#HSD1Chat Archive

#HSD1Chat will be a PLC based chat involving educators from Helena Public Schools. However, other educators are invited to participate. It will occur on the second Tuesday of every month.

Tuesday January 8, 2019
10:00 PM EST

  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:00 PM EST
    Jamie Hoovestal 1st Grade 4Gs #hsd1chat
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:01 PM EST
    Severena. 3rd. 4Gs. #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:01 PM EST
    Bob Poelking HHS Seniors/ Government #hsd1chat
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:01 PM EST
    Kim Stout, HEA President #hsd1chat
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:03 PM EST
  • KGcat0 Jan 8 @ 10:03 PM EST
    Hello is there chat tonight? #hsd1chat
    In reply to @youtheduteach
  • KGcat0 Jan 8 @ 10:04 PM EST
    Hi is there chat tonight? #hsd1chat
    In reply to @Jamiejoleen
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:05 PM EST
    A1: I have to say that I struggle using rubrics. I need to do a better job with this. #hsd1chat
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:05 PM EST
    A1: I am working on rubrics this year. We are using the ones from our writing but they aren't great. :-( #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:05 PM EST
    A1. Even in 1st grade, having clear expectations, using a rubric (for writing), help the students know exactly what is required. They can use a rubric as a checklist. #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:06 PM EST
    A1: My rubrics are co-authored with the other gov. teachers to ensure that all of the info we want communicated makes sense- we peer edit them. Specific Feedback is often verbal and written to avoid confusion over phrasing/ I also maintain point-by-point score sheets #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:06 PM EST
    Yes, the first question: How do you see rubrics being used and effectively communicate feedback for students? #hsd1chat
    In reply to @KGcat0
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:07 PM EST
    A1b: I find I only use rubrics for writing but I know I could use them in other subject areas. #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:07 PM EST
    we constantly refine ours, fixing issues or clearing up previous issues each year and from lesson to lesson #hsd1chat
    In reply to @youtheduteach
  • KGcat0 Jan 8 @ 10:07 PM EST
    @youtheduteach Hi its Kim is there a chat tonight? #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:08 PM EST
    Same! #hsd1chat
    In reply to @youtheduteach
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:08 PM EST
    We decided to use the ones with our new writing but they don't make sense to our students and there are spelling errors which drive me crazy. #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:09 PM EST
    That's great! I like how you're finding consistency throughout your department. #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican, @youtheduteach
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:10 PM EST
  • KGcat0 Jan 8 @ 10:10 PM EST
    @hsd1chat Is there a chat tonight? #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:11 PM EST
    A2: I use rubrics for essays/ research papers and presentations. The essay ones focus on content, grammar, and cohesion. The presentation ones deal with content and visuals, with some points for creativity #hsd1chat
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:12 PM EST
    A2: Writing should! There are so many parts to good writing that should be celebrated and worked on. A rubric shows these things. #hsd1chat
  • KGcat0 Jan 8 @ 10:12 PM EST
    @Jamiejoleen Hi its Kim is there a chat tonight #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:14 PM EST
    I like them, even when I don't have official ones, I tend to create little check boxes on the the assignments as I grade them so the kids can get some idea of why they got a 2/3 on a particular question. The more feedback, the better #hsd1chat
    In reply to @youtheduteach
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:14 PM EST
    A2. Only our Informative Writing Assessment receives a formal rubric (And this is brand new) It is the only thing in 1st grade that requires a rubric from a district point of view. I have used "rubric - like" grading with science projects in past. #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:15 PM EST
    Yes. Are you using "TweetDeck" to follow the chat? We are on question 2. #hsd1chat
    In reply to @KGcat0
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:16 PM EST
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:17 PM EST
    Hopefully, we can better prepare our Ss for HS with more exposure to the rubrics #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:18 PM EST
    A3: if the students are working on projects, I do my best to steer them away from issues before they turn it in. Also, we do work days and drafts where I can give specific feedback. I also have times they can come in for help #hsd1chat
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:19 PM EST
    A3: In the past I have met with Ss individually for a few minutes to review the success and struggles. It's just really time consuming and takes a long time. #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:19 PM EST
    A3. If I can, I love to look over the Ss work in the moment, and have them correct, and meet one-on-one with me to give them instant feedback. When they're so young, if I wait too long, they've already forgotten &don't understand the feedback later. #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:20 PM EST
    Totally. But so powerful! #hsd1chat
    In reply to @MrsKimStout
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:20 PM EST
    the time is always the biggest issue- I just spend ~16 hours correcting rough drafts this weekend and have another 1.5 days this week dedicated to helping them make changes to those drafts #hsd1chat
    In reply to @MrsKimStout
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:20 PM EST
    A3: I find it difficult to not intervene before but for bigger writing assignments I will provide most of my feedback at the end for the next project. #hsd1chat
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:21 PM EST
    I just don't know how you have time for all of that! #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:21 PM EST
    we never stop as teachers #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican, @MrsKimStout
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:22 PM EST
    Holy Cow! Those Ss are lucky that you put so much into it! #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican, @MrsKimStout
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:23 PM EST
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:24 PM EST
    A4: A number of the rubrics I use for gov. are inherited, which is great. So we go over those and then make minor changes to fit the class or the timetable with which we have to work- if we're doing it over 3 days instead of 5, standards will shift #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:25 PM EST
