#RuralEdChat Archive
#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Tuesday April 5, 2016
I get to be here for a little bit tonight and I am so excited!
. & It is great to have you both with us.
started planning for next year last August. I plan slowly.
Hey there - the family is finally starting to feel better and I'm glad to be home with you all!
Ha! And I don't start planning for the next year until the current year is over.
Hi there -ters! It's snowing (again) here in WI. Our little sprout image makes me hopeful!
I did put something under the hashtag. Can't recall what. Must not have been very impressive!
Yay !! Happy you're here with us tonight for
It was a beautiful sunny day in the high 70's today.
Spring has sprung and so have all the allergies.
We had snow yesterday and today. Yesterday school was closed even.
Are you ready to get started?
Hi, ! UConn will have most of my attention but I'll check in during time-outs and such!
. I feel your pain Linda!
We are in some sort of endless winter..here's hoping it winds down soon.The robin birds are confused in the yard!
ready as I'm going to be.
hey Bill! Glad you're here. We are so fine with split attentions! Watching election returns in a few here...
** Q1 **
What was your biggest change this year? Was it successful? how do you know?
Have you had the strong winds we've been having for the past couple of days, Robin?
A1 Biggest change for me-new position, new district. Haven't once regretted it so I consider it very successful.
Yes! It's been crazy! Watching some big tree limbs in the yard with a wary eye!
A1: My biggest change was taking on my new job. The other changes came w/ how I tweaked my dept to respond to district needs.
Awful wind here yesterday, little better today but am temperature in teens.
I always love watching the weather patterns as they travel across the country.
A1: My biggest change was moving to more student autonomy in my classroom. I think it is successful. At least it isn't worse.
A1 cont'd: Biggest change I'm proud of is refocusing our IT dept on teaching & learning support & development.
A1 I pared things waaay back this year. Focusd on presentng diverse bks in booktalks & connecting readrs w/books ASAP thru ILLs
How did you do that, Tammy?
hoping you'll tell me winds r sending 70-degree days & sunshine!Please,Minnesota! It's primarynight!
I'm not in classroom, but in limbo. Re-doing my old teaching writing website. Lots of new stuff to learn. Brain's full
My Ss set their goals at the beginning of each week. I discuss them. Then they complete by end of week.
Not in any forecast I have looked at. Sorry. :(
Not worse counts as successful in my book!
So everyone is basically on their own pace? How do the figure out what goals to set?
And do you feel it's successful?
Yes. I have a list of "acceptable" assignments. 1 allows to create own. Their goal for term is software mastery.
That's a lot like the Alpha Team model used in the Shelburne Community School in Vermont. Awesome.
We tripled number of books we've brought in fr other libraries=more Ss can read new titles sooner so I think so!
As a former Media Specialist, that sounds awesome. I love it.
Do you have some Ss who struggle with figuring out their goals at all?
Doesn't that mean a lot of 1:1 work with students for you?
Yes. I use a google form for their goal reporting. I council those that set goals too low for success.
Mind sharing that form? :)
Thanks to Google Forms, no. As Ss adjusted, it got easier/quicker.
No problem. I'll make that happen later tonight or tomorrow. :-)
** Q2 **
What changes/plans are you thinking about for next year?
That's good. Sometimes getting students into a new process takes much handholding.
Yes, it did take most of the year. We just started our last term. I'm hopeful.
A3 further impact reading culture by moving us beyond quizzes & into richer convos; encourage more making in our studio.
A2...seriously, Hosemann. (wish twitter had an "edit post" feature!)
A2 I'm spilling my old website into 3 sites, developing some online asynchronous courses.
A2 My class focus is changing. I will spend half the year on Coding Lessons, half the year on STEM projects. I only see each+
. +class 26 times during the year, so it will be nice to have less to focus on and cover.
A2: I'm dropping Game Design and picking up an AP Computer Science course. Hoping do use for backbone.
fortunately we're arithmetically challenged here.
I'm leaving my current position to head up the Academy of Computer Sciences at one of our HS next yr. :)
I will also be teaching AP Computer Science Principles in 17-18.
A2 Also I will be travelling between 2 buildings next year K-2 and 3-5.They are right next to each other, but still big change.
We definitely need to schedule time to talk, I want to hear LOTS more about this.
https://t.co/qZ01k98cV2
I'm leaving my current position to head up the Academy of Computer Sciences at one of our HS next yr. :)
Sounds like a lot of work for both of you.
That's the course I'm adding next year. Let's chat.
