#2ndchat Archive
#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.
Wednesday August 24, 2016
Welcome to ! Please introduce yourself. Tell us your name, location and back to school status-in already or start date.
My name is Carol. I'm from Birmingham, AL. I'm in! I've been in school 2 weeks!
Toni from Macomb, IL. 2nd grade and we have been back since Friday with kids.
Lisa Boeglin from Evansville, Indiana; 2 weeks under my belt already!
My name is Janie Hachen from Andover Kansas and I have been back for 5 days in the class with kiddos.
Me too! So far so good. How about you?
I'm Amanda from Hoover! Hello ! We're already back in session. Day 11 tomorrow!
Glad you are here! How is it going so far?
Yeah! Hi, Amanda! Glad you came!
If you are back to school, how is it going?
Kelly from FL, Day 11 with students.
Loving getting in the groove and meeting the kiddos!
Day 11! Awesome! Hope it is going well!
Question 1 coming up soon! So glad you are all here! I KNOW you are all tired!
Q1: How do you want students to feel after the first day/weeks of school?
Going great, love my class! Math block is super, still trying to figure out new reading block schedule. https://t.co/5BqCIgni9Z
If you are back to school, how is it going?
A1: I want my Ss to be excited & think this yr is going to be different. I want them to feel it is safe & a place to take risks.
A1. I love to feel respected, cared for and to know they can tall to me about anything.
We have upcoming chats (late Sept. and early Oct) on guided math and guided reading.
A1: I want them to feel that I think they are super special! I want them to feel happy to come to class.
A!: I want them to feel happy about school and that learning is fun! I also want them to feel part of a special class community.
A1: I want those that need a clean slate to have one. Some kids come with lots of info from past teachers.
Hi, Sam! So glad you are here! Yours are coming up soon!
A1 I want them to be curious and excited!
I love all the s but the ones who run in at meet the teacher yelling, "Yes, I got you!" make you feel pretty special.
I love all the s but the ones who run in at meet the teacher yelling, "Yes, I got you!" make you feel pretty special.
Yes! I need people not to tell me anything. Kids act different with different people/different teaching styles!
Q2 coming up- get ready to share ideas!
I know I need to know some things but they are so little. They have so much time to work on things!
Q2: What is your favorite “back to school” activity or experience to do with your students?
A2: I love doing LOTS of team building activities and challenges. It tells me so much more than any "paper" work they could do!
A2: We did Lego building Olympics and team builders. They love these!
A2: I like to have them put puzzles together in groups.
A2: Team building Kagan games are a must!
A2:Team building/STEAM challenges My most favorite is an activity where they made the longest paper chain w/a single piece of paper.
Oh! I wanted to do Lego Olympics, but I didn't quite have enough blocks!
A2: Mine used clay to form something they did over the summer and shared. Lots of great talking as they created.
I got tons of bags from the dollar bin at Target!
Q3 coming up but KEEP THE IDEAS COMING! :) Some of our friends have not started school yet plus I can collect for next year!
Q3: How do you establish parent communication from the beginning?
A2; open house before school starts ss wrote on dry erase tape what they want to learn and they each took a selfie!
A3: The only parent information I gather at Meet the Teacher is to get parent email & phone #. I use a Google Form to collect it!
A2: created a huge yarn web by talking about themselves and tossing string to new friend. Getting "connected"
A3: I use the homeroom app and parents join the site so they can see pics and video of what is going on in the class. It's so easy!
A3: By having an open door and making postive contacts. It's very important to build trust with them.
has been huge for me. So simple. Parents like it + easy to push out quick reminders.
A3: I like to set up my parent emails so I can email 1st day pics to the parents. :) I introduce our twitter pg at parent night.
A3: Send a personal, positive note 1st day, positive phone call within first week.
A3 I create an abc book with info; curriculum; philosophy; projects; contact info; routines
A3: We had Meet your Teacher Night sign ups, and share what you are an expert at. Had them sign in to Seesaw Facebook Twitter
A3: Once we had parent night, Twitter is how I share daily activities with parents. Emails for notifications. They love it!
A3: The link to our Twitter page as part of my email signature so parents can click it. They don't even have to sign up on Twitter.
You should try homeroom. Very easy and parents get a notification when I post new photos. They can leave comments.
A3: I have had at least 3 items up in Seesaw for Parents to view to get in habit. I have posted on Facebook and twitter and email.
A3. I have a remind, twitter and facebook page info I give out with my email and school phone #
Okay just warning you...the next question is one I feel PASSIONATELY about! Fair warning :)
Q4: When should you start the regular curriculum? Why is this important?
A4. I start after we have worked on routines. I start with light stuff then move to guided reading last.
A4: I spend LOTS of time on team building, talking to my kids, observing them in "free centers" 1 of 2 (or more)
A4 I like to get into routine but take time to develop relationships and practice expectations first!
A4: Not until after 20 days! They need time to acculmate to the classroom environment, learn routines/procedure, & each other!
Q4: I started on 1st full week but take it slower. It helps Ss learn the routine and get excited about what we're learning.
A4: We practice how to handle conflict w/ others in a calm, loving way. We talk about expectations but have time to practice them.
My principal supports this too!!
A4: I am in the middle of reading assessments that have to be done by Sept. 2. We work on center rotations while I do that.
That's wonderful! Your principal has been in the trenches!
A4: I want them to learn about each other and become a team and community. I want to help model a growth mindset before we hit it!
We have them too but I find that I can move faster later once I have the community and expectations set up.
