Welcome to #utedchat. Tonight we’ll be discussing Surviving the Last Month of School. Introduce yourself and share one tradition you have to count down the days til summer break.
I actually was cautious about counting down to summer--as far as bulletin boards etc.--because I knew that for some students a countdown would raise their level of anxiety. Some students dread summer because of the stress they deal with at home. :( #utedchat
Michelle Jensen from Alpine District. I've never done a countdown. Usually one of my Jr. High students starts one on my white board...maybe I'll make a paper chain. #utedchat
#utedchat. Hello. Denise Willmore. I count down the days on the calendar. We also plan the last two weeks of school and have a special activity for each day. @HSG_UT
Happy to be with you tonight! I help lead summer school for secondary students @alpineschools counting down to graduation & then right back at it! #summerfun ☀️ #utedchat
Q1 With so many activities and events taking place in May, what are some of your strategies for maintaining some sense of routine? Or is it time to break from the routine? Why or why not? #utedchat
Hi all - Krystal here checking in. One year I bought a bag of mini candy bars and got to eat one a day as my reward for surviving the month of May! 🍫😂 #utedchat
Hi there! Dani from UEN! Getting excited to travel for work and fun this summer! Traditions... does cleaning out my email count? #nowornever#probablynever#utedchat
A1: Looking forward to everyone's answers on this one! When I was a teacher, I kept the routine but raised the level of engagement by doing cross curricular projects. I think it is really helpful for students to see how everything they have learned all year connects. #utedchat
Q1 With so many activities and events taking place in May, what are some of your strategies for maintaining some sense of routine? Or is it time to break from the routine? Why or why not? #utedchat
A1: I have to schedule some of my routine events if not time just gets away from me. So much to do ... but I try to schedule time every day to be with students & teachers. As an admin. we have to remain visible. #utedchat
A1: May is my chance to break from routine. So much to get caught up on and prepped for the busy summer training season! I can’t wait to see all my favorite teachers across Utah! #utedchat
A1 I keep my routine until the last week. All month we do fiction writing, book clubs and other regular stuff along with SAGE so kids don't get too crazy. Then last week watch out! #utedchat
A1: May is the time to break free from routine and have some FUN! My class had an un-birthday party each year and it was always the best day ever! (And totally academic too!) #utedchat
A1: my curriculum is squished into a semester instead of all yearlong course so we literally have to go until the very end. I stay the course, I make sure with the students know that we are doing what we always do. #UTedChat
A1: we also did college week. Research our favorite college, fill out an application, write essays, and design our dorm room, as a few examples. This was a hit school-wide! 👩🏼🎓👨🏽🎓#utedchat
A1: that being said, you always have to be flexible with the end of the year because there’s always going to be interruptions and testing and additional stress and unexpected things, so stay the course but with a bit o’ flexibility. #UTedChat
I’ve always felt that it’s ok to break from the routine a bit in May. Love the idea of Genius Hour projects for students to explore a new idea. #utedchat
Q2 With your curriculum objectives nearly complete ;) May is a time to have some fun - what is a fun non-traditional curriuculm project or activity you do with your students? #utedchat
A1: I try to stick to a routine overall, but there are a lot of different activities and extra things going on this time of year. So it’s fun to mix it up a little! #utedchat
This is awesome, I might steal this idea and gear it toward my 6th graders. Have them pick an occupation and research what they need to do....price of college, how long, location of college...
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A1: Since I left the a school and now work in a gray cubicle at the USBE the routines are about the same. I try to mix things up by attending meetings! #utedchat
I am changing up my routine, I am borrowing 4H STEM kits. We will be doing @SpheroEdu and @makeymakey right after my students finish the SAGE test. #utedchat Got to keep them interested in school.
Yes and they are favorites from year to year. I add things and take out things, let the kids decide and go from there.
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Everybody is different
Q2 #utedchat. I prepared a portfolio for each of my students with their work from throughout the year. My students work on a reflection of their work. We also word on movies showcasing their work.
A2: my all time favorite activity was a multi genre project on the 20th century based on @billyjoel ’s song “We Didn’t Start the Fire” It gave kids a lot of creativity to pick topics of interest to them and also choose the form their research took. #UTedChat
A2: I always loved having my fourth graders make a slideshow for next year’s students of “Things They Should Know to e Successful in 4th Grade.” They were hilarious. #utedchat
We make solar oven from pizza and shoe boxes, the ss experiment to try and see who can get their oven the hottest, using supplies from classroom and home.
