The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
TODAY — Calling all veteran teachers, new teachers, and teachers to be!!! Join @ShiftParadigm and me for “Teacher Talk” #WhatIsSchool 7PM EDT, and don’t forget to bring your best stuff:) @mrkempnz#BFC530
It was north of 90 in our parts. Some rooms were so hot that when I walked in them I felt physically ill.
But... today is a much cooler day! I wish that for you as well!
#bfc530
It’s the first day of school for students at my school. I can’t wait to meet the 6th graders and catch up with the 7th and 8th graders. Have a great day and try to keep cool. Over 90 degrees in NJ today. #bfc530
#bfc530 I don’t think that my teaching would change if I didn’t have to give grades. I would still use learning goals, descriptive feedback and success criteria. I think that it would just make my life a lot easier not having to put a number or letter on learning.
Great question! One of the best moves I made early in my 11 year teaching career was to move from the traditional (A-F) grades to mastery/competency based learning. True game changer in terms of #growthmindset! #bfc530
I’m thankful our buildings are air conditioned—and that our Buildings and Grounds folks work hard to keep the system running! It’s always tough for them this time of year. #bfc530
I’m kind of experimenting with this no grades thing...I’m definitely downplaying them and focusing on progress. I’m hoping Ss will reflect on their learning and not focus on a number or letter grade! #bfc530
I’m thankful our buildings are air conditioned—and that our Buildings and Grounds folks work hard to keep the system running! It’s always tough for them this time of year. #bfc530
Unsatisfactory? Maybe even... bad? That was yesterday. It lies in your memory only as a unique resource from which to learn and grow. Good Morning. Congratulations on another new opportunity--It's going to be a great day! #bfc530
Grades shouldn't be used to punish or demonstrate compliance. Without them, teachers and students would be able to have frank diacussions about what they know and are able to do #bfc530
Today, I will be giving version 3 of a multiplication mixed numbers quiz to my still struggling Ss. This will be their 3rd attempt to show mastery and receive the same grade as if they scored 100 the 1st time. For classwork, it's completion grades. If late they get a 90. #bfc530
It is sweltering! My first day with students, and I can't wait to see them! But, yes, my hair will be in a ponytail and I will be dressed to stay cool in this heat! #bfc530
I believe it would free students from worrying about artificial "bar" where they are concerned not with learning but getting a number. I think it would lead to more open & honest learning #bfc530
Grades are supposed to be a check in with the students. Give them in a timely manner with detailed, actionable feedback. and DO NOT write them in stone. #bfc530
#bfc530 I’m willing to bet students would take more risks. Eventually my students learn that it’s okay to “fail” at something, we just adapt and try again.
Good morning y’all! Super excited today. I am officially registered into my leadership practicum course! I am so very close to the end of my program. #bfc530#goals
Indeed! What I found changed (for the better) was the student's focus from grades to growth. No longer..."what do I have to do to get a ___ (fill in the blank)" to "Mr. O. I'm ready to prove to you that I have mastered this learning target." #bfc530
I think we would see more authentic assignments and more authentic work by students. Risk taking, process rather than product would be the focus. #bfc530
I don’t think life would change if I didn’t need to give grades ... grades are a part of my world but they are not the priority of the learning. Once the kids get this concept than the focus is on learning #bfc530
The question I ask on my intake survey, and I love to see the answers, is: "What's the difference between school and learning?" The students have such incredible and incisive answers. They know ALL the differences. #bfc530
My hope would be that my approach to instruction and support for my students would still be grounded in reflective, responsive, differentiated teaching, with or without grades. #bfc530
I'd like to think it wouldn't change a lot. But the one main thing that would change is more time for conversations about learning & progress & less about scores #bfc530
The cool air is on it's way! We melted in NY yesterday -mid 90's w/heat index upper 90's lower 100's! But the highs today are in the mid-high 70's. I bet this cooler air will reach NJ tomorrow!
