#ECEchat Archive
We chat every Tuesday night at 8:30-9:30 pm CST. All are welcome, especially EarlyEd teachers, leaders & experts. Co-founded & moderated by @techwnancy @JessicaCabeen & @VealHeidi
Tuesday August 9, 2016
15 min countdown to discussing Design w . All are welcome!
kicks off in 15 minutes we will be discussing Designing Learning Spaces with
Looking forward to great conversations and ideas on tonight at 8:30-all are welcome!
Looking forward to joining and hearing about design.
Tonight's will be about Designing in with special guest host
Hello from Tx looking forward to learning tonight
Welcome Victoria! Glad you are joining tonight ; )
Looking forward to my first - wish me luck!
Nature preschool teacher from MN - looking forward to participating tonight!
Welcome to I look forward to learning with you today.
Welcome to I look forward to learning with you today.
Hello hello hello my friends! Danielle, K tchr in AZ! Looking forward to learning from & with you all at
Hey Justin 4th grade teacher here from Baltimore, MD!
Welcome to I look forward to learning with you today.
Hi Stephanie. So glad you are joining tonight! I hope you enjoy participating. ; )
Greetings everyone! Jessica here-Principal in Austin Minnesota. Excited to learn together tonight! https://t.co/301lJ5B0Xw
Hello I'm beyond excited to learn from you tonight!! Please share your name & where you're from! https://t.co/CH1CahrQdt
Hi friends! I’m Heidi, an AP at a bilingual early childhood school in North TX. So glad to learn w you all https://t.co/1On7BTBQqI
Welcome back to I look forward to learning with you today.
Good evening PLN my name is Nancy. I am an AP on a BIL early childhood school in N. TX. Looking forward to the learning tonight.
Hello😃 I'm Abbi, second grade teacher from Davenport, Ia. Excited to learn tonight!
Welcome back friend. Looking forward to learning with you today.
Aaron Else
Frisco, TX
Principal
Q4- are a must for sustaining and building relationships
Welcome to I look forward to learning with you today.
Greetings! I'm Stormy Daniels, 1st Grde T from El Paso, TX excited to be here!
is in a Q/A format with Q1, Q2, etc. Mark responses w/ A1, A2, A3,...etc
Julie Willis here from Summit Cove Elementary..I teach ECSE preschool
Sara, MN, before and after school professional
Andrea Mitchell PK/PPCD Consultant in Texas
Hello from Texas! 1st year prek teacher, Repping looking forward to learning from
Welcome back to I look forward to learning with you tonight.
Tonight's is about designing engaging in All are welcome to join!
You will love Welcome to I look forward to learning with you tonight.
Hello! I'm an instructional technologist in so thrilled to learn tonight!
So glad to have you here Aaron!
Oh hey!! Hope all is going well! Excited about tonights topic!
Tim, principal, joining late. Just watched Phelps win Gold.
Welcome back to I look forward to learning with you tonight.
Thanks! No more summer here! Day 5 of Kindergarten today!!
Follow this amazing educator!!! Welcome friend! https://t.co/B4lXPu5pVk
Hello from Texas! 1st year prek teacher, Repping looking forward to learning from
Hi, I am Carrie from CA. I teach SDC preschool.
He so deserves it! Glad you could make time for us tonight!
Thank you! I do love it already!!
Welcome to I look forward to learning with you tonight.
Hi Carrie! Glad you could join!
instructional coach from texas
Hi Andrea! Welcome to tonight!
There are some awesome teachers in this group. You will learn a lot!
Hello, friends! I teach k in San Diego. Beginning to get my room ready for a new year of adventures.
A1: Classroom setup is the architecture of the environment. Without a sound foundation/plan any house/classroom can fall apart
A1: set up needs accessibility as top priority! If Ts have to "get it down," Ss will lose curiosity.
Welcome to where in TX are you? I am in McKinney.
Hello Irasema Sanchez glad to be joining in
A1: Classroom setup can make/break a room! Kids need to have easy access to materials and be comfortable in their room! Ts, too!
Hi Stormy. How are you? When do your students return? Glad to learn w/ you tonight on
A1 setup sets tone for student creativity, should allow for flow and flexibility
This chat topic will be perfect for you! Welcome to
Love the analogy! Very true! https://t.co/xx4cyiyrB4
A1: Classroom setup is the architecture of the environment. Without a sound foundation/plan any house/classroom can fall apart
A1: I think that classroom layout is crucial for learning. Each area needs to be inviting and engaging.
