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.
Hey there, #2PencilChat! Sean in St. Augustine, here, 5th grade math/sci, excited to be chatting with everyone tonight, while #tidyingupwithmariekondo is on in the background.
Good evening, #2PencilChat! Lauren from New York – currently on leave from teaching 6th grade English to write a book about integrating #SEL into academics.
Hi Pam! Happy New Year! I'll be at #fetc19 after all...I'll be visiting with my friends at the @Buncee Booth, checking out the exhibit hall, and meeting up with friends! #2PencilChat
A1: The year has been going well! It's hard to believe it's January already. One of my biggest successes has been in implementing a 3-5 grade @GirlsWhoCode program at my school. We just finished the 1st session and it was a smashing success #2PencilChat
A1 Our year is going great this year. We’ve been working on SDG’s this year and we’ve been working with #OGC group too, 12 countries working there together #2PencilChat
A1 I'm in a new gig at the year's midpoint, but still with fifth graders. My biggest success has been maintaining a sense of kindness with students, and leading by example on that front. #2PencilChat
A1 This year I am a lot more confident in my delivery so I am able to "let go" control a little bit. As a result I feel my students are more empowered #2pencilchat
I think my year is going okay . I think my biggest success this year is a deeper realization that I shouldn't worry about things that are out of my control and take it one day at a time. Can't complain. #2pencilchat
A1: This year is awesome! I've let everything unnecessary go. Going deeper, not wider. My biggest success has been the change in my grading strategies and feedback. I've spent last time hunkered over essays with better results! #2PencilChat
A1: my biggest success (and biggest failure) had been the big move I've made into self-guided projects for my kids. Been some really cool projects, but also it's clear I need to get better at supporting such a wide variety of passions and interests. #2PencilChat
There's definitely been stuff that didn't work for me, but there were a lot of good (& important) relationships at my first school, as well as at my new one! #2PencilChat
Happy New Year, #2pencilchat. This is my first time stopping in here to chat. I'm excited to find you all! Sara here from the Dallas area. I teach 6th-8th grade GT ELA.
Happy New Year #2pencilchat
Jo from Wednesday just dropping in to say hi - can't stay - am at work today but you all have a great Wednesday! It's marvellous!
A1 We had a great time presenting in Seattle about how teachers can help students who struggle with anxiety and how to integrate values work into the curriculum. #2PencilChat
A1 My year has been WONDERFUL so far. I love getting to team teach. Just teaching math and science makes my heart so happy. My biggest success has probably been learning to differentiate more in science this year (which was a struggle for me personally last year)
#2PencilChat
Also, bee tee dubs... that honestly describes you, too... when we first met in person, I couldn't believe how much light comes from your eyes and smile! #2PencilChat
I'm in a new position as an Instructional Coach, so I'm learning a lot, building relationships, and not trying to do too much too fast. #2pencilchat I'm loving it!
A2 Thus far the biggest struggle has been maintaining a good pace. I work at a School of the Arts, and we have to integrate extra time for Drama and Dance into our already tight schedule #2pencilchat
A2 I feel like I’m at a crossroads and don’t know what to do. Go back to the classroom? Keep writing and consulting? Try a different role? Not sure what would be the right fit for me, or where I’d make the best impact. #2PencilChat
A2: I am struggling to keep up with pre and post data collection in all subject areas for each standard. I have been trying to incorporate coding in my classroom, but don't seem to fit it in with all the testing. 🙄#2pencilchat
A2: This year I have the largest class I've ever had. I'm trying to be extra mindful not to let anything or anyone fall through the cracks. Balancing that with taking care of myself has been a challenge #2PencilChat
My biggest struggle has been to avoid office intrigue and keep my focus on how i can serve my colleagues, and my veterans most of all (i teach at a VA hospital). #2pencilchat
I love that good teaching is working its way into #SEL practices. The mental health community has so much to learn from classroom teachers! #2PencilChat
I was wondering if I should consider a change of role. I found a mentor and have been working through it. I am grateful for the listening ear #2pencilchat
I provide individual and grp psychotherapy to high risk patients, i consult with our acute unit, and do a number of other admin duties under the rubric of suicide prevention. I also teach and train a bunch. #2PencilChat
A2 Huge struggle for me this year has been sticking to schedule!! As a self-contained teacher last year, if a science lab took slightly longer, it was no biggie! We finished after lunch! Now with teaming, I can't swap things around... so the race against time #2PencilChat
A2: I'm struggling to keep up with parent communication. Even though I am able to return emails within 24-hours (and often much more quickly), my inbox gets flooded. Sending out newsletters seems to make it worse, because I get twenty questions back. #2pencilchat
A3 I am working of differentiation and small group work. I have so many diverse academic issues this year and it has been a challenge getting everyone what they need. #2pencilchat
A3: I've been planning on meeting some of my ELA standards through running a @TED_ED club with my students. We keep making baby steps, but I just need to commit and jump in with both feet. #2PencilChat
A3 We are doing a book study on Enginerds with 5 other classes in @Flipgrid. A couple of different collaborations in @joinbubble and we are working with @3DBearOfficial in AR Fun Learning 😀 #2PencilChat
A2 My biggest challenge is the kids who aren't on board with being decent/kind to each other. I get very frustrated, and wish I were better at helping them untangle their knots...
