#MasteryChat is a weekly chat with a growing family of educators from around the word focused on teaching better and reaching more students. Topics cover an array of challenges and solutions for teachers of all grade levels and subject areas, admins, and support staff.
#MasteryChat occurs every Thursday at 8:00pm eastern.
The chat was created by team at @thegridmethod, but is hosted by guest moderators each week. Our primary moderators are @techieteachott, @raehugart, and @jeffgargas.
Hey #Masterychat Family!! Please introduce yourself and then, let’s do something fun! There are a lot Acronyms in today’s conversation. So, make up your own to describe your classroom! What’s your Classrooms Acronym? #MasteryChat
I’m Chad from @teachbetterteam and creator of #thegridmethod! From OHIO! I love working with teachers, schools and districts to increase achievement and reach ALL students! Ready for a fun #MasteryChat
Hello fabulous #MasteryChat family! I'm Tiffany and I am super excited to be here learning from you all tonight.
Classroom acronym: I.T.C.Y.O.Y.J. (In This Classroom You Own Your Journey)!
#TeachBetter
Hey all! Phil from Northern Virginia. I teach 6/7 US History I&II and am the founder of #waledchat (Thurs @ 9pm ET) and #Edusations (Youtube). #masterychat
My Classroom Acronym.... GLAD : Genuinely Learning and Developing!
There are a lot of reasons to pull "fluff" into your classroom or pop in a movie before break. But we focus on developing our skills & making it authentic! #Masterychat
My Classroom Acronym.... GLAD : Genuinely Learning and Developing!
There are a lot of reasons to pull "fluff" into your classroom or pop in a movie before break. But we focus on developing our skills & making it authentic! #Masterychat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
A1: I think they are a newer way of teaching. Unfortunately, my district has not caught on to the strategies and instructional ways. I have done some limited reading on them. #masterychat
I dont have a classroom, but whatever environment in the building I step into, my personal acronym is B.E.E. ... Bringing Enthusiasm Everywhere #masterychat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
A1: Science Technology Engineering and Math and Peoject Based Learnomg. I use STEM more frequently we have a STEM lab that our classes visit once a month. I try to find time to integrate into other subjects. #MasteryChat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
A1 - STEM is the integration of Science Tech, Engineering and Mathematics into cohesive student learning experiences. PBL is embedding learning into the solving of large / complex problem or the completion of a Project. #masterychat
#PBL - Project Based Learning
Students are presented with a "problem" or "project" to explore. This could be Individual or in Groups. Exploration is essential as well as the teachers role as a facilitator #masterychat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
A1: to me, PBL is such an immersive way for kids to demonstrate their mastery of a concept/topic/standard and apply it in a variety of ways - and it lends itself so well to STEM content! #masterychat
A1: Waiting for the day we move beyond having to say we are doing a STEM or PBL unit - it's just great teaching that is cross-curricular, relevant, and engages students. #MasteryChat
#STEM - Science. Tech. Eng. Math.
Students are given tools to accomplish a task involving Science, Tech, Eng, and Math integration. Often is more guided while the teacher acts as a facilitator #masterychat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
I am going to go with PBL for my answer. I am part of the New Tech Network where we live in PBL world. PBL is creating a space that fosters collaborative and independent learners....it isn't just hey here is a project at the end of a unit...#Masterychat
A1: STEM and PBL, to me, have interchangeable meanings. They’re both student focused learning through experiences! While I’m a reading teacher, I try to utilize strategies from both acronyms to give my students the power of experience! #Masterychat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
STEM- can you build something? How can we incorporate science, technology, engineering and math? Can we ask questions about it? Are we in a deep level on inquiry? Can you explain it? PBL- how can we apply what we know? #masterychat
A1: Both PBL and STEM are about student discovery and investigation. They offer student voice and choice, as they try to find solutions to real world problems. They often teach students how to overcome failure and learn perserverence. #Masterychat
A1: STEM and PBL are both inquiry based, student-centered concepts. STEM has us knocking down the doors of departmentalization and thinking about how learning is applied. PBL has us jump into a problem, sometimes ill-developed and gets us thinking about application.#masterychat
STEM means engagement strategies (although I know the true meaning) and when you connect that to PBL, students who tend to be shy and want to work alone will strive when you use one or the other acronynms. #masterychat
Q2 PBL and STEM are great ideas, but actually making them happen in meaningful ways can be a challenge. What challenges have you faced in implementing these ideas?#MasteryChat
A1 - Science Technology Engineering and Math. Project Based Learning.
I use lots of PBL in my Health class. Also, technology is a big part of how I teach. #masterychat
Hi! Kristen here from PA. I hope my classroom is:
E-everyday is my unbirthday
N-noisy
G- genuine
A-always on our toes
G-goal setting and goals in mind
I-inspiring
N-Never unsafe
G- goodbyes are always hard at the end of each period. I teach 6th grade sci. #Masterychat
A1: Making my grand late entrance! STEM & PBL — it is where education is going. One day there won’t be acronyms because it will be integrate fully into everyday learning. #masterychat
STEM- can you build something? How can we incorporate science, technology, engineering and math? Can we ask questions about it? Are we in a deep level on inquiry? Can you explain it? PBL- how can we apply what we know? #masterychat
Q1: This is my 6th year teaching in a Project Based Learning school and I love it! We use it as our instructional delivery model in our STEM designated school. #MasteryChat
I see PBL as an interdisciplinary way to engage students in high-level meaning making (making is key!) around their interests + passions to a relevant, real-world audience. It's also a great way to infuse disciplinary literacies across content areas + schools! #MasteryChat
A1 I'll give it my best shot!
PBL (Problem Based Learning) is all about learning in the context of problems. Not learning & then trying to solve problems, but learning authentically as you attempt to solve a relevant problem.
STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)...#masterychat
...is about how we can infuse the kinds of problem solving and exploration inherent in STEM fields into the learning our students do each day.
