My name is Dawn. I teach K-5 science at a private school in Indianapolis, IN. I have taught for 20 years. I am the guest moderator for tonight's chat.
#saskedchat
Hi Iâm Janae, just completed my internship and am about to start my very first job as a grade 5 teacher for a month, then grade 9 until June! #saskedchat
A1: I think of Curriculum as a endless maze, tons of solutions and paths that can be taken, and eventually the student will end school and have learned what they need to know #saskedchat
A1: Curriculum for me is what you teach and how you teach it. It encompasses not only the products you use, but the methods you teach with also.
#saskedchat
A1. Curriculum reminds me that as teachers we must continue to find ways to describe what we teach in a âLearning Targetâ format in student friendly language that promotes #GrowthMindset discussions. There.. phew .. Iâm winded now. #saskedchat
A1 - with curriculum there is a destination that will allow us to explore along many paths allowing for creativity and innovation if we are open to allow students voice in the journey. #saskedchat
A1: I see the opportunity to make creative lessons, and create assessments geared to my students needs. I also see cross-curricular opportunities. #saskedchat
I teach all my curr via stories. Ex. Bio is taught through the story of Jurassic world. My student become Jurassic world lab techs. They take their roles very seriously and practice real world science as we genetically modify organisms. #saskedchat
A1: Curriculum is a destination. It tells us where students need to get to, but it allows us to choose the vehicle with which to drive them. (Or have them drive themselves) #saskedchat
A1: Aubrey a little late from Lloyd, AB. Curriculum is a road map. When teachers are supported and allowed to approach it like this, it is less daunting and can be a solid support. I like the it chopped up and tabbed and messy, like a well-used map in a backpack. #saskedchat
A1 - curriculum provides a destination - the foundation to the telling of the story of learning. There are many ways to tell that story - allowing Ss to have a voice in the story. #saskedchat
A2: I am the only one teaching elementary science in my building so I get a lot of freedom in what I teach and how I teach it. I choose hands on science kits and then fill in with other activities as I see holes.
#saskedchat
A2: as with all sask grades and subject that are pre-deteremined learning outcomes that are intended to be covered during each school year, but I find that there is a lot of flexibility in how those outcomes are taught and assessed. This allows for student voice #saskedchat
A2 - the curricula we use here is province wide - developed via the ministry and all schools follow the same learning outcomes - standard curricula but open to allow Ts creativity in how they teach the outcomes. #saskedchat
Great mindset. Curriculum is open enough that there is flexibility but still provides enough support that you have guide posts to prevent getting lost. #saskedchat
In reply to
@HeculuckDave, @bickd, @DannyStJacques
A2: In my internship, there were specialized teachers for phys ed, art and band. Thank goodness, because I donât know how the band teacher did it every day without a constant headache đ #saskedchat
A2. So many amazing teachers created our learning target documents that we use and dog-ear, and wrinkle and laminate and re-distribute. Our division spent many hours that have paid huge dividends in Ss knowing the âwhatâ and âwhyâ of their learning. #lcsdprolearning#saskedchat
Here, it is designed to show what students should know, but it does not give a specific way to teach it. Thus, I see it as a destination, and the way it is delivered is the vehicle! #saskedchat
Here, it is designed to show what students should know, but it does not give a specific way to teach it. Thus, I see it as a destination, and the way it is delivered is the vehicle! #saskedchat
A2: We give input. One member of the admin team focuses on this area. We are full inclusion of special ed/general ed so this is balance issue. #saskedchat
A3: We have to follow the Indiana State Standards and take the iLearn test in the spring to be accredited, so our curriculum must follow the standards. I look for kits that cover the standards and then add activities to fill in the holes.
