#worldgeochat Archive
#worldgeochat is a weekly chat focused on teaching geography and global studies. Chats vary between geography specific topics as well as general teaching and education topics. ALL are welcome in worldgeochat!
Tuesday May 24, 2016
Hi everyone! Welcome to Tonight we will be reflecting on this school year and looking towards the summer & next year.
Hello ! Ladonna from South Dakota, USA!
Congrats on another year together! Looking back to move forward needs some Marty McFly & Chuck Berry. https://t.co/EAc8oWc61Z
Please take a minute to introduce yourself as well as where you are tweeting from tonight.
Hi , this is Bill Chapman, a retired secondary social studies teacher, checking in from Berkeley, CA. Mostly lurking tonight.
Hello ! Joining for the first time from NC
Hi all my friends. Penny from Virginia. 4 weeks to go... woop woop!!!
Welcome in to tonight's !
Chris from Illinois - 7th grade World Geography - last day is tomorrow!!!
Ed, 7th grade world geography teacher in Naperville, Illinois. Looking forward to discussing what was a great school year!
Ready for the last of the year here in Austin. HS Social Studies
Always happy to see you in
Joanne from Missouri. It's almost summer!
Jennifer from teaching AP Human and World Geo for 3 more days this school year
Marvin(7th grade SS) from Paw Paw, MI. Great to be here!
Hi So glad you all could make it!
Merri SoCal AP HG, US, AP US & Exploring Health Careers excited & stressed for a great year to end
You learn something new everyday!
Welcome! So glad you joined us tonight!
Hello ! Sarah from MA here. 6th/7th world geography & 8th civics. T minus 8 days to go!
Happy Summer Joanne! The White Sox are still looking good!
Evening all from May Gray California!
great to have you here again tonight.
Welcome back Marvin! Glad you're here!
Hi Hope things are going well for you all!
Greg AP Human Geo and World Geo from Dallas, Texas
Somewhere I missed & in my welcomes! I'm glad yo're here for
Kevin Zahner from Massachusetts
Hi & So glad you all could make it!
it's great to have you with us tonight.
I never did my last - UGH! (Glad you're here for )
Excited to reflect with everyone!
A few suggestions/tips:
1.Use hashtag
2.We follow the Q1/A1 format.Use A1,A2,etc 4 responses
3.Be kind,supportive+professional
HI & Glad you both could join in tonight!
looking forward to your input tonight
Where the heck is ? How can he miss the season finale of !!
Hi Jessica! When is 204s last day?
Misty, MS ELA Inst. Coach from VA. Can't wait till I can say . Here for final of yr. & I have 5 weeks to go (11 mo)
Awesome! Glad you could make it Jessica!
Last day with kids is Thurs, work day in Fri! How about 203?
A1: Definitely working with this year’s Ss was a highlight! They were a gr8 group w/ so much curiosity about the world.
A1: Teaching a lesson in Valley Girl voice. Fun!
A1 having Ss participate in TIRP program & the Arsalyn Climate Change Summit
A1 It's hard for me to not to look back on my time in Cambodia w/ to help film
Last day w/ Ss is tom, institute day on Thurs
A1 Our video conference with students in Palestine.
YES!! Augusta. Super excited because I will be w/ my military man again!!
A1 moving schools, moving across the Atlantic Ocean to a tiny island. Definitely a highlight was the pupils
Hi from Halifax (44.56N,63.62W) wanted to say congrats to all for great year & being so supportive of geoed! Bravo
A1 The students who hang out AFTER the bell to talk current events and read the class maps!!
A1: Highlights: getting to know my Ss beyond the classroom. Holy cow, do they have a lot to deal with!
A1: Loved getting to work collaboratively with a number of Ts as a coach. Learned so much from them.
A1: Watching Ss grow, and really get into learning about the news.
A1 integrating fieldwork in to the curriculum. The PTA funding for equipment, getting a physical geog course implemented
A1: Also loved using tech more such as as well as having Google Expeditions visit my school
Way more than I had to at that age. Some, at any age.
Hello!! Glad you're here!! We always need GIS input
A1: Being able to bring my teacher travels to life. Giving Ss a spark to study International relations
Popping in from for the last of the year. Such a great PLN group & grateful for all that you do!
