Welcome to #UTEdchat! I'm Amy, your host tonight!
With the school year beginning, we wanted to discuss what we do to start strong so our students are successful.
Respond to each Q using the A#: format. Don’t forget to inculde #UTEdchat in your answer.
Amy Wood, mentor teacher specialist for @jordandistrict and your moderator for tonight! My gif is this because I feel like I didn't really get a break between the end of last year and the beginning of this one...it's #neverending But it is also exciting! #UTEdchat
Spencer Perry, instructional technologist and designer. Hoping my interviews go well this week with various higher education institutions. Former physics, chemistry, and science teacher.
#UTEdchat
Hello, Derek, Library Media Coordinator and Digital Learning Coach in @washk12 chiming into #UTedChat tonight. We started last Monday, so we're already 1.5 weeks in and loving it!
Some days are more interesting than others, but I love what I do!!! First day of school jitters are a thing for teachers as well as students. #uted#UTEdchat
A1: I’m not in the classroom anymore, but when I was, I loved teaching in tables so my 1st graders could learn to collaborate. If management was tough--we broke up into pods. When class sizes were too big, tables were best so we’d have room to move. #UTEdchat
A1: I finally got tables instead of desks again! I'm so excited for the teaming concept I'm working with in my classes. Students can and should support each other in their learning. #UTEdchat
A1: When I was teaching secondary I tried to vary my seating org often, even if just for a day. I felt like students came in excited when there was a new arraignment. Also as a science teacher, I always support tables.
#UTEdchat
If I can structure it right, I think I can get great things going! I'm nervous though - some of my classes are a bit squirrelly and that has me worried. There was no 'honeymoon' period for me to establish procedures, so now it's a bit of tug-of-war. #UTEdchat
I always made sure seating arrangements encouraged collaboration and teamwork, usually had them in groups of four but sometimes we got creative. The last month of school I do a design competition where they submit seating charts and I choose my favorite. #utedchat
A1: As a #BlendedLearning advocate, I like any seating arrangement that is conducive to a rotation model where teachers can leverage both digital learning and face-to-face instruction. #utedchat
A1. I have my students sit in desk of 4 or 6 to promote cooperative learning. I also have flexible seating in the classroom. I feel that this give students a choice or what is most comfortable for them to learn. #utedchat@HSG_UT
A2: I used a classroom blog where parents could find all the homework and lists of things they needed for the week. I found this communication piece saved parents time when notes or papers were lost. I tried to keep homework to a minimum as well, focusing on reading #UTEdchat
A1 When I was in the classroom, I always stared in rows to help me learn their names. But as soon as I felt good with the names they switched to tables for the rest of the year. #UTedChat
A2: I build out my courses on CANVAS so everything is accessible to parents as Course Observers. I may set up a Remind App for my AP students - I just know if I can keep up with that. On disclosures, I ask for preferred language & best method to make contact. #UTEdchat
A2: I used a classroom blog where parents could find all the homework and lists of things they needed for the week. I found this communication piece saved parents time when notes or papers were lost. I tried to keep homework to a minimum as well, focusing on reading #UTEdchat
A1: I think students should be able to move around. Definitely any seating arrangement that makes it easy for them to get to what they need: books, materials, the door... No one likes feeling penned in. #utedchat
A1. I have my students sit in desk of 4 or 6 to promote cooperative learning. I also have flexible seating in the classroom. I feel that this give students a choice or what is most comfortable for them to learn. #utedchat@HSG_UT
A1: I love flexible seating/Tables when teaching. I'm huge into collaboration. I got rid of my seat attached to desks (well most of them) and continue to piece together my classroom. #utedchat
A1 If I had stayed in the classroom a little longer, I was planning to look into some #FlexSeating as I think that's an idea I would have benefited from as a student. #UTedChat
I'm glad I'm not the only one to sense this! I've noticed different groups (years/grade levels) have different quirks over time. Some are more fun and some are more challenging. Not sure what makes the difference, but it's always interesting! #neverbored#UTEDchat
A1 @KellyGillUtah I put my students into groups of 4 for precision partnering. They can either be shoulder partners or face to face. Table groups can also work.
