#4thchat Archive
#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
Monday September 26, 2016
Good evening, friends! I hope you had a great Monday! Glad to be here to chat with you.
Danielle 4th grade teacher from MA here! First
Howdy Jenn! Glad to be here with you. !
Hi everyone! Katie from Michigan. My class is excited to get started with on Monday !
Hello ! It's great to be here!
Thoughts & Prayers w/ our friend as she mourns the loss of some dear friends.
Hi ! Julia from NJ. 1st time here!
Hi Julia - Glad you're joining in. Feel free to ask questions along the way. We use an Answer/Question format.
How are you this evening! Glad you're here!
lol! Nursing with one arm, tweeting with another!
Good work! I’m impressed! Glad to have you here for .
Nathan from rural Northern California, 4th grade woof!
doing well! New to 4th grade this year and loving it!
DAVE!!!!! How are you? Ready for a skype next week?
Danielle! Hooray - a fellow Massachusettsian! & is a gr8 place to start! (Where in MA are you?)
4th grade teacher form rural Northern California, glad to make it to already more this year, much easier class! Woot!
yes I need to skype, we still haven't done one yet!
Questions for - coming right up!
Oh great!!! We haven't either. WE have Open House Thursday & then we're ready to rock!
Things are good - busy as usual! So glad to see you're doing
I’ll say it’s THE best grade ever!!! (27 years and counting!)
Q1: Do all of the Ts in your school truly believe they are writing Ts no matter what subject they teach?
A1: We had a push for it a few years ago, and it’s still evident, but not encouraged as much.
A1: I think they do - most of us are self-contained and the teams that are not, work very closely on writing within their subject
I didn’t do it last year but may try again this year! Kids LOVED it!
4th grade teacher from Kansas. Popping in to ask a favor - anyone looking to Mystery Skype in Oct?! Let me know!
Apologies! Q1: Have you heard of the Global Read Aloud by ?
A1: at a k-5 school so writing and writing foundations are a big focus. Has been district wide for at least last 3 years, so yes
I think 4th is the BEST year truly!
A1: I think most Ts at our school would consider themselves responsible for writing. Bring into all areas of curric.
I’ll be ready by October and we’d be happy to Skype.
A1: I would say we are a work in progress... The shift is starting, though!
A1: I have not heard of global read aloud - am googling now
- Yup! looking to do The BFG have many Skype connections lined up. Look at my tweets if looking to Skype
A1: YES! Excited for my 1st year!
A1: I LOVE Global Read Aloud! I have found some great books I love by joining each year.
Hi Nate! So glad you are able to join. You always share gr8 ideas & resources.
A1: In my team, we all teach our own ELA and then departmentalized for 3 other sections. So we all focus on writing.
A1: yes, we love GRA and have done it the last few years! Both book study and author study!
A1: I wish they did. Writing structure is lacking. In the first 14 days of school, I have spent a lot of time on writing.
Q2: If so, how many years have you participated in the ?
A1: Excited about the (just not sure I’ll be done w/ current read aloud by then :(
Awesome - feel like sharing how you went about lining up Skypes? https://t.co/pHHreSjTkn
- Yup! looking to do The BFG have many Skype connections lined up. Look at my tweets if looking to Skype
the author study really adds to my library of favorites! And love the concepts!
Yes! Very excited to get started. Our class set of PAX is on the way!
- would like writing to be more in place by 4th grade. Sometimes I think early grades are pushed to do too much too soon IMHO
A2: i have participated in the GRA for 4 years. Best decision each year!
Sounds like a good way to work!
This is my third year doing GRA! So thankful for and all she has done.
A2: this is my second year.
I agree. She has created one amazing worldwide event. https://t.co/vA9k72Cwk4
This is my third year doing GRA! So thankful for and all she has done.
Q3: Do you plan to connect with other classes during or for other projects? If so, how?
We are planning on doing Pax as our Interactive Read Aloud to go with the global Read aloud
A3: this will be my 3rd year participating in GRA
Jealous you got a CLASS set! Nice!
I'm not familiar with GRA. Must check it out.
A clear scope and sequence would help. Big jump from 3rd to 4th
Sad to be missing out for most of while on maternity leave, but I have still found ways to connect w my Ss and others.
You Skype with other classes to chat about the book?
I have also participated in varying degrees - wish it was always more than I do.
My project just got funded yesterday!
A3: we share with classes on campus & our pen pals across district. Have done Skype and YouTube interviews/posts in past
NICE! How do you plan on using them with the class?
, yes, it IS a big jump. Also remember trying to teach paragraphs in 2nd when many were still struggling with sentences.
A3: hooking up through Skype, Padlet, etc!
Q3: Since I'm at a new school, I'm planning to connect with my former teammate's class. Safe and comfy
Sure! We have shared , S#kypes, ! Whatever works for your kids and schedule!
I have continued to read each of the last two books again as read alouds each year!
A3: also of course collabo here on Twitter and EdModo
A3: I plan on connecting with my Ss through . Hoping to set up a few Mystery Skypes for my Ss too!
Can you tell us more about YouTube interviews?
And there you go! Perfect way to start. Good luck. The kiddos will love it.
Right! I know exactly what you mean! But sometimes I feel we push so many too soon (in all areas).
I just signed up to read to my 4th graders!
- singing to the choir :-)
Was that your kitty - so adorbs! How are you friend?
I absolutely sure you will not regret it!
my ss did YouTube reviews on a private channel w/their high school mentors, parents etc about chapters/ concepts
Which will you be reading?
very cool - will have to look at that more
Q4: What type(s) of technology could you use to track thoughts during reading or to make connection with other classes?
high school kids would post review or thoughts same weeks as my 4th students so we could compare &be prepared for Skype
A4: I think I will used Edmodo - haven't introduced it yet, but hurry up
A4: I think I will used Edmodo - haven't introduced it yet, better hurry up
(1/2) Ss will be following along as I read using sticky notes for questions and comments.
