Thank you for visiting #ksedchat. We welcome all educators to our chat that runs Mondays at 8 p.m. Central. Though many of our educators have their homes in Kansas, all teachers are welcome to pop in and join in on the learning.
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"When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get...Compassionate."
Learn as much as I can from this school year: 1st year for full-day PreK, Head Start kids with At-Risk kids with Community kids. So much to learn! #ksedchat
#Ksedchat Jenn Farr USD475 Junction city love this chat with my friends!!! Working on redesigning my school, my class, and connecting kids with community
Hello! Jill from Cheney... 7-8 SS and HS Teaching & Training Pathway. Goal I have is to organize the pathway so it is one cohesive unit and easy to follow for both Ss and Ts #ksedchat
Kyle, Buhler, keeping my sanity and getting this guy to bed with no tears, from me, while Mom is coaching volleyball. Literally just met this goal. 😎#ksedchat
Nick Krahn from Towanda and @circleusd375 schools. I am trying to read more during the school year. Seems simple but if it's not Ed related it usually a summer thing #KSedchat
Rachel, 5th grade at Rawlins County Elementary, and a recent goal I set is to end my day with 15 minutes of silence. It’s helping with clearing my mind! #firstyearteacher#ksedchat
Hi #KSedchat 👋🏽 My name is Cassie Nix & I teach tech in #Turner202strong. We’re currently working on #HTML. Also known for having the world’s cutest dog.
Good evening everyone. TJ Warsnak social studies teacher from Halstead HS. Like @mrvesco my most recent goal is running oriented. Want to break 1:30 in my October half marathon. #ksedchat
Jason from Buhler. HS ELA T. One goal is to break a wall or two between departments or schools to blend our content and levels to enhance S learning. #ksedchat#313teach
I totally get that! When I started grad school, I stopped reading fiction. This year I committed to the Reader Harder Challenge and Modern Mrs. Darcy reading challenge & am posting on Good Reads to keep it up. #KSEDchat
Hey all! Mariah Bush here from USD 246!! I recently set the goal of creating more out of district relationships with other Kansas teachers through social media and classroom observations! There is SO much our KS T's are doing - and doing RIGHT! I want to collaborate! #ksedchat
A1: #ksedchat internally I was crushed. Later on I learned about recovering from failure. I hate disappointing myself. I think the best teachers are those who know about struggle
A1: 4th grade on a social studies worksheet (go figure...) and I was terrified I would be in trouble at home. My parents said no Fs and we'd be in BIG trouble. At that time I didn't understand the difference between an F on a worksheet and an F in a subject. #ksedchat
Fourth grade, spelling (dyslexia + spelling = not good) and even though I had straight As in everything else, I felt stupid. I thought I was a failure. #ksedchat
A1: Wow, it's early. I was 5 years old & I failed swim lessons in the summer. How do you fail swimming! ?! I didn't drown! I cried & didn't want to swim again until my parents set up a pool in our backyard & I could be alone #ksedchat
A1: My earliest memory is college. I had never experienced failure at school before and did not know how to handle it at all. I felt totally defeated. #ksedchat
A1: I always used to get bad grades in cursive, penmenship and handwriting. It seemed to upset my mom more than me. Thank goodness we have computers and smart phones now!! #ksedchat : )
A1: I remember getting an un-smiley face in kindergarten on a math paper, it started a dislike for math that only ended when as an adult when I started teaching it #ksedchat
A1: I don't think I remember an exact moment but I remember a LOT of red pen in elementary school. And that my mom just threw everything in the trash either way... nothing really mattered. #ksedchat
Failing for me...got a C one nine weeks in Science. My parents made sure it was a kick in the butt instead of permission to keep phoning it in! #KSEDChat
A1: High school geometry. I failed the first test. My teacher said, "I didn't expect you to do well. You're a girl and girls can't do math." #ksedchat No. This wasn't in Kansas.
