#2ndchat is a Twitter hashtag that can be used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other second grade educators from around the world. Every other week we will discuss a different topic. It's a great way to help grow your PLN (Professional/Personal Learning Network) and share ideas with others.
All day, you’ve shouted it from the virtual rooftops: PUBLIC EDUCATION MATTERS. Make sure your voice is part of the #BestSchoolDay moment: https://t.co/hIE7PJjb3n
Hey there! Michelle here from Chicago suburbs. Just enjoying my lovely stay-at-home spring break in this gray, 40+ weather! If you're somewhere warm...don't tell me! #2ndchat
Oh no. I try to keep one up at all times. Having 2 was unusual.I posted one for poetry books last week when I realized that I didn't have enough #2ndchat
During that staggered arrival, I am greeting students, they are hanging up backpacks, writing in agendas, reading and writing, and working on iPads #2ndchat
A1: Right now I start with 30 minutes of personal literacy focused either through SSR in picture or leveled chapter books, small group, or Imagine Learning #2ndchat
A1: My mornings have changed SO much. I started my career in a VERY traditional school & they had to have "morning work". Then I moved & had the choice not to have it. 8 years ago, I did away with it & it's been GLORIOUS & so relaxing! #2ndchat
A1: Greetings and welcomes are first. Collecting homework is next. Go over ELA stations while they get ready I’m getting reading groups reading. #2ndchat
First bell rings at 8:40 kids are already coming in. 2nd bell, w/ morning announcements 8:45. "Soft Start" - kids getting ready for their day, greeting friends, etc. #2ndchat
A1: My first 30 for my students consists of unpacking, making lunch choices & then choosing to read, write, or create solo or w/ a partner or small group. #2ndchat
Between 8:45-9:15 they practice math facts with a friend, take a quick "quiz" to progress monitor fluency. Then do Word Sorts (Words their Way), before morning meeting. #2ndchat
A1: My morning is busy. I try to have open time to conference with Ss on work and greet Ss at the door. It can get very challenging. I am phasing out the traditional "morning work" and moving into free choice where Ss work on what they want/need to do. #2ndchat
A1: My first 30 minutes starts with students eating breakfast in class and then using the time for W.I.N. (What I need). That includes small group reteach, computer activities, and time to complete work. #2ndchat
#2ndchat Unstructured time is hard for us, choices is hard for us this year, any advice...if I limited the # of kids, I'd have to monitor, they don't follow directions.
After 7:50 bell, school wide announcements and then we move into writing in agendas, lunch count, and word study Tues - Thurs. Free choice activities - reading, writing and Ipads. I have to do RtI between 8:00-8:25 #2ndchat
A2: I’m trying to stick close to our new ELA curriculumwhen planning my stations. But I do a writing station, tech and grammar. I try to think of ways to keep engaged. #2ndchat
A2: I believe that little people some times need more a ease into the day than adults so try to make it relaxing. I also look at my students lower needs before enriching their brain. high poverty areas.. hygene breakfast, sleep etc #2ndchat
A2: My philosophy (now) is that students need time to ease into the day and also have time to create something that is not an assignment OR read any book they wish! #2ndchat
A1: I start my morning by greeting my students at the door. I give each child a handshake and collect their work. The first 30 minutes does set the tone for the day. I can tell if a student has had a stressful morning by the way they come in the door. #2ndchat
A2: As an adult, I have the choice to get to school early and ease into my day. Kids don't have that choice. PLUS, a soft start allows them to be excited about starting school. Never know how a worksheet got the name "good morning work." It never says good morning. #2ndchat
A2 It is not at time to assign Ss something that will be graded. My Ss are arrive in over a 30 minute time frame. Ss in K-5 cannot control what time they arrive and should not be punished for not finishing "morning work" Free choice works much better for my classroom. #2ndchat
AMEN! Plus I know some teachers say it takes them all morning to do the morning work & go over it. That's not efficient & I doubt all kids are benefiting. #2ndchat
A2: The first 30 is brain power and feeling the love!! I want them excited to be at school and to know I love what they are thinking, planning and dreaming up for the day!! Doing things gets your brain fired up! Packets and WS not so much!! #2ndchat
A2: At the beginning of this year, I would have my students do morning work but I decided to have the students come in and read a book and prepare for the morning. The students seem much more relaxed and I am more relaxed and I feel like my day goes smother. #2ndchat
A2: The first 30 is brain power and feeling the love!! I want them excited to be at school and to know I love what they are thinking, planning and dreaming up for the day!! Doing things gets your brain fired up! Packets and WS not so much!! #2ndchat
A2 I plan my morning stuff based on the lessons we have had in the previous days. Spiral back to those where a few Ss need some reinforcement. Sometimes this changes based on the needs as Ss arrive in my class each morning. #2ndchat
A2 I think that first 30 kids need to work on leaving any morning stress behind and ease into their day. Enjoy coming back together as a class. #2ndchat
I gave up worksheets a long time ago particularly for morning work - I don't have time for that and then as the teacher you have to do something with all that paper :) #2ndchat
Right. I always say I want them running TO my room, not being happy to be leaving it each day. I am guilty of using worksheets for the first 15 years because I didn't know an alternative but now I do. Less stress on all & I love seeing what they do! #2ndchat
I think they can be cool. I really don't do this but probably should. I do have a Friday book talk. Kids share a fav book from the week with a partner. So fun. They are into it! #2ndchat
A3 Morning meetings can build community. Sometimes we work together to solve a class "problem." We also introduce the exploration question of the day. #2ndchat
A3: I have heard about morning meetings but just dove in a few weeks ago because of challenges in my class. Loving it but would love to know how others do it #2ndchat
#2ndchat We call it the Morning Show; it's fun, academic, sharing. Kids run it, a small group each day. It's a time we share pics they send in/share. Great oral speaking for them.
