#BFC530 Archive
The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
Tuesday March 1, 2016
Today's : Would you rather-teach year-round w/ frequent breaks OR 9 months w/ a long summer? WHY? https://t.co/jS0DebcPRA
Good morning Jennifer from Ohio
I'm afraid of "in like a lamb" Mother Nature has been having too good a time being unpredictable.
can't send the coffee, nut hope is your morning pick me up !! https://t.co/0Q1ss8vbk7
Good Morning friends! Connie from NY here. Been up since 3:30am-UGH!! Need coffee & a pick me up today!
Good morning, Yesterday's overall poll results: high perf/low tech 38%; low perf/high tech 62% Ready to answer today's ??
Good morning, . I'm Ku, Learning Coach, Argentina
Does anyone here teach in a year round school?
Today's : Would you rather-teach year-round w/ frequent breaks OR 9 months w/ a long summer? WHY?
Morning ! Ready for part 2 of Would You Rather? week?
Good morning everybody! Happy to be here. Elisa, grade 5 teacher from Quito, Ecuador.
All year round with breaks. Get very tired when breaks approach
Easy for me-9 months (we're 10mos) w/ a long summer. I need a long/continuous break 2 recharge my batteries! https://t.co/jaXFCnyzkT
Today's : Would you rather-teach year-round w/ frequent breaks OR 9 months w/ a long summer? WHY? https://t.co/jS0DebcPRA
tomorrow is supposed to be crazy windy here. I'll bet more like a lion! I'm more afraid of the Ides of March
Good morning everyone! This is such a great start to my day! Robin from ATL checking in
Morning, Ku! How are things in Argentina?
Love the pic! We do have each other.
Good morning! IC from WNC
I wonder how that would impact an administrators schedule
I like the long summer break. Gives me the opportunity for Pd and trying new things
(I think) Id rather teach year round w/frequent breaks. Id like to think that would instill a better work-life balance for Ts & Ss.
Good morning! Kaarina from Ontario here.
I'm undecided on this one. I do enjoy my long summer break tho. In Int'l Sch you need some long breaks to get "home"
Good Morning! Stacey from NJ!
I think that the Year long with break would be better for our kids. Summer Loss is a real problem.
Hi Stacey. All is well down here. Thanks for asking. How are you?
All year with breaks. More stability for Ss
I like the break. Both Ts & Ss need a time to recharge and reinvigorate themselves
Thinking the long break otherwise I don't know if I'd feel like I get one at all being a principal
Good morning everyone and happy first day of March! Great day for some
Not from direct experience, but I think teaching/learning year round would be beneficial for students...less regression.
good morning everyone - looking forward to this Super Tuesday in our nation!
For my own children, summer was when they relaxed and tried new things and read a ton.
Today's ? for those able to access poll format: would you rather teach in a school ...
Good morning folks! Steve from NJ here. Great question today.
I think that's probably the right answer. Needs a cultural shift tho for parents
I enjoy the summers because that's when the BEST PD Happens. And you have time to implement it well.
Year Round with breaks. Better continuity for kids.
First time experiencing 6 weeks off for winter. The trade off will be 6 weeks off for summer, but loved having January off.
Year round with breaks every 9/10 weeks, with a 6-7 week break over Summer. Perfect scenario.
good point I guess isn't all about me huh? https://t.co/whx6QNiWJL
I think that the Year long with break would be better for our kids. Summer Loss is a real problem.
good morning Connie. Those days of little sleep are sooo long!
All-year-round for sure! Students come back in the fall and we have to start all over again!
Happy Tuesday from Mass. .
Brian, HS principal
I would rather teach year round anytime! I can say this w/out batting an eyelash 'cause I've done it before and loved it!
probably an economic one too. Tourism would go down greatly.
G'morning, Ku! Love your beautiful country! B.A. truly is the Paris of South America!
yeah. The breaks do usually come at a time when we need a little battery recharge, eh?
My daughter has a seasonal schedule. We love it, she is rested after the breaks and ready to learn
I vote long break. In July I'm exhausted!
I always feel like I need at least 3 weeks to feel normal after the school year gets out.
I hear that but I think constant breaks interrupt the flow ( just saying ) https://t.co/z33vVm8pdZ
Year round with breaks every 9/10 weeks, with a 6-7 week break over Summer. Perfect scenario.
Definitely would change the tourist seasons
I think I'd crash and burn if I had to teach year round. I really need my summer's to recharge my mind, body & soul!
Hi Stacey. I believe I can. What are your Ts interested in connecting about?