Same with me...my first honors chemistry test! I remember the first day of class when he "reviewed" what we learned in HS and it was all brand new. PANIC MODE. #ksedchat
A1: Geometry freshman year of high school. After my first test, I had a D in the class. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. I had never had problems in school and definitely not in math! It was frustrating to struggle and fail. #ksedchat
Andrew Bauer high school English from #Halsteadhs. I have a goal at the moment to read at least one book each month and another to drink something other than caffeine all day #ksedchat
A1: I constantly struggled/failed in spelling. Even to this DAY as an educator - I often second guess myself over phonetics & spelling. I felt 'branded' as the girl who misspelled sugar in the 5th grade spelling bee, & was told it was my 'weakness'! #ksedchat
In 1st grade, I frequently received frowny face Ns and Us on penmanship. I still have the narrative in my head that I can't write by hand. It stings! #ksedchat
A1 - I distinctly remember getting a B on something in 3rd grade and crying my eyes out. I was inconsolable. It was probably over the multiplication tables #ksedchat
A1: School was fairly easy for me - I didn't get straight As, but I didn't struggle. BUT I now have a difficult time taking risks because I'm afraid of failure. #ksedchat
Good evening everyone! Brad Weaver from @USD409Atchison . I teach K-5 music. One of my goals is to continue to develop my after-school/before-school vocal and instrumental ensembles! #ksedchat
I hear you! My brother was a Spelling Bee champ. I still struggle to spell "brought". #ksedchat But my spelling instruction was memorization over recognizing patterns.
A1: I remember that in Little League Baseball, I was drafted to a league that was below my age level. I remember bawling my eyes out, but my parents wouldn't let me quit. Built character & I'm glad they didn't let me! #ksedchat
A1: 5th grade spelling bee! I got out on my first word. I always did well on spelling test and was placed in the spelling bee because of it. It was an awful experience. #ksedchat
He even came out to the house and tutored me with my mom there so she could help (she was also a teacher). He said to my mom, "I thought you were smarter than this." I was allowed to drop his class after that. #ksedchat
#ksedchat A1 actually failed a class my "last" year... so I had to take it the following year (EMAG1, only offered once a year)...so ended up getting internship and taking final 3 courses (quarter courses)- it was close but i was alright with it
A2: I think it depends on the student...if you're good at "playing school" & already view yourself as a successful student, then maybe. If you already have low school confidence, just makes you more defeated #ksedchat
A1: Remember getting my first F on a grade card in 7th grade, and sadly I was pretty indifferent to it. I wised up the following year when I realized the placement for 8th grade math was determined by that 7th grade performance 😬 #ksedchat
A2 I think for the rare student it does. For most I think it tells them they’re not good at whatever it is and that’s not something they should pursue in life #ksedchat
A2: I haven’t seen my students become motivated to push through a bad grade yet. The ones who are struggling to complete the work appropriately, it doesn’t seem like they care. That’s another battle in itself! #ksedchat
A2: For some kids yes, for me it certainly did. But I didn't receive that feedback constantly. I knew that I was capable and that I just missed a concept or didn't study as well as I could have. But if all you ever see are Fs, then probably not. #ksedchat
A2: I think it depends on how those grades are addressed. If it's a learning experience and the S can sow that they know the material in their own way (PBL) then perhaps that grade could be averaged up. #ksedchat
A2: This really depends. I would say it depends on the relationship with student(s) and educator. Interest in content can also play a role.
If one is not present...then it may not motivate the student(s).
