Lynette Varrassi from Naaman Forest High School in Garland ISD. I'm scheduled to teach 5 sections of #aplang and 1 section of #apseminar for the 18-19 school year. #APTeach#WeAreNaaman
Andrew Sharos, moderator of #APTeach, former #APUSH teacher, and author of @All4sand5s by @dbc_inc. Happy to meet so many new friends at the AP Annual Conference this year. @CollegeBoard
Paul W. Hankins in southern Indiana (across the bridge from Louisville, KY. I teach LANG AND COMP. Excited to talk about first days of school and learning from the group tonight. #APTeach
I'm excited to see you when you're in GISD this fall! #APTeach#WeAreNaaman My husband @AdamVarrassi just finished reading your book. He's excited to work with you at South!
A1 - As far as the class is concerned, a quick overview of topics to be discussed, and then we're getting after it. A lot of content to cover in 1 semester.
#APTeach
A1: Procedures&jumping into the content in ways that also build relationships & create classroom comraderiere. We're in this together. It's not me and them. It's us. We sink or swim together. How we get there is set in the first few weeks of class. #apteach#WeAreNaaman
A1: A brief overview of the course and the expectations, a check of the summer work, then groupwork on the Proust Questionnaire - answering some as a character and some as themselves. Repeated communication of the idea of community and discussion raises all Ss. #APTeach
A1: The first week of an AP class is all about setting the tone for rigor and modeling the skills that students will use all year. We learn and drill Cornell Notes the entire first week and then use them to read every page of the book the rest of the year. #APTeach
A1 We talk briefly about course expectations, but spend a lot of time developing "community expectations" by asking Ss 'what are 3 things you want your class to be like?' Much more investment and better behavior when they establish what is to be expected #APTeach
A1 cont: For my room, that's starting out with an engaging piece of text, modeling annotation, doing think alouds, and writing with my students so they can see me make mistakes and critique my writing. #apteach#wearenaaman
A1: Procedures&jumping into the content in ways that also build relationships & create classroom comraderiere. We're in this together. It's not me and them. It's us. We sink or swim together. How we get there is set in the first few weeks of class. #apteach#WeAreNaaman
A1 We talk briefly about course expectations, but spend a lot of time developing "community expectations" by asking Ss 'what are 3 things you want your class to be like?' Much more investment and better behavior when they establish what is to be expected #APTeach
A1: Procedures, turning in summer work, etc. My students read the first 4 chapters of a novel over the summer, so we have a timed write about those economists that during the first week. Pre-test for prior knowledge. Right into content after that. #APTeach
A1: Because we offer AP and Dual Credit, we are always considering what the course looks like from an AP perspective and from a COMP111 perspective. I think we have a good plan going into this year to meet and exceed expectations of both (in synthesis). Excited to begin. #apteach
A1. Today we talked about the class being a team US against the test!!! We did some musical meet and greet. Dancing and chatting outside our comfort zone to build community. Yes I danced too!!! #apteach
My mentor T @FeeJam told me when I was a green, baby T, you don't have a prayer of teaching Ss if the Ss don't know you care about them. Her words ring in my head at the beginning of every school year. Get your culture before you get your curriculum. #APTeach#WeAreNaaman
Focus n relationship and a touch of content. No summer work since my kids haven’t had any history for a while. Start with fun stuff like the Black Death. #APTeach
A1. Today we talked about the class being a team US against the test!!! We did some musical meet and greet. Dancing and chatting outside our comfort zone to build community. Yes I danced too!!! #apteach
A2 - I teach the best content, because the content I begin with addresses skills that can improve student learning...I start with memory and cognition and we talk about how to study properly and avoid study habits that are ineffective. #APTeach
A2. I have the kids get to know one another so they realize they are more alike than they know. They are going to need each other, so I like to foster that first. #apteach
I do team building at the beginning of class for the first few weeks. We do classroom scavenger hunts, the marshmallow challenge, student bingo, 4 corners, 30 second experts, and this year, I'm adding team stations. #APTeach#WeAreNaaman
A2: So we all have a lot of content to cover and we know it. But it means nothing without the skills first.
Read the 1st quarter. Write the 2nd quarter. Learn the 3rd quarter. Love the 4th quarter.
