#Kinderchat Archive
#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Monday May 16, 2016
Hello ! I know I'm the moderator tonight, but I'm having issues with the internetz! Talk amongst yourselves a moment...
hello everyone I am future teacher working towards by bachlors in ECE. I am new to this as well
Faige substitute teacher from Los Angeles. Hmm like how that sounds.
Hello I am new to this also. I am a future teacher working towards my bachelors degree in ECE.
OK come out come out wherever you are! The wind is howling and the internet is slow, but time stands still for no one!
Hellloooo š my favorite part about Monday has begun! Kelsey from Tampa, FL!
Hello ! I had a in class today. How was your day?
Hello! I have my first bachelorās in ECE, so you are definitely among friends here tonight!
Hello! Kinder teacher here from the STL area, new here!
It's difficult to tweet and eat an ice cream Drumstick at the same time. But I believe in myself.
sometimes I wish it could stand still... Or slow down a little. š
Amy here, ECE admin in the Canada. With since the very very beginning.
Hi everyone. Rea, Kinder teacher in Catholic school, from San Jose, CA. Only my 3rd time participating on
. :)
I believe you can fly Kathleen! I believe you can touch the sky AND tweet and eat that drumstick at the same time
IS IT THE KIND WITH THE PEANUT BUTTER FILLING? They are my favourites.
oh no!!! Happy Monday?! Haha
Hey Courtney from Seattle, WA. Gr8 to b here!
welcome to the best chat ever!!
How can I prevent EVERYONE who follows me from seeing everything? That seems like it would be rather annoying, no?
You can do it! Enjoy that ice cream.
From one side of the Canada do the other! Hello!
Today was "wacky dress day"at my old school. Not just for kids. Went at lunch to see the wackiness! So much fun
Hello friend! I will be chatting. With Aline tomorrow.
Thatās not the way you want to start the week!
confession- I told my class today, āIām not cranky, but I can go that way really quick if you keep it up!ā They pulled together
Oh yeah...way to start the week, right? ;-)
I'm near YYC. Hubby just got home from the Track and Field event, had to catch up, so popping in late!
Oh, in Gr 1? She is lovely!
So true. never thought of that
You can't, really. You can make your acct private, but then only followers can see your tweets.
today was pj day at our school. Brought a change of clothes for after school :)
What fun! At the end of the month we are having a "dress like your favourite book character" day.
ok thank you...wasn't sure!
- I hate PJ day. And crazy hair day. And all of that.
Hahaha! I ā¤ļø you!! I need to use that line sometime.
Today was "wear red for Red Cross donations for Fort Mac" day for us.
love that idea! Everyone dresses?
we do this in place of Halloween and call it bookOween
I look forward to chatting with her!
This class āgets itā when I say it like it is. They know itās more fun when weāre all happy!
I can get behind that! Our G4s raised over $800 on Friday for Fort Mac!
I hear you! But it's spirit week! Didn't wanna be THAT teacher. Haha
No you outrageously rich new homeowner! It's the bulk Costco box! (šKidding, I so love you).
Yes! Most kids and teachers dress up. I want to dress as Junie B Jones!
But let's make these happen together.... Please...
can you RT the first Q please?
Hello all. Sorry I'm late and that I've been Mostly MIA this year!
So I am a future educator.what is the most difficult task of being in the classroom teaching,management,lesson plans,or testing?
And Iāve gotten to the point that I like being āthatā teacher ;-)
This is the magic of Twitter - a big open room.
hello! How have you been?
I've seen picture of the devastation. It was terrible
Loads of fun! At least she made it to the bathroom...FLOOR.
I do want them to be sad to see me go when the time comes though! Ha
I had a student last year that was the embodiment of Junie B. Jones. Sheās more fun to read about...
We're in formal chat right now, when there is a specific topic, but I'm sure there will be answers for you after!
I am great, thanks! One day at a time, but we are doing house renos and having FUN!
But Iām sure glad to see you tonight!
thats cute lol i have always wanted to dress up as Ms. Frizzle from Magic school bus. lol :)
Congrats on your new house!