#KSedchat
A2 Can I ask a question? Do they encourage kids to try harder to figure out how to get a better grade or try harder to learn? They aren't always the same thing, although I want to figure out how to head that way. #KSedchat
A2: Some...but for those that it does, I wonder if the grade is more important than the learning? A lot of times at the MS level grades are secondary to the social emotional learning that takes place. #ksedchat
A2: Poor grades? No. I don't think they encourage anyone. I think that Ss who get poor grades can overcome them, but I don't think the bad grade has much to do with it. There's something else that convinces them to keep going. #ksedchat
Q2: I think it may spur on students - but not ENCOURAGE them. I want my students to know I see their EFFORTS & their ABILITIES. A paper full of red marks & x's doesn't do that. Neither does a D on a computer screen. A voice of BELIEF & PROBLEM SOLVING in their ear does! #ksedchat
A1:1st grade & my teacher accused me of cheating because I had the same wrong answers as a person sitting near me. I had to sit out at recess & cried the entire time. I tried to hide it at home because I was ashamed & didn’t understand why my teacher didn’t believe me. #ksedchat
A2: grades alone mean nothing. Feedback is where growth occurs. Remember students earn “grades” we don’t assign them. Rubrics. Rubrics. Clear expectations #ksedchat
A2: No I don't believe poor grades encourage students to try harder. When most kids fail they just decide they aren't good at something. And many of my Ss don't know what to do next when they fail. I think grades feel arbitrary to most kids. #ksedchat
A2: Along those same lines I think we TRULY have to be INTENTIONAL with our feedback - even on something as simple as a grammar sheet. WHY was it wrong? What DIALOG did we have with the student about their mistake? Can THEY tell ME what the misconnect was? #ksedchat
A2. I think it depends on why they got the poor grade. If they weren’t trying I’m not sure it’ll have an effect. Otherwise, I think it’s the CONFERENCING about the grade that encourages change. #ksedchat
A2. If I got a low grade in school, it was discouraging. It didn’t feel like my work and effort were valued. We weren’t given feedback or a chance to revise. It doesn’t seem realistic if we are teaching them to be lifelong learners. Passion is what drives motivation #ksedchat
A3: Because we're expected to. I use Standards Based Grading, which is better - but even then some students are still more concerned with the final grade than the actual learning. #ksedchat
The one time I got an F on a report card was because I stopped turning in the work. I understood what was going on. I was bored. Not an excuse. Just a fact. #ksedchat
A3: I don’t give grades. Students earn them but more importantly they earn feedback and make a path to growth. This isn’t about me in the equation. #ksedchat
#ksedchat I agree @mrshannahwright that "constructive" criticism is the goal if we want our Ss to make progress. You want your Ss to put their "voice" in the room fearlessly, so to speak, so that adjustments can be made. Creating such an environment must be purposeful.
A3: Because we're told to. It's what's been done for years. It's what higher education recognizes in scholarships, college entrance requirements, and graduation. To change grading means changing that. #ksedchat
A3: Tradition. It's clear cut and its universal. Parents/guardians KNOW A's vs. F's. Students KNOW the scales... But what is the DIFFERENCE between an A & a F's level of work? Do they know that? What could be done DIFFERENTLY? What was done RIGHT? #ksedchat
A3: Grading is a way of providing "feedback" but unfortunately it doesn't always mean much to kids. For Ts it's a quick way of seeing if kids learned what they were suppose to learn. It's also an easy/quick way to provide information to parents. #ksedchat
A3. ...Grades show students’ performance in comparison to expectations. They only matter if students know the expectations, even if the grade is only a + or -. #ksedchat#shareyourexpectations
A3. Because I have to. I get that we are showing parents where the kids are but I think a standards based approach with goals for growth is more valuable than letter grades and percentages. #ksedchat
A3- I think grades are more for parents than kids. Ss know how they're doing as do Ts. It's hard to be a parent & "hope" things are being taught but never know for sure. Grades help parents feel like they are in the loop.
#KSedchat
A3: I think many see it as a barometer that is easily understood by many people. It quickly conveys a piece of information but too many times it is the only piece of information given. #ksedchat
A3: The first answer that popped into my head was "b/c I have to". I'm required to give 2math, 2reading, 1spelling, 1social studies and 1science grade a WEEK! What I WANT to do is provide Ss and PARENTS with feedback on how the S is progressing in the standards #ksedchat
A1: I remember being reprimanded in 1st grade for not doong my work. My reaction?
