#BFC530 Archive
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.
Wednesday April 13, 2016
Today's - If you had 1-3 weeks free from any curriculum/requirements what unit would you teach & why?
Good morning crew! Chris here from Ontario, Canada.
Good morning, friends! Ben from NC.
Good Morning Manny from baltimore here.
I would spend it on style discussions with my kids and . That sounds wonderful.
Good morning Happy to finally make it this morning.
Hmm... Perhaps a unit on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, including the sock market.
Good morning . Elisa, grade 5 Teacher from Quito, Ecuador.
It would likely be research based on what the kids wanted to be when they grew up.
Okay... I think that makes more sense HAHA... :) Pursue what makes them happy https://t.co/hvrFE4toqc
I would spend it on style discussions with my kids and . That sounds wonderful.
Good morning peeps. Hump Day is here! David MS Principal from VA here this AM.
I know you meant stock market but a sock market sounds awesome!!!
I think I would teach real world skill, like catching a train; get a cell phone plan etc
Hey ! Dan from New Jersey. Love questions like this!
I want to change my answer... we'd do a service learning project free from curricular requirements and foster connections.
A cross curriculum project that truly had every core class involved not just checking a box ... real life stuff
Good morning all! Hope everyone is having a great start! Gina from Cincy here!
Hi everyone - Marifran from NY here
Day one would be some kind of student based survey finding out what the kids want to know about.
Good morning! Stacey from NJ. Happy to start my day with
Haha. Socks can be worth a lot of money. https://t.co/Ud8KtjePjy
I know you meant stock market but a sock market sounds awesome!!!
Probably not much...I use the curriculum as an overall guide in my math/physics class but Ss dive in & learn via the process.
Happy Wednesday from Massachusetts.
Brian, HS principal.
But then there is things like how to grow food, build a fence, chip wood
I liked your first answer. A lot of our kids ask for fincancial literacy courses
That sounds great! Helping others while learning. Awesome.
https://t.co/e8EMtt5HfW
I want to change my answer... we'd do a service learning project free from curricular requirements and foster connections.
Morning . Happy Wednesday ☀️
We finish tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of the year free.
Good Morning, Kevin from NW NJ
I would love to build something with the kids and have them realize they are actually USING math ... math is real not just theory
I would see what interests Ss have expressed & try 2 address those in a unit. I would spend time having Ss develop passion projects.
In US History, I would love to teach more about the 60's. Civil Rights movement, Space Race, Vietnam, Woodstock !!
Unit choice would be totally student-driven...let their interests and passions drive the learning opportunities...consensus though.
An unit taking learning into the local community based on Ss interests would be ideal. does a great job with this
Good morning friends. Robin from GA here. 1st gr tchr who would love to teach a unit in service to others. https://t.co/4SwzkAklOs
Today's - If you had 1-3 weeks free from any curriculum/requirements what unit would you teach & why?
I would look to engage Ss in activities that hone soft skills.
morning Craig! How are you?
that is an excellent idea !! https://t.co/YKTQduGNuO
Unit choice would be totally student-driven...let their interests and passions drive the learning opportunities...consensus though.
Practical skills that are lost because we call someone to fix everything. Like it!
good morning everybody on this fantastic Wednesday! Can't wait to learn from y'all!
Maybe have them interview adults who have the jobs they want later and present on specific aspects.
I would jump right into coding and game design
I think I would do Genius Week instead of genius hour
Play baseball & turn into interdisciplinary project. Explore Physics of game, do math w/stats, write & video reports of game, etc.
the music of the era is awesome, but yet is often overlook ... how did music inspire revolution?
and that's what everyone says they wish they had been taught
Free from anything I'd still infuse some science! But it would be a combo mindfulness/appreciating nature with some tech involved
I would open up a S selected design challenge - investigate/solve/improve a problem they are passionate about.
My focus would be writing. Ss truly do love expressing their voice through their writing.
and still more productive than most people.
Yes! The direction we are headed is full cross-curricular projects opposite competencies. e.g. https://t.co/NbDUXCEJ8N
ow that's in there too ( I am actually gettin gto that unit next month) Peace love rock n roll https://t.co/t5spemdOvy
the music of the era is awesome, but yet is often overlook ... how did music inspire revolution?
What a gift! I would let Ss develop their own projects and learn with them along the way. I might even work on a weather project
I always loved r nutrition unit. We did research on healthy eating & produced a cookbook for staff. Fun times back in the day
Good morning! Freed from 2-3 weeks of curriculum demands. I would teach Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
amazing by how many former students in college are lost when it comes to this stuff ... need real training.
