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.
Patrick, a tech coach, colleague, and friend to teachers in Clarke County VA. An advocate for students and technology to enhance their learning.
#MasteryChat#mschat
Misty 6th ELA in Georgia ready to join #MasteryChat and #mschat before heading to FL tomorrow for a #Nearpod Pionear Summit. Chatting with my #PLN is a great start to a great weekend!
My name is Luke Cho and I'm a student at UGA! I'm currently working on a project for my Intro to Computers for Teachers class, so I wanted to join this chat to learn from you all. Excited to be here! #mschat#edit2000mane
A1. Integrating solid opportunities to write... Solid analysis of primary sources. Still working to find my niche with my role in conferencing while students are working on hyperdocs or playlists. #mschat
A1: my pedagogical struggle is with grading (ugh) - how to always make it about the learning in our grading culture. My daily struggle is going too quickly - I get soooo excited ๐๐ #mschat
A1 reflecting back to when I was in the classroom teaching I hunk I didnโt give students enough voice and I also needed to allow them more time to reflect #MSchat
A1: Reflecting back to my classroom days . . .
providing all students the time they need to master concepts while continuing to move curriculum forward was always a challenge. #mschat
A1: I struggle with giving good feedback on all the writing my Ss complete. I also like to conference with them but again the time. Never enough. #mschat
A1: Though I am not a middle school teacher, I feel like if I were a ms teacher nowadays, I would struggle with learning how to combine traditional and comfortable methods of teaching with new, innovative, and tech savvy methods of pedagogy. #mschat#edit2000mane
WOW that is a cool idea for Pre-assessment! #mschat I often do BLANK page pre assessment and ask them to brain dump all they know on a topic ... Works well for some and poorly for others
A2: My Ss. I have them help me peer review, peer mentor, prioritize their needs from me. It is ultimately for them so they need a voice in the process. #mschat
A2: Easy I just walk right into @ToddRisser or @HistoryislifeDC room and start talking. They are so kind and open to helping and I intend to take full advantage of that whenever! #mschat
A2: I look towards my colleagues @JeremyWinsor for science help. I also look to younger teachers like our math teacher for ideas. @hickstro is also a big help. #mschat
A2: I have a awesome teaching partner and a couple special ed co-teachers that support me at work #mschat with-out them some days I might be in trouble
A2: Twitter all the way. YOU are my peeps! Also I read and re-read #learnlap#shiftthis and anything by @rickwormeli2 to keep me on track and refill my cup. I have great APs too who will support and advise when I go to them #mschat
This is my first time interacting in a Twitter chat and I can already get a sense of the positive and encouraging feedback from everyone! And yes, there are so many great and helpful hashtags to choose from. #mschat#edit2000mane
A3. I've found the need to be slow and prudent when you offer advice. Can be overwhelming to struggling new teacher, especially with technology. #mschat
A3: Ask them how itโs going and actively listen! Sometimes they donโt need โadviceโ they just need to vent.
If they are needing advice, build rapport with them before just butting in and assuming. #mschat
A3: I offer to help but I have been turned down very bluntly. I have also offered to being observed so a conversation and feedback can be gleaned. #mschat
A3: I try to do little things like bring them coffee or chocolate. Sometimes just having a quick conversation in the hall helps too. It does depend on the person. #mschat
A3 I think that it varies for each case. Sometimes I offer others I wait. As a Principal though it is much easier for me to interject. Ultimately it comes down to building a trusting relationship from the start #MSchat
A3: I need to be better at looking for the need and offering the help. I have so much courage HERE, but am nervous in my school - I already have the rep of being a little โout thereโ with all my retakes and flexible seating and the like ๐๐ #mschat
A3: I help other teachers by both offering help before and after I'm asked. I'm careful in how I frame my words and listen intently before I continue. I look to help not direct.
