Weekly chat for excited 1st grade teachers who love to learn and share ideas. Participants are interested in a variety of topics including literacy, math, technology, play, inquiry, and being the best educators they can be!
Hello everyone! It’s time for #1stchat book study! Today we are discussing chapter 4-6 on Empower by @spencerideas@ajjuliani please introduce yourself!
A1 choice matters in my classroom because I want my students to have voice in their learning. I want them to learn how to view themselves as a learner and make decisions in how they learn. #1stchat
I agree! I don’t remember thinking about my passion when I was little... it’s powerful to give young learners skills to wonder and be passionate about something. #1stchat
Choice matters in my classroom because my class matters! I don't always like being told what to do without getting any input. My class I bet feels the same way. We need to treat them like we want to be treated. #1stchat
I agree! At our level students are so used to following the directions they are given. I love it when my students can make decisions on their own. #1stchat
A2 When students learn the game of school they become unaccustomed to having choices. Our role is to give them more opportunities for choice and to own their learning. #1stchat
A2:Where to sit, books to read, information they are going to share with the class, how they are going to practice a skill: They are choosing so they are more invested and able to concentrate on learning because they are comfortable and interested in what they are doing #1stchat
A2 I used the wonder wall that lead into a wonder project last year, which was very powerful since Ss chose a topic to dig deeper on their own with my support. #1stchat
A2 During our informational book clubs my students create projects to share their learning. Type of project was completely up to each group and so interesting to see them negotiate with peers. #1stchat
Flexible seating - my students have choice and decide where works for them to do their learning and best work. What works may change based on the activity or who else is in that spot too. #1stchat
A2 One group created snake puppets and performed a skit to teach us about snakes. They totally owned having the choice to present in any way they chose to. #1stchat
A3: I’m working on how to teach my Ss to plan their Center time and the purpose behind each center, then they can decide how to practice their learning and show me what they did. #1stchat
I’m so excited to see how this rolls out. I’m still brainstorming but planning on starting small with just literacy centers. Hoping to see it will evolve to something bigger. #1stchat
A3: I’m working on how to teach my Ss to plan their Center time and the purpose behind each center, then they can decide how to practice their learning and show me what they did. #1stchat
A3 Students should make both small and large decisions. When they come to me with a problem I respond, "What could you do to solve that problem?" If they don't know, we ask the class to help with solving the problem. #1stchat
My students run our morning meeting, but I want them to have more choices in how we greet and activities that we do. Leaders can decide how the meeting is run. #1stchat
Right? That’s how I have been doing but I didn’t get to many last year. I just have to do a bunch of tools and give them time to play & practice. Beginning of the year should be the best time for this since I can teach them so many social skills to go with it. #1stchat
I have them write their name on a board when they go. Some will learn how often they go. We talk about one cannot simply pee 12 times a day🤣 I teach them other refocusing techniques (stretching, jumping jacks, water) instead of going to the bathroom #1stchat
In reply to
@Woods1stgrade, @mmhole17, @EdwardsSaraJ
Q3: I am definitely giving more responsibilities next year. I tend to be more of a control freak. But I know more resp. is what they need. I'm starting with more free choices during Daily 5 rotations. #1stchat
A4 One way is to encourage the to take more risks by showing my willingness to take risks myself. I often tell them about the new things I'm learning and things I'm trying. Sometime sharing stories from my childhood, too. #1stchat
A4: we have to make it the culture and expectation in our classrooms, build relationships and have a safe place to make choices, fail, and succeed #1stchat
A4 I work hard on providing a safe space to make mistakes. I do a lot of maker challenges at the beginning to encourage them to think, do, revise, problem solve... we celebrate at the end. #1stchat
Q4: I definitely have my struggles with this one. I teach GT and if it isn't easy for them - sometimes we have some problems. But I want to start from Day 1 with Growth Mindset discussions. I'm hopeful that will help. Talking about it in our daily circle time. #1stchat
Love this! Now that I am in 4th grade we switch for subjects and I struggle because I only get 80 minutes with each group. This would knock it all out at once #1stchat
I like the book “Mindful Games” it has lots of good ideas on how to teach kids recognize their feelings and how to react through games. Perfect ones for morning meetings. #1stchat
A4 Also, we have to affirm the small steps our students take in that direction. Students want to know they are headed in the right direction. They learn from feedback from the teacher just as we learn from feedback from colleagues. #1stchat
A5 during math my students did must-do tasks then moved onto choices. Some were so motivated to get done tasks. Others had a tougher time. I need to help more with those who can’t independently. #1stchat
Q5: Self management is a struggle for 1st grade. I have to have accountability for their rotations in ELA and math. But I want them to do the work on their own without needing my "reinforcements". So I work on having engaging rotations so they want to do it. #1stchat
A5 Self-management looks like students reflecting on their learning, receiving feedback, and making adjustments. Ex. Reflecting on reading goals and deciding if they should continue to work on previous goal/strategy or if ready to add a new one. #1stchat
I try to strengthen this skill as much as possible. We have a Daily 5 menu we work through each week. I meet with the Ss frequently to see how they are managing time and how to improve #1stchat
A5: we had a social contract written by the class and I would remind Ss if they weren’t following it. We would discuss what they need to do to correct their choices #1stchat
