#6thchat Archive

#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.

Tuesday January 29, 2019
9:00 PM EST

  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:00 PM EST
    Welcome to #6thchat! Please introduce yourself! I am Kristin and teach ELA and SS in Lansing, MI. Our chat will last 40 min with the first question at 9:05.
  • dmaj627 Jan 29 @ 9:01 PM EST
    #6thchat I'm Deb. I teach ELA and SS in Lansing, MI.
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:02 PM EST
    Welcome Deb! Glad you are here! #6thchat
    In reply to @dmaj627
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:03 PM EST
    Hope it works for #6thchat folks now. Perhaps it's the weather....Tweetdeck froze? #6thchat
    In reply to @SteinatDavis, @TeachWriting2, @bkuhl2you
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:04 PM EST
    Good evening, #6thchat! Ryan in Michigan - 6th grade social studies. Check out episode 3 of The My Middle Level Mind Podcast on iTunes or DL at https://t.co/Eb6Hejo0cM https://t.co/fwoGq2farv
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:05 PM EST
    Question 1 is on the slide! #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:05 PM EST
    Hi Ryan! Welcome! Are you staying warm?! #6thchat
    In reply to @Mr_Lisek
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:05 PM EST
    Trying my hardest. My run later will warm me up nicely! #6thchat
    In reply to @mrskochheiser
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:06 PM EST
    A1) My focus when goal-setting with students depends on how they are doing to this point. Students who are struggling--focus on what is going well, and ONE thing we can do to improve. Students making progress or if goals attained we talk about next steps or next goals #6thchat
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:07 PM EST
    A1: I focus on where Ss feel they are struggling the most. We set goals to try to focus on those areas where they are lacking and develop a plan for success. We work together to ensure the goal is SMART and is not too broad. #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:07 PM EST
    I assume indoors?! #6thchat
    In reply to @Mr_Lisek
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:08 PM EST
    Most definitely! #6thchat
    In reply to @mrskochheiser
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:08 PM EST
    Do you meet individually or in small groups? #6thchat
    In reply to @Mr_Lisek
  • dmaj627 Jan 29 @ 9:08 PM EST
    A1) #6thchat I also look at their progress thus far, what they perceive as an area they need to focus on with a bit of tweaking from me! We especially discuss their reading habits.
  • HowardKiyuna Jan 29 @ 9:09 PM EST
    Mid year already? #6thchat
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:09 PM EST
    The discussion of what is going well helps Ss realize their strengths and builds them up. They can better focus on their opportunities when they see they have areas they do well. #6thchat
    In reply to @mrskochheiser
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:10 PM EST
    We do small, student-led groups where I am merely a facilitator. It makes the goal writing process more organic and meaningful. #6thchat
    In reply to @mrskochheiser
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:11 PM EST
    Question 2 is on the slide! #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:11 PM EST
    For us. Not for you though, I know! #6thchat
    In reply to @HowardKiyuna
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:12 PM EST
    A2) When you think about your learning this year, what are you most proud of? What kind of goals motivate you? What kind of support do you need from me? #6thchat
  • KristenSevinsky Jan 29 @ 9:12 PM EST
    Hi #6thchat! Sorry I’m late!!! I teach 6th grade science in PA.
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:13 PM EST
    A2: What makes your goal meaningful? How can I help you reach or exceed your goal? Why did you choose your goal? #6thchat
  • HowardKiyuna Jan 29 @ 9:13 PM EST
    I’m looking at how inclusion in general curric is going? #6thchat
  • dmaj627 Jan 29 @ 9:14 PM EST
    A2) #6thchat How have you grown as a reader/writer? What do you need from me to continue this progress?
  • assignmenthelp Jan 29 @ 9:15 PM EST
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:15 PM EST
    Hi Kristen! Welcome! How is the weather in PA? We are on day 2 of snow days this week and closed tomorrow due to cold. #6thchat
    In reply to @KristenSevinsky
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:17 PM EST
    Question 3 is on the slide! #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:17 PM EST
    Well Tweetdeck crashed for me a moment ago. Awaiting it to reboot. Meanwhile, on regular Twitter which take a bit more work! :/ #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:18 PM EST
    A3) Mini-conferences or post-it notes to get snapshots of where students are in their progress toward their goals; I also love google forms as they're quick and informative. My Ss love to fill them out, too. #6thchat
  • KristenSevinsky Jan 29 @ 9:19 PM EST
    A2: What are your next steps? What resources do you need? What do you need from me? Who else have you shared your goal with? What is your big picture goal? What little steps can you break your big goal into? #6thchat
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:19 PM EST
