#5thchat Archive
#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!
Tuesday August 30, 2016
Welcome to today's chat about Please introduce yourselves!
I am Jon Huebner, a 5th grade teacher in Iowa
Cary Harrod 5th grade ELA teacher from Cincinnati, OH. I love learning, personalized and connected learning!
Brooke, in Iowa, 3rd grade facilitator, flexible seating lover :)
Lucky day! Just started this year. 5th grade teacher CA
Howard NorCal. 5 & 6 private full inclusion campus. First week of block schedule. Woo Hoo!
Jennifer, 5th grade teacher in North Carolina
Kristy Hulsey 5th grade science teacher from Van Alstyne, Tx
Brandon MS Principal and parent of S in class.
Good evening, . Marilyn, 6th grade from southern California.
Read. Read. Read. There is so much out there about rethinking learning spaces.
Technology teacher for 3rd-5th graders at White Oak Intermediate School.
A1) Start out small. Change up the perimeter.
A1: I started small, trading desks for tables when possible the year I had an active class & brought in new options as I got them!
Carmen from KS! Teach a 4th to 5th grade loop!
Q1 Just start with something. I began last year adding exercise balls as alternate seating.
A1: My math Ss completed a room makeover project last year and most groups had some type of flexible seating. Very interesting.
A1 (cont): There's no right or wrong way. I started when I had a very active class who needed to frequently move!
Rethinking the classroom is much more than just furniture. You should be able to articulate the reasons behind each purchase.
Lindsey, K-2 Principal from AR!
A1: I would say read up on Reach out to teachers. We love to share ideas.
Did that help your active class?
Q1 Start w something! Allow kids flexibility in where they sit. Maybe it's on the floor or under a table or in a chair or a desk!
Absolutely! Moving around to get community supplies, changing from a spot on the carpet to a standing desk, etc.
A1 I teach kindergarten and flexible seating gives them wiggle room.
My students do not have assigned seats. They choose the space that is most conducive to their learning.
Precisely! I tell my students to choose somewhere where they can be successful.
A1 - I work hard to teach my students why I let them choose their seats, importance of including others, staying focused, etc.
A2: introduce one type of seating at a time. If they don't follow rules for that type of seating.... they move!
I painted these podiums to be used as standing desks. Ss love them! Great for those Ss that need movement. https://t.co/BFO3zVhVs7
We forget 2 bring parents along with us on this journey. Share links 2 good articles. Students r your best method of communication!
A1: now I have a science lab w/ only lab tables that I am able to move around as needed for the day. still want more options though
Not sure that I have tips, but it needs to be done so students understand that we're not just a free-for-all. Purpose!
My students will be part of the design of our room, ala my friend Paul Solarz!
A2: Let parents see the room in action...through social media or even face to face
A2 I did a slow start last year. My Ss helped write a grant and picked out items! When we got the grant everyone was on board!
Sorry I'm late everyone! I am a SPED doc student from UOregon.
Use Remind to communicate the new kinds of learning happening in your classroom.
A2: For parents, invite them in! Give them the WHY of For Ss-they try all types of seating in the room in the beg
my advice as a former elem.teach is to embrace the "crazy". Comfortable learning space=student success
I like the low tables! Did you buy them like that?
A2) I agree w/. Teach Ss the purpose behind choice in seating. The respect we show will create buy in.
A2 Our motto is "Pick a seat that is the best place for you to be a mathematician today"
Know why you're doing this. You have to be able to articulate the "why" behind the learning space.
Nope, I just took off the legs! I have a shelf in my cabinet just for table legs :)
My kids love using clipboards and the floor
I also got some lapdesks.
awesome! I love the variety of seating!
Great chat going on right now for , !
. Hi everyone. My name is Mamoona and I am an admin/teacher in Nova Scotia Canada. Glad to be here !
A2: Agree that we must have a specific purpose for the variety. Much of mine is centered on supporting collaboration.
Q1: Be open to making changes! Things won't go how you plan them! Also, be open to convos about conflict. Ss can learn a lot here!