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A3: I think Iโm so deep on the struggle bus myself much of the time that itโs more of a โweโre all in this togetherโ sharing of ideas than me giving any kind of advice. #mschat
A3: I share my wins and my losses so they know it is not only them that goes through challenging times. I'm not huge on offering for advice if it is not asked for. Sometimes my colleagues (friends) just need someone to reflect with and to listen to them. #mschat
A3: I share my wins and my losses so they know it is not only them that goes through challenging times. I'm not huge on offering for advice if it is not asked for. Sometimes my colleagues (friends) just need someone to reflect with and to listen to them. #mschat
A3: you MUST know your audience. If you know an educator will be unreceptive/defensive donโt go in with solutions. If you know that theyโre looking for areas of growth then you can be a bit more direct with your constructive help. It all comes down to HELP ME HELP YOU #mschat
Much agreed, especially when one can be so caught up on being the one who offers the help, one may feel like they become immune to needing the help. It's a tough balance. Both are strengths in their own light! #mschat#edit2000mane
A3: I need to be better at looking for the need and offering the help. I have so much courage HERE, but am nervous in my school - I already have the rep of being a little โout thereโ with all my retakes and flexible seating and the like ๐๐ #mschat
The Walk MS: St. Clair 2018 is changing lives for people living with MS. This is VERY important to me and my family & that's why I've set my goal at $1500. Please donate on my behalf today! CLICK HERE: https://t.co/16z9vGpoGJ#MEMSPAchat#mschat
A3 I have found that unsolicited help is not usually well received. My math T team member will not use Google at all. No matter what I try to share or suggest, she is not interested, #mschat
A4 it starts with building a solid connection and relationship with them. You have to know the to have a chance to recognize where they are at. #MSchat
A4: Anytime I feel like something is "off" I try to keep track of them and see if a chat with them will help. Had one of my chatty but nice kids get really loud and wouldn't focus when I asked. Had a chat with him and found he had some bad stuff at home going on. #mschat
A4: Academically, the data tell the story. I can see problems right away. Emotionally, itโs often a sense. A kid just wonโt seem โright.โ I ALWAYS speak up and talk with them when I notice it, even if itโs not one of โmyโ kids. As an adult in their world, I need to. #mschat
A4: The key to knowing when students need help, you must cultivate and maintain relationships. With those you know you're students, they are never just a number.
#mschat
A4: Have to be tuned in to small clues: changes in behaviors, acting out, withdrawal, changes in academic performance, appearance, etc. Increasingly difficult as class sizes swell & other demands grow. Yet critical.
#mschat
A4: When I was in middle school I had a teacher that always seemed to know when I was burnt out. Sometimes students arenโt not paying attention in class to be rude, but they are just having a day. The only way to tell is to really know their behavior #edit2000mane#mschat
A4: it might sound strange but once theyโre not asking questions I wonder if Iโve lost them! If their confidence is low enough they feel uncomfortable asking questions (when I expect them to) I know Iโve got a problem. #mschat
We have those kind of days but also have the maturity to push through (sometimes). Ridiculous to think a middle school Ss has the same ability to do so. #mschat
A4: all those signs that tell so much - not meeting my eyes, not dancing when the good songs come on, not saying hi in the hallway, not chatting at lunch, being slow into the classroom, slow to leave the room when the bell goes. Looking for neg attn. Any change to normal #mschat
A4: And listen!
Often, a student's peers know before we do & they will give us cues without violating whatever "honor code" may exist among students. #mschat
Yes we have to learn what their normals are and notice when it is off! #mschat I get to the point I can tell if students took their meds late or not at all
A4: we have a saying in my class; โIron sharpens Ironโ. I got it from a colleague. I explained to my Ss that when they are at their best and I am at my best, we will go far. If something is off, we arenโt going to be successful. #mschat
A5: I have a remediation period for those high risk academically but wish there was more I could do for those struggling emotionally. Talking to them is all I got right now. #mschat
A5: Our school have great support staff and counselors for our students like @misskoplin! Differentiation and truly valuing/believing in all Ss is critical.
