Let’s start with intros. Please state your name, grade, subject and ONE WORD that you associate with February, the longest short month of the year #scitlap
A1 I teach six fiftyish min classes, daily. In past, have done 90 min a/b days, and also 90 min semester classes (that wasn't a state tested year) #scitlap
A1b) Year 8 has 4 x 40min a week of which 80 min in lab
Year 10 has 6 x 40min a week of which 80 min in lab definitely although sometimes all in lab #scitlap
Q2) What strategies do you implement when you need to adjust curriculum? To speed up or slow down? Do your students move “together” through content? How do you manage? #scitlap
A2: Depends on exactly what is needed and for how many students. If only a few are ready to "speed up," I might group them together and give them more challenging work. I find that with some content it's better to "move together." #scitlap
A2 I love differentiation. Going more in depth with those that are getting basics faster while still letting those that need extra help get it. It keeps them moving together in a way #scitlap
A2B Also, having those that 'get it' help teach those that need more assistance helps keep the kids together while enriching the different levels #scitlap
A2 I plan for everything taking longer than it should. 2 periods for a lab that takes 1. I have extra stuff like @legendlearning for kids to do for enrichment. #scitlap
NOT off the question at all. MS kids are not exactly self-regulators. I can't go to one group and have other groups stay on task for very long. Also, lots of "not fair" stuff among Ss... #SciTLAP
Recently with a green screen project, they took forever to film. One little mistake and they start over, and over, and over. Something I need to help them with next time. #scitlap
Do you have a team that you try to stay coordinated with? I find this to be very challenging. We have 3 Ts, each with one class of 6th gr. Staying together is TOUGH! #SciTLAP
A3: Keep things exciting in the classroom. This week, I pushed it by planning two pretty involved labs. Worth the extra time if it means keeping the kids engaged. #scitlap
A3 You have to be prepared to let some things go. Some activities or topics just need to be shortened or adjusted to meet the schedule. I try and have a back up plan to shorten times.#scitlap
Actually haven't tried it yet, but want to use sunset time-lapse, a suggestion from #DitcSummit. I've mentioned it before, but gotta act on it. #scitlap
A3 Our school calendar has built in 4 snow days, so students are not expected to do work at home on those days. I live in Central NY, Home of 120+ inches of snow per year. #scitlap
A4: I post as much as possible on GClassroom, but it's tough with labs. Just had the conversation at a PD yesterday - what do you do in that situation? Suggestion made to video tape labs, but it's not always easy / feasible. #scitlap
I have fond memories of inclement weather days as a kid. I really hope they take the chance to go outside and catch up if needed https://t.co/fOl9nznxDU#scitlap
I've usually seen teachers keep organized folders that lists what they need and what was done. This usually seems to work once kids get in the habit of knowing where to go #scitlap
I agree with GClassroom. I had a student out for a week, and he came back with all that work done. I had him make up a lab he missed, and skipped some of the smaller assignments. I have thought about video tapping labs also. #scitlap
Is this a school-wide thing? I posted a fun "go out in the snow" post and I had a Ss send an email to ask if the work would be graded. #facepalm#SciTLAP
A3 I've been hearing of this happening in other districts. I have mixed feelings about it. I like not having to make up days, but snow days are little gifts of time. I'd rather they play outside, but I could make something fun work. #scitlap
The majority of our teachers use Classroom! I can't even post a bell work question before my kids walk into the class because they get too excited and answer it early! #scitlap
A4) Students should check blogs. BUT some students email me. Some parents email the receptionist or guidance counselor to alert the rest of the Ts. #scitlap
The other 7th grade T and I share equipment so we purposefully don't teach in the same order so we are not fighting for the same tools. It works out well for us #scitlap
In reply to
@daleyscience, @SciTeach7Davis, @pentaclethra, @legendlearning
Q5) What do you do when Ss work doesn’t quite meet the expectations you were expecting? Re-takes? Revise and regrade? WHEN do you have time to re-teach? SHARE! #scitlap
It's our first year teaching this way. I LOVE the team planning aspect...but it doesn't allow for much wiggle room if one class needs more time or less time on a topic. #SciTLAP
In reply to
@daleyscience, @pentaclethra, @legendlearning
A5: Re-teach, then re-assess. I don't like the idea of re-takes, only because it can sometimes result in mere copying of the answers to get full credit. Assess in a different way the second time around. #scitlap
I've had luck finding already recorded videos on YouTube. Recently did a hard boiled egg-tectonics lad. Gave absent kids option of watching video or doing experiment at home. #scitlap
A5 I like the 'redo and tell me why this is the correct answer' model for revisions. It makes students relearn, and I can see why they may be having problems if they still do #scitlap
I use this as an everybody-does class activity (no grade), and then have them complete a retake assessment (different but similar questions) to replace their previous grade #scitlap
He does a summer one in CO every year, but I don't like to fly, so that would be really hard for me. I agree! He reminds me of Bill Nye back in the day #scitlap
Except Bill Nye videos are 25 minutes of Bill, Bill, Bill, and 5 minutes of science. #scitlap
That being said, I do have a picture of me photo bombing him in L.A.
In reply to
@MrsAsztalos, @SciTeach7Davis, @SteveSpangler
A6 I keep a running list on a Google Doc about all the things I am excited about trying in my room for the year (add/subtract yearly) and look back at it when feeling uninspired #scitlap
Q7) In #zenteacher, @thezenteacher suggests “putting down your sword” rather than getting angry...apply this to a recent situation. I know I have a few where I needed to do so, but didn’t. #scitlap
A5 Sometimes, just walking away from EVERYTHING for a day or afternoon works wonders. You need to take break sometimes to refresh. Our teacher minds are always working. #scitlap
A6 I keep a running list on a Google Doc about all the things I am excited about trying in my room for the year (add/subtract yearly) and look back at it when feeling uninspired #scitlap
A7 I am a big proponent of not engaging someone unwilling to move forward. If the conversation turns unproductive, it is est to walk away, take a breath and circle back later. #scitlap
A7) My husband (not a teacher) just said to me (after describing a power struggle) "you know that this student is trying to get you upset on purpose, right?" #SciTLAP
I had a S always engage with me, and we found out at a Parent Conf that his mom was never around. He thought negative attention was better than nothing at all. We def started showering him with positive attention, and the behavior went away. #scitlap
A7 Communication sometimes frustrates me. Use of technology is great, but it takes away from face to face solutions. I sometimes try to make it better but I get easily frustrated when ideas aren't listened to. #scitlap
Q8) In #zenteacher, @thezenteacher suggests putting rituals in place to increase productivity and efficiency. Share some rituals that you use. OR some rituals you would like to incorporate. #scitlap
A8I am a list person, but I am most productive when I focus on one or two things rather than the whole list. If I say to myself...during prep you will do these 2 things and stay off the computer and not get distracted! #selftalk#scitlap
I start everyone class with a Smart Notebook slide tthat has a message, directions, the HW and upcoming assessments. This leaves me free to take attendance and talk to Ss while they are reading and getting ready. If Ss are off task i can point to the board. #scitlap
Best ritual for staying organized is the family talk at dinner Sunday. We all go over what's coming up. Google calendar for staying organized. #scitlap