A1 Ss did their first ever Nat Geo Bee. I'm also halfway thru MAT program, got my prelim teaching license in history!
Definitely awesome! When Ss stay after the bell to continue discussions is always a highlight!
A1: Going 1:1, organizing DC trip, setting up room like a movie theatre, enjoying Ss.
great students make a memorable year -- one of my very favorite Ss is graduating this year. There were tears today.
Yes! And many had major accomplishments!
A1. Having Google expeditions come to my schools! S went to areas of world they never could!!
Walk for Water was awesome yet again! Thanks so much for organizing it!
I know I don't want class to end :)
A1 increasing student numbers by 30% for our GCSE course in September. Kids telling me they enjoy geography
A1: Studying the politics of Canada's Federal Election - so much Geo involved in that + giving Ss a video msg!
A1 Watching Ss throughout the year figure out how cool geo is...that it so much more than locations.
Of course! Fantastic night of fun!
No doubt both collaboration within the building, the district and w/ everyone here at definitely a highlight! :)
What was your fav expedition?
Tell me about this movie theater set up...
That was awesome Joanne! Loved your blog posts about making connections across the globe
Sounds like so much fun. Did they have a fav?
Yes, SO want a new setup for next year!
Matt from Endor. Highlight for me was connecting with to help me construct
how did you set up? Looking for new ideas for next year...
That is awesome! Do you have a link?
Took my 8th graders to DC every year. Such a great trip!!
Make "previews" for upcoming lessons, set up desks in stadium style, bulletin boards feature " coming attraction
- that is awesome. When they finally go 'hunh, geo is interesting' then we know we did something right!
Was lucky they came to our school. 1 of the coolest experiences of the year!
Can't pick just one. Rome, Jung. Landforms, Space. My Ss still stop in the halls and tell me how awesome it was
Love this!!! Going to have to steal some of it!
Moving on to question 2 in a minute.
Love this! https://t.co/ZZfDKYQYJp
Make "previews" for upcoming lessons, set up desks in stadium style, bulletin boards feature " coming attraction
And driving through Virginia?
That's fantastic! Always great when you can't pick ONE favorite! Need to do that next year!
A1 This convo with a S was also a highlight! Glad to see S starting to view the world more critically https://t.co/gu9yaKeV5Z
A1 for my other classes it was quite an amazing year getting off campus, PBL, CTE & more!
Help yourself! Even use the "quiet please, put away cell phones" to manage class.
it's not. I don't think is as committed to the plan as he needs to be
A2: I am disappointed that I didn’t build in longer Ss inquiry projects. They had short experiences w/ it, yet need to do more
And now you know you've reached them!!! treid to balance some good news in this year too! https://t.co/ytLdRTbGIh
A1 This convo with a S was also a highlight! Glad to see S starting to view the world more critically https://t.co/gu9yaKeV5Z
A2 so much I really felt I could have done so much better with AP Human Geo :(
A2 I think I'd like year round school or at least a better block system
A2: Change: Not doing a little more prep last summer to make more time for more imp things this school year!
A2: use more digital tools
A2: Need to differentiate more, observed the power of this from so many colleagues yet need to make it common practice for me.
A2 If I could change something, I wouldn't teach Europe. It would buy me extra weeks for Africa & Latin America which I need!
A2 Wish I had more time to integrate tech! I was able to utilize and Flippity for Jeopardy-style review games
A1 taking APHUG ss to a mosque. Great experience for them. We have Uyghur Muslims here from China, fascinating!
A2: Lower the class sizes. Mid to low 30s.
A2 teach less topics and more in depth. Am doing this for next year.
I used to think 82 minutes would be too long. Now I would love to have that long of an uninterrupted period!
Holy cow! That's a lot of bodies in a room!
A2 I wish I had made some better connections with my more difficult Ss. Not for lack of trying.
Agreed! I couldn't imagine having so much on my plate as a 11-14 year old
A2 I will also say that I would change the fact that Ss don't always get recognized at my School for their success dist wide
A2 give time for kids to spend on maps and finding places.
Wow! 30 is my biggest class. I have one class of 18 students. Smaller class sizes make a difference!
