Welcome to #makeitreal! Let's talk making the end of the school year relevant for your students and for you! Introduce yourself, your role and where you are from! @MathDenisNJ
Rich Hayzler, Middle School Principal from NJ and I am honored to be moderating tonight's #makeitreal chat! I'm pumped to finish up the year strong! Look forward to learning from all of you tonight! Grow your PLN!
A1: It is important to have students draw connections to their learning through meaningful projects. Have them design google sites, blog, design, create, present. Make learning relevant and purposeful. Spark their curiosity! #MakeItReal
A1: Anyway for the students to exercise creativity is a motivator. We had the students create an organism from outer space and explain what type of adaptations they would need in order to survive. #makeitreal
#MakeItReal A1-I never mention the end of the year. I don't do a countdown at all. It is just more of the same. Consistency in a classroom is key. Just keep doing more of the same until the very last day!
A1: Two trains of thought: Keep with the routines they are used to and then change it up and make sure you really create experiences and get the students creating #MakeItReal
A1 I plan new activities with diff tools, or play even better music to get them dancing when they come in, stay positive and NOT count down the days #makeitreal
A1: Fun activities that cater to their interests. Our Lab is just finishing a game design challenge using @koduteam. Tomorrow we start a new challenge exploring @SketchUp. #makeitreal
A1 - In the classroom, I used to do projects that included their interests. For example, they loved using kidblog to share a book review of a book of their choosing. #makeitreal
A1 thinking about how I can fit everything in that I want to during these last 3 days, cannot believe the year is almost over, goes by so fast #makeitreal
A1: I taught 6th Grade last year which meant Provincial Exams (State Testing) It is not required in the grades I teach now and it is way harder to keep them focused. Trying some fun stuff. Designing Games, Making movies...it is working...sort of #MakeItReal
A1: I incorporated student choice in my themes. I also decorated the room and had background music for each theme...which was a surprise each Monday. We did PBL, too, which helped keep Ss engaged through the last day. #MakeItReal
A1: At the end of the year, the relationships we've built are the strongest. I try to leverage them to have students open up, share their voices and follow a passion that I can help them learn from #MakeItreal
A1 I run a 100% choice art room. One of the advantages is that it is student driven. This means the end of the year doesn’t look any different. Most Ss come in excited to create based on their interests & passions. We even discuss possibilities for day 1 of next year. #makeitreal
A1: I don't count down. I keep the routine the same, as much as possible. So many of my little people need the routine and consistency of being in school because home is not as consistent. Do everything for your students! #makeitreal
A1 Allow students to apply the skills learned through meaningful real life activities and let them think outside of the box to show what they have learned this year. #makeitreal
A1: Lessons need to be authentic, relevant, and fun! We . should encourage student choice! Also, ask HOW the students want to learn and personalize the experience #makeitreal
A1 I have some Google expeditions, @MetaverseApp@GooseChase planned, as well as a few other ideas, and we are going to look at the @Buncee that all of my Ss created, and hopefully Skype with our #pbl connections #makeitreal
Gotta do some exploring tonite to find a good tutorial that is not 16 mins long. We will be sure to tag you with our creations. The games they developed were intense. It basically involved me screaming at the monitor lamenting the fact that I am bad at computer games. #makeitreal
A1: I plan my Eng 2 debates for end of the year. Ss partner up, choose a topic to debate (that's totally their choice), bring in a visual (edible is cool), & away we go! Ss learn the value of two sides to an issue, debate vocabulary and etiquitte, speaking/listening. #MakeItReal
A1: Keep appealing to their interests right to the end and have them apply the skills they have learned and utilized all year to something current and relevant in their own lives! #makeitreal
A1: make end of the year activities FUN! My Ss created “Hashtags through History,” “Presidential Playing Cards,” and class memes to make connections with what they had learned in a fun way! #makeitreal
A1: Planning and Pacing BIG projects to be concluded at the end really pushes & drives my Ss to see their final products culminate! Also lots of positive incentives really work in keeping their focus & spirits up, especially w/state testing in the mix at the end! #MakeItReal
A2: I am looking forward to our last faculty meeting. I always have a few surprises up my sleeve! Enjoy seeing my teachers learning and growing! Love this pic from @RACzyz#makeitreal#4OCF
#MakeItReal A2-End of the year projects are always a great way to reinvigorate students and are something to look forward to as well: https://t.co/PppMKAm2Zk
A2-As mentioned, my students are working on their passion projects: https://t.co/WOTLRA1LlF I am really enjoying conferencing with them and helping them make their ideas come to fruition #makeitreal
A2: I am excited to engage Ss at our Warriors Explore summer program. We pump the positive and give Ss opportunities to learn through context not just content. I can't wait to check out the stemming class! #makeitreal#SummerSchoolRocks