I'm glad you said that. I love to hear from people with experience. I was just guessing on my answer.
oh my word! When I was in college my roommate taught me that. She was from DC area.
I've only ever known 10 months on with summers off, but I think year round with breaks makes more sense. I'd love that, really.
yes for Ss too. Learning & teaching is hard work. !!! https://t.co/fPBejoUMuA
I think I'd crash and burn if I had to teach year round. I really need my summer's to recharge my mind, body & soul!
Thank goodness my S's are working on a project so they'll be doing all the work today!
Year round would provide a wealth of different opportunities. Maybe more experiential in the summer
I also like being able to stay up past 9PM.
Seems more natural to me to be studying all the time w/breaks in between than trying to cram it all into 10 months.
To be honest I disagree. Aussie schools are set up in terms and programmed accordingly. Kids need to refresh.
Yes, it is beautiful here. Still getting used to switch of seasons. Otherwise, it's wonderful.
In thinking about HS. We could move to trimesters. That could be awesome.
Many of our Ts and Ss travel a long way to see family - need an extended break for that
How many redheads & skinny boys w/ dark hair/freckles did Hitler/Holocaust to death to create teen LGBT amid AIDS homophobia?
I think the mini breaks would be great for that for me, but I've never done it so I can't say for sure.
Living on the Jersey coast, year-round school presents obstacles to employment. Tourist (a.k.a. BENNY) season is critical to us.
True. Thinking of seasonal learning opportunities and connections. Lots of possibilities.
Here in Victoria we go 10 weeks on, 2 weeks off for 4 terms, then 6 weeks off over summer
I recall 13 week terms - hard work.
It always drove me nuts in school that the first two months were review. Do I really need to do place value in 8th grade?
Good morning let's make Tuesday spectacular. What will you do today to elevate and celebrate teaching? Give a
I was going to say more long breaks but I thought people would get on it. Lol
#1729 A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works. B.Vaughan
https://t.co/E6KF9UuvSF
In CT many school are not air conditioned. I taught in a 90 degree classroom many a day.
I found the middle ground. Teach all year round with breaks. Summer is all 1/2 days w/o any after school activities.
I'm always, well almost always, willing to try something new. I think I'd dislike it but I could be wrong!
Our Spanish T want to connect with a class to practice their Spanish. Would be like mystery hangouts, just not in English.
Love the summer break, but perhaps we would not be as burned out if there were more breaks - same with students...
and the best travel! Then I can bring back a fresh attitude. But I'm usually ready for school again first wk Aug
We already have breaks in DEC, FEB and April. Since we go until at least mid -June and begin in late AUG, We're almost there.
Ah, perfect. Which grade levels?
I like teaching for 9 mos. & then having the summer off (but it's never really off w/PD & summer school). I like having June off.
Good morning PLN and friends
one of our spanish classes just did this with an ESOL Class. Practiced english and spanish.
School boards across the country will certainly appreciate the return on grammar instruction. 😳 https://t.co/8Ex8L3VS3s
Certainly a pricey prob when considering traditional year vs year-round schooling. https://t.co/zodRQtUSsy
In CT many school are not air conditioned. I taught in a 90 degree classroom many a day.
LOL.Certainly not trying 2 interject politics but rather b a positive role model for Ss in these somewhat troubling times
I wouldn't be opposed to TRYING the year round teaching model...
yes We have smaller ones here also. But honestly, both has it's advantages. https://t.co/JKExgroKKU
To be honest I disagree. Aussie schools are set up in terms and programmed accordingly. Kids need to refresh.
I have no exp in a yr round system- my friend in Hawaii has couple wks Oct, Dec, March & substantial time in summer. She loves it.
My first yr teaching was the last of the 3 x 13 week terms. Dragged out so long.
I agree - I need some time to unwind before I start researching & learning again.
Was too early, now I'm late. Irony. Morning from MD. TL.
Me too! I start the year looking/feeling great- by the end of June I'm whipped-you can actually see the difference!
I agree, Jennifer. Breaks are good. Shorter ones and more of them would be a great way to model balance and wellness.
For older HS Ss summer is also a time for working and family time
Pick the break. Learn so much during the summer. Ts and Ss need to explore opportunities 4 learning & connecting outside of school.
More similar to post-secondary model... maybe better retention https://t.co/bbFVeBCNir
In thinking about HS. We could move to trimesters. That could be awesome.
Let me know if they want to connect w NJ, Manny!
I question the validity of Summer Slide - had some schools in my district that went yr round came back to reg schedule ...
