#LearnLAP occurs on Mondays starting at 7pm Central Time. Guest moderators and participants discuss topics from author Paul Solarz's book Learn Like a PIRATE.
Welcome everyone!
My name is Kristen Davison - I am a Literacy Coach from Ontario and I will be your moderator this evening.
Please join in anytime using the Q1/A1 format and #LearnLAP
Let's go!
I'm Paul Solarz, a 4th grade teacher from Arlington Heights, Illinois and the author of #LearnLAP ("Learn Like a PIRATE"). Excited to have @kdavisty moderating tonight!
Hi everyone. George from Japan here. I teach secondary English and blog and vlog at https://t.co/HVCqyGmhNd . Happy to learn with you this morning! #LearnLAP
Chad from Ohio checking in! I teach 3rd grade math/science/gifted Ed. I’m a student choice advocate, huge fan of flexible seating, and love saying YES! #LearnLAP
I'm Paul Solarz, a 4th grade teacher from Arlington Heights, Illinois and the author of #LearnLAP ("Learn Like a PIRATE"). Excited to have @kdavisty moderating tonight!
A1: Student empowerment is at the basis of everything I do. My students are allowed choice in what they are doing and how they do it. Adults make choices all day, why not start now? And I’ll be there to provide guidance. #learnlap
A1: I'm all in with student empowerment in the classroom. I realized last Friday I have to step up my game. I noticed my Ss were relying on me too much to solve simple situations that arise during the day. New plan...new game tomorrow. #learnlap
A1.2 At some point Ss will need to be self directed. Giving them the opportunity early is essential to future success. As a 4th and 5th grade teacher we focus on learning to learn and to accomplish that Ss need to have some control of their learning adventures. #LearnLAP
A1 I believe strongly that we must empower students. Thinking freely and making decisions on our own speaks to the problem solving skills and adaptability students will need in the future as innovators and creators #LearnLap
A1 I am a huge believer in student empowerment and #metacognition. I believe Ss have to own their learning and understand the roadmap in order to learn more. #learnlap
A1: As the instructional leader I allow teachers the flexibility to teach outside the box. That means teaching differently and make it better. By having this flexibility, it empowers students to take on risks, find new ways to learn and enjoy learning and school. #learnlap
A1: My strong belief is: whoever is doing the thinking is owning the learning. Ss must be empowered and challenged to think for themselves. I do not want a mere regurgitation of what I think! #learnlap
A1 cont. Once Ss see that their voice matters and that they have some control of their learning they begin to look for ways to deepen their understanding and share their learning. This guides them towards empowerment. #LearnLAP#StuVoice
A1 Empowering Ss is a must! As we get into a career we need to be able #FigureItOut on a daily basis Student empowerment only will help that mentality #LearnLAP
A1 I believe strongly that we must empower students. Thinking freely and making decisions on our own speaks to the problem solving skills and adaptability students will need in the future as innovators and creators #LearnLap
#LearnLAP A1 In my room I strategically sit my Ss so I have a high St in each group. Most of my class time is spent walking around my room facilitating peer tutoring. The more the kids have time to teach each other and TALK about the topic, learning increases. #AlwaysBelieve
A1 I believe strongly that we must empower students. Thinking freely and making decisions on our own speaks to the problem solving skills and adaptability students will need in the future as innovators and creators #LearnLap
A1: We believe strongly in student choice in the classroom. Students have grown by leaps & bounds when making choices for their own learning. Giving students the opportunity & safety to practice making choices & experiencing natural consequences is a basic life lesson. #LearnLAP
Q1A1 #LearnLAP For me, I see empowerment as giving each student the opportunity to make mistakes. This is something they do not like to do because we have been training them that its NOT ok to make mistakes.