A2 Again I’m going with student choice. Even when tired, empowering students to create based on their interests and passions keeps the energy up in the art room even when my energy is down. #makeitreal
#MakeItreal A1) I have a fun math/art project where students get to use a lot of the concepts they used throughout the year. I also have a top 5 list for the project to help motivate creative thinking
A2: It's really not an activity but I suggest that teachers really develop lessons that are tied to things they are passionate about. When you use your passions, burn-out is never a problem #MakeItReal
A2: I taught AP Stats and now would be Prove Them Wrong Week! We'd test product claims in class. Like are Double Stuff Oreos really double stuffed? Does Diet Dr Pepper taste more like real...etc.. #MakeItReal
I’ll tell you a fun story. I recycled an old math video (don’t tell anyone). It was a dud. Two of my 6th graders told me, “That video was terrible. So boring.” Ouch. I threw down a challenge, “Oh yeah, I like to see you do better.” That got them motivated. #makeitreal
A2 - Now you are making me miss teaching elem kids--I loved celebrating how far students had come, passing out some of their work from the first week of school and having them reflect #makeitreal
A2: We started spring with hatching partridge eggs, then caterpillars. We finished off with sprouting beans in baggies, hanging in the windows. When you keep the kids excited, it keeps your energy up! We all feed off each other! #MakeItReal
A2: When I was in the classroom, during the final days I would have the students choose a character we studied during the year and discuss that character's perfect summer vacation. The kids loved it! #makeitreal
A2 It's actually when I get to . be the learner, the Ss presenting their #PBL that had them collaborating w/Ss in Spanish speaking countries, through @edmodo@Flipgrid@Buncee & learning/teaching abt the #SDGs#TeachSDGs#makeitreal
In reply to
@RichHayzler, @edmodo, @Flipgrid, @Buncee
A2: our school year is over, but one of our last Gov units is political parties, elections, & voting. My juniors create their own party, design campaign materials based on tactics they learn about, and take their candidate through the presidential election process! #makeitreal
A2: When Ss see you excited they naturally follow in those emotions. This year they became pumped to finish our coding studies w/ a BreakoutEDU box based on coding. THEY WERE SO EXCITED to use all of their years worth of skills to decode all the locks! #MakeItReal@breakoutEDU
A2: Def incorporate a ton of S choice into the end of the year learning experiences. I love to plan outdoor lessons too! So if I can do a Safari Hook #tlap, everyone's happy! HS Ss love playgrounds too! #MakeItReal
Started movie making, Writing their Reading Autobiographies (I did mine as well) If time allows we will do some group research and play some games. #MakeItReal
A2-As mentioned, my students are working on their passion projects: https://t.co/WOTLRA1LlF I am really enjoying conferencing with them and helping them make their ideas come to fruition #makeitreal
Have you ever seen the video compilation for "shut up and dance", it has Groot in part . of the clips, so funny, I used it as my welcome to class let's dance song today #makeitreal
A2: My Ss ended the year by creating an ice cream shop. They were business partners and had to plan the business, work together to run the business, and evaluate the business. We integrated all subject areas in our 2 week ice cream unit. They did awesome!! #MakeItReal
A2: It's really not an activity but I suggest that teachers really develop lessons that are tied to things they are passionate about. When you use your passions, burn-out is never a problem #MakeItReal
A2 I used to love reflecting with my students how far they have come. Might be cool to share kids favorite moments and accomplishments through #globalcollaboration#makeitreal
A2: I used to have students write letters to my future students and reflect with advice for the upcoming school year. But my favorite activity was hosting an author celebration & inviting parents/administrators into the room while my "authors" read aloud their work. #makeitreal
A1: I provided my campuses with several different "Try it Tuesday" opportunities with ideas and resources to finish the Year strong by trying something new, for the last 6 weeks of school. #makeitreal
A2. We only have tomorrow but today we had 2 Mystery Skypes and accomplished Skyping with ALL 50 states. Even skyped with couple states more than once🎉 we were so excited that we can say we have friends in EVERY state😱 #MakeItReal
A2-As mentioned, my students are working on their passion projects: https://t.co/WOTLRA1LlF I am really enjoying conferencing with them and helping them make their ideas come to fruition #makeitreal
A3: Find your tribe! The people who lift you up. Those who you can share ideas with. Take up a new hobby. Try something new in the classroom (edtech tool/strategy/etc) #makeitreal
A2: This 👇🏽 My Ss want to show me how much they hated that one video and how they can do so much better. It’s a good thing I’m not sensitive because the word “terrible” was thrown around a lot today. #MakeItReal
I’ll tell you a fun story. I recycled an old math video (don’t tell anyone). It was a dud. Two of my 6th graders told me, “That video was terrible. So boring.” Ouch. I threw down a challenge, “Oh yeah, I like to see you do better.” That got them motivated. #makeitreal
#makeitreal - A3- Take an occasional day off or a "mental health" day here or there towards the end of the year. Everyone needs a break every once in a while. Take one. Your students need one too!
