#FLedchat is a virtual meeting place using Twitter. Educators across the state of Florida come together on Wednesdays at 8pm EST to discuss the topics of the week.
Hello, hello and hello again. #FLEdChat is in the house and we are excited yet again! I love diversity and community! Gr. 4-5 ELA in Orlando, FL is me!
Welcome to #FLEdChat all! We know it's a busy time of year, but what greater time to talk about culture, diversity and community! As you join, we'd love to know where you're from! And of course your educator role! #fledchat
A1: Jumping right on this one, I experienced an Indian Dawali and a few other events that include lots of singing and dancing. It was an interesting experience, learned a lot. #fledchat
A1: I know it may not seem like it was another culture, but this past summer I spent several days in Houston. There was some serious culture shock when I found myself in the middle of a Gay Pride event. #FLedChat
#FLedChat a1: immersively? No. In books, all the time. In the stories of my students, when they share. I’ve traveled a bit but I still don’t think I can say I’ve fully experienced a culture other than my own—in bits and glimpses and invitations only.
I think the interesting thing Cait is that we truly experience culture sometimes unknowingly...though I think we should be intentional about it :) #fledchat
A1. Let's try this again. I have traveled to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Experienced a little of the culture. Want to go back and immerse myself. #FLedChat
A2: Considering I had a general idea of what I was attending, I was nervous because I wasn't sure how things would go. Only knew a few people too. #fledchat
#FLedChat yes. After reading some replies I have to say I have participated in cultural experience outside my normal, but have not lived in a new culture. Also my toddler is sitting on my face.
Join #MakeItReal tonight! It's gift giving season, but teachers give all year! Share your favorite ways to give, and what you need to receive to thrive as a teacher. #tlap#fledchat#kidsdeserveit
A1. Let's try this again. I have traveled to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Experienced a little of the culture. Want to go back and immerse myself. #FLedChat
A1 Had the opportunity to spend time in the Navajo Nation and the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana listening to stories and helping friends. #FLedChat
A2: I didn't realize I was in the middle of it, until I was in the middle of it. I was a little shocked by what constituted clothing, but otherwise I was fine. #FLedChat
A2 Going in, I was afraid I would do something stupid, accidentally insult someone & not even realize it. If I realize it, I can at least apologize profusely & never do it again. #FLedChat
A2 I was excited to be at a museum but a bit nervous. Oddly as a rural boy I was more anxious about being in NYC! Looking back I was so ignorant of the culture. I actually asked why they didn't have cheeseburgers at a kosher deli 😞 it was a major growth experience #FLedChat
Oh gosh, I tend to think about things like that a lot. Fear of the unknown, or maybe a little judgement. I think we can buffer that with intentional exposure, do you agree? #FLedChat
I love your transparency here Adam. I can also admit my ignorance too, and innate desire to learn more and see more and experience more as a result... #fledchat
A3 After getting over my initial embarrassment after doing stupid things, I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned, to have my mind opened. My current Ss have benefited from all these past experiences. And I apologize to those Ss who had me before I learned. #FLedChat
Yes, all with the same limited knowledge. I had taken dance before, so I kind of had an advantage. Classical ballet and Indian are similar in some ways. #FLedChat
You don't really even have to leave your ZIP code to get out of your comfort zone. You have kids right there in your classroom who think completely differently than you do, who have lives that are completely different from yours. #FLedchat
A3 I came from a small rural nearly 100% white town. College and moving helped me meet new people. Interning helped me understand another culture, at least a bit more. Made me more critical of many of my previous assumptions. #FLedChat
A3: My feelings about showing ones pride didn't change. We all should have that right. My feelings about clothing, now that's another story. Let's just say I don't think a chip bag equals a pair of pants. #FLedChat
#fledchat school is an unfamiliar cultural experience for many students. Especially when transitioning elem-mid-High. How do we help them pack their bags appropriately/prep them for new school culture?
I used to teach in urban California and when I moved to Florida I was teaching kids who were living in a completely different world. I went from teaching kids of engineers to teaching kids that were working on family farms. #FLedChat
Yes! And asking a lot of questions of the people around you who know those cultures and backgrounds. Like your colleagues. And if you know your students and have good relationships with them, they will be happy to tell you what you need to know. #FLedChat
For students to really learn about open mindedness they have to see from different viewpoints. A lot of students are growing up in a bubble and this hurts our democracy more than anything. #FLedChat
A4. I think it is important. Helps them learn that there isn't just one way to live & be happy. Broadens their world view. And hopefully helps them develop empathy for their fellow humans. #FLedChat
A4: Yes, it is very important. Students deserve opportunities to make choices for themselves about their adult lives. Without these types of experiences they only get a small taste of life. #FLedChat
If I do nothing else in my classroom, I want to at least have helped my students learn to empathize with others, particularly people who are not the same as them. #FLedChat
And this is exactly why reading and writing are so important. It's not really about college and career ready. It's about being human and developing empathy for others. #FLedChat
For students to really learn about open mindedness they have to see from different viewpoints. A lot of students are growing up in a bubble and this hurts our democracy more than anything. #FLedChat
A4. I think it is important. Helps them learn that there isn't just one way to live & be happy. Broadens their world view. And hopefully helps them develop empathy for their fellow humans. #FLedChat
I don't ever live in the moment so there wasn't much initial reaction. I am a reflective person by nature. So weeks/months later I'm somewhat shocked and working on the fly to make adjustments. #FledChat
A5: Yes, but there could always be more. I was excited to work on Stop Motion Movies with 1st grade Ss last week for Holidays around the World. #FLedChat
If I do nothing else in my classroom, I want to at least have helped my students learn to empathize with others, particularly people who are not the same as them. #FLedChat
A4: Every experience someone has outside of their own culture and context grows their circumference of understanding. Through these experiences our wisdom of the world and the way it works is the beneficiary #FLedChat
Definitely!! The world is just one experience - it's made up of so many. If we don't allow students to move outside and experience different cultures and environments, we are doing them a HUGE disservice. #FLedchat
A5. We don't at my school, but I'm trying to change that by connecting with some schools around the world to share our cultures, learn from each other, & develop ideas around the #GlobalGoals#SDGs#FLedChat
One thing I loved is for Russia, we had a girl in the group who spoke Russian. She taught the others some words for the video. Sneak Peak: https://t.co/Lj3FqG88Cr#FLedChat
Transitioning is a wonderful opportunity to work with students learning how to adapt and grow. Shadow days/Mentor groups/Pen pals are some good ways to ease into the new space. #FLedchat
Q6: And now a quote by Wendell Pierce: “Culture is the intersection of people and life itself. It's how we deal with life, love, death, birth, disappointment... all of that is expressed in culture.”