I would go with S choice, but try to incorporate all classes. What we try to do nwo but without limits of the curriculum
Good morning! Ylonka from Santo Domingo
I like this idea https://t.co/LJpTaSoTPP
An unit taking learning into the local community based on Ss interests would be ideal. does a great job with this
Who doesn't love project-based learning and baseball! Go Nats
Whatever I did, I'd want to build in opps for them to talk to one another abt it - deeper convos that extended time allows
Well, there would have to be some time to read!
We are a STEAM school so we do lots of projects, but full evolution has not occurred ... headed in right direction
Learning alongside the Ss def goes a long way with the class community in addition to showing that learning never stops!
I would ask the kids what they want to learn about. , but extended.
Good morning! Love seeing all these ideas. Cathy Koos from Melbourne, FL.
Perhaps a book club based on a specific idea. Kids read whatever books they want but they have to be based on the one idea.
so agreed! Well technology is vital, less screen time more nature in education is essential.
We'd spend more times outdoors. Go on photowalks. More inquiry based learning. https://t.co/lawxPvVKox
Whatever I did, I'd want to build in opps for them to talk to one another abt it - deeper convos that extended time allows
Great! Keep it up. The doubly whammy impact of PBL: Deep engagement and real world connections to what Ss care about.
I'd teach science w/o the "tyranny of precision" Get kids to notice the wonder of the world around them, w/o lingo, tests & grades
that is super get Ss involved in the community empowering student voice !
I'd focus on movement (I teach tech)/would go walking & provide a recess to HS Ss during testing season. https://t.co/mqCRREmvBn
Today's - If you had 1-3 weeks free from any curriculum/requirements what unit would you teach & why?
And field trips, lots & lots of field trips! Great places in our area (and beyond) many Ss have never visited.
More productive talk is such a great suggestion!
Writing with topic of choice is always a hit, however linking to curriculum with opinion pieces is powerful too.
You two are lucky! I still have 2 1/2 weeks of computer-based testing to go!
Love that... learn for the sake of learning. https://t.co/hhzJXB4mKa
I'd teach science w/o the "tyranny of precision" Get kids to notice the wonder of the world around them, w/o lingo, tests & grades
too often science falls into too much theory and not enough in the dirt using in real life.
yes. Making learning relevant and exciting to the student will help them to become more engaged. Great suggestion
This sounds like something that Civic Mirror does. Tie to curriculum? https://t.co/nirdrd9xjV
Hmm... Perhaps a unit on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, including the sock market.
We have a 60's fair next week. 12th grade Ss putting it on, whole school involved.
do you get Ss who say they don't have time to read? So busy, they want to but can't?
Love the full-out integration here! Such great authentic learning opportunities!
agree, take off time restraints and just let them learn & enjoy the process
So many things you can do!! I would give the Ss the choice of taking the reins I can make suggestions a makerspace would be great
Gm ! Josh lead learner from NJ!
I agree w/everything you said, except the Go Nats! Im a Mets fan Ha! Should be a great season may the best team win
And then there's the fact that I always wished someone had taught me the right way to shave
We start every day being makers and or geniuses. Best take away I ever got from an EdCamp. Puts play back in their day.
This would be a great! https://t.co/HzAAfmuDHM
We'd spend more times outdoors. Go on photowalks. More inquiry based learning. https://t.co/lawxPvVKox
Whatever I did, I'd want to build in opps for them to talk to one another abt it - deeper convos that extended time allows
Have a great day everyone!
Yes. I talk to my students ab issues/reources in community and they have NO idea on being an informed citizenry.
We will be done in my school, but the rest of the district is just starting.
. I majored in biology - but my real passion for the subject came from Boy Scout camping trips
Socratic seminars are always super engaging for Ss as well. Offers a chance for all Ss to be heard, in a safe environment.
was talking about having kids take things apart last night. This would definitely make a great unit in this time.
how right you are. More deep and full conversations truly illustrates their comprehension.
We just moved & have so many boxes, told my wife don't throw any out, my Ss can build things with them in my clssrm
Same here..we are only on Day 3...Ugh
The key is to throw this kind of passion into what we do have to teach so that Ss are just as inspired.
We'd also spend more time with our school community. More time with buddy classes. Working together. .
Sorry, going to preach for a bit: I LOVE the ideas I see in the thread this am. Take the time to do them! THAT is true education!
