Hey there friends, Kelly from Virginia Beach, Gifted Resource Teacher and founder of #champforkids, who has enjoyed camping with my family this summer!
#ChampForKids
Good eveing #champforkids crew, Steph Dill elementary SPED T in Colorado. My best thing about summer was a surprise trip to California to spend time resetting with my BFF from HS.
Hey #champforkids! This is Michael A. from #122edchat in Chicago. I'm not really live. We have backpack night for 6th Grade. I'm #STEM Facilitator to the stars for @SmartLab_tweets from @Simmonsknights1. Best part of summer? Non-stop learning from the best in education.
#champforkids hey there champs! Rebecca from Virginia beach. First grade teacher! The best thing about my summer was putting my self care in order! And spending time with my kiddos!
Hey #champforkids! Jon - Social Studies Teacher from California! The best thing about my summer was my @Gilder_Lehrman seminar on Eisenhower and the Presidency! 🤓
Hey #champforkids PLN! I'm Jace, Elementary Teacher from NJ. Had best of both worlds this Summer worked with kids in July and had some me time in August!
Hey all! Kristen here from PA! Trying to adjust to a new schedule is sooooooo hard right now! But I’m here! I teach 6th grade physical science, and on Saturday I had chocolate cake!! #champforkids
Hey! Liz from Virginia Beach. I’m a 2nd grade gifted cluster teacher. We just took my daughter who is obsessed with Harry Potter to Universal Studios. We had a great time. #champforkids
A1: I want Ss to get excited when they know it's time for reading. Whether I'm working with struggling or advanced readers, I want them to say "YES- Mrs. Dajero is here." I want to provide opportunities for them to not only be engaged but to feel empowered #champforkids
A1: Our Lab is pretty exciting, but we just had a department meeting today discussing how we can increase student buy-in, connect core classes into the day-to-day activities, in addition to dramatically increasing communication, collaboration and creativity. #champforkids
A1 - I’ll start by telling every student that I love my job as much as Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Then, each student will tell me their favorite ice cream flavor and a positive word about them. #champforkids
A1 by staying current with my Ss interests. If that means doing Fortnite dances in front of them and trying to sing the popular song that’s out then count me in. #champforkids
A1: I try to incorporate fun projects and PBAs. I am not going to assign a 5 slide powerpoint and call that innovative. Instead, I have 12 year olds who can design websites, know how to communicate with others online, write blogs, create graphics, and more! #champforkids
A1~ I will #Be_ThatTeacher who consistently shows/models/exudes...
Love & Kindness
Patience
Dependability
Consistency
Boundaries
Second Chances
Humor
Building strong ties with Ss & their Families ~ mutual respect & value ❤️
#champforkids
A1: In HS, kids want their opinions, passions and their time respected. They want the opportunity to be heard even if they don’t take advantage of it. These honors have to be embedded in the curriculum. #champforkids
Can't wait for our newest challenge! I was sharing with our new Ts that there really isn't a #PhysEd T that I have gotten to work with that holds a candle to the work that you are doing for our Ss! #champforkids
I just bought a new couch, a little bistro table, some camping chairs, and lots of other flexible seating options. I tried FS for the first time last year and the S loved it. My theme is also confetti with a lot of positive quotes. #champforkids
A1. The room will be exciting each day and filled with joy! We learn but have fun at the same time. The kids know I want to see them each day! #champforkids
As a mother of two HS daughters, this couldn't be more true. Both of my girls speak so highly of the teachers they've had that they feel truly got to know them & cared about their interests. #champforkids
A1: I love to play along and get super excited over what might seem like small things. I live by the motto “Make it bigger than life” When we get our pen pal letters I even do a happy dance and by the end they join in! #champforkids
