#5thchat Archive
#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
Tuesday January 5, 2016 8:00 PM EST
One hour until ! Our topic is New Year's Goals & focus.Come join the discussion!
Hey friends. I am Brian, from Delaware. Who has a New Year's resolution to share?
One of my resolutions is to get more sleep.
Hi Brian: Kristen from Illinois
Hi, Kristen. Thanks for joining. Hope you had a good holiday.
Hi! Gina, 5th gr. Iowa! NY Resolution? Speak and Present more! Branch out!
Hello, Mark G from Southern NJ, 5th Grade all subjects
Yes, Sir it is! Snowing tomorrow and Thursday!
Hey Brian - I'm Paul Solarz, a 5th grade teacher from Arlington Heights, IL. I'm not home yet, so will have to catch up later!
Hi, Mark. Love the all subjects motif!
Resolution: continue to build relationships with Ss
Hi! Brenda from NJ. Take time to reflect and challenge my thinking!
Louise, I believe that's a new picture for you.
RT Hi! Brenda from NJ. Take time to reflect and challenge my thinking!
Hi, Carol from MN. Looking forward to joining your chat
Hi, Carol. Thanks for joining us.
I have several resolutions: personal - more family time, more me time = gym, prof - start my educators book club and more GBL w/ Ss
Love the educators book club idea. Hope it goes well.
Q1: How do you go beyond the comprehension questions? How do you bring the book to life?
A1: I try not to read the book before I experience it with Ss. it allows me to have a natural reaction to the story & model that.
Amy from Central Michigan.
I'm Angela from Alberta & I teach 6th grade, but I LOVE to lurk on your chat. My resolution is to infuse more JOY into everything.
Ahhhh, great idea. Giving up a little control can be a great thing.
Hi, Angela. Thanks for lurking!
Hello from Alabama! 5th grade science and social studies teacher here!
A1: teaching SH5 I bring in 4th dim. and focus on philosophy
A1 Share your passion for a book, your enthusiasm will be passed on!
Can you tell us a little more about that?
A1: go beyond the book; focus on theories
A1: Discussion is the most powerful for my students. We can't "read and run". We have to relate it to our own lives.
This year I am teaching Ss how to build, create, and code video games to enhance comp of lit, fic and non https://t.co/gceojOQpdh
Q1: How do you go beyond the comprehension questions? How do you bring the book to life?
A1 Trying reciprocal teaching and turning discussion over to students .
I always say that if we love a book, the Ss will love it too.
A1 field trips, presenting problems and having students solve them, labs, building. Mostly, working with our hands on our feet.
A1: Spend time talking about what we notice; likes/dislkes; read aloud to the kids and use different voices. book club model
That sounds great. Is it going well?
A1: I like to use signposts from Notice and Note, if possible tie comp. into other content areas.
Ss use Adobe voice to retell a story or make their own
Love, love, love read aloud. It's how several of my librarian friends went from the classroom to the library.
Hi All! Joining in tonight to help introduce an amazing 5th grade Teacher to - welcome her!
main char. "Time travels" he meets alien life forms. Explanation of 4th dim. to human brain vs. dim. 1,2,3 https://t.co/4Hq0mQyUaM
Can you tell us a little more about that?
A1con: Example: Read Fever 1793 as a modeled reading, then tied in research on diseases.
There is a great WebQuest using Fever 1793. I'll see if I can find the link.
I always think they aren't listening & then I'm amazed when I ask a question! They are!
would love to know more about this, is it a program or app?
A1: teaching yellow wallpaper / relate and research illnesses
Finding a link to the world we live in especially with HF.
We've used Adobe voice and Animoto with 3rd-5th graders this year! https://t.co/xOyTKZp9bh
Ss use Adobe voice to retell a story or make their own
Lots of great ideas flying around.
Checking in late. Hello all, Ellen from NC
Q2: What art, math or drama activities can students do to demonstrate their understanding?
It's a unit I wrote. I'd be happy to share - message your email.
A2: I let my Ss come up w/ their own ideas for extending the novel or deciding how to make their connections with it! Ss driven
Hi, Ellen. Glad you're here.
I know you've had this thought when a T tweets something amazing in , "I wish my son/daughter was in that class"
A2: We often doodle about the books we are reading! Kids love to sketch/draw to make connections.
A2. Students can create a game board/game for the other students to play using the info learned.
Question 1 of https://t.co/hziOON1RL7
Q1: How do you go beyond the comprehension questions? How do you bring the book to life?
A2 A book talk is the best activity...let them decide how they want to share...
