#6thchat Archive
#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Tuesday February 16, 2016
Welcome to ! We're talking about collaboration tonight. I'm happy to be here, despite a good bout of the flu!
Please share who you are, where you're from & what you teach.
Booo to the flu! Take care of yourself!
We will be using the standard Q1, A1 format and our discussion will be archived after the chat.
Christina from IL. I teach 6th and 7th grade ELA
Thanks! At least I'll have an excuse if things go crazy here ;)
Good evening! Michelle, principal and grade 6 ELA teacher from Saskatchewan happy to be joining in tongiht.
Welcome Christina! It's great you could join us!
Hope you are chatting from bed in PJs! Michelle from ATL back after many weeks away.
Don't forget our hashtag, so we can all read your brilliance!
Hi Michelle! It is always a pleasure to have you join the conversation :)
Welcome back Michelle! We are happy you can join us...you sound comfy!
Question 1 is on its way in one minute!!!
Me too! Finally back to this great chat
Q1: How does collaboration and group work differ in your opinion?
Eric, Middle School principal from Ohio, and enthusiast
Mario from East Los Angeles, 6th grade ELA/Innovation Coordinator at
- an ed tech company focused on introducing programming to schools checking in from Saratoga, CA
Welcome Mario! It's great to have you here tonight!
Welocme Eric! It is great to have you join us tonight!
A1 Collaboration requires talking, listening and working together where as group ork can be individuals working on their own part.
A1: Collab = sharing of thoughts, ideas. Group work = leader+followers completing same task.
Collaboration involves giving everyone voice voice is heard by having input from all not just tasks completed by some
A1:Collaboration REQUIRES Ss to help each other acquire new knowledge.GW more about check- in or individual work in close proximity
A1 group work is sharing the responsibility and work, sometimes jigsaw, but collaboration requires more effort and input
Q1:Collaboration is building off each other's strengths/weaknesses versus group work is just a task to get done, quick win.
I like your differentiation! Group work doesn't mean that Ss understand all the elements of a project at all!
A1: Listening & hearing out group members-collab; individual jobs/roles-group work
A1: Collaboration is building off each others strengths/weaknesses. Group Work is just to complete a quick task; a quick win.
Collaboration fosters growth among all, group work fosters growth for some
A1 Collaboration creates such as developing the recipe while group work produces a product, or follows a recipe
Our next question is coming up in in just 60 seconds!
I hadn't thought about this before, but you are definitely right!
LOVE this! Nicely worded!
Q2: What are the benefits of student or peer collaboration?
A2: The entire group becomes stronger, everyone's voice is heard & valued, conflict skills are used in context
Student & peer collaboration teaches listening along with reflecting which in turn fosters a growth mindset
A2 Sharing of ideas, creation of a team, growth when we listen and consider others ideas.
A2: Encourages Ss to utilize strengths while being supported in weak areas by peers.
Q2 Benefits include peers pushing thinking, stumbling into new areas of thoughts to explore, leadership skills advance
A2: Working with others that may not be their friends. Find other Ss with strengths they didn't know others had
Listening is a skill many adults need to work on and so important to develop in our students.
A2b: Relationships are stregthened, strengths are recognized throughout the team, not just a few
A2:Gaining perspectives from peers is highly valuable instead of hearing from Ts & adults all the time. Student Voice is Important!
Love the focus on realistic conflict resolution w/ guidance! Critical for 21st C learner
SO true and SO undertaught IMO
Try to practice the skills with Monday Morning Meetings and Friday Farewells.
I agree. I still have problems with the lack of maturity of some students saying I can't work with X
Sadly, I've heard adults say the same thing!
A2 benefits voice of all collaborating, not just the dominate personalities. Everyone building, edifying, and growing!
Always fun to hear Ss say, "I didn't know you [ ]!" Breaks down preconceived assumptions.
Yes, I am sure we all do-teachable moments!
Question 3 is up in just one minute!
so true, I'm working on building collaboration with my teaching team, sometimes easier said than done
Q3: What barriers have you seen to effective collaboration? How can these be overcome?