"Meh"
I knew even as a 6yo that work not worth doing isn't worth doing. Ts need to make the work worthwhile! #ksedchat
A3: Because we're told to. It's what's been done for years. It's what higher education recognizes in scholarships, college entrance requirements, and graduation. To change grading means changing that. #ksedchat
Our district is looking more into standards based grading. I’m excited. I still think teachers are going to have to ensure they are sharing expectations for grading to work with that too. #ksedchat
A3: Uhh...I think I’m supposed to say to document academic progress but sometimes I feel like I’m just giving them a compliance grade. #latework#missingwork#ksedchat
And that’s why I think the conferencing with the student is sooo important. If the student really is trying then maybe the T needs to look at how to best serve that student 🤷🏽♀️ #ksedchat
A2. Poor grades should be incomplete grades. If A ss doesn't know/can't do something at the time of the assessment it needs to be retaught and re assessed. Some ss are trained that once a grade is taken that's the end of it. Should always have a chance to show learning #ksedchat
A3: The idealist in my wants to think that it shows mastery of content, though the realist in me painfully acknowledges that there is a massive amount of behavior wrapped up in any content area grade. #ksedchat
A2: only of the grade is meaningful. But why do Ts complain about "grade grabbers"? Eitherca scour matters or it doesn't. If it matters, it will motivate. If we demonstrate that they shouldn't care, they won't. #ksedchat
A3: It's a way to communicate with parents/families how their kid is doing. I think parents expect to see a letter grade they can understand, and we would need to do some education if/when we switch to something else #ksedchat
So bummed I missed tonight’s chat due to officiating the questions looked on point for what I am thinking about this year will definitely use to reflect #ksedchat
A3: So this is a question that many are asking in the education world. Grades were designed to show a clear level of mastery. The college/post-secondary world loves a nice number: GPA. What has happened over time is grade inflation, especially in the 6-12 world. 1/3 #ksedchat
A3: With high levels of grade inflation (pretty sure that was becoming rampant during my time in high school. Thus parents would demand their children do well in school and educators feeling the pinch. 2/3 #ksedchat
So we shirk off traditional grading and hope high school students can still apply for scholarships and college in general without a grade point average? #ksedchat
A4: I would hope that it would give Ss the ability to show their learning in a way that they are comfortable with, as long as the goal is met. #ksedchat
A grade is a score of how well a S has demonstrated the objective.
Ts need to make their objectives known and accept that Ss may demonstrate it in a variety of ways. ONLY THEN should they touch the gradebook. #ksedchat
A4: I do like the sound of that...but more has to change. I get completely overwhelmed when I think of having 130 students and the possibility of different goals for each student and managing that. #ksedchat
A3) I give feedback. They are assessed as Not Yet, Proficient, Exemplary on their learning targets. The NY and P can be revised up at any point in a semester. With each designation I provide thorough feedback. #ksedchat
A4: This is what I think all educators should be doing when developing units. Using essential questions, and having students tackle those while learning content helps keep me focused on what I am teaching in the classroom. #ksedchat
A4. I would love to shift to goal setting at the elementary level. I tried last year and it got away from me with everything else going on. It’s my goal to get back there. So much more rewarding and beneficial. #ksedchat
A4: I believe if they are clear cut goals (not subjective) - with CLEAR expectations, laid out from the beginning, they could be HIGHLY successful in motivating Ss! Expectations/goals were not meant to be discussed after the COMPLETION of an assignment/project/test!
#ksedchat
A4 I will never forget a young man I had when student teaching who came into the school in 4th grade unable to read. By State testing time in 5th he didn't "meet standard" by 1 point. He failed. Principal made sure he knew that we knew better. #KSedchat
A4: Goals could be individualized so that EVERY student is experiencing success at a level and pace appropriate for them. Goals vs. grades seems like a lean in the direction of Growth Mindset which is AWESOME. #ksedchat
A4 HUGE! From a coach’s perspective I’m always teaching my athletes to continue to do better, was the time improved did you feel better, did you do what we practiced? #ksedchat
A4-Ss would be able to excel in a way they can't with grades. Ts could teach Ss & not have to jump through as many hoops. Ss would be more in charge of their own learning. Ss would feel empowered and have successes-some kids never feel that way w/ grades.
