The #INeLearn hashtag is used for both asynchronous sharing and synchronous conversations. Include #INeLearn in your tweets if you want to share resources or questions with Indiana educators and school leaders. Asynchronously, the #INeLearn hashtag provides educators across the state of Indiana a central space for sharing. On Thursday evenings beginning at 8 CST/9 EST when you use the #INeLearn hashtag, you are joining a live conversation--the #INeLearn Twitter Chat. For one hour, we interact in real time having a virtual discussion.
It’s time for #INeLearn so let's get the intros rolling!! Share your name, teaching assignment, and the countdown to your first day! Bonus points for a gif that describes how you feel about Back2School!
I am Tiffany, and I will be your moderator this evening. My usual partner @kindergartenVF is unable to join us due to the passing of her grandmother. Our hearts are with her tonight. We are t-minus 17 days until Back2School! #INeLearn
Tonight we’ll focus on kickstarting a “something special” kind of year! Tag a friend who needs to be here! Be sure to use the Q1, R1 format and include the #INeLearn hashtag. Q1 is coming up!
Hello! I'm Grace. I teach 6th grade ELA. I've got 17 days to go, and I can't wait! I always get so restless in the summer, even when I was a kid. #INeLearn
R1 I love to have music playing and greet Ss at the door. I have play-doh around at workspaces. Ss create from the very first minute! Middle school Ss still love playdoh btw. #INeLearn
One thing I love about my school is that my admin really frowns on just doing rules and procedures the first couple of days and encourages us to embrace the excitement. I try to get kids talking to me and each other ASAP instead. #INeLearn
Don't be shy! Check out Q1. Q1: How do you begin developing culture from the first moments of a new school year? Describe what happens when Ss walk into your classroom. #INeLearn
R1: Smiles, reassurances that they're in the right place, and directions on seating. I mostly teach 9th graders, so the most important thing to keep in mind is a safe learning environment. #INeLearn
R1: I always tried to have inspiring things to see and read – a good quote posted every day. Ss attention will always wander. I try to give it good things to wander to. #INeLearn
I love this about our principal, too. She encouraged me to read The Power of Moments this summer and it has been incredible. Thinking of new ways to kickstart the year. #INeLearn@kristin_nass
One thing I love about my school is that my admin really frowns on just doing rules and procedures the first couple of days and encourages us to embrace the excitement. I try to get kids talking to me and each other ASAP instead. #INeLearn
#INeLearn Shannon from Indianapolis. I teach high school FCS - Culinary Arts. R1 I have a classroom scavenger hunt the first day that gets them opening cabinets and drawers and really exploring the space. I think it shows them that the room is truly theirs.
Q2: Why is it important to create memorable, powerful moments in the first days of school? Do you plan any “special moments” that kick start your year? Please share! #INeLearn
R1: As coach or teacher, I make it a point to know student names ASAP and then greet Ss by name. We build community by doing "fun" low pressure activities so students feel successful! #INeLearn
I JUST read a quote from a book that talked about the POWER of knowing a Ss name from the beginning. Also making sure you are pronouncing it correctly. Love this! #INeLearn
R1: As coach or teacher, I make it a point to know student names ASAP and then greet Ss by name. We build community by doing "fun" low pressure activities so students feel successful! #INeLearn
R2: Last year I gave small groups of students two decks of cards and told them to build the highest house of cards they could with no further direction. I learned so much about their group dynamics right away. #INeLearn
R2 As a 6th grade teacher, what I do is the first memory of middle school. I want that to be a GOOD core memory. I'm still working on my first day plan, but I'm thinking it will involve a lot of movement....#INeLearn
Q2: Why is it important to create memorable, powerful moments in the first days of school? Do you plan any “special moments” that kick start your year? Please share! #INeLearn
#INeLearn R2 I think it's important to have the "wow" moments right away so that Is will feel comfortable and excited early on. For me, I show them great foods as we go through what we are learning for the year. I also have a birthday chart they add their birthday onto.
