A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
I am Todd chat moderator/ 7th grade science teacher from Warren, MI Last day with students in June 15th #mschat Then on to sharpening the saw for next year
Good evening Jordan Hope all is well.... Yes Friday is our end day too as we take the 7th grade to CJ Barrymore's and 8th grade heads to Cedar Pointe #mschat
A1 Our school actually doesn't do awards,except for the Mayor's Award. I try and do special activities, but there isn't a lot of time after finals. #mschat
That's a crazy day! We had our 8th grade trip to Detroit last week. It was incredible & oh so exhausting at the same time. What a great way to end the year.:) #mschat
Hmm... That is an interesting concept and we don't do finals so Try to engage and make it fun learning from end of MAP testing (which was last week) #mschat
A1 Our School does the presidents awards, and this year we are trying a new end of year activity for the 8th grade that removes the awards assembly and adds a festival with interactive activities. #mschat
A1: We do an awards ceremony as a school. I also like to do closing activities with my kids in my own classroom. I have a canvas each year that all of my students sign & then I hang up the following year. #mschat
A1: I also read them 'I Wish You More' (https://t.co/44RRbR4KFU) & cry every time I finish. It's a great way to send off my 8th graders to high school. #mschat
A1: We have a celebration field trip to go bowling and a picnic at school. Everyone should be recognized for their hard work, but not everyone deserves an award. #mschat
A1: We do awards - no academic ones - only character recognition. Students can nominate their peers. Next year adding "caught you doing good things" also created by the students. #mschat#sbpdchat
I am an instructional support teacher. For the last few years we’ve nominated and recognized struggling students with the Pride and Progress award. Students are chosen for their hard work and growth throughout their middle school years. #mschat#sbodchat
A1: We have unit awards where we acknowledge good character. Not everyone gets one, but we make sure to spend those last few days celebrating our entire unit and the family we have created by taking care of each other #mschat#sbpdchat
A1: We do awards - no academic ones - only character recognition. Students can nominate their peers. Next year adding "caught you doing good things" also created by the students. #mschat#sbpdchat
Q2: How can we honor all of our students cultures and heritages during our celebrations? #mschat Thinking about many class parties that happen during Ramadan...
A2: I like to write notes to my Ss. Even though I see well over 100 Ss, there's nothing better than a personal note from the teacher thanking our Ss for a great year. Makes the connection even stronger. #mschat
A2: Love that you brought this up! At our Detroit trip last week, we found a place for our Ss to pray at Comerica & made sure to explain to chaperones that at 9:04, we would be taking Ss to break fast. So important to learn about and accommodate these special holidays. #mschat
A2: Honor the precious time you have spent wth each student by writing a handwritten note to each student — making it personal counts — I feel each note celebrates that child’s accomplishments of the year #mschat
A1: We do awards - no academic ones - only character recognition. Students can nominate their peers. Next year adding "caught you doing good things" also created by the students. #mschat#sbpdchat
We were calculating speed last week by chewing gum.... I had a few student remind me it they were fasting and couldn't partake... I felt horrible #mschat but accommodated
Great minds. I need to get started with mine this weekend. I should be able to get them done by the last day of school. Even thought about mailing them home. #mschat
A1: I hv mixed feelings about awards. I feel bad for Ss who don't get them. But it's also a good opp for them to celebrate their peers who did get them. learn to be happy for others. #mschat
At my former school, we did a "roast" style award ceremony where we brought the parents in and pulled our "houses" up on stage and told stories about them. Then gave them a silly award based on their character traits. It was one of the best parent events ever. #mschat
I am considering starting to do this in my next year of teaching. I've been sitting on this idea for a bit, but want to do it authentically. Also, thanks for speaking to our #ET630 class on Tuesday! #mschat
A1 - Had a S this year whose mom contacted me to let me know that her son did not want to go up on stage to get his award and to please not make him do it. I had to jump through a few hoops to make sure everyone knew! #mschat
Resources for creativity-fosterers, test/life-rebalancers, mental-health-strengtheners, character-valuers, big-stuff-care-abouters...