Learn counties/ states / countries - but instead of just memorizing, have projects tied to each. https://t.co/IUwJdpbd4l
I think we all share that! I have some that I just can't connect with. I just hope another T did where I couldnt.
true but we have every other day and students have a tough time without constant growth- lots of choppy plans
A2. Wish I had given S more time to blog and connect with other S around the world!
I know we've chatted about differentiation, but I wish I did it more.
Couldn't agree more! I do less topics now, but I feel I'm finally get near the depth I want!
90 minutes is heavenly for me!
No doubt! This is something I have to do more of next year!
What are your blocks like? I have 90 min this year. Challenging, but worth it when no minute goes to waste
A2. split my class into smaller groups (150/term intro human geog) need to figure out more small groups for deep discussions
And assessing. I need to find a better way to assess that's manageable. I wish I could just assess on Twitter!
A2: Find ways to individualize more, 10-1 rule spend one minute a day for ten days straight for those hard nosed kids
every other day for 79 mins. but hard when Ss are absent.... lots of playing catch up :(
Do you use G Classroom or Goobric? I'm so much better now that I don't have a stack of papers.
And more movement breaks. Kids sit WAY too much!
or at least shorten it. Def need more time at the end! We have to find a way to do this
That's an amazing thing to do! I'd love to try that sometime!
No. Though with going 1 to 1 next year, I think I can manage a little better.
. does it help with computer labs? can Ss bring their own devices for GIS preograms?
Need to do more w/ giving digital feedback next year as we go 1 to 1.
. Nice! It's a great community.
I use tables of 5-6 to facilitate deeper and more frequent discussion.
I think we should start piloting all the things we want to do next year. Can we ?
I had 1:1 iPads and it was amazing. So much easier with tech at fingertips.
A2 Provide more timely feedback. My next new year’s resolution. Again!
I would love to connect! I did within my district but having other S as an audience would be great!
Yes, 1:1 next year for us at MS too. Even better! LOVE G Classroom.
Let's do the overuse of the exclamation point Seinfeld thing!
thanks! As always...great to get input from peers
I like using Have conferences and discussions right in their Google Doc.
mine are 9th graders... how about yours?
THIS! I need to remember this -- HS Ss need it just as much if not more than middle schoolers
I'm a grouper...sometimes by ability
LOVE it! Home w a sick kiddo Fri but was able to "be there" while kids were in G Slides!
Ss get their new devices in August. So many more opportunities 1 to 1
A2 more peer assessment. Ss not used to that here.
All MS. If I don't plan movement/bathroom/drink breaks, it's like playing whack a mole trying to get Ss to sit still
Yes, and love the new feature of asking Questions while presenting.
That's awesome! It's amazing how connected we can be w/ Ss!
But we aren't getting Chromebooks are we Ed?
A2: picked a poor textbook this semester. Worth a shot, but realized how much it sets the stage
Ryan Staudt MKE WI. What's up world geo fam?
I am switching to a new school/district, but I look forward to bringing this idea to them. I hope they're on board!
yep, I try to get at least one change of seating in each block for the same reason!
My personal kiddos are going to BYOD & I am leaning toward getting them Chromebooks.
Moving on to question 3 in a second.
- we are constantly moving... selfishly I cannot sit still so neither do they... unless they ask :).
Holy cow! That's amazing that your PM responded to your Ss Qs! AWESOME!
A2: Less is more ... every year this means a little more.
i bet, groups are good, esp in lab work.
I'm doing the June one! Can't wait!
Things we could change from the past year...
A3: Goals: longer inquiry, more student led classes, take fullest advantage of being 1 to 1 next year
A2: Increase the amount of visitors/community experts to the classroom either in person or virtually.
A3: organize organize organize. And add depth in collaborative learning.
A3: More lesson activities driven by inquiry
A3: Goals - Think outside the box, alternate seating, MS literacy centers, have the most engaged class, S directed learning.
A3 set up gis homework, introduce a travel club, work on improving Ss ability to think like geographers
A3) that's a long list! Who agrees?
A3 Plan ahead of time more. Don't reinvent the wheel; utilize resources/worksheets already out there. More Ss input on content
Definitely adding that 1! I need to be better w/ bringing in experts and members of our community
A3 to spend more time researching areas of geog that interest me. Take ownership of my own learning to inspire
A3 Really following the C3 Framework to promote Inquiry. I have to get better at that!
