Intro: I’m Mr. Greg from The Kindergarten Smorgasboard! Full time classroom teacher, national presenter, blogger and lover of glitter! 12 years teaching. 9th year in kindergarten! Visit us at https://t.co/tPx1aSSaOK#TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends WELCOME! We're happy that you've found us! We're here on ALL the Tuesdays! But next week, we'll take a break for everyone to travel and relax for T'giving. Turkeys by twins. One girl version. One boy version. Guess.
I am so excited to be here tonight talking about student choice and voice! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts and hopefully inspire you to give up control and “let it go!” #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends I've had the good fortune of making author visits to Greg's school(s) over the years. GOOD TIMES! It is good to find your tribe + better to get to spend time together! @kindersmorgie
A1) Not very but learning bit by bit. Control to my Ss looks much different than my version of control. I'm learning to embrace controlled chaos. :) #teacherfriends
Q1: one of my biggest classroom management tips is: LET IT GO! If we want to gain control, we have to be willing to give up control. Giving control to our students empowers them. #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends Q1: How comfortable are you in giving up 'control' in your classroom? Where did you start? What are the first steps? Suggestions for others!
#TeacherFriends Hello! I am Maggie from https://t.co/UErgqByF46, teacher, STEM author, Nannie Maggie to 6 grandsons, musician and K teacher for 25 years. Welcome to our chat!
Empowering our students tells them that we value them, we trust them and we honor them. Empowered students have buy in. Buy in means less behavior issues. #TeacherFriends
We're happy to have you join us for #TeacherFriends We're a very likable crew of regulars and TONS of folks that participate from time to time -- that you will appreciate following.
One of tonight's winners will get a free TKS t-shirt in the size of your choice, along with some other fun swag (lanyard, mouse pad, etc...) Be sure to enter to win! #teacherfriends
Q1: My classroom is based almost entirely on student choice. This gives my students a voice in their learning. It is THEIR learning and THEIR classroom so they should have a voice in that journey. #TeacherFriends
A1: Giving up control doesn’t mean chaos. At the end of the day I have all the control. Giving up control is about student voice and choice and empowerment! #teacherfriends
A2: I would say probably not very comfortable in giving up control, but I am trying, I did let the kids in Walk to Read/Math pick their spots to sit #teacherfriends
what time of day or subject or skill do you suggest starting with for someone who wants to learn how to give up control and empower students? #teacherfriends
Q1: my students have choice in where they work, how they work, their centers, who they work with and they have voice in how our classroom looks and what we do in our class. #TeacherFriends
Wow duly impressed to see the nanny maggie to 6 grandsons #teacherfriends Faige sub teacher in Los Angeles. Back from 2 weeks in Thailand and Bali, subbing in Kinder and wiped out. Sorry I can’t join in
I️ don’t want to miss #teacherfriends tonight. I️ love me some Mr. Greg! But the little germ factories we teach got me good. Must sleep. I’ll catch the highlights tomorrow! Have fun! @kindersmorgie
A1) I am co teaching this year so I had to give up lots of control. I am happy I did because we make a great team. I love seeing things from a different prospective! #teacherfriends
Q1: one of my biggest classroom management tips is: LET IT GO! If we want to gain control, we have to be willing to give up control. Giving control to our students empowers them. #TeacherFriends
Sorry I am late! Jessica from MO- I teach K! Currently on maternity leave- I return after Thanksgiving break. Excited to be back w my Ss but going to miss being home w my boys! Fav dish: sweet potato casserole #teacherfriends
I don’t want to miss #teacherfriends tonight. I love me some Mr. Greg! But the little germ factories we teach got me good. Must sleep. I’ll catch the highlights tomorrow! Have fun! @kindersmorgie
Another prize tonight will be a $25 gift certificate to the TKS Online Store + swag, where you can purchase classroom resources (same as TPT Store), you can also purchase t-shirts and more soon. Visit the store at https://t.co/q2YVfq96Xu. Be sure to enter to win! #teacherfriends
A1 (pt1): I'm a semi control freak by nature but last year my teaching partner & I decided to implement #flexibleseating to give our Ss more choice. We noticed that they were rarely in chairs & chairs were constantly in the way. #teacherfriends
Seating choice is one way, but that has been hard for them to understand they can pick different ones. 😞 it’s a struggle to watch them stand and stare and not know what to do. #teacherfriends
Empowering our students tells them that we value them, we trust them and we honor them. Empowered students have buy in. Buy in means less behavior issues. #TeacherFriends
A1 (pt2): The Ss loved it & I learned that they can be in control & choose where they learn best. Planning on doing a room "re-model" over Christmas break to offer more choice. Do you begin the school year w #flexibleseating ? How do parents react? #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends A1: Giving Ss lots of choices will "breed" new ways to respond to learning.They come up with a new idea on a daily basis.Creativity flows!
