#worldgeochat is a weekly chat focused on teaching geography and global studies. Chats vary between geography specific topics as well as general teaching and education topics. ALL are welcome in worldgeochat!
Welcome to #worldgeochat! We are talking Out of Classroom Experiences, including field trips, travel, and out of the box experiences! Introduce yourself, where you're from, and what you teach! #sstlap#sschat
John Honish, 7th grade geography 8th grade US History coming to you from Mrs Honish’s doghouse after ruining a batch of buttermilk pancakes by not following directions #worldgeochat
A1 The absolute best have been to foreign countries. Leading students to a foreign place where they can learn, grow, push their comfort zone, and apply their learning is truly transformation. #worldgeochat Must watch: https://t.co/LwXrdsIu7k
A1: Our field trip last year was to the @Heifer Farm in Massachusetts. It was an AWESOME way to give students an actual idea of what different living standards are like around the world #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat A1 There are many! Start with our visits with Congressman John Lewis and Mike Eruzione. Can’t get these experiences or stories in a textbook. Made history relevant for our Ss. @1988project
A1: The best out of classroom experiences I’ve had with students are trips to “Feed My Starving Children” and delivering presents as part of the Letters to Santa program. #worldgeochat
A1: Wow, already. Standing in the Sistine Chapel w/ students, Dare You To Move blasting through the earbuds, proud/thankful to be alive, walking free on the earth! Staring up at perfection. 1 of the best moments of my life. #worldgeochat@switchfoot@WillCorn76
Several years back I had two awesome Ss advance to state for @NationalHistory We spent a few days in Austin soaking up the state history! #WorldGeoChat
A1: Taking a weekend field trip to the Nat'l Museum of Mexican Art, lunch, and mural viewing in Pilsen (Chicago) w/ students and families! #worldgeochat
Welcome, Melissa! Our school does something similar with "Tech Help for Seniors." Our middle school students help out at the senior home next to our school @CDonahue48#worldgeochat
A1 I've gotten to join our 8th graders in DC - fascinating to see how some Ss take it so seriously and others would rather be at a water park. #worldgeochat
Best out of school experience -- standing in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey listening to students tell each other who did what, who wrote what, etc. Best teacher moment ever #worldgeochat
A2 The focus must be educational, but also with opportunities for student leadership. @EFtours is now offering Global Leadership Summits that allow foreign travel blended with a leadership conference. I’m eyeballing Davos 2019: https://t.co/S8CFL8bWjR#worldgeochat
Not sure. I hope you had a lot of time to read over break! I know I had several hours of relaxing with coffee and some good books over break. It was amazing! #worldgeochat
A2: Like @EFtours says, education first. It can be as academic as school, yet as fun and awesome as a vacation. Mirror how you want your students to act/behave and you'll all have the time of your life. #worldgeochat
I began communication with @EFtours, but need to figure out how to get families and administration on board for middle schoolers traveling abroad #worldgeochat
A2: something’s can’t be learned with a textbook or a lecture. They must be felt and seen to have an impact. Anything that a textbook can’t capture (which is a lot) is fair game for a trip for me! #worldgeochat
A2
For me, it has to be something that I can't replicate in the classroom. It also HAS to be something that helps Ss understand an event, experience, or something else. Can't just be a fun day. #worldgeochat
A2: Help them envision themselves as more than just "students"
-community change makers -global citizens -environment protectors. Things like that! #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat A2 Don’t be afraid to try. Ss are wanting to meet new people. Best comment I’ve ever heard from a student: “I spoke with Ss in Russia!” Working to build collaboration projects with classes we meet.
A3 Any out of classroom experience should be approached with educational prep days along with follow up debriefing days. It is also important for students to put their learning on display. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to know the story behind this? #worldgeochat
Honestly, I hadn't thought about it. But that creates a trickle down. When we have Ss go to Top Golf because they sold magazines it creates so many other issues! #worldgeochat
A2: authentic experiences that show Ss new or different perspectives, help them apply learning to real people or communities, + inspire Ss to act #worldgeochat
Putting a hold on it now! I'm reading Genuine Fraud and Prisoners of Geography. Both are excellent. I read Butter over break in 2 days it was that good! #worldgeochat
A3 #worldgeochat
Start with the end in mind. Reverse engineer from what you want students to come away with and then look for the opportunities that tie in. Then look for the threads that connect to other parts of your curriculum to loop back to all year.
A3: before I plan a trip I always try to think ahead about how I can relate the experience to future units. It is easier to pitch to admin as well if you can back it up with this. #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat A3 Collaboration! We are continuing to work with Sweden to build videos to share with them about the US. Working on a project with an Iowa school over the American Revolution.
A3: have students share takeaways with younger students afterwards. Small win, but intellectual curiosity is contagious when modeled by older students. #worldgeochat
A3) You need to lead in and lead out to the experience.
