#6thchat Archive
#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Tuesday August 9, 2016
Hello! I'm Kristin & teach ELA & SS in Lansing, MI! I will moderate tonight. Welcome to ! I love action & enjoyed Now You See Me 2
Brett from Iowa, SS, Sci, and Math. Genre=Fantasy Too busy travel, not a single good movie.
Leigh Anne from Indiana...home of a USA gold medal swimmer, ELA teacher who likes movies that me cry!
G'evening, !
Karl, 5th/6th teacher (on a loop) from the Jersey shore. Sucker for Romantic Comedies (NottingHill).
We will have a Q1/A1, Q2/A2 format. Remember to use the hashtag
Hello, Bryan 6th gr. ela in Ohio. I love a good drama and have 2 more weeks to get to the movie theater.
good evening, - middle school teacher (math, science, reading) - fav. movie type sci fi or comedy.
Welcome Brett! Where have you traveled?
Hello! Lorena from Dodge City, KS. 6th gr Social Studies teacher. Not my favorite but did watch Bad Moms last week 😬
Wendy from Nj ELA and reading A1: dramas and comedies
Welcome Leigh Anne! Go for the Gold!
Welcome Judi! Love mysteries too!
Morgan from TX, math, new baby = no movies!
Hello, ! Mobridge, SD - MS SS World Hist, Geo, US Hist. I like action movies, and
3 week swing through the New England states! Loved it! We do a dif direction each summer.
Hi, I'm Tracy from NC. Teach ELA/SS. Love chick flicks, but haven't seen anything this summer!
I forgot to add my favorite type of movie is love comedies.
Hello Michelle from Saskatchewan, Canada joining in. I teach grade 6 ELA and health and am the principal. I prefer action/suspense
Question 1 is coming up in one minute! Ready, set, action!! Put on your director's hat and grab some popcorn!
Welcome Lorena! I want to see Bad Moms...hope for a few laughs
Welcome Wendy! Comedies are also a fav of mine!
I haven't seen a single movie al summer, but I've spent 25+ hours in my classroom already.
Something seriously wrong w/me.
I can't believe you even have time to watch a movie. Kudos to you for being an educator with many hats
Michelle from Atlanta, 6th ELA. Finding Dory my summer fave, I think Pixar is my fave "genre"!
Happy Tuesday Phil, from NJ. Currently 5th grade. I am an animation lover, as well as drama. This summer saw Finding Dory!
A1) Use riddle for Ss to think about overnight, have them visit class website at certain time for preview of class lesson "release"
Thanks! It keeps me hopping but I have the best of both worlds.
aggressive language but pretty funny!
Go to a matinee! Good for you on getting ready!
I like to drop a hint verbally in class, then sometimes drop a hint in GClassroom, also.
Love the hooks! Have used many of them to create anticipation.
A1: I like to walk the hallways & tell them how excited I am for class. Also setting something out is fun. https://t.co/ijgwLS1Nvy
Welcome Michelle! Pixar rocks!
a1: "you won't WANT to miss tomorrow. just trust me. oh... and you might want to bring a towel."
I also like to use the mystery bag - hide objects within!
A1 I like to use short stories and other things that grabs their attention through humor or weirdness.
A1: I enjoy placing something on or near the door, w/no explanation!
Hahaha...I love this! Great "teaser" https://t.co/bzftkn4Mye
a1: "you won't WANT to miss tomorrow. just trust me. oh... and you might want to bring a towel."
A1: use their music social media and any news stories that relate to them and their lives.
A1: when we wrote I'd make my first few sentences great and leave it hanging for an hour.
I've used vid clips for math, riddles, and over-dramatized poetry readings to get them going.
https://t.co/RgGbr1qoC1
A1: I have used some pretty eccentric openers. For ex, I pretended to find a break-up note written by one of them for Dec. of Ind.
A1- sometimes I use a mystery bag and won't let them see until the next class period.
I love the towel addition. That will create quite a buzz.
A1: The best one, the one that always worked was
Question 2 is coming up in one minute
I agree the hooks in are amazing keeps everything fresh and exciting.
A1 I like to tell them a secret and see if they can keep it and not tell the other classes.
A1: the power of the hashtag is real in 6th grade.
Great idea! Stealing it...
A1b had them wear certain color...got to school we played capture the flag using battle tactics from Am Rev https://t.co/ygypAsRKm4
Now, I want know too... Why the towel lol
A1 I've been known to get dressed up as a character or 2 if I tell them someone special will be visiting from bk they're hooked.
A1 When we read Watsons Go to Birmingham, I play Yakety-Yak and they want to know what that has to do with the book.
Thanks for sharing your blog post. Will read later!
A2) Harry Potter: He would show Ss grit, determination, positive attitude, curiosity, innovator's mindset, leadership
Gr8 idea! We open the year w Watsons. I've never played it as a hook.