Hello ! Taunia from Windsor, Ontario Canada here. Got home at 8 preparing for a math/school goals visit tomorrow! š«
Classroom Management. You get that under control, youāve got the world at your fingertips!
You too! It's been a whirlwind of crazy these past few months.
Miss Frizzle would be fun!
Iām convinced April May June is why we have July and August.
ah, but I have no such summer vacation.
Thanks! I love love love it. Will love it even more when the walls are painted a colour I like!
OK Q1- as teachers, reflection seems to be second nature to us. As we wind down the school year, how do you take time to reflect
that sounds...busy! What sorts of renovations?
Yes. Thought of this when I sat down to do my 13 post EYEs today and 29 F&Ps! š©
But surely your Julyās and Augustās are a little more relaxed and fun?
So much independence now at centres, so I watch and observe and listen much more
Hi everyone! Sorry I'm late. Erin from Wi.
A1: I've been a journal writer since I was a kid... Well, a "Dear Diary" kid, turned journal writer adult. :)
So happy for you! BTW what colors are you going for? Have you moves in?
What colour will you paint? Having the outside of our house painted right now.
A1: As admin, the process of writing annual performance reviews for all my tchrs is my fave reflection. Lots of work, but love.
Confession- we only have to do the initial EYEās now. No more followups.
WHITE WHITE SO MUCH WHITE. And a little light blue in the kitchen.
Yes! I was just thinking that the other day. I look around and theyāre so busy being them!
New walkway, fixing stucco, painting house, new decking, new railings, new doorknobs, new numbers...
My last place was red, blue, yellow... Thus my excitement about WHITE WHITE WHITE.
I have to keep that in mind when the newbies come in September!
do any Ts have a narrative writing rubric they can share? Thanks!
As an ārevieweeā those can be so rewarding, and intimidating at the same time!
A1 I try to sit and reflect each day...silence in my classroom for 10 minutes as I plan for tomorrow.
I treat them w/same rules as report cards - no surprises, capture more good than bad.
It always amazes me ā¦years later how independent they become every single year. 1 of the best things about teaching K
try to model ref by taking moment each day to ref out loud & I do reflective supervision weekly w all staff.
Enjoy your WHITE! My front door will soon be TURQUOISE.
eh, debatable. That's when families get anxious about transitioning to elementary school.
A1- I keep a list of ideas that worked well. ECE that I share a class with take time to discuss what we liked this year
GAH! Families! You just want to tell them to relax, but they just donāt listen!
Hello from the smoky north. I have a wicked headache tonight so I will lurk until the ibuprofen and gravol kick in
I sit down at the end of every day and reflect. I also have the Ss help me reflect in some aspects of the classroom.
I used Kiddle 2 search & red info last wk w/ my Ss. Ss Qs drove what I searched 4.
Reflection an important piece of my teaching. Especially now as a sub as well. want to make sure I'm there for Ts and Sts
Q2- One of the great things about documentation is the chance to look back and see the growth. How do you communicate that?
That's been the dialogue I've been trying to have since November.
Iāve seen your pics. Are the fires coming your way?
Sounds like a WONDER-filled lesson! Keep inspiring them to WONDER!
A2 Portfolios and scrapbooks and all the journals from the whole year at last day of school w/Parents
I am sure itās one youāll have the rest of your time there.
Sometimes I do my best thinking/reflecting while the kids are right in the process. I find their inspiration inspiring
the fire is about 40 km away, still in AB but SK is getting crews and equipment ready here today, very smoky
A2 My parents see student growth and learning all year in the students' e-portolios.
Q2- having Ss keep track of their learning allows for them to see growth and work on data/graphing skills!
Thatās so crazy. I hope it dies down soon!
thanks we are all praying for rain
Hi everyone! Trying out twitter chat for the first time
Hey have 2cut out early. Picking up nephews. Younger 1 graduates high school & older will finish 1st yr college. Will check back
I love that! I liken teaching to a dance...sometimes you perfect or change the choreography on the fly.