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I've heard about another mindfulness app...but can't remember its name. Glad to hear you are addressing social emotional wellness! :) Nice work! #utedchat
A2 We build roller coasters, design and decorate our fantasy bedroom (using math) create and share awesome fiction stories. Our school also has a big Spring Sing program that student practice everyday.#utedchat
A2: I love seeing students & teachers engaged in passionate projects at the end of the year. So many great things happening in preparation for a strong finish! #utedchat
Thanks, this class REALLY needed it! I know it has helped them to be able to focus better on quiet time work. I hope you can remember the app, I would love to mix things up!
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A1: I keep my regular routines in place until the last 7 days. Then I pull in some engaging activities until the school's activities take over. If I didn't keep the routine, things would be out of control!
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A2 last year I took pictures from throughout the year and students added their own #hashtags,highly engaging and a great reflection on our school year #utedchat
Oops. When I was a second grade teacher we used to have soccer games. I'd even play with the kids. It was a blast. They were better than I was. By FAR! #utedchat
A2: I always loved having my fourth graders make a slideshow for next year’s students of “Things They Should Know to e Successful in 4th Grade.” They were hilarious. #utedchat
For instance, one girl researched the phrase “children of thalidomide” and turned in a baby doll with the side effects written in black marker on the appropriate parts. It was fascinating. #UTedChat
Q3 With testing, final grades, school anxiety, etc. the end of the school year can be stressful for kids and teachers. What are some ways you provide a calm environment in your classroom? #utedchat
Q3 With testing, final grades, school anxiety, etc. the end of the school year can be stressful for kids and teachers. What are some ways you provide a calm environment in your classroom? #utedchat
A3 I have a flexible seating classroom and I mean flexible. After the lesson Ss can sit anywhere on anything as long as they work. So focusing and being comfy are not a problem #utedchat
A3 #utedchat We do go noodle, a little yoga, play games , and I take them for extra recess. I give my students an opportunity to decide what they would like to do in the final few weeks.
Google to the rescue!! As soon as I saw it I knew it was the one. I heard about it from a therapist who recommended it for children struggling with anxiety. Headspace. #utedchat
A3: I feel like going outside is good for everyone’s (mental) health. We’d hold class outside whenever possible to get the kids (and me) to relax and refocus. #utedchat
A=3 I have been using the Calm app with my kids for almost a month and it is really helping them to slow down and be mindful while working...some of them..ok a few of them....
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yeah but how to distribute one app to 28 students - doesn't work #utedchat Though I wish I could do the same thing and have the students play #zoombinis
A3: I am loving the Virtual Hope Box and highly recommend to all-Faculty, Staff & students. Love using it as a proactive tool than a reactive tool! #utedchat
A3: review all of the social/emotional learning we've done all year and reread books from times when we grew as a class. We discuss how we can use our skills to help others. #utedchat
Hello all! Derek from @sedck12 checking into #UTedChat a little late tonight. Family stuff happening but I still made it! How's everyone doing tonight?
A3: We do stretching and deep breathing every morning. Since we have done it all year, Ss are aware of their breathing when they are stressed/hyper/upset. They can calm themselves down. We also try to get outside a lot when the weather is nice! #utedchat
Q3: When I was an elementary principal I would work with teachers to keep learning going as long as possible. We would delay textbook turn-in and other year enders and just keep going! #utedchat
A1 I always loved using May as my break from routine and try new stuff. I often used it as guinea pig time and my students loved getting to test new things out. But I love a little organized chaos. #UTedChat
I was able to do this last year and the year before, but not this year. SS not making good choices and not getting work done. It's made me sad.
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A3 - Our students are learning "dances" for the Dance Festival... it's a nice change in the day... I even jumped in with a 5th grade class today and learned some moves #utedchat
Have to run a little early tonight but can’t wait to come and revisit this thread! Love end of year ideas! Thanks @covili for moderating! #finishstrong#utedchat
Q4 Do-Over: As you reflect upon this school year, what is one thing you plan to do differently for next year? What would this year’s students say was awesome about your class? #utedchat
Was having the same problem. Took it to the students to solve the problem and they did. So I'm going to do it again next year. Hope I can do it forever.#utedchat
One of my ss did a science fair project on "Does Gum Help Academic Preformance." and her results were pretty amazing. I might let them chew gum...