What are your thoughts here? #fledchat
Definitely!! The world is just one experience - it's made up of so many. If we don't allow students to move outside and experience different cultures and environments, we are doing them a HUGE disservice. #FLedchat
A5 I am currently in a very small rural district where everyone has pretty much grown up together. Learning about culture here, so far, has mostly been about me shutting up and listening, whether in conversation with Ts or Ss. #FLedChat
A5. We don't at my school, but I'm trying to change that by connecting with some schools around the world to share our cultures, learn from each other, & develop ideas around the #GlobalGoals#SDGs#FLedChat
A5: I happen to be an administrator within the whitest County in the state of Florida. At times, roadblocks of finances and/or geography force us to leverage the endless power of technology to bring other cultures into the classroom. It’s imperative we do so. #FLedChat
A5 Our school celebrates Native American Heritage month w celebrations, assemblies & guest speakers throughout November. We also have a cultural literacy night coming up in May. Rescheduled from a recent snowstorm that cancelled it. #FLedchat
A5 I've always been a stand-back-and-obverse when I'm new sort of person, so that has served me well, I think, when I am immersed in unfamiliar cultures. #FLedchat
One thing I loved is for Russia, we had a girl in the group who spoke Russian. She taught the others some words for the video. Sneak Peak: https://t.co/Lj3FqG88Cr#FLedChat
#fledchat A1 My grad program required we experience TWO different cultures for our class. It was an AWESOME experience. The best part was sharing out the experience in class and fielding our pre-survey thoughts versus the post survey comments.
Her students choose a country and research the culture. They present their findings to classes as they also share food from those countries. It really helps students share about their heritage. #FLedChat
#fledchat A2 - I was a bit skeptical thinking that this one time experience can't really do much. However, it was really powerful especially taking time to connect with others there.
A6: Pierce's quote is dead on! Culture is an intersection. (love the metaphor). It is where we meet. It's the table. It's the common place. How can we learn and not gain what we didn't have before... #fledchat
A6 My thoughts on this Wendell Pierce quote is that while our similarities may bring us together, our differences can help build even a stronger partnership. In the end, we all share the same big life moments of life, love, birth, death, disappointment and joy. #FLedchat
A6 Our culture cannot be separated from who we are. We have to understand our own in order to better understand and accept other people's cultures. And we have to understand if we want to connect in a meaningful way with the Ss we teach. #FLedchat
YES #MommyDuty!! My one year old is vacillating between playing with his toys, knocking over my things, pulling at my shirt so he can nurse, and watching tv. YES, this is a new cultural experience. Sorry way off topic! #FLedchat
In reply to
@hutselllearn, @dene_gainey, @FLedChat
A6: I take away that culture isn’t static; it’s constantly forming, deforming, and filling the context it finds itself in. We must understand that the moment we think we “get” one’s culture, it’s already changed (including our own) #FLedChat
Some have prepared it themselves. Some ordered online. First time I ever truly saw chocolate covered grasshoppers. I wish I knew which country that was. #FLedChat
A6. I would have to agree. I teach in a school that is mostly African American, where there is a high degree of generational poverty, & where the newer teachers are viewed w/distrust. It takes a high degree of understanding of our Ss culture to teach successfully. #FLedChat
This is why it's so important to find a multitude of voices for students to experience in class -- and to help students find their own voices. #FLedChat
I read back through that and asked myself "where did that come from?" haha. Thank you. I guess I am in the flow. You know I love this topic so much! #FLedChat
A6 My thoughts on this Wendell Pierce quote is that while our similarities may bring us together, our differences can help build even a stronger partnership. In the end, we all share the same big life moments of life, love, birth, death, disappointment and joy. #FLedchat
Thats probably a good way of putting it. Had I not sought out new experiences and met new people I may be more susceptible to some of the nonsense I see in FB feeds of people I grew up with. I can think of a key moments but really its a vast collection of interactions #FLedchat
I like the idea of celebrating, too. I think all too often we focus on the bad things that have been done to people, and not on the great things people have done in spite of it.I want my Ss to hear those stories, too. #FLedChat