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A5: I always have some sort of individual or group work time. Thatโs when I try to focus on finding โchattingโ time with those who I see as having the most need #mschat
A5: For academic supports I try to differentiate as much as possible: here is a good read to help with differentiated instructionhttp://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet.aspx?ArtMID=888&ArticleID=746 #mschat
A5 every student is different so intervening depends so much on the specific issues they may have and what tactic will best work for them there is no one answer #MSchat
A5: If Ss are upset, I allow them to take breaks on their own. Also, ask them to talk or email if they need anything. Keep my door open for them to come and chat. #mschat
A5: I try to change things up when it comes to assessments and lessons. We might do a test, we might do a project, we might do a choice menu or a combination. I want students to see I am willing to change things up to meet THEIR needs. #mschat
A5: Ss sometimes claim to be fine. I say, โIf you decide you want to talk about it, Iโm here. If itโs something I need to take care of, I need to know. Otherwise, I wonโt pryโitโs your business. But know I SEE you.โ Usually they talk. But sometimes being seen is enough. #mschat
As an adult we get to take breaks, pause, breathe, get a drink of water. Why shouldn't our students? They are at an age of increasing independence. Time to treat them like that. #mschat
A5: Academically, taking 10 min to go through something a different way in a small group really empowers them. They go from feeling โdumbโ or whatever for not getting it right away to feeling empowered and successful that they just needed a different way to look at it. #mschat
We have several students who choose to spend lunch outside the dining room & several staff members who are willing to let them - GREAT time to connect! #mschat
A5 I try and provide a variety of resources to help support learning. I like to be able to say, you didn't really land that concept. Go on my website and watch the video or do this simulation to check out the concept. Ss need input that matches their need. #mschat
A6: Yes, I think it is very good to sometimes let student alone to work through failures to help them grow. The key is to know your students well enough to step in at just the right moment when they truly need you.
#mschat
A6 The benefits of failure must be coached and practiced Ss must know that itโs ok to fail as long as we learn from it. I believe that we do need to allow kids to fail and find their way sometimes that is such a valuable school. #MSchat
A6: I am working on letting my students know that failing happens the best fail. IF you take risks you will fail... it doesn't hurt long as long a you GET UP and MOVE FORWARD! #mschat
A6 The benefits of failure must be coached and practiced Ss must know that itโs ok to fail as long as we learn from it. I believe that we do need to allow kids to fail and find their way sometimes that is such a valuable school. #MSchat
A6: Ss need to know it is okay to fail as long as they keep trying. Struggling Ss are the ones that have usually given up. Need to push them and show you care. #mschat
A6: I am REALLY pushing mine to advocate for themselves & be resilient. I wonโt always be there to stand up for them. Some day, no adult will be. They must know how to speak up for themselves. But that starts with them understanding they have worth. Thatโs my job. #mschat
A6: Sometimes letting a student fail and recover on their own can be a powerful lesson. Can't happen all the time. And it should only be done if you have helped provide feedback and growth through failure previously. #mschat
A6: I think failure ultimately can be a catalyst for profound reinvention. Especially when that failure is not just ignored but met in a constructive way. I would always appreciate teachers who noticed if I was performing poorly and lent a hand. #mschat#editmane2000
A6 It depends on the Ss. I had a S not do well on a Socrative Check last week. She came up to me and said "I didn't do so well. I would like to revise my sketchnote and retake it tomorrow." I said "Great plan, love it" #mschat
A6: Front-loading by developing a growth mindset, purposefully building a culture of support, creating a safety net. Learners need to understand the greatest growth comes through struggle, but things must be in place to ensure failing forward. #mschat
A7: Mr. Shreve at my first school and people like Mr. Cowhil at CCPS along with @ERobbPrincipal@MrPStrunk and others. The key is to be open to advice and new perspectives.
#mschat
My fellow middle school educators in #mschat! I hope you will join me in just 4 minutes over in #waledchat when we reflect on lesson planning! It will be a great time!
A7: One of my teachers from elementary school, my cooperating teacher from student teaching, my teaching partner, and two principals for whom I worked continue to influence why and how I do what I do. #mschat
A7: Since I already mentioned my local mentors, Iโll take this chance to thank @DruTomlin4Edu for opportunities Iโve had thru @AMLE. Dru opened the door to presentation opportunities, an article, a webinar, & my 1st moments believing maybe I had a message worth sharing. #mschat
A7: I want to thank my 8th grade Georgia Studies teacher because outside of class, we would chat about things like sports, which was such an awesome way for us to find common ground, and that made me want to do better in his class and enjoy it more! #mschat#edit2000mane