A2 Asking question is the fuel that makes our classroom move. We start from day one by modeling & incorporating into activities during morning meeting. Throughout the year I provide more than one pathway to asking questions...introverts need a platform too. #LearnLAP
A1 I believe it is very important for student empowerment. Everything we do in 5th grade is tied to adult learning. If kids start making choices for themselves now, it will be so much easier as adults. #LearnLAP
A1: Im late! I’m Matt from VA. AP at Ben Franklin Middle. Empowering kids to own their learning gives them the skills necessary to excel eventually as college students or at work!Focusing on the 5’s sets them up to be participators rather than spectators in life’s game #LearnLAP
#LearnLAP A2 The key is TRUST! LOVE your Ss. When the Ss know they are loved in your room, they will be more open. My goal each year is for my Ss to describe me with these descriptors. #AlwaysBelieve
A1: I strive to empower my Ss. I want my Ss to be problem solvers and able to tackle any task that comes their way because they are thinking on their own. We had a little positive struggle the other day and my Ss came out on top and realize they do have what it takes! #learnlap
A2: By learning differently. Check out these students doing their math outside the classroom. Why be confined to four walls when the world can be your classroom? #learnlap
A2: Ts gotta encourage curiosity and questioning from the get-go! Ss must see that Ts are approachable and mean what they say with a conducive environment. Asking questions can also be done 'virtually' by submitting it to the T if they are shy to speak #learnlap
A1. I’m a believer in empowering Ss in active, hands on learning where they can learn and make observations and control their learning! Ss need to dev. Good learning habits, voices, advocating for themselves!#LearnLAP
A1: I believe in it 100%! I am still working on implementing it 100%. The value for Ss is that they will retain and apply knowledge to create and problem solve through authentic engagement rather than compliance and memorization. #LearnLAP
A2 Stop answering all their questions; Ts need to reflect them back on Ss so they can be in discover mode The more wait time we give the better, rushing learning will delay empowerment #LearnLAP
You know it's funny - we have play based inquiry learning in Kindergarten in Ontario and I sometimes think those children have more freedom than our HS Ss - and yet with practice and guidance they manage it like superstars.
#LearnLAP
A1: I believe student empowerment is vital in a classroom. Can we have classes without it? Yes. Are students remembering he content? Maybe. However, when a student shares their beliefs in how they learn- magic happens. You will see their connections become deeper! #LearnLAP
A2: There is no technique that will do this long term. You must build a CULTURE that encourages Ss to think critically, discuss, argue, ask questions and take ownership of their learning. It takes time, but by modeling and providing the opportunity, it will happen! #learnlap
#LearnLAP A3 My Ss are now aware that I have given them the power to instruct and peer tutor. Although I go around the room and tutor, most of the learning in my room is peer driven. So cool to listen in my room. You can HEAR learning occur. #AlwaysBelieve
Q2A2 I think we need to make our learning environment a safe place before they will trust that they can question and not be fearful of ridicule from other students and teachers.#LearnLAP
A3 I am a firm believer in creating a brand with my students. This year, my Ss are called the Believers. They understand they have to believe in each other & themselves. Also, #growthmindset has been taught and modeled since Day1. #numbertalks is a great routine, too. #learnlap
A2: peak Ss interest by leading into assignments in fun ways. YouTube has millions of videos that can serve as a lead in. Ss are often lost at the start because we lead in with no pizzazz(a word that should be used more) #learnlap
A2: We must build a community of trust and growth. Then we have to model what this looks like for the students. Model curiosity. How do we do this? By demonstrating our struggles as life-long learners. #learnlap
A3 Our thematic studies give Ss a lot of choice and control in how they engage in their learning. The year-long independent reading proj also helps Ss to practice decision making, manage time, and share learning. #LearnLAP
