#sschat is a network of educators, resources, and ideas that started on Twitter, but has expanded to Facebook, an annual NCSS unconference, and more. Join us to chat asynchronously on Twitter or Facebook, or chat with us live on Mondays from 7-8pm EST.
Chris from Bloomington, IN. Teach world history to students at a private online HS affiliated w/ Indiana Univ. One of the #sschat leadership team members. I haven't really experienced too many horrid icebreaker activities, thankfully.
Joanne from Missouri. 7th grade world history and 11th grade modern global issues. Lamest icebreaker? If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why? #sschat
Hi #sschat I'm Jessica from KCMO and this year I'm teaching world history, world geo, and civics for an online high school. It's been so long since I did an ice breaker that I can't remember......
Katie, PA - 7th Grade Geography Teacher for an online school. Definitely the "come up with an adjective that starts with the first letter of your name" one. The WORST. #sschat
Andrew from Massachusetts (93 degrees), 8th grade, starting Year 19 tomorrow, also a #sschat co-moderator
I barely survived a very public dancing experience at a Civics Institute in July (@RojeeHistory knows what I'm talking about!)
Hi! I'm Michael I teach World History to high school juniors.
I typically debate running out of a training when they ask us to do something I find embarrassing like sing/dance.
I get you want to push us out of our comfort zones, but that makes me want to hide. #sschat
Hi! I'm Kyle. I'm a preservice teacher! I'm currently student teaching freshmen in Honors World Studies and seniors in Government at Hilliard Davidson HS. Lamest icebreaker activity would have to be the typical "tell everyone a fun fact" #sschat
Hi, friends! Welcome to the fall #sschat (and back to school!)! I'm Mary-Owen, a HS US History teacher in Nashville and one of the #sschat mods.
Ice breakers are my nemesis.
Name: Jared Byrnes
Grades: 10-11
Location: PA
Subjects: APWH, Gov, World Cultures
Most ice breakers strike me as lame because they typically promote getting to "know" someone on a superficial level. Typically, I don't remember your name after a minute goes by. #sschat
#sschat Becky from DE. Semi-Retired. Working with middle school social studies teacher candidates. Lamest icebreaker.... 2 truths and a lie...especially when you don't know anyone!
Dan Krutka here. #sschat leader. I avoid ice breakers that don’t have a purpose for our larger class goals, but they can be made meaningful, right? I allow students to ask me 20 Qs (10 personal/10 professional) in the first class. It helps us build a relationship.
A1: Ias told through my Social Studies Methods teacher at @OhioState that this would be a great place to learn from and connect with experienced teachers! I'm looking forward to some great insight as I complete my student teaching #ssvpln#sschat
A1: Twitter for me started as a means of keeping tabs on current events. Watching the Arab Spring happen in real time was incredible. I have taught my whole career in rural places, often being the only one teaching my grade/subject, so #sschat & EDUtwitter became a lifeline.
Hi! Michelle here. I teach 9th gr World history (3 levels), 10th gr US History and Shaker Studies in Maine.
Oh gosh i kinda hate ice breakers of most sorts. I think the strangest was passing a “yee-haw” around a circle. #sschat
#sschat is one of my happy places - I've met the best of the best here, shared a little, learned a ton more, and nod my head a lot - plus, meeting the crew at #ncss is the best
A1: I am on twitter because the world is big and it's a way to deepen my perspective on many issues and items. I do #sschat because I have such an appreciation for my field, I love history and want to see what great things others are doing that feel the same.
I apparently have been on Twitter for 7 years. I got on because I wanted to connect with other teachers.
Obviously I enjoy being a part of #sschat as I've been a moderator since like 2013 maybe (psst...@dankrutka when did we get here?).
I like that we have tried to build & grow
I participate for the community and collaboration. Moved from 7th to 11th grades this year and love seeing ideas from all my #sschat friends to help me with the move!
A1a: Participating in #sschat is a no-brainer. It's a place to mine resources, get questions answered... get feedback on whether that totally crazy idea you have is a game changer, or just crazy. And #sschat is simple fun. Love getting together & talking shop with ss teachers.
A1
Joining the #flipclass community and the #sschat world have been absolutely revolutionary for me as an educator, citizen, and person.
I barely recognize the teacher I was 5 years ago... what does the near-future have in store?!
Hi 👋🏻 I’m Katie Raby! I teach AP World History and AP European History to sophomores in Gwinnett County, GA.