The two acronyms can overlap, but aren't exactly the same!
Am I close?
#MasteryChat
Q2 PBL and STEM are great ideas, but actually making them happen in meaningful ways can be a challenge. What challenges have you faced in implementing these ideas?#MasteryChat
A1. STEM and PBL work hand in hand but are different in their purpose to me. To me, PBL is the process of putting real world problems into children's hands so that they can be engaged in authentic purposeful learning experiences. STEM can a tool with the PBL process. #masterychat
A2: sometimes it’s hard to “grade” it. We can overcome this by realizing we don’t have to grade everything! Feedback > Grades x 1,000,000. #Masterychat
Q2 PBL and STEM are great ideas, but actually making them happen in meaningful ways can be a challenge. What challenges have you faced in implementing these ideas?#MasteryChat
a1- ooh, I love me some project based learning. For example, kids in an executive functioning skills group plan a party each week, student designers create costumes for the school play and 6th grade Greek mythology kids make a role playing game #MasteryChat
A2- Having that authentic and community connection for every project. So hard to find partners sometimes or actual hands on projects. My favorite so far though has been the new redesigned entrance my students proposed that happened this year #Masterychat
A2: As a 1st year teacher just learning the ropes, I would love to incorporate PBL, but I think implementing it in a successful way will be a challenge. I know that I just need to dive in and take the first step. #MasteryChat
A2: Finding the time and resources to be able to implement effectively and with fidelity. I always start out gun ho and then things happen through out year and I push off. The students love both so I need to make time because them discovering is powerful!#MasteryChat
Lee from Philadelphia, working for not profit developing performance tasks and performance-based assessments for middle school, high school, & #highered Glad to be here. #Masterychat
Hello, I'm Angie and I teach 4th grade. Glad to be back at the chat. STEM and PBL are hands on, incorporate real life, knocking down the box of our 4 walls. #masterychat
I see PBL as an interdisciplinary way to engage students in high-level meaning making (making is key!) around their interests + passions to a relevant, real-world audience. It's also a great way to infuse disciplinary literacies across content areas + schools! #MasteryChat
A1 To me PBL is having the students actively participating in the learning with hands-on activities. A common topic or theme leads the students in problem solving activities that they work collaboratively to solve and utilize mutiple skills. #masterychat
A2: Having a very rigorous science curriculum that doesn't even have labs implemented in. As a SPED T, this makes the learning in science difficult for my Ss.Another challenge I face is my students with different needs lack skills when working in groups & hate groups #MasteryChat
A1: STEM to me is more of a challenge. I don’t see so much of an end goal in sight. More like risk taking and problem solving. PBL is more goal oriented, with an end product in mind. With STEM, you never know what you’re going to get, lol!!! That’s why I love it! #Masterychat
I run a PBL-based critical friends group with eight other teachers focused on finding authentic audiences + experiences for student work across disciplines. A great resource for those starting out is @hlattimer's "Real-World Literacies," published by @ncte. #MasteryChat
#MasteryChat STEM and PBL need to be purposeful. Doing a Stem day or one PBL is nice but using those techniques on a daily bases is important. Students need to see the relationship on the what and the why.
A2: The challenge can be getting those in leadership to understand that it’s just not “playing” but is experimental learning and application. It’s not traditional, it’s innovative. #masterychat
A2 - Many teachers see STEM or PBL's as "icing" on instruction so something you add. I think the key to success is full integration of these ideas into daily learning, instruction and student experiences. #masterychat
A2 Slowing down...one way to facilitate #NGSS#STEM & #PBL incorrectly is to rush the process The more in control I am as a leader in the classroom the better the process comes out #masterychat
A2. Both STEM & PBL make learning more meaningful to Ss it is not completing math problems just for the sake of completing problems. Multiple discipline practical approach to solving relevant real world problems with a meaningful closure. #Masterychat
Stem ~ problem solving , cross curriculum, develops lifelong learners,lends itself nicely to PBL, sharing, refining & the list can go on & on & on and maybe @KRScienceLady will jump in and add some more words of expert wisdom 😊 #masterychat
Nice! How are you finding community connections? I THINK THIS IS HUGE!
I use 25 different community partnerships to build themed units for this in my classroom. Love finding like-minded teachers! #masterychat
A2: Vulnerability, or a lack thereof, is the greatest challenge to STEM and PBL. There’s great courage in providing time and space to something when we don’t know the outcomes. But what we must think is that it’s not the outcome, but how we decide to move forward #MasteryChat
A2: The biggest challenge I’ve faced is anticipating misconceptions, a hole in background knowledge, scaffolding vocabulary and supporting language learners so they can be challenged like their peers! They deserve to be able to participate on a level playing field #MasteryChat
Q2 PBL and STEM are great ideas, but actually making them happen in meaningful ways can be a challenge. What challenges have you faced in implementing these ideas?#MasteryChat
To me they are all about students working creatively independently or in groups to solve complex real world problems that are impacting their communities #MasteryChat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
A2: Time and support. It takes time to plan and engage students in these learning units - and teachers need support to engage students in this way! #MasteryChat
A2 - The biggest challenge is just transforming education and how we teach. Teachers, leaders and kids have all grown up in a certain style of teaching and learning. PBL specifically is vastly different. Ownership on kids! It takes patience and persistence. #masterychat
Hi there! Sherri with @ThirstyBeesNY joining late - just finished dinner. My classroom acronym: DONE (Delivering Outstanding New Experiences) #masterychat
Using them on a daily basis is essential and must be the way we drive our classrooms toward the future. The question is HOW. Do you have a solution yet? #masterychat
#MasteryChat STEM and PBL need to be purposeful. Doing a Stem day or one PBL is nice but using those techniques on a daily bases is important. Students need to see the relationship on the what and the why.
It's easy. Start small. Pick a book, read through it, give the Ss a prompt, let them build using common things (Loose parts), like chenille sticks, cardboard, play doh, and other simple things. Do it in a center. #masterychat Don't go too complex.
