Welcome to #UTEdchat! 2019 is right around the corner! This time of year is the perfect time to reflect on how things have been going in our classrooms and shake things up if needed. Respond to each Q using the A: format. Don’t forget to include the #UTEdchat in your answer.
Introduce yourself and tell us what you teach and where. If you could define your life with a Christmas carol, which one would showcase your life right now? #UTEdchat
Amy Wood, your moderator tonight! I’m a mentor teacher specialist in Jordan District. My Christmas carol would be “Let it Snow!” I’m ready for some snow to play in and some cleaner Utah air! #UTEdchat
Spencer teaching at BYU doing science teacher preparation. Helping the science teachers of tomorrow be prepared for the classroom. With finals to grade, I feel like anything Chipmunks reflects the pace of my teaching right now.
#UTedChat
Good evening #UTEDCHAT! Marci from Sandy. I help educators change lives through the power of #literacy. My life right now is best described by the Christmas Carol “Home for the Holidays”.
Deborah from Granite District, secondary Social Studies. Tonight I feel like "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" and I'm the grandma... Stupid headache, #UTEDCHAT
Introduce yourself and tell us what you teach and where. If you could define your life with a Christmas carol, which one would showcase your life right now? #UTEdchat
Q1. At the beginning of the year, we talked about our management styles. What has gone well? Is there anything you would like to change or do differently? #UTEdchat
A1: With coaching teachers on management systems, I have found a great strength in precision requests with creating consistency. I think if I were in the classroom, this would be something I would implement. It helps to create a fair atmosphere in the classroom. #UTEdchat
Lynette here, I teach social studies at @EastHighSLC and I'm pretty sure my Christmas Carol would be the Barbara Streisand version of Jingle Bells. Singing so fast she doesn't take a break but she still sounds great! #UTedchat
Introduce yourself and tell us what you teach and where. If you could define your life with a Christmas carol, which one would showcase your life right now? #UTEdchat
A1: I just finished reading the book Multipliers by Liz Wiseman. It is a fantastic book! I learned about “accidental diminishers” so I am working on being aware of where I may have a tendency to accidentally diminish those around me. I want to be a multiplier. #utedchat
Q1. At the beginning of the year, we talked about our management styles. What has gone well? Is there anything you would like to change or do differently? #UTEdchat
A1: Oh man. I did spend more time on routines and procedures, with some effect. I changed a ton of things this year though - from desks to tables, folders for work turn in and return. I need to find more effective, more consistent ways for students to self-monitor. #utedchat
Q1. At the beginning of the year, we talked about our management styles. What has gone well? Is there anything you would like to change or do differently? #UTEdchat
Checking in late to #utedchat but happy to be here! This song doesn’t define my life but I heard a hippopotamus 🦛 Christmas song the other day and thought it was so random
A1 not only would I do things differently but w/ mostly seater classes I will! I switched to a new school this year and totally lost my classroom management footing dealing with a very different environment. Next semester: clarity, consistency, practice. #UTedchat
Q1. At the beginning of the year, we talked about our management styles. What has gone well? Is there anything you would like to change or do differently? #UTEdchat
A2: Coaching new teachers on conferences, I have worked with them to establish open communication early. I have found they have success when they have a log of the behaviors or issues they have with individual students and have made early contact with parents. #UTEdchat
A2: Well, I'd definitely like for ALL my students to do be finding success and recognizing when they need help. I have got to do a better job of staying on top of feedback for students. And reaching out to parents as needed - with good news too! #UTEdchat
This is something I encourage all of my teaching interns to do. It protects the teacher and the student, giving evidence for interventions and a basis for creating a plan.