Hi! I'm Kristin teaching 6th grade ELA/SS... I will probably get sucked into the ! I love a great date night movie.
A1: Sometimes getting out a piece of equipment is enough. My 6 1/2' pipe rocket launcher gets the sitting at attention.
A2 Mark Watney Perseverance and flexibility
Wow! Tough question, .
Christian Bale...he always looks like he is holding something back, dives curiosity! https://t.co/9p8n8g0heb
I would love for him to come into my class! Dreams would come true!
Hahaha...great! Meet the buses with a sign like that!
Gru - He seems tough, but is really a softie that wants to help everyone meet their goals.
- So funny. I want to do that outside my classroom.
A rocket launcher would get my attention!! https://t.co/4tJaLI1yn1
A1: Sometimes getting out a piece of equipment is enough. My 6 1/2' pipe rocket launcher gets the sitting at attention.
Did you see where the last surviving bomber was denied parole recently? Great conversation this year.
I have the Olympics on, and DVR-ing the next hour! :) Welcome!
A2- Will Smith because he can be just goofy and can tell a great story
Question 3 is coming up in one minute
A2: Judi Dench! Her soothing voice makes me want to learn, she a joker too. I could ride Spaceship Earth at Epcot a million times!
I'd have to practice spinning it!
A2: A little stumped. I could only think of The Cat in the Hat. Entertaining and can break out in rap. 😄 https://t.co/KabFxEXEVy
That's great! It is a thinker question for sure!
- That I care, am here to help, that base allows for questions and learning to happen.
A3) I follow Pay it Forward's storyline; I teach Ss this book & we talk about how to make a difference in small ways--ripple effect
I'm looking to fully and my math classroom, it will tie into the social studies sequence
A2 Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption because of his ability to create relationships and belief in others.
Tie ancient civilizations to modern culture. Send on a scavenger hunt to find evidence.
A2: Had to look this one up - John Keeting (Robin Williams) of dead Poets Society. I love to stand on chairs.
A3: I focus on empathy and kindness, following summer reading of Wonder. All year, refer back to precepts and
A3 I always like happily ever after, but with a whole lot of action and determination before we get there.
Yes, excellent choice! Love him.
A3: storyline is one of the things most important to my planning! We use global issues & basic human needs to center our learning
trick is to spin to entertain while still making it readable.. & not lose an eye
A3 Student ownership is the storyline in my rm along with my love 4 reading/writing.
And he can tell a great story!! Imagine the read-alouds! https://t.co/GdiQjw21SY
A2 Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption because of his ability to create relationships and belief in others.
A3: Sometimes I actually pick a movie to show at the end of unit. Keep it in mind as I teach.
Sorry! I know you can do it!! :)
A3. I guess I follow the story line of: Small details make BIG differences - in attitudes, writing, all learning.
Love that! Teaching them to look after one another-be the person they want to be, choose kind.
A3- love the story line where the under dogs win.
A2 Fic char, Captain America. Integrity and standing up for what you believe even if others don't follow https://t.co/0RT9rQPezr
Question 4 is coming up in one minute!
has some thinking questions tonight! Wow!
A3: our design/doing good project I use our schools documentary I Want to Say or 1 of the docus
A3 I tell stories about my family and me, I try to bring in what Ss are interested in as well https://t.co/UmsQ0XTUjU
A4) I have calm music for sacred writing time; just found & can't wait to use this; mission impossible/jeopardy for review
My own story line has to be to do a better job of helping them become better writers. Still struggling a bit.
A3- love the storyline where the underdogs win, focusing on kids to keep working through failures and not give up.
A3: Wizard of Oz. The year is the journey and the challenges they overcome. Ss realize they had it inside them all along!
A4 Love to use music with poetry. I will also play it at times during transistions. Fav. song is Friday I'm in Love by The Cure.
I try to keep the suspense - What if George W. died? I also love to use Pandora - or have class make clean playlist.
These answers are amazing and inspiring to me! Thank you for your thoughtful responses!
A4- Spotify lets me play music connected to ancient civilizations we study. Pandora lets me play calm meditation music if needed.
Instrumental piano music for writing. Sometimes I bust HSM for brain/dance breaks. (I'm mean that way!)
https://t.co/SxwwpQVVsi
A4: I play music as each class walks in door. We have dance parties as a break. 6th grdrs can get down. https://t.co/0EfYWfau5J
Love that- "Small details make big differences." Leads to kids realizing small people can make big differences, too!
A4 I sing...if you want to call it that..I Wanna See You Be Brave. so important for this age. https://t.co/4UEdAuEiwW
A4:Music is a powerful mood evoker. I love using coffeehouse jazz for ind wkg time, Walking on Sunshine to generate energy.
A4: I play music as Ss come in first thing in the morning... All kinds...they love it!