#2PencilChat
A3 I'm actually hoping to get @KristinCHarr back in our room for another VR Expedition! I did one in November, which the kids and I loved, and there is one I REALLY want to do this quarter.... **drafts email**
#2PencilChat
A2 Balancing physical health with work/studies. I love being busy and tend to not stop until I’m sick. (I never found my teacher immune system.) #2PencilChat
A3: One thing?!? Are you kidding!! I wake up in my sleep with a new idea everyday! Most of all I want people around me to see their full potential as educators and students. Thus, I have been trying to involve the whole school in activities that bring us together.#2pencilchat
Thank you for the affirmation! Knowing and doing are definitely two different beasts. All I can do is keep making steps in the right direction #2PencilChat
A3: I'm looking forward to my 2nd semester film course. Going to be giving my HS students a lot of autonomy this year in how they approach their studies. #2PencilChat
A3: I'm trying to plan for nxt yr using this yr's students. I want to chart all this yr's assignments and develop a program where Ss move at their own pace by taking things as they please and test out when they're ready. I've figured out math -- writing is nxt. #2pencilchat
Thank you. Classroom teachers are my heroes. They show to the grind everyday for mediocre pay and deliver their best to kids who need them. #2pencilchat
Blended learning to conserve/combine time in my ELA block that I utilize for small group. I also am working to build independent learners that can work on their own while I work in small group. #2pencilchat
A1 It’s amazing!! I started on my doctorate. I’m growing as a teacher. I’m taking educational risks and trying new things at work. Year 20 and not complacent. :) #2PencilChat
It's a lot to think about. I absolutely love my students and interacting with them. I don't see myself ever leaving the classroom completely #2pencilchat
A3: My kiddos are hosting a book fair this year. Think of it as a science fair for books! Students are inviting the community to school for a night to showcase their books and offer suggestions for reading. I'm really excited to try it! ❤️📚#2pencilchat
A3 I'm excited to get my students introduced to podcasting, I've always used it with Writing, but as a math/sci teacher this year, we'll need a new focus! #2PencilChat
Oh. I just meant it at face value. Lol. You just never know! From twitter I have leaned about #geniushour#2019mbm#gra and so much more. Never know where my learning will go! #2PencilChat
A4 I’d like to keep up with self-care and make time to socialize with colleagues. I find it difficult to do both. I’ve become closest to my colleagues who exercise at lunch at my VA. #2pencilchat
Yes I am thinking the same. I am hoping to teach Science I would even take on Guided reading. My brain has to focus on one thing at a time. Haha! #2pencilchat
A3 Next on my agenda is to re-focus my Ss & to have them see the value of preparing for the next phase of school, which for them is high school #2PencilChat
A4: Thinking about starting a podcast in the next few weeks. Just no time. I have a beginning teacher vlog I am trying to keep up with as well. #2pencilchat
A2 Biggest struggle for me this year has been balancing With all the new ideas it can be difficult, at least for me, to keep a proper balance in the classroom #2PencilChat
A4 Keeping up my gym attendance and mastering more Pinterest Air Fryer and Instant Pot recipes (to avoid school lunch). Santa was kind to me. #2PencilChat
A4: I'm taking joy in my son's wrestling season. Last year I missed several meets due to professional obligations and an inability to say no. This year I blocked off his meets as untouchable time. I've stuck to it, and I'm enjoying my mom time without guilt! #2pencilchat
I have been having lots of vegan fun with my air dryer... my crispy tofu was the bomb! And I was able to make yummy brussels sprouts in a third of the time! #2PencilChat
A5 Luckily I have an amazing team lead that listens to my gripes. I also have an amazing PLN through twitter that provides an outlet for me! #2pencilchat
A5 I have a great team to work with, only flaw in them is that they are not on Twitter! The keep things light in the office so we can focus on Ss needs #2PencilChat
A5 My co-everything @jhweinstein - not the best at typing but a brilliant and compassionate partner. Also my colleagues @ecfs1878, who apparently haven’t forgotten about me even though I’m on leave. #2PencilChat
A5: My wife all the way!! We always have great stories to tell each day! (She is a PreK extrodinaire!) At school, I have a lot of go to peeps and of course my #2pencilchat peeps!!
A5a I need to add my wife to my tribe We work in different districts, but it is nice to have her in my corner, she is a social worker so she is often my #SEL sounding board #2PencilChat
A5 I was running a small grp 1.5 hr weekly consultation session for Acceptuand Commitment Therapy, but we just completed. I’ll start a new one next month. A grp of suicide prevention folks meet x2 a year. That’s usually fun. #2PencilChat
A5 I'm going to cheat here, but I'm the host, so that's my prerogative...It's alla y'all on the #2PencilChat
Also, my Florida EdCamp pals, and local friends from the schools where I've taught, and my friends in the Union.
A5: I don't have a team at school; I've been an island of one for 4 years now. I've come here to find a tribe! Twitter has been a tremendous inspiration and professional development tool for me, and I've made some wonderful connections (and friends!) along the way. #2pencilchat
Thank you! I had someone mention this in the past, and I totally forgot about it when constructing my questions!. In the future, I will work to remember to use the word 'peeps' to designate the folks I rely on! #2PencilChat
That has to be tough. Twitter is certainly a great place for that though. I have learned TONS and been inspired and affirmed in my thinking!! Hard to get others to see the MANY ideas and sides to teaching. #2pencilchat