#utedchat
A1: As a #BlendedLearning advocate, I like any seating arrangement that is conducive to a rotation model where teachers can leverage both digital learning and face-to-face instruction. #utedchat
They get to ask me questions as their client of what I value and like. They know if they just put all of their friends together I won’t choose it. It also has to fit and be practical. I have gotten some really creative ones. #utedchat
I always made sure seating arrangements encouraged collaboration and teamwork, usually had them in groups of four but sometimes we got creative. The last month of school I do a design competition where they submit seating charts and I choose my favorite. #utedchat
A2. I send a weekly h.w. packet with information on what we are covering in the classroom and I use class dojo and post work, video's and photo's. Student can also log onto our reading program from home. #utedchat@HSG_UT
A2: I put my effort towards making my coursework available online via our class website. It was easy for parents to subscribe to the calendar and easy to download materials. Hopefully that made it easy to answer the question: What's going on in class? #utedchat
Q3. Rules help to set expectations for our students and support success. What are your basic classroom rules? Have these changed during your career? Do students help develop them? Why or why not? #UTEdchat
Making information available works wonders when it comes to involved parents. I point them to my on-line presence when they email asking about grades, missing work, etc and that usually answers all their questions. It also helps them monitor their student's progress. #UTEdchat
A2: I am working to flip my classroom so my families will have videos to support their students. I also keep an updated website and send Friday emails. #utedchat
A3: In 1st grade, I only had three: 1. Be an Active Listener, 2. Take care of yourself (TCOY), and 3. Take Care of Property (TCOP). As an IC, I have helped teachers develop up to 5, working on rules that are observable & measurable. I stick to teacher developed rules. #UTEdchat
I made a whole lot of math videos. If someone wasn’t there, they didn’t miss instruction. A child says, that’s not the way my teacher does it, they can see how I did it and the vocabulary we use. #utedchat
A2 I am a supporter of homework that helps students practice what they are learning, but not cause family strife. I always told parents to cut the HW after 20ish mins if the Ss were at frustration levels. #UTedChat
a3:
I went away from traditional rules and adopted mantras.
Rules were meant to be broken. mantras were meant to be lived.
Students in my class have been in school for 9yrs. They know the rules.
#UTedChat
A2 I always worked with parents to let them realize we were a team. I had the day shift and they had the night shift and the better we worked together the better OUR student progressed. #UTedChat#BetterTogether
@KellyGillUtah
Q2 Our team sends the same homework weekly. Students are required to read and work on math fact fluency weekly. We have parents send back signed homework charts. #utedchat
A1: I have a little different problem this year because I am in a computer lab and the seating arrangement is stationary. But I value flexibility and movement? Idk. Something to figure out this year. #UTedChat
I actually restructured mine at the direction of our administration this year to align with our PRIDE program. The basics stayed in place though: Being prepared, being respectful, honest, & disciplined, along with a new emphasis on participation (not just presence). #UTEdchat
Q3. Rules help to set expectations for our students and support success. What are your basic classroom rules? Have these changed during your career? Do students help develop them? Why or why not? #UTEdchat
I made a whole lot of math videos. If someone wasn’t there, they didn’t miss instruction. A child says, that’s not the way my teacher does it, they can see how I did it and the vocabulary we use. #utedchat
I loved using @ClassDojo & @RemindHQ as communication tools because they were easy to use and VERY effective. Gotta try to have communication with parents if you want to see success in the classroom. #UTedChat
A3: Two basic rules: 1) Everyone should feel comfortable and welcome. 2) Everyone should be an active learner. It was easy to relate pretty much any concern back to one of the two in conversations with students. #utedchat
Q3. Rules help to set expectations for our students and support success. What are your basic classroom rules? Have these changed during your career? Do students help develop them? Why or why not? #UTEdchat
Respect yourself, respect others. If they can do that it covers doing your best, having a growth mindset, being kind, thinking of more than yourself, learning from mistakes, perseverance, problem solving. #utedchat
Q3. Rules help to set expectations for our students and support success. What are your basic classroom rules? Have these changed during your career? Do students help develop them? Why or why not? #UTEdchat
And the majority of my HW was based on what wasn't finished in the classroom that day. I tried to always give plenty of time in class to finish, but then some things did happen at home. #UTedChat
Q3. Rules help to set expectations for our students and support success. What are your basic classroom rules? Have these changed during your career? Do students help develop them? Why or why not? #UTEdchat
I have 5 rules:
Come to class on time and prepared
Follow instructions given
Respect yourself and others
Use the right voice level at the right time
>>> I can't remember my last one!
