#WeirdEd Please introduce yourself and tell us if you’re an awesomizer or an awfulizer. Or a supersizer. Or a mythologizer. (If you don’t get this at all, be happy)
#WeirdEd Nah, I've actually gotten bit more awake every day. I think my lack of sleep last weekend's killing me... I didn't sleep Saturday night until Sunday morning...no idea why.
I’m shaking things up (even for me) by blending theme days with a Finnish schedule (45 work 15 break) today was “day of numbers” all day doing math things! I have some concerns though.... https://t.co/AqQjAUWn5x#WeirdEd
Shawn HS Soc Studies in slightly thawed out NH Q1: Practicing being more patient with my 2 and 1/2 year old son, reading more, and being better organized in my classroom #weirded
A1: I've been practicing how to say what I want to say in a way that won't get me reprimanded or fired. I'm not very good at saying things sometimes, but they need to be said. #weirded
#WeirdEd A1 in class (subbing), I've been practicing interactions, management & patience. Esp with the special ed. Loved 2 days with them, but I just don't think I could full time
I'm also trying to save $$ by not eating out as much w fam. It's hard when I come home exhausted & would prefer just going out but I'm trying. #WeirdEd
A2: Because teaching is a performance art - our audience expects all the mistakes to be practiced away (w/o understanding there is no rehearsal.) #WeirdEd
A2 really funny when you think of your dr, lawyer comparisons. edu is constantly changing, just as the law is said to be a living, changing thing #weirded
Ooooohh, this burns my soul. Few things make me angrier than questioning my professionalism or teaching ability by someone who thinks we're glorified babysitters. #weirded
Yeah...but lawyers “practice” law...doctors “practice” medicine
Shouldn’t we be more proud of the practice we do (so next time is even more awesome and we feel bad for how we taught a couple revolutions around the sun earliet?) #weirded
#WeirdEd A2 Maybe because, to the greater public, teachers should know the hell they're doing, if a teacher is "practicing" teaching/education, everyone loses their minds!
A2: Well, that would mean admitting to the world we aren’t superheros. High expectations of us, too, and often with little support and little feedback on instruction. #weirded
A2 People want to believe that after a certain number of years that a teacher is just going to be amazing and ready to go. Practing new things means opening yourself up for the failure you tend to experience in those opening years. #WeirdEd
I've had a few people recently wield my honesty and openness against me in an effort to discredit me, and I'm angry that it's making me question how I interact with students. #weirded
Yeah....I’m finding my “theme days” mean what I plan for the afternoon is often different as we start through the morning.....fun but emphasizing a willingness to adapt “tempo” #weirded
#WeirdEd Does lack of "practicing" when talking about teachers just adds more to that misguided notion that teachers are super perfect people who shouldn't make mistakes, bc hey that's my kid you got there!
#WeirdEd This is off the main topic, but THAT is what drives me buggy about the oversimplification of our profession that happens from the inside. Too many in education try perpetuating this with hand-waving imagequotes
Yeah, teaching is so relevant and important, teachers must be perfect, they're past practicing, they have to be able to know and do their job! #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd This is off the main topic, but THAT is what drives me buggy about the oversimplification of our profession that happens from the inside. Too many in education try perpetuating this with hand-waving imagequotes
I like to tell people who are probably only 1/2 listening that teachers are the most important and highly thought of professionals until voting day. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd I think it might. We tell teachers to Take Risks but expect that to just Happen. Liker @pernilleripp wrote a few weeks ago, "You coan't tell people to Just be innovative."
#WeirdEd You know, i was kidding, but there is a sense that Period 1 is sometimes my "practice class", and the others get the stuff that's "aged well".
Yeah - are professional development days “days off” or days of importance to see what we could be doing different (or not doing!) practice means always improving....right? Formative and ongoing? Or am I done and getting a green star sticker? #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd I think it might. We tell teachers to Take Risks but expect that to just Happen. Liker @pernilleripp wrote a few weeks ago, "You coan't tell people to Just be innovative."
