#memspachat Archive
A chat for Principals, Administrators & Lead Educators. Come join the Collaboration and Learning THURSDAY'S at 8pm ET.
Thursday February 4, 2016
8:00 PM EST
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Mike Domagalski - Palms Elem Principal & Elem Curriculum Coordinator for
I am tonight's MODERATOR - Welcome to
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Principal from Seminole Academy in Mount Clemens - happy to be here!
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. Laura McDonell, Saint Clair Middle school- ELA and technology.
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Kelly Jensenius Principal at Lake Center Elementary in Portage
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Good evening crew! Jon here, elementary principal from Livonia.
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Steve Chisik, principal of Kurtz Elementary in Milford. Back again!
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Nick Herblet
Principal Congress/Wenzel Schools
Sturgis, MI
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:) Love seeing familiar faces pop up in my tweetdeck columns! Hope you're well?
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Kurt Sutton Krause Later Elementary, Armada Area Schools
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Allyson Apsey, elementary principal in Zeeland, MI
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Allyson is in the house!!
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Brad Geesaman, Woodside Elementary principal in Hartford MI.
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Andrew Secor, Cedar Springs
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Matt Severin Principal of Dowagiac Middle School.
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JENNIFER Goethals Principal at Blanche Sims Elementary in Lake Orion
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We're starting with questions and collaboration in 1 minute.
Re-tweet and join NOW!!!
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Ben, El. Principal in Spring Arbor.
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Rachel Card, principal at Belle River Elementary in Marine City
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Bill Kryscynski, Principal at the truly amazing Yale Elementary. (Amazing because of the staff and kids!)
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Is anyone going to MACUL?
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Bill from Grand Ledge I'll be lurking... just trying to get smarter
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Building Employable skills w/ our staff/students “Design 4 The Future” -Thanks to and for the topic/ideas
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Q1: In what ways can we as administrators build systems for our students to grow and “show Initiative and entrepreneurship?”
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Lots of "big" names out tonight for
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MACUL is always my favorite. So worth while!
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A1 - I feel like it starts with helping them to see the dream and the vision of who they want to become or could become
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A1 Try to grow mindset, skills to develop ideas. Staff has to give students time, permission, and support to pursue creativity.
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A1 Love it when students come to me with an idea or opportunity. I try to never say no and help them build on the plan.
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A1. Providing them opportunities to improve upon those "soft" skills that are the most needed/wanted to be successful.
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A1) offering ideas for committees for ss to lead as well as genius hour and asking teachers for key ss who like to do extra.
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A1: I would say Genius Hour is a step in this direction. Following their passions & creating/presenting something.
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A1: Rethinking our current structures to incorporate new ideas/classes that today's students crave
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At Warner we have a student leadership team that is continuously thinking big. Currently thinking about a school garden.
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A1: Promote and facilitate project-based learning. Allow Ss to pursue/develop interests while applying curriculum standards.
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Kim Gonzalez, Detroit Public Schools, Clippert Academy.
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A1 21st century "survival skills" are so critical. Students need opportunities to take risks
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Shout out to who shared the road map with our teachers for G.H.
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A1: I agree with Jon, leadership opportunities, empowering Ss to share their thinking https://t.co/jOAxRtJxKX
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A1: I would say Genius Hour is a step in this direction. Following their passions & creating/presenting something.
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A1 Asking for staff and students to be "risk-takers"
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Growing leadership capacity helps students learn they can do anything!
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- agree! Love giving the SLT the freedom to explore, create, and innovate
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1: encourage project based learning and bringing in community members to facilitate creativity and ides.
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QUESTION 2 coming up on ...
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Q2: How can we challenge students to “think critically” and solve problems? What ways do you do/expect this now?
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A1. STEM initiatives, Genius Hour, school businesses, clubs, student council, leadership opportunities, student newsletters
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Agree! I have a student that asked to start student council... he has run with the idea! https://t.co/oUNuNs1Q6U
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Growing leadership capacity helps students learn they can do anything!
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A2: We started this year by piloting PLTW (project lead the way) in some of our classes in 3rd-5th grade. It is AMAZING!
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helloooooo! Joining late - Kelly from Cadillac, principal @ Kenwood K-4
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A2-"Collaborative Challenges" are part of the routine during math workshop. Mentality has to be to build thinkers
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A2. Solving real life and current problems. Giving them a challenge and letting them work through the issues.
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A2. Using Visible Thinking routines 2 allow every voice 2 b heard & continually pushing ss to think deeper
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A2: Year 1 of Cultures of Thinking/Making Thinking Visible... Thinking routines are making a difference.
