#4thchat Archive
#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
Monday May 23, 2016
Hello tweets. Ready for our ?
I am! Love our PLN! I am ready to with my favorite tweeps!
Hi How are you doing this evening? :) Nancy from Mass.
Alicia from Grand Rapids and I'm ready for an awesome !!
Ready to be out of school, Paula? We start and end about the same time!
Taking a break from reading for ! Stacey from Cincinnati. Happy Monday, friends!
Hi Erica! I hear you’ll be out by the end of the week! Hope you have a great summer break.
Hey - we have 8 days left! I can't believe the year is almost only!
Hi! I'm back this week! Division Level Instructional Coach from Fairfax, VA
yes, have 2 and a half days left!
Glad you are here tonight, Stacey! Go Reds!
Hi my Co-mods!!! Love being here this night! :)
Nathan from NorCal.We had a gr8 last field trip meeting pen pals from another school! Did STEAM challenge https://t.co/RXM0ICNuBI
Whoot who! Last day for me is tomorrow! Records day Wed.
We have 18 more days…although it felt like the last day today - kids getting in their summer mode - lol
WOW! That's so soon! We have 12 school days left! It's flying by!
Wow! And I felt like June 3rd was early!
Hi Alicia - So glad you’re joining us! :)
Thanks! I look forward to it!
Yay Stacey - you made it! :) Glad you’re joining in!
Hi, Nancy!! Glad you are here, friend!
Hey Keith - How’s it going? The year has flown by for sure! I have 18 days left.
Hi Erica. Yes, ours was a good one and one too. Awards program this morning, Nacho party and worked on cursive.
How many days for you, Keith?
we have 19! So happy we are not alone :)
Hi All…3.5 days left. Loving our STEM projects we’re doing too :)
Hoorah Rashida! Thrilled you wanted to come back!!!! :)
Hey everyone! Only a day and a half left here. I'm Jacob, joining from KS.
Monday is in the books. More projects with more classes tomorrow.
Glad to have you here this evening, Jacob! What are you going to do with your summer?
I really enjoyed it! The book titles and PLN expertise was priceless!
Our topic this evening is - Wrapping Up Your School Year.
Hey Nathan - penpals so fun! What was the STEM activity?
It really is the same every week - so many wonderful folks willing to share! Glad you’re in my PLN :)
Made a game for my kiddos tomorrow. Fingers crossed that they get it. Leads to pizza party.
Q1: What can you start doing before the last day of school to organize and pack up your room?
Got that scheduled for Wednesday :)
Teacher work day to get permanent records, ELL folders and IEP docs completed.
Camp counselor at . Some district meetings, a robotics grant . And, RUNNING!
How about you?
Hi all!! Miss u much Dropping by for end of year discussion even tho we're done June 22nd!
Oh my….that sounds like so much fun! (We’re not allowed outside food!) I feel I’ve fallen down on cursive too
We are done June 14th. Stopping by as well.
A1: I clean out files, cull library books, work on cums as I can.
A1. I have started covering up bulletin boards so I can use them again next year. Ss are helping with cleaning!
Wow - we have to do that on our own time :( That’s nice that you get the day!
I think the coolest part of the end of the school year is having a chance to reflect as a T - what are my strengths & growth areas?
Hi Heidi!!! What are you doing for STEM? We are building Catapults this week.
. im here! I'm here! So excited to be here! Let's do this :)
A1. I also spent some time finishing up awards (for tomorrow) and student files. Updating RTI files!
We send an End of Year Parent survey that helps encourage their feedback to help us grow- scary but meaningful
Hi Dan! It is great to see you here for . Sorry you go so far into June.
Hi Dan! It is great to see you here for . Sorry you go so far into June.
Can’t wait to hear about your robotics grant! I have some PD days- Helping teach a robocamp. Can’t wait! https://t.co/bEWZCybWW6
Camp counselor at . Some district meetings, a robotics grant . And, RUNNING!