A3: I don't bail them out. I sit in silence and make it clear that they need to do the thinking, the struggling, and the learning. They must take ownership. #learnlap
A3: Teachers have their own individual ways to encourage problem solving in the classroom. As as a school, we have our student officers who serve as an advisory committee and help us solve issues and student problems throughout the school. #learnlap
A3: Really love an old tip to "ask 3 before me", where the students must collaborate/problem solve and ask classmates before going to the teacher for an answer, as they work out a new idea. Kind of forces engagement as kiddos asking or providing answers/advice. #LearnLAP
A3: I’m not in the classroom this year but think about having discussion stems/questions for students to use for effective discourse. Give the students choices on the assignments they learn. Tie in their hobbies. Make learning happy. #learnlap
A1: My strong belief is: whoever is doing the thinking is owning the learning. Ss must be empowered and challenged to think for themselves. I do not want a mere regurgitation of what I think! #learnlap
I have thought the same. Our youngest learners (age 3 & 4) enjoy and emergent curriculum. I wonder what things would look like if all grade levels PreK-12 used the same format? #LearnLAP
Q3/A3: even my youngest Kinder Ss know its ok to help a classmate. I start with asking them to do it and then praising when they do it on their own. They learn quickly to help! #learnlap
A3: Thru projects where their decision making directly ties into their learning choices. Independent research where Ss ask the deep level ?'s to answer, projects where they choose which activities to complete-in which order-& how much effort to put in for points. #learnlap
Q2: Good question. Ideas - Add new twists like choose a person who lived during an event & get them to find the outcome. Model good questioning & get them to improve Qs. Maybe watch an interview and suggest better questions. Make it about the journey & not the answer. #LearnLAP
Assigned jobs, I don't just give answers I use guiding questions to help them get their own answers, I hold them responsible for the flow of the classroom, etc.
#learnlap
A4: Get them to create @screencastify videos to record their labs.
Then students shared the videos with other groups to listen to the discourse/questions/curiosity of others. #learnlap
A4. Mult. Ways to solve a prob. When Ss are given a challenge. Enc. to take risks and modeling diff choices on projects. Mult pathways to take!#LearnLAP
A3: Every Ss has a meaningful task to keep the classroom running efficiently. Desks are arranged in a matter that promotes collaboration, and they have been trained to assist one another. Since we're 1-to-1 they also use ChromeBooks and the Internet to help #learnlap
#LearnLAP most of my grades are warm up grades. The HW assignment is 30 points of the grade and then I post 4 problems worth 70 points. The Ss are given the freedom to peer tutor and learn from others. #ItWorks!
A4: Group collaboration slides. Post a question, each student gets a slide number. Student responds to Q on their slide and leaves comments for the other students.
All of the answers collected in one spot =s easy feedback for the teacher and students! #learnlap
A3: Collaborative groups on almost every assignment and answering questions with more questions that way students can make the connections themselves. #LearnLAP
A4 Tomorrow we kick off a Mill City project in Minecraft after studying the agrarian to industrial culture shift. Students applied for jobs (hydro engineer, mill architect, etc) and will create a mill city that will be the platform to share all they have learned. #LearnLAP
Q3A3 When we started doing Mystery Skypes/Hangouts I noticed how kids were really taking control of an unknown situation and using deductive reasoning together to pinpoint where the other class was from. It gave them the confidence they needed. #LearnLAP
A3: I often say “our class is full of problem solvers! If you get stuck talk it over with a classmate and she where it takes you!” Many times they just want my permission to make a decision. We definitely have grown and they are becoming more independent for sure! . #learnlap
A4 Last year, my Ss and I created their own #Oneword2018 instead of a New Year's Resolution. We lived by them all year. #accountability They also created #TedTalk which empowered them in so many ways. #learnlap
A4: Group collaboration slides. Post a question, each student gets a slide number. Student responds to Q on their slide and leaves comments for the other students.
