Breanne Kanak pk12 grade #art teacher in da nort woods of Wisconsin. My holiday break highlight was running a team of sleddogs 42 miles with my friend&neighbor @BlairBraverman and also writing sassy ceramic mug critiques which my kids LOVED #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Catherine - French teacher & Digital Literacy Coach in Mount Vernon, WA. Highlight of the break was swimming with sea turtles in Hawaii. Excited for this chat!
#WeirdEd I managed to finish one last book before the end of the year: O is for Outlaw, by Sue https://t.co/1TI30mVBEW day, sad news
Alphabet ends at "Y" now
Grade 5 Mat leave in Central Alberta. Starting the new year with the FLU, so will try to keep up for a little while. Excited to start back up on Monday! #abed#weirded
#WeirdEd Q1 What’s a specific thing that brings you a special kind of personal joy?
I’m not thinking “My children” but more like “The way Tom Petty shouted ‘BREAKDOWN!”
A1 a special kind of joy.... well that’s easy (for anyone who knows me): getting books. In the store. In the mail. Used. New. All books. Like, meltdown level excitement. And then bringing those titles into my classroom! #WeirdEd
A1 #WeirdEd Multiple joys: Creating the perfect Padlet or Google Map w/media (geek thrill) & listening to French while reading in Spanish (polyglot thrill). Challenges, I crave them.
Wait a lot of you are going wholesome with this first Q. Uh uh uh French braiding this one student's hair when she literally won't sit still for any other reason at all #weirded
Reading, especially the smell of well loved books. I also enjoy Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Last Airbender, and Lord of the Rings....to name a few.... #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A1 So many times I feel like a kid in a candy store, and nothing specific is coming to mind
How's this:
Sometimes when I'm writing and a sentence just comes together and sings
A1: Running... I hate it when I can’t breathe but feel so accomplished after finishing a long run! Plus I get some me time in to solve all the world’s problems! #WeirdEd
A1: when my man and I cook something over the top delicious and I snag leftovers before we both destroy the meal entirely. #leftoverqueen also, bubble lights on my Christmas tree. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Q2 What have you discovered is someone else’s joy (in this chat or otherwise) that you do not get at all, but you still respect their finding of that joy?
#WeirdEd A1 Spider-Man is a close second to Star Wars, but also justice and heroism, the same cheesiness you'd expect from Power Rangers makes me so happy too. I think it's linked to that earnest desire to do good and right wrongs optimism
OMG! Bubble lights are the best! We had some growing up and we would have to flick them to get them to work. I wrote a song about loving lights when I was 4. #Christmaslightsforthewin#weirded
#WeirdEd A2 I'm not sure, I can easily understand why people would find joy in stuff, unless when it come to trolling for the sake of making yourself feel better. Like, why relish in other's pain? Not sure if this is an answer...
A2: @jay_negs’s obsession with Yankee Candle. I regret to inform the world that I support this joy, too, with occasional gift cards and verbal encouragement (and the promise to buy a franchise at some point...?! 😬🙄) #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Q2 What have you discovered is someone else’s joy (in this chat or otherwise) that you do not get at all, but you still respect their finding of that joy?
A2: I like making room for others' joy. When I host trivia, I try to switch out Qs when I know some of my teams really dig certain topics (like dogs, or the Beatles) #weirded
#WeirdEd A2 The fireplace, the cheese & the plants I get (or "understand"), but seriously, the "running" -- I don't know how people do this to themselves
brr, too cold, except when it's too hot!
A2 My husband’s love of wrestling and the fact that he insists on going sledding even when you can still see the grass. My son’s love of his lovee. My daughter’s love of hot cocoa, but only if my dad makes it. I don’t get any of it but I’m happy for them all. #WeirdEd
A2) Anime...
I do not get it but I had a student last semester that so into it...
I could easily sit and listen to him describe it, story lines, etc because he had so much passion.
