A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
Hey all! Phil from Northern Virginia. I teach 6/7 US History I&II and am the founder of #waledchat (Thurs @ 9pm ET) and #Edusations (Youtube). Thrilled to be here! #mschat
Unfortunately I don't have the time to peek into #MSchat (nor do I teach MS anymore), BUT I wanted to say hello & just show my appreciation to @JoyKirr.
Joy, you are one of the most authentic, caring, & unassuming ppl in #edu.
Have a great chat& best wishes for #2019
Hi #mschat and #masterychat. Kristen from PA. I teach 6th grade physical science. I just spent the last hour trying to work on the progress I’ve made in PT during break.... and couldn’t. But that’s ok. Nothing a chat can’t fix!!
A1: focus has been on me for a while with job transitions and the focus and time required for those. Now it’s time for me to give the support back to family as they are going through some transitions/new experiences of their own. #mschat
A1: GRATITUDE.
It's kept me happy and healthy since 2014... No matter what's going on, I have so much to be grateful for. I need to show it more. And more. Each year! #mschathttps://t.co/C5EVpML4TL
A1: Thrive. Really for personal reasons that I blogged about this week. But am working on a blog that takes it professionally. I have been surviving since September. And I’m not a survivor. I’m a thriver. #mschat
A1: Just decided, my #oneword2019 is Connections. This is both in and out of ed. Connections with Ss, Tchs, community, friends, family. I need to make it a point to connect more! #mschat#miched
A1: My #oneword2019 is CHOOSE, which I selected as s reminder to choose:
Healthy over unhealthy
Active over inactive
Family over screen time
Positive over negative
Etc.
#mschat
A1: Completion, I am finishing my Ed.D., couch to 10K, and working on improvement efforts at my campus. I choose COMPLETION because follow through and finishing is king #mschat
A1: "Connections" #oneword2019 will help remind me to reach out, ask questions & listen, follow up to keep connections. Be present while making connections too! #mschat
A2: it will guide me because completing things is the reward for me not necessarily what the completion actually brings. I will even finish a bad movie just to be finished. GRIT #mschat
A2: When things go wrong at school, I'll show gratitude that I am NOT a surgeon. Or at a (literally) back-breaking job. I'll be grateful for the little loves (even though some 12-year olds are bigger than me) in my life. #mschat
Natalie, 7th grade science in IL
A1: my #oneword2019 is intention... because I've done a little too much "aimless" recently! I'd like to focus on being intentional, especially in the use of my down time. #mschat
A1: My #oneword2019 is REBORN. I’m taking life and busting out of the funk. I started running again and I’m looking forward to bringing you old self back to my newest school assignment. #mschat
A3:Feedback from my spouse, kids and students was I was lacking moments and too focused on the future. #mschat Worrying about what my come should not guide my life
A2: made specific goals related to that word professionally and personally. Worked on an acronym professionally today. Almost ready to blog about it. It was a hard first day back and don’t know if my personal goals will work. But will revisit, reflect, and redo if necc #mschat
The winter ice that was below my feet today almost stopped me and put me on my backside. It was one of those, “you’re not as young as you used to be so slow down” moments. #mschat
A3: No process. Sat down for this chat, skimmed the article @blocht574 linked about choosing a word and thought about what's most important to me right now. #connections#mschat
A3: looked at what was most important to me in short-term goals and looked for a common thread to meet those goals. I could have also chosen FAITHFUL. #mschat
A3: Process? Two catalysts... one from a student, and one from @RoweRikW... The person who is grateful, and the person who is receiving the appreciation (once you show it!) simply become happier. #mschat
No doubt. I'm with you! Five times on my walk yesterday a foot slipped out from under me. Keep your phone with you, for sure. Here's to spring! ;D #mschat
A3: I reflected sometime In December and decided I wanted to get back into some of the things I did in my younger years that made me feel successful. #mschat
A4: I have place the words Carpe Diem on my desk at work: I want to Seize the DAY instead of seizing the future #mschat I plan to write weekly reflections in a journal