A3: My coworker turned us on to Piano Guys on Spotify or? Pandora. & my wife's morning set Classroom Calm (Spotify Gina Kiyuna).
I like how you know which resource will give you just the right rhythm
A34 My coworker turned us on to Piano Guys on Spotify or? Pandora. & my wife's morning set Classroom Calm (Spotify Gina Kiyuna).
A4: We also study fig language in "Firework" and of course have a karaoke fest!
Question 5 is coming up in one minute!
I use music to introduce poetry. Powerful connections betw emotions and lyrics (stanzas)
a4: I have play lists for so many lessons, all themed: elements, planets.
Friends, phelps is about to swim do stepping out for a minute
A4 My coworker turned us on to Piano Guys on Spotify or? Pandora. & my wife's morning set Classroom Calm (Spotify Gina Kiyuna).
Another read awaits me! Thank you!!
A4: music 4 everything. Pop and rap. Figurative language, paired songs like brave and roar for theme, bieber,
Ah! We call it sacred writing time too!!
I've also had Ss bring in lyrics to fav. songs for poetry analysis.
A4: Time period music for His and ELA, classical for writing narratives, current music for connects Wonder had a lot.
A4 Also play current music for Ss to dance too, is used for brain breaks
A5 Pandora is always cued and ready to go in my room.
A4: Also, I love to play snippets of classical music and see if Ss can identify where it has been used (Wagner, Copeland, etc.)
A4: I tell students how much I love "Ice, Ice Baby" like it's a huge secret. Then we have to dance to it.
A5) Walk & talk partner share outside; use chalk on sidewalks; all Ss to work in collaborative spaces; create standing desk areas
Completely revamped my room this summer. Less furniture. More room and opty to reconfig as needed.
https://t.co/MapPzHnY9W
A4: our class theme song was Michael Jackson man in the mirror for random acts of kindness. Paired with many texts
Have you ever thought about applying to Red Cedar Writing Project to become a National Writing Project teacher consult?
A5: I am fortunate to work in a beautiful bldg. We have many spaces in/out available. Idea lab, mediascape room & more
A5 Get outside whenever we can, move to another area of the school to work.
yup and also the one done to modern major general - but i'm talking about playing silver hammer, coprhead rd, lithium
A5. Like adding and subtracting some accent pieces, too. Have a 20th Maine Regimental flag hanging. Gets Ss curious.
A5 Excited to have new comfy furniture this yr. Couches, standing desks, desk on wheels. Having kids set up rm this yr.
A5: I change how tables are set up almost daily. This week, Ss are decorating my room for first theme. https://t.co/on4vkdGM6Z
I used bed risers under a couple of tables to create standing desks. Very excited!
A1&4: Used 2 begin poetry unit have them bring in lyrics to a song & be prepared to share why. Talk about passion & depth
A5 Being ready with classroom brain breaks, nothing like moving desks and giving a minute to win it challenge.
BRILLIANT Going to do that!!!!
Thank you for the great idea.
That is great! Can't think of too many ways to change up my space, but planning to change the decor.
would love to pick your brain about titles. I started compiling list last yr but not as much as I'd like
A5: Switched to mainly tables this year for different configs. Go outside, learn in the hallway, the gym, or anywhere.
no worries - message me anytime!
I just heard about that this summer! Got a book recommend, "The Activist Learner" from someone going through it...
Question 6 coming up in one minute!
I suppose I should look into it more! Thanks for the suggestion!
I've got a new room - standing desks, kitchen table (60s), bouncy chairs, and eventually want a futon / couch area
A5: Social studies: set up room like an airplane during recess. They give tickets gets snacks & watch a globe Trekker vid.
they loved man in the mirror paired with Thank You Ma'am and A Long Walk to Water
A5 Gaming-Treasure Island, Battle Yorktown-flipped covered desk, put up flags, MoonPhases-blacked out wall https://t.co/4aiugIW8Vo
a5: answer the question "Where is the best place for this lesson" - it doesn't have to be in your room!
Hey friends, we talked about adding info in case folks want to connect via skype, etc. last week. Go here https://t.co/ZK94L3W1rV
A6) Lighting can change focus and moods; sounds (bells, chimes), Youtube clips or gifs can also focus Ss and gain interest
post pictures, would love to see your room
where'd you purchase bouncy chairs
a6: use the projector to set the background theme. music helps w. this too. put butcher paper on the door and decorate!
I am a 2014 Cohort TC. Amazing experience; highly recommend.
A6: Fire is always awesome
A6: Lights off, blinds closed. Aura of mystery!
I need to shoutout to for the idea! :) Decided there had to be an inexpensive way...it worked!
A6 Anything that is unique to them in their previous schooling. I want them leaving class with a buzz.