A3 I want to get my Ss to track their own progress. And I am in a cohort group that is implementing the workshop model.
What do you envision the GIS homework looking like?
yes yes yes! I second that. I'm snapping my fingers so hard right now!!
A3 streamline my paper stacks!! more e-copies, incorporate BYOD better in my classroom, practice geographic connections
Getting my students physically into geography then having them use google earth to review and innovate
Q3 - where to start? More with our google drive, work on differentiation, extend peer collaboration with ELA,...
A3 get through APHUG not wanting to kill myself at the ridiculous systems of college board lol
A3 more work with schools via program & build opentextbook for use/contributions by anyone
Somewhere is happy. There was a Google Earth mention. https://t.co/clDOC7uIXy
Getting my students physically into geography then having them use google earth to review and innovate
. Have you listened to the podcast on the C3 Framework yet?
I have big, big plans. And plan to blog all about my failures and successes.
- Such a HUGE and amazing modelling point for our Ss when we share our learning interests and what we do with it.
A3) bridging the gap between environmental science and geo
A3: Goals: Enjoy my work w/ Ss. Teach essential standards. Try to take the stress out of teaching. Kids feel that.
I did. It was REALLY valuable. We just need to do it now!
A3 goals: more Ss project and unstructured research time. Need to let go of control!
A3 running a successful trip to Barcelona in Feb
A3 Integrate more of the local community into the classroom, more differentiation, more Google Earth/Maps, differentiate more
- I still have a month and a bit to go - need to get through those thoughts/ideas/lists first :)
Let them discover & take action somehow. I just don't know how that would look all the time.
my program and I can help with that. I would be more than happy to skype with you.
A3 get students to be mindful that there is a world outside of Bermuda.
I'm so glad I had time teaching LA and using workshop approach. So effective in social studies too!
I wish I could get Ss on Twitter to truly collaborate in the real world. Can't see admin approving that one though.
it's not the rebel alliance
A3. More Global and local connections- strengthen relationships !
You can connect with industry professionals with
A3 get Ss to believe that if they 'aim high, they can travel further'
ELA & Geo are two of a kind. Like Hans Solo & Chewbacca
I think told me the same thing about !
I see comiskey/cell. Sounds like Geo!
There's a book by Starr Sackstein. Self-Assessment.
We talked about this last summer. Needs to be a priority next year! Taking action is most rewarding!
hellllloooooooooooooo..........
Another goal is to help promote the heck out of - such a great resource that isn't used enough!
looking at a potential collab with APHG and AP Environmental Science at my school in the near future
will do...... cross your fingers for me!!!!
A3:Incorporate more digital tools like that of Show Ss the career applicability of Geography
Thank you for the resource! =)
I know, I would do individual days of inquiry, yet need to do longer projects. Can't worry as much about coverage
just did backpacking and fair trade. Kids truly seemed to love them! More of this!
Thanks ! You are my super hero. ;)
Yes. We need to find a way to collaborate even more next year. My lunch is a different per next year. :(
A3: Even more S driven, have them direct what is studied / when w news + Options for showing learning https://t.co/3ogeIzuPqY
Can't wait to add to my to read list with our next question!
why do you think admin is not supportive? I see that in my schools too.
Fun Fact: Carlos Santana & drummer for Lenny Kravitz, Cindy Blackman have been married since 2010. https://t.co/nspayCmV7k
A3: Expand from my current events talk shows to include historical events talk shows.
Fear of the unknown. Too many Ts & Ps don't understand the positive power of social media. Needs to be used!
great. There's been a huge amount out in terms of data & studies about careers in geography https://t.co/dPA5DqdJOR
A3:Incorporate more digital tools like that of Show Ss the career applicability of Geography
A3) geo is the world so students should be in the world not the classroom
A4 My big professional development is going to Colombia to immerse in schools with .
A3 I am so honored & lucky going to Berlin thanks to & Check Point Charley also training
A4) who will I see there?
A4 I'm heading to Arlington for the APHUG summer institute in June
AP Human Geography Reading!!!!
A4 Looking forward to reading The Hyperdocs Handbook & Well Spoken over break Also looking forward to getting my Google 1 Cert
A4: Will be having fun & getting awesome PD quite a bit; working w/ kiddos + lots of tech/student voice stuff!
Me too! And getting paid to do it!