A1: the classroom environment is the third teacher in the partnership...the child+the teacher+the environment
Welcome to great topic tonight.
A1. The classroom environment is the third teacher - how it is setup influences the learning that takes place
I hope to attend ISTE 2017 in San Antonio! Lovely city!
Yes! Classroom setup should be aligned with kid's needs not our commodity! https://t.co/YN8JYYQPWa
A1: Classroom setup can make/break a room! Kids need to have easy access to materials and be comfortable in their room! Ts, too!
I hang alphabet, numbers, etc. low. I sit at tables to see if anything is blocking view for learning.
A1: Classroom set-up is imperative! If not done properly, can lead to behavior issues!
A1. Classroom set up can set unspoken expectations! It can be inviting/closed off. It can be a place for openness vs being stuck.
A1 Classroom setup is super important for preK and K - especially to support English learners!
. Aww, thanks! My first awkward classroom share on periscope :)
Would be there too? That would be great!! I am trying to make it there too! https://t.co/F7fSTPEgXQ
I hope to attend ISTE 2017 in San Antonio! Lovely city!
True! ⬇️👏🏼 https://t.co/kZNG1CEIKq
A1: the classroom environment is the third teacher in the partnership...the child+the teacher+the environment
Unspoken expectations! https://t.co/BGyTxEFcTH
A1. Classroom set up can set unspoken expectations! It can be inviting/closed off. It can be a place for openness vs being stuck.
A1: You can tell what kind of teaching and learning goes on in a classroom just by the classroom set up.
Hi, I’m Karen Nemeth - consultant/author/advocate for for ELLs/DLLs Great topic tonight on
A1 arrangement is important so the child can make sense of their environment. It needs to be arranged with the purpose in mind
This is a great practice. Check to see if there is a glare from the lamination too.
Thank you! I am changing it up a bit to better suit needs to have quiet spaces for learning during center time.
I think the importance continues on through elementary but isn't always considered/valued.
A1.Classroom set up sets the tone. It also speaks to personality and IMO a belief about learning. Collaborative vs isolated for ex.
Kind of like the ambiance in a restaurant. Inviting, interesting, fun or boring!
I'll have to check that out!
A1: how the teacher organizes the classroom is as important as how they run the classroom, emotional environment is key
Our S’s return on the 22nd too.
Have you tried any alternative seating options?
And, like restaurants, much research on how people think and act depending on ambience!
I agree! Follow elementary teacher with fabulous room layout ideas! https://t.co/QtmnFquaGT
I think the importance continues on through elementary but isn't always considered/valued.
hi . I'm Sara, a kindergarten teacher at in North Lake Tahoe. Sorry I'm late!
A1: setup also = emotional and physical safety
critical Stephanie-how do you support new Ts in understanding this concept?
She better be! We hope to present together. meetup for sure!
A1. Movement towards flexible seating in older elementary grades gives early childhood rooms "OK" to be different, dev. appropriate
PPCD Teacher in McKinney TX. Watching swimming excellence and inspired to have excellence in my ECE classroom 16-17!
Safety above all! Too much clutter can be dangerous! https://t.co/utTZ8sA0DR
A1: setup also = emotional and physical safety
Love flexible seating arrangements! Want to learn more about older kid maps/options! https://t.co/h1aEApYaFl
A1. Movement towards flexible seating in older elementary grades gives early childhood rooms "OK" to be different, dev. appropriate
Welcome back to great to see you here!
A2. I like looking at others ideas and making them my own. I need the set up to be functional and meaningful.
A1 The way a classroom is designed communicates care, love & safety to the learners that will become a family in that space.
I like a neat and organized room so the Ss know where everything they want/need is in their classroom. https://t.co/TNx0Ih95ND
A1: setup also = emotional and physical safety
A2. I plan for lots of S space and less T space!
A2. I consider needs of students, materials, Goals and objectives for learning & then design space in way to help reach those
A2: I love sketching out an interior design plan on graph paper and colored labels to organize physical space
A2: back to safety. Ss can choose a space that meets their needs at that moment - quiet, active, solo, with peers.