#bfc530
My teaching wouldn’t change much if I didn’t have to give grades. I believe the choice based model of my class truly focuses on student interest which doesn’t make grades the definitive motivator. #bfc530
I once knew a teacher who wouldnt out grades on papers. He would put it in the gradebook so kids could look it up but only feedback on the page. More work I know but also more focus. #bfc530
Good morning! No grades, 🤔😄well..first of all to never have to answer the question, “Is this graded?!” After transitioning S to learn for Learning’s sake, & not a %, it would allow for deeper conversations and shift of priorities for relearn/reteach. Focus change #bfc530
Teaching, and more importantly learning, would be more authentic. True inquiry, true innovation, & true pursuit of "passion projects" could take place. Just to mention a few... #bfc530
If we stopped giving grades, just maybe we would start creating more authentic tasks. I honestly think it would cause teachers to reflect on their teaching more. Do we really need them to complete that worksheet? #bfc530
We've been moving towards gradeless classes in our secondary (although there are grades - but Ss self-assess) & I would say the biggest change is that Ss need more built in time for reflection. #bfc530
Good morning! No grades, 🤔😄well..first of all to never have to answer the question, “Is this graded?!” After transitioning S to learn for Learning’s sake, & not a %, it would allow for deeper conversations and shift of priorities for relearn/reteach. Focus change #bfc530
Raise your hand if, when you've rolled out something innovative and fun, or presented at a conference on something meaningful you do with your classes, and you're asked, "But how do you grade that?" #bfc530
My hope would be that my approach to instruction and support for my students would still be grounded in reflective, responsive, differentiated teaching, with or without grades. #bfc530
I would stop giving paper & pencil math tests. We would just solve problems and do explorations. I'd have more time for those & the oral, immediate feedback that comes with them. #bfc530
I always felt like I did two things as a teacher - teach and grade - and that the grading was always very separate. I'd love a classroom where we could read and discuss books and explore writing without assigning a letter or number to any of that. #bfc530
Great point, Bonnie! Too many students have been programmed to only jump through hoops for a grade...making this shift allows them to see the joy and wonder of learning again! #bfc530
I think we would see more authentic assignments and more authentic work by students. Risk taking, process rather than product would be the focus. #bfc530
I had a big talk yesterday with kids about failing. Told them crosscuts and re-dos are fine in my classroom. We want to constantly improve, and you can only do that if you cross-out and re-do! Many were like, "huh"? We are a WIP. #bfc530
I love a good storm Carl! My favorite is to watch a front come across the Lake. As long as people are safe I'm all for thunder/lightning and driving rain!
#bfc530
#BFC530 Good Morning Everyone! I think not having grades would put the onus on Ss to prove to me why their work should be accepted. I think Ss would put forth more effort. It is my hope at least.
That makes me think of Shawshank Redemption. When Red realizes that he doesnt know how to live outside of prison. We have institutionalized kid's learning. We can fix it though. #bfc530
IMHO, "summative feedback" is useless. Students very seldom care about what you have to say after a grade is assigned and their work "judged." Formative is where everything lives. #bfc530
In reply to
@philosophypaul, @BFC_530, @BrianHerb17
I had a big talk yesterday with kids about failing. Told them crosscuts and re-dos are fine in my classroom. We want to constantly improve, and you can only do that if you cross-out and re-do! Many were like, "huh"? We are a WIP. #bfc530
Learning is a process ... if the kid goes through the activity they should come out the other side successfully gaining the content knowledge ... that being said there are some who require more attention during that process #bfc530
Spot on! Failure is an inherent part of the learning process! Something we educators have got to do a better job of directly and indirectly emphasizing with students! Every day. #bfc530
In reply to
@Leighanne_geib, @BFC_530, @BrianHerb17
Half day would have been a treat. Some classrooms have ac others don't. My Ss were melting. I left school with a massive headache. It was horrible #bfc530
The question I ask on my intake survey, and I love to see the answers, is: "What's the difference between school and learning?" The students have such incredible and incisive answers. They know ALL the differences. #bfc530
I do this. Math tests returned with feedback but no grade. An updated evidence record with their grade emailed to them a few days later.
They actually have to read and act on the feedback.
#bfc530
I once knew a teacher who wouldnt out grades on papers. He would put it in the gradebook so kids could look it up but only feedback on the page. More work I know but also more focus. #bfc530
Agree, Oona. 100% We need to make sure we use the terms correctly - they are really 2 different things. Learning is what we do, Grades are how we label (sadly, not always accurately). #bfc530
I'm reading Troublemakers by @CarlaShalaby right now. Just started, but it's all about how the students who most irk us have the most lessons to teach us. #bfc530
In reply to
@DrKnicki, @rickwormeli2, @robertjmarzano, @CarlaShalaby
Goood question @BrianHerb17 without grades playing such an impact on schooling, Ts would be able to fully develop and focus on Ss’ overall development. The pressure to reach a certain criteria or level of mastery would diminish and be replaced with age appropriate goals. #bfc530
Grading is as important as we make it ... if all we do is scold the kids about their grades; that is what they will focus on ... we need to focus on learning not the grade #bfc530
Half day would have been a treat. Some classrooms have ac others don't. My Ss were melting. I left school with a massive headache. It was horrible #bfc530
True. Why it is so important to create a safe place in your classroom and school for students to constantly try new things, build confidence to tinker beyond the comfortable, and yes, fail! But then learn and try again... Learning 101. #bfc530
By the way #bfc530 friends, it's super exciting to wake up and discover a bunch of great educators discussing your question. You should definitely submit some questions here: https://t.co/QSrPALuUZI
Hope everyone has a great day and to those of you still in the extreme heat make sure to drink lots of water and have your students do the same!!
