#DITCHbook was created by Ditch That Textbook author Matt Miller. The chat focuses on innovative teaching ideas and disrupting standard textbook education.
Welcome to #Ditchbook Chat! Be on the lookout for questions from @MandiTolenEDU and me. Share who you are, you're edu role, your location, and favorite snow activity!
Good evening, #ditchbook!!! So excited to be here and chat with all of my Twitter friends! Evan Mosier, Tech Integrationist Lead and LA Teacher from Davenport, IA. Love playing with my two boys (5 and almost 2). We have A LOT of fun when we're snowed in!
Hi #DitchBook Curtis Bourassa, Instructional Technology consultant, Saskatchewan, Canada, and currently my favourite snow activity is called stay inside and watch Netflix. (It's too cold)
Welcome to #Ditchbook Chat! Be on the lookout for questions from @MandiTolenEDU and me. Share who you are, you're edu role, your location, and favorite snow activity!
My name is Jeffrey Austin, I'm ELA Department Chair, World Humanities teacher + Writing Center Director at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. My favorite snow activity is staying inside! #DitchBook
Nicole from Lee's Summit MO, I'm a 6th grade teacher and aspiring admin. My favorite snow activity is a throwback to my youth-cross country skiing #ditchbook
Welcome to #Ditchbook Chat! Be on the lookout for questions from @MandiTolenEDU and me. Share who you are, you're edu role, your location, and favorite snow activity!
@jghfoundation08
Reba from Dallas. Educ. Consultant w/ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Favorite snow activity - Looking at it from a window (I'm from California) not a snow bunny - LOL! #DITCHbook
Good evening, #Ditchbook crew and my buddy, @drmcclard and @MandiTolenEDU ! My fave snow activity is watching it from a warm house while drinking coffee or hot chocolate! Or sledding. :) Or Skitching.
Hi #ditchbook I am Allison and I am a grad student studying education at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. I like to play in the snow with my kids!
Hey #ditchbook friends! I’m Abbi! 5th grade teacher in Davenport, Ia, the frozen tundra... whatever you call it! My favorite snow activity is playing with my crazy dog in the snow!
A1: Make it look less like learning and more like fun!Team challenges, #gamification (@mrmatera), & digital menus (@tommyspall) are just a few ways to help kiddos #chill. (Sorry for the pun!) #ditchbook
A1. I make sure they know I am out there. They can email me, discuss, ask questions. It is the relationship building that allows them to trust you #ditchbook
A1 Rather than one chance on an assessment, we allow students to retake when they are ready to show mastery. A focus on growth rather than scores helps relieve pressure to be perfect. #DITCHbook
A1: I give many opportunities to demonstrate learning. The pressure for Ss many times comes from a one and done approach. If they don't know the material or mess-up, there's no hope to recover.
#ditchbook
Glad you are here Eric and with Internet too. I'm formerly from CA, I can't imagine that kind of cold. And it never that cold here in Dallas either. #ditchbook
I allow Ss to have two weeks to earn more points on a math assessment. That is where the real learning is. Not when a score goes on the top. Then it is done for Ss #ditchbook
A1: Try and empower them as much as possible. If they can have some choice and design in their learning, then they are more likely to be engaged. Also, relationship building on day 1 is essential! #ditchbook
A1: To ease the pressure and help keep them engaged you have to keep learning fun. Incorporate learning games, provide student choice, ask for feedback from students, be real with Ss. #ditchbook
A1: My teaching mantras? (1) Learning is messy, and (2) Failure is learning. They need to know that mistakes, trial and error are the most important part of the learning process. #DITCHbook
Humor, self-pacing (to an extent), no HW or classwork is graded so no late work, lots of verbal feedback, written feedback on proficiency scales, mastery checks, then retakes on summative assessment (which could be a project or a problem to solve in a group). #ditchbook
A1 I find the hardest part to de-escalate is those that put too much pressure on themselves. I try and reassure them, also try and put the fun in learning. #ditchbook
A1: I try hard to make the learning fun and engaging, almost to the point they don’t even know they are learning! Lots of stem activities tied to literacy!#DITCHbook
When a question comes up, respond with A1 for Q1 and make sure you put #ditchbook at the bottom so we can see it. So glad you are here. Ask if you need anything!