R2: I change my 1st day activities every year. I think this year we will write and share "bad poetry" to work on being brave and building trust. #INeLearn
Q3: How do the first days of school set the tone for a technology-fueled classroom? What concepts do you try to instill before tech comes into play? #INeLearn
Isn't the ultimate goal to make Ss want to come to school? We throw the phrase "life long learners" around a lot. But Ss need to enjoy school in order to be life long learners. Show Ss it's ok to fail at first!! Let them fail safely! #INeLearn
Q3: How do the first days of school set the tone for a technology-fueled classroom? What concepts do you try to instill before tech comes into play? #INeLearn
R3 From the first moment, I want to build a culture of safety and curiosity. Developing the 4Cs from day one leads to Ss who are willing to take risks with tech and explore through their learning. #INeLearn
#INeLearn R3 I probably should incorporate digital citizenships concepts first. however, I spend two days in the first week getting them logged in and walking through Canvas and Google. Some Ss are just not familiar with either.
R3: We don't get our iPads until a couple of weeks in. I think your post about creativity and collaboration was spot on. Tech is best used as a way to create and share, so it's good to get kids comfortable with those ideas ASAP. #INeLearn
R3 Aside from the 4Cs, we begin work on #digcit from day one. How to speak with purpose and kindness is a big part of what we do all year through tech. #INeLearn
R3: Before Ss are on devices, we go through AUP training and #digcit. More importantly we talk to Ts about WHY they're using tech. We ❤️ @lkolb and her Triple E framework. #learningfirsttechnologysecond#INeLearn
R3: I think the core for us at the high school level is separating device time and non-device time. I think instilling how we treat each other online has the same standards as our classroom community (dig-cit wise) even before device rollout. #INeLearn
Side question--When do your Ss receive their tech? I know we have different scenarios represented, but curious. We roll out iPads on the third school day. #INeLearn
Those basic skills are important! I do a lesson right after we get iPads where students have to copy and paste a paragraph. A lot of them have a hard time with it! #INeLearn
Q4: Creating bonds with Ss families is an important part of creating a special community of learners. How do you use techy and/or non-techy ways to create these bonds? #INeLearn
R4: I think the good old-fashioned phone call home early in the semester is irreplaceable. It's not easy, but it's time worth investing early in the semester. #INeLearn
A4: having the students create a video about their family and also include a class pic to represent a new family. This help to symbolize the families coming together as a village to celebrate each other. #INeLearn
R4 This year I am determined to help get a digital newsletter rolling for our sixth grade wing. Ps want to know what's going on in the classroom. Our school-wide newsletter is AMAZING, but want to explore this. #INeLearn
A4: having the students create a video about their family and also include a class pic to represent a new family. This help to symbolize the families coming together as a village to celebrate each other. #INeLearn
R4: I have used Remind in the past, but I have noticed that the # of Ps who read the messages decreases a lot over time. I like to make as many positive calls as I can early on so my first interaction with a lot of parents is a happy one. #INeLearn
R4: Making parents feel welcome!! Literally inviting them into your classroom, not to volunteer but to be a part of your class! This was awesome! Thanks @stumpteacher#INeLearn
#INeLearn R4 I struggle with this (3rd year teaching). I'm thinking of sending out a Google form to parents and getting them involved in our Canvas course, but I'm unsure how many have tech/WiFi access. I am sending home welcome letters and course info.
I did this many years ago when I had students use iMovie and burned the video onto DVD disc. Now they can use iMovie and create a private #YouTube channel #INeLearn
#INeLearn R3. I use tech almost immediately as we have flipgrid pals and e-pals. In introducing selves to them on a Padlet or other, we get to know ea other too.
R4: I have used Remind in the past, but I have noticed that the # of Ps who read the messages decreases a lot over time. I like to make as many positive calls as I can early on so my first interaction with a lot of parents is a happy one. #INeLearn
#INeLearn A4 Using our social media sites (@facebook & @Twitter) to post classroom/school activities in “real” time. Our staff is great at inviting me in to the class/sending pictures of activities. Our parents appreciate seeing their children engaged in activities in the class.
R4 I also use a classroom hashtag on Instagram which connects Ss and their Ps to the "goings-on" in our classroom. Everything from learning to just plain silly fun sometimes. I like for them to see the whole picture. #INeLearn#smsdiglit
As a parent, I agree with this! I appreciate it anytime when a teacher/school uses SOMETHING to show what they’re doing in the class every day. Keeps me informed and included. #inelearn
I wonder if doing an inventory or Google Form at the beginning of the year to get their feedback and preference on how they would like to receive communications would help? #inelearn
Q5: Learning classroom expectations is important from day one, but it shouldn’t just be listing the “don’ts.” How do you kickstart positive learning behaviors in your classroom? This can be techy or non-techy! #INeLearn
R5 I use STEM challenges like cup stacking to tackle classroom flow through a natural, teachable moment method. We talk about everything from teamwork to appropriate (productive) noise levels for tasks. #INeLearn
#INeLearn R5 I have slides for each type of learning (group, solo, etc) and we walk through what it looks like to be successful. Then I have Ss brainstorm qualities of a good classmate and group member.
