#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
A1 I love a good PBL but I do think bc of EOY testing that schedules can get crazy and sometimes finding rigorous small group activities or shortened tasks keeps kids excited for what comes next #5thchat
A1- I think that students enjoy the "fun" projects, especially now. With all the crush for EOY testing, doing the engaging projects inspires them! #5thchat
A1: I find that providing Ss with choices are most beneficial for learning and engagement. Some Ss prefer shorter tasks while others become invested and want to dig deeper. #5thchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
Q2 Relationships built throughout the year help maintain EOY engagement, what other year long strategy do you have in place that you believe manages EOY engagement? #5thchat
Interesting that I had a plan. The flu thought otherwise. Gave us 1 wk. Taking it easy. Using reports from Prodigy test prep assignment. I kinda like this. #5thchat
A2- My students work in "clans" or teams. They support and help each other. Students are at the point of the year that they are really "running" the classroom and it keeps them involved. #5thchat
A2: Knowing the interests, what Ss are passionate about, motivated by, curious about helps guide activities that will keep them engaged. If Ss have a voice and choice, they’re more invested and engaged no matter the time of year. #5thchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
A2 I think sticking to routines and procedures helps kids feel a sense of security and comfort, don’t change the expectations or the consequences that you guys have established! #5thchat
I had planned on reconstructing our aquaponic system. But, the cooking genius project went very well this year. I might build on this instead. #5thchat
A2: Knowing the interests, what Ss are passionate about, motivated by, curious about helps guide activities that will keep them engaged. If Ss have a voice and choice, they’re more invested and engaged no matter the time of year. #5thchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
Q3
How do you protect and prepare students that you know are getting anxious about the EOY and not having the consistency of school and your favor? #5thchat
A3 I keep my @BloomzApp open during the summer. I encourage students to attach pictures from their summer. The whole class can share and comment. #5thchat
A3- way too much focus is put on the EOY test and I feel bad for the stress of it. Preparing them is important but they need stress relief too. #5thchat
A3 Offering opportunities for connection throughout the summer (email, google hangout, etc), student compliment books, and summer messages from you that they can read over the summer #5thchat
A3: each year I would keep mine..always sad to see them leave but I reassure them and most are ready to pick their schedules and go on to 6th grade #5thchat
A4 Self care is essential! I try not to plan extra activities on the last few weekends so I can rest and complete EOY tasks. Of course, consistency with procedures is #1 #5thchat
#5thchat A1 I do like short tasks, but do think they should be part of a larger project, like a capstone, cumulative EOY. Ss see their work as part of a bigger work.
A4: The biggest challenge that I've seen has been understanding boundries as a teacher. Idealism is a drive & a curse. A strong PLN & someone who will talk with you weekly. #5thchat
A4: It’s important to communicate with new teachers frequently: in person, through email, via social media. Think about what you would have wanted to know your first year? Don’t assume anything & share everything! #5thchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
a2 I try to keep surprises going all the time so students never know what to expect when they come in. This week I brought our board games and just let play. You have to keep them wondering! #5thchat
A4: It’s important to communicate with new teachers frequently: in person, through email, via social media. Think about what you would have wanted to know your first year? Don’t assume anything & share everything! #5thchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
#5thchat A2 Sounds boring, but reviewing class and school guidelines to ensure proper behavior. This makes it better for Ts who return the joy to the Ss.
Q5 I love to save some fun, hands-on, science investigations that don't directly relate to the
curriculum for the end of the year.
What activities do you save for your kids to do these last few weeks? #5thchat
A4 I think it comes back to Q2 keep the routines but also give them chances to explore passion projects, community service projects, etc. Take care of yourself by mapping all that needs to be done and work on it in chunks! Don’t put it all off until the end #5thchat
A5 We design tiny houses! I tape off a section of the floor and kids go from there. So much fun! They love researching tiny houses and space saving ideas. #5thchat
Q6 Can a learning reflection project review and prepare students for the next year while building confidence and engagement? How do you
have students reflect on their
learning? #5thchat
A5: We have state testing coming up in a few weeks & it lasts through June for 3rd-5th graders. We try to come up with creative ways to review & prepare while eliminating the stress. Many Ts have Ss complete reflective activities on their growth. #5thchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
Seemed like such a silly lab, but the kids remember wearing safety glasses and swinging a hammer! My kids loved being able to take them home! :) #5thchat
A6 My partner in crime @natanderson2012 does this awesome module project in math as a review and reflection on mastery. They create a module review in groups and then teach other groups! It's spectacular to watch! #5thchathttps://t.co/1wE2Ngb6By
#5thchat A6 A cumulative capstone that considers everything from Q1 to now, plus involves essential questions as overarching big ideas. Brings the whole year into focus.
A6: when Ss can reflect on how they’ve grown academically, socially & emotionally over a year- I do believe they become more confident. You can compare journal entries, work samples, videos created, photos taken to show them all they’ve done! #5thchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
A6 - I have my students create blog posts that explain aspects of our year to others through video and written response. They seem to enjoy the reflection & I enjoy sharing these with others: https://t.co/JTNS1AjGWr#5thchat
Q7 I spend more time doing classroom meetings and
social-emotional lessons over the final month of the school year to prevent & respond
to issues in the classroom.
How do you handle this? #5thchat
#5thchat A7 I find more structure and structured activities help keep behavioral issues at a minimum. Keep them busy with engaging tasks and they will stay on task. Much more prep than normal, but worth it.
A7: increasing team building & class building activities, consider which topics need to be addressed/discussed in morning meetings, have lunch bunches with Ss. #5thchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
Q8 Getting outside for a lesson or an activity can often be a huge motivator for some students. What activities or lessons do you recommend teachers do outside? #5thchat
Thanks to everyone who participated in this evening's #5thchat! Thanks especially to @teachchoice for moderating such a relevant & timely topic!
Please join us next week as @Tikaee moderates on the topic of "Metacognition." All participants welcome!
A8: you can write, sketch, read outside. Sometimes just changing the environment or the surroundings is all it takes to help Ss focus or refocus. #5thchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