Q2: Some Ts at my school such as uses to document learning digitally!
Thanks for stopping by Faige!
Crazy, in our curriculum, data and graphing doesn't come until Grade 3.
Hey . Another Monday meeting, but I'm popping in. Liane from BC. How are you all?
Hey Liane! Hope all is well with you!
Oh Melva!! Feel better soon! Hope the smoke clears soon for you.
in kinder we focus on basic graphing skills.
One of my best uses of documentation this year was to show a parent his childās growth. I was encouraging HIM about his son
Hi Liane! Miss you!! Crazy busy with house renovations. How are you?
Feeling a little lost with ...still can't find the Qs....
I believe we used to have it in grade 1 but it was proven to be way too over their heads until grade 3.
Want to hear really crazy thing? This is made a PreK skill in my city (I'll rant about play later)
I am havijng trouble seeing Qs. help!
Oh, that sounds lovely!! I'm data angry right now.
A2:We are a data-driven school, w/use of technology for assessments. I share data info w my parents to show growth.
Iām looking for you! Give me a sec!
What?! Madness! How can you graph if you have no 1:1 correspondence or tagging?!
sorry-I accidentally tweeted my need 4 help twice! it's the end of the day...
I'm okay, thanks. You? My ears are ringing from ALL THE YELLING in K today.
Let me know if you'd ever like to learn about e-portfolios. It transformed my communication w/parents.
https://t.co/WU6zmUSIva
OK Q1- as teachers, reflection seems to be second nature to us. As we wind down the school year, how do you take time to reflect
https://t.co/ncSdyV8PI1
Q2- One of the great things about documentation is the chance to look back and see the growth. How do you communicate that?
A2 I have students do a monthly self-portrait. Then I coil them in a book for parents. You can see the progression of skills!
Crazy busy :) House renos sound lovely!! Lucky you!
A1) I use my evaluation tool to reflect. It's structured, makes sense. Writing helps me think.
I do one in September and one in May and that can be very dramatic
True story, but can do more or less, so that's what we focus on and we play with sorting objects.
A2) mY evaluation tool is effective 4 documentation. I org. Folder each yr for Danielson evidence. I collect as yr progresses.
Things were really in desperate need of painting and sprucing up. We've been meaning to do it for years.
Why do they have to be so loud? Oh yeah, theyāre 5!
Cool! I've done one for each term, but monthly sounds like a neat idea!
oh! I have missed you too! How are you?!
ARE WE YELLING? I LOVE YELLING!
I do self-portraits September and June. It shows HUGE growth!
I save writing samples from 1 month to the next. So by June we have 1 sample per month. Kids love to see their growth
Iām good! Busy, but good! Howās your little guy?
Oh, there is always a HUGE difference! AND I"M YELLING!!
Thx. I am using tweet deck for the 1st time...not sure it's working 4 me tonight. :)
MY STUDENTS ARE YELLING A LOT LATELY, TOO!
A2: each month I have the kids write fav memory. At the end of the year, they get all memories back. Fun to see how they grew.
That is why I keep their journals cos it's so great to see the growth!
Oy, with the data already. Sorry, friends, who have to teach such not DAP stuff to tiny kids.
We do weekend news every Monday. Provides long term evidence 4 narrative writing.
YAY YELLING!! WHAT ARE WE YELLING ABOUT!?!
Why move around the room to talk when you can YELL TO YOUR FRIEND???
That's really a wonderful practice, Erin!
right! I allow them A LOT of chatter time, but I just wanted 5 minutes to talk with them!
OR ACROSS THE TABLE WHERE YOU ARE BOTH SITTING!
I agree! I love that. May be stealing that for next year!
Oh, you ladies are so My People.
thanks. They are always shocked to see how they used to write and draw! They can see a big difference.
Y-E-L-L Y-E-L-L EVERYBODY YELL!
I think we are OUT OF CONTROL
be stubborn like me; I refuse to perpetuate bad practice just because bad practice is being done in elm school.
