We chat every Tuesday night at 8:30-9:30 pm CST. All are welcome, especially EarlyEd teachers, leaders & experts. Co-founded & moderated by @techwnancy @JessicaCabeen & @VealHeidi
I really enjoyed reading the self-care article! For my #SelfCare, I set an alarm a few minutes early every morning to write in my journal, and have created an exercise schedule that I complete as soon as I get home from work. #ECEChat
Anna, #NaturePreK teacher from Prior Lake, MN. After 2 snow days I am ready to get back outside with students tomorrow to explore the fresh snow (and no shoveling will be involved - whew!). #ecechat
Alrighty then, I throw this out there. I Love my job, and I want to better understand trauma and my Ss. I REALLY want to start a Masters in Phycology, but where does a mom/teacher find the time? Anyone been there done that? #ecechat
Q. How much (and how often) time is provided in your program for teachers to collaborate with their teaching assistants (without kids around)? #ecechat
I know! It's crazy but I think you just have to go for it. I'm working on my librarian certificate now and basically everyone in my course is a busy teacher and it seems like more than half of us are moms! #ecechat
Alrighty then, I throw this out there. I Love my job, and I want to better understand trauma and my Ss. I REALLY want to start a Masters in Phycology, but where does a mom/teacher find the time? Anyone been there done that? #ecechat
Alrighty then, I throw this out there. I Love my job, and I want to better understand trauma and my Ss. I REALLY want to start a Masters in Phycology, but where does a mom/teacher find the time? Anyone been there done that? #ecechat
Hello! I work with preschool and pre-k ages. Our science center is decorated with various projects that relate to the unit. Our sensory table is filled with new materials every week for children to explore! #ECEchat
Yes Kendra!!!! I think the key for me was finding a good balance bn work, school, and home!! I also found a program that offered all classes online for my masters. It’s tricky but so doable AND worth it. #ecechat
A Science is everywhere in my room but some key elements are a nature center shelf where Ss add nature treasures they find. Rock trading post (complete with balance scale), plants & animals on the writing table for Ss to investigate closer, Nature book to doc discoveries #ECEChat
I earned my masters while my oldest was 4-6, over the time our youngest was born, & my hubby got his edu leadership masters too. It was wild times but It Can Be Done. #ECEchat
A. Kendra-if it is a dream-make it a reality. Schedule time each week to study-and pull back from other extra things during this season to focus on school and family. #ECEChat
A: As I coach in different schools, I
know that the teachers in middle & high schools have more opportunities to collaborate more than elementary teachers. #ecechat
Q. How much (and how often) time is provided in your program for teachers to collaborate with their teaching assistants (without kids around)? #ecechat
A. I have learned to prioritize my energy - invest it where it matters. Benefit the Ss, but be picky about the extra stuff. If it's not rewarding or appreciated, use it elsewhere. Allow only 1 task for weekends that's work related. Let everything else go. #ecechat
Something little every. single. day. Self care is so important. If mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy. Same applies to teacher. As educators we MUST take care of ourselves. #ecechat
I chose a masters program at @DallasBaptistU that allowed me to blend my learning, some F2F classes & some on-line. It worked for me & my family. It was my PLN before getting connected on Twitter & what led me to seek out building a virtual PLN. #ecechat
Yes to Frog Street! We send two teachers each year. The resources and guest speakers are well worth it. #ecechat You might even meet Dr Jean...my hero😉
A: We have been using @EmergentTree all year, but you could start some norms mid-year. They focus on being 'Safe' 'Respectful' and 'Responsible'. Within each there are lots of little things - within Responsible there is "keep our area clean". #ecechat
A. I leave it as is and turn it into an observation lesson - have Ss look around. What do they notice? See if they can share why it's a problem too. They need to know the why behind what you want in order to care. They can offer solutions/problem solve to make it better #ECEChat
A2: We encourage the students to follow all those little things by 1. positive reinforcement (they get a popsicle stick, if the get 3 they can color a square on 100 chart for class reward) "Wow thanks for keeping our area clean! You're being so responsible!" #ecechat
A: #ECE conferences that are local allow one to meet nearby colleagues while national conferences let us meet our gurus whose work we've read. Coming up in February, ECSTEM in CA from the CalTech EC school #ECEchat