That's a great idea! I spend a lot of time calling parents, leaving a message, and then emailing anyway if I don't hear back. Would be nice to cut out that first step for parents who prefer email. The trick would be communicating about the form to begin with! #INeLearn
Trick is balancing the message. Need to make sure social media features kids across classes and grades. Don’t want Ps to think one teacher does all the cool stuff. #adminworries#INeLearn
R5: Get meta about the learning. For the early tasks, take time to talk out the different approaches students chose. Highlight the variations. #INeLearn
What if you have it fill it out at back to school night? is it early enough for you to do that and create a plan? Then you can have the link or QR code posted on the board for them to fill out, or handout a paper version #inelearn
Q6: Disney has a unique way of making mundane tasks such as standing in long lines fun and part of the attraction’s overall story. How can we use this innovative thought to rework our beginning of the year routines? #INeLearn
We don't have particularly strong turnout at back to school night, but maybe I can do that and then hand out paper copies to Ss to take home and bring back. #INeLearn
#INeLearn R5 think-pair-square a "quiz question" about my rules (3 of them) and procedures (after reading them). Each group of 4 picks best question & asks the class. i just watch.
R6 Careful w/ the word "fun" vs. engaging, but I love getting the Ss up and moving when possible. In my elem days, we did a lot of scavenger hunts at the beginning of the year. #INeLearn
#INeLearn R6 I have been thinking a lot about this exact question! I made a colorful doodle notes syllabus and have a few funny memes and videos in the expectations. Also doing a hyperdoc game to get them through the Canvas and Google learning day.
R6 I think I talk more on the first day of school than I do for a week later in the yr. I'm trying to let this inspire me to stop all the talking... #INeLearn
This is what I was thinking - the best way to make it more engaging is to break it up - smaller pieces of the procedures and expectations spread across and embedded, rather than one massive dose. #INeLearn
R6 I think I talk more on the first day of school than I do for a week later in the yr. I'm trying to let this inspire me to stop all the talking... #INeLearn
R6: Disney lines always give you something to do. This post from @cultofpedagogy really changed my thinking about direct instruction and how I can do less talking and put the onus more on my students to engage with the material.
https://t.co/Zu0VQFLqZl#INeLearn
R7 I think for me it has to be the incessant need to tell them all the things. I need to pull back on the reigns and start slower. Give them less to chew on and spread it out. #INeLearn
R6: Be present and in the moment! Show ur excitement! Sprinkle some magic dust in the class to celebrate Ss being @school. #INelearn#bethechange#ignite
R7: Had a kid last year tell me I was creeping him out because I kept asking him about himself. lol. I have to remember to build trust and share more of myself before badgering Ss for info. #INeLearn
This is definitely something we have to keep in mind. I'm an outgoing Type A and I have to remember that not all Ss want to be an open book. Good one. #INeLearn
#INeLearn R7 don't go over rules, etc. the first day, get Ss involved in subject matter immediately, pref. Without books, something active. Yours could be the only class that does this...
Q8: What do you want your Ss to remember and share about their first day when they get home to their families? What do you hope they believe about the prospective year after the first day? #INeLearn
#INeLearn R7 don't go over rules, etc. the first day, get Ss involved in subject matter immediately, pref. Without books, something active. Yours could be the only class that does this...
R8 I want my Ss to feel good about their school. I want them to be excited about what they will learn and the way in which they will learn it. I don't want to be their favorite. I want all of us to be their favorites. #INeLearn
#INeLearn R8 To tell families - that they got to see a lot of things. For the year - we stuff a lot of things into a 49 minute class and I want them to have a full first day as well.
WU: Also kind of my R8: I know I want to start with a read aloud. I'm trying to settle on just the right poem, book or passage. There are so many options! Really want something memorable that will set a welcoming and comforting tone. #INeLearn
WU I was inspired by everyone's commitment to kickstarting another great year. I am blown away by the willingness of the #INeLearn community to continually better themselves all summer long.
In WU I want to share @KindergartenVF regrets she was unable to join in tonight to co-moderate as she grieves the loss of her grandmother. She wanted me to pass that along. #INeLearn