#KSedchat
A4: My students are writing weekly academic goals, that they reflect on daily. It's not perfect, but we have to start somewhere. I'm really hoping to build pride and ownership in my Ss learning. #ksedchat
A4: I imagine it like a race. If I were told that I was going to be timed for how fast I ran around a track 4 times, & I completed it only to be told they meant for me to run on the OUTTER lane, & I ran on the INNER lane so it didn't count - I would DEFEATED & ANGRY! #ksedchat
A4: Goals are something you can work towards. Goals allow you and the students to be reflective on what they did to achieve that goal. Plus there are so many analogies you can make to demonstrate goals to kids (I love sports analogies especially). #ksedchat
A4: Interesting idea just tough to conceptualize in a single high school social studies class. I feel it would have to be a broader implementation. #ksedchat
A3) I give feedback. They are assessed as Not Yet, Proficient, Exemplary on their learning targets. The NY and P can be revised up at any point in a semester. With each designation I provide thorough feedback. #ksedchat
A4: I could see goal setting as a more personalized way to assess students. W/ Redesign we want to personalize learning why not “grading” too? #ksedchat
A4: I like the idea of personalized learning goals as long as essential learning standards are attached. Goals don’t have the 🛑 stopping point that grades have. You just keep going until you get there, or adjust to get a new goal that is attainable. #ksedchat
A4) This is how I try to run it. They know the goals, I just offer lessons I think help them get there and feedback along the way. Note, goals can be just as unmotivating to students as grades, so be prepared to engage, entice, and develop a culture. #ksedchat
A4: A question I've been pondering - does every students need to do the same thing, in the same way, at the same time? Or, as George Evans said: #ksedchat
A3: Grades should be a map. They should be related to standards. Where am I and how do I get to the goal? If a student can’t improve based on a grade it is simply a reflection of what was done yesterday. Standards referenced grades are a good example of how to do this. #ksedchat
A5 A B C is easy. And now it's tradition. I wish I had a better answer but I think we are close to a shift. Educators know better so now we can push to do better! #ksedchat
A5: "If it works, don't fix it." Except we've been using that as an excuse, when it fact, it doesn't work, & hasn't worked in a long time - we're just afraid if we fix it we may 'fail' or 'make it worse'. If we fail forward though - who KNOWS what we can can create? #ksedchat
A5: I think KS is trying with @KSDEredesign. Schools are looking at the research to determine what is the best for these kids that are in our classes today. But they are doing so in a thoughtful way, not making change for change's sake, making it for the kids. #ksedchat
A5: Sometimes we have to identify the difference between 'safe' and 'stagnant'.
I mean... I'm sure glad I'm not sending these messages in morse code or by telegraph! ;)
Change is good! The faith to leap forward, past the fear, is what will propel us into greatness! #ksedchat
This is where I'm really struggling with this, because we are redesigning education but still assessing using the same standardized assessments we've always used. We're changing our goals at the local level but at the state level what is measured hasn't changed. #ksedchat
A5: I think we just need to change how we measure and stick to it. Communicate the change to parents. Empower and support educators to stick with their evaluation if using solid instructional practices in the classroom. 1/3 #ksedchat
A5: We can change the grading system (I am okay with that idea of rebranding grading in our schools is needed) however we have to get community involvement in that process. Educate parents before making the change. Give educators time to make the change. 2/3 #ksedchat
A5: And the change needs to last more than a year. Otherwise, it loses all meaning and we get back to that terrible cycle educators love to hate. 3/3 #ksedchat
A5: In the words of one of my favorite writers, and my "teaching quote" I hold dear to...
"Change is inevitable - growth is optional." -John Maxwell
#ksedchat
Hey #ksedchat - I hated to miss tonight! Looks like it was a great chat! If you are not registered to vote, please visit this site to do so --> https://t.co/ExXfsMv7VH This election is so important! Get informed and then get out to vote!
Yes! I was listening to a podcast the other day that was citing research (I wish I could remember which podcast) that said it can take up to 3 years for a systemic change to be implemented by 85% of a staff effectively. Change takes time. #ksedchat
Great chat! Thank you for all you do for education and your forward thinking! #KSedchat Don't miss the 20th annual @GreenbushESC tech conference! https://t.co/1Syt6UJMHi Sessions will be released tomorrow!
