#nepantlamathchat will be used as a collaborative platform for K-12 mathematics educators with a focus on social justice. This space will be used to support, encourage and challenge committed mathematics teachers who strive for socially just education for those who are traditionally marginalized. The chat’s purpose will be to help develop critical perspectives and counter-narratives that will reframe teachers’ own social identities and challenge oppressive traditional classroom practices.
My name is Jerica. I am starting my 5th year teaching, and I will be teaching the 6th grade Go Math curriculum. My favorite summer activity is traveling. #nepantlamathchat
Q0: I'm Erin & this will be my 5th year teaching! I teach 6th grade math & have an advisory period. Favorite summer activity is RUNNING 😍 #nepantlamathchat
A1: Lately I've been thinking of discipline as "self-discipline"- training oneself to live up to standards they believe in. punishment makes me think of reactive, hurt, non-problem solving #nepantlamathchat
I think discipline (like in my classrooms) is more focused on Ss setting our own standards/agreements and then structuring it so that accountability is proactive rather than reactive #nepantlamathchat
still trying to figure that out. I think Ss will hold each other/themselves accountable when they believe in the norms they created. that inner belief is proactive in itself #nepantlamathchat
A2: I used to have discussions where Ss would have to have walk to a corner (agree, disagree, unsure) based on prompts like: Homework should count as a grade. The discussion helped give way to what felt important before having a set of rules in place #nepantlamathchat
A2: I also have a bathroom pass that students can take as long as its there. The idea of this is to say they can go to the bathroom when they need to. For some Ss I have to have conversations about their overuse of it so that we can talk about self-discipline #nepantlamathchat
I think some structures are created internally (by the person) so that they can achieve their goals. Other structures are external (outside of the person) e.g. group work procedures or worksheets #nepantlamathchat
A2: Culture of discipline: using Kagan structures in my class to teach positive interactions & equal participation. If/when things go awry, 1st step is always a conversation b/w T&S, S&S; anyone involved #nepantlamathchat
Q2: We start the year with a peace circle surrounding respect and discipline where students share their input on how they would like to be treated throughout the year. We then create our class norms together and a wordle of what Respect means #nepantlamathchat
A2: I use circles (story-telling, peace, etc.), SEL lessons to draw connections b/t SEL & math, kagan structures, self-reflections every 3 weeks, meditation to build mindfulness and awareness, classroom roles #nepantlamathchat
A3: I used to co-create a list of agreements on a poster that everyone signed, but it wasn't very meaningful. Ss just shared things they thought I wanted to hear. #nepantlamathchat
This sounds like a talking circle instead of a peace circle. Peace circles are used to resolve conflicts while talking/sharing circles are used to contribute thoughts in a group setting. #nepantlamathchat
A3: Any practice for managing materials...Ss are good at respecting each other but not the best at respecting my colored pencils LOL #nepantlamathchat at least this is the only one I can think of right now
Yes, I so agree with this. This has usually created more barriers in the relationship between the student and I. This is also a practice I am working on getting better at. #nepantlamathchat
A3: I've been coming up with "jobs" for students, and have not visibly hung up the expectations for it. A goal this year is to change" jobs" to "classroom contributions" and come up with expectations with Ss, then print it. #nepantlamathchat
A4: when I was in HS, Ts gave out hw and checked it everyday and we got points off if we didn't do it. I don't think this promotes self-discipline but is a simple carrot-stick tool. My best learning came when I studied on my own in the way I needed to. #nepantlamathchat
It can be helpful in defining/learning these structures with students to call the circles with the purpose they have. That way if there is a conflict at some pt in the year students have the language to ask for a peace circle for example. #nepantlamathchat
A4: My schools were very strict with bathroom passes. We had short passing schedules as well, so I adapted by not drinking much water throughout the school day since I didn't want to use up all my hall passes lol... not something I want my Ss to experience #nepantlamathchat
A4: In first grade, the lunch mom held me in from recess because I didn't eat all of my lunch. I had to sit in the "detention room". The fact that I still remember this 20 years later says a lot! #nepantlamathchat
I would give Ss the opportunity to have the rest of their lunch later in the day if they wanted. If you're not hungry, you're not hungry! kids know their bodies & we need to give them credit #nepantlamathchat
#A5: I want Ss to be able to have a voice. Last year, for one of my classes, I gave a monthly survey with pretty much the same questions and it helped start a conversation during our class meeting #nepantlamathchat
A4: At the elementary school level it was not being trusted to go to the bathroom. My 3rd grade teacher embarrassed me in front of the class once for asking to go, and I remember I'd rather be late to class and get a detention then ask. #nepantlamathchat