I would teach on the importance of traveling. Ss need to see the beauty of places of other ppl outside of their towns and country.
yes Susie. Drop us in the mountains and we have to find our way to the coast
I take my kids out to our pond/stream and we just look, listen & talk about what's there. They LOVE it!
while maybe not at the completion line, y'all are certainly headed in the right direction! Great job
Yes! Love it...and various field trips https://t.co/FbT0jZR6zo
We'd spend more times outdoors. Go on photowalks. More inquiry based learning. https://t.co/lawxPvVKox
Whatever I did, I'd want to build in opps for them to talk to one another abt it - deeper convos that extended time allows
that's what is missing in education, practical application of sciences ... studying cells but do you rip a leaf off a tree?
You have a pond and stream???
https://t.co/3D5RBoWTtd
I take my kids out to our pond/stream and we just look, listen & talk about what's there. They LOVE it!
PSA media project because it is a structured but "open" task allowing for a variety of routes to completion https://t.co/rkYDMk9DpP
Informed and active citizen! We have to allow them space to practice this before graduating
Finland is proposing eliminating discrete disciplines from early age & moving into interdisciplinary teaching by themes or topics.
I teach at the same school as Dennis and agree that we are headed the right way. It would be fun to b led by Ss voice.
And the cool thing is that this approach addresses the curriculum anyway - deeply & non-traditional.
they're so rushed, the pressing topical stuff is covered but there's no time to germinate & develop beyond that
What about learning a craft and tgen Havibg
I woke up thinking it was Friday. *sigh* Wishful thinking!
More typing lessons too!!! *grin* You okay over there? https://t.co/yR8QPNC3Ib
What about learning a craft and tgen Havibg
What about learning a craft and the holding a market.
I would bring in my friends to work with my kids. That's what I would do if there were no restrictions. I'm not sure if this is ?
and who they are as ppl - what they believe and what they value
Math and STEM involved in all design challenges when it comes to physical prototypes at the very least https://t.co/F4una1N2hW
I would love to build something with the kids and have them realize they are actually USING math ... math is real not just theory
Self-directed reading material is key for S engagement, interest and live for reading. https://t.co/KzI55C7Cnw
Perhaps a book club based on a specific idea. Kids read whatever books they want but they have to be based on the one idea.
Where is a good place to start to learn more about sketch notes? Looks engaging!
Haha I was thinking... man I've missed Eastern edition all week... then realized it was Wednesday https://t.co/7pgljc35lo
I woke up thinking it was Friday. *sigh* Wishful thinking!
Haha I was thinking... man I've missed Eastern edition all week... then realized it was Wednesday https://t.co/7pgljc35lo
I woke up thinking it was Friday. *sigh* Wishful thinking!
2 more days! Hang in there my friend!
Breaking down that brick and mortar mentality and extending the classroom through field trip's -super idea
sitting in car and bumoed tge phone
You need to check out . This has been the best relationship for my Ss to come out of me tweeting.
Book clubs are always a good idea! Even more when students get to select the book to read
At GAFE Summit on wknd and a T was teachign green industries (forestry, agriculture, horticulture, etc.) would love to do that!
Awesome, Ellen! Thanks. I will check it out. https://t.co/2sWBblASay
You need to check out . This has been the best relationship for my Ss to come out of me tweeting.
Great! Let's keep in touch and share what we learn along the way.
Have a fabulous Wednesday everyone!!!
Great chat. Perhaps a little tweak here and we can do some of these ideas.
I'll get the bus started https://t.co/1UuH9EYVRb
I would bring in my friends to work with my kids. That's what I would do if there were no restrictions. I'm not sure if this is ?
We r getting ready 2 open 2gardens &henhouse . Can't wait 4that science n the outdoors to kick n
What are we talking about today?
I think it would be great to create something as a class like a movie and allow students to take on the different jobs.
we have space for a garden @ our school. Would love to teach Ss how to grow vegetables!
I'll have lots of questions for you!
Great inspiration today friends! Make today ridiculously awesome!
All baseball teams will be represented:)
Morning LOTS of field trips! My Ss would love to visit the Blue Zones from our BZ Study, esp Loma Linda, CA! https://t.co/RRiooiaDEk
these are my go to books/resources. Visual Note-taking for Educators has great lesson ideas. https://t.co/7VprHFqks5
Go out there today and be great have fun
their necks are not snorkels
Thanks, Debby! You are too kind.
from your project? (I'm behind on mine...)
followed! I'm a first grade teacher though, so we aren't quite as capable as HS St.
Allows for metacognitive development, as well.
It can be messy at times, but the payoffs far out weigh the challenges.
Like always it's great to be part of this chat, thanks for sharing. Have a superb day!
Great chat today....now back to reality.
