A1: I personally try to teach with kindness and empathy, but I'm not sure we do a great job of systematically teaching students about it YET. #akedchat
A1 we have life skills built into our report card learning targets in every middle school class. The 3 skills are works cooperatively, takes initiative, and #AkEdChat
A1 we have life skills built into our report card learning targets in every middle school class. The 3 skills are works cooperatively, takes initiative, and #AkEdChat
We have implemented RAK Lessons in our middle school, but see a slow process of change in Students and compounded by acceptance by parents 😩 hoping with time the program will take off📢 #akedchat
We have implemented RAK Lessons in our middle school, but see a slow process of change in Students and compounded by acceptance by parents 😩 hoping with time the program will take off📢 #akedchat
#akedchat I would teach students how to be peers that others want; how to help without being asked, look out for others, and exhibit kindness even when it isn't 'needed.'
We have life skills as learning targets in every report card. The 3 skills are works cooperatively, takes initiative, and works with accountability. #AkEdChat
Start with focusing on the topic with staff in PLCs or staff meetings. Revisit with suggestions, ideas, observations. Let it organically grow. #akedchat
A2: Ss need us to understand; some of them won't get a 'holiday,' and may act out because others will. Some will be tired. Some will be so excited they simply can't focus. We need to understand the help them guide their feelings into productivity. #akedchat
@nick_schumacher Our grading rubrics take all the life skills into account. In my room, 6-8 students self-assess every project before they turn it in, and they are brutally honest. #akedchat
#akedchat I would teach students how to be peers that others want; how to help without being asked, look out for others, and exhibit kindness even when it isn't 'needed.'
@nick_schumacher Our grading rubrics take all the life skills into account. In my room, 6-8 students self-assess every project before they turn it in, and they are brutally honest. #akedchat
Q3 They are the building blocks of Learning ....Without a foundation set in those “soft skills” Ss begin to compete and eliminate one another. It becomes a “Survival Of the Smartest” #akedchat
A3: I dislike the term "soft skills." They can be pretty intimidating and difficult for kids. It's unnatural to call something hard soft. I'm more successful teaching it as real and important, rather than a buzz word type of thing. Maybe a "real skill" would be better. #akedchat
A2 Keeping things as normal as possible keeps us all sane. It’s hard enough with 2 holiday programs to deal with. And snow. And crazy dress up days. #akedchat
A3: I also feel that there are stereotypes with calling a kid soft, especially males, which implies they have too many feelings and puts empathy and kindness in a negative connotation. What teenage boy wants to be labelled soft? #akedchat
A3: I dislike the term "soft skills." They can be pretty intimidating and difficult for kids. It's unnatural to call something hard soft. I'm more successful teaching it as real and important, rather than a buzz word type of thing. Maybe a "real skill" would be better. #akedchat
Teenagers of any gender resist being labelled in a way that would hurt them; they want to be in control of their labels. We need to turn the conversation to encourage a label of 'caring and kind.' #akedchat
Sooooo many crazy dress up days! I'm pretty sure we have 4 or 5 spirit weeks each semester with dress up days. Today was another pajama day, so at least we were comfortable! #akedchat
I agree - it is especially a prerequisite for the teacher to show these skills to students. If students don't feel as though they are cared for and important, they can't learn effectively. #akedchat
A4: Modeling is one of the best ways we can teach these skills. Caring for our peers, going out of our way to push in a chair that isn't ours - it starts small. #akedchat
If the adults in the school don't model the skills and behavior we want our students to learn, why are we telling students they need to learn them? #akedchat
I agree - it is especially a prerequisite for the teacher to show these skills to students. If students don't feel as though they are cared for and important, they can't learn effectively. #akedchat
A3 Kindness, empathy, and self awareness are not soft! Sometimes it’s really hard to be kind and empathetic! These are life skills we need to survive. #AkEdChat
Q5. Ts need Kindness and Empathy too. What can you or your school do to show faculty and staff extra kindness and empathy this holiday season? #akedchat
A3 Kindness, empathy, and self awareness are not soft! Sometimes it’s really hard to be kind and empathetic! These are life skills we need to survive. #AkEdChat
Question: What is most effective in teaching students things like pushing in chairs? Push chairs in that others leave out or remind the child to push their chair in? #akedchat
A4: Modeling is one of the best ways we can teach these skills. Caring for our peers, going out of our way to push in a chair that isn't ours - it starts small. #akedchat
Question: What is most effective in teaching students things like pushing in chairs? Push chairs in that others leave out or remind the child to push their chair in? #akedchat
A4: Modeling is one of the best ways we can teach these skills. Caring for our peers, going out of our way to push in a chair that isn't ours - it starts small. #akedchat
And we need to be careful that we are not recognizing these small acts of kindness and responsibility in artificial or contrived ways. It's a #realskill and the recognition must be #realrecognition. #akedchat
A5 We take turns as a staff bringing in treats on Fridays all year. Want to have a positive staff community? Bring food. And you better not forget which Friday is yours or you hear about it all day!!! #akedchat
#akedchat A5: Be intentional. Maybe systematically consider everyone so that no one is left out. Just do little things. Even an anonymous note with an observation of something nice can make someone's day or even week!
Q5. Ts need Kindness and Empathy too. What can you or your school do to show faculty and staff extra kindness and empathy this holiday season? #akedchat
A6: I like to remind my students that even the best-of-the-best fail (publicly) sometimes (ahem, Packers), and that doesn't stop them from trying again. #akedchat
This is my 3rd year as a School Improvement Coach in a rural school. They have grown to rely on the fresh veggies or fruit I bring the first day I'm there & the sweet treat on the last day of my visit! They show their appreciation. #akedchat
A5 We take turns as a staff bringing in treats on Fridays all year. Want to have a positive staff community? Bring food. And you better not forget which Friday is yours or you hear about it all day!!! #akedchat
Q7. What can you do to build or cultivate your school climate this holiday season? We want to make the school a better place for kids to learn and adults to work. #akedchat
A6 it’s tough to teach about apathy to middle school. The elementary Ss are always so excited to come to art class! But again, modeling behavior is a good way to teach by example. #akedchat
A6: I don't think there's any one way to combat apathy. It's just up to a one-to-one relationship with each kid to find a way to make them care. I suppose I have it easy as a fine arts teacher, but it seems pretty straightforward to me. #akedchat
Q7. What can you do to build or cultivate your school climate this holiday season? We want to make the school a better place for kids to learn and adults to work. #akedchat
Pfefferkuchen is a traditional German Christmas cookie that's been in my family for years; one batch has about 8 cups of flour and a pound of honey! #akedchat
In reply to
@nick_schumacher, @WalterMuelling, @InspiredImpact
A7: Be happy. It's contagious. My kids try to complain that I am constantly humming Christmas tunes, but most of them also hum along, so you know... #akedchat
And for goodness sakes. Start Dancing in the halls! The kids notice. The adults notice. The climate will continue to move towards the positive. #akedchat
A7: Be happy. It's contagious. My kids try to complain that I am constantly humming Christmas tunes, but most of them also hum along, so you know... #akedchat
@Kate_Muelling when you really know your students (as I know you do) You will know how each student prefers to be recognized and cared about. Good on you. #akedchat
All I have to do is say "Now watch me whip!" and all of my kids groan and then laugh. Learning the popular dances (slightly wrong) is like magic for making kids laugh. #akedchat
A7 Our Ss are buddied up all year - bigs with littles. They do activities that encourage teamwork and cooperation. This time of year, they write letters to troops overseas.#akedchat