A3: Lack of trust, too much competition, or egos big & small can also become a barrier. TEAM is essential!
At least students can voice their concerns, some Ts refuse to collaborate with other Ts......so sad
Listening, creating a team, learning from each other- sharing things from our lives.Just my students and I.
A3: In Ts, fear of change, fear of failure. Ss are a bit more open to exploration. Start small to create positive experience.
Yes it does take energy and patience sometimes. Worth the effort thought.
Our meetings are about team building & problem-solving.
A3: Ss ability to listen to ALL ideas, not just their own or friends. There is no I in TEAM!
Q3 Barriers include Ss who struggle with focus and maturity. Some Ss want to just be done w/o putting effort for quality results
A3 challenge to give someone a chance, take time to discover each other's strengths, acknowledge what others bring to the table
A3:Time is not embedded in the meeting or class to collaborate. Innovate lessons and PD so that new experiences can be attained.
A3 Listening is the biggest barrier for me. We need to truly listen and consider opposing viewpoints.
We have a lot of meetings about our new space as we have flexible learning spaces & growing to match learning activities to spaces
Ss are more acclimated to group work, less effort required, real collaboration is work!
Especially when they have pre-conceived notions or would rather work with friends.
True! Using Quality Boosters ideas have helped though! Ss give meaningful feedback & aim higher
I LOVE learning spaces! Do you have pictures by chance?
Yes, I agree. It is a tough job to switch mindsets especially when we think we have the right answer already.
Yes, important to lay that foundation and prepare Ss for the difference. Intentional teaching
Hard to believe question 4 is up in just 60 seconds!
We have to get students out of their comfort zone and work/listen to other Ss!
Do you allow Ss to make their own groups, or do you assign them?
Q4: What are some effective examples of collaboration in your own practice? Why were these successful?
YES! The best way is for us to model it!
Ss give each other specific, constructive feedback with the sole purpose to make the original stronger.
I rarely let them make their own groups. I usually make random groups using various tools.
I'm the same. I've found that popsicle sticks are still the fastest :)
A4 Genius Hour collaboration has been successful because Ss working on projects they developed and have a stake in
Ha, ha! Yes, I love the popsicle sticks!
A4:Ss work with others at their table-which I assigned, or use playing cards & other tools to make random groups
A4: I collaborate with on many professional projects, they are successful b/c we both bring ideas, honesty & passion
A4:We use Design Thinking process in everything we do. School/Community changes, Ss curriculum. Build empathy to solve problems.
A4: My 6th team just completed an integrated unit across all disciplines. Jumping off was a short story.Highly successful.
A4b: projects and activities have been very successful b/c they were relevant & engaging
I'm starting in a few weeks! Can't wait to see what Ss come up with!
That sounds super interesting.
Are you ready? Question 5 is coming up in the next minute!
I agree that Ss have to find relevence, which helps bind them around a common purpose!
What was the unit? We do a school-wide integrated unit in April for Holocaust Remembrance Month
A4b: Recently gave Ss tasks focusing on process rather than product, emphasis on reflection.
A4 I relish working with to strengthen my teaching, they listen and support
Jen from Red Deer - better late than never - checking in.
VERY cool! I'd love to hear more sometime!
A4 - My Ss decided to do a whole-class Variety Show Act that included everyone. They're choreographing & mixing songs at recess!
Q5: What skills do students require to become effective collaborators? Why are these important?
just finished an abs class - hoping to join the last bit of your chat!
YAY! Jen, I'm so glad you could make it! I was just talking about you!
A5 They need to recognize that everyone has strengths and a good collaborative group can build on those strengths.
A5: Listening and accepting others! A S may not have straight As or the popular clothes, but they could have a great idea!
A5 skills needed for collaborating: listening, patience, sharing, negotiating, speaking up, moxie, resilience
A5 - Ss need to have empathy for their peers, understand that we all have strengths/weaknesses, & actually WANT to help each other!
A5: I believe Ss need patience and an open mind to collaborate, which needs a lot of modelling and guided practice.