#weirded
#WeirdEd Btw, gif is Malika Lim, she GMs an awesome Power Rangers tabletop RPG with the actor for Bulk, the current Blue Ranger for Ninja Steel, and has guest starred 4 former Power Rangers. If you like RPGs&Power Rangers, check it out, Jason David Frank guest starred last night
#WeirdEd A1 Spider-Man is a close second to Star Wars, but also justice and heroism, the same cheesiness you'd expect from Power Rangers makes me so happy too. I think it's linked to that earnest desire to do good and right wrongs optimism
My husband loves to watch League of Legends competitions. Like, there was a point where it was always on in our house. I've begrudgingly accepted it. #WeirdEd
A2 more: I have a large family, and we all do this to each other sometimes, because, uh, okay? For example my two youngest sisters are super into makeup and I've just never been. We still share a love of doughnuts tho #weirded
I have friends who have learned some Japanese just to watch anime
And others that watch it in Japanese without understanding a word of it (though someone gives them the gist)
#WeirdEd
A2. So many good ones mentioned already... but the Rose Bowl Parade confused me. The floats are beautiful, but it was so long! Being Canadian, I feel like I have missed a whole part of my education. #Weirded
#WeirdEd I watch a lot of twitch streaming lately, though these tend to be tabletop rpg players, I'm currently following a specific channel: @Hyper_RPG who do a LOT of story-telling-centered ones. Yes, I'm shilling them, 'cause they're awesome.
In reply to
@TheWeirdTeacher, @MsBreKArt, @Hyper_RPG
A1 how excited my dog is for a walk, sniffing sniffing sniffing look up at me and smile sniffing sniffing. It's just a walk, we do it every day, but for her it's the best thing ever. It not only give me joy but makes me want to be simpler.
#WeirdEd
I don't mind some Let's Play videos, especially for games I used to play and enjoy and don't have time for anymore. But LoL esports just isn't my thing. #WeirdEd
I'm so rude, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Cari & the highlight of my break was painting more rooms of my new house. It's not as sad as it sounds. #WeirdEd
I love holding signs and cheering people on in a run! I won't run unless I'm being chased by a bear, but I'm totes there for shouting and holding signs. #weirded
#WeirdEd A2, Oh, I guess I don't get the obsession with sports, I guess I can understand it bc I get passionate about fighting game tournaments and *looks at various collectibles* nerd stuff, but I still go.... sometimes
#WeirdEd A2, Oh, I guess I don't get the obsession with sports, I guess I can understand it bc I get passionate about fighting game tournaments and *looks at various collectibles* nerd stuff, but I still go.... sometimes
A3: acceptance begets understanding. I tried to learn as much as I could about the kids when I started at my school. I didn’t judge them for anything; I wanted to learn who they were and what was important to them. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A3 2/2 I can understand the passion and joy someone can derive from something, which can lead me to accept it and try to tap into it to connect content to something they, in turn, can understand. I can also accept it so I don't shut them down, connect w/S,learn from them
A3- does accepting mean you agree? Hmm, not necessarily. Does accepting mean you know you understand something? This is a bit existential. #WeirdEd#CogitoErgoSum
#WeirdEd a3 understanding completely would be sharing the view or joy. Accepting would be seeing that it's important to them and not downplaying its importance just because you don't get it. And this should be EVERYWHERE in our practice.
A3: ((don’t know if this will make sense outside my head but I’ll try)) acceptance seems more reciprocal, two-way... understanding can be more surface, but acceptance is something more human, more loving, which connects us deeper than just understanding. #WeirdEd
A3 Understand is "I can theoretically see how it could turn a hypothetical crank even though it doesn't necessarily specifically turn mine". Accept is "You're allowed to exist in my space". #WeirdEd
A3: I feel like there's tolerating, then understanding, then accepting #weirded Like there's just putting up with someone's happy; then there's "I get that they like a thing because I too have liked things"; then there's.... (1/2) #weirded
A3: almost like empathy & sympathy. Related & completely different at the same time. I can accept that someone is different but not understand why they think that way. In understanding someone, you start to build a relationship and see how different can be beauty. #WeirdEd
A3: Opera. I don't like it. I understand what it takes to create it and accept that it's wicked hard, and awesome wow, BUT. Ick. It's not for me. I'll still teach it, because it might be for you... #WeirdEd
A3. I listen so that I can focus on the understanding. I love the diversity in this world so I am not out to change opinions on most things. If serious social issues, then a little harder to let go. The silence is as important as the speaking. #weirded
#WeirdEd A3 I can also accept that a S can find joy in something, but not necessarily UNDERSTAND the specific reason why. Just like Dabbing or the Harlem Shake stuff, I don't get why they're popular, but it's harmless for the most part. I can accept, if I don't, I lose 'em a bit
#weirdEd A3: Understanding can be passive. It's based possibly on a prior knowledge set. Accepting requires an active gesture to put that information in a place of peace.
#WeirdEd I feel like we are starting to see this when people accept the LBGTQ+ community. They may not understand truly since they aren't trans/gay/bi/etc but they don't make gay jokes or question someone's gender when declared.