#saskedchat
We're preparing for the upcoming year here at #saskedchat. We would really like your input so please add to our growing list of topics and ideas for chats in the new year! https://t.co/llmmD3ZgNI
A3: curriculum has lots of meaning, often it is thought of as the prescribed curr. but also there is the hidden curr, the forgotten curr. and all the other ones that @jmachnaik tuaght me about during #ECS210. all are important to think about #saskedchat
A1. The curriculum provides us a map and in many cases tools in an effort to reach our destination (students learning.....specific standards). Our teachers depend on their own tool kits and minds to aid them in using the curriculum creatively. #saskedchat
For us, each province develops their own curricula although there are some cross-provincial learning outcomes that provinces have developed. #saskedchat
A3: our curr follows provincial standards. Teachers I. Our province are writers of the curr guided by MOE consultants - this makes for a lot of voice within the curr form the field! #saskedchat
A3. The standards are the skills & strategies that students need to learn. The curriculum is the how.... how they learn the skills & strategies. #saskedchat
A3: Because the curriculum is decided by the province, what Ss need to learn is the same everywhere here. However, how it is taught is mostly up to the Ts. #saskedchat (I am not sure if I understood this question fully).
A3: We wanted to transition early so we used what was available. I'm trying a new math curric written by Pearson. I was given the green light to use the Calif NGSS strands as a guide so I used @CK12Foundation materials as a new science teacher. #saskedchat
Curricula takes in the past, present and future and is a reflection of the privilege of those who develop it and the society in which it is developed - as are the schools in which it is taught. It is many things that most people don't think about. #saskedchat
A3. I think where our provincial curricula can be seen as different is in cross-curricular competencies in each that allows Ts to be creative and cover multiple learning targets in combined lessons. Thanks @jacquiewilson99 for reminders it has always been there. #saskedchat
A4: I've integrated with the art teacher for several projects, the hebrew teacher with a project about the moon. I try to integrate with other subject areas whenever I can. #saskedchat
A4 - cross-curricular teaching is something that is especially important for helping Ss see & develop connections that reflect how the world is connected in many different ways. #saskedchat
Its a free source for eTextbooks and they create simulations. I visited the team a few years ago in Palo Alto, Ca. Awesome crew. The books are fully editable. Use theirs/others content or create your own.
There is different forms of curriculum. I think it was "Against Common Sense" by Kevin Kumashiro that writes about these, though I could be wrong. It is mostly about understand bias, and intent of how and why curriculum is designed and taught a certain way #saskedchat
A4: I have found that planning a unit that can hit outcomes from multiple curriculums is essential. It helps students to not isolate each subject area, and to see the world as the interconnected place it is. #saskedchat
A4. It takes a lot of experience to do this wisely with Ss best opportunities in mind. Rely on grade a-likes and be thoughtful in reading your curr. Thanks @paigefulkerth for all of what youâve helped with.. love connections between health, ELA, Social Studies in gr 6 #saskedchat
A4: We love inquiry base projects that allow for students to present their ideas and findings to include technology, ELA, Arts Ed and Science. #saskedchat
A3. The standards are what is expected to be learned. The curriculum in each subject is one of the things we use to help students reach those expected standards. #saskedchat
A4 - learning encompasses all subjects - cross-curricular integration allows for exploration along many paths while also providing Ss with different ways to work toward developing understand of the learning outcomes. #saskedchat
Absolutely - it took me about 5 years until I was able to begin to make connections across different curriculum and begin to develop inter-disciplinary units with an inquiry focus. It takes time! #saskedchat
A4: cross-curricular and student voice/design allow for lots of multiple subjects to be connected. Even among different teachers if collaborations is a possibility. #saskedchat
Absolutely - bias happens and being aware of it is important as each person comes to the story of learning with their own particular insights and takes on what learning means. #saskedchat
A5: We have 1:1 ipads with 4th and 5th grade, so I use apps and technology for projects with them. Some of the kits I have use interactive whiteboard slides to go with the lessons. #saskedchat
I think that using similar curricular outcomes for each subject at the same time while teaching. This allows teachers & students to make connections between subjects and then helps with the life skill of making connections #saskedchat
Yep - one has to take time to work through curriculum to see different paths that might be integrated. It means always learning for teachers. #saskedchat
In reply to
@PmilosX6, @HeculuckDave, @paigefulkerth
A4: We have a pbl workshop next month. The hope is to do this more and more. Our middle school is in a block sched. The teachers are Lang Arts/Social Studies or Math/Science. I've not integrated across someone else's domain yet. #saskedchat