A3. Ss have a magazine file to put folders in and a bin to share for individual supplies and we share pencils/paper
A3: Some supplies are shared (pencils on all tables/scissors, etc. in bins). Journals, notebooks, etc., go into a book box, etc.
A5 Community supplies ❤️❤️📓📝 10 drawer carts! BUT you have to find what works for you and your Ss!
A3 The goal for me was to make them easily to get at. Quick in and out
A2: Have Ss rotate through options. They were so excited to pick freely! Will maybe do 1/2 days instead next year.
A1: get 2 know your Ss. Since is just that,let Ss guide you.I made milk crate chairs that worked gr8!
A2: I do a letter to parents and then share share share pics on our FB page! & comments from their child is enough to get support!
Just found ! Woohoo! 5th Grade Music/Choir Teacher here!
A3: Our Ss are middle school campus & change classes. They have lockers & we collect & sort thru 1 period/day. I teach 128 Ss.
A3- Each student has 2 cubbies, 1 in the classroom for books, binders etc and one in the hallway for coat, backpack, lunch etc
Good evening! I'm doing flexible seating this year. I was wondering how you conducted tests. Any tips?
A2:I started with Ss.We all want 2 b valued. shows Ss you value individuality.Ss liked it,Ps did 2!
Thanks! I try to change it up at least a couple times throughout the year. I don't have pics yet from this year!
Lisa. 4th grade teacher from MI. Joining late. Excited for this convo. First year with alt. seating. Love it, but new challenges!
welcome, it's a facepaced convo, but SO good.
Ss find a spot where they will be successful. Some @ tables or counters, others on floor or couch w/ a hard surface
A3 I have drawers that students put folders, notebooks and books in. 5 Ss per drawer. Separate drawers with numbered supplies.
A4:Giving them voice and choice. They get to choose their seating. They help design the room.
A4: Find out what students can handle by having them SHOW you. Some classes need high structure, others low.
A4: Students can, and probably should, help plan the learning space. Mine helped write my request.
Thanks for the tips! My first quiz is tomorrow. I will tweet how the procedure went. thanks all!!
A4. Classroom economy. Students all have class jobs, earn paychecks, and pay rent. Ss set up/clean up room each day
A4 I think it is ownership of their learning not of
A4: From my end, I get to know my students well by observing, taking notes, giving inventories.
A3: I LOVE rolling carts.Gr8 for manips, grp supplies.Used rolling carts 4 centers & just changed centers up as needed.
A4: We talk a lot about “smart seats.” I have an anchor chart that we talk about daily. 1/2
that is awesome! Love giving them responsibility.
I love t five components of a personalized classroom: Voice, choice, pace, place and path. All 5 support the student-led classroom.
A4 2/2 It’s only day 5 and my kids are already make changes about who they sit by. I love seeing the responsibility!
Will do! We're 5 days into the school year--I need to get back into the routine of taking pics!
haha yup! I was trying to figure out the phrasing too 😀
A4: When Ss have more control w/ the room, they feel more ready to take control of learning.
Ps appreciated that their Ss learning needs r paid attn to.As Ps we just want 2 know our child is cared 4 & supported
Ditching the student (and teacher!) desks were an important step in transforming to . Created space and mobility.
A4. I think you need to have team building activities with Ss. Activities that allow students to understand power of collaboration
Ditching the student (and teacher!) desks was an important step in transforming to . Created space and mobility.
I agree. Morning meeting is my favorite time of the day. STEAM is helpful too.
A4: The ss buy-in was immediate. I also introduced a couple of where they had to rely on each other to progress
I actually do SPED teacher training (K-12) at Uoregon
A4: Also love to promote S voice and passions.
A5. Yoga ball. Target. They have sand inside so they do not roll away.
Q: Probably our couch on wheels. I'll have to look up where we got it.
A5: I have what is called terminal seating. It's old waiting chairs from an airport terminal. Kids love it!
A5: A lot of my seats were from a local reuse it center.
A5: We also love our whiteboard tables!
A5: right now, my old couch. I'm waiting 4 my parents to get tired of their breakfast nook--it's be perfect 4 the room!
Totally agree.I ditched my teacher desk over 10 years ago and haven't looked back.
asked for free furniture for the classroom in a FB garage sale group. She got some good stuff!