A1: I'm working w/ the 4th and 5th grade Ts to teach whole group. I'm really hoping the specific ,kiddos in SPED see this as an opportunity that they can be leaders and will enjoying coming to my room to learn more to lead in their class. #champforkids
A1: I want to make learning fun and be unpredictable so that they have no idea what’s coming next. I want to make the process of learning fun and not focus on grade. I want to teach them there needs to be a balance between fun and learning. And relationships!. #champforkids
WONDER! Can't wait to do my staff intro to wonder and inquiry at the end of the week and let them dig into their first units to look for ways to add elements of inquiry! #champforkids
A1.Kevin here a Teaching Principal with Irelands first and only Primary School STEAM Room..Our pupils forget most of what we teach them.They will however remember us their teachers forever.Lets be good and kind to them.A kind word can last a lifetime #champforkids
A2: I want to show my Ss how reading can allow us to "visit" places we may never actually go & "meet" characters that we'll never forget. Reading allows us to step away from the hustle & bustle of reality. Finding the right book, genre, author can be life changing. #champforkids
A2 - Allow for down time, independent reading, journaling, quiet reflection, etc. Ss need the opportunity to decompress throughout the day. Breathing techniques are a great way for them to take a few mins to get refocused. #champforkids
A2: My space is little, but I have gone with a smaller table that has not leg extentions so we all sit on the floor. I have pillows for everyone, I just got a new rug and I painted my room last week. It feels much more like home now. #champforkids
A2: I heard about classroom environments + how they might be stressing our Ss out. Made me think, how can we be more mindful of the Ss needs in our space, allowing them a place to escape, to breathe/recollect their thoughts. Still thinking abt how to pull this off. #champforkids
Being fun, silly, and sometimes overly dramatic never gets old! The kids always love it and even though they think it is silly, they truly want more! #champforkids
A2: Classrooms with clearly communicated purpose driven objectives calm things down. Kids know the what and the why. Don’t want it too quiet though. I use music to regulate volume. If we can’t hear the music, we are too loud. #champforkids
A2: Having solid routines in place from the beginning. I spend my first day of class just going over routines and procedures. Students don't have to worry about what is going to happen, they know the procedures every day and can relax as they come in. #champforkids
A2 - Lots of time to take a deep breathe and unwind. Also, allowing for students to actively move around the room. Brain breaks that focus on relaxation. #champforkids
For many of our Ss this is something that may be missing at home and they crave a place that has routines, procedures, and a sense of normalcy #champforkids
I start the day with spa music M-Th. Then fun, energetic songs in Fri. We do morning meetings, mindfulness activities around lunch time, and make our class feel like our 2nd family with eye contact, attentive listening, and respectful discussions.#champforkids
A2 allowing Ss to have a voice and understand that it is their classroom. Also, using Kagan strategies when things get too crazy can help a lot #champforkids
A2: Im so excited to add in our calm corner this year! A place for reflection/ break when we might just need a minute to calm down and get focused. Soon I’m adding my class pet turtle “chillin Charlie” to our corner! #champforkids
A1: This year I will be dabbling with flexible seating. I have a couch, different seating options for Ss and I am excited to see how they take charge of their learning! #champforkids
A2: I’m not the calm like an ocean type. I’m more of thr jumping the waves kinda gal. However, by building relationships with ss, hopefully they will feel comfortable telling me they need to move, need space, need to be alone in a quiet place. #champforkids
A2~Well... in a 2nd grade classroom ... 😂😂💗...hmmm
Calm&inviting..
