A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
I am Matt, 7th and 8th grade social studies student teacher in Iowa. There's nothing better than a cold glass of orange juice with my breakfast! #mschat#ssvpln
A1. Almost undefinable sense of buoyant effervescence--where time is stretched/lost because UR deeply in the moment of something awesome. Happens best when U least expect it #mschat
A1: Joy is an experience of doing or feeling something that is worthwhile to a person. It's a feeling of positivity and a driving force to move forward in the daily grind. #mschat
A2: An "ah-ha" moment, humor and students genuinely taking interest in a subject. Yesterday I did a play on the Boston Tea Party - and my 8th graders were IN to it! #mschat
A2: Going along with the silly/unpredictable things students do rather than always sticking to the plan. Watching kids experience that "Ah ha!" moment. Allowing kids the opportunity to shine through their talents/interests. #mschat
A2 I love when students get lost in a book and beg me to let them keep reading. I get this extreme giddiness and inexplicable joy. This year I implemented mentor sentences and Notice an Note, #mschat
A2) Joy comes from seeing the work our Ts are doing with our Ss. They are changing lives! Also watching the amazing things they help our Ss do for others. #mschat
a2. What brings me joy is when one of my staff members feels empowered enough to bring a possible solution to something in our school that may not be functioning at full capacity.
#mschat
We are on a block schedule and there are many days when kids say, "Wait, you mean class is over? This class always goes too fast. Can we stay?" It's a great morale booster. #mschat
A2: What brings me joy in my classroom is seeing my students get actively involved in activities and be hands on learners. Also seeing my students and interacting with them every day brings me so much joy. #mschat#ssvpln
A2) Working in our school knowing we are positively impacting the lives of kids always brings me joy. Some situations we deal with don’t always bring happiness. #mschat
A1. Joy in the middle grades=Seeing Ss doing cool things 2 learn & grow. Talking 2 awesome @HeritageMS_WCS Ts & colleagues ab teaching & learning. Laughing because a kid said something bananas #mschat
I'd love to leave a livefeed playing in my room. If only for reflection on lessons and some of the reactions I get from Ss. If I had all of that documentation, I could write a book. #mschat
In reply to
@TeacherRunner42, @blocht574, @Beyond_the_Desk
a2 #mschat I️ find joy in classrooms when https://t.co/ALrsPsRUZQ is employed. I️ love the interaction with Ss when they feel recognized 4 their strengths
A2: Also, as a student teacher this semester I have found so much joy in trying out different things with my 7th and 8th graders and learning about what works well and what I can do in my future classroom. #mschat#ssvpln
I wrote a short-story narrative for a Master's class one time. The professor thought it was so funny, I should submit it to a magazine. Her rationale: EVERY teacher can relate. #mschat
In reply to
@MonicaGentaEd, @TeacherRunner42, @blocht574, @Beyond_the_Desk
A3: I collect feedback from Ss to see what kinds of things they like to do in learning, then incorporate those methods into class. Makes Ss want to come back on a daily basis. Ss voice creates joy because they can own their education. #mschat
A3 We really must develop meaningful relationships with our students. Then we can intentionally create joyful experiences on a consistent basis. Sometimes, it's the small things that bring great joy. But you have to know them really well #mschat
A3: It’s more than just my tag line: let’s reclaim the wonder of learning. Less lesson plan, more learning experience. Rock every possible moment. #mschat
A3: I think an important part of helping students have joyful experiences is getting to know them and building relationships with them. Students notice and are more likely to have joyful experiences if they know you care and want them to succeed. #mschat#ssvpln
A3; If we are excited, we can pass that excitement/joy onto many of our students. Allowing choice for students (process, product, content) also makes learning more joyful for students. #mschat
A3: you have to show your passion, if you are excited, they will get excited. Our joy might not be the same, you need to meld. #whatif you meld books and video games? #mschat
Boom! It's about the unexpected as well as the planned out. Do something joyful and spontaneous that makes kids go, "What the what? Did we just get to do that in school?" #mschat
Last year we challenged our advisories to create products to re-teach our expectations. The videos that they created were incredible! It was all student voice too. #mschat
a3. I kinda think if the things you are doing to bring Ss joy don't also bring you joy, you might be in the wrong job.
It's cool. Middle school ain't for everyone...
#mschat
I have to switch over to a Google Hangout on Shift This! but I loved hearing the JOYFUL ideas in tonight's chat. Have a wonderful Friday, everyone! #mschat
a3. I kinda think if the things you are doing to bring Ss joy don't also bring you joy, you might be in the wrong job.
It's cool. Middle school ain't for everyone...
#mschat
A3 #mschat creating paths for Ss to succeed toward a goal but with their appropriate challenge on tasks that matter to them make a place for joy to happen.