A2. I take pictures of peers classrooms that I find valuable. I use these pictures to reflect and plan for the next year.
Whoop! Excited to have you join tonight!
I have seen quite a bit on twitter over the past few weeks in upper elementary, middle school & high school rooms
Classroom environment is foundational, looking for a balance in simplicity/not distracting & engaging.
A2 move things around a lot 😝 move again once students occupy spaces and they become real ... Continue to revamp to best serve Ss
A2: I try to make everything simple to get to. I love clear tubs to store things. Makes it easy to see what I'm looking for
I have seen more Ts move away from traditional desks for this same reason. https://t.co/F5MnhIB9rj
A2. I plan for lots of S space and less T space!
Saving photos of classroom helps you determine what worked or needs improvement.
A2: Experience! I have been setting up preschool classrooms for going on 19 years now! And I love Reggio inspired classrooms.
A2. I have even recruited my Ss in the planning process. What have we used, what haven't we used? How can we change it.
It always seems to be a constant work in progress. Consider student input too https://t.co/KZxpVD0DfY
A2 move things around a lot 😝 move again once students occupy spaces and they become real ... Continue to revamp to best serve Ss
organic-great point. Do you change it up from year to year as well?
A2: I love collaborating with my preschool team and discussing learning space ideas. I also love & exploring ideas.
Yes! Change it if it is not working for the kids. Be flexible in your design.
Hi Alyssa! Thx for joining tonight. I love the light covers you use in your classroom to diffuse the florescent lights
Yes the best thing I did was get rid of my T desk a few years ago! It was a place for piling.
Operium Baldwin checking in late to
A2: I get stressed by clutter or too much furniture. Ss need space to learn and organization to be productive.
I'll have to check this book out too! I guess I have a lot of reading to do!
Do you have any pictures of your room to share?
great idea-visual supports for the Ts and Ss for easily locating materials.
Deloris here principal of an EC Center in North Tx!
This is a great thought to keep in mind during the hours of endless cleaning and organizing! Thanks, Heidi https://t.co/yULR4JZ1hZ
A1 The way a classroom is designed communicates care, love & safety to the learners that will become a family in that space.
Where was this when I was teaching! Not fair!
RT Q2: How do you plan for your learning space and setup? Are there any tools you find useful? Share! https://t.co/QJhVNIMkHB
Eek. Computer glitch. Joining late
A2. Room is often more bare in beginning to give room for Ss voice & input, observe how they use the space and make changes
A2: if I'm comfortable and motivated in the environment, my students will be as well
A2 I always thought about the zones of the room, clear sight lines & flex space for multi purposes
Hi! Bea Guerrero here. Prek teacher from sorry for being late!
Yes w/each new group comes different energies and needs... Some like cozy, some space, others like to stand https://t.co/bpWBkVGfhq
organic-great point. Do you change it up from year to year as well?
I agree. Especially in classrooms. Rarely sitting at desks.
has to be fluid too...continually changing to meet needs. Love seeing pics of classrooms & reviewing great blogs...agreed.
Alyssa, Could you please post a pic of the light covers? I usually have lamps but my new room is bigger
A.2 as a teacher I did not have a desk. Instead I had a couch where students could sit & read, do work etc
Yes! At our school we don't usually set up all centers but rather build up! This helps a lot! https://t.co/9tiCHyOE1V
A2. Room is often more bare in beginning to give room for Ss voice & input, observe how they use the space and make changes
A2 I plan for each center and make sure the space and furniture fit
Hello, ! Super excited to be back. I go back on the 18th & the Ss return on the 29th https://t.co/rUZz8Et53Y
Hello!! Glad you could make it! Back to school yet?!
Oh, Pinterest! Don't get me started! I want to buy everything!
A2. Also, this year joining my classroom with colleagues to provide more space, flexibility so lots of collaboration for success
Omg! Amazing teacher with wonderful PINspiring ideas ;) https://t.co/OXaaxH3VIY
Hi! Bea Guerrero here. Prek teacher from sorry for being late!
A2. I have been on Pinterest looking for ideas.
Better late than never. Glad you popped in on tonight. We are talking learning spaces. Please share class pics.