#WeirdEd Yeah, people also want to see results of the teacher's works bear fruit. "Get my child, who may be 2-3 levels grade behind, up to grade level when school year's done." It may happen, may not. It doesn't just happen
Yes there isn't a quote, graphic, hashtag, or gimmick that really fully exemplifies what classroom teachers do daily. When you 'cheapen' the profession this way, it devalues it to people from the outside and some on the inside too. #weirded
#WeirdEd Q3 which I jut made up right now instead of using my written Qs-
What is one thing in the classroom that you'd pay shiny American dollars to have a few hours to practice?
Just like our students....? Kids do what they see....so we walk the risk-taking talk we tell our learners to do? (Or as my oldest says: I know what the teacher wants...I’ll give them that and they’ll give me an A - sigh) #weirded
In reply to
@Sneffleupagus, @TheWeirdTeacher, @shadow_uzumaki, @pernilleripp
#WeirdEd Q3 which I jut made up right now instead of using my written Qs-
What is one thing in the classroom that you'd pay shiny American dollars to have a few hours to practice?
#WeirdEd Yep, though sometimes, it's also scary to take risks, I mean, I don't want to be the cause for a student falling behind because I decided to take a risk....
In reply to
@technolandy, @Sneffleupagus, @TheWeirdTeacher, @pernilleripp
#WeirdEd A3 Because I want to be better at data and really understand it, I really wish I had a solid chunk of time to practice giving those kinda silly but required assessments and taking them apart, but in a low-pressure, easy classroom-like setting.
Meh. Words change. People find nothing wrong with "I was sick so I stood in bed" although some will deny if I point out that they said "drug" as the past tense of "drag" #WeirdEd
A2. Also, our Euro-centric understanding of "knowledge" is that it is finite - a noun based idea, something to be learned. Indigenous understanding of "knowing" is verb based - they traditionally focus on the process of learning and WAYS of knowing. I try to marry the 2 #WeirdEd
We had a 6 day rotation in my high school. We marked our agendas ahead of time, and they'd always announce the day in the morning. It sucked Q1 Freshman yr, but then you got into the rhythm and it was fine. #weirded
With my schedule I teach all of my classes 4 times. Bless my sweet A1 students. They get to see some real problem solving on display as I desperately try to get the train back on the tracks. #weirded
That’s the discussion I’m having with my LRT right now - I’m trying theme days but that means I’m not doing daily math (and even thinking stopping daily silent reading - but knowing that’s the only time many of my crew “reads”....) #weirded
Trying it doesn’t mean staying w it
In reply to
@shadow_uzumaki, @Sneffleupagus, @TheWeirdTeacher, @pernilleripp
A3: Design thinking & project based learning that has impact in the community. Practicing create authentic learning experiences AND mastering content. The struggle is real, because TIME. #weirded
A1 I’m practicing Kagan discussion strategies. We had a PD about it last week. Also practicing having my kids move more. Taught them yoga today. #weirded
B2, they get relaxed me that really looks like she’s got it all together... or is really less enthused about teaching this thing. One or both. #weirded
I JUST GOT HOME SORRY IM HERE HI ok A3 real student autonomy/freedom in the classroom. Without still feeling the need to control, which comes out of my own schooling experience/being reprimanded for going outside the box. #weirded
Facades are really in schools and edutwitter. Those gimmicks or facade are damaging in more ways than one. They continue to keep schools inequitable, substance isn't rewarded, no real change occurs, and kids suffer #weirded
Yes! Love design thinking and project based learning - allows the skills you want to teach gain relevance and meaning! Measurement is blah ..... until you start cooking! 1 tsp or tbsp of baking powder....? #weirded
#WeirdEd A3, give me the authentic implementation of social justice education into instruction/curriculum. Give me the ability to impart ownership to students
Discussion strategies designed to be more engaging & productive. The goal is to get 100% of the students talking. Things like “Think, pair, share” or “rally robin” take your typical “turn & talk” and add some more substance & engagement to it. #weirded I actually really like it.