    A4B: as I said before, we largely focus on content first and then focus on visuals or grammar after that #hsd1chat
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:25 PM EST
    A4: We used the writing rubrics. However I'm curious how others choose to grade the parts they did? #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:26 PM EST
    A4. I haven't constructed my own rubric. Just barely starting to use the Writing Rubric. But I have done informal checklists that serve as a rubric. I think having scripted expectations for the students to use is great. #hsd1chat
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:27 PM EST
    Do you weight your assignments or some rubrics carry more weight with grades? #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:27 PM EST
    A4: Teachers Pay Teachers is where I get so many of these resources. #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:27 PM EST
    it's a great aid early in the process; it's a reference point if nothing else when you're helping another student and ensures the question asker can stay on task #hsd1chat
    In reply to @Jamiejoleen
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:28 PM EST
    we do way more projects than worksheets or the like, so they aren't weighted, per se, but the assignments with rubrics do tend to be worth more #hsd1chat
    In reply to @youtheduteach
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:31 PM EST
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:31 PM EST
    I like that we can enter grades on PS and have them not count towards their final grade. #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:32 PM EST
    A5. I went to the summer training on Standards Based Reporting and I LOVED IT! I think it is very overwhelming but if the district could provide clear expectations and narrow it, they would be so awesome and consistent over time! #hsd1chat
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:33 PM EST
    A5: We should ave them. Tests don't always tell us what Ss know! #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:33 PM EST
    A5: I'm not really a fan; it strikes me as a needlessly confusing abstraction in the grading process for teachers and students. I keep my grading pretty simple: Projects, Writing, In-Class, and Assessments. #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:34 PM EST
    it's so vague, but I'm also at the very end of the line, so maybe it will work its way up the grads with the kids as the "new normal" #hsd1chat
    In reply to @Jamiejoleen
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:35 PM EST
    A5: #hsd1chat I like the idea of making the elementary grading simple. I think standards based reporting could be simple for parents if done correctly #hsd1chat
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:37 PM EST
    A5b: I think it will be a huge change for everyone if we decide to change our report cards. Elementary report cards are crazy long and subjective #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:37 PM EST
    My fingers are crossed! That is what I imagine - It would definitely be a process. But it would have to be so scripted to work. Right now, there are too many cooks in the kitchen. But if we got there-It would be great! #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:39 PM EST
    it doesn't sound like it's just us, I've heard from people in other states that they have the same issues with a lack of clarity and communication #hsd1chat
    In reply to @Jamiejoleen
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:41 PM EST
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:41 PM EST
    Such a bummer- I would not want to be in charge of that movement! Haha. It is a great idea, I am 100% on board- but would definitely be a challenge. #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:42 PM EST
    A6: They do not and while I guess I /could/ implement them, I feel like it would only confuse things on the student/ parent front for no real gain. #hsd1chat
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:43 PM EST
    A6: Not really. I think it's mostly either you know it. or you don't in most subjects. It's a tough thing to implement, it's time consuming. #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:43 PM EST
    A6. As a grade level, some assessments are slowly being tweaked to match our standards. But overall, our curriculum doesn't necessarily align with the standards-Therefore, our assessments don't always match either. #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:45 PM EST
    I think a big issue is that there are always more pressing issues for teachers to deal with than implementing a new grading tool #hsd1chat
    In reply to @MrsKimStout
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:45 PM EST
    A6: We are attempting to make the changes but I find it interesting that the new curriculums aren't even fully aligned with the standards. We found many standards taught aren't being assessed. #hsd1chat t
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:46 PM EST
    Yes! Exactly! #hsd1chat
    In reply to @HhsAmerican
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:48 PM EST
    I agree. I also don't understand why it's not already done with the new curriculum adoptions. I would expect better from the assessments we are given. #hsd1chat t
    In reply to @HhsAmerican, @MrsKimStout
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:50 PM EST
    Yes! This exactly!!! #hsd1chat
    In reply to @youtheduteach, @HhsAmerican
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:51 PM EST
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:53 PM EST
    A7: if we use a more flexible definition of "standards", they help me determine how I want to present activities and projects; what I focus on. The standards drive my emphasis to ensure the kids can grow in different ways and shore up weaknesses #hsd1chat
  • Jamiejoleen - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:54 PM EST
    A7. Since I find it challenging to teach Science - I like to teach directly to the standards. I find that the reading and math standards get covered easily without thinking too hard about it. I need to do a better job teaching IEFA standards. #hsd1chat
  • MrsKimStout Jan 8 @ 10:55 PM EST
    A7: The standards guide you with what you should be teaching. They are guidelines to provide you with what Ss need to know. #hsd1chat
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:56 PM EST
    A7: Our standards drive our teaching but I feel I do modify to provide the direction my students are going. I need to do a better job with my social studies standards. #hsd1chat
  • HhsAmerican Jan 8 @ 10:58 PM EST
    we're currently in the process of reworking our Year-at-a-glance to better align with standards; it's time consuming, but it does help us focus our work better #hsd1chat
    In reply to @youtheduteach
  • youtheduteach - Moderator Jan 8 @ 10:58 PM EST
    Great job tonight! Our next chat in February will be a little different. We are going to join in on #mtedchat for the night. Ask us if you have questions! #hsd1chat