#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Question 1 will up in 5 minutes. We will be using the Q1/A1 format for answering. Make sure to #6thchat all tweets. Keep the conversation going by commenting to each other and following! It will be a great chat! #6thchat
A1: ss make decisions on what they learn, how they learn, when they learn, how they are assessed, when they are assessed, what they are assessed. #6thchat
A1: Ss centered classrooms and schools have Ss at the heart of decisions being made. Ss develop expectations and procedures with Ts, they have choice in how the room is set up and in how they demonstrate learning. #6thchat
Honestly, with a lot of patience and positive feedback to alleviate the ANXIETY--- so much anxiety! Getting them into growth mindset is a real challenge. #6thchat
It’s not easy. Especially when they’ve come from a pretty standardized 5th grade. I hope to train my Ss better next year in making informed choices. #6thchat
I get that! Sometimes they just tell me, "tell us what you want exactly." But, I want them to feel comfortable with making those choices. I can help, but I want them to proud and feel like it is theirs. Trust plays a big part I think, too. #6thchat
A2: Have self-awareness as a teacher to make sure everyone has a chance for input in class decisions. Like stated before lots of choices for Ss. No wrong answer/options. #6thchat
A2: I think getting to know your students as well as you can as soon as possible can help build that community and comfort zone needed for students making choices. #6thchat
A2: Be willing to give up the reins to the cart. Don't be afraid that the choice Ss make will end up poorly. If it does, help them figure out how to correct and learn from it. #6thchat
Although it causes great discomfort, I tell my Ss on day one that I don't answer MANY of their questions...on purpose. That way, when I actually say, "I won't answer that. I want you to think for yourself," they are frustrated but will live with it. By EOY, they laugh! #6thchat
A2: Be willing to give up the reins to the cart. Don't be afraid that the choice Ss make will end up poorly. If it does, help them figure out how to correct and learn from it. #6thchat
We did a lot of this through @Seesaw and @Flipgrid this year. Sometimes, I’d share a @GoogleForEdu Classroom folder back with the group as well. #6thchat
In reply to
@Mrs_Ennis_OMS, @Seesaw, @Flipgrid, @GoogleForEdu
I generally start the year with, "You will be frustrated by me when I don't answer your questions. It's okay. I'm teaching you to be a thinker and a problem solver. You can thank me on day 185." #6thchat
A3: I recently became OBSESSED with hyperdocs. I started using Google Slides as well and really liked how it went. I started with enrichment groups, then moved on to the whole class working on one. I really liked it. #6thchat
A3: @nearpod is great for either leading or letting Ss have control of their learning time. I used @edpuzzle a ton too - especially while I was out! #6thchat
A3: I'm always struggling with this one. I can self-pace writing, but grammar is harder because so much of what I'm teaching is new to them and requires clear explanation and live demonstration. #6thchat
A3: I also tried to do a flipped aspect and sent videos to students a couple of days in advance. 2 min video with a 3-2-1 question format just for feedback and they rated understanding and asked me Qs about topic. I found I got so much feedback and could prepare lessons #6thchat
A2: leave time for reflection for you and for the ss. Ask questions about interests and needs. Be open to suggestions and say yes more than no. And be the teacher they complain to about your class and not about you and your class. #6thchat
A4: That is seriously my greatest challenge! How did you know? If I have a small group who are far ahead, how do I keep from having two classes in one? #6thchat
A2/3: We did a lot of cooking for genius time this year. It was a lot less of a project & more of a real world activity. Considering how much math & science I can pack into these lessons. We're full inclusion & there wasn't any need to scaffold. We just worked together. #6thchat
Honestly, Ss will create what they know. Usually the expectations, procedures, and rules are what you have in mind anyway. Reword their ideas into the language you want, and they know they had a part in the process. #6thchat
A3 I love the feature on google classroom that allows you to assign to individual students. They never realize their assignments may be different. It’s an easy way to differentiate. I also love using hyper docs! #6thchat
Checklists often help me keep my Ss moving forward when I have 2 groups. Have enrichment activities for those who have completed a concept (not extra work, but something to use what they learned). #6thchat
Organization is so important. The Ss must know that you are aware of where they are, otherwise they may skip parts or not keep up a good pace. #6thchat
I always remind myself that an empowered student is not "in charge" of the classroom, they just need to have a stake in what takes place. Otherwise, why would they want to be in there? #6thchat
Hyperdocs are great for group and independent pacing! #6thchat Have you looked at the book, The Hyperdoc Handbook? It is full of really useful resources and information.
A4: For me the solution lies in our block schedule. The time for indiv work expands on themes we are working on. I need to figure out a journaling/photo process for all of this. #6thchat
A5: Using Google Maps to learn the global grid, which leads into map distortion and accuracy. There are many moving parts and it lends itself to allow Ss to be in charge of the locations they choose, and they build an understanding of concepts on their own. #6thchat
A5: My Ss asked for less structured writing lessons - I can do this, now that I know the program and have digitalized so much of the scripted content. #6thchat
Our staff is starting a twitter chat/book study on Inquiry Mindset. I look forward to collaborating & finding creative solutions in this area. #6thchat
A5: I think my nouns unit could definitely be self-paced. When students are ready to learn non-countable and collective nouns, I would provide the instruction, then send them on their way to keep chugging along! #6thchat
A6: When my Ss are all working at diff places and have choice, they are usually more on task, which allows me the ability to pull a small group and have a lesson or help. Also, I can see what problems or Qs a lot have and pull them all together to work through it. #6thchat
A6: Differentiation is the PURPOSE for self-centered/self-paced classroom. Individualized instruction and growth determined by student mastery. #6thchat
A6: Also, like stated before, Google Classroom allows you to group students very easily and assign work to them. Each S can have different assignments that meet their needs. #6thchat
A6: I like to use hyperdocs and include video lessons with my Qs or I screencastify a lesson so that Ss who may need a refresher or need to work with me, can do so all on their own.I am still there for support if needed. #6thchat
A6: I might have several levels & a multiple yr spread on any given yr. Small classes, time & staff were our solution. When my scaffolding methods don't work. I have to find indep work and rotate around. #6thchat
A7: Math: Khan/make a checklist & have them teach you a problem then move to next lesson. Prodigy math game. ixl - drill problems. #mtbos open ended visual problems OR a project to maintain cohesiveness. #6thchat
A7: Sciences: Mini documentaries or commercials using a device camera & Adobe Spark or WeVideo. https://t.co/p13mV2F7Wm has interactive models. Create a playlist of activities using Google Classroom assignment links or a hyperdoc. #6thchat
A8: The most valuable thing I am taking with me is that keeping the students in the center, valuing them and their choices, letting them go at their own pace, differentiating along the way, is so very valuable! #6thchat
And ohmygosh! I forgot to mention @ThingLink_EDU Interactive Field Trips for self-paced activities! If you want to know more, sign up for the #TLChallenge this summer! #6thchat
