At #TIW18, participants will attend a variety of breakout sessions. Confirmed topics include Google Drawings, Virtual Reality, Makerspaces, BreakoutEDU, & Seesaw (more TBA soon). Learn more and register to join us today: https://t.co/oq8Jmvouat#mnlead#edtech#futureready
Good evening. It was a beautiful Mother's Day here in Minnesota. Welcome to #MNLead. I'm Mark, elementary principal in Hopkins, MN. I'm thrilled to be your moderator tonight. I'm looking forward to getting your ideas to have a strong finish!
Hi everyone! Bret from Lakeville. Debating between "Treat others the way you want to be treated" or "Always wear clean underwear." It's a toss up. #thanksmom#mnlead
My mother told me I couldn't follow my sister to her college and that I needed to find my own university where I could make my mark. She was right! #MNLead
Mark from So. Saint Paul. Happy #MothersDay#mnlead! Best piece of advice my mom gave me was to never stop caring and never stop dreaming. ❤ you mom, and I miss you every day.
Andrew from Denver - elementary principal. The best advice I ever got was to always have hope - no matter what happens or what the odds are you can always have hope (even got it tattooed on my arm with my sister after she passed as a constant reminder) #MNLead
Chris, MS Principal from Farmington. Momma said you can't control the mean things people say just as you can't control what caused them to say it. Tomorrow is a new day. Sure enough it always is. #mnlead
Chris, MS Principal from Farmington. Momma said you can't control the mean things people say just as you can't control what caused them to say it. Tomorrow is a new day. Sure enough it always is. #mnlead
Hi Jennifer! Happy Mother's Day. Thanks for joining while on the road trip. I completely agree w your mom. It IS never too late to change. I didn't get back into education until my 30's. #mnlead
A1. I love all the smiles. Kids, staff, parents. The feeling of celebration, a job well done, appreciation. I see ppl helping out. It's pretty powerful. #mnlead
A1 #mnlead I love seeing my students spring back to life, just like the outdoors in Minnesota. Its bittersweet, because I know we are coming to an end... not the end, but an end.
A1: I love all the special events that celebrate all the talents our kids have - from a fun run, to a talent show, a science fair, and sharing end of year projects - the school is full of families celebrating and creating community until the last day #MNLead
#mnlead I feel like with spring everyone gets a fresh start! It's a new beginning! Also the feeling of accomplishment! Reflecting on the amazing things that we have done throughout the year!!
I am all for the learning opportunities outdoors! If there is no reason to do a lesson in the classroom, consider taking them outside to do it. It is helpful for numerous reasons. A1 #mnlead
A1– the energy and celebration of accomplishments. That being said, this SHOULD be happening all year long. Just seems to be more obvious as we close out a school year. #mnlead
A1. Something new we are doing this year is having graduating seniors come back to their elementary school to be clapped out and speak with 5th graders. Excited about this new event. #MNLead
A1 Celebrating with staff and @Jrwildcatsroar around all the great accomplishments. When you get to spend time with people that have invested all the work and tears into the process you have to celebrate #MNLead#flaspd
The reflection thing is huge. I think sometime my students don't realize how much they really covered in my American History or #MNstudies classes until we do a year in review. A1 #mnlead
#mnlead I feel like with spring everyone gets a fresh start! It's a new beginning! Also the feeling of accomplishment! Reflecting on the amazing things that we have done throughout the year!!
A1. Something new we are doing this year is having graduating seniors come back to their elementary school to be clapped out and speak with 5th graders. Excited about this new event. #MNLead
A1: I love seeing the 3 year journey in our students. When they came in as 6th graders thinking they could conquer the world to 8th graders that just might but are a bit more humble about it. #mnlead
A1. Personally, I love the challenge of finishing strong. When I see the finish line, I push to run harder than I’ve run all year. Starting strong is important and ending strong is just as important. Puts the exclamation point on the year. boom! #MNLead
Culminating events are awesome! We just had our amazing talent show on Friday. We have a WEB retreat coming up in a few weeks. I'll be bringing a couple of guests to share with them. #CelebrationOfLearning A1 #mnlead
A1 #MNLead I love slowly reflecting on practice as results roll in thinking about gathering ideas from staff and Ss about how to do/be better NEXT year. Then create a plan of action to make it happen!