I despise the “one interesting thing you did this summer” ice breaker. I turned into a sloth over the summer because I’m exhausted. Nothing fun 😂 #sschat
It's the easiest/best activity to start the year - Ss bring in artifact based on a theme, write about it, present to classmates and Ps - awesome https://t.co/X4Hgcp6VWU#sschat
A1) I jointed Twitter because I kept hearing about all this edu-awesomeness that was happening. Didn't believe you could get a lot out of 140 character posts. Boy, was I wrong. ;) #sschat
A1: I'm on Twitter to become a better teacher and thinker. Collaboration is key in this profession and it's also good to have a network when we're struggling! #sschat
A1: I took a grad course on being a more connected teacher. Chats such as these require me to continually reflect on myself and what I do in the classroom. @WarrenBuffettHQ says remaining teachable is a key to success, and @Twitter helps me be just that. #sschat
A1(cont.)
Twitter is weird and getting weirder, so I'm really not sure about the long-term viability of this kind of communication BUT as long as we find a way to continue those connections, the #sschat world will stay together!
[dismounts soapbox]
A1) I jointed Twitter because I kept hearing about all this edu-awesomeness that was happening. Didn't believe you could get a lot out of 140 character posts. Boy, was I wrong. ;) #sschat
A1: Mainly to keep on top of news and happenings. I follow a mix of teachers, historians, family and friends. Its great to follow certain movements. I can share things here that i may not on other social media. #sschat
A1) I use it to connect with other educators to get a feel with what is happening with others in the field.
I found #sschat by accident! I participate in order to reflect on my practices and check how I am doing in relation to others
A1 I enjoy the professional learning community #sschat & others (i.e. #worldgeochat#globaledchat) provide. It's reenergizing, & I gain so many great resources & pedagogy ideas!
I love this idea! My mentor teacher presented freshmen with a prompt that told them to give their story in history "You...A Part of History". This pop-up idea adds a new dimension to it #sschat#ssvpln
2018 Goals: Advocate for students. Read more books (#MsHolmesReads). Keep learning. Stay student-focused. Bake more cookies. Speak up for what's right. Take action. Do my best to change the world.
agreed about the weird and getting weirder - by my little edu-niche #sschat#sstlap#tlap#edchat keeps it pretty sane (agrees that a soapbox post is appropro)
A2 As a social studies pedagogy instructor my 3 goals are. (1) a focus on getting my Ss tools & understandings on how to disarm white privilege while teaching social studies; (2) provide them resources & pedagogy tools; (3) help them develop a PLC for themselves #sschat
#sschat A2 - one goal - really get Ss to develop their chops at designing questions - new goal - eat cookies from @MsHolmesTeach - I love oatmeal raisin
A2 In no particular order, 1. I want to be more positive with Ss messages/feedback, 2. Create more opportunities for Ss to be creative/personal in coursework, 3. Include more hands on activities which is hard since i'm online ed only #sschat
A2: 1) Be more reflective, and create something out of that reflection on my teaching practice. 2) Have the best school year possible with my students. 3) Get back into a regular running routine. #sschat
A2: my top 3 goals this year are to allow more teachers into my classroom to give me feedback, build relationships with my students, & make my class as meaningful and relevant to the lives of my students #sschat
A2: 1. Create more opportunities for my students to be curious and wonder about the world 2. Make more virtual field trips happen 3. Don't forget about taking care of myself (bad at this one). #sschat
A2: Top 3 goals are meaningful relationships w/ Ss, teaching Ss HOW to think instead of WHAT to think, and making a point to celebrate successes... even when they are few and far between #sschat
A2. I honestly need to set goals. Here we go... #sschat
1. Check in with students on our course progress more often
2. Don’t try to squeeze too much into a class (more is less)
3. Set boundaries on time... so I can read for fun.
Goals:
Probably something to do student reflection throughout the year regarding their skill development.
Something about incorporating more investigations into our class (like we discussed in #sschatreads this summer)
One more. One more one more... #sschat
A2) 1: Integrate geography more in my world history 2 course.
2: Offer more choice/options in my courses.
3: Streamline my lessons more and make some screencast mini-lessons related to historical thinking skills.
I teach online, asynchronously, Ss self-paced. #sschat
So easy, Steph - get a theme (something like "My place in the world"), have Ss bring in artifact and short written piece, and share - and being in parents! #sschat
A2 Pt.1:In no particular order: 1. Finding that balance with 1:1 technology. Using it as an educational tool while not relying on it too much. Using this 1:1 could be helpful for formative assessments
2. aligning class lessons to what students are interested in... #sschat#ssvpln
A2: 1. Develop some quality #PBL lessons 2. Remain fit physically as well as mentally despite a full plate called life 3. Encourage kids to push the continously boundaries regardless of their perceptions of their abilities. #sschat
Hello and welcome, Annie!