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A2 I always introduced #HourOfCode with my students in December and they always begged for more time. So May was when I kind of let loose and let the do as much #ComputerScience as possible. Gotta love it! #UTedChat#KidsCanCode
Back in the day when I was teaching we allowed gum and chocolate on test days. Don’t know if it improved performance but it made us all happy. #utedchat
You should mix it up by only wearing Hawaiian style shirts & shorts! I'm pretty sure that's @sedcclint's approach to summer, no pants & only shorts! #UTedChat#sedck12
#utedchat A4: Slow down a bit. New math program +new writing program=lots of stress on Ts and Ss. I would truly cut HALF of it out and focus on quality vs. quantity. Kids would say that I care about them and that they can do hard things now. Success!
A4: Do Over: Start teaching Canvas to my pre-service elementary teachers. Awesome: Included more reflective tweets with pre-service teachers. #utedchat
A4 I plan to be more organized with my math activities. I tried small group instruction and it took me too long to get the independent stuff organized. Kids loved flexible seating! Sad about desks next year #utedchat
A4= I wasn't as patient as I could have been. I need to find better ways to get the students want to follow the rules. SS always have a great time in 6th grade, I switch up learning and get them involved.
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A4: I would make my Jr. High math curriculum more student centered and flexible by using student paced assignments. One thing that I think the students really liked was standards based grading. So clear and easy to answer, "What can I do to raise my grade". #utedchat
Ha, Ha isn't that what we want? I sometimes feel like State testing is kid abuse, I want them to smile at least once while taking it! Might as well give them something to smile about.
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A3 I loved to get the kiddos outside as much as possible so they could run off their excess energy and anxiety! Plus, who doesn't love beautiful St. George weather in May? #UTedChat#BetterDownSouth#washk12
A4: I want to hit all of my important skill standards more equally. I tend to favor certain skills over others, so I want to strengthen those areas where I am weak. I think students might like the variety in class. #UTedChat
A4: Write a blog post twice a month. That would give me time to reflect and I might, just might, say something really smart now and then. That's my do over. @disudds told me I should get it started again and you're supposed to listen to your boss. #utedchat
A4: Switching grades next year so it will be a whole new learning experience. I plan to cut myself some slack with that haha. Awesomeness would be flexible seating and that they can “grow their brains” 🙌🏽 #utedchat
A3 I also loved helping the students relax with a nice Read Aloud book where they could color/draw or just listen quietly. Gotta love the chance to listen to a great book! That's why I love @Audible_com & @OverDriveEd so much! #UTedChat
A4 - Focus on finding the positive kids are doing throughout the day and communicate via email/phone call to parents - unfortunately, calls from school to home happen only when negative things happen - celebrate the positives early and often #utedchat
I'm so jealous! I'd LOVE to go to Finland and see some of the great things they are doing over there. I bet it was a fabulous trip. I'll have to talk to you about it more sometime. #UTedChat
Q5 As things wind down on this school year it’s never too early to begin thinking about next year. What are some of your strategies for ensuring you get off on the right foot in August? What are some things you can do now to prepare? #utedchat
Regular blog posts/Weebly updates is top of my list for next year! I want to keep parents informed and help them feel involved even if they can't come in! #utedchat
I didn't stay with it long enough to really get things going, but I definitely loved it! I was planning to start with some @Raspberry_Pi before I left the classroom. Maybe someday I'll get back to a school and get some more coding going. #UTedChat
In reply to
@ronaldfisher, @scratch, @hourofcode, @gotynker, @makeymakey, @Raspberry_Pi
I do this in the beginning of the year and I play Under Pressure by Queen and we debate whether Vanilla Ice copied it or not! We also look at some Weird Al!
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In reply to
@FarrBfarr, @ronaldfisher, @bethtannerslc, @covili
But it's also incredibly stress reducing to get up and DANCE every now and then. I LOVED @GoNoodle so much in May because it helped me do just that! #UTedChat
A5: I love my old school paper planner. I fill out big dates on Aug.1 and pencil in my ideal pacing. While I know things change, it helps me relax when I see it on paper. #utedchat
what were you doing in Finland? and why didn't we get to go with? I'm sure the #utedchat community would like a field trip - ok a side trip to Finland. Think it's in the budget.