This is key! Life=naturally integrative. Not discrete disciplines/subjects. I started doing this, this year https://t.co/Gb41E9piwJ
Finland is proposing eliminating discrete disciplines from early age & moving into interdisciplinary teaching by themes or topics.
There is SO much available online.
Fantastic! Redefining high quality, begins here! :)
Your comment nudges me to think about great ideas as brainstorm to build into everyday curriculum to grow kids
Have a great Wednesday everyone
It would be like Epcot for baseball fans!!! I love this imagining thing!
Have a great day all
We gave Parent Teacher Student Interviews tomorrow
This discussion is reminding me about the importance of this statement..."BE THE CHANGE!"
Yes. It's been great so far. Last night taught me to let go of the perfectionism and embrace imperfection.
Thanks for getting me started!!
Happy Wednesday ! Make it a great day of learning!
Powerful. The more we engage students in the learning process - the more likely we help students grow academically!
Gotta go get ready to shape the minds & nurture the hearts of my little friends. Have a wonderful day!!
Interesting what we would do w/out constraints. What would general public say? Feds? John King in US? Testing moguls, like Pearson?
We need to talk. I teach 1st, too. Kids do extra chores to raise $.
It is a great PLN - good learning, collaboration and networking!
I think the beauty of this is it works for kids of all ages.
seriously? Where are you?
YES! Can be done implementing more! Be creative. Think out of the box. https://t.co/tW8ZPfRLOb
Have a fabulous Wednesday everyone!!!
Great chat. Perhaps a little tweak here and we can do some of these ideas.
it looks like fun and is bound to engage both sides of our brains
It was lovely to dream with all of you. Have a great day!
We have access to so many strategies for students and professional learning opportunities
awesome!! Will def check it out further! Thanks again!
Ss see real life math by adding up field trip money to see if we get the same answer. Ss add only.
Don't forget our voxer spark chat !!!
That looks awesome. Im sure they fun doing it also.
Joining late again today, - Great out of the box question- my unit would change based on my Ss & I bet standards would still be met!
We are always just a tweet away! The power of a Twitter PLN - good learning, collaboration and professional networking!
oh. There are fall vegetables though! 😉
Great relevant example for students. We far too often forget to make the connections for Ss!
Great! This is why I became an educator: help my Ss but also work to change the ed ecosystem. https://t.co/sTkHj6eboP
Thank you, everyone. Such an inspiring convo today. Let's dream on & make these ideas a reality now. How would you do that?
Yes! Correct on both fronts! A lot of research in 's book to back it up.
I like the way you think! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Students can accomplish anything - "if we would only step out of the way and let them" Inspire Ss 2b Great!
We do all this, and present to Ps at a 60s Coffeehouse poetry reading! True cross-curricular! https://t.co/M80V29lkmB
In US History, I would love to teach more about the 60's. Civil Rights movement, Space Race, Vietnam, Woodstock !!
Always start small - but always have visionary goals!
We just learned about it at a conf last month! Haven't stopped talking about it & sharing
Good morning . Been a while. Hope everyone is doing well.
Next year incorporating coding and design thinking/problem solving/thinking processes to address STEM, SS, literacy
Have a fabulous day! Love starting the day with so much positive energy! ☀️
Have a great day w/your great students
I would totally teach more Forensic Science! A great unit to put all the science process skills to work. 🔎 https://t.co/fmRicCoonp
Today's - If you had 1-3 weeks free from any curriculum/requirements what unit would you teach & why?
Let's follow everyone and expand out PLN - great Ts here this morning! See you later - Must Go & Empower Ts! https://t.co/kcMug0ynTu
I will! Still trying to wrap my head around things!! Tough to grapple with some of this :)
https://t.co/Ktze60W2S3
Share your journey w/us Kaarina! https://t.co/cXPRCSNceT
This is key! Life=naturally integrative. Not discrete disciplines/subjects. I started doing this, this year https://t.co/Gb41E9piwJ
Finland is proposing eliminating discrete disciplines from early age & moving into interdisciplinary teaching by themes or topics.
..... We tie-dye tshirts in art, learn to sing some protest songs in music, write poetry on LA, research in SS, and...
....Put the presentation slides together in Technology....I even sing I Got You Babe as Cher with the SS teacher! Fun!
Yes! Plus lessons on language, geography, literature. We did a whole unit on "peloteros" in the DR last year.
we say it, but is it really getting done ... how many STEM/STEAM projects are math/science driven
Need to get back to y'all on this one after I survey my students and find out what they want to learn! https://t.co/GOLPVsahqn
Today's - If you had 1-3 weeks free from any curriculum/requirements what unit would you teach & why?