A3: I have had that word in mind for a long time now. Came from a song by @castingcrowns. https://t.co/JIQOr9z7oo Have the T-shirt. Wear it often. Especially to PT as a reminder to myself. 😂😂😂 hasn’t really worked though.. #mschat
A4: I'll know "gratitude" has not been reflected upon or given if/when I become stressed or "overwhelmed." I'll remember then to go back to my #oneword. Even though I've had this word for years, stress can still be a reminder. #mschat
A3: More so than previous years, this year’s OneWord just kind of came to me. I developed a short list, but didn’t veer far from the word to which I eventually commited. #mschat
A4: Monthly. I am going to put a reminder on my calendar righ tnow to think about my #oneword2019#connections This way, I will check in with myself, be reminded and refocus if necessary. #mschat
A4: How to then reflect at the end of each month then read it all come December to see how I did... #mschat Words have to lead to actions otherwise they are just good intentions
A3: No process. Sat down for this chat, skimmed the article @blocht574 linked about choosing a word and thought about what's most important to me right now. #connections#mschat
A5: My class will be about moments that are meaningful. Students will know and SEE the WHY we are learning #mschat Hopefully it will led to more engagement and ownership
Just added a reminder on my calendar to the first Friday of every month. I will rethink, decide what #connections I need to work on, fix, change, etc. #mschat
After attending an OWL workshop & reading TLAP, I realized that my focus needed to be on amplifying the kinesthetic aspect of my lessons. So, I decided to be CONSCIENTIOUS of that need & find ways to bring my lessons to my students' hearts and not just their minds). #mschat
A4: plan on assessing my goals based on the acronym I created monthly. Personally? I don’t know yet. Too many unknowns with rehab and after my first day back... want to #bereal and don’t feel like my blog fits. Will give it a week and adjust if necc. #mschat
OOOH! Great question! We have "thankful Thursdays" for starters, and I keep trying to remind students when I hear complaints that they have a roof over their heads, food for lunch, and love and appreciation from me. #mschat
A4: I have place the words Carpe Diem on my desk at work: I want to Seize the DAY instead of seizing the future #mschat I plan to write weekly reflections in a journal
A5: I will take more risks with my Ss and be more like the teacher I was in my former school. I’ve dipped my toe into the new culture and I now feel I can break out of my shell for my Ss. #mschat
A5: If I am paying more attention to "connections", my Ss will benefit daily. Being present, discussing what Ss are doing, thinking, talking about, struggling w/, etc. my classroom will be a better place. #mschat
A6: align classroom goals with one another and everyone work for a common goal. Or in my personal goals make sure I have accountability partners. #mschat
I will be starting our new year using One Word with my Ss. I will ask them to choose a word to define how they want to end their school and tie it to their goal. We will then take their word and put it in their Evidence Journal and reflect on it throughout the year. #mschat
#mschat is here weekly, Thursdays 8 PM ET Feel free to join in any time!
AND if there are topics you want to discuss or you want to moderate let me know!
Students can choose OneWord, too.
Depending on the level, it might be best to encourage them to focus on a word for a quarter, a week, or even just a class period. Good habits develop from small actions that lead to success. #mschat
Well, I hope that through this change my Ss will have an uncommon desire to come to class. We both know they HAVE to be there, but I want them to look forward to coming. I want my class to be one of the hopefully many highlights of their day. #mschat
Just did this today (first day jack after break). Ss wrote a goal & a question. Curious to read through and answer back. I’ll ask each Ss a question too. Will help with my #oneword2019#connections#mschat
Just did this today (first day back after break). Ss wrote a goal & a question. Curious to read through and answer back. I’ll ask each Ss a question too. Will help with my #oneword2019#connections#mschat
They got to have fun with Google drawings and image searches that didn't violate copyright, as well as thinking what word summed up their current thinking/feelings. #mschat
So true - finding time to squeeze in a chat is definitely a process. Loved the quick 30 min. Short, sweet & to the point! Thanks for always reminding me and tagging me! #connections#mschat