Great point Amber. PBL is great...but definitely the value of PBL like collaboration and independent out of the box thinking is what drives the class. Soft skills are so important! #Masterychat
a2 HS math needs to cover a lot of bases. They need to be connected. It's a challenge to get coherence between story lines when integrating STEM themes. #Masterychat
A2: No challenges with STEM, except for the messes. PBL- students have a hard time making decisions and setting goals for themselves. They will take risks to make something outrageous in 42 minutes but struggle to find what they love and attach a product. #Masterychat
A2 Time constraints of our pacing guide and preset assessments. Some of the time constraints come from different interruptions of our time. #masterychat
The hook is so incredibly tough to land. You need a solid hook to get them...well hooked. Also pacing is an issue BC some get bogged down in the weeds and want to solve step 7 when they are on step 3. #MasteryChat
Q2 PBL and STEM are great ideas, but actually making them happen in meaningful ways can be a challenge. What challenges have you faced in implementing these ideas?#MasteryChat
A2: with time and curriculum restraints, it can be hard to find time to really let students dive deeply into PBL; this is definitely my struggle in trying to plan and implement PBL #masterychat
The pedagogy change from even three yrs ago is huge The more innovation & creativity we can bring the more complimented #STEM & #PBL will be #masterychat
A1
Science
Technology
Engineering
Math
All of those naturally go together & should be as easy as breathing especially in classrooms that encourage exploration/ thinking
Project/problem
Based
Learning
If ss are creating they are automatically doing both of these #masterychat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
A2 I want my students to find a real world application for everything we learn. Honestly it’s hard to always find a way for my students to incorporate their learning into a project! That is why collaborating and learning from each other is key! #masterychat
A2 - buy in for PBL from other adults can be hard - it's messy, time consuming and appears disorganized at times. OR alternatively, well meaning adults take over and try to anticipate/solve problems kids can muddle they as part of the process of learning #MasteryChat
A2 "Selling"parents on the idea that PBL is a best practice& 1 that will develop more than content memorization is a challenge. Some love the idea but it is so different from what they have seen. Going BIG/keeping it short with first unit is key. SELL the results!! #masterychat
I just start reaching out to people and give it a try. I started with our school and different connections through that. Then started branching out. Yesterday my juniors went to an elementary and got to collaborate with K-4 building Lego towers. Start small and grow #Masterychat
We create authentic learning opportunities for our learners so they can see the real life application of the standards. Students work in collaborative groups to tackle real world problems and utilize the engineering and design process to reach their solutions. #MasteryChat
A2: My challenge is that I need time to coplan and coteach - it seems like every time I'm coteaching, I'm missing the coplanning with others, and vice versa. #masterychat
A1: STEM = Science, Teach, Engineering, Math ... PBL = Project Based Learning or Problem Based Learning or Phenomenon Based Learning
Even as an English teacher, I have used all of these at some point. #masterychat
Sometimes, the ways schools work in terms of grading, collaboration + assessment aren't set up for PBL. We need to be everyday advocates for systemic changes that make integrated + authentic learning for students possible. #MasteryChat
Challenges come with the HOW. I think finding a system to make this a daily priority is essential - I use the Teach Further Model to support keeping my focus on the Community & learnings purpose #masterychat
A2b - I’ve found the best strategy is starting small, with a clear “why” that students understand. There must be success initially or getting into greater detail can be challenging. Once mastery occurs, great things happen. #masterychat
Every good pedagogy + practice starts when we trust our students, so relinquishing control over process + product to give students agency + choice is a huge (sometimes scary!) move, but it will have eminently positive results on student engagement + learning. #MasteryChat
I get what you are saying. My house at school is the only PBL based house...I still though have to give common assessments to align data...can definitely pull you away from authentic PBL sometimes #Masterychat
A2. Getting resources & finding varied meaningful real world problems to solve. Also integrating multiple disciplines to take into account state assessments. #Masterychat
A2: For me, I've noticed that the biggest challenge is getting kids out of the glazed over just-feed-me-info-and-worksheets mode and getting them up and taking control of their learning and actually doing things. #masterychat
A1 Not a fan of the #stem acronym. not in favor of ranking subjects. #masterychat To the tune of Me & Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin, Stem is just another word problem solving
https://t.co/N3y9eY9wUc
Every good pedagogy + practice starts when we trust our students, so relinquishing control over process + product to give students agency + choice is a huge (sometimes scary!) move, but it will have eminently positive results on student engagement + learning. #MasteryChat
A2
Sometimes these concepts are forced There is a STEM period or a time set aside for PBL
I think they should be Blended together with all the other classes. It's not the tool it's what we do with the tool. Are ss creating or making something? They should be #masterychat
Q2 PBL and STEM are great ideas, but actually making them happen in meaningful ways can be a challenge. What challenges have you faced in implementing these ideas?#MasteryChat
The front loading is the challenge. However, the day to day interaction and observation of a well designed PBL unit is what I live for. That and good pasta... #masterychat
Great point! I teach in a hybrid English and History course and routinely get told that it doesn't make sense to have 2 curriculums for 1 class. #Masterychat
A1: we added an A into our STEM. We have STEAM in our school. We do fabulous activities and have STEAM lab once a week. #PBL is filled with choice. Ss can choose output of content learned. Ss can work in partners, groups or independently #MasteryChat
Q1. Let's get on the same page - I have found that bringing the community into my PBL and STEM units really makes them even more awesome! Define STEM & PBL. What do these acronyms mean? Are you using these strategies? #MasteryChat
A2~ I don’t see the limits in STEM/PBL experiences~ up to the Ts&Ss to create learning experiences/input together and Ts to engage in ongoing PD to learn how to best meet the needs of Ss #masterychat
A2 "Selling"parents on the idea that PBL is a best practice& 1 that will develop more than content memorization is a challenge. Some love the idea but it is so different from what they have seen. Going BIG/keeping it short with first unit is key. SELL the results!! #masterychat
Remember, when something is Challenging because of others (district, school, schedule, grading, etc), you can STILL make it work if you WANT it badly enough #masterychat
We could definitely use GHO or the like; I just prefer to plan F2F. I love when we have extended protected blocks of planning time & I can get to each grade level in one or two days. #MasteryChat
A2 Oof. I have had many challenges! The most significant one is how to make a meaningful #PBL that still gets enough content in to keep on pace with what I need to accomplish in a month, a semester, or a year. We just always run out of time! HELP! #masterychat
How do you co-teach? Tell me more!