I know too many teachers who are counting down the days until "my freedom". This makes me sad. I look at how many days we have left & wonder how I can pack so much more in there before I have to let my ducklings go. A1 #mnlead
A1 #MNLead I love slowly reflecting on practice as results roll in thinking about gathering ideas from staff and Ss about how to do/be better NEXT year. Then create a plan of action to make it happen!
A1 The same things I love about the rest of the year-seeing the kids continue to learn and grow. When I was a regular classroom T it was always fun to think about how far Ss had progressed, now as a specialist it's fun to see that year after year. #MNLead
I am working on organizing the 8th grade recognition this year with my WEB students. There is always that bittersweet moment. You've seen them grow so much and you want to be with them on their next journey, but like a mother, you have to let them go & explore. A1 #mnlead
A1- Joining from Virginia a little late. Favorite things this time of year has to be the excitement in the building. The Spring blossoms so many positive items in our building. #MNLead
A2 A Celebration Board! At recess, give your students post-its and markers and ask them to write nice things about staff members. It's amazing what they write on their own. Hang them up in the halls and watch all the ppl stop to read them. #mnlead
A2 I love giving the Ss end of the year surveys (actually I give them every quarter). It is such a great way to learn what your Ss think about you and your teaching. Kids can be critical, but that's a good thing, makes me a better T for sure. #MNLead
Q2 #mnlead We're doing a WEB retreat where the outgoing 8th leaders are initiating the new incoing 8th grade WEB leaders. So much of the retreat is based on relationship building. We're bringing in @RyanVernosh, @AB_Wright & @kellydholstine to help us!
In reply to
@PrincipalFrench, @RyanVernosh, @AB_Wright, @kellydholstine
A2–Reflection and celebration. I’m amazed at how many connect based on “remember that” and “I really enjoyed..” or “__ was challenging, but we got through it together.” And of course...you can’t go wrong with genuine conversations & smiles. #mnlead
Here are my 5th graders responses from this year's End of the Year survey. Giving the 3rd and 4th graders the survey this week. https://t.co/Nn8lxkNuG7#MNLead
#MNLead I think anything you can do together as a school, any appreciation that can be shown to staff and students is a plus! Celebrate the end with lots of celebrations! (Even though we don't necessarily like endings.) A genuine thank you goes a long way!
A2: We find ways to mix it up so that students are guessing. On Fridays we have different dress up theme days that are subtle. A few weeks back we all wore blue and it drove some Ss crazy! The last one is going to be in honor of Ss with hooded sweatshirts and headphones! #mnlead
I wish more teachers would take the time to watch their students play a sport. The impact is tremendous. A2 #mnlead At the very least, wish them best of luck (sincerely) as you are leaving school, so they know you support them. IT means the world to them.
Could be serious or silly...awards made on paper plates...could be "most improved in writing," "best storyteller," "always corrects the teacher's spelling," etc. something fun / funny but also real and meaningful. Can do for adults too. #mnlead
I also reflect a lot this time of the year and try to pinpoint the days throughout the year that I might have coasted. I can always find 3-5 days that I know I could have had a more engaging & meaningful lesson. I'd love to have those days back. A1 #mnlead
I wish more teachers would take the time to watch their students play a sport. The impact is tremendous. A2 #mnlead At the very least, wish them best of luck (sincerely) as you are leaving school, so they know you support them. IT means the world to them.
Oh so you do it for kids! Cool!