How about you?
Please say you’re doing the next year. I promise to be more active with it!
A1 I ask my students to tear down the decor on the wall for me. At the end of the day, walls are clean/empty 😃
Hi Billy. How was your conference this past weekend?
A1: We slowly pack up the room, every day it's something small. LOTS and LOTS of organizing materials especially Science stuff.
How fun! What a great way to have the PenPals work together! :) That’s such great challenge.
and did catapults last week... We are going to launch paint colored marshmallows to make art on poster paper
A1: Organize digital files - I always start the year w/a naming convention and then it falls off. Good to go back and organize
A1: Easy stuff like cleaning off walls, boxing up materials that aren't needed, and filing resources!
Q2: Do you have your students help you clean and pack up your classroom? What jobs do you assign them?
Hey Jacob-How are you doing. They were showing some crazy weather pics of Kansas on our local news today.
We did a parachute one with a Lego Man in March. It was my favorite!
A1: The kids keep offering things they can do and I just agree! They love being in charge!
He all just walked in from soccer practice. Hope all is well
Absolutely :) & I are getting together this summer to put it together :)
A1. Ss help put sci room back together after chaotic fun if past year helps remind them of their ownership n collab in year
that's awesome! ...and we can survey the kids! What did they enjoy? What stretched their thinking?
Everything will be packed up the day school gets out due to our whole wing moving & construction. Things are coming off the walls!
Does anyone have an organized way to "slow down" classroom cleanup? Ss zoom through their assigned chores and I'm left scrambling!
oh!!! This I like! Gotta see if I can have next year's kiddos do that!
My End of the Year School page https://t.co/sVoTleXmY6 Best Web Tools & Activities & End the School Year Like a Pirate
Now that sounds like a TON of fun!
....You read my mind..... I need answers to this questions, even after year number 6!
How fun!!! Love that you attached a Lego Man - Did you drop him down from somewhere or throw him up?
Do you have a link to share? Haven’t heard of that one!
Q2: Ss love helping organize my cabinets and book shelves. Go through old supplies bins and organize them too.
I have 20 days, not really thinking about the end yet
A2: The last week of school I plan to have my students organize my books, weed out, & help box them up from our classroom library.
Doing well. Weather looks dicey in coming days. Just lots of rain here today. Sun shining now! How are YOU?
A:2 Ss don't do any cleaning and packing. Time is too valuable for them! We read, write, discuss & reflect!
A2: but of course! They take everything off the walls, windows, doors. I should ask them to help me pack my classroom library...
Well, THAT is exciting - perhaps I’ll add that to next year’s challenge! :)
A2: of course! They love helping pack up and take inventory. We organize library and check for missing books.
A2: Ss continue to work & practice researching skills. Most of my packing is done before & after school.
A2 cont: if we get supplies for next year we have them make the supply bags and write notes in them.
A2: Sort of crayolas and markers, discuss old ones, wash bins and reorganize and label for next year.
A2. My Ss have already started helping reorganize books for library next year. It's important work. Lots of genre talk.
I love this! Keep them learning until the end ❤️📚✔️ ...as a parent I would want that for my kiddos 😊 https://t.co/enemkqeeQd
A:2 Ss don't do any cleaning and packing. Time is too valuable for them! We read, write, discuss & reflect!
I haven’t seen catapults, might have to look that up to try that in the coming weeks.
Q3: How do you decide what to purge? What do you do with extra items you no longer want/need?
I shall do that too... Great idea https://t.co/poaaF5dN3G
A2: The last week of school I plan to have my students organize my books, weed out, & help box them up from our classroom library.
Doing well - can’t complain at all. We are heading into some nice weather soon & long weekend will be fun!
A2 cont: cover class library last week w/poster paper &offer red vines (super cheap) 4extra books returned get another 50 that wk
that's awesome! I also love that since you did it digitally you can have it to compare to next year
Can’t wait to hear about this Paula!