Definitely colorful from rugs/flexible seating to ceiling decor (aka S work)
Does loud music from @GoNoodle count??? 😂
#champforkids ❤️
After I painted I didn't put anything back onthe walls for anchor charts and the sort. I'm going to wait for what the Ss are telling me is needed. I have some personal items for a more home touch on a back wall away from their direct instruction place. #champforkids
A2. Our classroom is Ours and is built over time through the kids..Trust, Respecting each other are expectations...We're talking in groups...just in inside voices 🙂 #champforkids
When I wrote the Qs I knew there would be someone who thought about the beach as a place of high energy! That's awesome! We live about 10 mins from the ocean and it just depends on the day and my company as to how it makes me feel! #champforkids
A2b - We always must be cognizant of body language and how students feel in our class. The energy we show is a direct correlation to what our students will do. #champforkids
A2: I play music for my Ss during the day. I have noticed that they seem less anxious and perform better on assessments and independent work. #champforkids
A2b. 4x4 breathing was something I taught my kids back when they were in 6th grade. By 8th grade they knew to rehearse before tackling anything with me #champforkids
A3: I want to help ALL Ss find a love for reading. I want them to see reading as an enjoyable experience & feel like they have a choice in what they read. Their faces should light up when asked about their favorite books & be eager to share what they're reading. #champforkids
Relationships and knowing your kiddos is the key. Knowing when everyone can be surf's up high energy and knowing when to have the calm lapping tide moving in and out. Go Great! #champforkids
The energy in the classroom is based on what the culture that has been established. Like the ocean, sometimes it's calm and sometimes it sweeps you away. #champforkids
A3 - We have a few Mantras for class.
1. Make the class your class.
2. Do great work for you.
3. Don’t sweat the small stuff
4. Positivity and happiness always beat miserable and sad. #champforkids
A3: When we give more opportunity for our students to connect their current abilities and talents with the content they are learning, the fun can really begin. They come in with so many skills, we just need to empower them to take risks and apply them. #champforkids
A3: Love the planning, not the plan. Be willing to throw out the plan when the students need something more or something different. Take risks and experiment with your practice. Your spontaneity will be your student’s benefit. #champforkids
A3b - I believe that the school and class is a place for students to explore and experiment. Rarely should the instruction be focused on the teacher. Our jobs entail inspiring, motivating and fostering a learning environment. #champforkids
A3: set norms for behavior so everyone feels safe and loved and where we learn through failures rather than fear them. Where we find beauty in the ordinary and learn to enjoy the process rather than focus on the end goal. #champforkids
A3: I plan to do more with MakerSpace and letting Ss do passion projects. I want them to be excited about learning and make it purposeful. I also want my Ss to believe in themselves and set big goals! #champforkids
A3: by creating more space, in my little space, Ss have the choice to lay on the floor with lap boards, sit at the table. I brought in a toybox that many Ts have come in and sat on. I want them to know they can work how it is going to best support them. #champforkids
a3: FUN... FUN... FUN... high energy, new & exciting material, letting make choices when appropriate, and letting them know I'm here for them #champforkids
"Love the planning, not the plan" I love that statement. Understand that the process is just as important as the product and sometimes things don't go as planned. Scrap the plan, reflect, and change directions! #champforkids
A3: Love the planning, not the plan. Be willing to throw out the plan when the students need something more or something different. Take risks and experiment with your practice. Your spontaneity will be your student’s benefit. #champforkids
A3: A lot of student choice. Flexible seating, Daily 5, Genius Hour, interest based projects, Wonder Boards. My Ss know it is not MY classroom, it’s OURS. and they help navigate the lessons and the learning to help become life-long learners. #champforkids
A4: I want to help my Ss follow their passions & encourage curiosity in what they're selecting to read. We're all more likely to be engaged if we're interested, why not empower our Ss to follow their heart & read what they want and not always what they're told. #champforkids
A4: Relevance is key. We are trying to find ways to incorporate expert voices from the community and beyond into engagements that the students are working on. #champforkids
Thank you @khoggardGRT for helping us reflect on what we most enjoy about summer & to bring those feelings into school ALL year long! Love our #champforkids family.
A1: Our classroom will be so exciting & sought after MORE than the ice cream truck bc we will:
🍦Greet kids every AM in a fun way: music, dancing, limbo, conga, fist bump, hug...