#tired#UTedChat
A1: I have a little different problem this year because I am in a computer lab and the seating arrangement is stationary. But I value flexibility and movement? Idk. Something to figure out this year. #UTedChat
I didn't ever use an LMS to teach with, but think I would have LOVED it! I looked into a couple but didn't have the funds to pay the costs. But I think an LMS would have been excellent! #UTedChat
p.s. And Google Classroom wasn't really much at all then.
A4: I believe in routines and procedures being taught explicitly. I used a lot of positive praise with my students to reinforce positive behavior. When students worked well together as a whole class, we’d earn activities. Often times, my read-a-loud was a reward. #UTEdchat
If a child is struggling in math we teach them. Too often when a child misbehaves we punish them. Good behavior like anything else needs to be taught, modeled, and reinforced. #utedchat
A4. First we work on building relationships and then we work on classroom and school procedures. I also notice and point out positive behavior. #utedchat. @HSG_UT
A3: Regardless of the expectations in a classroom, the teacher's ability to model respectful behavior is one of the most powerful ways to teach and encourage students to develop socially acceptable behaviors. #UTedchat#uted
Q3. Rules help to set expectations for our students and support success. What are your basic classroom rules? Have these changed during your career? Do students help develop them? Why or why not? #UTEdchat
Yeah, it's kind of sad. I've considered trying to use something with the students at my school with my Library assignment, but I'm not sure what. #UTedChat
A4 part 1: Depends on the class. Of course procedures are crucial. Students need to know what to do to be successful. Unfortunately, there have been some teacher conversations about the need to establish dominance as the Alpha sometimes. The mix of students matters. #UTEdchat
I use @RemindHQ here with #UTedChat as well as with my Cub Scouts duties. It's just an amazing tool that allows such an easy way to communicate with others. #UTedChat
In reply to
@tabitha_pacheco, @ajmerritt, @ClassDojo, @RemindHQ, @CherryCreekElem, @RemindHQ
Great words of wisdom from @UtahTOY2014 on the importance of teachers modeling behavior. I think his also means modeling problem solving, growth mindset, and civil discourse #utedchat
A3: Regardless of the expectations in a classroom, the teacher's ability to model respectful behavior is one of the most powerful ways to teach and encourage students to develop socially acceptable behaviors. #UTedchat#uted
Q3. Rules help to set expectations for our students and support success. What are your basic classroom rules? Have these changed during your career? Do students help develop them? Why or why not? #UTEdchat
A4 part 2: But of course there are places for positive reinforces too! My school uses PRIDE coupons to reward students (irregularly, of course) for making good choices. They can collect and redeem these for school gear and enter prize drawings. #UTEdchat
A4: Take a lesson from the shop teachers and identify the most critical points of trouble (for them it's safety) and help students understand what natural and logical consequences can result from behavior.
#UTEdchat
A2: 1: I make sure students know that Canvas is always accessible and 2: I tried to incorporate their outside experiences into the classroom and curriculum so they are looking for connections outside my lessons #UTedChat
A4: I said this a lot- to parents, other teachers, mostly myself: "Every student, no matter how deep down, wants to be good. And more importantly, they want to be at something." Help students be good at things, even little things. #utedchat
We also need to be very clear on our expectations and consistent in following through. Compassion and understanding are needed too, but it can’t be a guess each day as to what is enforced. #utedchat
A4. I also read books on social skills and we discuss feelings, friendship, and growth mindset. I plan to continue this throughout the school year. #utedchat@HSG_UT
Q5. Every year I make a goal to eat healthy. What are some things you do to start strong with your eating habits at school? Do you pack a lunch? Eat school lunch? What is your favorite lunch to bring to work? #UTEdchat
A3 I think if I were to go back into the classroom, I'd stick with 3 main rules and then just discuss what they actually mean.
