A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
Welcome to #mschat! Tonight is a 30 minute rapid fire session. Qs every 5 minutes.
We will be using the Q1/A1 format for our chat tonight. Be sure to include #mschat in all of your responses.
Remember to follow those you interact with tonight!
I'm Ryan from Michigan, 6th grade social studies teacher.
This will mark year 9 as a full time teacher with 2 years as a guest teacher prior to that. #mschat
A1: On our last day of school, all of the Ss who asked if I would move to 7th grade with them because they wanted to have as much fun learning social studies during the next school year. Meant a lot to me and it motivated me to be even better this coming year. #mschat
A1: Helping AP Gov't Ss develop study habits with their digital notebooks. Their Ts were the biggest supporters of my work as a Tech Specialist and got me back in the classroom. #mschat
A2: Getting back with my Learning Community teachers to work on relationship building activities with our Ss. I love the first 2 weeks of school because that is all we do and I get to really know my Ss. #mschat
A2: I have teamed up with a local mid lvl ELA T to pair my PSTs with 8th graders as reading buddies. They will read "Counting by 7s" together and utilize an online program to share weekly video responses. Excited to see what happens! #mschat
This is how we do it at the Eagles Nest! Welcoming our newbies with smiles and high fives! Ready for an awesome year! #LeadUpChat#LeadLap@CowetaSchools
A2: Looking forward to working with our CMLA crew and students taking a middle level course @ UW-L, to make an impact with middle school students in the La Crosse, WI community! #mschat
A3: Being new last year meant I was unfamiliar with the path I was taking with the curriculum being taught. I look forward to having a clearer path and incorporating more PBL into my Ss learning. #mschat
A3: work/home balance. I was coming home too late last year. I need to protect family time more. My schedule under this new model is REALLY helping already. #mschat
Brian 6th grade math T from NH jumping in late. Been slacking on twitter but what better way to get back in to the swing of things then the first #mschat of the year.
A3: Finding the work/family balance as we have relocated this year and making sure that my kids have every chance to adjust accordingly. #FamilyIsEverything#mschat
A3: I want to get better at engaging my students’ families. We are all a team, and it’s rewarding to find more and better ways to connect with them. #ItTakesAVillage#mschat
A3- Staying organized & giving timely feedback. I have a tendency to get a little disorganized and then give feedback that isn't as impactful because it took so long for Ss to get. #mschat
A4: My goal is to incorporate Passion Projects into the class during the 2nd semester. I want Ss to research and present some current topic/issue that has meaning to them and is done in their own voice. #mschat
6th grade rocks!! Was doing 5th & 6th. Just moved 5th to self contained. So excited to be doing just 6th and really getting them prepared for a true Middle School experience! #mschat
A4: I want to be better at reviewing prior learning. A student from last year helped me reflect, and I am going to try non-graded progress checks. I will schedule them for our advisory days (about every 3 weeks) since the class time is slightly shorted. #mschat
A4- Implementing new math program with passion & excitement. Getting kids to look at math a different way to conceptually understand topics. Constantly seeking guidance and PD on new program as well as leaning on colleagues will help me achieve this. #mschat
A4 my goal is for our school to have a new mission and vision by the end of the year that our staff, parents, students and patrons have developed. Not only that but I want it to capture the needs of our students for the future #mschat
A4: To continue to reflect & grow as a teacher educator. To help my new PSTs see the value of relationships and community in the classroom. And, to help my PSTs find ways to meet the social, emotional & academic needs of their Ss. #mschat
A4: I will set my goal to involve another staff member so that we hold each other accountable. Not sure yet. ... Need some inspiring! ... Starting with new materials this year so the path ahead is uncertain! #mschat
A5: Each week I will meet with my accountabilibuddies for a decompression session. I will also ensure I am only working at home 1-2 nights per week and only for 1 hour per night. This should keep me refreshed and on top of my game all school year. #mschat
A3: I want to get better at engaging my students’ families. We are all a team, and it’s rewarding to find more and better ways to connect with them. #ItTakesAVillage#mschat
A5: Staying active with my PLN is a great way to start! Sharing experiences, but also taking time to decompress and reflect to improve. Making time for family experiences too because at the end of the day, they are there to pick you up. #mschat
A5: Mornings at the gym (great thing about the 5 am crew is it is always the same people, and they notice when you aren't there!) And theater in the afternoon (yes it if for the HS, but passion is passion, and that makes it "me time"!!) #mschat
I’m not grading work as they learn skills, but I do “check ups” twice a week to assess skills & grade those. Makes it safe to practice new things & learn but still provides lots of tangible data on progress toward mastery. Still new, but so far, I like it. #mschat
Thank you all for being a part of the first #mschat of the year! We will be back next week at 8pm ET/7 CT with @blocht574 back at the helm.
Join @MrPStrunk and the #waledchat crew 30 minutes from now for another great chat!
Good night, crew!
A5- gotten in a pretty solid gym & healthy eating routine this summer planning to continue throughout year. As well as find some time to continue playing soccer & baseball #mschat
Thanks #mschat@blocht574 - I did it!! ;)
Looking forward to connecting with you all more as the school year goes on. (I'll check back for the 5am workout crew!) @Mr_Bussiere
Good luck to you! Less than 2 weeks to go here, though she's not even coming back from sleepaway camp till this Saturday. So we haven't had a chance yet to acclimate together. #mschat
