#dojochat Archive
ClassDojo's official educational chat that covers a variety of subjects, focusing mainly on improving classroom community.
Wednesday September 14, 2016
7:00 PM EDT
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Hello! I'm so excited to moderate tonight's !
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Hi Dana!! So excited for you to be moderating tonight!! :)
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can't wait! thanks for moderating!
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Have a collection of Youtube videos? you can send them as class review by copying the link in https://t.co/SSAY1wFuz2
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Hey Dan!! Hope you are doing well :)
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I should start off my saying I'm majorly multitasking. I'm at my son's back to school night! Talk about maximizing engagement, lol
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Welcome, Olivia! :) Studying education?
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Oh, man! I hope you scheduled your tweets!
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lol this is incredible :)
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Haha! I think you're here, too!
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Haha wow that is talent!! Let me know if you need any help!
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Let's start! Tell us who you are, where you teach, and what grade(s)!
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is starting now! Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun! :) https://t.co/gdstyWkrjt
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Let's start! Tell us who you are, where you teach, and what grade(s)!
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Hi! Iโm Emily - a tech integrator from Wisconsin! Glad to be able to join tonight.
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I'm in TN, near Nashvegas and I teach 4th grade.
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Hey Emily!! Hope you are having a good week so far :)
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Tyler, WV 2nd grade. First year teacher!
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Nashvegas!!? lol I need to visit.
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Welcome! Glad you are here!
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Third grade teacher from ND
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I'm Tamar - I teach 3rd grade at a private Jewish Day School in Brookline MA (stones throw to Boston)
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Hi Tyler!! Thanks for joining :)
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Yeah you do! We've got it goin' on here :D
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Jessica ESE teacher from Florida ๐
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A little about me: I work in Brooklyn as a special education teacher. really revolutionized my teaching - seriously!
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Amazing!! I hope you enjoy :)
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Chrissie McLean out of Delaware. I teach 3rd grade. Hi DojoFriends!
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I'm Amy Soto, I teach Gifted K-5 at a STEM Certified School in Georgia!
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I can attest to that! has literally changed my life, too!
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Hi all, I'm Dan from NJ. Teach 7th and 8th ela.
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that's the word I use too!!
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Hi Chrissie! :) Thanks for joining!
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Crazy busy week but glad I found time for
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You never know about me! Lol!
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Iโm Jenna! Former middle school science teacher in SF :) Love working with the awesome Community!
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5th grade, Wade Elementary, Waldorf, MD
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Hi Rob!! :) Hope youโre having a good week so far!
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I'm in Greeneville, TN. I teach Microsoft IT to 6, 7, and 8.
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Hi everyone!! A few of us from ClassDojo HQ are popping in to say hi to our amazing community of Ts :D
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I'm Mary from Humble,TX and teach first grade
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I am Olivia, current elementary ed major at Michigan State. This is my first chat and very happy to be here!
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Q1 What does the buzzword "engagement" mean to you? Should it be a shared responsibility?
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I wish I got connected on Twitter and with while in college - youโre way ahead :)
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A1 Being attentive, in the moment and it def. should be shared w/ Ps, Ss, & Ts.
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Newsletter every Monday and copy machine broke?Send a copy home with designed in Google slides. https://t.co/5QgEWjNn93
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A1: Ss involved in their learning and brain active. Ts and Ss share responsibility.
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I am in a class that is all about connecting teaching with technology, it's a great class!
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Thanks for joining, Mary!! :)
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= all coming together for good of school & kids + I think responsibility is shared among parents/teachers/admins
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Why thank you! I'm surprised it's gotten so much attention. I"m just little ol me...
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A1: Engagement = happy & exhausted Ss @ the end of the day. They learned and made memories! We ALL should be part of this! Ts & Ps
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Antoinette here! 5th grade, Wake Forest, NC
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to me it means kids owning their learning in fun, purpose and meaning filled ways. Kids "doing"
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Thatโs awesome and 100% a great idea - Iโve learned SO much from being an educator on Twitter.
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A1: a classroom of learners working together.
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A1 Engagement is tossed around a bit loosely in Ed. Having a group of Ss who are engrossed in learning is my personal meaning.
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Engagement to me is complete and sincere attention. It's a 2 way street but should always be modeled by T's!
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A1 All stakeholders can help and share the responsibility of engagement.