A3: Part of tomorrow will be Give Away Day! They kids get chosen randomly to pick from the “Goodies Table!”
Uuuuuh!!! Me likes this... 😍 👌🏽 https://t.co/2vC7NKLhjq
A2. My Ss have already started helping reorganize books for library next year. It's important work. Lots of genre talk.
Dave! We will take you anytime! Glad you are here!
A3: I purge anything I haven't used that school year and I raffle stuff off last few days to SS or give to other Ts
Just glad you’re here. Hi Dave!
I need to print this for some Ts I know!!
A:3 I try so hard to purge anything paper. Take pictures and add to hyper doc for next year
A3: If I didn't use it all year - it has to go. I ask my colleagues or Ss if they want the items
A3 over the years I've had some extras like fun experiment kits that kids can be rewarded with for hard work
Ohhh, like the idea of raffling off stuff.
Going digital has been HUGE! We have emptied so many filing cabinets by scanning and saving!
A2. Ss decided what to add and change about library organization.
Example? And hi everyone! https://t.co/22MJjHVyet
A3 over the years I've had some extras like fun experiment kits that kids can be rewarded with for hard work
I am so lucky because is coming to do a Breakout w/ my students Wednesday! https://t.co/QDoVQH91pq
Can’t wait to hear about this Paula!
I'm good friend! Miss ya!
A3: I inherited a lot my first year of teaching & now with a couple years under my belt I feel I can purge things I haven't used
Same here, Scott. How are you liking HyperDocs?
my SS have left over bathroom &weekly tickets, homework passes, &reading cash so they transfer 2raffle or auction points
Q3 makes me feel such a hoarder... 😔😂😂😢
is now trending in USA, ranking 40
HEY DAN!!!!!! Missing you! (We are out on the 17th as we only had 2 snow days!). You still doing praying mantids?
A3: I also found overheads! I have no idea why those weren't pitched years ago...
A3: Put in teacher’s lounge with a sign “Free to a good home”. LOL
Great way to have them empowered and invested! Students voices being heard and opinions mattering is key
growing polymer kits, little robots, slimes etc
thats where I find all of my STEM supplies ha ha
Do you have a HyperDoc example?
we had NO snow days and still go to 22, no mantids this year we mostly traveled in space ;)
A1: I actually have my Ss do this-find ones that need new homes. They love the job! https://t.co/xaEBzrMaPY
A1: I clean out files, cull library books, work on cums as I can.
We used to do this and now we can't! They don't want the T Lounge to be a dumping ground.
overhead sheets? Use those for so many art projects. We use old school overhead projectors for shadow puppet day
Wow - that’s late then! Traveling in Space is cool! :)
A3. Weeding out duplicate copies of books for giveaway & our . Books in everyone's hands.
A3: Moving grades means I’m purging a LOT. Teacher lounge has a “free table” for those who would like.
These were ones that had worksheet templates on them, not the plain ones. That's a great idea though!I still have some!
This sounds great! We do a Novel Exchange - a lot of the books duplicates or old ones from my bookshelves!
we have a specific table and once it's full for more than a two days it all gets dumped
Dude. I would NEVER call you crazy- how about creative?!
The further I get into my career the less "stuff" I have. I just have a ton of books. Works for us.
A3: I purge anything that is on ditto paper - lol Cracking myself up. Thinking of recycling EVERY PAPER this year! (But nervous)
A3: I know if I purge I have a colleague who is organized and saves everything. Thx :)
Actually purging my 2nd grade things as I’ll be staying in 4th :)
hi late again, but happy to be here tonight!
Q4: How “picked up” must your room be before you leave the building on the last day?
A3 I throw it out. Typically if it isn't digital it's really old anyway.
Yippee. Glad to hear that. Love you in our weekly chats.
A4: Construction begins Wednesday evening and we won’t be allowed back in the building until 4 days before school.
