The #2PencilChat is a weekly conversation about educational technology. As we enter a more student-centered age, let's talk about using all the tools in our toolboxes to be innovative and dynamic teachers.
Hello, and welcome to the
#2PencilChat! Tonight we're
talking about being big-hearted,
sweetie-Petey teachers. Let's get
our love on! Introduce yourself and say, "Hey!"
Hello, and welcome to the
#2PencilChat! Tonight we're
talking about being big-hearted,
sweetie-Petey teachers. Let's get
our love on! Introduce yourself and say, "Hey!"
#2PencilChat A1: The benefits of building your classroom culture around love and kindness is that you will have a classroom culture of love and kindness! Nothing better!
A1: Less bickering, better humans, better world. Teaching Ss about differences, fairness and doing the right thing. Hard for anyone (parents, admin, others) to deny the benefits. #2pencilchat
A1 #2pencilchat you build that sense of community and in return you earn trust. Plus, they will be more willing to take chances and make mistakes. Vulnerable!
Love the new digs! Busy!!! I was confused on why you tweeted this morning about your chat tonight because I've been in Monday day mindset all day. 🤣🤣 #2pencilchat
A1- Aren't human beings who embrace love and kindness what we want for the world? Our classrooms are tiny microcosms of people trying to get along every day; it's our chance to model empathy,respect, understanding,peaceful problem-solving-start with our 4 walls first #2PencilChat
A1 By modeling love & kindness, Ss realize that we are indeed an "academic family;" and as a family, we show them how we take care of each other. #2pencilchat
A1. I am a firm believer in karma. You get back what you put out into the universe. Also, many of my Ss haven't been shown love & kindness. How will they ever know how to give it to others if it isn't given to them? #2PencilChat
A1 We lack civility in our world today. I make a point to say "thank you" and "please" and "you're welcome" just so Ss realize that those words are an expectation - everyone deserves to hear them and use them #2pencilchat
A1.2: It is good to have a place for Ss to know it is ok to mess up or to not "fit in" and have a community of their peers who support and care about them. SO they don't feel embarrassed or not loved. #2pencilchat
A2: Intry to make it to events that are important to them: games, performances, etc. to show that I care about who they are outside the classroom.
#2PencilChat
A2 #2pencilchat simple rule. Golden Rule. I talk to them like real people. Plus, we share good news, fill buckets and give affirmations to everyone. Make them feel special. Interest survey.
A2. I always make sure that I know at least 1 fact about them that has nothing to do with school. I also make time to listen and on Fridays I sit with my students at lunch. #2PencilChat
A1: Students might not have role models of kindness outside of school so it’s vital they experience culture of love and kindness at school. It opens doors for moving beyond tolerance. #2pencilchat
A2: What I DON"T do is tell them: "This is my time (at lunch or playground) leave me alone! What I DO tell them is how can I make your day better? What do you like to do? What kind of interests do you have? Also....random candy is always good. #2pencilchat
A2-We establish a culture early on of talking about those who are away sick-wondering how they're doing and expressing regret that they're not with us. Some students always want to make get-well/'we miss you' cards & so when a S returns they come back to a lovely pkg #2PencilChat
A2. Start by learning their name before recess on the first day and build relationships from there. I taught boys and we used to say; boys learn teachers, not subjects. If they have a relationship with their teacher the rest will follow! #2PencilChat
Had a student who would NEVER talk last week and wouldn't give me an end of day fist bump no matter how hard I tried. Today, he talked my ear off about hunting with his Dad. I listened with all I had. Proof that they want you to listen. #2pencilchat
A2. I'll share my personal lotion with them. It's a rather big deal to get to use "out there" lotion that smells good instead of what the facility gives them. #2PencilChat
A2: I eat lunch with my students once a week. Kids are not eating meals with family around the table at home not too often these days. We eat as a school family without technology and have meaningful discussions together about their interests. I learn a lot about them this way!
A3 If they don’t feel that you care about them they don’t want to be there ☹️ Everyone wants to feel welcome 😀 they often cause problems if they aren’t valued #2PencilChat
A3. Two thoughts:
As a teacher: A sense of belonging and purpose in a classroom impacts massively on engagement which in return creates great learners.