    A3: We take time to reflect every other week to check our progress toward completing our goal. I have set up a plan for next year where Ss create a portfolio on G-Sites to track their progress and write reflective blogs about their progress. #6thchat
  • dmaj627 Jan 29 @ 9:19 PM EST
    A3) I think this is an area I could improve. I have used a google form questionnaire each quarter but I have not tried anything else. #6thchat
  • KristenSevinsky Jan 29 @ 9:20 PM EST
    A3: I have a Google Slide assignment for their #passionprojects that I can view on @schoology to see their progress. #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:21 PM EST
    I am interested in doing something similar. I feel like I put this on the back burner all the time. #6thchat
    In reply to @Mr_Lisek
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:22 PM EST
    That's what I use for Genius hour/passion projects, too. #6thchat
    In reply to @KristenSevinsky, @Schoology
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:22 PM EST
    Okay, #6thchat, I'm checking out early. Had a busy day of shoveling and cleaning. I need to get on the treadmill before I crash. Thanks for the chat and if you are interested, join us for #mschat on Thursday! Ta ta for now!
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:23 PM EST
    Question 4 is on the slide! #6thchat
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:23 PM EST
    I did too. I'm test piloting it with my enrichment group to see how the process goes and to be sure I have clear directions for how to start the process. I'll let you know how it goes. #6thchat
    In reply to @mrskochheiser
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:24 PM EST
    A4) Foundation: Realistic goals: often my Ss are like a weight loss candidate who says s/he will lose 100 pounds over next 3 mos...step back & set mini-goals. Second, an action step that is also realistic (and measurable, too). I will read an extra 10 min. each night. #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:24 PM EST
    Great, please do! #6thchat
    In reply to @Mr_Lisek
  • KristenSevinsky Jan 29 @ 9:25 PM EST
    A4: Action plan and time for reflection. Without action, a goal is just a dream. And if you don’t reflect, then how will you modify to ensure success? You either succeed or you learn. That doesn’t happen without reflection. #6thchat
  • dmaj627 Jan 29 @ 9:25 PM EST
    A4) #6thchat The goals need to be written down and revisited regularly (which is where I sometimes fall short!)
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:26 PM EST
    I know...it is easy to put it on the back burner. I try to do it during intervention. #6thchat
    In reply to @dmaj627
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:26 PM EST
    This! #6thchat
    • KristenSevinsky Jan 29 @ 9:25 PM EST
      A4: Action plan and time for reflection. Without action, a goal is just a dream. And if you don’t reflect, then how will you modify to ensure success? You either succeed or you learn. That doesn’t happen without reflection. #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:29 PM EST
    Question 5 is on the slide! #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:30 PM EST
    A5) I am adding peers this time. I am having Ss share their progress and goals w/another peer. Want to do a quick "check in" time every other week. I have Ss talk to parents but some do, some don't. Ideas for improving this? #6thchat
  • Mr_Lisek Jan 29 @ 9:30 PM EST
    I believe it could be. I will have to check this out. #6thchat
    In reply to @HowardKiyuna
  • HowardKiyuna Jan 29 @ 9:30 PM EST
    A1: 1) Resources - do we have or can we get what I need? 1b) What might I have to be flexible on? 2)Can I express what I want to do/learn and why? #6thchat
  • dmaj627 Jan 29 @ 9:32 PM EST
    A5) #6thchat I like the idea of adding peers so I might try this. A shared goal might make the Ss feel more accountable. I haven't done this nor included parents in the past.
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:33 PM EST
    Last question at 9:35! #6thchat We are on Question 5 right now...number 6 coming up!
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:34 PM EST
    I like these questions! #6thchat
    In reply to @HowardKiyuna
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:35 PM EST
    Question 6 is on the slide! #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:35 PM EST
    I think parent support helps for some of the at home goals like reading. Other goals are harder to have parents help/understand. #6thchat
    In reply to @dmaj627
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:36 PM EST
    A6) I need to provide Ss with more time writing; also need more time with helping Ss understand the building blocks of language bit by bit. Provide time for Ss to work on passion projects. #6thchat
  • dmaj627 Jan 29 @ 9:38 PM EST
    A6) #6thchat I really am focused on helping my Ss in the area of writing. That is why I did my own little PD today with @angelastockman and her #fiveminutefix today. I also want to spend more time with nonfiction & intro the nonfiction signposts!
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:40 PM EST
    Thanks to all who popped in for whatever time they had tonight! Stay warm if in the polar vortex! Have a great week regardless of where you are! #6thchat
  • mrskochheiser - Moderator Jan 29 @ 9:41 PM EST
    It's great! Loving the quick videos. It's made me go back to sections of your book too to make more connections. #6thchat
    In reply to @AngelaStockman, @dmaj627