We send students every Friday for 5 weeks through activities in Melbourne
Then tehy get 3 weeks to design their own
On week 9 they get their parents to do their activity
#worldgeochat
A3 Museums and historical sites often have pre-trip activities and post-trip activities. Keep it menainful and will become part of the curriculum. #worldgeochat
A3: Experiences should stem from natural connections to what's going on IN the classroom/building/community, so it's not just a blip on the radar. #worldgeochat
Putting a hold on it now! I'm reading Genuine Fraud and Prisoners of Geography. Both are excellent. I read Butter over break in 2 days it was that good! #worldgeochat
A3: use trips/experiences as a starting point for projects or investigations. Incorporate #servicelearning (as we did with @SOME_DC so our Ss were working on something tangible to benefit others), continue to learn + share related info #worldgeochat
A4 You MUST bring VR into the classroom. It has been one of the highlights of the year so far. Easily a geography teacher’s best friend! Bring that foreign place right into their class #worldgeochat
A4: I'm looking for more quests and scavenger hunts in which I can really bring the students outside the classroom and exploring the world #worldgeochat
A4: investigations, explorations, simulations, + visitors! We LOVE guest speakers (they can also visit via video chat if distance is an issue). Had a storyteller visit last year + Ss still talk about her. https://t.co/NQB8oPDSp5#worldgeochat
@jmgarner2003 Yes it makes students take it more serious and be proud of teh work.
There are always a few who don't get families so we swap them around sometimes #worldgeochat
A4: So many these days. We are fortunate to have a class set of Google Expeditions VR Sets. In addition there are other websites such as the ones I included in this post https://t.co/DjOYE8Gn0l for those with out the VR headsets. #worldgeochat
A4: Guest speakers used to be my favorite, but I just got a @prometheanboard installed over thanksgiving break and so many amazing interactive things are about to be happening #worldgeochat
Only the best game EVER! Your students play a type of game of "20 Questions" to figure out their location. Your students have NO IDEA who they're skyping with #worldgeochat
Kelly have you used any of the other VR sites like the New York Times? I've only tried Google Expeditions and don't want to be missing out. #worldgeochat
Technology is a game changer, so I hope no one is shying away from it....
My faves for SS are shared Flipgrids, new Google Earth, Hangouts, and YouTube 360s to name a few #worldgeochat
A4
Bring in the experts. We wanted to see North Korea, but since that wasn't going to happen, we talked to @willripleyCNN who has been there more than a dozen times! #worldgeochathttps://t.co/1rn55EjWLm
A3 Build lessons/unit around the field trip that utilize inquiry, taking informed action, & reflection on key concepts & experiences that were encountered during the field trip #worldgeochat
Lurking in #worldgeochat tonight. Wanted to mention that museum educators long to work with teachers prior to visits to guarantee a meaningful learning experience.
A4 I need to figure out BreakoutEDUs better. There is such potential there for Ss to handle artifacts or discover primary source texts. Just need to figure it out! #worldgeochat
A4) Skype is a great resource to bring in. Did an author Skype with @Bartography after reading “The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch”. Brought more to the lesson. #worldgeochat
A5
Don't stay in the classroom day in and day out. Have class outside, in your LRC, wherever. I love having my Ss do a walk and talk outside of the classroom - but it can be an issue for other Ts. #worldgeochat
A5 Walkable field trips. I.E. analyze neighborhood buildings to analyze Human-Env Interaction & culture & use that as an initial starting off point to analyze past cultures through investigating their buildings #worldgeochat
A5: Honestly, even just getting into the hallway adds some excitement. So many of my students ask if they can work in the hallway. It changes everything! Take something you'd usually do in class, find a location that would support it, and go for it! #worldgeochat
A5: Even if you don’t explore digital resources try some kinesthetic activities in the gym. @breakoutEDU are also great and can be done anywhere. #worldgeochat
When you have a chance, could you send a link of which one? I like making sure I get supplies that other teachers use and have had positive experiences with #worldgeochat
A5: scavenger hunts, investigations, simulations, + really great #readaloud books! Our Ss feel like they leave the room everyday through books (+ incorporate geography in reading, of course!) #worldgeochat
A5 if you’re in the classroom still, let them play, especially if it simulates somewhere else. I had lots of fun with this game, possible extension activity #worldgeochathttps://t.co/0Fj3yap8xq
A5: Utilize other spaces: library, outdoors (in Aug, May and June for us in Illinois); combine classes; swap teachers; pair classrooms via technology for long-term activities/projects #worldgeochat
you can sign up to have your class work w/ a currently serving peace corps volunteer overseas or sign up to have local returned PCVs come to class to speak #worldgeochat
Have them peruse through Google Expeditions and when they pick one, you be the guide and let them use the VR headset to be the student... hooks them every time! #worldgeochat
A6: I've brought my Ss to Italy, France, England, a presidential inauguration, and upcoming trips to Greece and Spain are in the works. The ULTIMATE trip though? Cairo to Cape town. By road. #worldgeochat
A6: I would love to bring students to do a conservation project either in Costa Rica or Indonesia (which can go back and forth with safety). Would love to get 7th graders seeing different perspectives and hearing different languages #worldgeochat
A6 Too many places to narrow to 1. Every summer we (C-GEO) take pre-service Ts & Oregon Ts on overseas trips. They're all trips of a lifetime! I suppose answer is any place that will challenge them & expand horizons #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat A6 Athens, Rome and the Holy Lands. The beginnings of Western Civilization and the Center of the monotheistic religion. So much to see and learn.