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A1: Let them run with their ideas
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Ultimately when we think of initiative & entrepreneurship..we allow for choice & exploration.As adults it's critical to support.
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A2 Present open-ended real-life problems, encourage perseverance & failing forward; use my favorite 'no', dabbling with PBL
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A2: Performance tasks that require thinking, procuring resources, planning, executing plans, and evaluating solutions.
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A1: Jumping into the ! We should share with them examples of these very things in their own community. Model hard work and grit.
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A2: Informally by supporting S to come up with solutions to probs, ask open-ended ques. Don't solve for them or ask pointed ques
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Q2 it's necessary to provide open ended challenges and ask them to explain the WHY in their learning
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Joining late tonight, friends! Michelle Allen, K-5 principal from St. Joseph, Michigan. Happy Thursday!
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A2 continued: All Ss need to learn to not give up when their first answer is incorrect. So many have a hard time with this now.
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Thinking critically occurs when students are asked to "apply" knowledge. Learning shouldn't simply be memorization.
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A2: Give them real world problems and let them work on real solutions that they can test and see the results
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A2: I agree with Jennifer , we need to continue to challenge our students and dig deeper into responses.
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A2: Empower them to share their learning in creative ways, teach each other, incorp tech or other tools
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and provide the time to allow this to happen. Slow down the pace of coverage and go deeper
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Awesome job everyone on . Keep rocking it and collaborating.
QUESTION 3 coming up....
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A2: Ask more "why" questions
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A2 - Adaptive Schools strategies put structures in place for students to collaborate, struggle, discuss, and overcome
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A1:We need to talk to the students and really listen to what they think. Our best ideas to improve recess came from the kids.
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Breaking the "I have to cover all this curriculum for the test" cycle. We still have difficulty with this and understand why.
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- Great comment! https://t.co/mbCKVmnkmo
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We need to support teachers back toward a culture of greater initiative. Challenging to do-but can be done
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Q3: How can we promote the idea that students need to “be curious and show imagination?”
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A2: Genius Hour is excellent because its success depends on Ss thinking critically. It's an exciting shift for both Ts & Ss.
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1:1 iPads really help with innovation & creativity--stop motion animation, creative apps, iMovies
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Defend? Now you've done it...you'll be graduating hundreds of lawyers! Way to go my friend. (wink wink)
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. A2) inquiry for genius hour as well as driving questions in PBL and and leaders creating projects in student council.
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A3. Model it! Fail, Fail, and Fail again. Let them be part of the struggle and the success.
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A3: Students are naturally curious & imaginative. We just need to empower them and encourage them.
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a2) some tech it as well. Great modeling.
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A3: KWL, use questions for learning goals, let them explore to come up with answers, let them learn what they want
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A3: Give them opportunities to LEAD (our vision Learn, Encourage, Achieve, Dream)
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Would love to hear how so many are fitting Genius Hour into their schedules.
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A3 Model it! Share our passions & imagination encourage them to pursue theirs. does amazing stuff w/this
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A3-the way in which T's structure lessons, activities, n questions. This is part of daily culture, not a once a week activity
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The number one most important thing is for students to feel safe. The classroom/school atmosphere must encourage risk taking.
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A3: Provide opportunities for Ss to experiment and explore. Integrate art, engineering, and makerspace in curriculum.
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A3: Freedom to try and fail, learn from it and try again.
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A2: We talk about productive discomfort as leaders. Bring these conversations to our students. Dive deep, not wide.
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As a research project or in place of a nonfiction writing assignment.
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A2: student choice and authenticity-if students know the reason why they are doing something, they are empowered and engaged
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A3: A great question indeed! Encouraging inquiry, celebrating questions, and planning for open-ended experiences.
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Agree. The students lead as the teacher facilitates - critical thinking happens like magic
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Love the comments on tonight.
Thinking about always building Employable Skills in our students!!!!
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QUESTION 4 is on deck on ...
Stay tuned, but keep that collaboration going. That's what is all about!
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A3: We must provide the opportunity on a regular basis.
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A2: Spot on, Ben. Application of content is best. Be open to ways to demonstrate mastery. https://t.co/Kj3Hs4hBxN
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Thinking critically occurs when students are asked to "apply" knowledge. Learning shouldn't simply be memorization.
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Q4: How do you teach your staff and students to “communicate effectively” with each other, in the community, etc…
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A3. Let students struggle... productive struggle is OKAY!
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The engagement is unreal in these situations!
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You got it
Great to see you joining some Michiganders...I promise I won't hold your Ohio roots against you : )
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A3.Model curiosity and imagination in our own leadership role, be visible and open, encourage staff to adopt the same mindset
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A4: Norms, norms, norms!! Model, model, model!!