As a human: at the core, we all want to feel loved and accepted in any environment. #2PencilChat
A3. Here it is again... it all goes back to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. How can they perform & learn the material we want/need them to if their basic needs aren't being met??? To me, being comfortable in your setting & feeling welcomed & loved is a need for everyone #2PencilChat
Tried to sing "What's the Frequency Kenneth" today when we looked at line plots. They laughed. #gotem ##2pencilchat#mrabeesings....terribly haha!! Plus they don't get the 90's for some reason. Or as I call them, the 1900s
A3 Once they know they are loved, they will do anything for you. It's true. https://t.co/vjL0TT84fk Mike came to class angry; I could have written a referral or trusted him to self-manage. I chose the latter & he and I worked thru every storm after that #2pencilchat
Attiya here! Jumping in a little late. A3: when students know that they are loved in the classroom they will apply themselves more. It creates trust that can perform miracles I believe. #2pencilchat
A3. Students who feel loved want to be in class. Many of my students only get their 1:1 time at school since their families are too busy. Plus as a teacher who teaches both 6th and 7th grade that repore needs to built to last and only that can happen thru love #2PencilChat
A3- Too often, students already enter our class with a perception of themselves of learners: they see themselves as non-readers, non-writers, non-math-people, etc. Love is what bridges the divide- when they feel safe and accepted, they will challenge themselves #2PencilChat
A3. Each student COMES WITH a certain expectation to school , who are we to kill that ? We can't take away their hope ..becoz often we BECOME THEIR HOPE .#2PencilChat
hand shakes, music, cool dances are great, but when was the last time a kid told you something not school related ... let you into their life ... see the real them not the faux student version ... that's love. #2pencilchat
A3: Because love is all you need. In a real way, caring about and loving your students triggers a chemical response that increases engagement in a very scientific and real way. #2PencilChat
A3: IMO, social media is affecting Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in which it’s affecting physiological, safety, love and belonging, and esteem. So much is happening on social media outside of our walls. Kids need to feel real love within our walls so they can learn. #2PencilChat
A4 Be human. You will make mistakes. Be prepared to apologize. Share your personal life (within reason). Ask their opinion. Give them a chance to vent. Give them time to process. And never underestimate their challenges & their successes. #2pencilchat
A4: Setting clear expectations and being consistent first. Giving Ss freedom with the understanding that they are responsible to continue to have it. My Ss in the first week are constantly asking: Am I doing this right? Could I do this better? Trust is in motion. #2pencilchat
A4 There has to be a balance. Showing love and kindness is a high form of respect. If you teach mutual respect from the start, they won’t WANT to walk all over you. Not naive to the fact that some will inevitably still try. Those are the ones that need it most. #2PencilChat
A4 We have to all connect as a community to work and learn together. Demonstrating kindness, compassion, empathy for every community member is essential 💕Relationships 1st, 2nd and 3rd #2PencilChat
A4 I sometimes have trouble enforcing the boundaries calmly. I've found that boring them to death with practicing routines is more long term effective than yelling about lack of compliance, though...#2PencilChat
A4. I find with increased levels of quality relationships in a classroom, you see a decrease in behaviour issues. Often, the better you know the kids, the more you understand the their behaviours and you can help address the cause, not the symptom. #2PencilChat
I am very laid back...probably "too" laid back, but it works for me. I have to reel them in occasionally, but they want to do what I ask them to. When their is anxiety, I find it hard for them to operate and for me to get a clear picture of what they know or can do. #2pencilchat
A4: Love carries responsibilities for both parties involved. This mutual give and take demands empathy and understanding and, at times, drawing a proverbial line in the sand. Kids can’t abuse love. Love doesn’t allow abuse. In fact, abuse is the absence of love. #2PencilChat
A kind hearted classroom understands to be thankful for questions that give other students an opportunity to recall and deliver explanations in a kind way. HOW we answer Qs is more important the actual answers. #2pencilchat
A4: When you have the patience to walk a whole mile with this rider and then drag his bike for another mile, you can do anything with a smile when you think of ur ss as your children. There are ups and downs but in the end love and care prevails. #2pencilchat