#UTedChat
A2: I would love to hear about everyone’s approach to using student-led conferences. As a parent (and former Principal), I love it when the conference is driven by the student. #utedchat
Q2 I would like to see our PTC have more attendance. I think it would be awesome to coordinate our PTC with a community night where students can teach/share/display what they are learning and families/community members can see what is happening in our school. #utedchat
A2 this year I tried more of a student led conference. We went over what they had to show and things they could. There was a lot more ownership #utedchat
A1: now that I have some familiarity with my environment, I have some ideas of how to better manage my computer lab/classroom and keeping kids on target. #UTedchat
Tell me more! 😊 How did you help students prepare to lead the conferences? What would you say was your biggest takeaway from the experience with student led conferences? #utedchat
A2: I would love to come to them more prepared and do more follow-up after the conferences. I've done that in the past and it helps cement relationships with parents and really improves my experiences and successes with students. #utedchat
Q3. While including and involving parents in your classroom this year, what success have you had? How will you continue to involve parents the rest of the year? #UTEdchat
I ALWAYS want to do this but have never found a way that doesn't feel completely overwhelming or is inclusive enough or isn't *completely perfect* so I haven't really tried yet... Anyone else find all the flaws before they try a solution? #utedchat
When I was in the classroom, I found that I could always find something for parents to do. When all else failed, I would have them read individually with students. Some kids don’t get this one-on-one at home, and extra reading is always a plus! #UTEdchat
I did student-led conferences at my last school and they were awesome. Students had to complete a worksheet beforehand with questions that would be discussed at the conference and then they would lead the discussion. Grades was only one small part of the discussion. #utedchat
A3 Even at the high school level, I enjoy inviting parents as chaperones to join us on field trips. Again- I'd like to host more of a community/family night for parents and siblings to really "see" all of the great things our Ts are teaching and our Ss are learning! #utedchat
A3: I have a couple of set things that I like to have parents help me with, so I take a few minutes to train them the first time they come. When they come in again, they can get right to work. Having parents in the classroom can really help build relationships. #utedchat
A3: I made a goal to be more communicative with parents this year and they have been SO appreciative. They like being made aware what is happening and it makes it easier to ask for help if I’ve been communicating all along #UTedchat
A4: I have worked with teachers to help them network and see their strengths (we did this @HSG_UT ). I have learned that there are a variety of networks out there for teachers to get help and reach out to other teachers--like here! #UTEdchat
A3: Parents aren't involved in my classroom very often. I'd like to find a way to include them that doesn't feel weird, but at the high school level that can get awkward quickly. I love the idea of chaperones, but I' just haven't had many field trips. #UTEdchat
Q3. While including and involving parents in your classroom this year, what success have you had? How will you continue to involve parents the rest of the year? #UTEdchat
A3: I've had great success with supportive parents when it's come to discipline matters. I haven't gotten to reach out to parents positively too much, but I've been so grateful for how supportive parents have been, even when they are asking about a low grade. #UTEdchat
Q3. While including and involving parents in your classroom this year, what success have you had? How will you continue to involve parents the rest of the year? #UTEdchat
A4: Geez. New social studies core = new curriculum, but no materials, so most of my lessons this year are new. I've been able to upcycle a few, but a lot is experimentation. I've been reminded how much better it is to have people to collaborate with on lesson design. #UTEdchat
A4: I taught a lesson to my students about assessment planning and learned that "Formative Assessment" was not well established in their vocabulary. I learned I need to get back to the basics with my soon-to-be teachers.