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A3: Find balance in delivery and assessment. Model. There are 20+ teachers in the room. Share the role. https://t.co/TmY8jWHCsP
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Q3: How can we promote the idea that students need to “be curious and show imagination?”
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Q4 we've implemented Tribes to focus on building community in the classroom where all voices are valued and respected.
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A4-model it w the way I communicate w students, parents, and staff. Collaboration is part of the expectation in every subject
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A4: We are role models, can't teach effective commun without first practicing it. I write about it: https://t.co/5IPerc7PEW
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Communicating effectively can be modeled, but also needs to be taught. Share stories, blogs & failures with staff. Support them.
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A4: We practice ways to interact, problem solve, and be assertive without being agressive through our "Bear Necessities"
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A4: Again, opportunity to practice. With Leader in Me we have Leadership Days with community invited
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A4 Proactive communication w/both T's & students- try to understand what they might need w/comm. needs; be timely, be respectful
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A3: we need to let our students play more and create more without adults structuring every minute https://t.co/y3auUGa4iu
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A4: Our 2nd grade students at our K-2 building lead our assemblies. It is an amazing thing!
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One of the best ways to educate students on communication is thru classroom meetings. Many Warner teachers are terrific at this.
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True! Also talking through things..being present & available. Having supportive & positive environ. https://t.co/gifxDn1U5N
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Communicating effectively can be modeled, but also needs to be taught. Share stories, blogs & failures with staff. Support them.
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A4. Modeling and teaching students to reflect on what and how they communicate. Give Ss a chance to speak with various people
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Thanks, Ben! All good though. knows where my heart truly is! Great ! https://t.co/uBDIudDtPj
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You got it
Great to see you joining some Michiganders...I promise I won't hold your Ohio roots against you : )
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A4: Agree with the thoughts on modeling setting clear expectations. We need to live it and practice it.
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Craig, always get a kick out of seeing you in your Bengals gear. (Personally I'm a big fan of McCarron)
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A4: Model listening skills. We all love to talk, but communication is 50% listening to and understanding what others are saying.
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Awesome job !
QUESTION 5 is in the hopper!
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Right! In elementary speak that's the reason we have two ears and only one mouth :-) https://t.co/SUtUDx1JSZ
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A4: Model listening skills. We all love to talk, but communication is 50% listening to and understanding what others are saying.
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Q5: An employable skill is to “collaborate and lead”? In what ways to do we put students in positions like these?
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A4: Great course at our middle school called "Public Speaking". All 7th graders take it AND like it. Helps with this very thing!
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A5: We encourage student leadership & collaboration through school projects, clubs, and special events.
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A5: Youth Making a Difference allows Ss to collaborate on team projects & also lead by creating their own projects.
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A5: We do lots of group work, need to work on cooperative groups and learning that goes with that
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A6 S's leadership opportunities w/stud council, clubs, presentations; collaborate w/projects, assignments
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A5: we pick a class at our assembly that is allowed to collaborate on a project to better our building. Then put it in action
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A5: Students are learning key collaboration skills through cooperative learning and classroom activities.
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A5. I see a lot more purposeful partner and group work where students develop those skills.We need to continue to push that area
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A5: Always improving this area... Captain's Crew (students that work w/ me to find the pulse,support the community, etc
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A5: Teaching practices that involve effective collaboration, ie. think pair share and turn to's. Model all the time as well.
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Collaborate & Lead. As adults we have to be willing to look at this thru a WIDE lens.
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A5) our Student Council has a leadership team as well as environmental team. Ss leaders in both. Great opportunities for kids
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Love seeing teachers doing It totally works!!!! https://t.co/FgiwiWC0JN
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A5: Kagan structures are a great way to begin to teach collaboration. Must be modeled, taught and practiced
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A5 implementing a building leadership team (students and an advisor) who decide on schoolwide projects-charitable acts etc.
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A4 model communication for students and staff and explicitly teach academic vernacular and communication skills
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A5: jumping in late but through student groups, clubs and teams. Peer leadership at a young age fosters lifelong skills
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A5 I've tried "study buddies" several times. 2 different grade levels meet (weekly) alternate which student leads the activity
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A5: Cooperative learning, team projects, science investigation groups, sports, Safety Patrol, giving tour of school, mentoring..
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LIM year 2. Students apply for and hold leadership jobs. Students must find ways to work together.
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QUESTION 6, coming in hot on ...
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Q6: In what ways does your school or district teach students the importance to “Adapt to change”?
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ah, married into family. Changed for life.
