I’m Trenice Durio, a Special Education Teacher at Yorktown Elementary #yesfalcons! I have a love of the brain and all it accomplishes...even on our worst days! #ycsdchat
A1: I believe anytime we use multi-modalities in our instruction we are educating the whole learner! We just don’t speak at the student, but we engage them mentally and physically in the lesson. #ycsdchat
A1 In addition to giving step by step instructions for all my hands on projects, I model the steps, then walk around redirecting when needed. #ycsdchat
With middle schoolers, I think it is all about variety in both instruction and application. You can't approach it with a standard practice of notes, practice, assess. You have to come at it from a multitude of ways #ycsdchat
A1--multiple modalities -- graphic representations/organizers, Video, HOT questioning, student choice in demonstrating knowledge, etc. and providing scaffolding for students who aren't quite at independent thinking levels #ycsdchat
A1: I tap into the students’ prior knowledge before we start a unit since so many have a general understanding of US history or at least key themes by 7th grade. I also include music as much as possible to tap into different parts of the brain. #ycsdchat
A1: I give step by step directions both through speaking and writing them down on my white board, provide examples, and model different techniques for using materials. #ycsdchat
A1: I use a lot of Whole Brain Teaching #WBT to try and get the students engaged in what we're doing in the library. The hand motions are great, but the repetition and enthusiasm I try to put into it is what really makes it engaging #ycsdchat
A1: I went to a session about math and movement, one activity was skip counting with movements that crosses the body. This engages your brain and increases memory. #ycsdchat
A1: We use a lot of music and movement. Sometimes incorporating a rhythm into what I am trying to get them to learn. Our using a popular song to make up a way to remember a topic. We also move a lot in the classroom and use a lot of hands on discovery type activities. #ycsdchat
A1: Movement of all kinds! I use a lot of Mirror Words from WBT, as well as the 6 rules. Singing songs and saying things in ways that rhyme or in different voices also maintain engagement for my kiddos #ycsdchat
A1: It’s important to engage students in problem solving here they can apply logic and a systematic approach along with creativity and passion #ycsdchat
A2: I only get the Ss for 45 min a week, so brain breaks aren't really a thing for me. However, I like to let students dance to our "book boogie" playlist when they line up. Sitting quietly for 20 minutes can be exhausting! #ycsdchat
A2: I will play instrumental “yoga” music and will even ask the class to breathe in and out together. I can’t wait to hear from the elem teachers. I know y’all do all sorts of dancing and wiggling! 😉 #ycsdchat
A2: I play music while my kids are working in my class and allow them to talk at a reasonable volume while they work on art. I was pleasantly surprised when my 2nd grade class yesterday began dancing to the music as they went about the classroom to pick up materials! #ycsdchat
A2: mindfulness, having students focus on tensing up and then relaxing every inch of their body; or breathing and listening to a chime as it gets fainter. #ycsdchat
A2: We use GoNoodle for a brain break, the calm app, were we turn down the light, and have the kids just relax for 2 minutes just listening to music, and Cosmic Yoga via Youtube. The kids will request it. #ycsdchat
A2: We're usually up and moving a good chunk of time, but some stretching and 60 seconds to chat can do wonders for pre-teens. They crave social interactions, so giving them planned breaks for it creates community #ycsdchat
A2: When I taught middle school art at GMS, I did the same, but since we had BYOT, students choose what music they listened to on their earbuds. The music I played was for students who did not have their own. #ycsdchat
A2: When I was in the classroom, I would ring a chime to help us all reset our minds during difficult transitions. The kids called it "chime time" and would actually ask for it during other parts of our day. #ycsdchat
A2: I try to plan lessons so that students are changing activities every 20-25 minutes. Even just getting up to get a glue stick to glue in notes can provide a break before starting something new. #ycsdchat
GONOODLE, GONOODLE, GONOODLE! As a #GoNoodleAmbassador I am clearly obsessed. Even I can’t wait to get up and move with my class to our favorites. 10/10 would recommend GoNoodle Plus if you don’t already have it! #ycsdchat
A2 Typically transitions b/w activities provide breaks at high school level. This looks like a great planned one to try with my HS Ss either tomorrow or early next week Energizing Brain Break Crab https://t.co/M29jRyauNC#ycsdchat
A1: I try to incorporate many different ways of learning. I engage students with visuals such as videos, or picture analyzing. Then I try to tap into more kinesthetic learning by using our bodies to demonstrate different Concepts that are harder to learn.#ycsdchat
A2: I love finding songs that go with our units. I take time to have the kids sing the songs, I even call up a group of kids to dance and act out the music. They love this! I also tend to do a little stretching with my students if I feel they're getting kind of tired.#ycsdchat
A3: I think there is so much more to consider about my Ss learning than the IQ score. I also think there are different types of intelligences, not just analytical intelligence. #ycsdchat
A3: As an art teacher, I’m more focused on students’ motor skills. If a student is struggling or unable to do certain tasks, I adapt projects to meet their specific learning needs. #ycsdchat
A3 0.0 percent. Students in Art class can experience art on any level. Whether its tactile or artistic masterpieces they are making art and experiencing learning.
