#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 August 23, 2016
Joey. 6th grade Social Studies teacher in Waukesha, WI
My name is Kristin and I am the moderator of ! Welcome! I teach ELA and SS in Lansing, MI
Yeah! So glad you are here!
Wendy from NJ ELA and reading
Welcome Joey! Glad you can join us tonight!
Hello , my name is Sam and I teach 6th ELA in Waukegan, IL. I'll be in and out as I prep for 1st day of the year on Thursday
Hello! Lorena, 6th gr Social Studies teacher, Dodge a City, KS
Happy Tuesday Wendy! Thanks for taking time to join us!
Yeah! Glad you can share whatever insights you can!
Welcome Lorena! Thanks for being here!
Questions will be on the slides and we use a Q1/A1, Q2/A2, etc., format!
happy to stop in and chat!
Question 1 coming up in one minute! Not too late to join!
A1) Active learning is a Ss centered approach for learning; Ss work in collaboration with classmates--more "do"-ing, less snoozing
A1: When I think "active learning" I think actively doing something for students to learn not just sitting and listening
Hey , Paul Ikonen from southeast Michigan. Social Worker in a EI Day Treatment Classroom.
A1- hands-on activities, creating, building, exploring, researching. Lots of -zings
I do, too, yet often it simply means working in collaborative groups...I also place more emphasis on "active"
learning by doing, learning in different ways: visually,kinesthetically etc. plus learning what you want to learn.
Welcome Paul! Thanks for joining us again!
Such an important point...learning what "you want to learn"...student choice and voice!
This is great...love the "-zings" idea! https://t.co/Wkiq04PsJ1
A1- hands-on activities, creating, building, exploring, researching. Lots of -zings
A1 Active learning should stress designing experiences so Ss can actively construct own meaning
Question 2 coming up in one minute! Do some jumping jacks while you wait...stay active! :)
Very nice definition! Design thinking, visible thinking, LAUNCH! :) Terrific! https://t.co/kLTFpeL83Q
A1 Active learning should stress designing experiences so Ss can actively construct own meaning
This is right on the ball. Ss need to create their own meaning to understand best https://t.co/7p8bn73OUf
A1 Active learning should stress designing experiences so Ss can actively construct own meaning
A1 active learning is the opp of what GenevaGay calls passive-responsive posture, making it a participatory-interactive discourse
A2) Ss are showing leadership; groups collaborating, solving problems; noise level has a buzz to it, not quiet; Ss moving, smiling
A2: They are going to be a little loud as Ss are verbally discussing w/ peers about topics and moving to make meaning
A2: flexible seating, discussions, interacting
A2- It sounds like Ss discussing, brainstorming, debating, definitely not a quiet classroom.
A2 Middle gr classes need space, time, and materials. The classroom can tell me empty if it was active when Ss were there
So true! Sometimes it looks like we had a party in there! Nope...just exploring our thinking!
yes, students smiling is an excellent way to describe what it looks like!
A2 Controlled chaos! S in charge & drive learning, T tracks each S and knows whats happening. Small groups in constant brainstorm.
Do you all have your own spaces or dso you share with other teachers/Ss?
Question 3 coming up in one minute! Hand stands anyone?
Controlled chaos is a great way to describe it...Ss are not rogue...they are explorers with a mission
My own space, but we have project areas that are collaborative spaces. How about you?
A3) Ss need to be able to talk, move, write, share, relate concepts to self, apply concepts in authentic ways; Ss lead activities.
We all share so it can be challenging. https://t.co/msV3ksBITG
My own space, but we have project areas that are collaborative spaces. How about you?
I have my own space. Do you share?
A3 S led and S driven. Outcome not controlled by T but process is guided by T.
Takes some planning and creativity in that case!
A3: To classify as active learning Ss have to be ACTIVELY doing something. Sitting and listening doesn't count.
Your answer is more succinct than mine...perfect!
A3: to witness learning during those special times when the teacher can sit back and watch students take over
And watch leadership emerge...it's a wonderful experience!
Question 4 coming up in one minute ! Amazing insight and ideas!
Isn't wonderful when you can't find the teacher and the Ss are running the activity! https://t.co/QxKXJZdOdU
A3: to witness learning during those special times when the teacher can sit back and watch students take over
True active learning drives many traditional Ts CRAZY! They cannot give up control.
A3- when the Ss are able to teach their peers, Ss learning from peers, everyone is contributing in one form or another.
Just because we are speaking doesn't mean the kids are learning! https://t.co/ej9S0lMlzp
True active learning drives many traditional Ts CRAZY! They cannot give up control.
A4) Ss should be involved in active learning w/each class period; every Ss should be able to share what is happening & why
YES! When focus is tidy, compliant classroom with quiet as the goal, active learning classrooms appear pure chaos
A4 If seek high level DOK engagement, active learn is MOST of the class. If complience is goal, active learning opposite.
