it's still on sale. I ordered last week for $20!
I struggle because clearly Ss can do it & always hold high expectations, but imagine what K is like with more SEL
A2: the biggest take away from kindergarten is learning how to love to learn
A3: I think hardest part of adjustment to Gr 1 for our Ks is eating in cafeteria. In K, they eat in classrooms.
In America , it's "first grade". In Canada, it's "grade 1". These are things the Internet has taught me.
A3: speaking and listening skills
Yes. I learned a long time ago that I couldn't change what happens outside of school but I can give my Ss tools.
A3 - My K Ss will still need to work on handwriting, social skills, & listening skills once they get to 1st
A3: My Ss in K and 1st seem so competitive. How do you foster community in a small school where they are like siblings?
A3 My students are still learning to keep hands, feet, and body to themselves. And, not tattling.
A3: probably their confidence, taking risks and problem solving both social and academic situations
really?! We eat in the cafeteria!
We always teach to the group we have though, not the group we wish we had.
A3: they're not given enough time to build social skills so I think that is something they still need to approve upon.
A3 Using their words. Crying or balling is not needed. Take a deep breath and use your words.
1st grade is scary! So many expectations! :( so all areas
A3. Ks go to the 2nd floor for 1st grade. A big step in more ways then one. But the excitement of being 1st graders wins
A3 Ss develop at different rate. In first grade we are ready to meet where students are.
A3: My Ks need to improve on lasting the whole day at school. Our K programs are half days, so they're dead tired constantly.
what night and time is the book chat
A3: Ks still need to play and explore. They are highly capable but still need to work on social skills/problem solving
easier said than done when some don't know how to process all that emotion!
A3 Give your peer an "I message" "I don't like it when you…." rather than running to the teacher for Everything.
A3 feel like 1st Ss are expected to sit and sustain silence - not something I stress about in K
I find cafeterias fascinating because we don't have them here unless it's high school.
Our Ks are full-day, and STILL find Gr 1 tiring - more focus, no rest time, much less free play... https://t.co/i6VZaQgKOP
A3: My Ks need to improve on lasting the whole day at school. Our K programs are half days, so they're dead tired constantly.
Sundays at 8 pm EST! Starting July 10th.
That is great to hear! That's how K is - we have no expectations, but I keep hearing about "minimums for 1st"
we say--you don't need to know everything today. Abs i thank kids for taking a risk. It helps.
Self confidence for problem solving is something we work throughout the year. https://t.co/c0Yc6UPYin
A3 Give your peer an "I message" "I don't like it when you…." rather than running to the teacher for Everything.
A3: Body control and the ability to focus/work independently. And handwriting!!!
That is true for our public schools, here, too. Priv schools (like mine) mostly have cafeteria(s).
We move around a lot! Especially in first few months of school. They need to build stamina over time.
To me, this is largely what I base my K program on along with curricular demands. SO important.
Mine too We have a full day but have a quiet time. We also have free play/exploration centers at the end of the day
I have a couple of students who are finally ready for handwriting. Their fine motor is developing slower than others.
yes, 100%. Calming strategies, so you can talk through problems or persevere.
Q4: What foundational skills do Grade 1 students need to start off the year successfully?
"Play" time has evolved into "free choice" time for our first graders. Also, do Maker Spaces, etc.
the zones of regulation is a great starting tool for this!
this is also a good time for
A4 I expect students to have a wide range of reading abilities. Knowing all letters and letter sounds would be a good start.
A4 risk taking. It's ok to make mistakes. Awareness for they don't have to know everything. We will all grow together.
so many expectations when starting first grade . Hoping they believe in themselves so can start confident in 1st grade
When I taught 1st, I really liked when kids could put on their own shoes. Sounds silly!
Not in my classroom! But i think it depends. :(
A4 A willingness to give it a go! Even when it appears hard or challenging.
Do y'all DRA at your school? Our kinders need to be at a DRA 6 at the end of the year.
yes! FAIL means first attempt in learning!!
it takes awhile for them to adjust. Lots of tears and yawns for awhile. :(
What is a DRA? (Obviously we do not use it!)
Independence is hugs in Gr. 1. Not silly at all!
A4 Kindness and sensitivity to their classmates. How to raise their hands and be patient, listen to others, kind words
We had built in to the schedule play time inside/outdoor as well as free choice &
Yes, we do. The lowest of the low kids receive Reading Recovery in first grade.