A5: I find myself using tech to get information, or maybe to assess but not really to teach. This is something I always try to be aware of while planning new units. #saskedchat
I'm jealous! I was able to use 1:1 iPads in my work with NTEP and the Ss were able to develop some great interconnected approaches to teaching. #saskedchat
A5: we use our 3D printers, @SkypeScientist, also connect with YouTubers who have specialties in the areas we are focusing on. Coding is also a large part of some curr. We also connect via @Snapchat and use other media outlets. Ss are encourages to create digitally #saskedchat
A5 - I think technology is so important in classrooms, weather is incorporated through basic research skills or settings for up a Google classroom. I believe once I have my own classroom it'll be very tech orientated. #saskedchat
I am able to put resources that either would have been anchor charts or notes they would have taken in there. I can also take pics of student work and post in @Schoology . The Ss will often ask if I posted in their. #saskedchat
A5: Technology has removed most limits on how curriculum is delivered. I would say it is becoming essential. In many places, technology is the norm. And having access to it early and often, such as in a school setting, allows students to make real world connections #saskedchat
It's important to tap into the strengths of the colleagues in your school - I use to share teaching with another teacher - each of us focusing on our strengths which I think benefitted the Ss. #saskedchat
A5: I have a Connected Ed classroom of 1:1. We use movie maker, Seesaw portfolio, Mathletics, Flipgrid, Scartch Coding, microbits and Sway. Students practicing and sharing understanding in a variety of ways. #saskedchat
A5: I try to use when tech fits in planning & studentâs needs to help w/outcomes. I do a lot w/ getting them using our Google Ed suite & learn to collaborate & self-regulate their learning using the tech we have available. #saskedchat
You connect with scientists from all over the world for chat sessions! Itâs amazing and validates to Ss that what they are learning is used in the real world.
A5. Broken record from me ... as always I say... Nearpod, EDPuzzle, Classflow, FlipGrid could have huge possibilities, and all things Google of course (especially selectivity of Google Classroom) #saskedchat
This is a huge reality for some locations, I have had numerous teaching days where finding out the internet was not working was common. or that the tech I needed was already being used/limited. Having a backup plan can be a necessity #saskedchat
A5: I used to use Scratch for modeling in science. This yr we're using Cospaces with the Merge Cube add on for that. I have the Lego WeDo/Mindstorm to use as well. Art/math. Earthquake machines. #saskedchat
I think it helps but we as Ts have to make sure Ss use quality searches, data checking and use our professional discretion when we come across outdated outcomes to help our Ss succeed in the 21st C. #saskedchat
A5 - having worked mostly in rural location, connectivity is an issue that can be an issue for schools and using technology. That and other infrastructure issues - like electricity surges - are realities that rural Ts must plan for. #saskedchat
We're preparing for the upcoming year here at #saskedchat and we would really like your input so please take a moment to add to our growing list of topics and ideas for chats in the new year! https://t.co/llmmD3ZgNI
A6: Any teacher ... after a year or two under your belt, planning your Math, Sci, Art, and other (depending on what you offer) as STEAM is a fantastic way to begin your integration journey. The resources and pln support alone are incredible.#saskedchat
A6 - I believe that STEM/STEAM is integrated into the provincial curricula and the more open Ts are to cross-curricular teaching and giving Ss voice/choice, the greater the opportunities for STEM/STEAM integration. #saskedchat
A6: Inquiry based and problem solving skills are key life skills. All of our ending projects have themes but have open ended ways to solve and share. #saskedchat
be direct with students, the plan was A but because of a unforeseen problem it won't work, do they have solutions that could help, could your plan be switch for a different day. #saskedchat
A7: I would think it's the ability to look at curric critically (not negatively) with regards to Ss with various learning challenges & how to provide access. #saskedchat
A7: what is it that Ss need to learn and how can I allow them to feel part of the learning path. We know what outcomes need to be taught. Share the outcomes with students and see what they think of them, what assessments could they use to demonstrate the learning #saskedchat
Well, for the most part, whatever school I was in, I was the support person who helped Ts with all sorts of technology use with division support whenever it got to something we couldn't figure out or we couldn't fix the tech. #saskedchat
In reply to
@carlacoop, @bickd, @BKorchinski, @miss_schlosser
A6: Itâs meant the same thing since Iâve been teaching; incorporating real world, relevant learning when it fits with the Ss learning opportunities. I find itâs funny how someone rebrands something and it becomes âpopularâ way to teach. DI/21stCL/etc etc #saskedchat
Q7. I think that âhowâ it is used could over-ride the âwhatâ ... as we continue to integrate and use cross-curricular ideas the âwhatâ is covered on multiple levels. It could be different indicators for some outcomes that change as per different groups of Ss. #saskedchat
A8: We have adjustable seating to put students that need a translator next to someone that can translate. I also adjust homework and tests.