A3: I tend to do my MM after the First 30. Most are there set schedule for the day, review any info, some times talk about happenings or cool things we learned about. Create community #2ndchat
A1. 1st 30 minutes dedicated 2 #softstarts-kids have choice- during their musical playlist is playing ;) they are so pumped to start the day after they have had a choice in their activities. I also work with a little one on one one and then we have a dance party;) #2ndchat
A3: Morning Meetings are crucial to developing a sense of community and belonging. My students (and myself) get very upset if it's missed for some reason. #2ndchat
AND I felt like the kids that already knew it, didn't need it. The ones that needed the practice couldn't do it without help. It never fit their needs. (or mine to be truthful) #2ndchat
A3: I LOVE morning meeting. I would not eliminate this time for anything. I believe it is so valuable to community building in the classroom. We start by saying good morning to one another and read a quote of the day. I also have a daily theme (ex: Thankful Thursday) #2ndchat
A3: I think MM are a fabulous way to Community Build. We encourage each other in our endeavors, discuss problems on a classroom and school wide level while finding solution, and give suggestions on improving ourselves and class. #2ndchat
These are a scripted part of our curriculum. But introducing them in the morning really makes kids look for answers throughout the day. They find those points of integration and point them out! #2ndchat
A3: MMs are where I learn that "Kayla had a sleepover w/GMA Burns" and "Anthony lost his basketball game, but scored more points than last time" and that "Sarah can't wait to see dad as he's been out of town" It's our family time! #2ndchat
Q4: What are your effective strategies using the "First 30" as a personal literacy time? What activities do you and your students do during this time? #2ndchat
A3: I have done Morning Meetings in the past but our curriculum is so packed I don't do it this year. I do let the students share their writing prior to my read alouds. I think Morning Meetings are wonderful and help build the classroom community.#2ndchat
A4 First and last: Know them! Also, don't make assumptions- "not trying, lazy, doesn't want to." Really reflect on what and how they're doing to come up with ways to help. #2ndchat
A4: I like to have students target skills in rotations, choice of Imagine Learning, Writing, leveled reading in RazKids or free reading from library with AR #2ndchat
A4: Choice also allows time for things like this: https://t.co/QvQd3CJStL They made it on their own- asking me when they needed to learn a new tech tool to create what they imagined. #2ndchat
A4. Many of my S use the first 30 for free choice reading, including Epic Books (probably their fave). Frequently I hear Ss telling others why they should read a particular book. #2ndchat
The Miss 5th Blog has some great ideas for quotes! I've been using her quotes to make a quick cute little poster and letting the class vote on who they think best typifies the quote. https://t.co/pZtLSoPPXG#2ndchat
A4: Some of my Ss have a readers wheel. This is a guide to help them read a variety of genres. After students have read, they fill out a graphic organizer and write a quick summary. This is a great way to expose Ss to different genres. #2ndchat
A4: We always read or write in the morning. I have some that volunteer to be on a Weather committee or a news committee that produces a weather and news report each morning. Some Mondays we #celebratemonday and participate in a planned STEAM challenge. #2ndchat
A3: Morning meetings can help unite your class for the day. Classroom caring and connections can help Ss have a better mindset. Everyone can feel valued and have a better sense of well being!! We always have them and I can see the benefits for sure!! Jam party!#2ndchat
A4: I use this time to let the students read any book they want. I try to work with some students in a small group and have them read to me and I ask them questions relating to the book. #2ndchat
Q6: What mindfullness practices do you incorporate into your morning routine? What resources do you utilize? What benefits have you observed from students? #2ndchat
No but I was just given a transition powerpoint with music added. I just click on which one I want and the music plays. There is short snippets for cleaning up, lining up, etc. #2ndchat
I tie music into my lessons as much as possible. I still have one that is stuck in my head for adjectives. Kids sing these songs and learn from them. #2ndchat
A4: We do book commercials or write tweets. We love @EpicKidsBooks and we love using @Flipgrid and @Seesaw to show what we learned or what inspired us in our reading. Sometimes just a free read and use an emoji and explain why they chose it. #2ndchat
A4 (The real one) I don't actually have 30 minutes. By the time kids come in and I have to start, it's really about 10. This year, they are working on STEM bins- building materials with their table groups. I can check in with ind S as well. #2ndchat
A6 We often do some of the relaxing/stretching routines on Gonoodle. Also, just sitting and doing some quiet breathing before starting. Also, just got a chime that gets their attention- and is so calming! #2ndchat
A6: Some students literally need guided hand holding to calm down center themselves before starting their day. They come from traumatic environments and bring that cortisol stress to the classroom #2ndchat