In reply to
@mathdiva4, @drmcclard, @jmattmiller, @craigklement, @zonie71, @emosier3, @sandyrotto, @rachelmarker, @rlfreedm, @SEANJFAHEY, @KarlyMoura, @TaraMartinEDU, @burgessdave, @burgess_shelley
A1 Sometimes school is stressful to Ss bc they feel alone or not connections. We have leadership clubs that all students are able to pick from and attend. Students are grouped in families so they know they have at least one caring adult at school (there are way more). #DITCHbook
Ease the pressure students face for learning by letting them LEARN. Offer re-assessment after feedback. By holding high-stakes exams and no re-takes, students feel pressure to be perfect all the time. Frequent, low-stakes, re-assessments allow for self-paced growth. #DitchBook
A1. I try to make sure that it starts with building a relationship with the students and let them know that they are capable of accomplishing whatever the task is. If they have the drive, we can work through everything together. #ditchbook
A1: Building relationships! The more the Ss know you and know you’re there for them the less issues they’ll have with learning. You can tailor teaching so much more when you know your Ss! #ditchbook
Shifting from a grades based paradigm to one centered on feedback and growth! When students realize it’s not about “measuring” the current state of knowledge, rather the learning experience, we ease anxiety #DitchBook
Kyle in Reno, NV, special education teacher. I love to ski, even though I live next to Tahoe, I haven't had a chance to get out this year! I also love to ice fish, but also haven't been able to get out! #ditchbook
Welcome to #Ditchbook Chat! Be on the lookout for questions from @MandiTolenEDU and me. Share who you are, you're edu role, your location, and favorite snow activity!
A1:
-Make learning accessible to all students by allowing them to build upon their background knowledge
-Allow for personal response because as @JohnAntonetti says learning should be something new & something you
-Permit & promote redos and retakes #DITCHbook
A1: Choice of product is huge for me. Spark Video, Google Drawing, Canva infographic, 3D Model in TinkerCAD, Minecraft walkthrough. Endless ways to demonstrate learning. If they like making the final product, they're motivated to learn what they need to get there. #ditchbook
One of the best decisions I ever made as an educator was to stop collecting/grading homework. Homework is purely formative and "optional." Of course, nobody who does no homework succeeds on the assessments...but that's the lesson learned. #ditchbook
Humor, self-pacing (to an extent), no HW or classwork is graded so no late work, lots of verbal feedback, written feedback on proficiency scales, mastery checks, then retakes on summative assessment (which could be a project or a problem to solve in a group). #ditchbook
A1 #ditchbook
It all starts with relationships.
Love First, Teach Second @mrdearybury
Ss dont learn from people they don’t like. (Can’t remember where I heard that one from.)
A1. Ease pressure with more personalized, immersive collaborative learning. Students feel they learn more when given voice & choice. @flipgrid@MicrosoftTeams#DITCHbook
Looking at systems + working with students to change those that are oppressive + harmful in our sphere of influence. My students + I work together to ensure we're focused on making meaning together rather than who's "best" by reorienting grading + assessment practices. #DitchBook
In reply to
@MandiTolenEDU, @drmcclard, @jmattmiller
A1: Allow the students to know that they should have fun and relax and enjoy themselves and just do their best and encourage them along the way even for little things that may seem big to them. #ditchbook
In reply to
@MandiTolenEDU, @drmcclard, @jmattmiller
I try to help ease the pressure students face by incorporating fun brain breaks in between learning activities. My students especially enjoy @GoNoodle! #ditchbook#cuiedtech
Hello! Like the others said. When you see the question tweeted out tweet the answer with the hashtag #ditchbook. I will RT the questions and tag you so you don't miss them =)
In reply to
@mathdiva4, @drmcclard, @jmattmiller, @MandiTolenEDU, @craigklement, @zonie71, @emosier3, @sandyrotto, @rachelmarker, @rlfreedm, @SEANJFAHEY, @TaraMartinEDU, @burgessdave, @burgess_shelley
A2: Teach to the top and remediate those who need help. All students want to meet your expectations so keep them high, but give them support to meet them.