I co-teach too. While this can be a hurdle, I wonder if we have a solution to support you to overcome this area! #masterychat
Q2 PBL and STEM are great ideas, but actually making them happen in meaningful ways can be a challenge. What challenges have you faced in implementing these ideas?#MasteryChat
A3 - #teachfurther is a great example of what doing this can do! This can make the leaner's world smaller and help them integrate information and content making it more meaningful to them! #masterychat
I just shadowed a middle school student last week, and I had the opposite reaction. The students around me wanted to share, talk, engage, dig! Got me excited to help create a place for them to do that! #masterychat
A2
Sometimes these concepts are forced There is a STEM period or a time set aside for PBL
I think they should be Blended together with all the other classes. It's not the tool it's what we do with the tool. Are ss creating or making something? They should be #masterychat
Q2 PBL and STEM are great ideas, but actually making them happen in meaningful ways can be a challenge. What challenges have you faced in implementing these ideas?#MasteryChat
A3: It makes the PBL more authentic. We can talk all day about how to change the erosion on the playground, but the second we bring in city engineers to propose solutions & get feedback, it's REAL for our Ss. #MasteryChat
A3: It gives the students an insight on why PBL/STEM is important and what their futures could look like in those fields.
It also gives the community a glimpse of the future and a chance to encourage future generations to continue to support the community. #masterychat
A3 Bringing in the community, either in person or thru real life learning will make the tasks more relevant for Ss Community gives a purpose to what we are accomplishing together in the classroom #masterychat
A3: I think it can strengthen the bond between the classroom and the community. I love doing Mystery Skype with my students, and I plan on doing a mini unit similar to what @RaeHughart did with a make shift pizza restaurant transformation when teaching fractions. #masterychat
A3: think community gives the students the why. Showing how it is used in various careers or real world problems spark their interest and keep them going! The community can provide resources as well that sometimes the school lack. #MasteryChat
A3: If you don’t bring some element of the outside world into a project, why do the project at all? It has no authenticity if you don’t. Show it to the world outside and get the world’s input too. #MasteryChat
Yes! My juniors today as we do some semester wrap up stuff...walk in...jump into their groups and just started working. No words from me. Had to step back and just appreciate the moment. Kids can do amazing things when we let them. #Masterychat
Q2 PBL and STEM are great ideas, but actually making them happen in meaningful ways can be a challenge. What challenges have you faced in implementing these ideas?#MasteryChat
It is definitely tough at first. You have to be willing to move outside of your comfort zone and push the boundaries of the traditional classroom and let the learners take control of their learning. Being ok with “chaos” was a hurdle in the beginning. #MasteryChat
I agree with that, Katie! There's way to much. We definitely need to find better ways to focus our expectations, so we can truly go deeper! #masterychat
We should never give away our power + agency to do what's best for our students. Let's be leaders in our classrooms + everyday advocates in our schools, districts + communities for the larger changes we want to see. #MasteryChat
A3 I think it builds the community and gets the community invested in our babies and our babies invested in their future. That alone is huge! It also helps with communication, problem solving, confidence...#masterychat
A1: Waiting for the day we move beyond having to say we are doing a STEM or PBL unit - it's just great teaching that is cross-curricular, relevant, and engages students. #MasteryChat
A3. By bringing in real world experts & industry resources. It could also lead to additional donated funds. Partnerships could also lead to internships. #MasteryChat
A3 -few do a better job of using community in PBL than @RaeHughart It's amazing to see! I love an authentic audience for end of project presentation and feedback. I love "experts" as mentors. I love tours of facilities. I love experts to model design thinking. #masterychat
A3: When we bring in the community, our kids get to see the connection to the real world and how stem-based learning is applied to real-life. It’s not something we do in isolation, it’s a way of thinking that drives the functions of our community. #masterychat
It is all about building that trust in your relationship, and then taking the time to walk them through it slowly! Embrace failure and support them. Get a couple to buy-in and let them get others onboard #MasteryChat
A3: I always find bringing in community outsiders helps Ss understand what abilities are needed for a particular job but also that community members care about what they're doing in the classroom. #MasteryChat
A3 - Anytime we bring connections of our community, businesses and other partnerships into the classroom, great things happen. Students learn the value of real world experiences, and business/community see the value in education. Win/win!#masterychat
Usually I'm there to support the T implementing technology in the 1:1 & BYOD environment if it's a few stand-alone lessons. I love doing big units together - it's my favorite. Sometimes I'm a station facilitator & I enjoy that, too. #MasteryChat
There's an energy in our building that just wasn't palpable before we went all in on mastery. We are working to make the compliant culture extinct, and we are winning. #masterychat
A3: We are brainstorming about going into the community to tour and learn more, learn about a relevant PBL that could be solved. The future could be now! #masterychat
A3: It brings authenticity to the project, and let’s them see how what they are learning can be used it the real world. It helps make the learning relevant for all students. #Masterychat
A3- I try really hard to have some element of the larger community in all we do. It adds authenticity, purpose and gives us focus! Sometimes it's as simple as making something our class can use as a resource, but an authentic audience is key #Masterychat
It is all about building that trust in your relationship, and then taking the time to walk them through it slowly! Embrace failure and support them. Get a couple to buy-in and let them get others onboard #MasteryChat
#MasteryChat we just had a STEM day at one of my schools and the STEM lessons we just handed to the teachers to teach, to really make an impact they need to be planned way in advanced and integrated into what they are learning and why it is important.