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Hi Antoinette! Thanks for joining :)
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A1: Engagement means everyone is working together in the best interest of the kids.
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Engagement=meaningful, not busy work!
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Engagement to me is Ss enjoying the learning and going home talking about the knowledge they have gained.
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I'm Kiana. I'm a junior at Michigan State University studying elementary education participating in this chat for class๐
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I am learning so much for my future classroom. Thank you so much!
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A1.2: it is shared, because if it's one sides I wouldn't call it engagement
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do you mean shared inside the classroom, school or home? Or all 3!
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I love it too - itโs really helped me make sure Iโm connecting everyone-Ts, Ss, Ps and community members to our school
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best HW assignment EVER! welcome!
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A1: Making core memories through learning together.
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A1.2 Often engagement is found when Ts step back and become facilitators
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So true! There's nothing better than the Ss taking the lead & going with it!
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So true - no longer guiding instruction but guiding learning. https://t.co/rZTYucy9gu
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A1.2 Often engagement is found when Ts step back and become facilitators
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Engagement is being involved in the activity, task, etc. It should be a shared concept with everyone in the school community.
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A1: engagement = actively involved in meaningful way. responsibility should be shared between teachers, students & parents.
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Q2 Does your school stress the importance of engaging Ss & families? Why?
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For me it's for sure when the kids become the drivers of the learning!
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Q2 is live! Not too late to join us for :) https://t.co/TCrokdywXu
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Q2 Does your school stress the importance of engaging Ss & families? Why?
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Hello everyone! I'm a Math, Sci. & SS teacher from Texas! I'm also proud to be a 2016-2017 Class Dojo Ambassador ๐
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A2 We are expected to communicate w/ Ps to bridge the home/school gap bc all stakeholders in Ss lives should be invested.
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A2 100%โ our principal is all about sharing our story to everyone!
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Is there anything in the works about adding a calendar or parent sign up
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A1: Engagement to me is connecting on a holistic level. Relationships are the key to engagement. Everything else is icing!
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Engagement to me would be student-centered teaching! Students on task & actively participating!
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A2: My school stresses parent communication as part of engagement. It's part of our school improvement goal.
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A2: (1) My mantra is to include the community as much as possible. Not as an initiative but as a way of life.
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we can no longer be the sage on the stage. Students as partners in their learning.
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YES! Comm HUGE part of my school parents are partners & we strive to keep them in loop makes that easy!
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yes. Building relationships in the community is so important. We are all in this together.
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A2: student engagement is key to learning. In the area I work, parental engagement is hard because there is a huge disconnect
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A2: (2) We are the community! Ps, Ts, & Ss being in sync w/each other makes everyone win. It's just fun too!
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We need to do positive comms with ALL parents on regular basis - I love sending a nice positive note home to parents!
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I teach in a low SES and has helped the parent engagement so much! Everybody has a smartphone :)
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A2 Successful learning communities have the trifecta of Parent, Ts, Ss working together to max. learning.
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I'm here! Late but here. Yes we stress student engagement! If our Ss aren't engaged, are they truly learning?
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Second grade teacher have taught third and fifth this is my fourth year using dojo and love it
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A2: for sure, many of discussions as a staff are how we can get parents into the building to be a part of the process.
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Couldnโt agree more! https://t.co/igDdWlxZQh
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A1: Engagement to me is connecting on a holistic level. Relationships are the key to engagement. Everything else is icing!
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being religious private school helps too - we are our own community parents and teachers live and worship together too
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Yes, getting students families actively involved is super important! It's important for them to advocate for their child.
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A2 Expectation is to build a partnership w/ Ps for Ss success. We have parent nights, email communications, websites, Dojo, etc.
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I believe understanding socioeconomic/backgrounds of s's helps you make sense of behaviors at school. Relationships are crucial!
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A2: Family engagement is part of our SIP and something that is discussed often. Sadly, family nights do not have much attendance.
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I love that makes engaging parents SO easy!
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Wow! have you tried calling the Ps and telling them you really need them on board?
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it also lets me share my passion of photography and documentation via story!
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Yes! So important to Ss learning is the relationship between Ss & T.
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Q3 What do you do to effectively engage Ss in your class?
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It is heartbreaking to try so hard to involve parents, but they are unable to attend. ๐ข Hang in there. https://t.co/fMg3A9d4gn
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A2: Family engagement is part of our SIP and something that is discussed often. Sadly, family nights do not have much attendance.