A5: clean the clutter. Nobody likes to come back to a messy office / classroom. And take a BREAK! Set aside time to work if you must, but also relax and take a break from school. You will feel much more refreshed in August. #utedchat
I started a class instagram this year that has been amazing for this! The parents follow it and can see the positive things we’re doing every day. It’s created such a strong school/home connection. #utedchat
A5: At #Ucet18#YouCet I learned some great ways to flip my classroom. I'm going to start setting up my Canvas and making video lessons for next year! #excited#utedchat
A5: the biggest thing is to make sure you have a break. Teaching is hard. Summer is the time to recharge. Do things you love. Then when you get back, you are excited, rejuvenated, and the kids will be too. #UTedChat
A5.2: I pick one yearlong goal/focus (this year was social/emotional) and learn more during summer then action in fall. After that, one monthly change/trim/improvement to focus on. Keeps me clued in and focused. #utedchat
A5: the biggest thing is to make sure you have a break. Teaching is hard. Summer is the time to recharge. Do things you love. Then when you get back, you are excited, rejuvenated, and the kids will be too. #UTedChat
A5 Already planned out first Math Module with Math coach during PLC time and doing something similar with LA coach next PLC- more intentionally integrating Science and SS #utedchat
A5 Put stuff away nicely at the end of the year. Nothing worse than having to find where I put stuff. Rest and have fun during the summer. Have an overall plan before school starts even though it changes. Be positive #utedchat
Wow, yet another amazing #UTedChat where I'm forever behind. I guess that's what happens when you're 30 mins late. Oh well, I'll be able to read through them all with the post-chat @Wakelet on the @UCET website!
A5 As I have ended the last three years I clean out papers - get rid of them so that next year is more online (got rid of two filing cabinets old teachers ghosts that I inherited) #utedchat Looking towards @Flipgrid@Seesaw@SMART_Tech and other applications that engage Ss.
A6: in conclusion, don’t worry about it by @thelaurengraham - still waiting for her to sign my copy 🤔 I also need to finish scrappy little nobody by @AnnaKendrick47 Yes, highly educational summer reading material! #utedchat
Hard to do, when the district plans for trainings in June and August - UGH! I've rebelled and accidentally been on vacation because I need to enjoy my summer vacation. #utedchat
A5: the biggest thing is to make sure you have a break. Teaching is hard. Summer is the time to recharge. Do things you love. Then when you get back, you are excited, rejuvenated, and the kids will be too. #UTedChat
A4 I plan to make some major changes to my next year, but I haven't officially announced any of them yet. I will during a special #PassTheScopeEDU on Friday, so watch for my big announcement then. It's gonna be different! #UTedChat
A6: A Simple Favor by Darcy Bell, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood, Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman... um... that’s all that’s in my queue... #utedchat
My students loved watching/listening to Michael Jackson, Vanilla Ice, and many other "old" music. Gotta teach them about the "classics" that rock! #UTedChat
In reply to
@FarrBfarr, @ronaldfisher, @bethtannerslc, @covili
I thought Scrappy Little Nobody was super interesting. Made me see @AnnaKendrick47 in a whole new light. Very refreshing introvert voice. #UTedChat I also liked Tina Fey’s Bossypants and Carol Burnett’s autobiography
In reply to
@missplott, @thelaurengraham, @AnnaKendrick47, @AnnaKendrick47
I have tried to get back into a little more regular posting to my site @EdTechBabble, but this week has been a little bonkers. But I've got at least 2 new posts each week for the last couple. That's a start. #UTedChat
Right now they're on a Greatest Showman kick while we "ice skate" around on paper plates. I'm working on some other stuff but the pull is strong. #utedchat
In reply to
@lars3eb, @FarrBfarr, @ronaldfisher, @covili
A5 One of the things I am looking at for next year is finally getting a podcast (or two) launched! I've been talking about it for YEARS, but it's finally time. I've got a couple ideas so I should be able to get at least one launched in 2018! #UTedChat cc/ @MrNesi