#ycsdchat
A3: I think you have to look at the whole child. IQ can tell us only so much. Each child has their own strengths and weaknesses. We limit kids when we focus on their IQ score. #ycsdchat
Q3 I don't place much emphasis on it. There are so many different types of intelligence, and what if you are not a good test taker. This is where getting to know a student is so important. I have had Ss with special needs that have far surpassed the IQ test findings #ycsdchat
A3: I think it is valuable information to know what a student is bringing to the table intellectually, but it must be taken along with the big picture of how the student is learning, their working memory and retention of skills, and overall academic timelibe #ycsdchat
David Sladkey on YouTube--sorry I got caught up in watching his Brain Break videos for HS Ss for a few...hysterical and so going to use some of them in classes if for nothing else my own entertainment-jk-I think the Ss will love them too #ycsdchat
A3 Focusing on IQ sets limits on Ss. We need to focus on growth mindset and the idea that everyone can achieve although it may not all happen at the same time. #ycsdchat
A3: I don’t see many teachers focusing on IQ scores. What I have observed is teachers focusing on content mastery, along with social skills, communication, and problem solving. #ycsdchat
I rarely consider IQ score...I tend to focus more on their willingness to participate and their grit to work through tough concepts. Effort and determination will serve them better in the long run than a high IQ score. #ycsdchat
Grit matters a whole lot! It makes all the difference in a student finding success or not. They have to learn to become comfortable with sometimes being uncomfortable and the struggle and brain breaks appear to be a great way/solution to help them do just that. #ycsdchat
So imagine your Brain wasn’t working as expected...Imagine how are students with deficits may feel as well. How do you encourage them past their feelings of defeat. #ycsdchat
A4: I would miss reading! I adore reading. Reading to become a better teacher, leisure reading, story time with my own kids...I would be lost without it. #ycsdchat
Oh, gosh, I can't imagine not being able to read. That's why I like using graphic novels with my ss who are struggling readers. And I'll read out loud to anyone I can trap! #YCSDchat
A4: I can’t really narrow it down to 1 activity. I would just feel so lost. Can’t read directions or applications/paperwork or texts or emails... just how different your whole life would be. #ycsdchat
A4: I would miss out on reading with my own children. I couldn't imagine not being able to cuddle up and read them their books when they want them. This makes me think of how illiterate parents must feel when we ask them to read with their children at home... #ycsdchat
A4 Keeping a focus on the positive and the things they have mastered is important. Always reminding Ss that they may not get it...yet but they will! #ycsdchat
A4: I would miss reading! A lot of Ss feel discouraged because they compare themselves to others and feel defeated. They need to know a. it's fine to not learn the same b. they have strengths its up to us to emphasis them for the Ss until they see it for themselves #ycsdchat
A4: The escape that reading provides. Piles of laundry to fold, sink full of dishes to wash, messy living room to pick up...no, thank you! I'm lost in a book! I can go anywhere without leaving my house! #ycsdchat
A4: Being able to understand the world around me! 😱 I know pictures can say a thousand words, but without being able to read, would you get the whole concept of what they’re conveying? It’d be like being tossed in the middle of a foreign country! #ycsdchat
A4: Students with brains that are wired differently must be encouraged and celebrated for their successes, whether it is for reading that sight word they've been struggling with correctly one time in a text, counting by 5s to count money, or even sitting still #ycsdchat
A5: Lol I made it to the seventh one and then lost couldn't do it but I was will take it because I have issues with mixing up numbers at times. It helped to do it to a rhythm. #ycsdchat