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A2: Yes School staff and Admin correcting parent involvmnt deficit. stories helps. Only got 12% of Pโs connected to Dojo. Tryin
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Between Class Story and Student Story - is AMAZING for that all.
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That's a bummer. Sorry :(
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we have NACHO DE FAMILIA instead of notched de familia. Food always brings in families. https://t.co/Dgn7V29sPv
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A2: Family engagement is part of our SIP and something that is discussed often. Sadly, family nights do not have much attendance.
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A3: I make sure I develop true relationships w/them. If I know them, I relate my lessons to them & they feel valued.
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A3: WBT helps with engaging students. Combining movement with learning also helps students engage. helps a lot!
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A3: get to know them personally + set expectation + build community + laugh with them and get on the floor with them!
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A3 I try to keep class fun but always w/ the end goal of learning the objective. I use LOTS of technology ;-)
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A3. I do a lot of Turn & Talks supported through math accountable talk
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A3 Give them choice and a voice in what MakerSpace or STEM activities that they participate in
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A3: I make things fun, smartboard games, computer games, interactive notebooks, songs, and too
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A3 we do a lot of real world application and I also use rotations to keep them from getting bored.
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A3 I allow them to own their learning - and I always explain the WHY - thatโs crucial.
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A3 Gifted Ed lends itself to choice, differentiation, technology, passionate topics of study.. Blessed to have my position.
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Just finished an IEP meeting and skittering in the door for Afternoon everyone!
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how do you engage the parents at all when there is this huge disconnect? Asking as a future educator!
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Create fun, s centered lessons with real world applications! Conveying purpose of activity has always benefited participation.
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A3 - A big part of engaging Ss is getting to know them! Designing lessons that relate to their interests and skills!
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YES! Never say "bc I said so" or "bc that's how it is" I treat them like people who can handle information and truth
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Sometimes you just have to go the extra mile. When the Ps see how much you're putting in to it, they come around.
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A3 Create fun, s centered lessons with real world applications! Conveying purpose of activity has always benefited participation.
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Exactly! I realize I pay more attention when I know WHY Iโm listening-why should we expect our Ss to be any different?!
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And sometimes they don't - and that's ok, too. You know you at least tried.
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A3: I donโt let anyone out of our work. No one flounders long. Best way out is always through. Peer support helps too.
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A3: in beginning of the school year having class discussions about importance of their voice and the Ss guiding their education.
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A3: Creative, diverse lessons that cater to different learning styles. It means we may need to change the way we do things
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A3: Choice is huge! But it starts in building the relationship with Ss. They need to feel like they matter before they'll jump in.
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A3, I use methods through technology, (flipping and shared docs) and connecting with Ss (me to them and with each other)
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A3: be involved as much as possible. play at recess. do the go noodles. joke. laugh. sometime let the little things go!
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Q4 What do you do to effectively engage their families?
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Hi . Joe, map and them coach from California, joining late but happy to be here
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For some reason I'm not seeing the questions. I'm just inferring by your answers
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I'm late! but I teach 4th grade :):):)
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I agree it is very important to build the Tt - Ss relationship
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I want to do more flipped/blended learning :-)
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I told you it was the best! :D :D
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Wonderfully said Jenna. It's all about relationships. https://t.co/CqVyk0DSnd
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A3 - A big part of engaging Ss is getting to know them! Designing lessons that relate to their interests and skills!
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A3: totally agree. Relate it to them. Why is it important to THEM. ALL ABOUT THEM. https://t.co/XMo9TAoK8n
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A3 - A big part of engaging Ss is getting to know them! Designing lessons that relate to their interests and skills!
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is moderating questions, so keep an eye out for those posts.
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I've applied for a F/BL cohort to get 1:1 this year. We'll see how it goes :D
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A4 , all social media, website, parent nights, principal chats, parent volunteers-Getting them in to the building!
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make learning new and adventurous. Enthusiasm is contagious.
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bowing out of so I can go email parents to welcome them to our new year (only 6th day today!) night everyone!!
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A4: literally, DOJO all day everyday! I have 100% of parents sign up, and I post EVERYTHING there
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Welcome Laura! I was late too.
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A4 I find that a email or phone call will engage most Ps. If they know you care, they will support you.
