The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
#bfc530 Good Morning! I have had an amazing week, and a big part of that has been connecting with all of you! So important to work with #teachers beyond the 4 walls of your #classroom. #FridayMotivation
We don't have a board-wide approach. It's really up to the individual schools/teachers to address it. Our spec ed tech will work with students 1:1 on developing various strategies #bfc530
I think we talk about Social Emotional Learning but at the end of the day it is up to the individual teacher to decide whether it truly happens or not #bfc530
I spend so much time on this in my own classroom- b/c if students are struggling they are in no way ready to learn. Reading Calm, Alert and Learning by @StuartShanker really opened my eyes to some social/emotional stressors students can be experiencing #bfc530
We just finished round 1 of our standardized Pearson testing and we go to Nature’s Classroom next week, so today I’m having kids create visual narratives, aka dioramas, using half-price peeps. #bfc530
We have a SAC, 2 psychologists, 2 social workers, a referral system, the usuals. Many Ts have been incorporating mindfulness activities into classroom. There are also no HW weekends and no assessment days. #bfc530
@gilkatgil I got it off of TPT; I don’t buy a lot from there any more, but I do like the escape classrooms; but there is a bit to the assembly of it all #bfc530
Prioritize relationships building and maintaining.
All stakeholders need to be mindful. Awareness is key!!
Mechanism in place to deal with many levels of crisis.
#bfc530
This Q is a bit beyond my circle of knowledge, so I can't offer many specifics, but overall FCPS is doing a good job at this. #bfc530https://t.co/9b2WIBJtrg
I think we get so lost in our content demands that we forget we teach kids who need to also learn how to be good humans and how to cope with life. #bfc530
We call them Life & Career Skills. Introduce them to Ss & then consisitently refer to them & embed them in our teaching. I just published a blog about it https://t.co/BGRuLrnqO3#bfc530
We start gratitude chains - 'Who can you thank for helping you become a better learner/friend, etc.'- we keep going until everyone has been mentioned #BFC530
Mainly through the teacher modeling what acceptable behaviors are. Those who are identified with a need in this area are referred to meet with a school psychologist weekly to talk. We definitely do not put our best foot forward with this. #bfc530
I think this is a good way to summarize what happens in my district's ms & hs. We have school counselors & assemblies that address issues but no set agenda. #bfc530
We also try to address things in the moment so they can appreciate the context- e.g. 'How did that feel just now when she made room for you in the circle?' 'How did that feel to make room for her?' etc. #bfc530
For me, everything begins and ends with a great read alouds and diverse characters; Wonder, Fish In a Tree; Orphan Island; Clayton Byrd (to just name a few that I have read this year alone) #bfc530
We are incorporating send step programs, zones of regulation w/assist from adjust counselor , great ideas/practices on mindfulness w/awesome health/wellness teacher #bfc530
#bfc530 At the district level we received training on it by Dept. Not sure how it’s being addressed with classroom teachers. Hmmm... I must investigate!
SEL needs are such a significant reality in our schools today! We cannot ‘plough through’ curriculum and forget about the true foundation of ‘success’ when it comes to learning! Testing certainly has added to stress levels! #bfc530
On that note- thinking that a SEL curriculum is the answer is a misstep I think- it is so dependent on child and context that a program approach can not possibly meet all needs #bfc530
“Regardless of vocation, it’s all about relationships. In every situation, no matter the topic or outcome, you are either building or breaking relationship. Focus on the relationship and you’ll always find success.” @drneilgupta
Relationships first; curriculum second
But, kids who love their teacher will work harder for them And Ts who love their class will work harder for them
Win - Win
Relationships first
#bfc530
We are playing catch up with changing clientele so SEL is a huge part of the work being done in our school - advisory, SST, lots of trauma education for staff. #BFC530
Time for our anti bullying assembly ... we have district mandated lessons we do ... they are ok but it is almost like a one and done thing. A we taught you now you know attitude. #bfc530
As the @UmojaCorp SEL Specialist in the building this is my wheelhouse for sure! We have a daily SEL seminar for 9th & 12th graders and a half a year of 11th. Some schools we work in have all four grades. This curriculum focuses on (1) #bfc530
Our classroom focuses on building relationships first& foremost, so SEL activities include tons of read alouds like I am Peace, In My Heart, The Energy Bus, The Dot, use of positive words, affirmations, And building community via morning meetings #bfc530
Completely agree! We worry about Ss in adolescence: stress, anxiety etc. but we need to start addressing these concerns MUCH earlier! With trained & qualified support staff. #bfc530
Good Friday morning #bfc530 Heading into Boston for #studentgovdayma ! As for SEL, we have a homeroom period at start of day, build relationships with Ss, check their “temperature” each morning, start day in calm, positive manner. Problem though, neediest Ss usually skip it.