A3: Because it's THEIR community. It's where they live, where their parents work, where they receive all their public services and utilities, where they shop, etc. This is where relevant lessons start. This is where students can start making a difference now. #masterychat
Bringing in community and business partners has made the learning more “real” for our students. They get to see the why behind what they are learning and get exposure to possible career opportunities. #MasteryChat
A3:Community Collaboration=Additional Resources.Sometimes as a T you are limited as to what you may be able to provide.Collaborating w/community organizations/parents/other professionals allows for new materials, content, & perspectives to enhance the content. #MasteryChat
"So not only are you taking a large way of involving your community, but you’re also showing your students the value of adding back into their community." https://t.co/xxYOw1pBlZ#masterychat
A3: bringing the community into our classrooms for PBL can make that real-world connection tangible for Ss and really get them excited about the project! I’m trying to set up a vid chat btwn my Ss and a genetic counselor as we start our genetics project to hook them! #masterychat
A3~
~fosters relationships with school & community
~Ss engage in relevant, hands on learning experiences that supports lifelong learning
~This rockstar @KRScienceLady donated books to our classroom to support STEM/PBL & has visited us to share her wisdom 💡
~ #masterychat
A3: Having the "real world" cross paths with student learning builds relevance and excitement. Students also tend to give their best when they know "outsiders" are a part of it! #Masterychat
Community brings the Purpose! Its not about ANYTHING until the Students understand the WHY. Not just at the end of the unit - but THROUGHOUT the unit of study. Why do we end with the purpose? Lets BEGIN with it and allow it to be the umbrella throughout the lesson #masterychat
The @Skyline_WC is an all-PBL experience, as students work together to close achievement + opportunity gaps in our school + our region through peer-to-peer literacy + writing support. We team with @EMU_C2W, @826michigan + @umichSweetland to expand + amplify our work! #MasteryChat
In reply to
@RaeHughart, @Skyline_WC, @EMU_C2W, @826michigan, @umichSweetland
A3: I think engaging the community in #PBL introduces authenticity to the learning and can lead to rich discussions b/w Ss and community members. Community engagement gives the learning purpose. #masterychat
I was totally blown away! I wonder if high school students just need to provided with the same opportunities - they can't be fake, and it can't be in just one class - we need to change the whole school environment! #masterychat
If you dont know the "WHY" or real purpose in your content, you are missing an essential element. Not just in your lesson, but for your students long term success #masterychat
A3: Our district has a STEAM night. We have parents and Ss come in and we have experiments and STEAM activities set up in all the different classrooms being led by teachers. We have amazing turn out each year. #MasteryChat
A3
We are all excellent teachers but when you bring a real life example into the classroom the ss take interest & realize the real life connection more clearly I brought my husband (an engineer) in to do labs The class learned so much & remembered everything he said #masterychat
The @Skyline_WC is an all-PBL experience, as students work together to close achievement + opportunity gaps in our school + our region through peer-to-peer literacy + writing support. We team with @EMU_C2W, @826michigan + @umichSweetland to expand + amplify our work! #MasteryChat
In reply to
@RaeHughart, @Skyline_WC, @EMU_C2W, @826michigan, @umichSweetland
Love this Neil! You have to keep us updated on the process! @chadostrowski, @jeffgargas, and I aren't too far away to drop by and see the awesomeness happening. :) Would love to see how you build it from the ground up! #MasteryChat
In reply to
@drneilgupta, @chadostrowski, @jeffgargas
#MasteryChat A3 Authentic learning is the best! Students are engaged and interact with the experts. Example: Philo Barnhart, creator of Ariel from The Little Mermaid & Charles Moisant sharing their love of animation, art and comics.
Exactly Neil. It takes time to buy into a PBL classroom after spending years in a traditional setting. Just a different vibe and type of independence students are use to. #Masterychat
Through our community connections, students learn leadership skills, own their impact on our school + region, enhance their own literacy + writing skills, practice critical listening skills, become advocates for equity + social justice + develop radical empathy. #MasteryChat
In reply to
@RaeHughart, @Skyline_WC, @EMU_C2W, @826michigan, @umichSweetland
Tell me more! I am all about #masterylearning and use #TheGridMethod to organize mastery learning in my classroom. Would LOVE to connect and hear more about how you are doing it in your building! #masterychat
In reply to
@greenbergt, @drneilgupta, @ThirstyBeesNY
A4: The time in making the connections. Having them understand how to talk at a student level and bridging concepts. Not impossible - just takes time and planning. #masterychat
Yes! I develop work teams with assigned roles that function like mini-departments. They feel the "real" when low productivity results in restructuring. #Masterychat
#MasteryChat Q3: bringing in the community is one of the best ways to enhance a PBL because community members can bring real world applications to PBL. For example, a baker can involve students in conversions, fractional and decimal operations!
A4: Sometimes the adults do not understand. Follow the protocols of your school. Maybe you have to use Skype. That’s okay.
Don’t be afraid to give it a chance. #masterychat
Bringing in the Community purposefully is essential! Use them the way they feel comfortable and allow students to be a part of the process. #masterychat
A5: I feel like the timing is hard. I emailed a community member in the summer to help out with an architect unit that I was in the process of planning, and he did respond, but as a 1st year teacher, I feel like I am in survival mode and may have to wait a year. #masterychat
A4 - What Limitations!? The community is an almost unlimited learning resource! Whether its donating supplies, or giving you places to let your Ss explore...If you are willing to look you can truly take advantage of what the community has to offer YOUR classroom #masterychat
And THAT is the ? of the night, folks! How do we take a really cool #STEM or #PBL activity and make it not just a cool thing we do, but the very nature of the learning process? Not a culminating activity for a unit but as the unit itself? Interesting ideas to ponder! #MasteryChat
A4 - We always need to know why its beneficial and how to best implement practices that will help students. Also, goals need to be clearly defined for the community and school. #masterychat
A4: Typically it starts off strong, but the support and consistency in involvement fades over time. Too often we rely on the same community resource and burn them out. Small communities like mine, have limited resources. #Masterychat
Time is a challenge. This is when you have to reach out early, but not too early!