Empowering our students tells them that we value them, we trust them and we honor them. Empowered students have buy in. Buy in means less behavior issues. #TeacherFriends
Welcome to #TeacherFriends -- where we have 'newbies' every week and lots of us have indeed become friends over the years! Be sure to enter to win prizes.
Start on day 1! Parents want their kids to be successful and happy. If flexible seating helps that, parents are all in! We just need to communicate to them the why, the how, the reasoning! #TeacherFriends
A1: Giving up control is something that I LOVE in theory, but definitely something I would say needs improvement in my class. I like to be in control... I am learning, albeit slowly, that these kiddos CAN do and WILL do what they are allowed to #theskysthelimit#teacherfriends
Q2: Students have choice in morning work, seating, centers, classroom appearance and who they work with! Truly in all aspects of their day. #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends are always honest. We push each other, but we are always honest. Keepin' it real is a foundation of this chat and the participants. You're in the right place.
Q2: Classroom appearance: Students choose the color of our classroom lighting each day! The Boss Of The Day picks the color for our LED lights! Boss Of The Day: https://t.co/k4UbH8FS6B#TeacherFriends
A2: flexible seating (adding more changes slowly), morning choice (which is my favorite!), grouping/partners (sometimes I pick, sometimes they pick) #studentchoice#teacherfriends
A2: Students can choose where they feel comfortable sitting/laying during read to self/read to someone practice. See pictures for a rolling chair, floor 😜 and reading cube. #teacherfriends
Q2: Students have choice in their morning work. We do morning journals so students get to choose what to draw and write about! Morning work: https://t.co/EzbsC20aAS#TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends A2 My perspective is different with my class because of my observations of kids who had limited choice in high school. Kids who are geared to hands on learning who may be engineers, architects or construction workers come alive in a class with those options.
A2b) During writing I give them choices about the kind of paper they write on. Lines, no lines, boxes, no boxes, two lines, horizontal, vertical...#teacherfriends
A2: When Ss complete their lit station they get to choose from several options what to work in next. I also have choice time at the end of the day & Ss can choose anything to work on ( @Legos & blocks are most popular) #teacherfriends
Q2: Brilliant! I LOVE Boss of the Day!!! I will utilize that starting tomorrow...going along with the child who brings in snack for that day! 👊🏻👌🏻👏🏻 In my classroom we always line up in line order...2nd person is the door holder. #TeacherFriends
How do they choose their jobs? Would love to offer that choice, but all would want to be line leader. Imagine that... here comes the pack of first graders. 😂 #TeacherFriends
Q3: honor student voice by listening to what students want to explore. Start with hopes and dreams. Use those hopes and dreams to plan lessons and units and themes for the year!
Hopes and dreams: https://t.co/s8TSRokfIB#TeacherFriends
Q2: Classroom appearance: Students choose the color of our classroom lighting each day! The Boss Of The Day picks the color for our LED lights! Boss Of The Day: https://t.co/k4UbH8FS6B#TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends A2: for some of my students the choice comes in the form of their layout of the day. Which assignment first second third. I'm self contained so more able to accommodate.