I love you people. You get it. MUST YELL THOUGH!! .
Q3- what kinds of things do you save for portfolioās whether theyāre e-portfolioās or traditional?
I was told I was a troublemaker today. MOVE MY CLIP TO PURPLE!!
Just a little. Go big or go home, I say.
MY STUDENTS YELL ABOUT EVERYTHING...ALSO GIGGLE, WHICH IS CUTE.
A3: Usually work that they worked hard on--spent a lot of time on, or came out really, really good.
I get told daily I'm loud! Not even yelling! š©
Iām loud too. Youāre in good company.
We are yelling about everything in preschool. All day, all yelling. No one has talking voices any more. https://t.co/zyUF5c0Qxk
YAY YELLING!! WHAT ARE WE YELLING ABOUT!?!
Iām thinking students right now
A3: a variety of art, writing, photos, and notes. I'm working on more student choice, but it's in progress.
It always is, right? Iām still working on that too
A3 - I kept self-portraits. I'd copy pages from self-made books/writings during centers. ....
A3) I don't do portfolios right now. Going to "listen" 4 suggestions.
Q3: Writing samples and all district tests. I also document through pictures I take.
A3 I save things in that show growth, that meet criteria for learning competencies, & that celebrate learning.
A3: I keep monthly writing samples, quarterly self-portraits, and handwriting samples.
A3, am working w teachers to use more photos & to write about what they are doing in photos. Want to show relationships.
I also show the "not yet" pieces to show growth and change.
A3 Try not to have lots of paper in portfolios - more reflections and photos of summative projects/pieces
Iāve started posting āpictures of the weekā on my class blog too. Parents get a glimpse of the week, and we can look back too
Oops. Place in portfolios.
A3) I want to have Ss draw a self portrait on 1st Monday of each Month and make portfolio.
do we have the same kids?!Every 1 is YELLING here too!
A3: I'm continuing my "let go of controlling everything" goal by allowing students to choose pieces to add to portfolios.
A3 it's imp for me that teachers and families see the progression kids make in their relationships from solo play to group play
Oh yes, that's a great idea. On writing pieces, I always staple all drafts to show their progress.
Must be that generation :-)
A3 my ece and I have moved away from collecting art and take photos of sts engaged in curriculum linked activities
Art is for the fridge at home!
Nice! I like that! May borrow that next year when I get my blogging on.
I never emphasized handwriting as a dominant component in my classroom. We practiced letter formation... https://t.co/ohATfFOepj
A3: I keep monthly writing samples, quarterly self-portraits, and handwriting samples.
Iāve also started recording us singing, talking, etc and post those soundbites to the blog. everything goes on the blog first
MY YELLING CLASS IS NOW IN 3rd GR. THEY STILL YELL.
like I said, May is the month we YELL!
I've started sending weekly summaries to all families so they can see photos from all the rooms/ages. https://t.co/SL0UQKKAx0
Iāve started posting āpictures of the weekā on my class blog too. Parents get a glimpse of the week, and we can look back too
what platform do u use 2 blog wi/ Ss?
I put video samples of my kids reading in their portfolios.
... authentically, but I didn't have a handwriting component in the day. Do you think handwriting & writing should be diff?
Of all the things I have to teach, handwriting is least favourite. Iād rather do it in context, but have no choice
Just for clarity: I AM NOT A YELLER, but I once had the YELLINGEST CLASS OF YELLERS WHO EVER YELLED.
That's huge! With my focus on social skills, I need to work on communicating the growth.
I get what you mean. We display at school in our class and hallways and Learning Commons, then goes home
I HAVE THE YELLING CLASS IN 3RDGRADE!!
STUDENT CHOICE IS SO IMPORTANT AND ADDS OWNERSHIP. (It's so impt and I decided to keep the yelling going strong)
Do *I* think it should be different? Not really. Does my admin/dept of ed think it should be different? yes.
is a chat for early childhood teachers
I'm finding it helpful for all involved (families and teachers) to see this weekly summary across the ages-Supports development
Careful, there. You know how things worked out for Old Yeller!