#ditchbook
A2: Gamification comes to mind. Create a variety of options for accessing the content at all levels of complexity. Everyone engages at the level they are comfortable. Assign XP points to each activity, motivate them to push themselves. #ditchbook
I feel like my teaching practice improved tremendously when a) I really started to understand the power of formative assessment + how to do it well + b) when I coupled that with a feedback loop that allowed every student timely, meaningful + growth-oriented advice. #DitchBook
Ease the pressure on students by praising questions. Discuss and model how to help generously and constructively. Allow students to be the best, safest resource for each other. Kindness to peers in learning is not typical....it needs to be taught and affirmed. #ditchbook
A1 I'm going to piggy-back on Melody's awesome answer -besides learning being messy - it's also NOISY. But it's a fun noisy. It's so easy to walk into a classroom and evaluate the noise. (if it's learning fun or not-on-task noise) #ditchbook
A2 Differentiation! It starts with a pretest to know what indv. Ss need prior to teaching. As much as possible, content, resources, and modalities are adjusted to help Ss perform at their best. Early finishers and DOK are included in lesson design too. #DITCHbook
A2. Going old school and use Dewey's progressivism approach with a constructivism mixed in. Then through in Webb's Depth of Knowledge. Sprinkle some SAMR and TPACK. Mix with a dash of multiple intelligences and you are good! #ditchbook (and I ask Ss)
A2: As a special education teacher, it's about making sure accommodations and modifications are implemented. And while other students that do not have IEP do not have accommodations, why can't we implement accommodations for all when appropriate? #ditchbook
A2: I strive to plan tasks that are low floor, high ceiling so that ALL learners can enter into the task and be cognitively engaged at their level. #allmeansall#DITCHbook
A1: We believe in dedicating our time to building authentic connections with educators & stucents. Our program helps students identify & manage their emotions so that effective learning & teaching CAN happen! #ditchbook
A2: Relevance and personalization => when Ss feel empowered to make choices within their own learning you meet the wide array of multiple needs in a classroom #ditchbook
HI #ditchbook - Sarah, here, Learning Coach checking in (tardy again) from Colorado - favorite snow activity - sleeping in on a snow day of course, add drinking hot chai and reading a good book for the trifecta
Welcome to #Ditchbook Chat! Be on the lookout for questions from @MandiTolenEDU and me. Share who you are, you're edu role, your location, and favorite snow activity!
A2. Going old school and use Dewey's progressivism approach with constructivism mixed in. Then throw in Webb's Depth of Knowledge. Sprinkle some SAMR and TPACK. Mix with a dash of multiple intelligences and you are good! #ditchbook (and I ask Ss)
A2: My Hashtagged Learning #Eduprotocols let kids learn at their own pace and make personalized connections to content. It even gives kids a pause button on the teacher while giving ample opportunity for T to give feedback. #DITCHbook
A2 #DitchBook Have high expectations for all of your students. The "cool labs" aren't just for the advanced students; all students benefit from being exposed to the experiences.