I learn each names, all of them, by the end of the first full week. I refer to each student by name. I spark conversations between classes. They know I know them. I’m invested in their educational life. #2PencilChat
Q2: I learn each names, all of them, by the end of the first full week. I refer to each student by name. I spark conversations between classes. They know I know them. I’m invested in their educational life. #2PencilChat
A4. You can totally be kind, yet firm. I do it every day. Sometimes, it's not what you say, but how you say it. It can be something like, "I need you to please sit down." Rather than, "Sit down." When rules & directives aren't followed, then there are consequences #2PencilChat
A4 - while respect is often earned, it can also be learned. When you learn to treat others with respect from the getgo, they will often give you their best back. #2pencilchat
You can be a strict Teacher and still be loving. Again though, My philosophy is WHOLE child. Not just test takers and A makers. Each student is different and they respond to different demeanors. #2pencilchat
A5 #2pencilchat we share how we have filled someone's buckets and give affirmations to our fellow classmates daily. It is a great way to include everyone and make them feel special
A3: Students who feel like a vital part of my class are comfortable taking educational risks. They do not fear repercussions of peers for “wrong” answers. Best part: they come to class and school when they know you miss them. #2PencilChat
A4. Respect is what to comes to. We can ask a student to show respect or we can earn it through love which is easier to garner. Reinforce and practice expectations instead of always writing Ss off as someone who doesn't care. #2PencilChat
A5 Ss are watching us all the time. How we take care of Ss who are angry, frustrated, sad tells them a lot about us & our values. As easy as it sounds, eye contact, stopping what we're doing & active listening makes a huge difference. All of us just want to be heard. #2pencilchat
A4: Set the bar for educational and behavioral expectations. If they know you are invested in them AND your class, they will conform to (or rise above) expectations. #2PencilChat
A5: In Volusia County, we are implementing Sanford Harmony for social and emotional learning for elementary and middle schools. Morning meetings are a must. I love to use meaningful literature for read-alouds and discussions too. #2PencilChat
A5: By how you teach other teachers and other students. Model, offer opportunities, encourage them to think about their community or family and how they could begin a movement. #2pencilchat
A5: Kathleen, jumping in late. I think it all begins with how we treat the kids. If we really see them and know them and show love, kindness, and empathy to each of them, they will show the same to each other. They are watching and listening. #2PencilChat
A5: In Volusia County, we are implementing Stanford Harmony for social and emotional learning for elementary and middle schools. Morning meetings are a must. I love to use meaningful literature for read-alouds and discussions too. #2PencilChat
A5- We talk about what love feels like, looks like. We find it in picture books and catch it in the moment: "How did that feel when she did that for you? How did that feel when you did that for her?" #2PencilChat
A5 Shoutouts for students who are being especially kind provides motivation for others and having a zero tolerance for meanness 😀 Promote and model kindness yourself with students and staff #2PencilChat
A5 Model it, believe it , and practice it consistently. By practice it, I mean by the way you treat students not just in your class, parents, teachers, and other school staff. #2PencilChat
A5. Modeling is the best but we also use weekly meetings to talk about topics from #WordsofWisdom and we reinforce the idea of making choices and self reflection on those choices thru our #PBIS program. #2PencilChat
Oh yea. Had one last year that EVERYONE said would be my hardest/most difficult. Turned out to be one of my best. Turned in work on time, participated in discussions and became an example in a few ways to others. #2pencilchat
A5. This is a harder one sometimes b/c my Ss aren't with me for an entire year. So, I try to model it. Also, I try to praise it when I see it in action. I use my resources & sometimes have the counselor or psychologist talk to them about certain behaviors #2PencilChat
A5: I lay down ground work on day one. Everyone deserves respect. No negative language. My older students play a large role. They mentor and/or tutor my freshmen. It’s a “family” of students. We celebrate personal and academic milestones. We like one another. #2PencilChat
I love you SO MUCH, #2PencilChat Pals! Thank you for joining in this week. Now go out and lead your classrooms with love - for your students, and for yourSELF!
I love you SO MUCH, #2PencilChat Pals! Thank you for joining in this week. Now go out and lead your classrooms with love - for your students, and for yourSELF!