A6 after discussing South America more than I normally do my Ss this year keep coming back to Brazil in discussions. I would love to go and I’d really love to take them. #worldgeochat
A6: ANYwhere??? Space. Definitely. The moon. But without leaving the atmosphere, Antarctica. Hands down. Really shake up their perspectives. #worldgeochat
A6: so hard to pick one location! My ideal destination for a trip w/Ss probably changes depending on the book we are reading! Maybe Bangalore, India after reading Save Me a Seat? #worldgeochat
A7 Outline to them the 21st century skills they will learn. Critical thinking, problem solving, cross-cultural awareness, empathy, etc. Explain to them how these skills will be learned thru the experience & why important for Ss futures #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat I highly recommend CR. It’s closer than Indo. it’s always safe and they have some great local places you can partner with. My “hippie cousin” (we all have one) used to live there.
A7 "Parents, I'm one hell of a teacher. I can get your Ss to learn anything. Really, anything. I can make them understand places, interactions, and people. But, I can't teach them what Rome sounds like, or Barcelona smells like, or how green Ireland is" 43 signed up #worldgeochat
A7: Great question. I am building advocates one kid at a time all day long. They go home and tell their parents about the fun times in class. When kids are happy, and parents are happy, admin usually is happy too! Basically, start w/ being a GOOD TEACHER. ;) #worldgeochat
Gain parent and admin buy in by showing them the student impact using video. Nothing convinces others as much as hearing from the students themselves #worldgeochathttps://t.co/a7gJbBvDea
A7 "Parents, I'm one hell of a teacher. I can get your Ss to learn anything. Really, anything. I can make them understand places, interactions, and people. But, I can't teach them what Rome sounds like, or Barcelona smells like, or how green Ireland is" 43 signed up #worldgeochat
A7: BY NOT GIVING THEM ANY OTHER OPTION. Pretty sure my principal just got tired of seeing my face in his office every other day with another reason for him to say yes! #worldgeochat#stubborn
A7: Student enthusiasm + engagement will convince them! Or ask Ss to write persuasive essays (or put together top ten lists) detailing why trips are so valuable. #worldgeochat
A6: I've brought my Ss to Italy, France, England, a presidential inauguration, and upcoming trips to Greece and Spain are in the works. The ULTIMATE trip though? Cairo to Cape town. By road. #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat A7 There is more than corn in Indiana! Experiences exist outside of our communities! Take advantage of what other communities, cities, states and counties have to offer.
A7 "Parents, I'm one hell of a teacher. I can get your Ss to learn anything. Really, anything. I can make them understand places, interactions, and people. But, I can't teach them what Rome sounds like, or Barcelona smells like, or how green Ireland is" 43 signed up #worldgeochat
A7 - You have to build relationships with your students AND their parents. They have to trust you enough to send the most precious thing in their life with you. #worldgeochat
I love the idea of having students write persuasive essays. That would definitely be something that both motivates and provides an authentic audience! #worldgeochat
I love the idea of having students write persuasive essays. That would definitely be something that both motivates and provides an authentic audience! #worldgeochat
A8: I'm really going to look more into VR. I'm consistently looking for ways to get them outside of the classroom, including more scavenger hunts and quests #worldgeochat
#worldgeochat a8 Right now for us, we are doing it through Skype/FaceTime and Hangouts. I hope it encourages our Ss to travel and see that there is more to the world than our part of Indiana. If not, we were able to provide them an opportunity.
A8 I know it’s counter to the theme, but if getting them out of the classroom is difficult I should focus every day on making them enjoy being IN the classroom #worldgeochat
A8 it doesn't have to be a trip that far outside of the classroom. Sometimes just walking around the bock to gain a new perspective of the school neighborhood can have an impact of Ss geographic thinking #worldgeochat
That hour flew by! Thanks so much @SamMandeville for leading this week's chat! Thanks also to all that participated. Definitely some amazing ideas and resources were shared to get Ss exploring outside of the classroom! #worldgeochat