All of the answers collected in one spot =s easy feedback for the teacher and students! #learnlap
A4: Having Ss sit in a circle and have a chat about the complex topics, themes, conflicts, & ideas in the books they are reading. It works because we created a culture which values risk taking, communication, and collegiality. I sit, smile, and most importantly shut up! #learnlap
A4: Ss are working on a project now in which they're helping a fictitious city switch from its dependency on fossil fuels to another energy source. They have to consider environmental, economic, and cultural impacts. So much planning, thinking, and debating #learnlap
A5 Number Talks is a great routine to increase #metacognition and #peerfeedback. We can alos begin to offer regular feedback throughout the day when you build positive relationships. #learnlap
Students at our school @HahaioneES were challenged with optional projects. Such as this one for a non-classroom, ungraded project to create a catapult.
https://t.co/zMuQrL4V8N#LearnLAP
Yes! Look at the popularity of certain coffee shops. A cozy environment to collaborate and work makes a difference. If only my office had a window...haha
#LearnLAP
A3: I few like this is something I have found to be difficult in college classes. Right now I do a lot of peer review of products, get them to design questions related to content, creative writing options, and a problem solving project option. #LearnLAP
Many Ss appreciate @padlet for lit circles and @flipgrid as a tool for checking in....post its and dialogue journals are also at the ready. Always a balance! #LearnLAP
I do genius projects w/Ss, students do inquiry labs with little instruction, just a guiding question. This allows students to engage with their interests and taking risks and learning from errors, which teaches mindset and innovation. We will be doing design projects
#learnlap
A4: Students at our school @HahaioneES were challenged with optional projects. Such as this one for a non-classroom, ungraded project to create a catapult.
https://t.co/HZqtjJnVCt…
#LearnLAP
A5: I give immediate feedback whenever possible in any activity. If it was difficult to find the time during the activity, then I will usually set aside the last 5 mins of the class for self-reflection and peer feedback #learnlap
Q5A5 I want to use programs that allow me to respond in real time as they are creating .I think the Reply option in flipgrid allows for really good peer critique #LearnLAP
#LearnLAP A2 The key is TRUST! LOVE your Ss. When the Ss know they are loved in your room, they will be more open. My goal each year is for my Ss to describe me with these descriptors. #AlwaysBelieve
A4: STEM centered PBL project. Ss live in communities on a fictional island. They are researching flooding around the world & must help their villagers survive an upcoming flood by constructing homes which can withstand flooding. Ss empowered to make impacting choices. #learnlap
A4: As the instructional leader, I challenge my staff to teach differently and challenge the status quo. Be different. Make new paths. Change the world. #learnlap
A2 #LearnLAP I set aside time at the beginning of every lesson for students to ask Qs. Phrasing matters: "What are your questions today?" I also encourage them to email me with Qs to go over in class, if they don't want to bring it up themselves. I also maintain 1:1 talk.
A5 if we have a truly collaborative classroom led by students then this feedback should take place often and on all levels. Only through reflection and feedback does real learning happen #learnlap
Check out an older post from our student generate blog: https://t.co/FE8K9ejxTV#LearnLAP
By the way, student as bloggers is another powerful opportunity to empower our learners, promote collaboration, and provide relevancy for feedback in writing.