A6 We've used beats when reciting words, tapping pencils when we agree, whistle before stating obj https://t.co/m1pOBNfICS
Great idea to have students involved in creating the space
Question 7 coming up in one minute! Keep up the amazing thoughts!
That's really cool! I have a very small room, I offer Ss lots of spaces to sit/stand/be. Extend our space to hallways!
A6 I like the idea of an author's chair set aside for sharing reading and writing.
That's an interesting idea! I hadn't thought to do that before.
A7) Hoping to have Ss choose how to share reflection about learning this year from padlet,blogging, notebooks, voice recording
I wonder if a lamp would work for a spotlight?
I have google form for Ss - no log in info needed, be honest. Then they also have their reflection pieces on learning.
- Maybe I need a disco ball instead. 😄
A7: quarterly marking pd reflection in Google form. End of year letter w/ likes and dislikes, recommendations
A7: I have the Ss evaluate me and their experiences for confs, jrnls include many required self-reflections.
A7: Reflection at end of trimesters, reflection piece after writing, blogging, and surveys using google forms
A7: I tell y Ss that tests area reflection of how I did my job. Parents formally critique us every yr.
Lots of exit tickets and ind. conferencing. Big on ind. conferencing!
A7 Plan to use blogs for reflecting,set aside time in our week to do it. Have to teach them how to reflect. Like ideas in
A7 Used AVID reflection last yr, yet didn't do it often enough. Try using Ss can blog or record https://t.co/5MlNTvGeW2
What blogging platform do you use?
A7 What worked and what would you do different is a great quick to have kids reflect.
Checking out this resource. Thanks!
I actually found a director's chair, in keeping w/our theme tonight, and painted it w/authors, writing ideas,
A7- I like to use Google forms, Padlet and Google Classroom. Sometimes, good old fashion conversations work too
A7. Going to start using Google Classroom for discussion threads, quizzes, etc. Using GoogleForms too.
A7: I survey Ss and parents at the end of each quarter. Ss also reflect on lessons for each unit. https://t.co/CSEY94dDEr
Question 8 is coming up in one minute!
S dont get enough 1:1 at home. Try to give as much at school as possible.
What do you use to survey Ps?
Yes! I am on the hunt-garage sales here I come! We had a macaroni chair last year I covered with Macaroni duct tape.
Hard to have threads on GooClass. Ss can't see one another's posts. Edmodo works better for that.
A8) What is the main outcome desired? Stay focused on this & know some parts of lesson may be enrichment opportunities later.
A7 I gave a Reading Habits Survey this week on google forms. Interesting results.
Public. Did a mystery skype to set up than did class to class blog over common topics with those classes.
Have to run, !
Thanks for the provocative questions tonight, .
See you all next week!
A8: Fab Q!!! I think I see what engages the highest number of Ss.
A8 Try to ask myself if it is helping us become better readers and writers to keep me focused on our end goals.
A8 Never throw out ideas, might need it for next year with different S.
if you use announcements on Google classroom, all Ss should be able to view all posts
Thanks Karl! See you next week!
Ss know and interest, if they've got it, why beat it over and over. Move on. Adjust for each class!
https://t.co/2WpNUCUQh1
Google form. That way I can look at individual responses and as a whole class. https://t.co/tbG3qYSK1E
What do you use to survey Ps?
Ss can post comments on announcements?
We have a class blog and each student has their own blog linked to the class blog.
A8 I try to cut out lot of unnec. talking/instruct. I try to keep mini lessons no more than 15 min. Rather have them doing/collab.
yes but you have to allow that option.
So true...sometimes we need to cut more and let Ss explore & create more!
A8 Keep teacher talk short-the more they are working the more they are learning.
This was a lot of fun to follow - my first chat. I like the speed and all the valuable responses. Looking forward to next week !
Yes! Collaborative opportunities!
I do think there might be better formats than wordpress but it is easy to use and students don't struggle with it.
Welcome to twitter! It really will change your T life! https://t.co/9n21SJrkkm
This was a lot of fun to follow - my first chat. I like the speed and all the valuable responses. Looking forward to next week !
A8: I talk too much but Ss come back and tell me I did a get job. My yr is long enough I pick stuff back up.
A8- I'm using a graphic organizer to map out my plans on each unit, showing my Ss what they will learn It helps me stay focus on GO
Thank you so much for your interest, ideas, inspiration, and participation tonight! Fantastic conversations at
Yea! Glad to have you on the chat tonight! Follow anytime!
Thank you for hosting and for the reminder! https://t.co/Tw923UcMsj
Thank you so much for your interest, ideas, inspiration, and participation tonight! Fantastic conversations at
I will see you all next week! More fun scheduled!
Great chat tonight everyone! Interesting ideas! Good luck with your start ups.
Thanks Kristin. Great chat.
Great chat the reminder helped!! Thanks!
