So glad you can join us for #akedchat this week - synchronously or asynchronously! Tonight is all about #backtoschool Support. We'll share good ideas, advice, concerns, and resources.
I'm a 21st Century Learning Specialist, providing PD in educational technology and educational leadership around AK! I've lived in Juneau the last 9 years, 14 years before that in Ketchikan, and 25 winters in Fairbanks before Ketchikan! #akedchat
Megan, 8th grade social studies/English in Dillingham. Today was our first day of school with students! So, I'm tired. And my own children are bouncing off the walls....but I'm here! #akedchat
Leslie Theurer. I am an English teacher at Dillingham High School. I have been in Alaska for 10 years working all over Alaska as a bush teacher. #akedchat
A1: 1st day back today: this activity went much better than expected! Kids really thought about it and gave great insight. Like all humans, kids want to be heard! #akedchat
Love this idea! I'm sure students are used to thinking about what they should be like, but probably not often asked what their teacher should be like! #akedchat
A1: 1st day back today: this activity went much better than expected! Kids really thought about it and gave great insight. Like all humans, kids want to be heard! #akedchat
Also, despite some doubt in the teaching ranks, using lockers with locks and not letting backpacks in classrooms seems to be an achieveable goal this year. Even the 8th graders were on board with using lockers! Maybe the notes helped? #akedchat
Q2: yes after two days of doing this I would recommend it. Checking in with our students, giving them a voice, and a chance to lead this meeting is so valuable. #akedchat
I wonder how this new change was developed. Were students and parents in on the decision? Were reasons put out there? Any input from the students or parents? In other words, how was this change set up for success? #akedchat
I wonder how you provide the chance for students to lead the meetings. Does anyone else have ideas about morning meetings? Before morning meetings were a thing, I held class meetings at the end of the day. Great way to end the day, too! #akedchat
A lot of T convos back & forth of course...ultimately, teachers provide most things the kids need, and 99% of Ss were using backpacks for hauling food, toys, blankets, desktop speakers, etc. Rather than crack down on every little distracting item, we decided to target the bag.
Sounds like you have a lot of good experience to share with us! Can you share one or two things accomplished with the outside morning meeting that were targeted to offset behavior challenges? #akedchat
As a fellow colleague at this inservice, I would say there was intentional focus on positivity in the now and vision for tomorrow. I really feel like we have shared goals and more positive attitudes this year, in comparison to previous years. #akedchat
This was a combination of grass roots and top down. Staff members have collectively decided to focus on seeing Ss through their strengths and our new Superintendent has made his vision clear for staff to see each other this way.
Hmmm ... we're slow to answer this question! I wonder if it's because we have had no disappointments yet this year, or maybe we just don't want to share ... #akedchat
We are just starting out. But practicing respect, giving eye contact to the speaker. Letting students share feelings or just random thoughts. Students put up their hand for comments.#akedchat.
A5: today was only day 1... I forgot how quick a 27 min class goes! Going to need to figure out how to teach 6gd Technology in 27 min increments. #akedchat
Also my goal is to establish the feeling of a team, but that we use the classroom to learn not to sort out our drama and issues- we will do that first thing and be ready to learn. This is a work in progress...#akedchat
A5: My 1st period reminded me that I need to be more intentional about writing all of my important points down and REFERRING to those notes. I realized I was so excited to see my Ss I missed valuable moments. #akedchat
That's a really great approach, which I haven't heard of before! I love it! Do you have any recommendations for other teachers to get started moving in this direction? #akedchat
Q4: The activities that go well are usually in part because I believe 100% in the purpose of the activity and I sell it with everything I can- students usually buy it 😀 #akedchat
Oh my goodness! I love your positive approach to such a dilemma! "Going to need to figure out ..." instead of "How in the world am I supposed to ..." Now, I know you can do it! #akedchat
Also our year just started so I need to see how this really works once the “honeymoon” is over. Perhaps something we can discuss as a #akedchat topic later this year.
Q4: The activities that go well are usually in part because I believe 100% in the purpose of the activity and I sell it with everything I can- students usually buy it 😀 #akedchat
Nothing supports success like exuded confidence! Nothing better to feed our students! They need the role model and appreciate the security of knowing their in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing. #akedchat
A5: I have only had 2 days of school ( I had to miss 2 days of school this week due to an immigration interview in ANC to become a citizen)- but no disappointment yet! #akedchat
My students love to answer the question - how could this go better and what can we do next time. Mistakes are great learning opportunities for everyone. #akedchat
What a wonderfully exciting time for you! And if I'm understanding the type of teacher you are, I'll bet your students will be excited about it, as well! Sorry you had to miss school for it, but it's worthwhile! #akedchat
A8: this is easy- I have 28 students, my largest class ever. Need to make sure every student feels valued and gets my attention. Also when am I going to sleep?😉 #akedchat
A8: I need advice for my 27 min class. I want this to be S and individually directed since I have 35 Ss. How to move fwd together while allowing choice in stations.
I wonder if you've addressed this dilemma with your students. With only 27-minute classes, they will need to be completely on-board and ready to move forward! Maybe they'll have some great suggestions ... #akedchat
WOW. I've done classes with up to 30, and those were ALWAYS the most difficult. I continuously felt like I was shortchanging them; the more Ss you have at one time, the harder it is to give enough individual time and meaningful feedback. #akedchat
A10: yes, myself along with some other great people are starting an after school youth running program. Nervous and excited. We will learn as we go. #RunLAP#akedchat
A10: yes! I want to do Friday Flips on @flipgrid, for Ss to reflect on the week in video form. BUT I am concerned with basing reflection on video due to our extremely limited bandwidth in DLG. Anybody in rural AK tried a class uploading/viewing video on Flipgrid?#akedchat
I really like @MGundersonAK 's personal sticky notes on lockers. I wonder if you might carry a pad of sticky notes in your pocket so that when you find yourself presented with a positive thought for a S, jot it down. Then when you have a chance, share it with the S. #akedchat
I know you were joking about sleeping, but seriously .. take care of yourself. I've learned through the years that MUCH depends on the amount of sleep you get! You don't think about it as much when you're young, but set some good habits now! You'll be more productive :) #akedchat
Synchronous chat is over! Stay tuned for more participation in this week’s #akedchat for the next few days.
Thank you for participating and supporting your colleagues!