That was schedule of events! #APTeach
A2: Skills for sure...Macro & Micro are definitely courses that require skills - graphing, economic way of thinking, etc. We spend time identifying skills and adapting them to content. #APTeach
#APTeach start content fast and furious. Had the students last year so relationships are already there.. They need to see the difference between first year and AP to set the tone for the year
I've come to embrace that the Dual Credit piece of the course offering in #Room407 opens the door to those students for whom post-secondary training was fuzzy at best on the near-future radar. I know this was true for me as a high school student. AP was for "other kids." #APTeach
A2: Skills. Without skills, the content doesn't matter. Ss needs the skills FOR the content. #APLang is skill based as is #APSeminar. The content comes with the skills. What's the best vehicle (content) to drive (skill) the learning? #apteach#WeAreNaaman
Agreed. I think our students would all be better off if we, somewhere down the line, taught everyone how memory works and proper study habits...retrieval practice, spaced practice, etc. #APTeach
A2 Honestly for us it's skills THROUGH content. On alternating block, it's tough to sacrifice either. So we start with an 'easier" unit--evolution. Kids historically do well with it, and we can teach so many #sciencepractices w/content. #APTeach
A3: Absolutely. It's about the relationships. When they're comfortable with one another and me, they're more willing to contribute and share ideas.
#APTeach
I've done that before. I think it's good. I hate surprising students with things, so they need to see an exam. I remind mine, this shows them where they have to be, not where I expect them to be right now. #APTeach#WeAreNaaman
A3. There has to be time for that community building. With the required discourse having them comfortable with each other is very important. They need to feel less vulnerable to folks not necessarily in their social group. #apteach#aphg
A3. There has to be time for that community building. With the required discourse having them comfortable with each other is very important. They need to feel less vulnerable to folks not necessarily in their social group. #apteach#aphg
A3- Room? This is what week 1 should be about. We have plenty of time to get into content. Let’s focus on creating a culture of empathy so we can talk about REAL issues in AP Lang & AP Lit! #APTeach
A3: I think it is truly important to utilize these types of activities to build the culture in my room. They need to believe that we are a team. We build the team; they work to do what they need to do for the success of the team. #APTeach
This is a great @TEDTalks to share as the group launches into a semester-long project. Strong comment in re: incentives. We don't want to spoil the video, but there's a big message in this video that becomes a mantra in #Room407. Tell 'em students, "Play in ___________." #APTeach
In reply to
@LynetteVarrassi, @AndrewSharosAP, @meliG43, @TEDTalks
A3- Room? This is what week 1 should be about. We have plenty of time to get into content. Let’s focus on creating a culture of empathy so we can talk about REAL issues in AP Lang & AP Lit! #APTeach
Just want everyone to know that this is really helping me! Some teachers I working with are so focused on ramming content down students throats they never have time to learn the skills and build relationship #APTeach
A3: There has to be. Those activities are critical to creating a team culture. If we don't leave room for those activities, are we serving our students the best way we can? I don't think so... #apteach#WeAreNaman
A3 absolutely must make time for this--it's tough to do but must be done if Ss are to trust you as their guide, and each other as partners in learning #APTeach
Just want everyone to know that this is really helping me! Some teachers I working with are so focused on ramming content down students throats they never have time to learn the skills and build relationship #APTeach
Honestly? Sometimes it was great...other times it backfired. TBH, I don't do it anymore. I do writing diagnostics using released AP prompts, but I don't take the 1st ones for a grade. It's exposure. For AP multiple choice, I give them 10-15 question bursts. #APTeach#WeAreNaaman
A3: I know I am saying this to the crowd that already knows, appreciates, and practices this in the classroom. Writing together is a team and community-building activity that begins day one and lasts for the entire year up to and including the exam. Model "we do." #apteach
A4 let parents know that they are partners w/me in their Ss' education, that to help me help their Ss, communication both ways is key. also, encouraging them to ask their Ss what they did in class, provide a workspace, or encourage their Ss to attend office hours. #APTeach
A4: This is my failure. Every year, I promise myself I'm going to contact every parent via phone or email to introduce myself, and every year, I get caught up in the minutia of the first days of school. #apteach#WeAreNaaman
A4: Sending a quick e-mail in the first two weeks explaining what's happened so far and what's coming in the near future. I also ask for life advice they'd like to share with the Ss a la Polonius in Hamlet, which I share w/Ss when we get there (thanks to Tim Averill).
#APTeach
A4: we have a smaller parent gathering for first time AP parents to meet the 9th grade AP teachers, hear from last year’s AP kids, and see some results. #APTeach
A4: Sending a quick e-mail in the first two weeks explaining what's happened so far and what's coming in the near future. I also ask for life advice they'd like to share with the Ss a la Polonius in Hamlet, which I share w/Ss when we get there (thanks to Tim Averill).