Hi late to the party, but happy to be here! Will try to catch up
last year was super stellar with Fish In a Tree concepts and ideas super relatable for all ages
will your students all have a copy, or just the one you are reading?
(2/2) Ss post q's in Google classroom and have discussions. I'm also having Ss work through task cards citing evidence
Love the part about citing evidence. We were just talking about this today in writing!
A4: EdModo, Twitter, apps like telestory, create padlet to share, create Imovie trailers for chapters, so many apps, Skype,
Has anyone read Pax yet? I almost selected it 4 a parent/ss book club but review made me think twice due to violence
Glad we finished with Tales of a Fourth Grade Noting today Ready to start next week!
Looking for suggestions for books [novels&read alouds] for 3-5 grades.
So, for GRA is there a list of books or no?
I was going to use w/ 4th grdrs, but too mature IMHO
Good way to start - still getting your Ss to be global!
Wow, nice hyperdoc! Thank you
Q5: How can you get others in your school/community involved in participating?
- yes, there are author studies, picture books, and a couple of chapter books You choose
A4: using Google classroom on chromebooks. Tweets 2 other classes thru . Hoping to set up a few mystery Skypes too!
Because of Mr. Trust and Flying Solo come to mind
Hi Erica! How are you doing? Glad you’re here!
Oh good, I am glad I didn't use for book club then - I think I will do BFG
read it every year to my 4thgrade somethings, use it to teach narrative as well
I haven’t read it yet..thanks for the heads up.
You are always welcome - early/late!!!! :)
I did. Violence is not too much. May be thematically tough though depending on your kiddos. I am doing it with mine.
I will have to get it quick to pre-read!
Because of Mr. Terupt and Flying Solo come to mind.
Typically, I have just had the one copy and I project it under the document camera! Love that piece of technology!
I read it this summer and really like it. I don't remember thinking it was violent
A5: share, have ss present to others, create bulletin board in like library or cafeteria where others can see, email them the link
Monday’s always a good day since it’s a night. Waiting to watch debate soon!
? We r reading wonder, not half way done. Can we push the GRA later?
I love the “create” part! I feel students really enjoy. https://t.co/sKmShxeDF0
A4: EdModo, Twitter, apps like telestory, create padlet to share, create Imovie trailers for chapters, so many apps, Skype,
we r a 5th gr class and willing to do a mystery Skype.
A5: Could do a parent/ss read aloud and then have a celebration with all when done
I'm planning on reading Pax to my 4th graders... hoping it goes well!
Check out the site…you can read it anytime, just connecting with other classes might be difficult.
A5: I have tried to publicize GRA for my school but many are not interested because it interferes with regular curriculum
Q6: What benefits do your Ss get by participating in projects like the ?
I have done that some years. Just started later. You can always find someone else who did same thing
we are currently reading Wonder too!
okay I read it but don't know if I should put wonder on hold :(
I read it too & felt it was appropriate for Grade 4.
“Interferes?” Just blend it in! It would likely be the same at my school.
Working on finding a class to Skype/blog with. Doing Pax for GRA. I have 21 students, in NC
ok will look into it! TY!
A6: Projects like this build community within a classroom. The kids are "in it together" It's about the group experience.
just read a lot really fast :( Hard to put Wonder on hold
We are reading Hatchet & will be pushing GRA till later too! Would be happy to connect.
I asked my Ss if they wanted me to put current book on hold & they said “No”. So PAX will wait.
Agree, totally worth it. Every year my Ss love GRA and how deep we get into each book connecting w/others
A6: global perspective, connections, reflection, engagement, creativity, collaboration, preserver ends, writing and tech so much!
I am reading Pax this year and happy to connect with anyone.
Yay! So glad to hear!! I'll private message you my contact information.
I am undecided which book - but hopefully will try to reconnect w/ some ts on here once I begin - in the middle of tale of desp now
Well said So many benefits! https://t.co/H8XRbmuXQE
A6: global perspective, connections, reflection, engagement, creativity, collaboration, preserver ends, writing and tech so much!
1 of my fav parts of the schl day is when I stop reading & all the ss go "awww..." now we can connect other rdrs who feel the same
I'll probably start end of oct
We ARE going to connect! :)
this year I resisted and did not start read aloud w/chapter books. Using lots of picture books
I’m thinking that might be my timeline as well. I feel I need to speed up my reading!
Thanks for a great chat and ! Looking forward to making connections thru !
good idea for next start - i did that with guided reading, but not read aloud
me too, I read 2 chapters a day
Great idea…so many great picture books to read!
Same Katie - so glad you made it tonight! :) Have a wonderful week.
Q7: Have you heard of or participated in the Cardboard Challenge which takes place on Oct. 1?
Wow - I’m impressed - I’m not getting that far & must. The kids really love listening
Thanks for a great discussion everyone.
wonder seems to have short detailed ch. a S brought me a quote book :)
It was good to have you! Hope to see you next week.
October is filling up fast!
A7 I have never participated. Don't know much about it!
A7: have done some version of cardboard challenge for last 6 years before STEM was a thing
A7: I have HEARD of the Cardboard challenge but have never participated. Would love to try!
A7: Not a lot of time for me to collect cardboard! Better tell the custodian tomorrow!
A7 OOOh yes. We do something like Cain's Arcade at end of year for math project in June
A8: I have shown Ss in the past. It is very inspirational. Kids are amazed he got so many people to come.
When we skype I hope you get to give us a look out your window! :)
It’s amazing how this hour flies by! Thanks for joining for this .Thanks for being my support-missing tonight.