There are not currently pics but I have suggested...yes, they don’t put things back on shelves before moving to next center and then pieces get lost #ECEchat
10 minutes each or 10 minutes total? This year we have 0 minutes, and it's creating frustration among the staff... And I am realizing how time consuming sending and email or writing a note is... #ECEchat
A3: and 2. We do TPR every day at our morning mtg "We are safe (hug self) we keep our hands to self (hands on legs), use walking feet (fingers walking), etc." So every day we say "We are Responsible (hands on hips), we keep our area clean (mimic wiping table)....etc." #ecechat
So do the teaching assistants arrive early/stay later than their shift to do so? Or do they have time outside of student contact time built into their contract/work day? #ecechat
Is this between teachers for collaboration or between teachers and teaching assistants/paras? Either way, I find that interesting that there's a difference between grade levels. #ecechat
You are correct. My prep time is really filled up with the routines of tasks related to answering emails, sending a daily update to parents, sharing student work with parents, and doing tasks related to the lesson/activities the next day. It goes by quickly! #ECEchat
Has anyone tried having a virtual pen pal class from another country? Or do you have good videos of pre K classrooms in other countries? I would like to expand our horizons and learn about other places and cultures. #ECEchat
We did a pilot for it last year @SusieTowber1 can give you more insight. Head Start where I am is all day but with alot of federal guidelines. #ecechat
We have a cohort of learners 94 of them 2nd thru 5th grade age level. They are then put in their learning journey based on their needs. Tough to explain via twitter. You can read more here https://t.co/teJCIquBvL#ecechat
A: Professionally def recommend #culturize by @casas_jimmy...amazing...pic book w/kids I read "Earth...My first 4.54 Billion Years" great POV! #ECEchat
great question.. in my opinion administrators can best support early childhood teachers by learning developmentally appropriate practices and treating them like all the other teachers! #ecechat
A. We do. We meet 50 minutes/week. It's completely teacher run, supported by a coach as needed. I know Elementary principals check in on their K-5 teams to offer support too. team picks a goal for the year & our work throughout the year supports that goal. #ECEChat
Would using @seesaw give you a bit more time bc, for me, it is the way I share student work and provide families with updates about what we're working on. #ecechat
In reply to
@ADutke, @PeggyAshbrook, @JessicaCabeen, @Seesaw
A: Valuing the importance of #ECE. Recognizing it’s unique challenges and needs. Validating ECE teachers and staff so they know admin sees the value of their efforts. #ECEchat
Love @ConsciousD! One of my favorite things is the calming strategies! I love the whole thing, I use it in the classroom and with my own children. #ecechat
In reply to
@_Ms_Samantha_, @VealHeidi, @ConsciousD
That's what I use. I do my daily updates & share student work that way. Definitely a time saver! We received 2 classroom iPads so now I just have to get those up & running so Ss can add their own work more easily. #ECEChat
In reply to
@SaraHolm15, @PeggyAshbrook, @JessicaCabeen, @Seesaw
Anything with the @MCECL is great. Especially for those interested in #earlyed leadership opportunities. Their leadership institute is spot on. #ecechat
I love this question! I just saw Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan in the library and remembered how much I enjoyed it. I read Firefly Lane by ...Kristin Hannah really quickly over break. I loved The Hate U Give and Listen, Slowly. David Baldacci/John Grisham are great for travel. #ecechat
The @E_C_STEM conference is very worthwhile. This year there are going to be field trips to local programs and I'm really sorry to have to miss it! #ECEchat
@Seesaw is a game changer. It cut my parent communication prep time in half and doubled the participation from the Ps. I just can't say enough great things about that app. It has revolutionized my classroom world! #ecechat
In reply to
@SaraHolm15, @ADutke, @PeggyAshbrook, @JessicaCabeen, @Seesaw, @Seesaw
A: Yeah I agree with @techwnancy. All the Pre-K teachers in our district did a 2-day training and we all love it. There are some free things online but it helps to really get into it through the training. #ecechat
In reply to
@_Ms_Samantha_, @VealHeidi, @techwnancy
A. My biggest one - Be present. Be in the classrooms, get to know the programs (and students!!!) you are making decisions about. I've learned being present makes a bigger difference than a background in early ed. #ECEChat
Q: Currently learning about trauma informed teaching. Does anyone have any good resources or ideas to share that can help students dealing with trauma? #ecechat
