#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Welcome to #6thchat! Please introduce yourself, what you teach, and where. Questions in Q1/A1, Q2/A2 format. https://t.co/dzMesXAChd is our website with questions posted or they will be tweeted from @6thchat and RT from @mrskochheiser
Welcome to #6thchat! Please introduce yourself, what you teach, and where. Questions in Q1/A1, Q2/A2 format. https://t.co/dzMesXAChd is our website with questions posted or they will be tweeted from @6thchat and RT from @mrskochheiser
Ryan, Saginaw Twp, MI - 6th Grade Social Studies. Very interested in seeing how others have incorporated digital portfolios into their classrooms. #6thchat
A1) I have copies through google classroom, @padlet, and @KidblogDotOrg, however, I have not curated these in one place. I am ready to create digital portfolios that better show Ss improvement/change over time in one place. #6thchat
A1: Anything on Google Classroom is stored in my Google Drive, and I do save some paper copies, but I do not have them housed in one location. #6thchat
A2) I have believed them to be purposeful, and yet I have not given them the place, time, space necessary. I believe that digital portfolios help Ts and Ss see growth, develop pride and provide a place for Ss to reflect. #6thchat
A2: Portfolios allow for Ss to see their growth over the course of the year. They give Ts an opportunity to assess progress and provide feedback to Ss so they can achieve proficiency on each standard. #6thchat
It's the paper copies that end up getting me. I have had Ss take a photo of themselves w/artifact and post on @padlet Did this w/Social Studies maps. Worked pretty well. #6thchat
Checking in late for A2
A2: Portfolios are important to allow Ss to see growth and as a good way to show parents and stakeholders what Ss are doing
#6thchat
A2 #6thchat good for both Ss and Ts to see growth, collection of writing, and a finished year long product that showcases learning. Can also add to it each grade level
I think the ability for Ss to take with them, and keep adding to it is an important consideration in the digital portfolio. Ultimately, it is about their learning progress. #6thchat
A2 #6thchat good for both Ss and Ts to see growth, collection of writing, and a finished year long product that showcases learning. Can also add to it each grade level
A3) Reflection helps Ss consider more than "how," "what," and "when" they learned but also "why?" Reflection is a critical thinking skill and supports the #growthmindset with the "Is this my best work" questioning. #6thchat
A3: I don't think it augments their learning, but I do think it is an essential part as it requires the deeper thinking about why their work is deserving to be in the portfolio
#6thchat
A4) This is an area where I am growing. I learned a lot from reading Disrupting Thinking and have begun to ask questions of the heart, the brain, and their text. I have found several of these Qs are useful for learning experiences beyond reading. #6thchat
A4: I think the best way to do this is through visible thinking. Show them how you reflect on give them stems as they start to generate thinking
#6thchat
A4: I add it as a component to all assignments. I have Ss discuss the work they did, how they felt it was important to them, their level of effort, and what they feel they need to know (if anything) to grow in the future. We prompt at first, then let Ss run with it. #6thchat
A4: I add it as a component to all assignments. I have Ss discuss the work they did, how they felt it was important to them, their level of effort, and what they feel they need to know (if anything) to grow in the future. We prompt at first, then let Ss run with it. #6thchat
Visible thinking is huge with our 6th graders. They are at the point in their growth where they CAN reflect effectively, but do not necessarily possess the skills to do so. Model, model, model. #6thchat
A5) This is interesting for me to consider as I often have only collected "end" products/assignments. But this missing much of the growth process, and I think capturing work/thinking earlier or at a mid-point help Ss see growth w/in a single learning experience. #6thchat
A5: I think showing the process is just as effective a tool as showing the final product. We wouldn't have science fairs w/o the process. It would just be final products with no ability to recreate or reflect on inaccuracies and misconceptions. #6thchat
Visible thinking is huge with our 6th graders. They are at the point in their growth where they CAN reflect effectively, but do not necessarily possess the skills to do so. Model, model, model. #6thchat
Ha! Great point! Often we don't see the rough drafts or artist renderings, but only final products. The comparison to science is excellent as it is a reminder to keep the "process" as a focal point. Love it! #6thchat
A6) As I shared in an earlier question, I am embracing: What did I notice? and What changed, challenged or confirmed my thinking about XXX? What did I learn about me? How will this help me become a better version of myself? #6thchat
A6: I am working on poetry writing right now and using a digital portfolio/Google Site. The ? they have is how they can use their personal experiences to write poetry
#6thchat
A7) Google sites is one I am looking into. Used to be confusing to use, but have heard updates are good; having Ss create a Padlet where they can upload docs, videos, etc and write reflections seems like another possibility; @KidblogDotOrg too. Ease of use; uploading #6thchat
A7: I am using Google Sites, I also considered @Seesaw. Some things needed are user-friendly, can incorporate various types of formats, and sharable
#6thchat
A7: I have used Weebly in previous years, but I may move to Google Sites because we are a G-Suite for Ed school. Also, wanted to try @Seesaw with my Ss, but technology is often limited. #6thchat
A7: Ease of use is key for our Ss. We need something that is functional and user friendly for our learners. If the process becomes cumbersome, the Ss may lose interest and miss the point of collecting their work. #6thchat
That is for sure, I am using Google Sites and even with that I have some Ss who are so lost they barely want to work on it. But then on the other end I have some who really want to work on theirs
#6thchat
I'm in a SS leadership group in Genesee Co. We met today to discuss the changes. The move to WG in 6th/WH in 7th reduces redundancy and allows for deeper understanding. Reduces the amount of standards per grade, too. #6thchat
Absolutely. Google sites used to feel cumbersome but the updates seem to make it much more user friendly. @padlet is super easy for Ss to use, too. #6thchat
A8) The idea that portfolios build critical thinking skills. Basically, I need to get with the program. I need to prioritize this effort of digital portfolios. I believe the critical thinking and reflection elements will help Ss grow as learners and me as a teacher. #6thchat
I think if you let Ss explore with the platform before using it to create with purpose, they are more inclined to use it and better know how to use it. #6thchat
A8: I better understand the need to show growth to Ss and allow them to provide feedback on their work. Portfolios provide an outlet for both, and allow them to present their work to a wider audience. #6thchat
I still like the weebly sites, too. I still think it is clearest cut as to how to do it. I like how G sites allows for quick upload/transfer from G-drive #6thchat
Yep, I created Google Slides for mine with steps on how to set-up their portfolios and created a sample site.
@mrskochheiser I like that idea of having them watch/work with you on 1
#6thchat
In reply to
@Mr_Lisek, @mrskochheiser, @padlet, @mrskochheiser
That's the biggest upside for the change. Embedding in Weebly was good, but just loading directly from G-Drive would be a HUGE benefit to making the move.
Plus, I'm a Google fanboy, so this would only reinforce that.
#6thchat
Here is where using a small tech team would be good. Work w/ about 5 Ss over a few lunch times to get them positioned to help others. Many hands make light work. #6thchat
Here is where using a small tech team would be good. Work w/ about 5 Ss over a few lunch times to get them positioned to help others. Many hands make light work. #6thchat
I have an 11 student exploratory STEM class that I usually test run tech tools with. They provide brutal honesty and show me things that I never knew. Had to make huge changes to my MACUL presentation because of my Ss. I use them in my citation as a source. #6thchat
In reply to
@mrskochheiser, @SamReisman93, @padlet
Yes! I love that! I have always had a tech team when I roll out a new tool or app. They have to apply to be a part of the team, and know they will give up some lunches to explore with me, provide feedback. Helps tremendously! #6thchat
