#4thchat Archive
#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
Monday May 9, 2016
Hello tweeps. Join us as we discuss Overcoming spring Fever.
We have been enjoying some truly wonderful spring weather here in New Orleans - cool and low humidity. Hope it stays around.
Hi there! Ready for another great chat with our tweeps! Love to with you all! I’m Jenn from IN.
Hi, Jenn. Glad you are here to help us on .
Hi, Paula! Our weather cannot make up it’s mind! I’m not sure how to dress!
Hello . Excited to learn more tonight :)
. Hope our other minion is recouping from her root canal without too much pain.
Good evening folks! I'm Nate from Nebraska. I just have a little Spring Fever problem. I've got it under control. Honest. Really!
Hello all, this is my first and looking forward to it! I teach 2nd grade in Panama, but moving to 4th in MA for next year
Wish I could share our delightful weather with you.
Hey, Nate! How was your Monday?
Q1: How many more days of school do you and your Ss have left this year?
A1 25 Days!! But still doing PARCC testing.
I was FANTASTIC. Ain't no Monday ever got me down!!!
Welcome, Talia! You are sure in the right place. This group of educators are amazing and willing to help!
I was in your same position last year. You will find to be soon very helpful! Let me know if I can help!
Hi Nate. Bummed we didn’t get together while you were in NOLA.
Hello from Quebec. How is everyone this week?
Welcome, Talia. We are so glad you have joined us. You’re going to love 4th grade.
A1: T minus 14 down today! May 27th is our last day.
great! Glad to be here, thanks!
Thanks, I really appreciate that!
We will help any way we can. Have you done chats before?
A1 - 29 more student days, 35 teacher days, and another 7 or so after that for me
A1: We have 12 days left with Ss and 1 day after they finish.
A1: We're done the end of next week. 11:30 on Friday the 20th. Not in a hurry for it to be over, refusing to count the days.
We start and end school about the same time!
Wow, so close! You must really be winding down at this point!
Q2: ”It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” how does this apply to spring fever?
A1: year is coming to an end and I feel like they are finally getting it
You and are both in the home stretch. Hope you can enjoy the last few days with this year's batch
. Yes, we do. We start back on Aug 8 next year.
A1: 21 Days! Yahoo! I hadn't counted in a while.
Love to hear that from a teacher, Nate.
A2: great that they have grown so much, but some SS and Ts act like it's just play time, we have to put all our learning to use
I think for us too! Lol. Want to schedule our annual ?!
Kim from CT. Hi 4thchatters, it's been a while!
Hi, Jerry. Thanks for sharing your wonderful resources.
Next week!! We still have 6 weeks with kids. I can hardly wrap my mind around this!
Welcome to Talia! It's the twitter chat with best content and welcomingest (just invented that word) people!
A2: Spring fever might mean shorter attention spans and distractions, UNLESS you create the right projects with the right topics!
Thank you, Jody. I still can’t believe how fast this year (my 40th) has flown by.
A2: Spring fever hasn't hit yet. Ss are glad to be finished with SBAC!
. I already put it on the calendar. Hope to do more calls next yr.
Thanks, I'm glad to be here! Will def need support as I make the move for next year! I've been in 2nd for 3 years now!
A2 - kids can get zoo-y, but end of year was fav time for projects that didn't quite fit curric, bonding & just enjoying the class
Happy 40th Anniversary, ! Incredibly amazing! And you are still growing, leading, changing! https://t.co/28blIn3xs7
Thank you, Jody. I still can’t believe how fast this year (my 40th) has flown by.
40 years! That is impressive. No wonder you are such a font of knowledge and terrific resources :)
A2: Kids are starting to really apply concepts (best), but feelings are running short (worst)
A2: The Ss seem to believe that school is over once we’ve completed state test, but the is not true. Much learning to still do.
A:2 end of year can B really hard on students as they don't always know what summer will bring 4 them. Used to awesome consistency
A2: I love the after testing days…can do projects I’ve wanted to do all year with my Ss.
How true, Scott. Some of our Ss need school as their anchor.
A:2.2 End of year can be hard on staff as well be schedule is never consistent and there's a lot to wrap up and report
A2 - Best is when orchestrate great learning activities right to end & never hit "marks done so nothing else matters" time with Ss
A2: it's great to see our progress, but a little scary to still see what we need to do in the short time we have left!