Waht a GREAT idea! IT really encourages them to try something different, when the product isn't the sole focus!
A5:Embracing Mistakes, understanding how we learn and how we work w/ others, Giving/Receiving Feedback, Grit, and Empathy.
That is SO cool! How fun! Team is so evident in everything that happens with your Ss!
A5 cont'd: Ss need opportunities to practice extroversion.
THANK you for sharing Michelle! I am excited to look at this more fully!
I saw and thank you dearly, my friend!
A5 Students need habits of mind like persisting, thinking about thinking, taking risks, etc. https://t.co/kP5tLaWzPq
Question 6 in 60 seconds!
I need to go back and read the book again, more deeper, I'm on Explore LAP, so many books
Q6: How can you add more collaboration opportunities in you classes?
I agree and I LOVE how you have established this in your class and we're kind enough to share it in your book!
A5: FAIL mindset, empathy, belief in team, listening/sharing skills drive to improve & help others. These support LEARNING!
I think this is really impt as leadership comes in active & passive forms!
Google Hangouts!!!! 😜 Project-based learning, leadership programs/opportunities!
A5: We collaborated with other classrooms during the Global Read Aloud in the fall. Twitter and Skype were favs in our class.
That's an AWESOME book too :)
A6 has enhanced collaboration opportunities
A5:Project based learning opportunities to collaborate w/ peers but having the ability to always iterate and improve in the process
I LOVED all the collaborative work in the GLA. We are continuing some of our connections!
I was just exploring today. I hadn't been there for a while.
A6:Project based learning opportunities to collaborate w/ peers but having the ability to always iterate and improve in the process
Students are invested in it.
A6 Provide choices in the projects so that Ss are selecting work that is relevant, interesting and meaningful to them
A6: The best way for me to add collaboration ops is to listen to my Ss! When they are part of the planning it happens naturally!
A6 Have the courage as a teacher to be quiet, especially after a really good question.
Question 7 is right on deck!
The vested interest in each other is KEY! If they don't care about each other collaboration fails!
We have class meetings where Ss add to the agenda items and record the minutes.
Q7: How do you/ or will you address assessment in collaborative projects?
This is something I continue to work on. More opportunities for different student voice.
I am REALLY working on this one! It is such a great one though!
We do the same. If they forget to add it to the agenda, it stays out of the meeting ;P
A7: I'm moving towards more quality feedback & time to reflect. We are SBG now, so Ss help determine their mastery of each standard.
A7 Ss answer What was your goal? Why? Did you achieve it? How do you know? What went well? What would you do differently? Why?
A7: I think it's hard to assess collaboration. Maybe meeting with groups separately to discuss what Ss learned, changes needed, etc
A7:Projects embedded into units provides for a more authentic view of Ss actual understanding of content. Differentiation for Ss.
Final question coming up already!
This makes me think about 21Century Skills Checklist...he has Ss assess their progress.
A7: As always, depends on what the intended outcome is. Mastery of what? Factual content? Thought process?
Peer assessment might also play a role.
Q8: What's your best advice for cultivating a culture of collaboration with your students?
My students did a great job of peer assessing and offering feedback with projects. Useful for their own reflection.
I've been building in peer/self assessments in activities w Quality Booster philosophy as a guide
A8: Try different things. Everyone's classrooms/Ss are different. What works in one isn't the true for all
A8 Keep sharpening the saw; don't assume that habits of mind and work have been internalized; repeat process; debrief often; listen
A8 Model and practice skills.
A8: Model the behavior. Engage Ss in class planning & implement suggestions that are feasible.
YEP!! https://t.co/AbiQxn1lj1
A8 Keep sharpening the saw; don't assume that habits of mind and work have been internalized; repeat process; debrief often; listen
A7 observing Ss personal and academic growth within collaboration, not everything is formative/summative
A8 listen to the needs of Ss
Once you make the leap, it makes SO much sense! Good luck!
A8:Take small steps and innovate. Just because it did not work the first time, does not mean to give up. Iterate and make better!