A2 using drawing for the comp strategy of visualizing.
Like that doodling idea. They do love to doodle, don't they?
A2 write a poem, act out a scene, make a poster, make a comic book, write a haiku, create a music video or short movie
Ss metamorphose interdisciplinary character to character https://t.co/LLepW8TRsG
Q2: What art, math or drama activities can students do to demonstrate their understanding?
We r working on book talks in class right now! Kids are excited to make videos Reading Rainbow style w/their iPads
A1: My Ss often draw while they are listening to read-alouds, it helps them visualize the story.
Q2: We have been getting into digital arts, like google drawing and some paint programs to create digital posters of our learning.
I did this when I was in high school and enjoyed it!
A2: I like all the drawing ideas.
A2: Doodle art is great fun, cartoon dialogues explaining learning, act it out, be a character (ex: Patriot or Loyalist).
They love to make book trailers too :)
Like the scrabble idea a lot. Thanks for that.
Yep, yep, yep! Great stuff here!
A2: Sometimes we use the app Strip Design to create comics related to a story, movie trailers, to compare characters
A2cont: Create a diagram, graphic organizer, book trailer, 30hands video, Animoto video, write a rap, poem, jingle, draw a scene.
Ss could do a Graffiti wall about the chapter/novel
What grade level are those students? Projects look great.
RT Q2 for https://t.co/N4Xlm2zyIa
Q2: What art, math or drama activities can students do to demonstrate their understanding?
A2: Pythagorean theorem to To Kill A Mockingbird A2 - Finch; B2 - Robinson; = C2 - Ewell
See, this is what I mean. I wish my kids were in your class!
I have been looking for a good, free comic book maker. How is Strip Design?
Still life tableaus are also fun! Ss love to freeze an important scene using their bodies.
We've used Tackk, Canva and Infogram for digital poster projects! And Explain Everything for creation too! https://t.co/pJ6Q3rJUyw
Q2: We have been getting into digital arts, like google drawing and some paint programs to create digital posters of our learning.
Jordan from Princeton, NJ dropping in late while grocery shopping!
I like Strip Design, but I don't think it is free.
is in the house and is the next coach of the NY Giants!
LOVE Tweeting on the run!
Q3: What about lit circles? Who is using them and liking them? What tips can you share?
A3: I have created some lit circle (aka bookclub) contracts and expectations. They set daily goals, report out,
A3: I'm planning on lit circles w/ skype connections to chat with.
I heard about on I really need to check it out. BTW, you should listen to his podcast ;-)
Well, I guess it's good he stayed for the last game...go down with the sinking Chip...I mean ship! :-)
It's called Strip Designer and it's $2.99.
A3: We do lots of practicing before, do a fishbowl exercise so Ss can model/critique discussions.
A3cont: check on each other, complete activity of chioice to share w/ class. We also start Rdg blog w/ Status of the class.
A3 I teach science/social studies so not much help, but I have heard of Socratic circles!
A3: I've had great luck w/ novel studies in sm groups using skype to connect & discuss lit!
I will be sure to check it out! I love a good podcast! https://t.co/3gpXupIz5M
I heard about on I really need to check it out. BTW, you should listen to his podcast ;-)
A3: We use Google Hangout for for 3 way lit circles w/ two other classes. Fun!
A3: Haven't started lit circles w/this group; but plan to next week. Lots of modeling; Ss collaborate; plan reading; blog/respond
Can you give me more info on Socratic circles?
hi. Hope i am not too late. First time in a looong time. Angie from WV
Awesome idea! How did you get connected with other classes? https://t.co/qFXCDDsrqo
A3: We use Google Hangout for for 3 way lit circles w/ two other classes. Fun!
Hi, Angie. How are the Vols doing so far this season?
would so like to get in on this...where do you start?
I connected with them on , just asked who was interested and we went from there.
A2: i use minecraft to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of math principles
We link up with other Ts using Lync Ss discuss with each other
A3 Book clubs with a lot of modeling and fishbowling...use GarageBand to record and critique discussions.
I learned a lot about Socratic Seminar, Cat-Fish & other collaborative disc from
A3: We link up with other Ts using Lync Ss discuss with each other
a3: i use literature circles to be able to differentiate the learning of my students. Use books on their levels and they selected
Do you ever let them go a little above their level? Had some mixed success with that.
with scaffolding - absolutely!
We are practically neighbors.
Q5: Who is doing digital storytelling? Do you have resources/ideas you can share with us?
A5: We used for some digital storytelling. Lots of ways for Ss expression & cool polished looking products!