A3: Finding what brings students joy and connecting the material to what they are interested is a great way to help students have joyful experiences in the classroom. #mschat#ssvpln
A3. Connect learning 2 their interests!!!! Get jazzed & amped ab your own lessons!!!! Do unexpected wacky stuff!!! Live out your teaching life every day like it's an exclamation point!!!!! #mschat
A3: I gamified this year, & it’s bringing so much joy! Ss are motivated for mastery & obsessed w/ goofy power ups & house challenges. Powerful motivation to mastery!! #mschat
I'm still looking for the right combo of gamification for my staff. I love the concept, but it's been a bigger challenge with the adults in my building than I thought.
#mschat
A3. Connect learning 2 their interests!!!! Get jazzed & amped ab your own lessons!!!! Do unexpected wacky stuff!!! Live out your teaching life every day like it's an exclamation point!!!!! #mschat
I sat and conferenced with Ss to provide feedback on a performance task they had completed. Joy moment for one S: "Wow, I didn't think I would do too well with that learning target, but I worked hard and actually did really well!" *fist bump* #mschat
A4: Joyful classrooms are because the teacher is too easy is one that I have heard. We need to show others that joy exists when students are challenged AND supported. #mschat@ERobbPrincipal@_on11
A4. That learning is not rigorous enough. Joyful classes are even more rigorous as students are having collaborative conversations and working on SEL goals. #mschat
I had a principal come into my room one time and thought there was a fight going on. Walked in and saw kids dancing on tables and rapping about population growth. It was hilarious. #mschat
I started with mission punch cards. Made a spot for each skill in the unit on the card & punch when they hit 80% or higher. Turn completed cards in for power ups. They obsess over hitting 80! Hasn’t been too hard, though I do fall behind on cards sometimes. #mschat
A4 People may think that a joyful classroom isn’t doing really challenging, high level work. Invite them into your class so they can see for themselves. #mschat
A4: That joyful classrooms are too loud and that students are not doing what they should be. We need to invite others into our classrooms and show them how much learning does occur in joyful and "noisy" classrooms. #mschat#ssvpln
A4. Some folks think joyful classes can't B rigorous/challenging classes. Just smiles & giggles. Nope. We connect learning 2 students' ❤️s & minds and amplify the happiness. Got 2 collect data 2 show/prove impact. And invite ppl in2 your class #mschat
A4. Some folks think joyful classes can't B rigorous/challenging classes. Just smiles & giggles. Nope. We connect learning 2 students' ❤️s & minds and amplify the happiness. Got 2 collect data 2 show/prove impact. And invite ppl in2 your class #mschat
A5. Bringing joy to me is allowing students to have a larger purpose. Mentors for younger Ss, connections to the high school, service learning. #mschat
A5: Be kind. Even adults need the smile, joke, sweet treat, goofy email, anonymous mailbox gift. And be positive, even in staff mtgs & workroom! #mschat
A5: Being at your door in between classes and greeting all students as they walk by in the hallway. Also, you can help create a joyful environment in the entire school by having a positive attitude and being excited to be there every day. #mschat#ssvpln
So true! Shout outs over the morning announcements, "Sweet tweets" at a staff meeting. Recognize inspiration. I'd like to create an 'inspiration' award for my staff. #mschat
A5: Be kind. Even adults need the smile, joke, sweet treat, goofy email, anonymous mailbox gift. And be positive, even in staff mtgs & workroom! #mschat
A5 #mschat time 4 Ts to build trust then opportunities created 4 sharing & celebrating. “celebrate what is right in our school” campaign helps us to feel comfortable celebrating each other.
A5: Borrow a S's razor scooter. Hook a bucket onto the handlebar. Fill with bottles of water. Deliver door to door during planning time. Ss love seeing a teacher fly around on a scooter. Ts love the gesture. #mschat
A5. Admin need 2B out there in the hallways, classrooms, cafeteria--& setting a positive tone (not just reinforcing rules). Building relationships & greeting Ss & Ts. Recognizing Ts who take joyful risks. Step up. Don't just show up. #mschat
A5. As a principal, I spread my passion for what the teachers are doing with the kids. I always ask the S-"Do you know how Mrs. 'Blank' impresses me?" Gets the Ss to think. #mschat
A5: Be a presence in the hallway. Say hi to Ss from other classes that might not take your class. Have a "Fiesta Friday" and invite staff to join and just decompress. #mschat
A5 You have to build the culture of joy, happiness, and gratitude. We set the tone for our schools. We have to make it a place where students and teachers want to come to everyday. It starts with building deeply meaningful connections with everyone. #mschat
A5: we have community day every Friday morning where we come together as a community, and 3x a year we have a full day of school wide celebr8ing- #mschat
A5: by looking at the school’s mission and doing right by our Ss so they want to be there and have a positive, healthy & well rounded experience #mschat
This is my answer too! I have controlled chaos most of the time in my STEM class. You can’t do the engineering design process by quietly reading a textbook. But I think some people think we are just playing around. #mschat
Oh it happens, more times that just today. Sometimes you will me my kids go “oooohhhh” when it happens. Like they do when someone get calls to the office . #mschat
Oh it happens, more times that just today. Sometimes you will hear my kids go “oooohhhh” when it happens. Like they do when someone get calls to the office . #mschat