#APTeach
Question 5: How do you begin to build a classroom culture of rigor from the onset of an AP class? How do your students know that this class will be "different." #APTeach
A4: This is definitely where I am lacking. I honestly hadn't thought about ways to engage with the parents of my AP students. Definitely looking for ideas on this one. #APTeach
You know what I disliked about the standardized testing in our state? That it was called I-STEP. Closer to the intent of that test and the approach of many, it would have been better called U (YOU)-STEP. I like WE-STEP, but I couldn't get it to take with the EDU-folks. #APTeach
Question 5: How do you begin to build a classroom culture of rigor from the onset of an AP class? How do your students know that this class will be "different." #APTeach
A4: Having a classroom hashtag and a Facebook community for #Room407 helps a little bit with the parent contact. I can message all through our grading portal. I'm known for my epic emails (there's just so much to share). Weekly messages during the multigenre project. #apteach
A5: Words we use are really important. I try to tell my students that they are no longer in Leyden High School but Leyden University. If this is a college level course, I am going to treat you like a college student and expect college level work. #APTeach
A5: One of the 1st things I show my Ss is the College Board's statement regarding controversial content in #aplang and engage them in a writing assignment and discussion. I think that gives them an idea of just how different the course is from E1 and E2 #apteach#WeAreNaaman
A5 cont: I also ask them to look at the course outline in the syllabus and ask them to talk about what scares them or worries them in the outline or expectations. #apteach#WeAreNaaman
A5 - My Ss know AP is going to be hard. I don’t know that I build a classroom of rigor as much as I try to build a classroom of work ethic and a vision that they are capable. Then I sneak the rigor in :) #APTeach
Question 5: How do you begin to build a classroom culture of rigor from the onset of an AP class? How do your students know that this class will be "different." #APTeach
A5: I make my expectations clear from the beginning. If I give work to complete outside if the classroom, it must be meaningful. Dates for assignments and assessments are given with plenty of headway. It's always "What are we working to achieve?" #APTeach
I think a dedicated hashtag that you use with purpose and fidelity is one way to "brand" the room. If it is related to the classroom and is for the good of the student/parent and colleagues, we'll throw that #Room407 into the tweet. #APTeach
A5: Ss know from day 1 that the bar has been set high, that it isn't coming down, that failure will happen and that learning from said failure is also expected. They also find out there is lots of support for their success but that their effort is needed. #APTeach
A5. I really try to explain that they are in college but we are in this together and that they are going to see new and different things but the whole together philosophy is so important. #apteach
When we begin our big multigenre writing project, we'll add #THIS407 so that our students and parents can see ideas and links to resources for the different elements and deadlines of extended inquiry. #Room407#APTeach
A5: I make my expectations clear from the beginning. If I give work to complete outside if the classroom, it must be meaningful. Dates for assignments and assessments are given with plenty of headway. It's always "What are we working to achieve?" #APTeach
I do email blasts, too. Or, I'm better with them now than I was. I want to use it more this year with a class newsletter a la my son's teachers (he's in elem). I think I can do it. I just have to plan my time better during my conf on Fridays to send it out. #APTeach#WeAreNaaman
It's a good beginning of the year conversation to have. How we use social media to present ourselves in way that is different from the norm. #Room407 is designed to network and connect. And to be a little more web-transparent. #APTeach
Web-Transparency. If you want to find me at Instagram, I am paul_w_hankins. Looking for me at Facebook, I'm Paul W Hankins. Looking for me here at Twitter? @paulwhankins. We're about accessibility and accountability with #Room407#THIS407 We have few--if any--problems. #APTeach
A6: I hope my students leave my room the first week with the belief that I want them to succeed. I'm here to help facilitate their success. I want them to think it's going to be a lot of work, but it's all for the end result. #APTeach
A6 I hope they say "this class is going to be fun, but it's going to be hard but my teacher is going to help me get where I want to be" in whatever teenspeak they use :) #APTeach
A4: Hoping I have already started engaged by sending a letter home encouraging them to have conversations with students to sign-up. I will probably email home 1st week to explain expectations and such. #APTeach
A6. I want kids to know they are walking a challenging road but that they aren’t alone!!! Everyday "We are stronger together than we can ever be apart." #apteach@MLCHS_Principal