I’m currently not in the classroom and the part I miss the most is the relationships I built with the kids AND their families. I miss that so much it makes my heart ache!!! #ECEchat
Nice question! I'm starting courses on school librarian certification so I'm reading a lot for that! I just read 'L is for Lone Star' to my students today, and personally I'm reading the second book after A Wrinkle in Time, 'A Wind in the Door' #ecechat
A: The unpredictability of every day. The hugs and love from my kiddos. The knowledge that we are helping to mold a foundation of a love of learning daily. #ecechat
You can double up some jobs: two door holders- classroom door and hallway door; two light helpers on and off so forth. I have around 10-12 jobs but all 20 have a job each week then rotate. #ecechat
In reply to
@katyphinney, @_Ms_Samantha_, @VealHeidi
This is a loaded question but I think the top down push for academic readiness forces SEL and play to take a back seat. We must think out of the box and create planful, purposeful, and playful experiences. #playinpk#ecechat
me too! This year I have several grandparents who live in TX and NH (we are in NV) connected too. I always try to show the kiddos when their family members comment -- everyone wins! #ecechat
In reply to
@KLCseedtotree, @ADutke, @PeggyAshbrook, @JessicaCabeen, @Seesaw
A: Everything is great to 3/4 year olds...its raining the love it....its sunny they love it....littles see good and love in it all! Plus, I get 20 hugs and 20 "I love yous" everyday, multiple times a day. How can you NOT want to teach for that everyday😘 #ecechat
absolutely! My kids are currently inadvertently competing for the hyperbole that goes with the I love you. i.e. I love you to the moon and back then to infinity then to the sun. LOTS of bucket filling! #ecechat
I actually used birdseed one time, and put in manipulatives relating to our theme. The kids loved it! Packing peanuts are fun, but if they are the "s" shaped ones kids might start breaking them into almost microscopic pieces and it is difficult to clean up. #ecechat
I agree! We need to think differently! What makes a 3rd grader a 4th grader at the end of the year? Why not focus on the learning and where they are at rather then grade levels. #ECEchat
This is a loaded question but I think the top down push for academic readiness forces SEL and play to take a back seat. We must think out of the box and create planful, purposeful, and playful experiences. #playinpk#ecechat
A: I love adding scents to my sensory table. It adds another layer of sensory exploration. Peppermints in December. Pumpkin pie spice in November. Beware of allergies and kid-safe products! #ecechat
Have fun & be sure to share your creations! The structure of our day has made the sensory table part of before/after school time. Your Q reminded me of how much I miss it. It currently doesn't get much use due to staff saying it's "too messy" :( #ECEChat
Can you remove the distraction somehow? I cover a lot of my centers to remove the temptation. Then make circle time more exciting than sitting in a center w/o access to materials. (parachute, new song/game, etc). #ECEChat
Keeping instruction and space appropriate for the age of the child. It was important to/for me to hold that sacred space. Especially as an infant toddler teacher! #ecechat
We’ve been on a Conscious Discipline learning journey this school year & will have a CD trainer leading a full day workshop for all PreK teachers on Feb.19th. #ECEchat
A. Being careful to not demote what your students are doing to "just playing" yet at the same time not giving into the pressures from the top down. Staying true to DAP, but don't stop challenging and supporting your students to achieve their highest potential. #ecechat
See if you can arrange furniture to block it somehow, or create another temporary barricade to access that space. Clearly label it closed (stop sign, closed sign). Communicate to Ss what this means. #ECEChat
If it's just temptation/desire to play that's problem, work with Ss to understand schedule (first circle, then castle). Or is it something else (not engaged, length of time expected to sit is too long, proximity to adult needs to change, offer choice-chair or rug etc.). #ecechat
I move furniture all the time for this reason, especially when I see behaviors becoming a habit. Focus on prevention strategies first - easier fix than implementing long term modifications/adaptations #ECEChat
A: The unpredictability of every day. The hugs and love from my kiddos. The knowledge that we are helping to mold a foundation of a love of learning daily. #ecechat
momentous for sure! Books: Dr. Bruce Perry, Ruby Payne, ACE study, A Boy called It so many more....Working on a presentation for upcoming event this summer, I will share with you when its done. #ecechat
Whoa! It's the end already? Great #ECEChat as always! Looking forward to going back and catching up on what I missed. :) Have a great rest of the week everyone!