A3: We are starting a few different projects and students were able to pick their research topic for one, as well as who they wanted to interview (for a separate project). They loved having the "power" as they call it ;) #teacherfriends
Our 4th and 5th grade music teach allows the students to write and create their parts for the christmas program they put on every year. #teacherfriends
A3) During class discussions, I use sticks to draw names of Ss to share, use turn and talk, record/vote w/ sticky notes. Equal voices r impt #teacherfriends
Here are some flex "working your best" choices that are provided in our classroom (floor, poang chairs, toad stools, hoki stools, chairs) they are happier and more content in learning when they have choice #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends A3: Students are honored each day when we share our work on @Seesaw, or post our successes on our school FB page, etc. But more important, we celebrate their successes together as a group! We are encouragers, cheerleaders, helpers.
#TeacherFriends Q3: I honor student voice by using @Seesaw!!!! This honors all accomplishments and is celebrated in the classroom, in school, and at home!!! I love hearing their voice explaining all work, especially student-led centers!!!
THIS! Relationships are the foundation to every single thing that happens in our classrooms. Without relationships, nothing else matters! #teacherfriends
A1: Last week I had an amazing day. I literally could not talk louder than a whisper. Sore throat had hit me. My kids signed up to be "teachers" for each class. They did amazing! Loved the leaders that emerged! #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends A3: we post accomplishments and projects to parents through ClassDojo. Also allow communication with Ps as motivator. They love using T comp to "text" Ps to share new learning.
#TeacherFriends Loving this chat with so many amazing and passionate educators. I teach Kindergarten in Lakeland, FL!!! And my class, The Great Scotts, love all things orange and blue! Kindergarten in the Swamp!!! #GatorNation@UF_COE
Q4: FLEXIBLE SEATING IS A MUST! 6 years ago I ditched all the tables and desks and went all in for flexible seating. It was a game changer for my students and their learning. #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends Q4: Have you implemented #FlexibleSeating in your classroom to give Ss choice in their learning? If so, how? Please share photos. How do you manage the choices? If not, what is holding you back?
A3: Ss choose rewards in my classroom for PBS incentives. I also encourage them to share how they think things are going & any changes they would like to see. #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends A4: We began with groups that rotated to each seating type each day. Once this routine was established, students began to choose. There are Ss who need to be helped with what they choose because they migrate to Ss who also keep others from doing their best.
A4: Implementing #flexibleseating after Christmas break. I left early in the year for maternity leave & felt it was best to wait. We make an agreement as as class of expectations & procedures & each Ss signs it. #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends A2: for some of my students the choice comes in the form of their layout of the day. Which assignment first second third. I'm self contained so more able to accommodate.
Q4: REAL TALK: FLEXIBLE SEATING IS ABOUT CHOICE AND NOT STUFF!! Do not buy into the social media myth that you need to buy a bunch of things for flexible seating. You do not need to spend a penny on flexible seating. #TeacherFriends
you don’t need STUFF to do #flexibleseating you just need to give students a choice…sit, stand, sit on the floor! flexible seating should not cost us a bunch of money! #teacherfriends
Q4: Flexible seating is about giving students choice in where they sit and how they work. Allow them to sit in their seat, sit on the floor, lay down or stand up. That is flexible seating in it’s purest and most effective form. #TeacherFriends
Classroom leadership jobs! Kids take pride in leading and helping others! Have the kids help make up new leadership jobs that work for your class each year. #TeacherFriends
#teacherfriends A4: #FlexibleSeating is a definite yes. It has evolved over the years to give more student choice: wobble seats, pillows, low tables, standing tables, stools, chairs, lap desks.
#TeacherFriends Q4: Have you implemented #FlexibleSeating in your classroom to give Ss choice in their learning? If so, how? Please share photos. How do you manage the choices? If not, what is holding you back?
A1: Last week I had an amazing day. I literally could not talk louder than a whisper. Sore throat had hit me. My kids signed up to be "teachers" for each class. They did amazing! Loved the leaders that emerged! #teacherfriends
A2: Students choose the MakerSpace choices we have each Friday. They know also choose what gets printed on the 3D printer. They choose our morning meeting greeting & activity. Love it when students LOVE coming to school! #teacherfriends
A4: #flexibleseating scoop rockers, pillows, hooki stools, standing tables, chairs w/ wheels -- so many options. Some friends choose the same things every day and others mix it up. I let it go unless someone is not getting a turn with something they would like. #teacherfriends
Q4: As with everything else, classroom management is KEY to the success of flexible seating. Train students, set procedures and expectations. Don’t just present a bunch of stuff and think it will work. Establish procedures! #TeacherFriends
Q4: Start simply. Allow students to set where they want during independent work time. Then expand into other options/choices if you wish. But remember, you must establish routines, procedures and expectations for each option. #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends I have three tables with ball, cushion and standard chairs and neorok stools. If little Johnny needs some restrictions in choice, he can still rotate from ball, to cushion to chairs to stools through the week, so some sense of choice.