For those who view their students as more than a test score:
https://t.co/LFJTkUejOA#masterychat#mschat#mdeschat#colchat
A3: I think involving Ss in the planning of these events is always ideal, but not always realistic with the chaos that surrounds the end of the year. #mschat
A3 have more than just the student council help plan the activities. Many students aren't in touch with what the SC does. We also have a team of parents help out with planning (that isn't the PTSA) #mschat
A3: Provide the Ss with the opportunity to have a part in what takes place. The Ts decided on bowling and laser tag, but allowed Ss to determine who they were grouped with. They were amazed that we (the Ts) didn't assign their groups. They'd never had that option before. #mschat
Sorry I'm late to the party. Michelle, on summer break as of today! I will be sending all my Ss postcards with all-grade photos on one side, personalized note on the other. #mschat
A3: Celebrating doesn’t always have to be an “organized” event. Giving them options to just be kids and spend time as a family is a great way to celebrate the year! #mschat#sbpdchat
Q4: How do you shift celebrations when students aren't enjoying themselves? #mschat Its supposed to be fun, but everyone doesn't have same idea of fun...
A4 - Admitting this... I didn't do a great job of planning with the classroom celebration at my school this year. Last day of school, same class, 4 hours. It's all about containing the Ss... I brought out some things, and went with what they wanted to do. #mschat
A4: Always best to provide multiple options for activities, when feasible. It provides everyone a chance to be comfortable and accepting of the celebration. #mschat
A4: pretty much every end of year activity that my students have participates in involve a movie. Usually one they don't want to see. I let them take the time for yearbooks and chatting freely. They don't get that much! #mschat
A4: For our year end tailgate we are limiting the time and rotating the activities every 25 minutes #mschat Movement and change helps ... Long activities are not good choices
A4: We always have a Plan B or C. We usually plan activities for all and have back up plans for those whose enthusiasm might wane in the middle of the activity. Because we're a team of teachers, we can always split up into groups, etc. #mschat#sbpdchat
A4 - The boys ended up playing baseball with a hackey sack for a ball and a rolled up magazine for a bat. I tried too. Girls drew, colored, and played limbo with stacked up markers. I let them make it up. And it was fun. Next year, more food.#mschat
Our boys use a large branch from a tree and a tennis ball. Some of the best games are formed and they all play the game fairly. Really nice team building. #mschat
A4: Being full inclusion, interest level and endurance need to be considered. Ss earned a movie day so I teamed up with my partner class & we gave options. I also plan in layers so other activities can run as well. Never all or nothing. #mschat
A4: SOMEtimes all it takes is a little bit of personal attention & encouragement to change a sour attitude, especially from an adult with whom the student has a positive relationship. #mschat
Q4: How do you shift celebrations when students aren't enjoying themselves? #mschat Its supposed to be fun, but everyone doesn't have same idea of fun...
A4 we offer a “menu” of choices. Each teacher hosts a different activity and kids choose where to go. Activities are varied - team games, challenges, musical chairs, movie, name that tune. #mschat
Hi #mschat ! Christie from suburban Chicago joining late this evening! I will be teaching 7th grade math next year. This summer we are doing a road trip to Mt. Rushmore.