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A4: I have been coaching teachers and administrators on how to use @LexiaLearning targeted lessons to address #literacy skill deficits via small group instruction. #utedchat
A4 I like trying new things every year, this year I added more STEM explicit lessons and mixing different reading with assigned basal reading. I like feeling more choice by stretching a bit out of my comfort zone #utedchat
A4 I've incorporated more authentic data and adaptive lessons by using @etx_infiniscope and @WGBH_edu Bringing the Universe to America's Classrooms content. It's been awesome! #utedchat
A4: so many new lessons! I'm teaching AP World for the first time so I'm incorporating WAY more writing. I'm also trying an international relations simulation in my government class. But that hasn't happened yet, so I have yet to learn anything from it. #UTedchat
Q5. Student learning is at the heart of our job. What have you done this year to measure student growth? What have you learned that will impact your planning? #UTEdchat
A4 part 2: I have to give a shout out to @uennews for their instructional resources. My daughter is in her 2nd year of teaching social studies and has used a lot of their resources. 👏🏻 thank you! #utedchat
A4 I have more than half of my class below reading level, so I went to younger grades progress monitoring and spelling lists- any help is amazing #utedchat
Most teachers do it. It describes assessments that are not summative (final). Common formative assessments are quizzes, Plickers, thumbs, white boards, etc. Some are more formal than others. The idea is to assess learning so you can adjust your teaching. #UTedChat
A5: Working with new teachers (my students in a sense), I have found that pre-assessing them before coaching has been helpful to help us both know where they are in their learning. I have used checklists and other tools to help guide the direction of our cycle. #UTEdchat
This year my team and I are trying some project based activities for students to do with some of our social studies and science units. #UTEDCHAT@HSG_UT
When it's happened in the past, it was so mom could see what was going on because student's story did not match my reality. Student behavior improved immediately. #UTEdchat
A5: this year I have been opening each class with an essential question and ending each class with the students answering it. It's really helped me know how to adjust, plan, and help my students understand. #UTEdchat
Q5. Student learning is at the heart of our job. What have you done this year to measure student growth? What have you learned that will impact your planning? #UTEdchat
A5 I just added for Q4 and it answers this one, too! I have really low readers and, even with a Master's in reading, I needed help. Using reading specialist and 1st grade teachers for additional strategies. Such amazing strength there. #utedchat
Q5. Student learning is at the heart of our job. What have you done this year to measure student growth? What have you learned that will impact your planning? #UTEdchat
A5: in our PLC we’ve been collaborating designing common assessments and having impact discussions comparing the data and discussing how to better teach our kids. Really powerful. #UTedchat
I was playing Spencer. My comment was meant to imply it’s a challenge for students when we use teacher jargon. Love that you’re working with students to assess their learning. #UTedChat
Q5. Student learning is at the heart of our job. What have you done this year to measure student growth? What have you learned that will impact your planning? #UTEdchat
A4: For the record, I found a FANTASTIC on-line map builder program that I love, love, LOVE! That, combined with a lesson on where the ingredients for Snickers come from, made a lesson visual for students so they can "see" globalization. That one is keeper! #UTEdchat
A5: I LOVE helping educators learn how to effectively use data to inform their instruction. Let’s spend less time talking about what we are doing and more time discussing whether what we are doing is having the desired impact on learning. #ChaseImpact#utedchat
Q5. Student learning is at the heart of our job. What have you done this year to measure student growth? What have you learned that will impact your planning? #UTEdchat
Nice work! I look forward to the day when m PLC functions on this level. I keep trying to nudge the group along, but there is no shortage of interruptions and distractions. #UTEdchat
It definitely takes focus- I have them near my desk in little piles so I'm constantly reminded. I'm a little behind so Christmas break will be catch up time. LOL I like being able to write them a little later in the year because I know so much more about the kids now. #utedchat
Q6. What opportunities for professional development have you participated in this year? Any takeaways that you are implementing right now or that you will use later? #UTEdchat
A5 For the first part of the year I’ve been helping admins assess where their schools are at with blended and digital learning. It’s been awesome watching them adopt new ideas and strategies. #utedchat
Oooh....that sounds fun! I'm teaching about global economies tomorrow and I wish I'd had that idea! I'm using the Planet Money t-shirt series, which will be cool, but probably not AS cool. #UTEdchat
A6: I have been working on my #NBCT renewal. It has been a very reflective process as I have looked back at the past 8 years of my career. This year I have also had some district training on instructional coaching. #NBCTStrong#UTEdchat
I love coaching via reflection. Just like we provide students with exemplars of student work, providing teachers with “exemplars” of desired state and have them reflect on their current state as compared to desired state. #utedchat
I think this is so important. I wish this conversation was easier to have without people getting hurt feelings. I sometimes think we forget that it is about the students. I bet you model this well! #UTEdchat
A6: Moving to a bigger school and therefore a bigger Social Studies department has given me a chance to discuss educational issues with colleagues more frequently than in the past. Those conversations sometimes feel like the best kind of PD. #UTEdchat
Q6. What opportunities for professional development have you participated in this year? Any takeaways that you are implementing right now or that you will use later? #UTEdchat
Just incorporate it as a follow up! Super easy! I'll send you the assignment if you want, but here's the website: https://t.co/F0HOZP0d84#UTEdchat It's so easy, I bet Elementary students could even use it.