Felt tipped legos...or, I'm no scientist, but I think the distribution of your weight across the lego carpeting would avoid any pain/discomfort, I think #WeirdEd
In reply to
@MagistraRuntz, @nathan_stevens, @TheWeirdTeacher, @shadow_uzumaki, @pernilleripp
This is a big one for me. I have my grade 5's practicing this in many ways. Practicing making good choices - where to sit, who to partner with. Their days are FILLED with opportunity to practice making good choices #weirded
We also had an Active Schools PD where we learned many ways to incorporate physical activity into academic learning & I already started putting it in place ... my kids really responded. I’ll say our district PD last week was pretty great. #weirded
#WeirdEd Q4 I had a coach when went on and on about “practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.” How can we turn this quote around into something about teaching? Would you use that line with your students?
I'm actually really glad I have advisory this semester so we can talk social justice without somebody wah-wahing about losing "instructional" time. As if content is all we teach. #weirded
I had an exceptional day: classes were dbled-up AND I had them for twice as long. My aide had 1/2 of them 4 bk chckout... but still the extra noise...my voice is soooo tired. AND i was tackling new tech skills k-2. Can't even describe day to non-edu. Thnx4lstngn
#WeirdEd A3, Also, I wanna practice using my board games as instructional materials, meets standards, aligned, etc. etc. All that good stuff.... and not just excuse to finally play w/them again.
Of course this raises questions around definitions of autonomy and freedom, and if it’s even possible to imagine + practice in our current system. But that’s a whole other chat *brain explodes* 🤯 #WeirdEd
I JUST GOT HOME SORRY IM HERE HI ok A3 real student autonomy/freedom in the classroom. Without still feeling the need to control, which comes out of my own schooling experience/being reprimanded for going outside the box. #weirded
A4 We watched a video today by @YouCubedOrg called "Mistakes are Powerful" that talked about the brain growth that happens when we make mistakes. Stressed to Ss that we also need to learn from them so we don't repeat them. #weirded
#weirded, remember in the 80's-90's when playing Mario, you wanted the perfect score and if you didn't get it it or screwed up early, you turned the game off and started over. Was it just me? That's perfect practice!
#WeirdEd LOL, c'mon, it doesn't always have to be damn separate.... Integrate it! Use Social Studies! Math problems to explore issues around the US! Blaaaa, those ppl wah-wahing can't see them as content?
A4 maybe saying something like meaningful practice makes growth. Not just doing something to check a box and say you did it. Not doing it for one grade one time. Like really being able to track your progress and feel proud of where you’ve come #weirded
A4: ummm... get a colleague to watch you when you try a new technique that isn’t working yet, because you might think you’re doing it right but you probably aren’t yet and can’t see it on your own #catchy#WeirdEd
Like this is really dumb, but I was really not great at steaming milk at Starbucks for way too long. But I kept asking questions, watching videos/peers, because I cared about what I was making for my customers. #Weirded
And practicing to be perfect.....my son declared he’s “done” with his art class because he has 86% and anything above a pass is exceeding his personal goal #weirded
#WeirdEd Indeed, even w/Teachers as facilitators, they facilitate so Ss stay on track & focused on learning objectives...Omg, edTPA words. AAGHH GET OUT
It isn't always! But sometimes we talk about digital citizenship and it can a challenge to work SJ into our unit on quadratics. But I'm working on it! #weirded
A4 I have a real problem with "perfection." Sign above my white board says "Progress, not perfection." I think the "perfection" feeds too much into students', parents', and teachers' love of "grades" You got 95/A for the semester...what did you learn? #weirded
And my practice was not perfect. It was still screechy and bubbly. But I kept at it and I can proudly make you a flat white and a cappuccino and whatever else you might want.. now latte art, maybe later. #WeirdEd
A4: I don’t like the word perfect. It skeeves me out. Practice makes progress and perfect is an illusion. I think you can master something without being perfect. #weirded
But a composer creates a piece of music to be performed a certain way - perfectly. It's doing a disservice to them to not be as close to perfect as possible. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Lol, I have no idea why I'm exclamating marking at you. I totes get it doesn't all integrate, but that just means that including it where it can, makes sure it's purposefully and integrated. Not just forced bc mandated....