I always say that retired teachers look beautiful! lol
My Yr 8 room is not air conditioned. It's a lottery here on a 100 degree day
Good morning I'm a little late today.
My husband calls it "school mode" Takes a few weeks to de-program myself-LOL!!
I'm 100% on board with year round schooling. Ss and Ts get burnt out. The breaks come at gr8 times for rejuvenation.
I may be on the 'wrong' side of this issue, my friends. Would frequent breaks not be beneficial? Is this primarily about Ss or Ts?
I am sure that it does. Personally I see how tired students get at the end of term, so the breaks are welcome.
Interesting Wonder what the research is on it.
We have a trimester model here...I don't see a significant difference, but I'm also at the elem level.
Then again, it is Hawaii : )
How do we attack summer loss. Summer reading projects don't really do it.
you can vacation at a portion of the cost - may promote more S travel, too
yes it depends so much on the Ss ^their commitment to education,ESY can be available for those who need it https://t.co/YuWB6CAlaZ
I question the validity of Summer Slide - had some schools in my district that went yr round came back to reg schedule ...
Absolutely! Mine calls me Summer Kathy. He likes Summer Kathy. lol
Yes!! When I get together w/ my retired friends I am always amazed at how great they look!
I had to work all summer in HS. Helped pay for university. I was learning different life skills then.
I remember being a kid during the three term years and wondering when Term 2 would end.
#1730 Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. — Victor Hugo
https://t.co/wY7OyjRmcQ
Totally get that! My hubby much prefers summer Connie!!!
Was it due to lack of S difference re:summer slide or pushback form P and T community... https://t.co/JSfbAaNAb2
I question the validity of Summer Slide - had some schools in my district that went yr round came back to reg schedule ...
I know right? It is like the aging process went in reverse!
I'm lucky. I'm only in that room for a few classes. But some of teh Ss are there all day :(
had a student ask me to measure grams w a grad cylinder. I can't. Don't think it's just summer retention
Good Morning . Reading some great back & Forth on this WYR. Not sure myself, but worth checking Ss learning research.
Summer Slide ... maybe if it was worth remembering the kids would remember it ... maybe we need to rethink what we teach.
Do you have breaks between the trimesters? Do you see a difference between student learning at the start & end?
when do the semesters start/end?
Great question! Anyone have experience teaching or attending a year round school? https://t.co/AyJF3CgiWH
Does anyone here teach in a year round school?
Now isn't this the truth!!!
Key is are they retaining skills, not facts.
But you are here now and thats what counts.
My UN-air conditioned school would not be great in July and August. It's already a June/September challenge.
1st trimester ends in December, we are nearing the end of 2nd pretty soon (I keep hearing about report cards).
and we had to drink milk at recess that was sitting in the corridor all morning!
each move had to have support of stakeholders ... parents agreed to move yr round and to come back
I hadn't thought of that point Eric but it's very true.
Worse for kids in poverty. Lose 1 yr of reading and 2 yrs of math in summer, research shows.
I learned it in Columbus Ohio. Dave, one of the morning guys, used to say it.
I wonder how long classes would have to be in HS to make that work.
I have a T with a 4th/5th grade intermediate group. They're all Spanish Language Learners. Will that work?
No breaks. We still go 10 months w summers off. But that would certainly change things up a lot.
I love the lazy days of summer and really becoming refreshed and reading for fun
based on testing push ... are they being taught skills or facts? Based on experience ... kids not taught how to think.
I find that even the 6 week holiday starts to drag unless you go away - and many families can't afford that
It's the whole idea that students are "done" in June when they get course grades...our grading system is a big part of it.
I wrote a blog about "summer mom vs. teacher mom" 🙊 https://t.co/K6PgKzgKeK
Absolutely! Mine calls me Summer Kathy. He likes Summer Kathy. lol
so funny! I had forgotten about it. Thanks for bringing back such a fond memory for me!
So is it that Ts need long breaks to re-energize and/or do Ss? I find parents who find 2 months off for their kids is too long.
yea I remember that !!!! https://t.co/GJxQNXrgiX
I love the lazy days of summer and really becoming refreshed and reading for fun
but perhaps w/year round schooling, those things could fit into the calendar all the time. No more feast or famine.
That is perfect. I will DM you w my contact info!
Can you send me the link? That is awesome. I am such a better summer mom.
There's the problem then. Its not the schedule
Or maybe we need to reassess and see if they really learned it at all or just memorized it.
For those with any experience with year-round schooling, what are the benefits, if any?
How long did they switch for... curious about the process... may be coming whether we want it or not.
is that because of Summer or because their poor ... let's address poverty not schedule.