The chair with a table attached. Found it at a garage sale. A little wobbly, but Ss love it. By trash can. https://t.co/AHOgr2ucJJ
I've bought very little for the room. Most are hand-me-downs or found in the district warehouse!
Love the picnic tables and chairs under the covered patio outside my classroom
Sorry I'm missing the chat tonight! I'll review it later! Keep up the great work!!! You all rock!!
What a great idea! Everyone loves to help out a teacher! https://t.co/S90SFEvHbd
asked for free furniture for the classroom in a FB garage sale group. She got some good stuff!
Yes, getting rid of the teacher desk allows for much more space too
I reached out to a local consignment shop and told them what I had in mind. I receive picture emails with ideas now regularly.
A5: Designed my seating like British Parliament. 2 sides of room facing one another, I walk down the middle teach from both ends.
No teacher desk for me. Freeing, actually.
they look neat, but are they useful all the time?
Loved my milk crate chairs and my rolling chairs.
I replaced my desk with a kidney table. I can have Ss sit there. It gets a little messy, but I want them to feel comfortable w/ me.
you got rid of the ts desk? How's that working out? Do you miss your desk?
Great way to let the community into your classroom! https://t.co/S1J0NuuGWz
I reached out to a local consignment shop and told them what I had in mind. I receive picture emails with ideas now regularly.
It is. It was really a collection of stuff. Not really a productive area for me.
A6: The yoga balls! Ss really do focus and bounce at the same time. I just have to practice not letting it distract me :)
A6: You know teaching SPED students. I had to constantly think of building in time to stand and move seamlessly into instruction
Guy teachers, what do you do in your rooms? I tried to "guyify" mine.
My wiggle learns love my standing table and yoga balls.
Agree.Very freeing.Made me hve 2 b more org &reduced clutter b/c can't use desk 4holding spot!
That is very neat. I have never seen them before.
My wiggle worms love my standing table and the yoga balls.
Using UDL as a guideline is helpful.
good chat about flexible seating just happened on . Might want to take a look at some of the ideas!
not really. Just . Lol It's not hard at all.
HA! great question. Your room has to reflect YOU (I was never ashamed getting some help with style though)
A6. I give my wiggle students areas that they can stand and pace if needed. Usually solves the issue. Be flexible :)
I bought a couple of rolling carts. They each had 7 drawers. I labelled the drawers
I also bought one of those for our writing center. Love it.
definitely cuter! And when a classroom is vibrant, the whole feel is too
I know the feeling. A was a school psych in elm schools. Often one of (if not the only) guy. Stay strong, change it up
Yes, kids love to see your personality...your likes...
A7 I put on my morning work slide to choose a different seat than the day/week before. Haven’t had issues, but only day 5 ;-)
A5: I put carpet beanbags & lap desks front center and desks behind to give option. I have to pull desks back & make carpet bigger.
I did not decorate at all. Leaving that up to the students so they feel ownership. Big change for me. (I love to decorate!)
Rotate, impress the importance of sharing, or rock, paper, scissors. If they lose, they usually will walk away :)
A6: Wiggly Worm Ss love my Zuma Rocker chairs.
Hope you'll all be back next week when & run a chat on "Questioning that Deepens Comprehension" on .
I set mine up so 1was my stuff & other had & supplies.
Gotta go! Made some new friends tonight. Always enjoy chatting about these awesome topics.
Glad I joined! Haven’t done a chat in awhile. Inspiring :-) Good night and happy planning everyone!
Thanks for letting a teacher join in tonight!
I am glad I found It has been a very enjoyable conversation tonight. Looking forward to next chat.
I switched from math to science. Any Ts out there willing to connect? I'm the only 5th science T at my district. Thanks!
Thanks, for the inspiration. Have a great rest of your week.
Thanks so much to for moderating this evening! It was a GREAT discussion on Flexible Seating!!! I learned quite a bit!
Not sure if is for 5th grade teachers, but I sure appreciate you letting this HS teacher stick his tweet in.
Not sure if is just for 5th grade teachers, but I sure appreciate you letting this HS teacher "tweet" in.