... the recognition that something that GIVES SOMEONE JOY is not just a THING. It's more about someone's relationship to or with that thing. It makes them feel good. If it is a healthy relationship, it can be a positive thing in the classroom, for sure. #weirded
#WeirdEd A3 So, in other words, you can accept that something is fun for Ss, (especially when it's harmless, positive fun/joy) but not necessarily understand it. If you can't accept something, sometimes, you understand wrongly, not understand, or REFUSE to understand
The part of the #WeirdEd blog post for this chat that struck me the most was the part about how true nerds see the uninitiated as a chance to evangelize. The day before break, as a non-fun mean person, I had the "unfinished work" room while my teammates did movies etc
#weirdEd A3: Understanding can be passive. It's based possibly on a prior knowledge set. Accepting requires an active gesture to put that information in a place of peace.
Yeah, that's a special case. The only way my Dad & I could avoid the drunks was by actually marching in the parade! He was one of the guys who'd eject them, esp the ones who tried to jump in along the route. #WeirdEd
I didn't mean to put them in any particular order. I thought at first it was like a spectrum, but I think it has more capacity to be complicated than that. #weirded
But by the end of the day, everyone was done, we rearranged kids to even out numbers, & I somehow ended up with like 5 kids in my room. So we voted on what to do & I saw my first Dr. Who ep. Those kids were FULL OF INFO for me. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A3 This is how I feel as well. I can accept that Snapchat is essential to your existence, but I can't understand why you would want your message to disappear. It will take a while for me to adopt this SM option.
#WeirdEd Followed by sadness and I can hear the books I'll never get to mocking me from the stacks. "You'll never read us! We are too many for you! Teehee."
I'm not a sci-fi person except for Star Wars (obviously) but I just loved letting their enthusiasm wash over me. So much better than resentfully watching Elf for the millionth time. #WeirdEd
Accepting means I may not share it, like it, or get it, but I won't break community over it. It might also mean that I don't feel the need to help you change your mind, which is a step further than tolerance.
#WeirdEd Another thing that brings joy -- when my son is bored, so he plops down in front of the piano and starts playing. TV is paused whatever room I'm in
Nice to have him home again!
#WeirdEd That's the BEST. It's a shorthand friendship test. If I say, "This goes to 11" and you say "Why not just make ten louder?" we're friends for life.
I don't think it's always a hierarchy of "understanding/accepting is always better than tolerating" etc. I think context is very important - sometimes the thing that gives someone joy causes (or risks causing) someone else harm. No accepting that. #weirded
Ooh... I LOVE Doctor Who. There is something for everyone. My fav episodes are explanations for historical occurrences, like Van Gogh, Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill. But scientific ones are so good too. #toomanytochoose#weirded
#WeirdEd Yeah, that's why I specifically pointed out harmless/positive fun/joy. Have worked w/seen too many people laugh at other ppl's misery, hell I did it when younger, too.
That said, I have spent time in the wee hours in the hallways of cons or in whatever room they were playing to hear the last few play or sing. Not in a while though #WeirdEd
I think that doing that, to a degree, is a normal stage of development. But as adults, the onus is on us to establish and enforce boundaries (and make understood the reasons for them). But that also is why it's so important to pull appropriate joyful things in too #weirded
It is very hard for a TV Series to end in a way that satisfies everyone. Look at Seinfeld, HIMYM, Merlin, and so many others. That is the beauty of emphasizing #lifelonglearning in the classroom. Ts can focus on growth and not limit success or failure to a single test. #weirded
A4: this semester I did an “all about me” book (it was a difficult placement, & if I had my choice I would’ve had students do the same). It was a great intro/get-to-know-you. Kids were obsessed that I have two cats AND my last name is Katz (pronounced cats) 🙃 #WeirdEd
No, no. Like a poem from a Nerd Book set to music, or "The Twelve Days of Star Wars", etc. It's the musical equivalent of fanfic or fan art. Often comedic, but not necessarily. #WeirdEd
A4 uh so this is something that I don't always do, because as a secondary teacher I just have too many kiddos. Just learning their names in the first week is my personal challenge. I do a couple projects that help me get to know them #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A4 I introduce myself, usually clad in Star Wars scarf or shirt or my Star Wars Lanyard, I talk about my likes/hobbies, and usually discuss the latest movies, Usually lots of kids start clamoring to talk about Star Wars, video games, Marvel, movies, just put myself there
Depends on how I am meeting them. I tend to start with extracurricular activities no matter what. Do you watch TV? Y- which?/ no- do you watch movies? I know a lot of movies and shows. Then hobbies...