This sounds like the kind of class I would like my own child to attend. I'm also a huge fan of morning meetings- such an important way to start our day! #bfc530
How to Do School, College and Career, Winning Behaviors, Healthy Choices and Service Learning. As a freshmen they gain skills on how to thrive in high school which are then built on till senior year where they learn how to thrive in their postsecondary life (2) #bfc530
On Fridays we do a special 'Peace' greeting where they transfer a balancing bird from one finger to another- takes a lot of teamwork- they really look forward to this #bfc530
Right now freshmen are learning how to be Solutionaries and what is in their locus of control while juniors are looking at careers and seniors are planning for Decision Day and completing postsecondary plans. (3) #bfc530
On an adult and team level, we focus on the whole child. We use academic check ins to guide who needs more support. We have both a behavior health team and culture team in the building. SEL is a priority that starts the year (Connections Week) & continues throughout. (4) #bfc530
I didn't think that's what you were suggesting- sorry if that wasn't clear! I sometimes wish we had clearer outlines within which to work with students- I think individual Ts are left to flounder at times. I think it's important to have wiggle room is all #bfc530
Finally, we have a Peace Room where Restorative Justice is used to work with students on conflict resolution and how to repair harm. This is used by adults and students for proactive community building work and for reactive work. (End) #bfc530
I think a curriculum can work but only if it’s part of a larger school mission and something that everyone has bought into. It can’t be done in isolation. Read my thread to see the work done in my school. #bfc530
I completely agree. Too often it's seen as just another 'add-on' for teachers who are already overwhelmed. I imagine your work must be frustrating if you don't have buy-in at all levels! I look forward to reading more about it! #bfc530
Restorative language and circles, anti-bullying campaign all year long, every day! Building positive school communities through positivity, empathy and understanding! #bfc530
#BFC530 Our district uses the Second Step program for grades K-5. In my particular school, we supplement with school-based lessons. Our focus this year has been on kindness, including manners, respect, celebrating differences, and empathy. I address in my classroom thru books.
In reply to
@MrTravisDrake, @gilkatgil, @engineerteacher
Thankfully our admin has made it a priority and shown that it is important. It’s part of why they were brought in five years ago so most teachers are on board now. #bfc530
We train Ts. We have the AVID system in place. Restorative Practices team shared their knowledge at the last T Institute and Dept meeting. Our school does awesome ensuring the Ts that train in an area get to present to others. @AVID4College@AVIDMWStates#bfc530
In reply to
@MrTravisDrake, @engineerteacher, @AVID4College, @AVIDMWStates
In Texas, $93m a year that could be used for student safety, student learning mat’ls, teacher salary and benefits not to mention the uncountable hours of test training and rehearsal re-directed to real leaning. . . . to mention only a few! #bfc530
Our district has been using a tool to assess SEL Called the b.e.s.t. It is a teacher self-report tool that results in recommendations for intervention for both external I gotta and internalizing behaviors. Beyond that we have just started restorative practices training. #BFC530
First year teacher in the fall! Looking for tips on how to have a smooth start! Your feedback is already appreciated! 👩🏽🏫📚📝📌#edchat#preservicelit#CollaborativePD
Dang! My Qs always seem to drop on my swim days! 😬Our teachers and staff at @TCECHS do an outstanding job of SEL in our Advisory each day...it all starts with building those solid relationships! #bfc530
For sure. I was thinking about that too. But even more importantly, it’s identifying what those barriers are and really starting to break them down and challenge the systems that are putting them there. Pictures are great; action is better. #bfc530
In reply to
@MrPatelsAwesome, @MalCPD, @elanimcd, @GlobalAnisha, @WomenEd_US