Hi Craig! Hope you are well - So good that you’re stopping by tonight! :)
always hard for me bc I know I'll have some students reading at first grade and some reading at 8th
A4: In our division there are check out systems. Admin has a check list and Ts are released when done
A4: All I have to do is clear off my counters and stack the desks to one side. Everything else stays the same.
Can’t tell you how helpful ya’ll have been this year! Thanks for everything!
I can fearlessly say I like it already!
desks and furniture pushed against wall but most stuff can stay on walls. Book shelves can stay too!
A4: All BB must be covered, all items removed from anything moveable, so they can empty room to do floor waxing.
Right back at ya! We just MUST meet up!
A4: My room has empty except desks & big furniture that is labeled to what room it goes to. Our whole wing is moving.
Wow! That would be nice!!
It wandered through my feed https://t.co/BnPmSXOXKj
Hi Craig! Hope you are well - So good that you’re stopping by tonight! :)
A4. We have to take down everything, have things piled in the middle of the room before we leave. It's an awful process. 😔
A4: everything must be labeled + in boxes, including whats inside my cabinet. They move things around + theres construction this yr
Hahah - aren’t ALL teachers hoarders?
So true. We’ll be using myOn and Epic next year so hoping this will help with differentiation.
A4: Everything down from walls and boards, nothing on counters, shelves must be covered too. A LOT to do!
A4) Desks and cabinet areas should be cleared... items picked up or moved off the floor so it can be polished
A4: ball flat surfaces that aren't built in must be cleared, nothing in Windows, bulletin boards and walls r ok
Yes, Kim. It’s a little bit of pressure to get it all in order by then.
That would be tons of fun! Are you going to WBT in LA this summer?
My kids beg to get on MyON. I haven’t heard of Epic.
Lol - that’s right up there with ditto papers…haha
I should probably take a few things down from my walls, a lot of it has been up for 8 years now.
sorry gotta run. Daddy daughter dance practice calls!!! 😜😳👍
I think the hard balance is between packing up the classroom and ensuring Ss are engaged to the end. How is this done effectively?
did a great scope on it last night. May be on her youtube channel.
Hi Jerry. Thanks for your links. You have such great resources.
Lol. I don’t think so- I am not sure what that is! Ha!
hahaha I may be the hoard-est of them all, it seems... 😔 LOL!
that's intense...I would have to really purge or take stuff home
Whole Brain Teaching conference in Louisiana
Q5: What have you found most valuable for organizing your supplies at the end of the year? Share your best tips and tricks.
Q4: Walls, BB, counters must be clean; flag put away; cubbies covered w/ paper to protet texts; desk cleaned off.
A3:purging is hardest always think I might need it found my overheads for math message&Obj in EDM 2day haven't used program in4yrs
I'm struggling with this too, especially bc of my added time crunch of not having the week after school gets out
What’s being constructed???
Ouch!
We had this going on... https://t.co/s81V6Io5DC
A4: Construction begins Wednesday evening and we won’t be allowed back in the building until 4 days before school.
yeah it's tough! Would love to hear what people are doing that is fostering S growth & learning.
I NEED this page and the person to help with it too!
A5: I specifically pack one closet with all of the items I will need the first week. Must less stress when school starts!
Where and when in Louisiana is the conference? We’ll need to get together. I’m in NOLA.
That’s how it’s done with us too! Last on the list: Say good bye to our principal.
We keep things simple over here.
All new doors/windows on our 1976 bldg. Lots of original stuff in our bldg. Also closure of open concept library.
Q6: Do you do anything special in your classroom in order to prepare for next year as you pack up?
Yes, please share! 😃😃😃 https://t.co/j8ODDZhUBE
Q5: What have you found most valuable for organizing your supplies at the end of the year? Share your best tips and tricks.
Our entire school used to be an "open classroom concept" up until 4 years ago when they added walls.