A4: this semester I did an “all about me” book (it was a difficult placement, & if I had my choice I would’ve had students do the same). It was a great intro/get-to-know-you. Kids were obsessed that I have two cats AND my last name is Katz (pronounced cats) 🙃 #WeirdEd
Depends on how I am meeting them. I tend to start with extracurricular activities no matter what. Do you watch TV? Y- which?/ no- do you watch movies? I know a lot of movies and shows. Then hobbies...
#WeirdEd A3 coming into this late. My best way forward is conversations. Letting Ss discuss weekends and things they’re looking forward to. Use it this to connect with them.
A4 i.e. Personal timeline with before me/after me events so they understand BC/BCE and AD/CE, personal artifact so they understand how archaeologists make meaning from objects. But no flow chart #WeirdEd
A4: With my theatre kids, we all talked about our favorite musicals (1st crew meeting of the year) and that just turned into us not getting to work right away and just chatting but it sure was fun. #WeirdEd
Ok, then I thimk mine is this:
Video games
TV Shows
Books
Sports
Music
Though, my room is full of my personality (plenty of posters of things I like, less so of cheesy education stuff) so most kids get who I am as soon as they walk in and share their faves with me. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A4 I also spend a LOT of time talking w/kiddos. I love to get to know them. I also listen. I tend to hear a LOT, they're always surprised when I say something they like but never told me. Like a Niiinnjjjaaaaaa, which considering they disguised to blend in, works
#WeirdEd Bonus Q I Just Thought Of- Does anyone else get that little thrill of superiority when you like something someone else doesn't? Even when you know it's wrong to feel that way. "Oh, you don't like Rush? You just don't understand Rush."
A4: I am a listener, observer... then find a commonality in what they say and start from there. What is your job/ career? Where did you grow up? Status? Married, single, kids... Usually show up in the first few conversations. #WeirdEd
Fave? Well, on the comedic side that's not Weird Al, Tom Smith does a song about Hermione's birthday being Talk Like a Pirate Day https://t.co/66EV9BZPwC
And on the other side the choral works of the Tolkien Ensemble 😍 #WeirdEd
A4 I don’t have a flowchart. Sometimes I ask about the last book they enjoyed, but I’m more interested in their values than the shows/music/movies/games they like. Although I bonded with a student over our mutual obsession with Steven Universe. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Bonus Q I Just Thought Of- Does anyone else get that little thrill of superiority when you like something someone else doesn't? Even when you know it's wrong to feel that way. "Oh, you don't like Rush? You just don't understand Rush."
A4: I see kids only 1x a week usually, and I have about 300 kiddos, so I leave room in lessons for choices. Then Ss can incorporate the things they like. #weirded
#WeirdEd One of the best things about World Language class, the "getting to know you" conversation happens nearly every day. We discuss preferences about everything. A4
A4. I only see my kids 1-2 times a week so I don't have a flowchart. Try to follow other conversations and notice things that lead to a conversation. #WeirdEd
Open seating on Southwest Airlines, standing in the aisle with your carry-on at shoulder height, barraging the poor soul in 27A with questions about their favorite bands... #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Crap, my last Q is really good and we don't have much time in the hour.
We're going into extra innings unless you need to go, then go. No one is taking attendance.
A4. My fav way is to have a scavenger hunt in the class with all types of info about me; sports, movies, music, geog, games, hobbies- anything Ss can relate to. After they figure me out, they write an intro letter to me incl. sim. or diff. to me. Great way to connect. #weirded
#weirdEd "No @chicagotheband is not Chicago the Musical" -- "How have you never heard of Terry Kath? Hendrix thought Kath was 10 times better than HE was" -- "They're more than just 80's ballads, they have excellent chord progressions."
A4: beginning of the year art interest surveys, polls, share-outs each day with my elementary kiddos, autobiographical comics and questionnaire (choose to be kept personal or read by me), zines, “have you ever—“ open ended sharing and honesty with kids #WeirdEd
A4. Also, asking a question when taking attendance. Even as a sub, this helps build connections: Favorite food? Favorite animal?
What kind of tattoo would you get? Last song you listened to? Endless possibilities. #weirded
So much so that I get embarrassed for people that they are so inferior and try to rush their conversation past their glaring inadequacy, so as to spare them the humiliation #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd a5.1 & 5.2 I lead by example and share my joy in all the ways. And I show how to properly react to confusing joys, accepting and attempting to understand.