A2: it helps me to have a specific student in mind at each ability level and picture what that activity will look like for that student, what supports will he/she need or what ways could I push them forward. #DITCHbook
A2: Allowing students to have a comfortable learning environment, with high expectations, and a belief that all students can achieve at high levels is the mindset I try and have. With this thinking, I challenge myself to teach about the "middle line." #ditchbook
A2: High floor and no ceiling for any child. Always operate with a “Plus One” mentality l. Whenever Inthink they are, I teach them as if they are one level higher. Pressing them for daily growth. #ditchbook
Plagiarism in ELA (my content area) is an adult problem: it isn't about "kids these days," but about assessments that aren't relevant + don't engage students, an overfocus on grades + product + prioritizing content (like "right answers") over than skills. #DitchBook
I set learning goals using proficiency scales to establish rigid learning outcomes. Time is flexible. Ss can retake assessments until they are satisfied with their learning. Everything is focused on growth and feedback. #ditchbook
Teach the top students how to kindly and generously help those who struggle. Teaching is the greatest form of learning. By developing the communication skills of the top students and giving them opportunity, all levels are consistently involved in learning. #ditchbook
A2: DIFFERENTIATION! Starting with the middle then throwing in some other DOK’s to get Ss thinking. Small groups after some whole group discussion does wonders❤️ #ditchbook
A2: I have found the use of #eduprotocols and end of unit Wonder projects allow Ss to push themselves and frees me up to help provide feedback and differentiate for students. #ditchbook
Amy Valentine, I live in Colorado, run the Foundation for Blended and Online Learning (FBOL). We give scholarships to kids and grants to teachers. Favorite snow activity is making igloos (I'm originally from Buffalo) #ditchbook
A2: I avoid teaching 2 middle by telling the Ss upfront the lesson is difficult bc I know they can do it & I will be there to support them if needed. Mostly they see it as a challenge from me. Grouping them in families where I can provide the best support is essential. #ditchbook
A2: High expectations teaching is for all - not the select few => our Ss need to know that we believe that every single one of them is capable of success #ditchbook
A2- By teaching to the top and scaffolding the rest. Also blended learning can play a huge piece in meeting ss where they are in small groups!
#ditchbook
#ditchbook A1 I think the biggest piece is being really thoughtful about grades - grades can put so much undue pressure on kids and they change the focus from future to past...
*Note: Loving the science twist on this #ditchbook chat!
A2 I don’t know if I do avoid teaching to the middle. I can’t claim expertise is this area. I guess I would say giving lots of options, but the challenge options are my biggest struggle. #keepinitreal
A1: I don’t think pressure is always a bad thing. It’s all about building supports in place to help them through pressure situations and ways to cope in a healthy way. #DITCHbook
A2 #ditchbook
Provide Choices! I’m thinking of multimedia text sets, #hyperdocs, learning menus or choice boards.
But you also have to know your students. Good formative assessments and use that to plan activites to meet where all students are.
A2: We use a lot of choice-based activities. Also, one of the favorites with the kids is "You be the teacher..." where they design and teach a lesson. It's a great way to see where they are and what they need! #DitchBook
A2: Having materials for all children and being able to individualize the materials so each child's needs can be met and scaffold them to improve. #ditchbook
A3: I try to find topics that interest students or would be fun. This week, we wrote word problems, students choice. A fun activity is launching catapults to explore quadratics.
#ditchbook
A2. Spending time and getting to know students. Once we know where students are at, we can structure lessons to meet their need and we can provide complex tasks that challenge them where they are. Leveraging the technology available to teachers to implement is impt. #DITCHbook
A3: I am a really intense dude, I bring my passion, storytelling skills, and humor to all lessons. I'm no @burgessdave but I can certainly bring it on the regular! #ditchbook
A3: You have to be willing to take risks, and know that those risks may not work out for the best. Stepping out of our path of regularity can have major benefits! #ditchbook
A2: We encourage our teachers to focus on the middle. We call them our “golden” students. We provide deep enrichment for our platinum students & have supports in place for our silvers, but we can really see some growth within the middle for sure! #DITCHbook
A3 Not so sure about wild but I try to think what my son would come home talking about. What would he remember? I can build the lessons around that. #ditchbook
A3 Great lessons come in a variety of forms. They always start with the essential standard. Take a page from #TLaP and include some amazing hooks! Think of ways to enhance lessons with the DITCH philosophy! Borrow from your PLN and get their input! #DITCHbook
A3: Either I lead in w/ crazy things our governor has said (I am from KY) 2 hook them or I tell them the purpose and discuss the platforms we can use as our vehicles to get there. #StudentVoice#DitchBook
I go into other classrooms and watch and steal ideas. Through twitter and Facebook groups I find a lot of ideas. Using a @cospaces_edu 3D world I created to teach the relative nature of motion tomorrow. #DitchBook
A3: By making it fun and relevant! Using 3 Act Tasks are a blast!! Any time hands on activities can be included it always makes for a more wild, fun lesson! #ditchbook
A3. Asking Ss what will engage them to meet the learning targets! Giving them the flexibility to come up with their own learning experiences within the parameters of the learning target. #DITCHbook
Q#3 I have recently created a website using https://t.co/HxLjQJJO97 and I am revamping older projects by having students created digital representations instead of poster boards #ditchbook
Students need multiple pathways to mastery + timely, meaningful, growth-oriented feedback throughout the learning process to reach their goals. Relationships are a big part of this work: we need to understand how students respond to feedback + meet their needs. #DitchBook
A2 I was once told by someone very wise that was trying personalized learning to try to think of 3 pathways to learning... instead of just one and allow kids to move fluidly from one path to another as needed...