A5: missing class library books, 1st letter home, then cover library &offer red vines 4any returned usually get 50 more last week
Wow! Nice. We can leave our bookshelves too - which is huge! (PS: Glad you’re here!)
A5: I think a huge part for me is very clearly labeling boxes! I also like the hack of using hanging files on milk crates!
Unfortunately not… it’s “All About 3rd Grade” on periscope & blog
Right-same. But they didn’t do the library area in the center. Making tutor cubbies on the ends. New restrooms!
How was THAT?? I’ve only seen one school like that - must be hard for those who are easily distracted!
Q6: I bought big clear bins for storing lots of my stuff and I label EVERYTHING.
A6: current SS write a favorites list and words of wisdom to next kids sitting in their desk, I write them a letter for 5th grade
A6) Like to take the time to reorganize shelves. Rearrange room and get basics n place.
I thought with doorway openings 10 ft wide and only 1/3 of back of room had a wall!
it switched it before I got there - I think they knew I was a loud T and wouldn't handle open classrooms
Oh no, that’s 5 hours away from me. Wish it were closer.
Thinking about using Google to help organize lessons next year.
Why is the wing moving? Sometimes that’s not a bad thing bec/ it makes purging easier!
A6 b: also any great projects I film students presenting to show for next and future years
It was all for safety issues.
In what way? I would love to collaborate!
A6: Look over student data, growth, instructional strategies that worked, etc to preserve those things for next yr.
I think I could handle it!! :)
It's true! Our school is expanding, so we bought a building next door and our current wing will be ECE.
I feel like we should be given an extra day just to do this. On the other end-we start a wk earlier to unpack!
Read about creating google slides to store all links and ideas with standards, books etc.
Great! I forgot it was called a hyperdoc!
❤️this! Productive way for Ss 2reflect on their year & the new Ss love getting a letter during 1st week! https://t.co/BEpEJVIznh
A6: current SS write a favorites list and words of wisdom to next kids sitting in their desk, I write them a letter for 5th grade
A6: We write notes about 4th grade to the incoming 4th graders!
cheap/different. SS usually only have at movies which is rare. come a lot in a tub if you get a lot of returned books
Wow! Are people excited??
Did you share with your team too? I created lots of ppt until I figured googleslide easier!
Nice! Also follow
and the hashtag
Their book is on its way out too! https://t.co/US2pzcjSju
Read about creating google slides to store all links and ideas with standards, books etc.
Awww - you’re sweet to say it!
We are having the 1st Annual Reader's Choice Awards this Friday, anyone ever had book awards ceremony? Red carpet, party food, etc.
Our Ts have two days after Ss leave. I think it takes away a little stress & keeps focus on learning
Overall, yes, but those who have taught in the same classroom for years have a lot more of a transition.
Sounds like an awesome time!!!!!
I think it’s all worth it-Love walking in the CLEAN classroom in late August. Get excited for new year!
we're gonna do just that- ss will prepare a brochure for next year's 4th graders. I found a cool template on TPT
definitely missing some books, may try the redvines strategy!
We've done brochures in the past. I'm thinking of trying to bring it into the 21st century somehow.
Yeah, we use a brochure that another 4th T made a few yrs back! I like it & Ss remember getting one the 1st day
Thank you Paula - I can’t believe I”m 11 minutes behind in this chat! Love hearing what folks have to do!
One another note-Anyone watching DWTS?
Q7: What are some last week of school activities you do w/ your students?
That last dance was just AMAZING! So inspiring!
A7) We typically have a read in day, field day, and also invite the parents in for breakfast to thank them for the year
I learned to get a stamp with my name on it and stamp all my books on the inside cover
Yes! So messy right now, makes me a bit crazy
A7: We saved to introduce to our 3rd and 4th graders last week and this week. Ss loved it and will use more next yr.
A7: We have our dance festival, field day, I made up a game called Utah Trail, kind of like Oregon Trail but on paper.