When I facilitate students working through content in a themed internships sponsored by local businesses, its a balancing act #masterychat
A4: coordinating schedules can be tough - balancing when the community member(s) is/are free with our class schedule and project timeline can be a challenge - when it works out the payoff is always worth the extra planning and schedule juggling! #masterychat
Developing the right relationships with the right partners at the right time! We ❤️ our partners because they believe they can learn from us + we know we can learn from them. We're also in it to win it for equity + social justice together! #MasteryChat
A4 Communication w/students It can be a challenge to have community members effectively w/Ss to keep them engaged Still worth it in every way! #masterychat
#masterychat Q4: this is specific, but in my rural town, allotting for parental/community involvement can mean that families go without pay. If I have families come in for presentations or demonstrations, it means someone is paying/going without pay.
A4 - Often the limitation is a teachers comfort zone. Bringing in outsiders can be intimidating for newer/non-confident teachers. Sometimes, giving up control of a room or lesson can be a challenge. That being said, it is totally worth it to leave your comfort zone! #masterychat
A4b. It takes a lot of time to get out and get community resources, and then even more time is needed to create the plan. I am lucky to have a strong PTA who helps me make connections in my community. #Masterychat
Bring the Community in Purposefully is essential. Therefore, when students worked in a themed internship sponsored by local businesses, everyone gets to have a role! #masterychat
Always a balancing act. My kids have learned a lot about the balancing act of communities and bureaucracy this past year working with different organizations. #Masterychat
A4- what is th definition of community? If I mean the larger outside community, its a town of 1500 people so we have a limited local pool. It has benefits & disadvantages. Community can be other grade levels, classrooms, schools, too! Peers matter to middle schoolers #MasteryChat
A4: Coordinating schedules and designating time for collaborative planning. Those are the biggest I have run into. It's easier now w/resources like @googledocs & @SkypeClassroom where you can communicate frequently if not in person. #MasteryChat
A4: The only limits placed on the community are the ones we put there as educators! Don’t be afraid to venture into unchartered waters if it engages your students and community in a collaborative endeavor! #MasteryChat
An authentic audience or an authentic customer pull students into the learning more than any random word problem about the how many eggs Josie needs to make a triple batch of cookies.
#MasteryChat
A3: Having the "real world" cross paths with student learning builds relevance and excitement. Students also tend to give their best when they know "outsiders" are a part of it! #Masterychat
A4
Time there's never enough time to have everyone come in and do everything you would like them to do! 😀
Scheduling the people you need or not always available when you need them
Variety Sometimes you have 4 doctors 4 engineers and no electricians #MasteryChat
Great question! PBL can't be a "dessert project," a good-looking, super sweet culminating activity kids get to do because they were compliant throughout the teacher-directed unit. PBL isn't a thing you do: it's a pedagogy, a practice + a way of learning + engaging. #MasteryChat
A1: #PBL project based learning, solving real world/community problems, researching, driving question, creating, presenting; #STEM science tech eng Math-can be part of #pbl but lessons/projects that integrate this subjects like robotics #masterychat
Too funny! I've found that one engagement and interaction with a business partner created so many conversations and relevant, aligned topics for months afterward with students! #masterychat
A4: There may be challenges in getting families in rural/HPA areas out to the school, but there are still ways to engage. Take the school into the community by partnering with local business and churches? Hold meet and greets or even show case Ss work. #MasteryChat#cuesnews
A3 our asst super brought in parents and did a hands-on learning activity as a way to shift mindsets from what community is familiar to more process oriented project and problem based learning. The Empty Pickle Jar https://t.co/cH7O0DJuqD#Masterychat
A2: getting Ts to facilitate instead of direct instruction, allowing for student choice, less structure, more PD needed & buy in, not all are convinced this is great learning; #STEM costs money, getting the PD & supplies #masterychat
It starts with great administrators @MrCurtisLHIS who foster an empowerment culture. We are a Globally-Recognized PLC Campus with a culture of collaboration. Too much to mention in just 140 characters. #masterychat
In reply to
@drneilgupta, @ThirstyBeesNY, @MrCurtisLHIS
A3 Community members bring real world experiences into the classroom. Students are able@to see how the skills they are working on are used to make a living. Connection of classroom to future. #Masterychat
This often requires you to get creative and utilize others as resources for helping you make these connections. PTA, PAC, and family friends are all great people to help you connect to others in the community. #MasteryChat
Trick question...Josie lives in Chicago and boarded a train heading to Denver at 45 mph, the real question is how many eggs will it take to cover the circumference of the pie pan at 14000 feet above sea level...this is how math story problems work right? #Masterychat
We are totally on the same page! At the end of school in August I am writing thank you notes and emailing my partners in mid-July to make sure we are still on for the upcoming year! Once you make those connections they are happy to prioritize your Ss! #masterychat
Changing thinking about grading + assessment is vital here. Here's a question: how much of the achievement gap is created by inequitable grading structures + adult-centered assessment that doesn't value student literacies + funds of knowledge? #MasteryChat
A3: bringing in the community allows for an authentic audience & students raise expectations for themselves; Ss can also become more aware of community needs & problems #masterychat
Takes time to adjust. My coteacher when she transferred into the program will be the first to tell anyone the letting go and risk taking was the hardest past. We all are a little bit of control freaks sometimes...its a tough but rewarding transition! #Masterychat
A5 - There are a ton of stores, museums, and businesses that are willing (RIGHT NOW) to help you and your students. Pick up the phone, or send the email...They would LOVE to support but a lot of them don't know how. #masterychat
PBL is about giving students multiple pathways to show what they know in ways that are relevant to them. There's a myth that PBL is "standards-free," but it's not. The standards don't mandate texts, assessments, or certain procedures; they're outcomes, not inputs. #MasteryChat
A5: Our school division is working through a grant with NOAA to incorporate cross curricular learning on the importance of our watershed. We are working in conjunction with a local experimental farm. Continuing to find more ways to involve the community. #masterychat@dbiggs9341
A5: Donating materials and inviting them in when ready to show off what's been taking place in the classroom. Share what's taking place via video for others to see. #masterychat
A4 To a certain extent, the willingness of community partners to dive in and support the learning that is happening.