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A7: My job assignment. I didnât know we had a choice what curriculum I taughtđ¤If I did, I wouldnât rely on all the ones I have to for my Ss benefit & growth. #saskedchat#SKcurricNEEDSanUpdate
It is offer as part of our Microsoft Office package at school. Itâs like a PowerPoint but with so many more free photo and layout options. We have used it for reports, book trailers and inquiry guides.
That's also an issue at times since it adds more to that person's plate that isn't reflected in their teaching expectations. It works but it's not a sustainable system nor should it be. #saskedchat
In reply to
@BKorchinski, @carlacoop, @bickd, @miss_schlosser
A8: I teach Ss tools early in yr they finish (Scratch, Cospaces, AI2 ) early in yr. Then when I teach a lesson I walk thru each prob. Some move on & ck back. At times I only require the more concrete early prob's from some. I have full inclusion:autism, adhd, gen ed #saskedchat
A6: We have two grade 7/8 classrooms at my school and we use STEAM Challenges in mixed class teams to practice thinking outside of the box in challenges and bonding our two classroom families at the same time too. #saskedchat
It's not just $$ for the tech but also for having support for Ts and the infrastructure to support Ss learning. My experience in Nunavut re-enforced how important all the different parts are and need to be supported. #saskedchat
In reply to
@carlacoop, @bickd, @BKorchinski, @miss_schlosser
#saskedchat If youâre recording the đ¨đŚ Jr game cover your eyes...3-1 đ¨đŚ in third & going on PP. Thought @kellywchris might want an update. #WJ2018
A8: At the HS level we have alt and modified programs for the sciences I teach. I can also adapt the program to best meet the needs of the individual Ss to ensure success at their level #saskedchat
A9: Think about how learning would be fun for you. Mix it up. Use formative assessment to find out if your curriculum and teaching is working and helping the students learn.
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A8. Embracing the language learning with compassion and being sure the workload is adapted is often enough to help the learning targets for Language learners become attainable. Often the amount of work is overwhelming if we are not aware ... daily conferencing helps. #saskedchat
A9: do it at your own pace, you do not have to do everything at once, and it is okay to fail. reflect often and get student feedback regularly. #saskedchat
A9 - for new Ts, it's important to focus on the outcomes - they 'what and why' as @HeculuckDave says - then begin to build towards these. It takes time and don't compare yourself to what experienced Ts are doing - they too started new and struggled. #saskedchat
Thank you so much #saskedchat peeps and to @bickd and @kellywchris for the leadership! Love all the sharing, cognitive dissonance and mindful discussion!
A8: The outcome is often adjusted based on Blooms taxonomy. Ending projects for final assessment are student understanding based and thus flexible to the ability of how the student shares. #saskEdchat
A9 - For new Ts, pick a few outcomes that you can see have connections for developing cross-curricular teaching. Build on these by differentiation for all students. #saskedchat
From all of us at #saskedchat we wish all of you peace and prosperity in the upcoming year. There will be no chat on January 3rd but we will return for regular chats beginning January 10th. Enjoy the rest of the break with your family and friends!