A7: We do a Novel Book Exchange which gives everyone a borrowed book to start off the summer.
I did one last week - they've been begging me to do another one every since!
love this! Set Ss up for success so they don't slide too far back
A7: I always have my students write welcome letters to my future students.
I found like 20 rolls of aluminum foil in our school's science closet - now I have something to do with them!!
I like to keep our work relevant to our reading/writing/human being community. No crazy random EOY stuff.
Hey you 2, focus focus!! LOL
A7: We’re working on several science experiments that are just gobstopping fun. Along with end of year books on
Q8: How/when will you reflect on this year? How/when will Ss reflect on this year?
This chat is flying by- and I can’t keep up!
I’m always behind, then spend another 1/2hr checking out all the links, Love this group
Same-Only I think I do a lot of this at the beginning of the year when the room is so clean & I want to keep it that way.
Q7 we do cardboard arcade. Talk about mess!! But Ss have a great time with it,very creative.
Sounds like fun! https://t.co/8T0pTnJagc
Q7 we do cardboard arcade. Talk about mess!! But Ss have a great time with it,very creative.
A7: We’ve got a couple of Mystery Skypes, several Kahoots, & will have 3rd graders take a field trip to our rooms for questions.
Q8: I reflect each evening and each weekend during the yr, but will really reflect on the year after a few days off.
Help me! I can’t focus! The kids are rubbing off on me! Last day of schoolitis!
Love this group too! (Kristin we need to collaborate next year!) (STEM Project ???)
A8: I reflect by revisiting my curriculum maps and seeing where I need to revise and improve.
Yep. It could potentially leave you speechless!
Bought memory book. kids doing digital pages & uploading on then downloading zip files.
A8: ss will reflect on this year when they prepare the brochure for the 4th ss, and we'll have a sharing/reflect time the last day
Prepping for our Science Spectacle! Many team projects and scitech interactive displays to review with families on a day
What a GREAT idea! Thanks!
A8: students and I use to do a brief year reciew
A8: Red Light, Green, Yellow - what do I want to stop doing, start, and keep doing
This could be my new summer goal! Thanks for sharing.
would love that! Really enjoying doing these with my kids this year.
As soon as were finish one the kids are asking “What’s our next STEM project”. They’re hooked!
Today we did a 4th grade math review Kahoot. We played in Team mode…so much fun!
A8) Typically I have them reflect towards the end of the year with each of the subjects or entire class.
That sure would be nice. It takes me that - easy!!!
A8: I've been using SketchNotes as a way to lead Ts through reflections abt what worked. Can also use w/Ss https://t.co/rjQxfYv4Fj
I remember ISTE chatting while you both were in a bar somewhere for :)
We never have - can’t wait to hear how it goes for you! What a nice end of the year.
A8: Having kids write Tweets for to tell what they like the most.
Thank you for letting me drop on by
Q9: What will you take home this summer to work on for next year?
Yes! The time should be built in. We have to ask - Are we skit what is best for kids?
I think the incoming students really appreciate it. Very nice.
Yes! The time should be built in. We have to ask - Are we doing what is best for kids?
Thanks for stopping by, Craig. We love having you here for .
A8: We started a team google doc to share & reflect on things we want to do different or same.
We were outside the bar & folks were all stopping by to see what we were doing! Very cool.
Hoping to finish it up tomorrow!
We LOVE . Also use ditty for this as well!
My roommate came home and I missed so much, but this was a great chat! Good luck finishing up your school year! Thanks everyone
A9: nothing! Just lots of ideas!! 😍😍😍 we stay like 2 wks after the kids are done so I plan on using that time
A9: Lots of professional and personal reading! Super excited to dive in 📚😊❤️
Finally got hooked on Will make more headway nxt year! Also, loving https://t.co/UMpxEVpYTV
A7: We’re working on several science experiments that are just gobstopping fun. Along with end of year books on