A4: I don’t like the word perfect. It skeeves me out. Practice makes progress and perfect is an illusion. I think you can master something without being perfect. #weirded
A4 and I feel that way about teaching. When I see kids not getting what I’m doing or being bored by it, I ask how can I make this better. What can I do to give them the right thing #weirded
To me, mastery and perfection are different. You can master a skill without performing it perfectly, but you cannot perform it perfectly without mastery. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd You don't like the word master because as a Sith you're either trying to kill your master or you are one and therefor always under threat of assasination.
#WeirdEd A5 That would seem more like a rehearsal. Going through the motions to...uh...to know the motions/what to say, but won't know the actual effects until performed in front of students, intended audience....
#weirded, A5 I'm always using my own children and nieces/nephews to try to teach a little random thing. Not sure that this is practicing besides trying to give some interest in science to them.
#WeirdEd You don't like the word master because as a Sith you're either trying to kill your master or you are one and therefor always under threat of assasination.
OH SPEAKING OF PERFECT. A student made the most amazing observation about how he knew someone made a mistake and I had to stop class to acknowledge how proud I was. That same kid wouldn't have done it back in August. #WeirdEd
He wasn't completely accurate and didn't use the best vocab, but the connections he made to his previous understanding and prior content were astounding. I couldn't have planned it better. #WeirdEd
A5 we can plan and think things out in our heads w/o students present but I can't imagine practicing. although, I do run through videos I make for them before recording, or re-record #weirded
#WeirdEd a5 I define teaching in a way that includes students, so I'd say no... but if you're specifying public school children, yes. I practice via my archery instruction. I run certification trainings in which I teach HOW to teach, safely. It's the best practice for me.
#WeirdEd I used to accidentally practice Teacher Voice stuff on friends when I was starting out and didn't have children so I could spend time with other adults.
#weirded, A5 I'm always using my own children and nieces/nephews to try to teach a little random thing. Not sure that this is practicing besides trying to give some interest in science to them.
A5: Yeah, I think practice includes study and research and critical conversations. So, yes, I think that all is part of the practice of teaching. An essential part. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Q6 What impact would it have on your classroom if you started calling it your practice? In front of the kids, in front of other teachers, in front of your admin?
A5 Talking with them one on one and in small groups. Using their struggles and questions during independent work as a chance to teach them how to help themselves by asking the right questions back and not rushing in to save the day. #weirded
There's lots of things about teaching that I practice, I think? Like when to pause in a lesson or unit/year progression. But I don't stand in an empty classroom and talk to pretend students... very often. *shifty eyes* #WeirdEd
A6 I constantly say I'm still learning this (new tech, usually) so I appreciate you being patient, being my guinea pigs etc. Calling it my practice would reinforce that environment of We Are Learners. #weirded After the weird stares, of course.
#WeirdEd A6 So many ways, maybe ppl won't take you as seriously or take it as disrespect "EXCUSE ME? I went through 5 years for this Masters degree, I am NOT practicing being a teacher"
Maybe it could help Ss see Ts as human, prone to mistakes, learning from them
A6 So many of my students are just amazing at doing school and have serious self doubt even when they get less than a 100 on something. Maybe seeing a professional admit that even teaching and adult life in general is a process of practice would be good. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A6 But maybe it could help emphasize that there is no teacher that's absolute perfection (ZETTAI!) We always go "we're all lifelong learners," part of learning is practicing, fix that disconnect.
I mean, I get it, I love my alma mater & learned lots, but don't be a dick about it. (unless it's to annoy my brolo. then it's ok and hilarious ) #WeirdEd
Sorry my cat barfed lmao #adulting hmm this is really interesting!! I read the blog post and was super intrigued. I have to think about this. Where I’m at right now: How do we move to a shift in thinking, a new lens, rather than just the word/label we use? #WeirdEd
A6 So many of my students are just amazing at doing school and have serious self doubt even when they get less than a 100 on something. Maybe seeing a professional admit that even teaching and adult life in general is a process of practice would be good. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd One of my first answers if I infect you student teachers with the idea, and then let it spread through your ranks. I always building my army from you all up.