🍦Do classroom transformations
🍦Conduct science experiments
🍦Code
🍦Be student led
#champforkids
A4. Building rapport to know what kids are into. Fortnight dances went a loooong way last year, even when it was just them laughing at the old lady trying to be a youngin! 💃🏻😂💃🏻#champforkids
A3 We take risks in class and try new things! We make BIG messes and laugh during the process! Sometimes my Ss will say an idea and right then and there we will do it! It gets them excited to know they have control of their learning! #champforkids
A4 - We have an activity called “what you want to learn Wednesday”. Students set the learning for class. It’s totally about the choices they make and the topics they want to learn about. #champforkids
You do such a wonderful job at creating a sense of community and family. Your Ss are always so excited to see you and get to class to see their friends. #champforkids
A4 allow for student choice. Especially with fitness if it’s not fun or something they want to do they will never continue it outside of school. I must find ways to motivate and spark interest in my Ss so that they will continue with fitness outside of class #champforkids
A4: This year my students are going to get to choose their own learning objectives more often and use a new Learning Target protocol I developed to become experts in their own learning needs. #champforkids
Hope you can join @amynicolebettis as our guest moderator for #teachpos this Sunday night at 7:30 est. The topic is making connections in class. She has some awesome questions. #champforkids
A4: I will never forget one of my Ss with a giant grin on his face walking all the way down the hall to my classroom. When I asked why he was so happy he said, “ I can’t wait to see what we will learn today!” I hope my Ss always feel that way. #champforkids
A2: Our classroom (at times and definitely when needed) will be as calm and inviting as the ocean by participating in mindfulness activities.
#champforkids
Yesterday, we—as a class—completed our first mindfulness activity. When I asked our kids to give me 1 word to describe what they were feeling, one of our girls responded, “SAFE.”
In a world of school shootings, if this activity makes kids feel SAFE, I will do it every day. ♥️
A4: I will never forget one of my Ss with a giant grin on his face walking all the way down the hall to my classroom. When I asked why he was so happy he said, “ I can’t wait to see what we will learn today!” I hope my Ss always feel that way. #champforkids
Oh it happened- give @khoggardGRT a few minutes & I’m sure she’ll post it AGAIN 😂. Truth be told, I loved sharing that moment with our kids. 😍 #champforkids
In reply to
@SteffSchoolCoun, @khoggardGRT, @khoggardGRT
Hey #champforkids! Merissa coming in late! I have always been a believer in building a strong classroom community. I listen to the Ss and try to incorporate their likes/interests into the lesson as much as possible. I have recently discovered the power of interactive displays!
EXPLORATION! I make it a point to NOT know the answers to things they are curious about BUT we do take thetime to look it up and explore the topic. Once we do one then all the Ss start finding things they want to explore!#champforkids
A4: I will have my Ss explore through inquiry. Last year I felt like I didn’t go deep enough and so this year I plan on letting my Ss explore more! #champforkids
Working in sped we are all about calming music and sensory breaks. Allowing Ss to fidget in Hoki stools or de-stress in our cool down area seems to make the resource room one of our Ss favorite places in the school.
#champforkids
Believe me when I say that they DO listen to you & take those lessons with them. @khoggardGRT & I often talk about how our kiddos "teach" us about living healthier "because Mr. G said. . ." #champforkids
Rich, coming late cause I didn’t see EST! A1 I am embracing #tlap and #xplap this year. Really being intentional....down to music and the lighting for the lesson. #champforkids
Yes we will def be diving in to inquiry and letting our Ss do lots of explorations! Can't wait to collab and support all of your awesome ideas! #champforkids
I can't wait to see all the exciting things that your class does this year! I feel fortunate to have a front row seat to see it as it happens #champforkids
Bringing those engaging activities into the classroom & not being afraid to be silly. My Ss know there is a time for fun & a time for work at school. I try to mix the two, but cannot always do so. I feel out my Ss & mix in some high energy zaniness when necessary!🙃
#champforkids
I know right!!! I'm over here typing like a mad woman bc you guys have such amazing ideas to share! You have to think about moderating!! It is a blast! #champforkids
A2 Building relationships starting with music as they enter and fist bumps. Really being intentional in getting to know them....having a classroom environment that is inviting #ChampForKids
I like adding surprises for my Ss to find. Either a riddle to solve or a question scavenger hunt. I don't always tell my Ss about them, but love hinting at something intriguing hidden somewhere in the room.
#champforkids