#ditchbook
A3: Brain loves structure and novelty. “Time release the fresh” by creating information gaps- pique curiosity with stories and unique facts. #ditchbook
A2 by creating learning outcomes that will make all students feel successful. giving a gifted student a learning outcome that is too easy will not help them learn. it keeps them busy. #ditchbook
Hooks from #TLAP are a great way to start. We take virtual field trips often in science #seatbeltseverybody. I don't swim in the MR end of the SAMR pool constantly (it would be tiring) but jumping in to that end is a great way to change things up. #ditchbook#samr
A3: Well, I get great ideas from #DitchBook! I have a vision for much of our learning to revolve around service learning projects -- this year has really opened some doors for that vision. I'm excited to see what comes of our #WorldChangers projects!
A3: #DitchBook Start with the standard add in some natural phenomenon and wonder, and splash in some relevant pop culture. Our students' interests and Qs keep changing...so should our lessons!
A3: I've always been a round peg in a square hole. I embrace that in my lesson planning and never worry about what others may think but instead focus on what will engage my students. I also like to keep my kiddos on their toes w/lots of novelty & variety. #DITCHbook
A3: start with crazy ideas and let the students run with it! We are currently working on “the human body is sew electrifying!”, sewing component and electrical circuit type component! #DITCHbook
Creating memorable lessons for Ss starts by asking yourself the question...”if they didn’t HAVE to be here, WOULD they?” Ss see instant relevance in the things they WANT to do #ditchbook
A3: Let’s see. I wake up, listen to @GTeacherTribe , get a crazy idea from @jmattmiller , try it, tweak it, and tell him about it. Or, as my Ss believe, I wake up, come to school, and BAM! 💥CRAZY. #DitchBook
A3: #tlap and @burgessdave inspire me@to create wild lessons. We go outside, we have “guest speakers”, room transformations, digital breakouts, mystery boxes 📦, Legos. I love to mix it up! #ditchbook
I'm always thinking about extensions beyond the classroom: my peer tutors from @Skyline_WC are working with local colleges, non-profits, and K-8 schools to host Family Fun Nights around literacy to help prevent + close achievement + opportunity gaps in our community. #DitchBook
In reply to
@LemarrTreadwell, @MicrosoftTeams, @SkypeClassroom, @Flipgrid, @Skyline_WC
A3: Math Prompt - They won a $5000.00 money & had 2 purchase items that would help them, family & world. They had 2 search Internet for the items. They found out $5000 wasn't a lot
LOL! #ditchbook#mathisfun
Q4 Many will be glad when the polar vortex weakens. However, WE want to go strong the entire year. How do you ensure this happens for yourself? #DITCHbook
Technology has made a huge difference in differentiating for all learners! Student project based learning is a great way to ensure that you are challenging all. #cuiedtech#DITCHbook
A3: Stories can be a powerful tool. I always try to bring in personal examples for lessons we are working on. They especially love hearing about when I was a kid and the random trouble my friends and I would get into. #ditchbook
A3 #ditchbook
Go back the the DITCH lesson framework and be DIFFERENT.
Do something unusual, that is not the norm, break up the traditional cycle of learning. Make sure your students feel this way when in your class 👇
A3: Our instructional videos are made to open & close the school day. Our SEL crew Meghan, Elliott, Icy & Lee are a hit with the kids because they offer tips on #selfreg! #ditchbook
A3: I find out what my Ss are interested in and try to incorporate that into my lessons also love to bring in math into the real world. One is example is I incorporated local art into my algebra 2 lessons, Ss were supper engaged! #ditchbook
A4. It's all about balance. Listening to non-education podcasts and refusing to look at work email after 5:00 p.m. is perfectly reasonable and acceptable! #selfcare#ditchbook
A4: I have to change things up & look for fun & purpose in what I assign. I generate energy from the creations of my students and colleagues! #DitchBook
A4: the Ss are counting on me and hold me accountable - that keeps me going all year.