Question 4 ours have to be on specified DRA level and using beginning middle , end sound when writing their stories
A4- here they need 2 know all letters, sounds & K sight words. Ability to write a simple sentence. .
A4 solid letter ID & sound recognition. Also solid number sense in teen numbers.
A4: I think sounding out in kid spelling and basic recognition of "sight words/popcorn words"
I'm doing EOY DRAs now! SO impressed with their growth 😍
I expect that of my K students, too! The word TRY is important in my class.
Tieing shoes is not silly! Huge skill!
Nah, fine if they can't tie, as long as shoes don't have laces!
Developmental Reading Assessment.
We have been singing in the teens start w/ a 1 for weeks now! We are getting there!
That should have read huge...
Wow! I'm thrilled if mine are 3's, but most are 1's.
Oh. Gotchat. Yeah, we do not have that. The joys of teaching outside the US.
wow a 6 ours gave to be a 3
that's super unfortunate they "need" to be at a certain level by the end... If they aren't then what?
how does the song go? It will be good to sing at the BOY!
A4: Reading, simple retelling, simple add. & sub., writing conventions
in our district it's one of the "career and college readiness" benchmarks
How does DRA compare to PM levels? I try to have my K's at PM level 5, but no expectation.
I'm doing EOY DRAs now, too!! I'm super pleased with their growth!!
A4 Also, Concepts of Print should be strong.
try playing garbage or trash with the teen numbers - all my kids have them solid after 2 days
I love using Jack Hartmann songs to help with counting!
honestly I'm happy if they have a love of reading regardless of levels
I will need to check those out! Thanks!
how do you play the game?
Our Gr1 tchrs are happy if kids know all letter names & sounds, but some don't & that is ok.
Q5: Identify one area that K students absolutely need to master before the start of Grade 1.
they are SO catchy!!! Haha!
A5: Coming in from recess independently, when the bell rings. Not joking.
A5: Writing their names and letters
Yes! My Ss all picked up books and read pictures or words at the beginning.
yes we do 3 is the end of the year goal. 16 at the end of 1st
garbage is a good game yes my is love it
Makes a huge difference when they love books!
Q5 Know letter sounds, number sequence--counting and writing, writing all letters
A5: recognizing and printing their own name, recognizing/ naming numbers to 10
I was just going to say walking in a single file line in a crowd :)
A5: A love of books, one to one correspondence and cardinality. Sorry, that's 3. ;)
A5 writing & reading their own names. Being able to write 1-10.
A5 Being able to line up without a fight
Number order all day every day!
A5 Thinking using the bathroom on their own (and coming back into the classroom without a search party)
There is still a fight with this. They can't remember what number they are.
NOW YOU ARE TALKING MY LANGUAGE! https://t.co/5F15raFEcT
A5 Thinking using the bathroom on their own (and coming back into the classroom without a search party)
so hard to understand: we are alllll going to the same place. Haha
A5 Master? The reality is, I try to meet them where they are. How can I be ready for them rather than other way around.
we are doing DRA2 right now. I'm excited to see their growth, but it takes a good while to complete.
What do you mean what number they are?
I completely agree. It takes so long to complete all of them!
Ss are assigned a number, usually based on ABC order, then they are to line up in that order
love this!! They are all different and have different skills to celebrate for mastery!
SING IT! That is exactly how I felt as a 1st teacher and how I feel as a K teacher.
Truth! Build that relationship, & trust Then so much will fall into place https://t.co/7Zl6EOsKDK
A5 Master? The reality is, I try to meet them where they are. How can I be ready for them rather than other way around.
no problem - I can send you my template if you DM me your email
Oh, why can't they just line up wherever they want?
Thanks to everyone for coming out to our and party! Have a great evening.
Might be the best thing I've heard all night :) Hooray for primary teachers! https://t.co/pjUE8Cifxd
A5 Master? The reality is, I try to meet them where they are. How can I be ready for them rather than other way around.
Except mine are numbered by behavior & boy/girl. I ask T who needs to be near me and who needs space.
thankfully we are more independent now! BOY DRAs were difficult- to keep them busy and test.
It is amazing how different the expectations are for kindergartens around the world.
thanks for the great conversation and questions! Until next time
bc many fight to be first. Also is easy for me to see who's missing.
Thank you and for a great conversation