If I were a newbie again, I probably would dismiss many of the "self-care" suggestions ... but if we keep piling them on then it's too much to ignore!
#sschat
#sschat 3 goals...1) don't screw up being a Field Instructor, 2) Get all dissertation interviews transcribed within a week, 3) lose 15 pounds of....weight or 150 pounds of books.
Very true! Bad ordering on my part - revised edition: 1. Take better care of myself this year 2. Create more opportunities for my students to be curious and wonder about the world. 3. Virtual Field trips - more. Thank you for the reminder to keep myself up there too #sschat
A2) My goals for the year in no particular order:
- Read 25 books this year (currently at 16!)
- Become more connected with other #SS teachers in my district
- Increase the passing rate for my students on the #APWH exam by 2%
#sschat
Goals:
Probably something to do student reflection throughout the year regarding their skill development.
Something about incorporating more investigations into our class (like we discussed in #sschatreads this summer)
One more. One more one more... #sschat
A2 - 1. encourage the use of more LGBTQ resources. 2. teach divicivness reducing techniques. 3. read more books unrelated to work. #sschathttps://t.co/8oz80fsFWW
A2 Pt. 2 ..thinking about doing a survey before a unit to ask for specific interests regarding the topic. 3. Making sure students are comfortable and that I am approachable as a teacher #sschat#ssvpln
A2 Our Goals page https://t.co/n6S0TWmnQF Set teaching goals each school year
and have your students set their learning goals.
Periodically reflect and revise these goals. #sschat
A3) My goals are related to wanting to make the online learning experience for my Ss more engaging and to help ensure they are leaving with demonstrable skills. #sschat
I feel more in control and less stressed when I prioritize my health, so that was no. 1 for me. I even want to try meditation! I’ve been practicing this summer #sschat
Reading for fun = self care
Baking cookies = self care
Being student-focused, a lifelong learner, taking action, advocating, speaking up for what's right, and trying to change the world = how I try to model citizenship for my students
#sschat
A3: I teach several Sswho have failed Civics before and are now on round 2... I want them to know that I can separate their personalities from their academic achievement. They need to know it's okay to struggle but also have confidence to reach out #sschat
A3: I’m always trying to grow as a teacher and I believe that the more people to observe me the better I can get. I also believe that a student learns best when they feel safe and see themselves/are invested in the topic being taught #sschat
A3: Being new to teaching, student connections are so important to me as well as relevancy to students. I want my students to be as engaged as possible with what they are learning #sschat#ssvpln
A3: So I'm reflecting on why I chose reflecting as my main goal for the year... #sschat Really it's because I think reflection leads to iteration & inspired action.
A3: I've been hammering through grad work the last several years. My attention to growing mentally has resulted in my physical fitness falling behind. So my goal is to be physically active at least 3 days a week all school year long! #sschat
A3 Goal 1 bc I've had some very serious personal stress the last 2-3 months that i know had made me cranky with Ss. Bad. Goal 2 bc writing is not everyone's strength and goal 3 to help Ss develop this historical thinking skills #sschat
A3: I am always trying to be better with my parents. I think I do “just ok” with primary sources. I feel like I’m cheating one side or the other . I need to find a happy medium. #sschat
A3 My goals have to do w/ setting up future Ts to teach reflective inquiry in diverse settings that enable Ss to relate to the material. Means understanding roots of white privilege is critical, need for resources, & the need for a solid PLC to reflect with & learn from #sschat
A3) During PD in my district, there is often the idea of me, me+2, and me+group. We always have to explain how what you are doing will fit into one of those labels. Looking at my goals, I have one for each 😂 #subconsciousplanning#sschat
A3:For my first goal, I need to remember that I need to practice time away to grow and cultivate other interests. For my other two, I want to keep what I AM INTERESTED in at the center. Ss can see our passions and excitement #sschat
A3B & upon further reflection one of my pedagogy Ss this year is my daughter's social studies student-teacher, so my goals are also what I want my student to teach my daughter :) #sschat
Oooohh! Would you be interested in leading a chat on that topic next semester? We'll be putting out the call for #sschat proposals probably in late November/early December for the winter/spring semester.
