#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.
Welcome to #6thchat! Please introduce yourself and what you teach, and where! I am Kristin and teach ELA and SS in Lansing. I'll moderate tonight's chat.
A1: I think by practicing drills and procedures kids have a better understanding of what to do if there was an actual emergency or unsafe situation. #6thchat
A1: I would like to think our students feel safe. I think it comes from trust and seeing that there are staff members who care and will keep you safe.
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A2) This one is a problem this year. Yesterday I began the day with 13 students and 11 missing. I actually rearranged my lesson quickly so that those who arrived late wouldn't miss the main part of the lesson. After 30 min. I had all but 3 students in class. Need ideas. #6thchat
A2: We started saturday detentions at a middle school as a deterrent. We will have to wait another 5 weeks to see the data. Hope they went down! Cross your fingers. #6thchat
A2: I try to avoid being absent if possible since it almost is more work to be absent than it is to be at school. So far in the classes I taught I didn't have a giant issue with absenteeism, especially compared to last district
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Our middle school also has this. We are a 5/6 school so do not. We do have a student support center for Ss to spend time, regroup, and write behavior plans. This helps Ss have a space to try to fix it up before returning to class. #6thchat
Funny you mention that. I am out on Th. and F and just spent from 2 until 7 getting everything set up, plans written, and ensuring my Ss have quality plans for learning to continue. #6thchat
A2: absenteeism is very high in our district. We have tried many things, but haven't seem to find something that sticks or will make a long term change in behavior. #6thchat
At my last building we had like 2-3 subs and when we would have more teachers than that out (which happened often) we had to in-house sub and sometimes would have no plans to go off
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A3: The class I teach is an encore class so I try to keep it low-stress and more fun so that it can be a chance for those Ss to relax and have some fun #6thchat
A3: We do some type of a pep assembly prior to testing to get the kids excited about testing, but also to have some silly fun. We play games, etc. #6thchat
A3) This year in our PLC, along w/admin support, we pared down the frequency and number of required tests so we could free up time to have Ss participate in more writing, projects & independent reading. Ss seem less stressed to me. I feel less stressed. #6thchat
I sent a Remind yesterday simply reminding Ps that the start time is 7:30 and that tardy Ss have their learning disrupted as well as disrupt the learning of others. Maybe 3 less tardy today...#6thchat
It is so much nicer! I don't feel like I'm on a grind every week. We are writing again and talking about our books...learning to love to learn again! #6thchat
It is interesting that the more time we have to write and read, the more Ss are improving their writing and reading. More testing doesn't improve these things...#6thchat
A4) We use a PBIS model. The verdict is still out in my opinion as to the success of this. I think we are growing with it. I work to improve my relationships w/Ss to reduce behavior issues. #6thchat
A4: I joined our Check-in Check-out committee this year and we have been looking at data and teacher referrals as to who we think could benefit from a coach even if it is just for someone to check in with about life
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For the Ss we don't think it will really help we have moved them to more of a tier 3 intervention and some are on CICO without the actual form just to have the person. We just started last week though so not sure about how well yet
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A5) As Ss arrive w/lower skill sets & higher needs, the number of Ss does impact their ability to learn. I've found it's even more important to use tech resources like @padlet@PearDeck for Ss to improve opportunities to respond & so I can give more immediate feedback. #6thchat
A5: My last district had this as part of contract, current district doesn't...Some classes are at 30-31. Luckily for me a lot of our Ss are in band and don't come to other encore classes so mine are smaller which definitely helps
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The opposite is happening with our STEAM/tech classes...as PE and music fill up, new Ss added into tech and it makes it harder for them project-wise. We do have contractual limits. #6thchat
A5) Also, our district does a good job of trying to spread out the Ss w/behavior issues and learning needs so that one T isn't overly weighted negatively. #6thchat
A6) I try to help Ss acquire a taste for learning & set goals so that they are on a path where they own their own future. Of course I also use my own resources to help Ss who are needy or set up connections w/community agencies/resources as appropriate. #6thchat
A6: I think the best thing I can do is make sure they know that school is a safe space for them and that we as a staff care about them and will help them in any way we can
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A7) Notes and phone calls as much as possible and email of course. I have found more language barriers this year, and also struggled w/Ps who don't return calls or emails. Try to frontload w/positive messages as much as possible. Earlier conferences have also helped. #6thchat
A8: Again another hard one, I think the best would be to keep your Ss active like using GoNoodle or other silly things to keep students active
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A8) I believe in being more "teachy" than "preachy." I think 6th grade is a great time to share "habits" and "attitudes" that are important to being a successful person from the growth mindset to making healthy choices. #6thchat