Let's be honest, though. It is probably more a limitation of my being hesitant to pick up the phone and call them...
#masterychat
A5: Our school and district are just starting to wrestle with the concept of PBL. I’d love to have community members propose real world problems for students to solve and see evidence of the solution within their community! #MasteryChat
A5: I am thinking about running a makeshift pizza business in my classroom similar to what @RaeHughart does, and I plan on contacting a local pizza restaurant to see if they could sponsor materials for this. #masterychat
#MasteryChat Q5: I think going door to door of businesses definitely helps to get them involved. Picking a broad topic is key: all businesses can get involved in teaching decimals, because all of their transactions include decimal numbers! Something broad helps them too!
My classroom + instruction are always in beta, which is why I'm all about learning from the @teachbetterteam + everyone who participates in #MasteryChat.
I think community can be your immediate local community and involving Ssin their immediate community is important, but the world is a really big place with millions of people and organizations eager to connect! (And our students are eager to connect with them, too!) #MasteryChat
A4: certain communities may not have the projects needed that interest all Ss; like an ocean project but we live in the valley, makes it hard to visit, explore, get data, hands on, etc #masterychat
A5 I'm in talks with an electric company to sponsor our electrical unit. I have supplies, but I'm hoping to make it more authentic...safely LOL #masterychat
A4 - Often the limitation is a teachers comfort zone. Bringing in outsiders can be intimidating for newer/non-confident teachers. Sometimes, giving up control of a room or lesson can be a challenge. That being said, it is totally worth it to leave your comfort zone! #masterychat
I've often thought about working with our community partners to set up a "matchmaking" service that links teachers with community organizations who are passionate about the same work + want the outward connection. I got the first phase going this week! #MasteryChat
Q6 A few weeks ago @TallTalTeaches led us in a discussion of the maker movement. How could community engagement become a part of the maker movement? #MasteryChat
I did something similar years ago when I taught Econ...we did a Donut Shop. Worked with local businesses and couldn't believe how hard the kids worked and the money they made. #Masterychat
A5- for a Social Studies perspective, your local historical society would LOVE to collaborate with you! Web had some awesome partnerships making audio walking tours of the architecture of our downtown, interviewing mill workers at our paper mill, immigration, etc #Masterychat
A5 - Shark tank judges -Mentors for small groups - Weekly Skype collaborative sessions with teams - Material donations - facility usage - Maker/Stem night workshop hosts - Parent Night discussions about value of Maker/Stem/PBL - Passionate examples of design thinking #masterychat
Suggestion 1 : Invite them in to echo your learning purpose. Learning about Decimals or money? Bring in a Grocery Store worker or Small Business owner. OK - really you could bring in anyone who has ever bought a coffee.... #masterychat
A5: My 6th graders for their final project (half year class) will need to identify a real client and build an interactive PSA or game in @scratch to meet their needs! It’s one of my favorite projects of the year, and theirs too! Cc: @ScratchEdTeam#masterychat
Q6 A few weeks ago @TallTalTeaches led us in a discussion of the maker movement. How could community engagement become a part of the maker movement? #MasteryChat
Suggestion 2 : Bring them in to support students. Learning about Informative Texts? Bring in anyone who reads the news or uses reading in their profession (AKA anybody) #masterychat
A6 - Donation of the supplies for making is one way but collaboration or presentation of real world community issues is another great way to embed them within the process of learning #masterychat
A5
I think parents & community should be naturally infused in our schools Newsletters explaining upcoming projects blogs on district websites encouraging a culture of community involvement with stakeholders in our children's education Community nights all year long! #masterychat
A6: Have a business owner come in to share a problem that they are experiencing. Have the business come back in a few weeks to hear and see student solutions. #masterychat
Local bookstore, restaurants, food pantry...we also do a learning celebration day every last week of school. Community members come in and hold sessions with students showcasing what they do. Expose kids early to what job opportunities are out there. #MasteryChat
Tonight's #MasteryChat is making me want to do a country-wide tour, crashing on couches along the way and eating Ramen to save money, to see all the AWESOME educators that are part of this community.
I want to learn so much from all of you and find ways we can collaborate!
A5: local businesses is where I like to look first, the looking for organizations that match experts with classrooms is the next step. We have an Astronomy unit coming up soon if anyone knows any astronauts 😜👩🚀👨🚀🌒#masterychat
A5: Local environmental groups, local charities,& buddy schools are always up for collaborating in social studies/science partnerships. There are always community problems to solve & learning to be had that touches upon where your Ss live. Reach out & find them! #MasteryChat
A6: bringing in community members to learn about the maker movement & then possibly some might mentor Ss or assist with clubs making & creating #masterychat
A6: The Maker Movement is foreign to what many experienced in their own educational experience. Make these spaces community centers where students and community members can both invest time. #MasteryChat
Q6 A few weeks ago @TallTalTeaches led us in a discussion of the maker movement. How could community engagement become a part of the maker movement? #MasteryChat
#MasteryChat A5- one of the best speakers I ever had in a math class was a set designer. Find a local theater or a student studying set design and have them come into your math class and do a project all about ratios and proportions.