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Comes back to the culture. Adapting to change typically starts with the purpose. I'm a believer in meeting people at their spot.
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A6 Not sure we teach adapting to change, hope we teach perseverance, grit, problem solving while encouraging curiosity
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A6. I think this is ongoing. Some Ss go with the flow, others have a real hard time with change. Time, talking, and patience
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A6: I go back to the freedom to fail embedded in the culture
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A6: Through teaching them to be flexible in their thinking
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A6: one ex. is working with 6th graders on how they need to change their routine to adapt to the middle school schedule/work
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Love that we can include personal aspects of life into a chat. Helps us build personal connections.
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A6 Growth mindset fits well here. Importance of continuing to learn and see "failure" as an opportunity rather than an absolute
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QUESTION 7 is on deck on ....
Great job crew!!!
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A5 I love coming to students with real problems in the school and giving them autonomy to work together to fix them.
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Q7: How does your school or district teach students to “Find and Analyze information”
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i love the new videos that have come out. Really helps get the conversations started with our young Ss.
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So. Important. https://t.co/UrnvJ4ARUH
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A6 Growth mindset fits well here. Importance of continuing to learn and see "failure" as an opportunity rather than an absolute
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A6: Change requires trial and error. Failures are opportunities for learning and improving, not punitive. Collaborate & support!
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A7: Looking for ideas on making it real for kids. Lots of practice inside subjects but striving for more relevance.
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A7: Would love some ideas on this one for the K-2 kiddos.
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A6: Powerful question & stumped at that. Do we teach it (change) or do we react to it? I say the latter. https://t.co/YDuNW2AlZ5
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Q6: In what ways does your school or district teach students the importance to “Adapt to change”?
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A7 I think we need to add...for authentic purposes. We ask s to find and analyze, but is the purpose important?
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A7: S's are taught early how to find credible info but teaching them to analyze and apply is a work in progress
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A7: Leadership notebooks give students experience in setting goals and collecting data.
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Don't forget to connect with each other. We must support each other...we're in this together.
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A7 Info Rdg has more 'citing evidence' in both writing and conversations. Math, sci, ss has similar links w/evidence & data
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A7 huge emphasis on prove it - in math, in reading, in science. Making the shift to the answer isn't "enough"
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A6: Great point, Kelly! Growth mindset has been crucial to T's and S's this year in learning adaptation! https://t.co/hk3j3BKH6S
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So. Important. https://t.co/UrnvJ4ARUH
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A6 Growth mindset fits well here. Importance of continuing to learn and see "failure" as an opportunity rather than an absolute
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A7: Lots to ponder here - what does this look like, sound like, etc at K-5? How do we make it authentic?
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I hear you my TSU brother. Are you on ? I'm telling you, it's important to share.
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LAST one coming up on ....
Great chat everyone!
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Q8: A stud-centric approach = A new way of thinking! - How can we better teach our S’s to KNOW, ENGAGE, COLLABORATE, and PLAN?
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Thanks for the northern hospitality from the peeps in tonight! Great questions ! Powerful stuff.
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A6 we teach the kids flexibility- The language of being flexible and the actions of being flexible
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This ? stumped me..would love ideas for finding & analyze info. We do the regular stuff, like science and math data analysis
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A7: Students are taught how to use Internet as learning tool. Evaluate information for relevancy, currency, accuracy, bias.
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A8 Put them in situations where they have to do it. Design & engineering process has helped us do this a bit in science
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A8: By better training our teachers. Many haven't don't know what this looks like in action. https://t.co/xp3Tk3c0US
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Q8: A stud-centric approach = A new way of thinking! - How can we better teach our S’s to KNOW, ENGAGE, COLLABORATE, and PLAN?
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A8: I think the answer is in the question: Keep it Student focused! Engage, EMPOWER, Elevate!
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A8: Make sure our teachers are comfortable with these new roles through training.
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A8: Remove the pressure/emphasis of high stakes testing tied to evals. MDE support. Needs to happen slowly so its done right.
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A8: Teach Ss how to evaluate own strengths, struggles, preferred modes of learning. Help them to set goals and locate resources.
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A8: Live the 7 habits of highly effective people and then teach it to the students! LEADER IN ME
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A8: Any resources to share for Know, Engage, Collaborate and Plan? https://t.co/LYfoYsytfI
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A8: By better training our teachers. Many haven't don't know what this looks like in action. https://t.co/xp3Tk3c0US
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Q8: A stud-centric approach = A new way of thinking! - How can we better teach our S’s to KNOW, ENGAGE, COLLABORATE, and PLAN?
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Q8: By giving them problems with no set answer where they have freedom to think outside the box rather than regurgitate info