See you all on Friday!
#bfc530
Yes -- life long learning! "Who wants to be a better writer!" I tell students about my dad's secretary who had to be sent to take grammar and writing classes or else she'd get demoted. That's MUCH more embarrassing than getting feedback in school! #bfc530
I feel like this question is asked all the time about SEL and my new answer has become that all learning is social and emotional. If you and your students don’t have a relationship then real learning is going to be nearly impossible. #bfc530
We love to talk about innovation and creativity but those things still must happen within the confines of the gradebook. However, our students deserve to have this passion despite limits on teachers so we must find a way to make it happen. #bfc530
Eliminating MPs and using less % in grading would take some of the frenetic deadline-meeting away for Ss and Ts, opening up necessary time for more personalized evaluation. I wonder how T:S ratio and S's view of growth would change if we stop number/letter grades? #bfc530
Nice! I am still working on my routine. Thought it would be easier but getting my daughters ready in the AM this week has been a struggle to say the least. Have a great day! #bfc530
I see your point, but what I found in a #BCE environment over the years, was there was a shift from the grade being the end goal to the joy of learning - especially applying that learning - was a greater motivator for students. It takes time, but is a beautiful thing! #bfc530
Yes @rickwormeli2 did a great talk about grading as part of the #HiveSummit this summer. Not sure if any of you had a chance to see that. He is definitely an expert on the subject! #bfc530
My first First Day was kindergarten in 1964. Have had a First Day every year since. Today is my last ever First Day. Retiring in Dec. Still excited to see the new students. Have a great year everybody. @CoachKCullen#bfc530
@rickwormeli2 made several good points about teachers needing to have the courage to bring up this difficult conversation about grading in their schools. This can often be daunting to teachers. #bfc530
Yes! You can still gauge their progress and development! I actually think you would be able to collect more data. A quick note about a child’s progress can tell you more than an 85% on a test. #bfc530
The joy of learning as a gradable item is tough ...in a project based environment that could be done and successfully measure learning gains ... but we do have to measure level of mastery. #bfc530
Thanks, Bonnie! It's going quite well. LOTS of travel (I leave for 2 weeks in Cambodia tomorrow and then 2 weeks in California and then...). But it's a good problem to work with teachers as they implement student-centered ways to redefine high quality teaching & learning. #bfc530
Would it change that much? Probably not - we still would give so many of the same assessments and benchmarks but the focus is on the feedback we provide and growth!! #bfc530
Thank you thank you!! I really am just so excited. I cannot believe the mindset shift I have experienced in a year’s time! My soul is on fire. I want the opportunity to be the #leadlearner and promote amazing things for kids. #bfc530 I am almost ready... almost!
Can you imagine phone calls with parents about what their kids are learning as compared to what their grade is? I do my best to grow that mindset, but as long as grades are there, it’s what they focus on #bfc530
If I didn't have to grade, assignments would be skill based and open all year. I still struggle with this premise that our profession needs grades even though the research says otherwise, but I'm trying to incorporate more open ended assignments in my class. #bfc530
Grades are a false construct. Your feedback for continuous growth is what drives student reflection & improvement. I don’t grade my students in GT. They receive specific, critical feedback from me, other students & experts. Keep it authentic! #BFC530
Not giving grades improves students’ learning. There would be more time to give constructive feedback and less time answering how much is this worth. #bfc530
I'm with Dennis - and give parents reasons WHY feedback is way more important than grading. https://t.co/Cs0bXKitQp Man, I would've loved this #BFC530 chat!
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Oh my! Ed-topia!! Learning would be more organic. I don’t think I’d work/worry about matching standards to lessons and projects as much and concentrate more on feedback and individual goals. Each student develops their own path! #bfc530#redbud132