A3 keep my routine, I have to stay busy, and also when I feel like I have hit a wall, like today where I felt overwhelmed, turn that music up louder and dance with them! #makeitreal
#MakeItreal A3) use good use of your time during the school day. Get some paperwork done during lunch to save some time. Have students help clean a and pack up your room.
They are, in fact, about 1.5 stuffed by weight. However, that doesn't mean that they weren't stuffed twice to get that way...so many questions #makeitreal
A3: By building those important relationships, you are able to rely on each other and help each other when the days get tough. I think I cried every day the last ten days of school! #MakeItReal
A3 by giving students choice, I am automatically vested and curious about what they are creating. This curiosity helps me to be present for my students. Choice! Choice! Choice! #makeitreal
A3: Hot take "Teacher burnout is often just an excuse" I think it is one of those terms people use too much. Real? Yes but I struggle with this time of year and hearing it so much. To avoid that whole conversation I focus on learning something new. #MakeItReal
A3: Getting to do THIS, tonight intermittently because the kids are being bozos, is a great way to maintain sanity near the end of the year. So thankful for #makeitreal, as well as the other Wednesday night chat standards. #122edchat#betheone#KidsDeserveIt#cvtechtalk#weirded
A3 Remember why you do what you do- for the kids. Every day matters and you still have the chance to make an impact on a student’s future. Let that empower you and drive you through June. #makeitreal
A3: I’ll tell you what helps me-I really like my Ss. Just thinking about the fact that this is our last time together as a class makes me want to give it my best so there are no regrets. #makeitreal
A3: I ran faculty meeting last week and let my teachers choose between yoga, badminton and art therapy. Focus on wellness. Support your teachers! #makeitreal
A2: I worked with another facilitator to implement our own version of The Creativity Project. We partnered classes across our district & had them create & exchange creativity prompts, then respond to one another. It's turning out great and we're all learning! #makeitreal
A3: Fun end of the year treats/messages can really go a long way! Lots of ways to lift spirits and spread positivity even at the end of the year, especially if your district is seeing high turnover. #MakeItReal
A3: Smile, have fun, be positive! I feel when you take time to laugh and be goofy that this helps...and I do that A LOT!! My Ss just shake their heads but they love it! 😉 #MakeItReal
We have building admins who make it a point of stopping into classrooms doing mindfulness just so they can be part of the mindfulness community #makeitreal
A3 Also take the opportunity to . try different things, I find that the end of the year is a great time to mix it up, have fun and have . something to reflect on during the summer #makeitreal
Done!
1. metacognition around the learning process and how long it takes to teach someone the dance.
2. the math of the pendulum movements of arms vs. hips vs knees
3. Why it's called "the pickle" in certain parts of the country.
you want more" #MakeItreal
It's a wonderful way to say "I love you, but you're driving me nuts currently." Takes the edge off. "Bozos" can be interchanged nicely with "muppets". #makeitreal
A3: my attitude can make or break my Classroom environment. If I’m clearly “over it” then my Ss will emulate that behavior, & the class climate tanks. I make a conscious effort to be happy, goofy, quirky, and fun in my teaching! All through the year- even at the end! #makeitreal
A3. Make time 4 myself 2 reflect, stay positive/create fun, innovative & engaging activities 4 my kids and I to do-Ask myself: Are my students at an advantage because I am their teacher? If my class was voluntary, would my room be filled? Would I want 2
Learn here?
#MakeItReal
A2. We only have tomorrow but today we had 2 Mystery Skypes and accomplished Skyping with ALL 50 states. Even skyped with couple states more than once🎉 we were so excited that we can say we have friends in EVERY state😱 #MakeItReal
A3: I ran faculty meeting last week and let my teachers choose between yoga, badminton and art therapy. Focus on wellness. Support your teachers! #makeitreal
Thanks for joining us for tonight's #makeitreal chat! Stay hungry, stay passionate and always do what is best for students right up to the last day! Follow some new educators and grow your PLN! #MakeItReal
A4: "A dying mule kicks the hardest" Maybe not motivational, but it reminds me that some folks resist hard because they see change coming and they are scared. What support can I provide the resistors? #makeitreal
#makeitreal A4-"Teaching is the best job ever- Would you really want to be sitting in a boring cubical all day? Or would you rather be learning it with some amazing kids?" -- Me, just now.
A4: Maya Angelou said it best, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Our Ss may not remember all of the what we taught, but I want them to remember enjoying learning! #makeitreal
A4 - Apparently I need to read more because I don't have a great quote but I always have song lyrics "I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way" Keep that in mind any day and it will be a good one in the classroom! #makeitreal
Thanks for joining us for tonight's #makeitreal chat! Stay hungry, stay passionate and always do what is best for students right up to the last day! Follow some new educators and grow your PLN! #MakeItReal
Sorry y’all, I am NOT a fan of green-screen photography. Especially these cheesy sports backgrounds. Wouldn’t you rather have YOUR actual field/gym in the background than some fake scene? 🤨🤷🏼♂️📸#WorkTheLocation#MakeItReal#sportsphotography
