Join #ICEilchat for the last Thursday of the month at 8pm CST as we discuss topics on ed tech, collaboration, building a PLN, professional learning and so much more!
We are here with Rushton Hurley, Author of “Making your Teaching Something Special: 50 Simple Ways to Become a Better Teacher”. Hello, Rushton! #ICEilchat
Greetings from San Jose, California! I'll add greetings from the as-of-today two new members of my household: Luna (acclimating quickly) and Lola (getting to know the dryer first) #ICEilchat
Excited to join @rushtonh & everyone for the #summerpd book study! Hope everyone is enjoying the book "Making Your Teaching Something Special". Honored to work w/ so many educators who do this each and every day!
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Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for being a part of the chat tonight! We LOVE first timers! I hope you enjoy this as much as I do...and continue to grow your #PLN thru #Twitter! #ICEilchat
For this week, we read the three-page preface and then selected one of the first 12 chapters under the area, "Rapport with Students," to read. #ICEilchat
For those new to this, Mark will toss out questions (Q1...), and when you reply, let us know which question you're responding to with (A1...) and the like. #ICEilchat
A1: As educators, we can impact the world, but we certainly have the power to change each individual's own world, at least for the time we are with them, & that can make a ripple effect for their future #ICEilchat
A1: That continued effort can (and I think should be) fun, too. We have plenty of seriousness, but conveying a serious enthusiasm for what we do spills over in good ways to the students. #ICEilchat
@rushtonh -- though I agree a bit with the statement -- I do, feel it is a bit "me" based. I tend to think of education as a team sport rather than just me. I don't do much on my own steam. :) #ICEilchat
Cool. After writing Making Your School Something Special, I came to the conclusion that many teachers need to build up their "me" in order to see themselves as part of a real team. #ICEilchat
Exactly, Lisa! I love hearing stories of educators who have had the opportunity to re-connect w/ former students & learn the impact they had...& sometimes it's something "small" that happened but made such a difference for that individual student #ICEilchat
Yes, true. It is easy to be an island. But I am just one of many pieces of the puzzle my students will encounter. I hope they see a united front! :)
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A1: The 12th chapter (Know You May Not Know What They're Thinking) speaks to that need to be humble about what is happening with your students, and how your seeds might flower. #ICEilchat
I see your point. I see educators as a starting point. Our presence and how we choose to present ourselves can make or break a learning environment. #ICEilchat
Still working my way through -- but especially liked the "people comments" --- Rushton is certainly a global educator. His ripple reaches far.
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A2: I loved "Buy Yourself Time When You're Annoyed". That's something I really struggled with as a beginner but I've definitely gotten better over the years! #ICEilchat
Emily - that's a good example of something we all know is a good idea, but sometimes need an extra thought along side for it to become something we make time to do. #ICEilchat
A2: "Talk With Rather Than At" - As a former school counselor, this one hits home. Connecting w/ students (or anyone) starts w/ the respect of building that connection. A true discussion includes all perspectives & most importantly, the one you want to connect with #ICEilchat
A2: I would like to focus on eliminating sarcasm. I am very sarcastic and have taught my 7 and 9 year olds about it, but know how it can interfere with learning in a classroom. #ICEilchat
Absolutely! I'm getting ready to teach middle schoolers for the first time and I know I will need to remind myself not to engage in a power struggle with a twelve year old! #ICEilchat
Yes; it's something many of us have ingrained in our communication. When they don't understand our humor, though, it's a situation ripe for their making the assumption that we're making fun of them, or similar. #ICEilchat
And Lisa, make sure to document it. Making references to conversations from several months before can send a powerful message to parents that you're a focused professional. #ICEilchat
I am with you on that one, Jen! I tend to be very sarcastic, especially w/ my own kiddos & I definitely had to tame that while in the classroom & working as an administrator. #ICEilchat
A2: I'm not in the classroom anymore but the one that resonated the most (wish I had been better at it) was "Making positive phone calls home". I received one when my child started a new school mid-year and I can't tell you what a huge impact that had on me. #ICEilchat
Truth - for some parents, that positive phone call (with no extra comments about bad behavior, etc.) can be the most important message from the school all year. #ICEilchat
A3 I would like to increase the number of positive calls I make. This could be very helpful in building relationships with my students and their families and I don't do it enough.
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A3 - I'm becoming a bit of a pest on my campus because I am pretty much demanding now that teachers cite their sources -- not winning me brownie points, but I'm not backing down. #ICEilchat
Jen, stay strong! The key is for the citations to be natural (like what Creative Commons asks for). If we ask young kids to do MLA and ping them on where commas go, they'll learn to hate citations. #ICEilchat
A4: "Be Willing to Apologize in Front of Everyone" - I loved the story @rushtonh shared & feel that this is advice for not only the classroom, but as adults in the real world as well. It shows compassion & respect for others & is just the right thing to do! #ICEilchat
a3 -- and I'm trying NOT to be predictable in the annual events we participate in (DOT DAY, HOUR OF CODE, SKITTLES GRAPHING, etc) -- not just do the same old working thing :) #ICEilchat
For those interested in learning more about Creative Commons material and simple citations, take a look at this trio of short videos I made to help students: https://t.co/fzj9DCkoNw#ICEilchat
The story ("a play in three parts") for the Apologize in Front of Everyone chapter is one that made a big difference in my thinking as it happened to me. #ICEilchat
That is an excellent idea. So many of my students only recieve the negative calls about behavior, but they are great kids and meed to be told! #ICEilchat
A3 -- Don't get me wrong -- I love the THINGS that work (DOT DAY, HOUR OF CODE) but I need to expand ideas that go along with them and not just repeat the year before. #ICEilchat
Great point, Tonya. As a former Asst. Principal who dealt w/ discipline, I wish I would have done this more. I stayed positive w/ the students & when I met w/ parents, but those calls home would have made a BIG difference! #ICEilchat
Q3: convey a sense of possibility was a great chapter for me. I'm planning on sharing the stone cutter story toward the beginning of the year. #ICEilchat
Kids seldom hear "I'm sorry" that is NOT follow by a but or however! An adult giving a truthful (not explaining) apology often can completely change a kid's attitude towards MANY things. #ICEilchat
Next week, you are free to read any of the chapters in the Assignments and Assessments area in chapters 13-22. Find the title that intrigues you, and see what you find! #ICEilchat
Please take these ideas and toss them in front of friends and colleagues, too - that interaction can build new ideas for you and new professional relationships. #ICEilchat
But don’t stop there! Continue to engage and share as you read this week. Go to the Discuss tab on the https://t.co/vyfICZalBc page. Read, drop in, share, respond and learn with others. Also look at the Resources. #ICEilchat
So true! And it's just as powerful when an administrator apologizes to a teacher in a staff meeting, which happened at my school. He gained so much respect that day. #ICEilchat