1- Be Kind
2- Be Respectful
3- Be Responsible
#UTedChat
A5: I love my iso bag. It comes with meal prep boxes so you can portion out your food. Living in my car and driving around from school to school gets tough on eating habits. It helped me lose weight and save money. I love packing wraps for lunch #UTEdchat#isolatorfitness
A3 And regardless of what grade you teach, you should ALWAYS talk through your rules and even practice them so they students fully understand. #UTedChat
A4: Radiate genuine warmth and love for all students, listen, pay attention, make relationships your top priority, set high expectations, reinforce reasonable and equitable classroom procedures, model the way, encourage the heart! #UTedchat
A5: I cook a couple of big meals once a week and package everything so I have home cooked lunch and dinner everyday. I'm a bowl of cereal and a glass of juice girl in the mornings. For snacks, I keep a container of peanuts on hand - the protein boost tides me over. #UTEdchat
Q5. Every year I make a goal to eat healthy. What are some things you do to start strong with your eating habits at school? Do you pack a lunch? Eat school lunch? What is your favorite lunch to bring to work? #UTEdchat
Q3. Rules help to set expectations for our students and support success. What are your basic classroom rules? Have these changed during your career? Do students help develop them? Why or why not? #UTEdchat
And I always shared those videos with the 4th grade teachers in my school and district since our districts used the same Math program. So helpful! #UTedChat
A4: Teachers must assume that much like content, behaviors must be explicitly taught and modeled. Team building structures can also encourage learners in our classrooms to follow expected behaviors. #UTedchat#uted
A5: I tend to take my own lunch (leftovers). I usually pack it into Tupperware before I start eating dinner, which helps me control portions in the evening and avoid my emergency meal of Cup of Noodles that I eat when I have nothing to take.
#UTEdchat
A5: I’m the WORST at this. I start the school year bad and it just gets worst. @KrystleBassett can testify to this. #UTedChat tips and tricks would be appreciated!
A5: Meal prep really is the way. And keeping some healthy canned soups in the back of the cupboard for days when I forget my lunch, or someone else does. :-) #utedchat
Q5. Every year I make a goal to eat healthy. What are some things you do to start strong with your eating habits at school? Do you pack a lunch? Eat school lunch? What is your favorite lunch to bring to work? #UTEdchat
That's a very interesting idea. I had never considered it. Of course I taught 4th and 5th graders so I felt like I needed to be right with the rules, but as a Librarian at a 6-7 building I could see that starting to work. #UTedChat
Joined a 4 week weight loss competition and of course the last week is the first week of school and my birthday. Great timing to help keep me healthy in the transition... #utedchat
Q5. Every year I make a goal to eat healthy. What are some things you do to start strong with your eating habits at school? Do you pack a lunch? Eat school lunch? What is your favorite lunch to bring to work? #UTEdchat
A5. I take my lunch everyday. I take a lunch with protein and a vegetable and some sort of healthy snack. I have protein shakes in my classroom if I need a pick me up. Eating healthy does assist in keeping up my energy level. #utedchat@HSG_UT
I am usually really bad about lunch and just stop for a Coke in the AM and ignore food until I get home in the evening. So I guess my favorite lunch is Coke. #utedchat
Q5. Every year I make a goal to eat healthy. What are some things you do to start strong with your eating habits at school? Do you pack a lunch? Eat school lunch? What is your favorite lunch to bring to work? #UTEdchat
I love this! When I coach teachers with management, we often talk about replacement behaviors. What behavior is it you want to see instead of the one you are seeing. And then we try to teach and focus on that one! #UTEdchat
A6: As a teacher, I was always a paper planner person. If I wrote it down, it was easier to remember and do. Now as an IC, it’s all about my google calendar and post it notes. If I am missing things, I am lost each day #UTEdchat
A6: I do as much planning as possible with my PLC content team! The smartest mind in the room is always the room, especially when we're all on board with shared goals. Calendaring is crucial. Student friendly objectives matter too. #utedchat
Chips are my weakness too! Ugh--it was a pregnancy craving and now I want them... do you have a replacement something you bring? Like veggies? #UTEdchat
A1: I have a little different problem this year because I am in a computer lab and the seating arrangement is stationary. But I value flexibility and movement? Idk. Something to figure out this year. #UTedChat
A6: always keep in mind the question, “what is best for students?” When that is at the forefront, it’s easier to pick final assessments, learning tasks, and attention getters along the way. Remember, what is best for students may not be TEACHERS fav but nonetheless. #UTedChat
You already are that amazing, just with different areas. We have to remember to not judge ourselves against anyone other than ourselves. We are enough and it's okay! #UTedChat
A6: I keep a worklog in Evernote. My to-do list is divided into A-B-C columns by priority, and I paste tasks to a DONE section. It's been so helpful because I can search my notes use them as a master task list for the next year. #utedchat.