A4 I was able to do a breakout session. Once we started I let them go and I stood back. I had frustrated students and a few tears.. but the other Ss kept encouraging each other and by the end all the Ss had big smiles that they accomplished something so challenging! #learnlap
I provide feedback/questions to Ss all the time. When they analyze their lab data, they present it & peer review it. They complete exit cards, or questions at the end of labs that make them reflect on their learning
#learnlap
A4: Presidential campaigns where students do everything from creating bios appear to their bases, tv commercials, promo materials, posters/yard signs, debates and press conference was my favorite. #LearnLAP
A5: Lots of feedback during reading and writing via conferences. When Writing longer drafts Ss write self reflective assignments at the end where they think about what they've learned and how they've done. Reflection is more important than anything I could teach them. #learnlap
A2: By learning differently. Check out these students doing their math outside the classroom. Why be confined to four walls when the world can be your classroom? #learnlap
A5: Use @screencastify to leave verbal feedback for the students and then post the link into a comment bubble. 1-1 conferencing feel, all students get attention. #learnlap
A4: I have upper-classmen. To meet financial literacy standards, we do a useful project where they have to figure out mortgage payments, student loans, etc. The kids get to create the lives they someday want. #learnlap
A5 We discuss Character Thoughts daily. We have an anchor chart with a rubric on it. Everything we say had to be Specific, Helpful, and Kind. This allows for peer critiquing and evaluation. Our cardboard arcade was also critiqued by peers to make their games better!#LearnLAP
A6 we need to teach students to constantly question we can’t ever know everything maybe our questions will create a new way of thinking or a new opportunity to advance the concept. Rigor and be increased with the questions students ask #learnlap
During challenges and projects, peer feedback, collaboration, sharing ideas, helping one another with problems. During activities, exp., can work 1:1 to give feedback! #LearnLAP
A2 Stop answering all their questions; Ts need to reflect them back on Ss so they can be in discover mode The more wait time we give the better, rushing learning will delay empowerment #LearnLAP
A1. Honestly, not positive on student empowerment, despite my flexibility. People are terrible judges of their own expertise. Students *need* the content knowledge I provide, whether they think so or not. You can't make a good decision without knowledge. #LearnLAP
A1 I believe strongly that we must empower students. Thinking freely and making decisions on our own speaks to the problem solving skills and adaptability students will need in the future as innovators and creators #LearnLap
A6 Rigor is definitely different for each Ss. I believe in teaching our Ss the importance of quality over quantity and fair isn't always equal. Our Ss can show us they have learned a concept in many ways. #PLCs are an important part of this to have the systems in place. #learnlap
A5: As the principal, I join my students for lunch and that’s where I ask questions. You’ll be amazed at what they know and what they tell you. I use this to better support my teachers and improve the school. Here I am with three of my students during 16 de Septiembre. #learnlap
A4: Students at our school @HahaioneES were challenged with optional projects. Such as this one for a non-classroom, ungraded project to create a catapult.
https://t.co/OThXq5jNia#LearnLAP
First we do peer and teacher feedback before they turn in their projects, then I use a form of standards based grading and allow them to redo their work to improve their grade, I am working on authentic audiences and I challenge them to do their best in a number of ways
#learnlap
A4 My Ss were inspired by Steve Wyborney's Estimation presentations to create their own, at different levels, set up schedules with teachers and present to most classes in the school. They became leaders and thinkers! #LearnLAP
A5: Peer feedback first for almost anything written, based off of guidelines/rubric, etc. Peers also for development of question concepts and evaluating assessment performance. My feedback starts immediately on most of what we do. Every activity is chance for feedback. #LearnLAP
A6: I speak to them honestly and openly about whether how they are doing. Most of my Ss want to really improve...but they want techniques, steps, a prescription. I tell them that the obstacle is the path. They must take ownership. There is no other way. #learnlap
A4: Group collaboration slides. Post a question, each student gets a slide number. Student responds to Q on their slide and leaves comments for the other students.
All of the answers collected in one spot =s easy feedback for the teacher and students! #learnlap
A4. #LearnLAP The trick is to ask open-ended Qs & be comfortable with wildly divergent answers. Ex Q: "How would the Americas be different if NAs had immune systems similar to Europeans?" I get everything from political analysis to med research to diary entries--and it's all OK!
A5: I make it a goal to give each of my Ss at least one piece of feedback a day. I also stopped giving their grades on their paper and started writing only feedback. I have seen my Ss talk to each other about this and come and talk to me. #learnlap
A7 Creating #TedTalks has been the number 1 way my Ss have been inspired to continue their learning on their own. They wanted to create committees, talk to city leaders, etc. They wanted to learn so much more. #learnlap
#LearnLAP A7 The key is to create INTRINSIC learners in your room. This is my flow chart of how I accomplish this. At the end of the year when other Trs say their Ss are shuting down, they come to my room and the kids are still activetly engaged, because they love being there.