@ryanssiemens and I did staff awards this year, but made them like Oscar awards. But the paper plate ones might be a great way to finish a year! #MNLead
Tell me about it! I have three of my own and we are CRAZY busy. But, let them know about your own kids too. They will start asking about their dance, or baseball or pageant events. They DO care about us too. #mnlead
A3: You start the year with them, so at this time of year, everything continues to go smoothly!! Lots of kids really need consistency and routine. #MNLead
A3 I like to keep my routines as normal as possible this time of year, I think it helps both me and the kids not think about school getting over soon, but I know others like to mix it up. I think you have to figure out what's best for you and your Ss and go from there, #MNLead
Celebrate the achievement of your students in all of their endeavors in and out of the classroom. Celebrate their academics, sports, artsed, community involvement etc. My Celebrating Achievement page https://t.co/KVF1NNncOF#MNLead
Routines are vital, but don't be afraid to change things up just a little bit too. Let your students know that they are ready to break out of their comfort zones a little... but you have to be intentional and tell them the "WHY" you are doing it. Otherwise, it's confusing #mnlead
A3 Routines r vital, but don't b afraid 2 change things up just a little bit too. Let your students know that they r ready 2 break out of their comfort zones a little... but you have to be intentional and tell them the "WHY" you are doing it. Otherwise, it's confusing #mnlead
A3- This time of year with State testing there is a major change in our daily routine. However our teachers do an amazing job providing enriching and structured lessons which keeps all students engaged. So Ss are not upset with the change. #MNLead
I don't even start packing up my room until the very last week of school. Years ago I did pack it up earlier, but realized that it makes me think things are over and I would get pretty lazy with my teaching. So, now I wait. #MNLead
A3: Routines make the world go round...seriously. Keep routines in the forefront of your mind and S’s and T’s will thank you for it. May is the time to stay the course with the routines you have built all year. #mnlead
A3 Please provide more structure for students/families so that they can be successful at the end of the year. The same support we provide for families and students to start the year! Not all students are excited for the summer. They are leaving their superheroes! #MNLead
A3– Be consistent, now more than ever. Have fun, and remember not to throw safety and school/class community out the window. Changes are inevitable, but how we handle them is up to us. #positiveattitude#rollwithit#mnlead
Yes! Again, students thrive when they know they have a champion. Seeing you after school, still caring about them is an eye opener for many students. #mnlead (And seeing them outside of the classroom is eyeopening for teachers too!)
In reply to
@JenO2687, @APKRentz, @PrincipalFrench
I don't even start packing up my room until the very last week of school. Years ago I did pack it up earlier, but realized that it makes me think things are over and I would get pretty lazy with my teaching. So, now I wait. #MNLead
A3 We start the year building rituals and routines. We practice them right after breaks. It’s most important to keep it going now. Our students aren’t all that great at “filling empty time” without guidance. Stay strong all the way to the end! #mnlead
I HATE when teachers pack up there room. I've seen some in my own building doing it for weeks! I try not to pack up until the final day or two. (& many of you have seen pictures of my room. There is a LOT in there.) I don't want them to think I am checked out. A3 #mnlead
I don't even start packing up my room until the very last week of school. Years ago I did pack it up earlier, but realized that it makes me think things are over and I would get pretty lazy with my teaching. So, now I wait. #MNLead
I HATE when teachers pack up there room. I've seen some in my own building doing it for weeks! I try not to pack up until the final day or two. (& many of you have seen pictures of my room. There is a LOT in there.) I don't want them to think I am checked out. A3 #mnlead
I don't even start packing up my room until the very last week of school. Years ago I did pack it up earlier, but realized that it makes me think things are over and I would get pretty lazy with my teaching. So, now I wait. #MNLead
Just remembered I wrote this post a few years ago - all about finishing the school year strong: https://t.co/0gLJfocwix Key message: bring your best stuff at the end!! #mnlead
I think we often forget that they are still children. For me, they are 11-14yos. They have a million things racing through their minds. They are not always going to pick up on our subtle ways they way we think they "should" #mnlead
Just remembered I wrote this post a few years ago - all about finishing the school year strong: https://t.co/0gLJfocwix Key message: bring your best stuff at the end!! #mnlead
A3 #MNLead Routines and procedures from day one are critical t the last day. The biggest difference, be more VISIBLE than you are at any time of the year, no matter how visible you are!
If anything, I try to be more interactive with my students at the end of the year. The last thing they need is a time filler to move them on to the next class period. It doesn't help them or you. And, they read right through it. A3 #mnlead
Lol. The post was inspired by Mariano Rivera, the great Yankees closer who brought the heat in the 9th inning to help seal the deal and "finish strong." #mnlead
A4: All Learning should be relevant all year long. This time of year when the weather is nice, it’s good to get the students outside and do some different activities than you’d typically do in class #mnlead
A4: If it can be done outside, do it outside. We are cooped up during winter for far too long. If you set parameters for students out of the classroom, they will meet them. #mnlead
#MNLead If you are staying true to routines the learning is there... But a change of scenery or a field trip relating to something you are learning is always a plus!