A3 Wouldn't self-reflection and class feedback be critical piece of active learning as well? https://t.co/dNoOo1lgVu
yes! Feedback is crucial, even better when Ss are proving feedback to each other.
I am so inspired by the thoughtful, engaging interactions tonight...thanks for always bringing the A game
Question 5 coming up in one minute! Run in place!
Yes, if the activity designed by T has no real takeaway for the Ss- no point- just a different kind of busy https://t.co/9mC6UdOU5K
- Since I am late, I will only get a B for my game.
Hi everyone! I'm Kristin, I teach ELA/SS in holt, Michigan...sorry to be tardy!
A5) Exit tickets, student-led conferences, listen-in during activities, take notes during active learning
Oh no! No grades here...A for Effort! :) Jump on in!
Paul nailed this answer for me already- self-reflection
A5 How can S prove mastery benchmark? I ask S's in ind. learn to prove they KNOW the stuff. Again S led and S centered.
A5: Can the students show you what they learned in a multitude of ways in AND out of your class? https://t.co/uil5IxkeRx
Tell me about exit ticket :) https://t.co/7a8khYyUH1
A5) Exit tickets, student-led conferences, listen-in during activities, take notes during active learning
A5- I like to use exit tickets and rubrics that includes "soft skills" too. Quick writes, what did they learn & why is it important
A5: I try to walk around w/ a clipboard to take notes and observations that I can connect into feedback for Ss after
Question 6 coming up in one minute! Remember to follow people! Build your PLN!
A6) Game-based activities w/dice or cards where Ss learn how to talk to one another, take turns, think critically, apply concepts
-I like to use so students can answer a question or I can do a poll & share out at the end of the lesson.
Yes, this is the ultimate active learning experience!!
I seem to have missed some ?s and think I'm going to miss the rest as I found that I don't have prep from last year like thought
A6: I know it's been said, but I'm saying it again: !!!!
A6 Blended Learn, gives S and T flexibility to explore and delve deeper in concept for ea. S.
No problem! Good Luck! Check out storify later to see all the goodies here!
I like to use Kagan strategies to help w discussions.
A6- I like to sue Kagan cooperative learning strategies to teach Ss how to discuss w others.
It's flying by! question 7 coming up in one minute!
A6: yes, my Ss love to debate and seminar as well!!
A6 I'm struggling w my auto spelling... I like to use not sue Kagan Cooperative learning strategies.
A7) The teacher is the coach or facilitator ensuring Ss stay on task, all Ss are participating, guiding, & asking probing questions
A7: less teacher talking, learn how to let go of complete control. Facilitate more
A7 Ts have to guide, probe, but also listen and WAIT whenever Ss are doing the work
A7 Guide process to keep focus on benchmarks and mastery.
A7: I'm an active learner too!
So hard for some Ts to let Ss lead the learning journey...i love the idea of being a "guide"
they have a lot of free presentations! You can upload your own and add the extra features, like draw it
- I did get a giggle out of it, though.
Wow! Final question in one minute!
A7: facilitate, observe, provide feedback, encourage, empower!
I do this too! Do you ever share observations with parents as well?
A7- sometimes our role is just to be quiet and let Ss do their thing. I know, hard to do that at times.
Sometimes gotta let S fail, to help them succeed! https://t.co/ZiLhAOnQki
A7- sometimes our role is just to be quiet and let Ss do their thing. I know, hard to do that at times.
A8) I want to add more "making" activities into my classroom this year.
yes, I have... Kinda a unique piece of data. Although, I don't usually share, the Ss reflect on it w/ their family
A8 I want to incorporate more digital tools so Ss can collaborate and share more
A8- my goal is to work on feedback. I need to provide that more often and make it authentic. With 120 Ss it's a challenge
A8- using their prior knowledge to solve a problem that will require them to figure out and use new knowledge
A8 continued, plan to use Google Classroom. I believe they added a new feature where you can write on individual work
Yes! I am a huge Google Classroom user and believer...let me know if I can help at all!
- What a great theme. Love it.
and eager to explore the email to parents.
thank you!. Used it last semester for first time, so still learning all features.
Are you both google certified? https://t.co/EldBaMqat5
Yes! I am a huge Google Classroom user and believer...let me know if I can help at all!
- Maybe I don't understand, but couldn't you always do that? Or do you mean actual writing, not typing?
are all your parents connected to email? That would be so great! Many of mine are not.
Thank you everyone who participated in ! We are better together! Love this PLN!! Have a fabulous week!
Most of mine are and 80% of my S are wifi at home. We are hovering at 60% free/reduced.
you can actually draw, highlight and write on it now. It's just been added this month.
- That's awesome. Love the code name.
is an AWESOME resource for all things Google! Her blogs are off the charts.