That's great, Jerry. There is so much demand for good CS courses in HS.
I will be going to a workshop in June! Did teach yours by chance?
By the way, I have an ticket with your name on it
I'm excited for the challenges ahead of me. I am really loving the coding and looking forward2more STEM.
A 3D printer was ordered today. I have a table all ready for it. :-)
YES and she was FABULOUS! We were all inspired. Can't recommend it enough!
I really wanted to go to that one, but we had school conferences that night! Too bad!
Crazy! I could have met you f2f! One day soon. You'll love the workshop.
Wish I could get excited about coding. I'm facing converting to responsive design and AMP.
** Q3 **
What educational trends do you see that you want to learn more about?
A3: , , are 3 trends I want to really dive deep into.
A3 Open Educational Resources
A3: I know is "last year" but I really want to dig deeper & see if we can make it work in our rural area.
A2 I'm playing around with kicking democratic classroom up yet another level, working with kids to design structure too.
What do you mean "Last Year"?
YES! so many initiatives take a while to develop strong roots especially in our smaller environs. cool.
A3 Honestly, I'm more focused right now on trying to *create* an educational trend, working for more focus on LGBTQ+ kids.
that's a new one for me! Thanks, Linda!
A3 I don't know about any trends, I just want to keep trying to be the best that I can be for all my students.
It was the thing everyone talked about. Seems everyone jumped on the bandwagon. Personalized learning is next.
Not really last year. They've just worked the big kinks out of blended learning
That's the same day as Wooo Hooo!
Yeah, I'm not a big fan of buzz words, I think we just need to keep the focus on doing best for kids. No matter what+
it's time. equity, equality and access will always be at the front of my focus.In rural environs this can be challenging.
right. i think buzzwords end up as shortcut terms/jargon for common focus points or shifts in thought.
. Sad but true. Sometimes change is slow to come with many obstacles to surmount.
I apologize for the typo in your @ It was my fingers' fault.
I know that of you.
I also know what you mean about rural environs. The Pioneer Valley is unusual that way. :-)
No worries! :) Typos happen.
what factors do you think make that so in your area, Bill?
Then I'm about surmounting those obstacles. Slow change beats no change, & if I can help hurry it...
We have five colleges, and Northampton, where Smith is located, is one of the most LGBT-friendly towns anywhere.
or help one more young person be seen, heard & valued, then we are succeeding.
The steady persistence of water carved the Grand Canyon. You go & !
** Q4 **
What are you ditching as quickly as possible?
always with the imagery, John. excellent!
How can it be over when my schools are just getting started?
I feel like there are so many things to answer in terms of Q4 as I'm on a real minimalist-essentialist path right now...
A4 I am lucky enough to say that I don't know if I'll be ditching anything. That's a good sign, right? :)
A4 Actually, I am currently actively working on not staying up till all hours every night. Doing okay so far.
Just at school or home too?
I think that's a very good sign. :-)
A4: My awful stu info system is going away (moving to !), as well as averages and A/B/C grading (moving to ).
A4: Even though I'm giving up Game Design, I'm taking those Ss to the next level with AP Computer Science Principles.
A4 I've ditched so much stuff in the last 2 years, I think I'm about through for a while.
In everything (except baked goods...expanding all things made with gluten lately!)
that's fantastic! will love following that journey.
My husband made bread for us today. First time in a long time. My home smelled amazing.
Isn't it the best? I forced everyone to eat pizza all weekend b/c I finally got my crust right!
A4: I'm getting close to finishing reviews of bestselling novels 1900-1969. When I finish, I'm going to sell a lot of them
I'm going to reserve the right to answer Q4 at a later time. Love Qs that take some contemplating. Thank you,
You have my deepest sympathy. How you must have suffered.
I totally respect the need to go GF. Lots of fam & friends have. Can make all the diff.
It was so much fun. We had six different kinds but crust was perfect every time!
As we wrap up tonight, know our archives will be available soon. You can find them on our website.
https://t.co/YJ1cfIPKK8
has been a blast. Thanks and
This was a fun one tonight friends!
As we leave tonight's , here's something to keep you thinking. A photo I took in NH's White Mountains. https://t.co/GA2GUfBFCl
Yes, thank you so much, wonderful pals. Tuesdays are better b/c of you! Goodnight, all. See you soon.
Thanks for your facile facilitation!
Thanks, , for another great conversation. Loved the questions. Loved seeing y'all.
And love my Huskies!
:-)
You are SO welcome! Glad I could join in!