A6: Covey tells us to begin with the end in mind. Effective planning starts with knowing what we want students to know and be able to do and how we will measure that. Then we design instruction that helps us get students there. #UTedchat
A6 part 2: Daily starters and other pre-assessment formative data is helpful when I'm sufficiently organized. It's important to find out what students already know and can do. I've dug up their reading levels and need to adjust seating already to provide more support. #UTEdchat
A6 continued: it’s important as teachers to be aware of our limitations and abilities, so don’t burn out! Self care is still important! But it’s important to keep what’s best for students in the forefront. #UTedChat
A4 I don't agree 100% with everything Harry Wong says in his book The First Days of School, but I do believe in the idea of practicing behaviors students know and understand EXACTLY what you want/need for your classroom to be successful! #UTedChat
True. I DID NOT stay at school until 6:30 pm today. I could have, and maybe even should have, but I needed some time away and it was good for me. Back at it tomorrow as we figure out this new Social Studies core. #UTEdchat
Oh my ... I LOVE that show and wish I could have seen it with the original Broadway cast. I think that soundtrack gets played at least 3Xs weekly in my house/car and most of the time by my kids. So good! #UTedChat
I do begin with the end in mind - where I want my students to be at the end of the year but I must start by understanding where they are beginning. I also get to know their interest and learning styles. This is what I keep in mind while planning throughout the year. #utedchat
"Begin with the end in mind" really is the key. It's like in assessment design: you have to set your construct and adhere to it, which winds up taking some pretty deep thinking! #utedchat
A7: I wish I had known how important PLCs and working as a team were. I tried to figure things out on my own, & learned my team had already perfected what I was trying to recreate. Collaboration is powerful! I could have saved myself some time and stress! #UTEdchat
Hey @kbeddes, have you considered letting them choose which seat they sit in instead of assigning them a seat? While not the greatest, it's at least a start. #UTedChat
Yeah, we walked around the building (while also "touring" the school) but yes, we practiced lining up and then sitting back down and lining up again, LOTS. Gotta practice until it's fully engrained in their being. #UTedChat
Seriously, how am I 20+ minutes behind? I guess I'm just slow going through as many of the #UTedChat tweets as possible. That and side convos, for sure!
A7: I wish I had known about supportive teacher networks like this one! I was a department of ONE for my first five years & I fell short frequently. My few opportunities to attend PLCs were disheartening at best. But things have come together - I believed they would. #UTEdchat
A7: I wish I had known how important PLCs and working as a team were. I tried to figure things out on my own, & learned my team had already perfected what I was trying to recreate. Collaboration is powerful! I could have saved myself some time and stress! #UTEdchat
I agree 100% with teachers needing to MODEL the behavior they wish to see in their classroom. I always tried to be respectful and courteous to all my students, even when I wanted to flick their noses! It's difficult, but worth it. #UTedChat
A7: I wish I had known...
...you don’t HAVE to grade everything
...students need to be more involved in giving feedback
...leave while you can still see sunlight!
#UTedChat
HAHA! It's took me a few years to finally stop taking huge piles home over weekends and holidays (and lots of evenings) since it wouldn't get done anyway and just stressed me out. Better to be fresh and attack it efficiently, right? #UTEdchat
In fact, I was always very honest with my students and told them when I was having a bad day and asked for some extra support to get through it. And then I always told them they could do the same to me and the class. It was pretty cool to see the mutual respect. #UTedChat
A7: Ha ha ha well, I started in 1988.... so there are literally dozens of things I wish I had known... Perhaps I wish I had appreciated the power of giving students frequent opportunities to share their thinking with others! #UTedchat#uted
Thanks for participating in tonight’s #UTEdchat and sharing your expertise. I’m excited to try some new lunch ideas! Hopefully you have some new ideas from your peers you want to try out as well! Good luck as you start strong!
I agree but all members of the PLC have to be willing to participate. I have worked in teams where not all participants were willing to collaborate. #UTedChat
I tried both one during A day the other during B day. I made sure to stress that their seats will change all the time, it’s good to be flexible! #UTedChat
A5 I have been awful this year, but I am trying to pack a better lunch daily as well as having some healthier snack in my office. But I do still rely on some Mtn Dew to keep on keeping on. #UTedChat
A6 I loved when my grade-level team would sit down together each week and plan the outline for the following week. We didn't have to be 100% together, but it helped to know what was happening. Those were some AWESOME teams! I really miss those excellent ladies! #UTedChat