That's awesome! Yes, so many different topics you can explore. Im starting to get some ideas from that. Thanks!
If Ss using the skills, does it matter? STEM is the language of problem solving = to assist others https://t.co/Bnu1I8Smdd
we say it, but is it really getting done ... how many STEM/STEAM projects are math/science driven
Pix and videos please!!! https://t.co/jrz4unxG6E
....Put the presentation slides together in Technology....I even sing I Got You Babe as Cher with the SS teacher! Fun!
yes, but my point is how often is it used to solve a legitimate math/science problem?
like saying you're using technology, but only using it to word process and access the internet ...
Hi
Carl from Emerald Australia
topic - If you had 1-3 weeks free from any curriculum/requirements what unit would you teach & why?
I teach Gr.6 math. Easier for Ss 2use math= language. Do we also solve/discover math "formulas" with hands on 4math-yes
I would probably teach "study skills" since it is such a loss art that I benefited from. My Ss are really in need of these skills.
. I would teach creative writing. Gr 7/8 is last time til upper HS to use this form of writing according to HS Ts. 😟
ex. Angles/area of quadrilaterals> relation to triangles if we cut all quadrilaterals in half -what do you notice/learn?
Maybe we can teach hiw to respect each other and take responsibility
if I could teach *any* unit it would be Astronomy. Kids are interested in finding out the answers of the Universe too!
also, how many "projects" are just time filler vs an actual conduit for teaching content.
Good morning I would teach a game unit or something with baking. Critical thinking and fractions at work!
They should be intentional teaching through the activity & replace days of direct instruction, not "extra"
Bake me a cake as fast as you can, please. (Isn't it obvious I work with El Ss?) .
Excellent! Can't wait to see what you share this week!
Funny thing is I could probably teach these units. Kind of already do in geometry with deductive reasoning.
Math is in us, let it out...
I would teach a course called "internet ethics. Not just online safety; business operations, social media implications etc
#1830 There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly. — R.Buckminster Fuller
https://t.co/TZOe4PQ9u1
Great Q. is happening all the time, so I get to teach & learn w/Ss all the time. Maybe robotics? Gamification?
How many employers have employees write essays or papers regularly? Let's have the convo across curriculum
#1831 Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, tradition and myth frame our response.
https://t.co/Bq7hmCJPH4
The doghouse project. Area+Perim+Scale+Persuasive writing+donations to animal shelter = engaged students
Hmmm...I would win if I families baking. The kids would have no chance! ;)
I'm a teacher and j don't even do that ... Or sit and do math problems
I'd also love to dedicate 1-3 weeks on for Ss, Ts, and As
but kids are tested using strangely worded questions trying to be authentic. Why not build
lots of projects just checking boxes ... We need more kid doing and discovery
I'd rather advocate for better questions. :)
If you assign a project and get 25 of the same thing back from Ss, it wasn't a project, it was a recipe
a hands on worksheet ... ...
#1833 Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. — Desmond Tutu
https://t.co/AAM5Twx9Z6
I bring in sketches of my home renovations, we talk about calculating costs and materials. Math can be a conversation!
Today - If you had 1-3 weeks free from any curriculum/requirements what unit would you teach & why?
I would also teach the art of communicating well aka good graphic design
and if it's too early I forget my hashtags.. https://t.co/mHJvobo6m6
Greetings~ Tim from WI. Hope everyone is well today!
I would teach musical theater and bring in different performances for my students to experience
Good Morning Molly. Hope your day is off to a good start.
Feeling less sick today, so it is! Hope yours is going well!
I would involve the kids in generating some open projects they are excited for. & we would
I would figure out what students wanted to learn.
great idea! Choice is key! And hands on!
In my case at the moment in music, the boys all want to learn Drake songs...lol
Hiya! I would definitely take kids on more trips w/unlimited time/money. Ss need more experiential learning in the world!
Shouldn't we be embracing this idea daily!? PBL gives chances for this
Agreed. Hands on recipe= don't know the outcome, can/will ingrain learning > a pic/lecture. https://t.co/qNUaRTVW7n
If you assign a project and get 25 of the same thing back from Ss, it wasn't a project, it was a recipe
Now it is! Thanks! Checking to see if it's available at
project = indiv outcomes. Can/should include> math = integration,communication, app/benefit to society
today - If you had 1-3 weeks free from any curriculum/requirements what unit would you teach & why?
I would allow the students to choose something that they want to delve into - Genius Hour for three weeks!
I'm a fan of life skills: catching a train, planting a garden, fixing a hole in a wall. Stuff you never cover