A2 I love the strategy of leaving the classroom nearly bare at beginning and work WITH children to create displays, centers
Hello PLN sorry a bit late i'm travelling home
Rizza here from Philippines
A2. Minimizing tables in preschool this year to truly encourage and engage the needs of Ss as active learners .
Hi family. Barbara from TX. We have a huge learning space in my 3rd-5th building. Here's a sneak peek: https://t.co/p348UY7khc
observing other PreK teachers is key too...always being open to new ideas, systems. Blessed to work on an ECE campus of excellence
When you walk into a classroom, neither the teacher nor students need to be there for you to identify if the teacher is passionate.
A2 my classroom is the gym, been looking out for ideas from Ts on how to organize equipment in the gym
make known & share your successes! When others hear how well works theySHOULD try!
yes we visually document everyday in class! 😊 great to@look@at to remember what we did before
Thanks for sharing! Welcome!
A2:❤️ letting the Ss drive the instruction & design of our classroom.Going to incorporate some flexible seating 2 give Ss options.
Okay, we all need to share videos of our classroom setup!
Teach Like a Champion talks abt having plan 4 entering, exiting. I think of this when design layout. How will we come to the rug?
Yes! we do peer observation for this reason...to gain new ideas from our coworkers across the county.
What things do you look for to tell you this?
A2: wall arrangement - less is best. Make anchor charts purposeful not just cute. Clutter free space leads to a clutter free mind.
This mindset ; ) https://t.co/3wkfa8hwoR
A2. I consider needs of students, materials, Goals and objectives for learning & then design space in way to help reach those
Hello! Christian Gonzalez- dual language teacher
Greetings all! Greg- K, MD. A bit late to the fun, but ready to engage! Hope all are well.
Yes! Exactly! Couldn't agree more! & vice versa, if I'm overwhelmed how must if feel if you are 3,4,5!
A3. I have tables moved away from my T. area. This ensure that I don't let it become a place to "stack".
A3: Not necessarily that something didn't work, but I'm excited to try flexible seating this year. Any advice on that is welcome😉
A3: I struggle with student work. Since my space is the old "home-ec" room, I am creating a "fridge" for students to post choices
A3: Eliminate some furniture to create more space indoors. Add more outdoor fun to explore, music, mud kitchen, etc.
Another fabulous teacher with GREAT ideas! Welcome! https://t.co/SY6GOlNXvI
Hello! Christian Gonzalez- dual language teacher
A3. Less "reg" chairs more flexible seating. More "furniture" Ss can move with. More freedom to find a place that's comf. to learn.
A3. Less tables to meet needs of active learners in preschool
Hi Greg. Are you ready to meet those kinders?
A1: it is important because you want to create a comfortable, safe learning environment that Ss enjoy.
and share with others (hint hint :)). I love getting new ideas to share with new to kindergarten Ts!
A3: Making sure that everything is purposeful & relevant. I want everything to be a learning experience for Ss. .
Hi Barbara! Absolutely! Very excited to be back in K this year! Such a fun age.
I am limited on what furniture I have in my rm. so I just try to make it as open as possible.
A3. Treating 2 preschool rooms as one classroom - Ss have freedom to move between 2 rooms, allows us to maximize smaller room sizes
Q3: downsizing free choice toy selection to make room for a maker space
Please give us a room tour when you're back! Periscope it! https://t.co/O51MSyRUMR
A3: Making sure that everything is purposeful & relevant. I want everything to be a learning experience for Ss. .
A3. Continuing to replace plastic materials with natural materials as much as possible to embrace concept
A3: My school year started 8/1 and so far I love my classroom set up.
RT: Q3 What will you be changing in your setup this school year that didn't work in the past? https://t.co/KKfDAZLnyA
Want to add sensory/light table. Trying to maximize space.
You need to connect with and they are top notch coaches.
A3 this time my classes and activities are S driven, more on Ss choice and collab to develop social and collab skills
Yessss! is going green too! Take a look at her nature resources! https://t.co/lS8ftrVsuW
A3. Continuing to replace plastic materials with natural materials as much as possible to embrace concept
This is wonderful! Will share!
hey! I'm sitting next to Justin but joining in Ed chat for the first time! I'm a school OT
A2: I plan based on what really worked & didn't last yr. One can always change it up whenever if something does not work.
Welcome back to Glad you joined in tonight.
Hi y'all! Donna from TX, chiming in a bit late!