A2: Kids have the routines down. Testing is over. Get to end the year with a bang (positive bang).
. Thanks to you and the rest of my amazing PLN, I grow and learn each year by leaps and bounds. Love this career!
It’s true- lots of kids who aren’t looking forward to being out of school.
Q3: What are some factors during the spring that affect the students’ mind/body balance?
Very right. Not only is summer uncertain, but most leave at end of year without any idea of what/who return to in Fall
Bummer…need to scoot early! Enjoy your I’ll catch you on the replay :)
A2: making deeper connections and quality work we have been practicing... But still holding accountable https://t.co/e24ugQcT0K
A3: Ss are more active, maybe more tired. This is the case with my own kiddos.
A3: Daylight savings time always affects my sleep pattern and I’m sure it does same to my Ss.
A3: Because Ss are more active, they need better meals which may not be possible for some :(
A3: I think changing temperatures and storms can change their moods. Thinking about home life or meals…
A3 - I know that the lengthening daylight hours makes it much harder for my 11 yo to fall asleep - more tired at school these days
A3: 1 - Biggest = Sun shines later, effecting sleep. 2 - Some kids don't handle endings well. 3 - Teachers too lax with routines.
A3: Since there is more daylight, they can play outside later and probably are going to bed later too.
A3: lots of after school activities and sports, more independence at home, hormones ha, testing boundaries, nerves about next year
Totally agree with the time change and sleep!
A3 - Many students have started summer sports teams (soccer, etc) and have much busier evening schedules this time of year
A3 I think Ss "know" the end of yr is approaching, and for some the separation with T is very hard. Esp with strong connections.
It’s hard to read their minds! Have to watch for subtle signs!
A:3 Strong factors that teachers can influence and shape are Structures, student collaboration, procedures & routines and choice
Too true! Kids can pick out a storm system / low pressure front faster than a weather man!
A3: we have a very transient population(Ss and Ts), so many Ss are thinking about the next country they are moving to
Ts too relaxed with routines! Guilty! Or, so much other school stuff- concerts, rehearsals, field day, field trips...
A3: More hours at after-school activities - ball, play rehearsals, dance classes, scouts, etc make more demands on their time.
Q4: What are some sure-fire tips and tricks to share with us to help overcome spring fever in the classroom?
Guilty with this! My own kiddos didn't do their homework tonight. But I'm really ok with that ;)
A4: Keeping the same high expectations and rock solid routines you've had all year round. "We're still Mr. Balcom's kids"
A4: highly engaging projects really help Ss-we have our economics unit right now and Ss are psyched to have their marketplace
A4: One idea to overcome spring fever is to introduce new computer/iPad free programs like and .
A4: Have a daily “dance party” in class.
Hi, I'm so late to ! I'm from St. Charles, MO! Looking forward to learning!
Yes…it sure would be handy to just be able to read their minds tho. :)
A4 I have changed my class jobs around- let them work in partnerships with more responsibilities and ownership. Game changer.
A4:I assign less HW and give it on Mon. due by Fri. so Ss can schedule when to get it done.
I have the kids believing I am a fantastic “Noodler!”
A4 Get non SBAC testing out of the way to clear up the end of the year for fun, engaging work!
Hi everyone! Sorry to join late.These spring schedules make Momma's taxi service work OT!
A:4 keep routines & procedures consistent. Plan, Offer choice and and don't buy into myths like full moon,weather, etc
A4: I find keeping to our established routines really seems to help ease “spring fever”.
A4: high expectations, more flexibility and engaging activities
A4 - Great time of year for projects engaging Ss with own passions & active out of seat -
A4: routine, brining in new technology, group work, meditation, high interest projects, revisit classroom contract, goal setting
A4 I want "new" furniture next year. Ss should make floor plan options. A little to make it interesting along with math.
could also do a . great brain break!
You're NEVER too late for ! Welcome.
A4:Also manage to get more tech projects done because I host BYOD days in the spring.
A4: Reconnecting with a class we did a call with earlier in the year would be great too.
Q5: Even teachers get spring fever. What are some sure-fire tips and tricks to share with us to help Ts overcome this?
We need some variety to our brain breaks, we are getting sick of GoNoodle. Any ideas for us? Preferably not looking at a screen.