Do you find dig storytelling to be time-intensive? I haven't done much with it, colleague did and worked herself to the bone.
A5: Used Created Book Builder last year. Books turned out great! Expensive, but kids were able to make neat end products
a5: i have tried but didnt really see the results i wanted.
Was it too big a project to get what you wanted from it?
Anyone using blogging to share books? How about Goodreads?
that link didn't work for me.
Blogging is a great way to write/share books. Kills multiple birds with a single stone!
SS last year were motivated! They loved their stories & created amazing products. Didn't take too long w/that group
Take a look at ! It's great!
Will do. Thanks! Gina are doing a lot of MysterySkype?
Hello Sayin' high and jumpin' in for a few minutes :)
You know it! All about the
Hi, Sandy. Thanks for jumping in.
My team teacher has used Adobe voice on the ipad with great success!
The FeltonsFives were the MysterySkype Kings of the Universe!
Good evening, I'm so excited to discover this exists. Brand new 5th grade teacher this year. Is this every Tue? Will be tuning in.
Speaking of Skype.......Q6 coming up!
Thanks! I don't get to come very often- usually in a class (hasn't started yet)
a5: i am seeing many different ideas about what digital storytelling is. Does this need to b defined?
Hi, Kelsey. Welcome to 5th grade and this chat. Every Tuesday, 8 EST. Great PLN here. So glad you stopped by.
Q6: Is anyone doing Skype author visits? Who have you Skyped with? Any tips for us?
Thanks, Gina. Will check that out.
Lynda Mullaly Hunt is AWESOME!
Now it is Ms R'sFunky Fives
A little greener than before but working on the critical thinking skills!
Make sure to follow people that you meet here. Great way to build your PLN.
Thanks for the warm welcome. I will make sure to stop by next week for great conversation and learning.
Yeah, the FeltonsFives were pretty slick!
A6: Avi does a good job on MysterySkype and he's written some amazing books.
A5: Storybird, Animoto, and 30 Hands all have benefits. Very diff. from each other.
That they were! It's tough to 'not teach' the new kids 'how to' It's gotta be their learning...
Yeah, that's some wise restraint that you're using.
A6 we Skype With a ship That we follow on The web (sedna IV) kids were thrilled!
Gotta duck out to pay and drive home...would love to do GHO or Skype book club some time in spring! Anyone interested?
That is a really cool idea. Love it.
10 minutes until ! Our topic is New Year's Goals & focus. We'd love to hear from YOU!
RT Gotta duck out to pay and drive home..would love to do GHO or Skype book club some time in spring! Anyone interested?
RT 10 minutes until ! Our topic is New Year's Goals & focus. We'd love to hear from YOU!
Thanks for so many great ideas!
I'm always up for something new. Stay in touch! Spring is a great time for me.
Q7: What about vocabulary? How do you work it in while using fiction? Do you choose words, do kids choose their words?
A6: Loved Global Read Aloud! uploaded a video of herself rding fr the book and answering Qs, not Skype, but great!
A7: I've done both, had success with self-chosen vocab when doing lit circles. Harder to keep track of w/ free reading books.
Checking out for the evening... thanks again for the brain juice!
A7: I have done vocab both ways- Ss chosen & Tchr chosen. Neither worked well. Now we just stop & discuss words that may be new.
You keep talking about stuff that I wish I'd thought of doing!
A7: Teaching vocab. is always a challenge. Try to encourage kids to ask- chances are someone else won't know either.
I think the same thing with every response I read from others! Love the contributions from a great pln!
I will tweet out a Storify link later so we can comb through this chat and do some curating.
Q8: OK, bonus question to end the night. Give us a favorite title or two that you've used.
A5: We made some pretty cool myths using . We didn't print them, but they were embedded on our blogs.
Thanks! That did the trick.
a7: i pick some, students pick some, than we add cross curricular words we agree relate to our topic/story
Thank you! https://t.co/XPKpGvknfb
I will tweet out a Storify link later so we can comb through this chat and do some curating.
A8. Hatchet by Gary Paulson. LOVE THIS ONE! Boys can really get into it and the books that follow.
Great ideas from this chat! I can hardly wait to read the Storify!
A8: 1. When You Reach Me 2. Belle Prater's Boy are faves of mine. Love reading When You Reach Me aloud. Oh, and The Graveyard Book
A8: Thanks for this Q! I need to purchase new books 4 my classroom Help! Mt 2 favs- because of mr. terupt and the one & only ivan
Students choose own Tier two words from independent reading and add to personal word collection.
A8: Walk Two Moons, Out of My Mind, My Side of the Mountain