A4: My students created our #flexibleseating guidelines as a class the first week of school. We started with them do's and dont's, then created a general guideline chart. They were much harder on themselves than I would have been and we adjusted a bit #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends Loving this chat with so many amazing and passionate educators. I teach Kindergarten in Lakeland, FL!!! And my class, The Great Scotts, love all things orange and blue! Kindergarten in the Swamp!!! #GatorNation@UF_COE
Flexible seating, YES! My students sit wherever they want right as they come in. After morning meeting my VIPs (for behavior) pick first, then my "flexible firsts" pick...I rotate this each week. Then, I randomly dismiss them. They choose their spot successfully! #teacherfriends
Q4: REAL TALK: FLEXIBLE SEATING IS ABOUT CHOICE AND NOT STUFF!! Do not buy into the social media myth that you need to buy a bunch of things for flexible seating. You do not need to spend a penny on flexible seating. #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends I always say.. Go slow to go fast. Teach all routines down to the littlest details. It might take a month to 6 weeks, but once the routines are down pat, you can teach, teach, teach!
Q4: As with everything else, classroom management is KEY to the success of flexible seating. Train students, set procedures and expectations. Don’t just present a bunch of stuff and think it will work. Establish procedures! #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends Q5: How do you encourage and promote student ownership of their learning? of your classroom? How are those two related: learning + classroom set-up?
Q5: Student ownership begins on day 1. I tell my students it’s not my classroom and it’s not my stuff. It’s their classroom. It’s their stuff. I tell them they are responsible for this space and what happens in Room 134. #TeacherFriends
Q4: REAL TALK: FLEXIBLE SEATING IS ABOUT CHOICE AND NOT STUFF!! Do not buy into the social media myth that you need to buy a bunch of things for flexible seating. You do not need to spend a penny on flexible seating. #TeacherFriends
A4: flex seating not only invites student empowerment but it fosters trust. Also it begins the journey in helping students figure out their own personal learning style and where they work best and can achieve personal success #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends A4: I HAVE to be flexible or crash and burn. seating easy way to give oz of control. We have ball chair beach chairs cubbies tables rolling typing tables floor.
A4: There are #flexibleseating options for individual students and partner activities. For example, spinning chair, bench and carpet area. #teacherfriends
A5: It's important Ss take ownership of the classroom & their learning. We set individual goals as well as class goals to work towards. Also asking them why & giving them opportunities to share their work & thinking promotes ownership. #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends We never work on Math or Reading pages at tables. We always work as one group together on the carpet in front of our smart board. I can see how they are doing, and they feel part of something bigger than just themselves. Clipboards are necessary!
#TeacherFriends Please join me in thanking our buddy, Greg for his thoughts and examples tonight! @kindersmorgie Look for the archive from Maggie in a little bit!
I do the same -- I tell them we are a whole, only complete when we work together. We are all responsible for our space and our learning #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends@kindersmorgie thank you for an inspiring night. For five years now I have been following your lead and it just keeps getting better! I love your creativity and dedication. Thanks for continuous growth!
#TeacherFriends in DALLAS and surrounding areas! Join us for ELEVATE! A 1 day teaching conference to elevate you and your students! https://t.co/a7m2sVm1Br
I also do that in my classroom (intrinsic rewarding)
Celebrating together how much more we know today than yesterday. We do lots of cheering and sharing of hard work and commitment to learning #TeacherFriends
Check out our online store for engaging, hands on, differentiated curriculum, centers and our TKS BOOTCAMP curriculum! https://t.co/q2YVfq96Xu#TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends I'm back in FL & searching for author visits for 2018. I will be in SC in late spring.... let's make it a tour! Just call and we can design YOUR day!