Twitter chats and positive conversations help keep me going too. #ditchbook
A4. Making sure that we are taking care of ourselves as well as our other staff members. It’s important to stop by rooms and offer encouragement to teachers and students in the building. We all have difficult days, but it’s important to encourage each other. #DITCHbook
A4: The hot topic this year -- self-care. I've seen more on this in the last 6 months than in the rest of my teaching career combined. That's because it's more relevant now than ever before. #DitchBook
A4 #ditchbook
This! This chat right here provides me a jolt every week. Endless supply of amazing ideas from even more amazing educators coming together to share and make each other better.
A4. See lots of live music, go 2 gym, attend conferences, connect w/PLN, etc. Self care so vital. Went to #FETC & that was a well needed adventure. I laughed a lot that week. Did things I never do- Universal, Pro Bowl, running up escalators that are going down . . . #ditchbook
Take time to recharge when available (like with 3 cancelled school days this week). Finding new things on twitter chats. Reading professional books. Switching things up in the classroom (usually focused around assessment). #DitchBook
A4: #DitchBook If I expect my students to keep learning and growing, then I do so too! I keep heading to conferences and workshops to learn new techniques and technologies. They rejuvenate my spirit!
4-8 Science teacher in the making here! I love looking for ways to ditch the book and go digital or hands on! Any awesome lesson activities or technology tricks are welcome in comments! #SP19edfb4338#ditchbook
A4: Surrounding myself with the best people! It’s amazing what a great team and coworkers will get you through. I’m lucky beyond measure to have such a great staff! #ditchbook
A4: My #pln keeps me going all year on Twitter chats and at conferences. PS. Come to sessions at #iste19#cue19 and join #cvtechtalk every Wednesday at 7pm Pacific so you can keep me going all year long. #shamelessplug#DITCHbook
A4: I participate in Twitter chats, especially #ditchbook! The ideas that I gather from Twitter and the @dbc_inc books that I read and re-read are what keeps me motivated and excited to try out new things. Above all, though, Twitter is an astonishing resource for new ideas!
Hmmm. I try to look for ways to creatively expand on what I already do. I look to take Ss ideas and jack them through the roof. I guess that’s called collaboration!? #DITCHbook
A4 Take time to remind yourself of your why. Revisit the progress made so far this year. Sometimes teachers (and myself) don’t notice because they are too busy moving on to the next amazing goal. #DITCHbook
A4: Self care, brain breaks, #DitchSummit, #PLN, active pursuit of hobbies, preservation of fam time, new experiences, @dbc_inc , (reading), conferences, #EdCampSTL and podcasts are a few of my ways to stay pumped! #DitchBook
I do "Stories, Not Stuff" days with my English 9 + 10 classes: they can tell any stories they want + in any form around our topic. We have a sharing "carnival" at the end. Being human is about stories, not rubrics + grades + the "stuff" that school is often about. #DitchBook
A4: Don't be afraid to change things up halfway through. Just because it worked in the beginning doesn't mean it's what is best right now. Change for changes sake is never good but change to try for the great, is never an opportunity you should let go by. #ditchbook
A4: to keep my motivation I love to jump on social media such as @Twitter and connect with other educators, also love to attend @EdcampUSA and get inspired, as well as read amazing books @DitchThatTxtbk@burgessdave#ditchbook
A4: I continue to learn new skills through pd, workshops, Twitter, etc! I never stop learning and I get so excited about new things and can’t wait to share with my kiddos! #DITCHbook
A4. By measuring educator's and leader's perceptions of the current state of innovation several times per year! #ditchbook Microsoft School Transformation Surveys.
Balance is EVERYTHING! It's hard to remember to make time for ourselves, but doing something small is a great way to keep going! Also, connecting with my teacher friends and relying on them for emotional support when things get rough! #ditchbook#cuiedtech