STOP! I haven't even started. You set high goals for me.
A4: I wait at least the first few full weeks and gradually start them in.
A4: I just feel that teachers jump in too soon. I know the other activities are harder- more prep and less "structure"
Growth mindset book changed my classroom!
A4: BUT how can you EVER get to know your kids if you hit the ground running? Go slow, then you can move faster later if needed.
Not that high! I just did 2 reading interviews today! :) That's all I have done plus reading Global scholar test.
Parents also need to understand what and why you are doing it. Lots of questions otherwise.
especially with 29 students!
We're doing work that gets home but I tell them it will be minimal as we're learning routines & doing assessments.
lots of new students enrolled week before school started; have a FABULOUS teaching assistant
Hey Pam from Philadelphia PA here jumping in late!
Q5: Tchers spend lots time at the beginning establishing a clssrm environment. How can we continue this throughout the yr?
A5: I think many tchers say "that was fun but it's time to get serious." Learning is fun. Adding STEM throughout the yr helps.
Q5 continue relationship building and keep parents engaged
A5: Continue to have class meetings and real discussions with your class. We also use lots of music to connect with others.
A5: Remembering that students need practice on procedures throughout the year. They are kids.
A5: Consistency. Growth mindset activities. Keep families engaged w/
Trying some pbl with another teacher in my building
A5: I love working in small groups and having individual conferences so I can continue to know my students.
YES! You know I LOVE pbl!
A5: Personalized learning opportunities, voice and choice. STEM for sure.
A5: We continue to do team builders, challenges and projects that promote community all year. I have heard this called fluff.
Use lots of whole brain teaching strategies to keep kids engaged and having fun!
That's pretty standard for those of us here in Chicago. 😐
AND it is SO not fluff! It helps them with cooperation and collaboration -skills for their whole life!
A5: PBL, STEAM activties, & morning meetings
A5 - I would like to try PBL and some inquiry based learning this year.
If you want help with PBL, let me know. I love it!
A5: We review procedures over and over again, almost monthly. I have a reward system if they do a quiet transition.
started conferencing before I begin guided reading to get to know them as readers
A5: I also reinforce in small groups the transitions.
Q6: What is one new thing you are trying this year?
That is what I am doing right now as I am giving our individual reading assessments.
Q6: We are going 1:1 with IPads this year so I am trying SeeSaw and possibly Recap That
you inspire me to do pbl; attended 4 day conference this summer!
A6: I am trying Individualized Spelling Lists this year. :)
not fluff; foundations to keep community
A6: PBL, no more literacy centers - more personalized learning experiences.
A6: We are also participating in a science curriculum that involves FOSS kits- we're doing Soils and Shores right now.
We are ALMOST 1:1 ipads. :)
A6: Trying out short video book selfies like this year!
Q6 enrolled in seesaw so ss can show parents what is happening
I do not know what that is.
A6 - Trying student portfolios using this year. Very excited!
I wanted to do that but decided I had enough new things to tackle. Maybe 2nd semester :)
I'm nervous since I am not sure all the things I want to do with it.
A6. Getting ready to do Class tweets daily as a student leader role
Do you ever see the ipad task cards and I made?
A6: I'm trying makerspaces in writing time. Still looking for resources.
Q7: Do you have any back to school resources to share?
we also have FOSS; balance and motion starting next week
I agree It is not fluff at all!!
No I have not seen those.
We do not do that unit. We do Soils/Shores, Matter, and eventually plants.
after the chat remind me to send them to you!
A6: Regular Steam activities with sci curriculum, writing with zookeeper
I love websites like better lesson that have teacher created NGSS lessons
A6 1:1 old netbooks and 1:1 iPad cart (shared with another class)
I built a space for this in my room this year too!!
as a new school year begins, i'm hoping to grow my
I'll keep you posted; looks easy! All the iPad task cards you used could easily be uploaded
A7: Doing Wonder tubs instead of a bunch of busy work morning work. So far I love this!!
A7: I am using Seesaw and loving it!! I think it is one of my favorite things!! Lots of great feedback!!
Bonus question: what is something you would like to learn but would love more information?
Yes I have seen community journals in wonder tubs.
I like to do group morning challenges a couple days week. Other days are free choice- read or write.
I'm trying it for the first time; excited about the possibilities!
Bonus Q: Do any of you build in STEM to every week? every month? every day?
Check out her pinned tweet. (sorry. Busy with my kids right now...)
I would love to know more about the new Social Studies standards. I also would love to know more about 1:1 technology information
A7: Using nightzookeeper again this year. The students can't wait to write and see who has commented from around the world about it
I can help you with the 1:1. I'm excited to share ideas with you!
Seesaw can be used as a blog for writing time too.
A7: I signed up to try this, this year. https://t.co/l8ZDxj1vTq
A7: Using nightzookeeper again this year. The students can't wait to write and see who has commented from around the world about it
Before we end the chat: Sept 14th is returning to share how to include easy stem activities! Mark your calendars!
I would love to try night keeper and mystery science if it didn't cost anything.
If you have not signed up for the or the Global read aloud, sign up! We can share ideas!
You can do Mystery Science for a free trial I think.
We usually do it every Friday.
I want to thank everyone for coming even though I know how stressed and tired you are. Take time to rest and relax!
I just saw that. I also joined
P.S. My tweets may display errors due to back to school exhaustion- the most tired brain ever. I can't turn my brain off!
I hope & pray that you all have an amazing year. It will be because you are passionate, caring educators! Your students are lucky!
Thanks so much for an awesome chat!!