A3: 1. This is my final probationary year. 2. Managing paperwork got rough last year. I need a better system. 3. I need to read more for me and to keep up with new historical approaches. #sschat
Barriers I usually encounter are imposter syndrome, over scheduling and then over stressing, and taking too many naps (because of aforementioned barriers). #sschat
The online learning platform is my biggest obstacle. Also the whole attitude of just getting grades or completing the class instead of taking the opportunity to learn and develop new skills #sschat
A4 - During the summer I make all kind of plans and set all kinds of goals---then meeting begin, classes start and the students show up -- reality bites #sschat But I wouldn't change it for the world.
A4: With the time for me goal, accountability - I need to be more intentional in setting aside time to rest. With the other goals - technology can be an issue with the field trips, but advance planning and trial runs can solve that one #sschat
A4 There will be barriers. They are people who want a piece of you. Don't unless it is in line with your goals. Yah, I know. Easier said, than done. #sschat
A4 Pt 1: I need to get used to the whole iPad thing in order to figure out how to use 1:1 to best serve Ss. Definitely didn't have that in HS! Time is and will always be a factor this year with balancing time in the field, class, and work #sschat#ssvpln
A4: my biggest barrier is myself and my perfectionism. I tend to not ask for help because I’m afraid I’ll look weak or unintelligent that I miss out on growing as much as I can #sschat
A4) I tend to get bogged down as I want to get work returned to students as soon as possible but have no control over when it's turned in (online, self-paced) and get buried in grading. :( #sschat
#sschat A4 - hmmm? So many things are barriers to my goals. I just have to stay focused, plow ahead, and at the end of the day ask "what did I learn and how can I do that better/different?"
Oh my goodness, THIS! I take you are an online teacher as well? I always have some students who just want to slog through the course. Let me help you LEARN! I promise I do fun things. #sschat
A4: Mainly over scheduling and trying to do too much are my biggest barriers. Letting myself get run down, as well as anxiety. That def. gets in the way. #sschat
A4b I am hoping the focus on self care will lead to less stress and maybe losing 10 lbs. for my research & teaching goals I will be happy with just taking one step forward. That’s success to me 😜 #sschat
A4b If I feel/see more positive connections with my ss, I think that will be the best proof that i'm getting closer/doing better. I don't think my goals will ever be fully achieved #sschat
Generally, I tend to beat myself up about things. This can be quite bad as I often find teaching to be an isolating job. I do not often celebrate success because who do you celebrate with? Maybe feeling not a part of something is a barrier. #sschat
A4 Probably the age old barrier, time. Or my own inability to keep from going down a rabbit hole on something else, which I suppose comes back to time... #sschat
A4b) Some are a little easier (SMART goals, anyone?) like my first and third goals. The second one (connecting with others in my district) just have to “feel” accomplished - #sschat
A4b: I know I'll have achieved these goals when I'm really creating unique opportunities that my Ss may not get elsewhere. They may not love Social Studies, but I want them to find one thing from my class that caused some wonder. #sschat
That's hard. Sometimes celebrating at school feels like bragging and that can be alienating. I struggle with not wanting to be seen as a show off, so I tend to hold in my celebrations, as well. #sschat
This! You can have amazing colleagues, but so often we're surrounded by young people all day. Then grading or planning or whatever else, only to go back to being surrounded by young people all day. Sometimes you just need to converse with another adult. #sschat
A4b: Well the biggest one will be getting asked back next year. But mainly if things are graded and entered without me freaking out about it and students bugging me. If the freak outs stay at a minimum? It's hard to measure success on them, but I do think it is possible. #sschat
Excited to be in a new school/district and in a new grade level (11th) and course (US History). Nervous since it's an EOC course, but I know I'll do my best! #sschat
A4b The only way, I think, is to check in with yourself regularly. Reflection helps. I haven't blogged in months. That's another goal (to start up again). Reflection is good for the soul. #sschat
A4B When it's about teaching diversity & power structures, I'm not sure I ever know when goals are reached, as I, personally, still have much to learn & there's always more to teach & learn on the topic. #sschat
A5: Most excited about teaching during election season AND having my students benefit from the real life experiences and seeing Civics in action. Concerns? Well... over-politicalization and division, but we're working hard on civil/respectful rhetoric with each other. #sschat
A5: Super excited for my classroom, adding gamified elements into my class, & the two new courses I’m teaching & co-teaching this year. Such great energy among my colleagues! #sschat
A5