We never know what their mornings are like. Maybe their calm but they could be frantic trying to get everyone out the door. We need to make it calm for them because we can control that part. #2ndchat
A6: I'm probably the worst when it comes to mindfulness, because the day is so exciting with all the things that I just want to hit that ground running as hard as I can every day. #2ndchat
A6: This year we have been working on a lot of Growth Mindset, 7 Habits, and Second Step with the Kids in the mornings. It really helps these students. I work in a Title 1 school with over 90% free and reduced lunches. #2ndchat
Similar demographics. Its hard because you feel like you have to do more than Reading Writing and Math :) But worth it in the end with all of the growth they make #2ndchat
Yes, I have several students this year that need to relax as they come in- not so much from trauma or rushed mornings but their own personal concerns. #2ndchat
A6: Some students literally need guided hand holding to calm down center themselves before starting their day. They come from traumatic environments and bring that cortisol stress to the classroom #2ndchat
A5: I teach language arts because it seems to fit better with the flow of the day. Ive never done math in the morning but would be open. Although math gets impacted #2ndchat
A5: I like to teach reading/language arts in the morning because I have a longer block of time then. I do math in the morning between recess & lunch. My schedule allows to have both in the morning block. #2ndchat
Real A5: I teach whatever my Ss need. I spend time conferencing with individual Ss on their needs; something that as you all know is very hard to do during the middle of the school day. #2ndchat
A5: MATH!! Hands down MATH! I started that way 10 years ago and never looked back. I think Math needs those fresh thoughts! I was teaching it right before lunch and waiting that long was hurting the time and attention Math needed. #2ndchat
A5: I teach Math in the morning because we have an hour block before specials. We are required to have 90 minutes uninterrupted for reading. I teach it after lunch. I would prefer to teach reading in the morning. #2ndchat
And mine needed the other way BUT there we rotate schedules & I think next year math will fit better in the morning. It all depends on the schedule (and kids) for me. #2ndchat
A5 LA first, because I have to. I would anyway, but I'd start with Reading, not Writing, which is first now. We have lunch at 10:30, and Math at 11, so technically it's still morning... #2ndchat
I absolutely love having the uninterrupted block in the morning to cover everything from shared reading, read aloud, writing and reading workshops #2ndchat
A5: We do Language Arts first in the day. It fits with the schedule we need to have. I do math warm ups or a mystery number to include in morning time. Even in language arts math skills come up. #2ndchat
Sometimes we have years like that. It all depends on the needs of the group we have. We change schedules every day so we've learned to adapt to anything! #2ndchat
A7: I did a #SparksPE training from SDSU and they shared that research shows physical educaiton in the mornings increased academic performance in all grade levels. #2ndchat Get that body moving
It would be hard but it would be interesting to try math one week in the morning & the next week language arts. I bet some kids would prefer one over the other both weeks. #2ndchat
A7: Sometimes I feel like I should work on getting my class to sit down more often. #flexibleseating encourages more movement. I think @gonoodle is a great fit here too! #2ndchat
That's a great point. That would actually be helpful to some kids I bet. Although, I can see administrators' heads spinning all over my county! #2ndchat
In reply to
@missmac100, @MrsW2nd, @MsBeldingsclass
Sometimes they need to let us TRY something. If it doesn't work, we'll know fairly quickly but what if it makes it better??? Someone has to try it first. #2ndchat
In reply to
@jeaniekeating, @MrsW2nd, @MsBeldingsclass
They are actually pretty good about flexibility but this year I have had to build bathroom breaks into my day because I don't have a bathroom in my room. Takes up about 20 mintes daily - UGH!!! #2ndchat
Q8: What do you think about using the "First 30" as a "Soft Start" time in the mornings? #2ndchat See this article for more info on a soft start. https://t.co/01ktsZiAVp
True story. I am blessed because I have had to make changes in my room and schedule to meet student needs this year and they have supported me 100% #2ndchat
In reply to
@swkreed, @missmac100, @jeaniekeating, @MrsW2nd, @MsBeldingsclass
A8: I'm all for the Soft Start! I used to do that for years (before I knew it was called that!). Scheduling nowadays makes it harder. I try...it's just not 30 mins. #2ndchat
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A8: I think we are the only ones that can control how our day starts. You can create an environment that feels comfortable & also engaging just by how you start the day. Make it a great one! #2ndchat
A8: I saw this article in the beginning of the year as a soft start. Havent adjusted activity but I am way more lenient about first 30. Get them working and focused and ready for the day. My partner loves her soft start mornings and her kiddos do it #2ndchat