Goal setting is importantfor Ss ! We also need to get our Ss to think beyond the current limits of the prob. What are things they can do to improve upon work? #LearnLAP
A7: Our students in a Kindergarten-Gr5 buddy class studying Marine Ecosystems were connected with our high school students @wipeoutcrew who do weekly beach cleanup. To learn from older students & to see what a larger community impact looks like. https://t.co/Jl6eno6OKL#LearnLAP
Science is fun for this because there are often areas that they want to learn more about so this is a good place to get them started, going beyond their genius time
#learnlap
A7: easiest example is my 6 year old. Teaching maths was a struggle initially but when she realized that if I gave her 2 bucks and she learns that change would come to buy a dollar worth of candies, she was way motivated to learn more about subtraction! #learnlap
A6: All students are expected to learn & be successful. Each at their own respective level but each child has to grow a years worth of learning. This is the accountability part where I hold teachers accountable. It works because we are a top performing campus in Texas. #learnlap
A7 giving students real world problems and asking them to find solutions is huge. This is where PBL can really create some awesome opportunities #learnlap
A1 #LearnLAP Ss should be their own advocates. I instill in my first graders the power of their voice. It does not matter how small or young they may be; Ss have the ability to make choices in their lives and a difference at school and in their community.
A7 #GeniusHour is a wonderful springboard for Ss to continue their learning. Some have carried on language lessons, baking, engineering projects, and service learning well into the summer months. #LearnLAP
A7: When we were learning about rocks, I encouraged students to find real life examples on an Instagram scavenger hunt! We had a class hashtag and shared on there. Students who didn’t have Insta brought rocks to me and we shared them through my account. #learnlap
#LearnLAP A6. First, I don't let them share their current status. FERPA is a thing, but also, I get better work if they compete against themselves. Second, I build in opportunities for prior revision and post assessment revision.
A6: After summative assessments I ask them to evaluate the things that led to the outcome and identify ways to change. If they did well, what they can share with others that might help. Get them to stretch, “what else could you..., how might we...” etc. #LearnLAP
#LearnLAP A7. Build it and they will learn. I ask Qs that they cannot Google answers for, but then I *also* require written discussion with each other that they may Google info for. Giving permission on that 2nd round lets them take the lead in a direction I want.
A8: @T_HEB and his student blogging with the link to a student blog post.
“Student as bloggers is another powerful opportunity to empower our learners, promote collaboration, and provide relevancy for feedback in writing.” https://t.co/8h8hiR35hV#LearnLAP
Thanks to everyone who participated in this evening's #LearnLAP chat! Thanks especially to @kdavisty for moderating!
Please join us next week as @MsTayGrade7LA moderates "Facilitating a Culture of Curious Learners."
For now, jump on over to #tlap for more great discussion!
#LearnLAP A7 The key is to create INTRINSIC learners in your room. This is my flow chart of how I accomplish this. At the end of the year when other Trs say their Ss are shuting down, they come to my room and the kids are still activetly engaged, because they love being there.
A7: My Ss have gone on to become campaign vols & staff for officials, they have studied abroad, gotten internships, and looking into things that they found an interest in during our class. I am so proud! #LearnLAP
A1 #LearnLAP Ss should be their own advocates. I instill in my first graders the power of their voice. It does not matter how small or young they may be; Ss have the ability to make choices in their lives and a difference at school and in their community.
Shout out @Stella_Pollard for all the collaborative tools offered tonight, esp the vids/labs -powerful learnin!
Thank you #LearnLAP crew esp @kdavisty and @PaulSolarz. Fantastic ideas shared and so much #kindness ! Such a great chat!
A8: @jmattmiller is constantly showing me stuff through his posts, @kristi_daws showed me some awesome apps and gif tricks as well as good leadership examples, and @alienearbud has been an ongoing inspiration even though we haven’t communicated as much in recent months. #LearnLAP