A4 we offer a “menu” of choices. Each teacher hosts a different activity and kids choose where to go. Activities are varied - team games, challenges, musical chairs, movie, name that tune. #mschat
How do you make sure that your students aren't overcrowding an activity? We have 600 students in 8th grade and we had to break them into groups of 100 before doing their stations #mschat
A5: With Ss, I like to put together an end of the year movie using pics from the year. Then sit back and watch it with them and talk about our great times. Makes me tear up every year. Love those moments with them. #mschat
A4: Individual attention to students who aren't enjoying themselves can make a huge difference. At our yearbook signing one of my colleagues sat on the floor and looked through the yearbook with a student who was by himself. #mschat
And when you change up your activities from the “norm” Ss usually are willing to try something new! We had 60+ kids playing “ships & sailors” in the gym even though some Ss were hesitant at first! #MSchat#sbpdchat
A5: With colleagues, we have an EOY celebration where those who want to share memories/funny moments from the year. Lots of laughter and tears. Builds community. #mschat
A5 in my classroom, after review games and finals, I like to give the kids free time with one another, but also use it to sit at each table and have a last hurrah of hanging out with them. It's bittersweet but my favorite activity. #mschat
A5: We always spend time on those last few days signing yearbooks (or tagging the whiteboard) & talking about the year/middle school experience. #mschat
A5: We ended a "loop" with our students from 7th to 8th grade this year. We got them all together to review all of the big team activities we did and we reflected on how much they grew. We had some kids get watery eyes as they thought about it being their last team event. #mschat
#mschat - Last few days of school can be weird. Lots of Ts showing movies. So I gave an assignment... A reading CLOZE... They just jumped in and did it. Tired of movies!
A5: we put together a slideshow of pictures and videos from our year & include a picture of each kid from the first day of school & the last day. Watching Ss see their own transformation over 1 year is awesome! #mschat#sbpdchat
#mschat - Last few days of school can be weird. Lots of Ts showing movies. So I gave an assignment... A reading CLOZE... They just jumped in and did it. Tired of movies!
Movies seem easy but they are chaos... I prefer keeping students busy working in groups... #mschat we are building solar ovens to make Smores next week
I think it's so important to allow Ss this time at the end of the year! I think the "lax" schedules drive some crazy, but I love being able to be goofy & wind the year down with my kids. #mschat
#mschat A5 They made hand puppets (of themselves) at the beginning of the year. Gave them back on the last day. One of our students died this year. The girls found her puppet to be very meaningful.
A5: We take all of our Ss (130) to our local park where they can shoot hoops, climb an awesome climbing tree, go on the swings, dance, play Wiffle ball or soccer, run around like nuts, or just sit and chat with each other. Great way to end the year. #mschat#sbpdcha
Solar ovens are part of our 7th grade science curriculum close to the beginning of the year! great activity, and the kids come up with some interesting ovens. #mschat
A5: I also have Ss write letters of advice to next years Ss. What they can expect from our unit, what it means to be in Chi, & advice for surviving 7th grade! #mschat#sbpdchat
A6: Celebrations help the Ss unwind and reflect and allow them to see their Ts as "actual people" vs. the lead figure. Always important to remember to get goofy with the Ss during this time. #mschat
A6: Celebrations give us time to cement those incredible relationships we've built throughout the year & just enjoy one another. We end with 3 half days of exams, which is stressful, so it's important to let loose beforehand. #mschat
A6: Sooooo much good happens during a school year, but sometimes gets overshadowed by negatives.
Celebrations help us carry forward the successes & memories. #mschat
A6 Everyone made it through the crazy stressful year together as a team. Kids need to know that we support their work and felt the same as them. The solidarity is important for kids to know they aren't alone in this crazy world...and the teachers deserve it too #mschat
A6 Part 2: Our 8th grade class trip is to Six Flags Great America. The students get such a kick out of seeing their teachers on the roller coasters. I was "dared" into doing the Giant Drop with 3 students and we all had a ball! #mschat
YES long periods of time with one group of students can cause stress... We try to allow rotations to mix students - Our last day is full but we go to an adventure park in the community #mschat
A6: End of year celebrations mark the shift to freedom from being graded and worrying about academics. It's a time for ALL of us to just enjoy some downtime as a family. #mschat#sbpdchat
A6: My BDay Chili Dog extravaganza has become an event. The elem kids (we're K8 on my side of the building) look forward to it! One of my earliest memories in sch was eating pumpkin pie that we baked. We're building memories. #mschat
A6: Kids and teachers need time to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and cherish the remaining time together. We all made it! We all should celebrate! #mschat#sbpdchat
Second #twitterchat was easier than the first. Thanks to everyone in #mschat for the great talk on celebrations. I've got some many new ideas :) #ET630@EdTechMsWilkes
