#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.
Welcome to #6thchat! Please introduce yourself, what you teach, and where! Questions are tweeted from @6thchat and RT by me. So excited for tonight's ideas!
Ryan, World Geography, Saginaw Township, MI. Haven't been counting down, but just heard from somewhere in the building that we have 20 days. That's sad to think about, but I could use a recharge since I've been teaching since August 14. #6thchat
Hey folks! I have put together a @padlet with resources that might help some of you with your epic end of year celebrations and planning! Please visit, use, and you can ADD ideas/resources to this! :) https://t.co/xUMlvzaQam#6thchat
A2: End of year means learning outside. We get out into the fresh air and do team building or community based work. We also do plenty of gamification to keep Ss in the zone. #6thchat
A1 6th Grade: The year I was empowered to ask questions and find the answers for myself. I was safe to wonder, try, fail, create, and innovate. I learned I am ready for wherever I decide to go next! #6thchat
I used to have a trophy I would give out to Ss. When I got my new position, I wasn't sure if the tradition would carry on, so I gave it to the most recent winners. It was like the Stanley Cup, because previous winners' names stayed on it forever. #6thchat
Yes, they are coming along well! I think they thought it would all be done quickly, and didn't realize the depth of it all. They are learning a lot! Thank you so much for pointing me in this direction! #6thchat
A3) Wish I had built in more time for Ss to be outside; last year I had Ss find favorite quotes and do chalk art on last week of school. Will do again; they loved it. #6thchat
A3: Provide a positive memory to every Ss to make sure they feel a personal connection. #6thchat (such as "I remember that riddle you challenged me with and I finally got it!")
Former winners would come back and look for their name on the trophy. Then, they'd talk up how "hard" their puzzles were compared to the recent winners. (even though they were virtually identical). It was a blast. #6thchat
A2 Our students leave our school after 6th. To DO... ask them what they want their final days to be! Our kids are planning a goodbye breakfast to enjoy with the staff, and they are planning a full day of activities for the last day. Student led all the way! #6thchat
I wish I had celebrated personal successes more in the past. I will try to do that more in the coming weeks. Want to revisit the goals they made at the beginning of the year so they can discover how far they have come!
A3: When reflecting at the end of the year, I look back and try not to have any regrets. But, I always end my year with my Ss saying that the next group will have a way better teacher than they do. I always learn something new and Ss say "But, we didn't do that!" #6thchat
A4) This time of year should build in active lessons where Ss spend time collaborating & sharing; reflection time is important to find out what Ss like/disliked about year. Stop testing or give Ss a break from tests as much as possible. #6thchat
A4: Honestly, they shouldn't at all. We need to bring choice and engagement all year. Being in a winter state, it's hard to get outside, so I guess that is my only true difference. #6thchat
A3 So important to spend time enjoying your students on the last days! Give them a feeling they won't forget when they reflect about your year together! #6thchat
What a wonderful personal way to touch each of your students! We have a time capsule we make for Ss to open as Seniors in HS. It would be cool for a T to put a note in for each Ss. #6thchat
A5) I directly instruct students on the "summer slide" and what it really means to their skills & future success in the next grade. I have Ss come up with a plan for what they will do to keep skills sharp, and how they'll do it. #6thchat
A5: That's difficult as the large majority of our Ss base attends sleep away camps. We have required reading, but related assignments are often completed the week before school. #6thchat
A4: I think end of the year lessons should be able to add a layer of creativity and freedom (maybe not my hot plate). We've trained them in the tools all year. I'm in the dilemma of having too many options. Robotics, maker session, aquaponics, or cooking? All? No. #6thchat
A5: Our school has a 40 book goal for each student per year. I have been talking up that they get to count their summer reading for that to earn the incentive. Hoping it motivates them to continue enriching their brains with challenging text. #6thchat
A5 As they've grown to own their learning all year, they are starting to better understand and consistently make decisions that impact their learning every day whether in school or out! Help them see the importance in the work and then send them off to do it! #6thchat
I think more options are better. I'm like you in that regard. I think that when you've taught the tools, let Ss use their imagination to figure out how to collaborate and bring ideas to life! #6thchat
A6) Discuss w/Ss the emotions that people have during times of transitions. Have Ss brainstorm how "other" Ss could feel & why. Discuss ideas for coping. #6thchat
A6: So timely! We have a few Ss definitely reacting to the impending transition. I try to devote extra time with mindfulness, breathing, and lots of freedom to move around. #6thchat
When Ss have a love for reading, they don't view reading over the summer as work. I try to read a book while my son reads at home so we can be doing it together. This helps grow that love. I wish more Ps had time to do the same. #6thchat
A5 As they've grown to own their learning all year, they are starting to better understand and consistently make decisions that impact their learning every day whether in school or out! Help them see the importance in the work and then send them off to do it! #6thchat
I agree totally. I prefer to have Ss read. I had some Ss a couple of years ago who loved blogging so much that they continued to blog about books to keep in touch. That is more authentic. #6thchat
A5) I was thinking about having a padlet where kids write a short summary of the books they read over the summer. Put their name in drawing for each entry & winners a gift card to Barnes and Noble. Send them out at the beginning of the next school year. #6th chat
A6: Continue the calm steady demeanor with them. Focus on the ways we can keep control of our emotions and find ways to touch base with those Ss when they are not in your classroom to let them know you're there for them #6thchat
A6: Don't stop communicating and collaborating with your team. They might have useful insights into yoru Ss or class ideas. I agree with @Mr_Lisek, too much or too little tips the scale. #6thchat
A7) Ending a school year is like dropping the reins on a galloping horse--sometimes you just have to enjoy the ride and not control every turn. #6thchat
A6: Don't stop communicating and collaborating with your team. They might have useful insights into yoru Ss or class ideas. I agree with @Mr_Lisek, too much or too little tips the scale. #6thchat
A7: The end of the school year is like a group of geese in a V-formation. When it works, it works well. But, if one misstep takes place, the whole group can be thrown out of wack and our final goal is put in jeopardy. #6thchat
A7: School is child as life is to adult. Give them to tools and vocabulary to navigate their neighborhoods and hopefully they'll apply to their futures. #6thchat
A7: The end of the school year is like a group of geese in a V-formation. When it works, it works well. But, if one misstep takes place, the whole group can be thrown out of wack and our final goal is put in jeopardy. #6thchat
I have a group of girls who are OBSESSED with BTS. They have learned Korean so they can understand their interviews. So, I guess the cultural diffusion there has piqued their interest in foreign language. #6thchat
A8: I think metaphors and similes will be making their way to Mr. Lisek's classroom to describe our school year. I will post them in my room for next year's group to see and wonder about what it all means as they begin their 6th grade journey. #6thchat
We had a day where most of my elective class was on a field trip, so I let them DJ the class. It was BTS for 55 minutes. It wasn't SO bad I guess. #6thchat
#6thchat Thank you again for your time and talent! Your words and ideas inspire me! Have the best week, and work on making your school year end in epic fashion!
Loved the topic tonight @mrskochheiser! Thanks to the entire #6thchat crew for engaging me and rejuvenating me for tomorrow.
Until next time, I bid you all a a very fond farewell.