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Hi Stephanie. Just finished facilitating an afternoon of PD. Happy to be here now
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A4 this year I started doing short videos on class story of myself just saying a few things, that has been received well!
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A4 ClassStory, StudentStories, & lots of messaging!
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A4 Family engagement starts with open lines of communication- โค๏ธClass Dojo stories- makes families feel like they r there w us!
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A4: (1) I talk to them on their level, daily, create opportunities that are FUN & not just curriculum.
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A4 I post a lot on class story! That was parents can see what were up to in class and how we are learning!
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Such a beautiful area for your family. I'm in Palo Alto. Love going down to SoCal for Disney and runDisney races
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A4: I try to make sure my students go home with something to talk about every day. And I love using class story on
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A4: (2) Ps & Ss want shared experiences & that means having tech nights, maker days, dances, etc. (beyond fundraising) they're :)
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A4: Sharing messages via Class, Student, and School Story is great. A random note home or a card in the mail works too!
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Absolutely about phone calls. It's sometimes a lost art & always so powerful. https://t.co/O0aVAqHI9Q
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A4 I find that a email or phone call will engage most Ps. If they know you care, they will support you.
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Look at all the 4th grade teachers in tonight! Wahoo! !
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Love this idea. https://t.co/Gwf655LWI4
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A4 this year I started doing short videos on class story of myself just saying a few things, that has been received well!
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That's fantastic. Always great to personalize content for your students.
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Class story is huge for parental involvement. I can't wait to start using student story as well!
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I use class dojo every day ๐๐
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A4 Allow/beg parents to come to the classroom to help, post agenda and achievements to class story, messaging often with praise
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I like this idea. It probably feels much more personal to families than JUST daily messages in text.
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Yes you said it exactly right. I think it is almost lost.
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A4 Phone calls are tough, but extremely useful in making that connection. Having 120 students makes that difficult ๐
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Definitely important to promote & foster the home-school connection
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Q5 What do you do when there is little involvement from either Ss or families?
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A4: I โค๏ธ class story and school story. Have used it before to share newsletters. Also love being able to send the "text" to parent
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A5 We talk. Together. And come up with a plan of how to motivate & engage.
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A5: I ask questions. Try to get to the bottom of why there's disconnect.
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A5: reach out to Ps. See if they can offer something to your classroom.
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Phone calls def are best. If emails, then be sure to email pics. Parents love pics of their children
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Can I just sayโฆditto to https://t.co/qQFi05iJMe
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A5: I ask questions. Try to get to the bottom of why there's disconnect.
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I almost said "I just give up on trying." =)
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A5: Get out there. Get on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat. Blast them w/visuals. They'll buy in!
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A5 Ss involvement is my #1 priority. If they are not involved, I will reach out and call parents. Ps engaged=gravy
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I agree...I have 150 too bc I teach 3 grade levels & will get a new 150 in January, but the relationship are imp.
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I have our school on ALL those this year - the students LOVE it. https://t.co/S6RbHMeTvS
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A5: Get out there. Get on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat. Blast them w/visuals. They'll buy in!
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Just "blast them with visuals!" I love it! https://t.co/79qCUHJaAh
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A5: Get out there. Get on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat. Blast them w/visuals. They'll buy in!
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A5: Make phone calls, talk face to face. See what I can do to foster more communication.
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A5: talk to them, find a connection to build a professional relationship, keep trying, just keep trying. https://t.co/Fz2XT1msEI
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Q5 What do you do when there is little involvement from either Ss or families?
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A5: with students I shake things up, change the routine slightly. With parents I write newsletters, write in planners, email, etc.
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A5 try and figure out what the disconnect is! Sometimes it's P doesn't understand how to do something and they don't want to ask.
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The stories we don't know are heartbreaking. Works 4 jobs, quit school in 4th grade, homeless, state care... Hard to engage then.
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A5 Just keep communicating to build a positive relationship
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A5 shake things up! Today instead of using my board as an example, I used a view only google doc that they all viewed on devices
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A5: Be a detective to discover the whys. Ps have their reasons & context. Meet where they are https://t.co/uNSO9whghf
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Q5 What do you do when there is little involvement from either Ss or families?
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A5 for parents, use a variety, email, dojo messenger, pictures of reminders on class story, good ole paper letters, mix it up!
