#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).
Trying to set procedures while doing heeps of baseline testing...Eventually we will make it work! How is your new role? Some of the same students? #4thchat
Yes, ma'am. Started with students on the 9th! It's going well- one of the widest ranges of ability I have ever had, but I will take the challenge! They are so sweet! #4thchat
A1: Building relationships is important with our students, but also with their families. The parents send us their “precious gems” everyday, so we should let them know what is happening in our classrooms. #4thchat
A1: It’s important for everyone to be on the same page, building strong relationships, and for everyone to feel loved and cared about every day and all year long. #4thchat
A1: I believe it is important to know who are the most important people in the lives of our students. In some cases it is not a mom or dad, but a grandmother or maybe an aunt. Do you communicate with that very special person? #4thchat
Q1a: We are only 1/13th of a child’s education. Ps are in for the long haul. We have to view our role as trainers for Ps and help support them as they educate their child. #4thchat
Q1b: Hattie’s research makes it clear that home environment is critical (1 of the top 4!) As Ts we need to embrace Ps and get them involved in their child’s ed. #4thchat
A1: We have to work as a team for student success. Clear communication is key for a successful team effort to help students achieve. I want my parents to feel comfortable asking for clarification and help if needed with their child's education. #4thchat
A2: There are endless possibilities, but some include: communicating often through email/notes/texts, asking questions, following the class Twitter account #4thchat
Q2: The Q’s that they ask. Involved Ps ask higher order Q’s about their child’s ed. How are they doing in subtracting fractions? How can I help them become a more fluent reader? Less involved Ps ask more basic things- Are they doing ok? Are they causing problems? Etc. #4thchat
Eureka math is very detailed and we have great resources for it. Science on the. Other hand is killing me. Creating everything from a rough scope and sequence. #4thchat
A2: We have an agenda book that Ss fill out at the end of each day. I sign and parents are to review and sign each eve. I do a quick check in AM to look for notes etc. #4thchat
A3: In my case it is the language barrier that is huge. Almost 50% of my students are Spanish speaking natives. Also time because many parents are working at odd hours. #4thchat
A3: They may not know what questionsto ask. They may have had a difficult school experience themselves. They may be working multiple jobs. They may not know HOW to get involved. #4thchat
I don’t know if I had to be did just to be safe. 100% agreed. Kids film vids on how to do the math skills. I do announcements and challenge vids. Trying to start book reviews this yr. #4thchat
Q3: Busyness. Everyone moves so fast from 1 thing to the next. Multiple kids and they time gets more complex. So hard to keep up when you add homework or extra school activities #4thchat
A4: Finding the way to reach each and every parent. Some like email, some like weekly newsletters, some prefer notification from things like @Seesaw or @Edmodo. #4thchat
A4: For me sometimes it is defeat. When I have tried repeatedly to interact and plea for support and do not get it. Hard not to give up. I do keep trying, but not as heartfelt. I think sometimes for teachers time is also a factor. #4thchat
A4: I know I must have every communication available in Spanish as well as English. Love that @Remind have many languages available to easily translate my messages I send out. #4thchat
A4: Using the @Seesaw platform allows parents to set notifications in their native language and they can “see” what their child adds to their journals via text messages to their phones. #4thchat
A5: I think phone calls are the most personal way to connect. If the parents of my students speak Spanish, our amazing translator will help with the call! Reaching out to the parents is the key. #4thchat
A5: I am going to try doing “good calls” home this year. Each week call two parents and tell them something good about their child’s week in school. Too many parents fear calls from school because they are too often about a problem. Let’s reach out and share good news. #4thchat
A5 I think our class Twitter account and webpage has been helpful with that. They can keep up to date with our class happenings, even if they can't get in or communicate regularly. #4thchat
A6: One of the best ways is by asking them to write what I need to know about their child. They can write in either language. What they write is very telling. So great to read! #4thchat
I’m using Google Voice this yr to text Ps. It keeps my personal cell separate but also allows Ps to get a text that they can see as long as they have their phone with them. I made “good texts” last week. #4thchat
A5: I am going to try doing “good calls” home this year. Each week call two parents and tell them something good about their child’s week in school. Too many parents fear calls from school because they are too often about a problem. Let’s reach out and share good news. #4thchat
Emails, texts , and calls work 90% of the time for most! I too give my cell to parents so they can contact me as needed. I am considering DoJo this year and will use remind. #4thchat
I am such a Google fan. We learn one tool at a time-each with different learning situations. Then I have student write a blurb explaining the tool. We put them up on our "Tools We Use" wall! #4thchat
I keep a webmix of parent resources on my classroom website. It may help a parent ask questions or pursue a conversation about concerns. #4thchathttps://t.co/2B9mUSborw
Have any of you tried setting up a time to meet with parents away from school? Office hours at a local coffee house, a gathering at the local library one night a month etc? #4thchat
Oh, forgot about my Google Voice number. I just share my regular cell number with parents. Maybe, will switch to my Google Voice number this year. #4thchat
I try to bring the coffee house to them. I set up our library with soft seating and have cookies, coffee, & hot chocolate for our spring conferences. #4thchat
It's so good to see everyone tonight! It's been so long! I hope we can get our Monday evenings back on track! Thanks to everyone for participating, to @ncarroll24 for creating great questions, and to @plnaugle for leading the charge tonight! I love #4thchat!