A4: Tons of PD books on my home office desk and loaded onto my kindle, taking some courses through Academy, & tchg PD
A4 I also have a stag of teaching books I want to read as well as geography subscriptions
Both great reads! Matt Miller's blog posts are always packed with great ideas & resources!
A4 mostly my holidays will be travelling
A4: My summer break is officially ONLY 4 weeks long. So Twitter and reading blogs is it for me.
Can't wait to hear all about this!
A4: tons of reading, a little travel, networking for service learning
A4 Fortunate to be presenting at Google Geo Teachers Institute in Mt. View again this summer.
A4 a stack of teaching books and geography articles
if my 3yr old would stop having bad dreams I'd be able to relish the mention!!!
A4 - I will be attending the APHG Reading with and -- best prof dev there is.
Lead a session at a conference titled "Student Response Systems and Your Mom!"
A4. I'm year round so...guess I need to find another until you guys come back! Am headed to the 5 Nat'l parks in UT!!
Argh!!! Sorry in late everyone
Yep!! It's like summer camp!!
I would love to go this conference yet I will be out of town! :(
A4 Workshop model training. ElevatingEdu conference, EdcampKS, EdcampLdrKC.
A4: Can PD include hanging out with smart friends and picking their brains?
there is nothing I want more than the force to build me a googledeathstar
A4 a and read, read, read.
Some day you will apply with too!
sure!! Twitter PD is great, too
now you have me drooling! Added to my list. As a drummer time is everything and sometimes very elusive.
Yes! The best ideas come from just talking with trusted colleagues!
A4. After geog conf in Halifax, begin plans4 StemFest 2018 & IGU geogedu commission 2018...lifetime of work..then sleep
A4: build content in and teach others how to do it
more shout outs to Tweechers!!! https://t.co/qULA7rk8wn
I love my Twitter PD - ya'll are great, quick wealths of knowledge!
A5: Definitely sitting on the beach in Rivera Maya with my husband (and my Kindle), celebrating 5 years!
A5 I'm looking forward to sitting down for more than 20 minutes at a time. Something I havent done recently!
A5 I am taking my mom & son to Niagara Falls (Canada side) & playing lots of local ie driving adventures so much to see in CA
A5: Spending time with my family, reading, and traveling.
A5 seeing friends and family back in the UK, eating proper fish and chips, making my Aunt & Uncle in LA, Dark & Stormys
A4: read Chernow's Hamilton while listening to the musical soundtrack
A5: I’m traveling to NYC for a Yankees game, going to Cedar Point & Niagara Falls, & lots of time in Michigan
Well done! Take the day trip to Chichen Itza - it's worth it!
That must have been an experience.
A5: Being reunited with my husband. Military duty of 1 yr. in S. Korea will be ending. Can't wait!!
We went when we were there on our honeymoon!! Any other nearby site recs??
A5 Running in the Big10k in Chitown in August.
Q5 - Time to regroup and think -- Not having a schedule
A5: finally being able to put M.Ed. After my name
It's been a great year! Thanks for including me the community!
Reading John dos Passos novels!
- must jet; puppy is pacing. & - thanks for great chats & never stop exploring
A5 will also be headed to Chicago & Texas re: family & friends & of course a game or two!
awesome news!!! Yay for returning servicemen and women!
A5. Time with the babies, friends, husband, outdoor music, Michigan, and breathing
We went to Tulum last time. It was really cool to see the court where they played a weird hoop game.
A5: road trip! I haven't said that in a while.
Running my first triathlon this coming weekend
Michigan for us too! Where?
I still haven't sent you my Guns & Ships performance. It's pretty remarkable. :)
Oh my, I'm out of breath just thinking about it. :)
A4a: Attending APHG Reading with
A5 Hopefully seeing a game or two at Fenway! I want to explore more of the hiking trails in Western MA and conquer Mt Tom!
I've been reading it while listening to the unabridged audiobook. It's really good
A5??? Atlantic Ocean. Halifax. Nova Scotia. Enough said :) :) (& golf, reading, writing)
Paw Paw Lake in Watervaliet/Coloma. You?
A4b: attending the 3 seminars of Korean culture/history incl
I don't marathon. That's my wife's gig. We have cars to go 26.2miles. Swim/bike/run is easier somehow