TRUTH! https://t.co/91O4TNGIQW
STUDENT CHOICE IS SO IMPORTANT AND ADDS OWNERSHIP. (It's so impt and I decided to keep the yelling going strong)
I do think there is a time and a place for some letter formation instruction. But to emphasize it so much? nah.
Oh crap. That's right. Ka-Pow.
LOL!!! https://t.co/s7nIXYREPh
Quote from a wise kindergartener: "People who don't like sparkles need to get ahold of themselves."
I donāt want to cry! Letās not talk about Old Yeller right now!
Is reflection a ādirty wordā among your teaching colleagues like it is mine? Everyone has flashbacks to writing papers in uni
U just gave me another idea 4 my weekly newsletter! Thanks!
Glitter- the STD of craft suppliesā¦
Reflection gets used like a catchphrase...not always seen as a tool.
We do some letter formation with paint,in cornmeal, on the chalkboards, but it isn't a HUGE focus
We can overdo anything and make things feel like a chore instead of a positive learning experience
I think I did a poor job of keeping families up-to-date with the day-to-day in the classroom. Instead they'd see it down the rd.
Iām always amazed @ people who donāt self-reflect. I guess itās such a huge part of my practice, that I forget it isnāt 4 others
But glad so many of you are keeping parents informed in the now rather than waiting to show portfolios down the line.
Thank you for this. That time & place is definitely not in my preschool- I, advocating for children to scribble
I agree.....4 me reflection is natural b/c i did it so much in my MA program. 4 some it is not.
You're welcome. As a director, I want families to see the developmental progressions across the ages.
Preschool children *should* scribble! thatās the beginning! Thatās what theyāre supposed to do! Itās how they learn!
I know this. I'm the mean director who threw out all the worksheets and put out blank paper and crayons.
I'm struggling with "data". Showing "numbers" on social skills, play based learning. I don't want reading/letter scores. Help.
I usually only make it 1/2 thru HWT book b4 I push aside...
With it is easy to keep parents informed as the learning happens!
You tell them I agree with you!!!
Iām supposed to be working on lower case formationā¦
The "data" for learning through play should be mostly anecdotal.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR A GREAT CHAT! I'VE MISSED LEARNING FROM ALL OF YOU!(important things need to be yelled)
I AM SO GLAD YOU CAME TONIGHT!
Do you have a qualitative rubric to capture range of social skills? That can help create data for soft skills.
I do admire "Magic C", though. So helpful and flexible. Really.
I've had many families question how kids will learn 2 write w/out worksheets. So I educate & advocate every day
I def like the language, big line, little line, magic c
Have a great week everyone. šāļøāļø
Thanks 4 moderating 2night. Have a super evening all
Im glad too!! Thank you for giving me good ideas to think about! Great job!
You too! Glad you could make it!
But it feels like if it's not a percentage, then it's not valid.
Me too, huge fan in French immersion of being able to use consistent language!
back at you! Have great week!
Thanks for all the fun. And the YELLING!
B4 I go peeps. NE1 have a narrative writing rubric they can share??!! Puh-lease? Thanks!
B4 I go peeps. NE1 have a narrative writing rubric they can share??!! Puh-lease? Thanks!
Iāll look around and see what i can find!
I think I'm frustrated because "data" is usually seen as a percentage or number.
Says who? I've never heard that.
Holy Moly that went quick! Iām out of breath from all of the YELLING!
I use a lot of photos, videos and notes. I'm just frustrated.
Because it isnāt real if it isnāt quantifiable, right?
OVER AND OUT, FRIENDS. SEE YOU ON THE FLIP SIDE.
School plans, for example. We need to have data for the goals and the perception I get, is it needs a number
that's data. That's high quality qualitative data. Just like our hero Vivian Paley
Sorry, I think I started the YELLING! Good to "see" you!!
OK have a great week, time for this teacher to get her beauty rest
Girl, if this is about generating some numbers based on qualitative outcomes, I've got you covered.
Must read Vivian Paley!!!!