A5: Once time & scheduling are figured out, then it's a matter of communicating with the community members to see how the students can help them with their projects/problems and/or how they can help the students. Find ways for the school & community to work as a team.#masterychat
A5: I think the community needs to be taken slowly. Maybe it can be introduced at parent meetings. Don’t throw them 8n the deep end of the pool. #LetThemGetTheirFeetWet#masterychat
A6: I am currently putting in a maker space at my school, and we are asking families/community to help with donations like legos, matchbox cars, paper towel tubes, etc. They can be a resource for supplies that students can use to create! #masterychat
Tonight's #MasteryChat is making me want to do a country-wide tour, crashing on couches along the way and eating Ramen to save money, to see all the AWESOME educators that are part of this community.
I want to learn so much from all of you and find ways we can collaborate!
#MasteryChat A5- we recently partnered with our local Human Services Dept to distribute care packages that my class made with money they raised at a garage sale @RSScrew@dfcusa sometimes you need to integrate how you can help the community as well @SDG2030
Remember : Your limitations are ONLY limitations because that is the label you have awarded them. Change your Vocabulary and #TeachFurther. #masterychat
I loved how everything he had to say was so student centered. You could tell he cared about kids and the issues involving their best interests. He has a tough job! #MasteryChat
In reply to
@TechieTeachOtt, @LindaEdwardsi, @provschool, @chris__maher, @TeachPlusRI, @ProvidenceRI, @rhodeisland, @AlexLucini, @PFToner, @ChrisMarino23, @RhodesBeland, @teachplusMA, @MathDenisNJ, @yesriorg, @ECET2RI, @RIDeptEd
Family and community nights! And even better, ongoing projects that people can stop by to contribute to, at their convenience. Build a sense of pride in building something together! #MasteryChat A6
Q6 A few weeks ago @TallTalTeaches led us in a discussion of the maker movement. How could community engagement become a part of the maker movement? #MasteryChat
A7 - I think any experience that allows students to realize how powerful they can be or how much they can impact their community or the larger world around them is what "perfect" experiences in STEM/PBL/Community integration look like #masterychat
My @Skyline_WC tutors put together a school-wide literary + art magazine called Teen Spirit. We have a release party every year at @LiteratiBkstore + students read their work to our community audience. It's a great way to bring together school + business. #MasteryChat
In reply to
@RaeHughart, @Skyline_WC, @LiteratiBkstore
Agreed. Maker is HUGE in my class because it is HUGE in my district which started with a plan 4 the community 2 experience the powerful impact of MAKER.Almost every effective n long lasting change in education came with community buy-in first.Oh, AND a huge struggle! #masterychat
A6- in our small town, the officials are elected volunteers. Almost all of them were willing to be interviewed by my3rd graders for a who's who of local officials to make a resource for townspeople.(b/c who understands the convoluted machinations of town government?) #Masterychat
A7
I would love to see a think tank of sorts that meets regularly all throughout the school year and summer to work on projects that matter to our communities our students have so much to offer and partnering with community builds good citizens for the future #masterychat
A5: Sorry I'm late but I have to spread the word about @SkypeScientist which matches your class with a scientist in any field you might be covering and they will video chat with your students from anywhere in the world! #masterychat
Q6 A few weeks ago @TallTalTeaches led us in a discussion of the maker movement. How could community engagement become a part of the maker movement? #MasteryChat
A couple of years ago, I worked with students to record songs + we had them pressed on a 7" vinyl record. Everyone in attendance got a record to take home as a thank you for coming! That was another great PBL experience! #MasteryChat
In reply to
@RaeHughart, @Skyline_WC, @LiteratiBkstore
A7 - Meet with community n have students identify a community problem. Ss are empowered to team w/community members to drive their solution. Unltimate solution is done through the power of collab, MAKER, practiced failure, Community support, and EMPOWERED SS. #masterychat
A7 Tough question I haven’t dreamt that big 😀 Any project that we have what we need to accomplish the students dreams so they can realize their power to Impact #masterychat
HUGE Thanks to the #Masterychat & @teachbetterteam Family for letting me Host tonight! Loved hearing all these #PBL#STEM#Maker Ideas and learning with you on how to purposefully implement Community in your lessons! #Powerful!
A6
I just learned we have a Makerspace that popped up in a local mall there is talk of ss having birthday parties there! They are testing the waters with this idea the audience is varied but the interest is so high! The pop-up is moving to a bigger permanent space #masterychat
Q6 A few weeks ago @TallTalTeaches led us in a discussion of the maker movement. How could community engagement become a part of the maker movement? #MasteryChat
A7: How about everyone adopting a benefit mindset and working together to make a real, positive, and lasting difference in the lives of others? #masterychat
You can even request minority scientists or female scientists to really show students that anyone can be a scientist! We Skyped with a scientist in Canada and it was amazing! #masterychat
A5: Sorry I'm late but I have to spread the word about @SkypeScientist which matches your class with a scientist in any field you might be covering and they will video chat with your students from anywhere in the world! #masterychat
A3: When we bring in the community, our kids get to see the connection to the real world and how stem-based learning is applied to real-life. It’s not something we do in isolation, it’s a way of thinking that drives the functions of our community. #masterychat
A7: Dream PBL/STEM project would be where Ss are excited about the work & see the value of it, can share their ideas with the community & implement feedback from them, & have deeply internalized the content while having fun & being proud of what they produced #runon#masterychat
Wow! Awesome chat tonight! Huge thanks to @RaeHughart for inspiring me to continue finding ways to bridge connections with the community for relevant learning! #masterychat
@TechieTeachOtt this is 1 of the PBL/STEM projects I have taken 4-EVER to send you! This year I chose Beat the Flood since we had so many hurricanes impacting the US. The lesson plans & materials are all provided but we do not submit projects like the Ss in EU. #masterychat
In reply to
@TechieTeachOtt, @culliope, @TechieTeachOtt
#masterychat Q6 cont: include tech too! Let the kids film videos of themselves creating the things brought in by community business leaders via @Flipgrid and then share with the class!