TpT's has a lot of free good ideas!
Q5 - Join for some inspiring new ideas to try in the home stretch!!
Will do, will do. LOL Let’s pick a date and time for next week. Still have some testing this week.
A5 Maintain routines for Ts is also important! I can't let the piles get too big!
Ding, ding, ding! Love that answer, Jody. https://t.co/NH1kYUOzaF
Q5 - Join for some inspiring new ideas to try in the home stretch!!
A5 I like to try out ideas I get at the end of the yr. Let's me try with Ss, work out details and refine over the summer.
A:5 stay connected with those that uplift and challenge you. Stay away from the things that divert your foundational beliefs
A5: I find I need to make myself go to bed at a decent time so that I’m not tired and cranky. Eat right and exercise too.
Totally agree, I do the same!
What are some of the projects you work on the last few weeks of the year? We've finished testing and have 8 days left!!
A5: I also find reading a book, taking an evening stroll, watching a “guilty pleasure” show or movie helpful for me.
A5 - Try something new, inspire yourself - you have bond with Ss by now & they'll be forgiving if flops. Also, avoid the staffroom
A5: routines for me help. Such a better teacher when I'm on top of grades and organizing tasks
8 days! I'm sure your Ss have some ideas. What can they do to help you with next year's class?
A5: Focus on daily/weekly goals instead of the last week/day of the school year. Keeps Ts and ss more focused
Absolutely. It is so easy to forget to look after yourself at this busy time of year.
Q6: What are some ways educators can help with busy spring schedules for students and their families?
A5: Sleep. Everything is better when we are well rested.
A5: Be realistic about what can get done. Maybe we won't finish that book or project. It's okay.
A6 I'm finding that I am sending more email reminders for school things. I have lists, lots of lists going...
Reflect on year's growth in portfolio, intensive read-aloud a novel, icky-sticky science outside, reader's theatre
A6: communication, holding students accountable, plenty of work time on any projects, reminders
Getting them started at school might encourage them to finish (if possible) over the summer. https://t.co/UAtdsb2qjC
A5: Be realistic about what can get done. Maybe we won't finish that book or project. It's okay.
A6: Keep up the communication with your Ps. Let them know about all the schedule changes, testing dates etc.
A5 Grade level Mystery Motivators, and all school lunchroom rewards. 4th grade was the first to earn the lunchroom reward today!
A6: I’ve been spending out more Remind notices to keep Ps informed of our crazy schedule these last two weeks.
A6 - Flexible homework schedule (do sometime during the week) or no hmwk, shared Calendar keep track of dates, use Remind updates
A6: Assign less HW. They have very busy schedules in the spring, so less HW would be very welcome.
Monthly calendar for each S to keep track of rdg things. Rather than on a daily list with all Ss. Easier to see one S.
A6: Allow Ss to work on a Passion Project for HW instead of worksheets.
Do you have examples of passion projects??
Ss are loving creating Google slideshows for their Poem Gallery and A-Z Alphabet of each region of US we’ve studied.
Q7: What are some ways to bring the outdoors into your lessons during this season?
Year in review-list all best activities, st/pairs choose one and create a GooglePres. slide. Every st gets a digital scrapbook!
A7 We are going to take our reading block out soon. Find some shade, bring a towel and the book bins!
Really awesome idea. Stealing it!
A7: Reading outside because of our delightful weather these past few days.
A7: Our PE Dept. puts on an incredible field day at our school every year. It was last Friday. Maybe have Ss design one.
A7 - Reading novels outside, solar ovens in science (smores - Yum!), bugs in science (find, observe, build)
We have Field Day next week. I'm going to plant the seed now for project work when it's over. Great idea.
A7: Turn off the lights and open the windows to let the spring into your room for part of each day, esp. during Read to Self time.
How much HW do you assign? My school has a no HW policy. Ts and Ps alike go back & forth on how we feel about it.
Our Field Day is conveniently on the 2nd to last day of school!
I'm diving into creating a "flexible" classroom next year. Exercise balls, standing desks, etc. Anyone have any resources/ideas?
Virtual applause for our fearless leader, ! Another great in the archives! Missing our comoderator, . Get well
Thanks for a great chat-looking forward to connecting more!
We are still required to give HW in my district. My is usually about 2-3 hrs/wk. Given Monday, due Friday.