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Yes. They get embarrassed to not know elementary math/ELA/etc.
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A5 Try to find a common ground and build from there
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My principal has bi weekly videos of the social media information & puts it on YouTube too! Ps LOVE that!!!
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Not a bad idea. I've made videos with Snagit to engage and teach too.
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Q6 What are some barriers that prevent engagement?
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A5: We have a backpack program to send food to students in need. Parents appreciate that we acknowledge home life challenges.
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A6 Language barrier for sure. Luckily translate feature is a game changer ;-)
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Disclaimer - inside my son's classroom tweeting under desk ๐ณ๐ณ๐ณ๐ณ
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A6: different learning styles and levels can prevent Ss from engaging.
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A6: Ps trauma from their own school experiences. That is a tough wall to climb, but I always try.
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If parents don't seem to be engaged with their child's progression and school activities, what are some ways to address that?
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A6 Finding the right tool to engage. So many options - what works for one doesnโt always work for the other - both Ps and Ss
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Q6: Bad teaching...kind of joking. :P Lack of multiple representations, no connections to their outside life or interests.
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A6: Home circumstances - custody battles/ bitter families, personal ed. experience, didn't have food that day...
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I always go back to figuring out WHY - some may seem that way but really could be working 3 jobs to pay bills
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A6 some Ss are fearful to let their guard down
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A6: Ss also have trauma. They have A LOT on their minds. I need to make sure I'm the calm and not the storm. Then they'll engage
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A6: sad to say...home life, language, ineffective planning https://t.co/SgFHeckddo
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Q6 What are some barriers that prevent engagement?
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A6 Ps want to be involved- time, work, younger children, money challenges are just a few problems that interfere w engagement
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A6? Maybe 5. Got lost ๐ language and work schedules!
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For real...some Ss have witnessed more than I have ever even thought about seeing! https://t.co/an0VoStDXu
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A6: Home circumstances - custody battles/ bitter families, personal ed. experience, didn't have food that day...
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A6: Snowflake syndrome... My precious little snowflake couldn't have ____. What about ___ (unrelated incident)?!
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A6: the biggest barrier I've encountered is when one party or the other is overwhelmed with other things, it takes a lot of effort
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There's where you want to wear a GoPro!
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Q7 How can we break down barriers so all Ss and families are engaged?
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I am very happy I got to experience this chat and will definitely be joining more in the future! Thank you everyone!
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A7 2 words: free.food.
Works every time. ;-)
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A7: talk to Ps and Ss what works best for them.
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A7 Level the playing field for everyone. I no longer do any out of school projects, I provide what they need and we use more tech
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I've considered it. I haven't had to record Ss for a few years though. But showing Ps what was actually up?
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A7: never stop trying, remember the power of yet ๐
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A7: First find out what they are; then brainstorm strategically. Engagement doesn't happen by accident. https://t.co/BkaYprtCfJ
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Q7 How can we break down barriers so all Ss and families are engaged?
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Hope to see you again!! :)
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A7: We did a building climate survey to see how parents feel when they come in our building. Great way to self-evaluate!
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Love this. Not just for kids - adults too!!!
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A7: We can't stop trying. Talk, call, share, tweet, post, snap, gram, communicate until you're blue in the face. Then feed 'em.
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A8 Just keep trying. Keep reaching out- when Ss are connected, Ps will follow and know they are not being judged
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A7: I've tutored parents. Typically in tech tools.
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A7: Also, Listen!!! 9/10 people will express needs/Barriers; it's on us to know what we're listening for https://t.co/BkaYprtCfJ
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Q7 How can we break down barriers so all Ss and families are engaged?
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A7 Work together at a common goal
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OMG time is almost up! ๐ฉ๐ฉ
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As always, another great ! Loved seeing so many people here for the 1st time - hope to see you chatting again soon.
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HUGE thank you to for moderating tonight and being an incredible multi-tasker! Such a great discussion!
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Fun ! Enjoy the rest of parent night!
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Q8 Do you see a connection between engagement & performance?
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I was very impressed with your multitasking skills! Thanks for a great chat.
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A7 Open a line of communication that is comfortable for all
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Thank you all so much for your insights this afternoon. Love reading all the ideas and feeling the incredible passion from
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Thank you to everyone who participated in tonight!! We <3 our incredible community of Ts!