Sooo true - we need to stay engaged with kids so everyone leaves on a high note. I was a camp director too - lots of bad stuff could go down in camps and schools when adults detatch. Great reminder. #mnlead
#MNlead I want my room to be a welcomed and comfortable space... and it should be every day. What message would I be sending if I pack up everything early? "Ok students, it is YOUR turn to mail it in now!" I can't do that. https://t.co/UgVr6t2Vdv
A4– get busy, get messy, get loud! Use your resources and take your learning on the road. What about an outdoor reading lesson under a tree, or a science project measuring angles of the slide or swing? #takeadvantage#mnlead
#MNLead last year for a celebration I took the school to our water park the last day of school. Our elementary booster club paid for it! I swam with the kids and even did flips off of the diving board! 😜
Showing what we know! School demonstrations, performances in our outdoor learning space(Reader's Theater), STEM projects, outdoor reading, having older classes mentor the younger students. It's a blast! #mnlead
A4– get busy, get messy, get loud! Use your resources and take your learning on the road. What about an outdoor reading lesson under a tree, or a science project measuring angles of the slide or swing? #takeadvantage#mnlead
#MNLead last year for a celebration I took the school to our water park the last day of school. Our elementary booster club paid for it! I swam with the kids and even did flips off of the diving board! 😜
A4 - Don’t let the end of the year be a reason to not keep your hand on the throttle - Keep the energy up, find things that inspire and focus on kiddos/teachers that are busting it and making it happen! #MNLead
A5– #Reflection
Self, staff, student.
Be humble but celebrate the wins. Think about how to improve the not so fantastic stuff.
Just be visible and be real. #mnlead
A5- This is the time of year you have to bring your “A” game everyday. This is the time to leaving a lasting impression on your students and you can’t do that by watching movies, doing worksheets and completing packets. Make a positive lasting impression!!! #MNLead
OH Positivity! Such a good word and really important! With a lot of change happening at this time of year, some can get focused on the negative....me included! #mnlead
A5 #mnlead Reflection. Again, I think our students are bombarded w/s many things throughout the course of the year. When they take a moment to step back & see how much they truly accomplished. They are amazed & proud of themselves.
Here's tonight's #MNLead CTA (Call to Action). What did you learn tonight that you will apply to help you finish strong? Give that person a shout out if you'd like!
A5 #mnlead Reflection. Again, I think our students are bombarded w/s many things throughout the course of the year. When they take a moment to step back & see how much they truly accomplished. They are amazed & proud of themselves.
Here's tonight's #MNLead CTA (Call to Action). What did you learn tonight that you will apply to help you finish strong? Give that person a shout out if you'd like!
A5 #mnlead cont. I start w/a silent, individual reflection of what their 3 most favorite things were. Then, I have them write them on the board. They are shocked when they see everything, & it triggers their own memory. "Oh yeah! How could I forget that? I LOVED that!"
Here's tonight's #MNLead CTA (Call to Action). What did you learn tonight that you will apply to help you finish strong? Give that person a shout out if you'd like!
Here's tonight's #MNLead CTA (Call to Action). What did you learn tonight that you will apply to help you finish strong? Give that person a shout out if you'd like!
And if they struggle with finding a positive, give them a boost. We are proud of them, but I want them to be able to celebrate themselves and all they accomplished too. #kidsdeserveit#mnlead
CTA I'll call out @Wyomingwildcats@Slater_Curtis_ for reminding me that not every kid(or adult) is looking forward to school coming to an end. That is another reason to give all the love you can to those we work for and with. #mnlead
Shout out to @PrincipalFrench for taking the lead on #mnlead tonight. We have one more chat next week before taking a summer hiatus. Would anyone like to join me for "Summer goals" next week?
And I want to now from them what they least favorite things were. I think it is healthy for them and healthy for me to know. But I always want a "WHY?" Be descriptive. I can't improve unless I know what didn't work. A5 #mnlead
CTA #MNLead
Our students are just like our natural surroundings. Some of them are going to bloom and blossom much earlier than others. We need to let them know we are there for them before, during and after the bloom.
CTA #MNLead
Our students are just like our natural surroundings. Some of them are going to bloom and blossom much earlier than others. We need to let them know we are there for them before, during and after the bloom.
Hey #mnlead'ers, especially those who are new to the chat. I'm flying 12 Ss who've never flown to the Rockies in <3 weeks… hopefully to build an experience & relationships that will last far beyond their formal education... but I could use some help!
https://t.co/6lTSc7bMaa
#MNLead is only as strong as all you participants and those who step up to moderate or co-moderate. Please consider hosting a future chat! I'll help anyone who would like support.
These kids have never been to the mountains, & most have never camped. None of them have flown before. Generous donors have already bought them sleeping bags & pads, but none of them have wool hiking socks, or fleece. I'd LOVE to get them some... w/your help, of course! #mnlead