I'm teaching a new curriculum this year for the first time in several years: civics instead of US History 1. Excited for a change, and the planning I've done this summer SEEMS good, but we won't find out until right in the middle of it
#sschat
A5: I’m most excited to be team teaching #Apush with the #aplang teacher. We share the same same students so we are working really hard into making these two classes as cohesive as possible #sschat
The book Make Just One Change is a pretty quick read. Highly recommend for learning about QFT. I'd love to attend one of their sessions & want to figure out how to integrate into my courses with the self-paced aspect. #sschat
A5. I am excited that I feel more comfortable with the workshop model. I feel I can adapt it as I see fit, not follow along blindly. I worry about doing everything I think is important. Sigh. #sschat
A5) I’m teaching a new class this year! It’s an AP combo class for World and European History. Main concern is not doing it justice. I am teaching it alongside my mentor teacher (who happens to be the person I did student teaching under). I see it as big shoes to fill #sschat
A5: Not gonna lie, I'm excited that a bunch of parents already filled out my parent information survey. I'm also excited to pair down the new things I want to try and go forward on two big ideas of mine this year. Focused baby steps! #sschat
The book Make Just One Change is a pretty quick read. Highly recommend for learning about QFT. I'd love to attend one of their sessions & want to figure out how to integrate into my courses with the self-paced aspect. #sschat
A5 I'm excited for world geography bc I've been doing 300 ss in world history for 3 years and need variety. Concerned about some new policies/leadership changes right at the start of school #badtiming#sschat
A5: Excited for getting to know Ss, observing great ideas from my mentor teacher, AND putting my ideas into action as I teach my first lessons. Concerned for the lesson planning aspect with time management and slightly nervous for teaching my 1st lesson in a HS setting #sschat
A5b: I’m concerned that I have so many ideas for this year that I won’t be able to do all of them. I have to figure out which PBL projects are really worth the time and which are in the category of “if only there was time” #sschat
A5 #sschat Excited to have the #bestyearever - few professions have a beginning and end, can reinvent, have a fresh start, take chances ... exciting stuff
A5: This year have lots of new Admin changes. New Superintendent, 2 new APs at the High School @smhstitans, New AP at Middle School #sschat#formativechat
#sschat A5... Excited to start this new role of Field Instructor as I return to the high school and especially the middle school that I taught in 15 years ago! Now I get to see the curriculum in action!
A5 Most excited: Getting to work w/ yet another young group of future Ts who are excited & passionate to change the world! Concerns: Always the same. That I'm not providing them the essential skills, resources, & advice that helps them overcome K12 classroom realities #sschat
Oh the too many ideas problem! I feel you there. I hate feeling rushed at the end of the year and always tell myself this will be the year... only to wind up in the same position again. #sschat
Teaching students individual questioning skills loses some of the power of group #QFT, but I still apply the principals daily in my inner thought processes. May just need to customize to your situation. #sschat
Just like the #sschat team (well, we’re 2/5ths of the team), let @42ThinkDeep & @dankrutka know how our pod can help you this semester. What episodes are helpful? What are we missing? How many bad jokes are too many? 😜
Check out episodes here: https://t.co/qagvYZ4dLL
It's my . . . zillionth #sschat and I have the same problem. LOL Hope we'll see you in future chats as well. We're here every Monday (except for final Monday of month when we have combined #engsschat). :)
A6) Checking in on goal progress throughout the year (making it a question @ the end like this). I would also love to see something where we are given a theme/topic to implement during that week. At the next chat, see what everyone did in their class #sschat
A6) Checking in on goal progress throughout the year (making it a question @ the end like this). I would also love to see something where we are given a theme/topic to implement during that week. At the next chat, see what everyone did in their class #sschat
A6: Perhaps someone sort of challenge idea? Running off of what @Katie_Teaches is saying here. A monthly implementation tip we can try out and report back? That was a LOVELY idea! #sschat
"Aw man! Does this homework count for a grade?" 😉
Love this idea, @Katie_Teaches! Great way to help try new ideas and receive actionable feedback! #sschat
A6) Checking in on goal progress throughout the year (making it a question @ the end like this). I would also love to see something where we are given a theme/topic to implement during that week. At the next chat, see what everyone did in their class #sschat
A6 Wow. Tough question as you are the twitter chat gurus. Hard to provide suggestions that you haven't already done. Since I'm a geography guy, I'm going to suggest a themed Geography chat the Monday of Geography Awareness Week (Nov 11-17). This year's them is Migration #sschat