@KrystleBassett (correct me if I’m wrong) uses @EdElements@anthonx meeting protocol in meetings/coaching sessions to establish what people want to discuss, questions they have and check in at the end. It keeps the conversation focused and on track and productive #UTedchat
In reply to
@ajmerritt, @KrystleBassett, @EdElements, @anthonx
absolutely! When the teacher knows what they need help with in coaching, this is powerful. I sometimes get sent to "consult" newer teachers and those teachers have hit rock bottom and don't know what is wrong. so I have found checklists sometimes help us narrow it down. #UTEdchat
In reply to
@KBeddes, @KrystleBassett, @EdElements, @anthonx
What tools do you use to invite reflection on where they are on their journey to fully implement blended learning? Would love to take a look at your resources, if you are willing! #utedchat
And it's super visual and has some great content. There's nothing like @NPR in the classroom. Of course, this is coming from a veritable NPR addict. #UTEdchat
Q6 I learned how to create really cool adaptive lessons through @etx_infiniscope using SmartSparrow. I made on e on the life cycles of stars. I've also been working on my @NBPTS- a very interesting, enlightening, reflective and frustrating process #growthmindset#utedchat
Q7. Christmas break is around the corner, and you have earned it! Why is rejuvenation important for teachers? What will you do to relax and reset for 2019? #UTEdchat
A7: It is so important for teachers to have a break and refresh. Rejuvenation is key to getting over the mid year slumps! In between writing for my boards, I am hoping to spend time with my family. #UTEdchat
A7: We can't pour from an empty vessel. So important to recharge. I need sleep. I also need to spend time with friends and family and get outdoors. I should tackle a few house projects, but I hope to read a book for absolutely no other reason than that I want to. #UTEdchat
Q7. Christmas break is around the corner, and you have earned it! Why is rejuvenation important for teachers? What will you do to relax and reset for 2019? #UTEdchat
Thanks! I try. 😊 I think the key is to invite reflection and coach through questions. Sometimes it is necessary to coach through direct feedback though. #utedchat
A7: Teaching is about giving, and it's SO easy to let students cross my emotional boundaries and take more than I intended to give, and man is that exhausting. Rejuvenation is vital for me so I remind what self-care looks like & better achieve balance regularly. #UTedchat
Q7. Christmas break is around the corner, and you have earned it! Why is rejuvenation important for teachers? What will you do to relax and reset for 2019? #UTEdchat
A7: I will spend some time migrating my courses to Canvas from BYU's Learning Suite. Not only do I think Canvas fits my needs better, my students will actually see it in their future classrooms and will benefit from familiarity.
#UTedChat
A7 Rejuvination is important because what we do is hard. Ss need us more than ever, we make 1000's of decisions throughout the day, we are not in charge. I want to have real time to plan and read a book #utedchat
Q7. Christmas break is around the corner, and you have earned it! Why is rejuvenation important for teachers? What will you do to relax and reset for 2019? #UTEdchat
A7 part 2: I plan to read and exercise and keep my house clean for longer than one day. It's going to be spotless. It's going to be glorious. #UTedchat
It's nice that when I come home emotionally exhausted I have a roommate who reminds me that it happens because I care. And I'd rather care too much than not care at all. Although a middle ground would be nice... ;) #UTedchat
A7: Teaching takes a lot of mental and physical energy, so rejuvenation is essential. I hope to get up to the mountains a few times to snowshoe, lots of family time, and get my house clean. #UTEdchat
Granted, I came into a fully functioning PLC now it’s on me to help it continue to grow. 😅 I’m not sure how to get one going from the ground up. #UTedchat
Great job moderating #UTEdchat tonight @ajmerritt! I have to tap out now. Good night, all! Happy Holidays and I look forward to more great chats next year!
Thanks @ajmerritt for a fun #utedchat. I'd loved hearing what other educators had to say about the topics chosen! Thanks all ya'll! 2. more. days. I got this!
"Real time to plan" I am definitely wanting to fit that into my break. As much as I don't want to bring work home, the thought of planning a lesson in one sitting is incredibly appealing. #UTedchat
