#TeacherFriends Where are you? What's your edu-role? New here? Need Twitter support? What's your favorite tradition for the fall season?
We're so delighted to be back for a REUNION! Let's get caught up.
Hey #teacherfriends! It's good to "see" all of you!! I have missed you!! I'm Kristen, a co-mod here! I teach K in Indianapolis. I love Science and letting my students just have time to play!
She may Skype with you if you ask her. :) Block out a big chunk of time, because your TK students won't want to stop singing and dancing!! #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends Here are our questions for the outline of our chat tonight. 10/2
Happening RIGHT NOW! Jump right in and join us with your thoughts and experience.
#play involves choice and engagement. It's joyous. It can take place anywhere and anytime. It may be messy, quiet, creative; it just depends. Play may change as you age but is still needed. #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends Q1: What is your definition of play? What does it sound like? Feel like? Look like?
What is your administration's view of "play"? What type of support do you have for play during your day?
A1: #teacherfriends Play involves children being able to make their own choices. They need to be engaged in what they are doing. It can be loud or quiet and take place almost anywhere. We are lucky to have 30 min of free play time at the end of each day.
My administration values the need for play in our classrooms. In fact, my class gets an extra recess because we know our youngest learners need physical play, too. #teacherfriends
A1: Play = learning! This is one of my favorite images, to help facilitate an understanding of the importance of play.
Put ANY age in there and it works. I am 57; please let me PLAY!
#TeacherFriends
My administration values the need for play in our classrooms. In fact, my class gets an extra recess because we know our youngest learners need physical play, too. #teacherfriends
A1: Play = learning! This is one of my favorite images, to help facilitate an understanding of the importance of play.
Put ANY age in there and it works. I am 57; please let me PLAY!
#TeacherFriends
A1: Play = learning! This is one of my favorite images, to help facilitate an understanding of the importance of play.
Put ANY age in there and it works. I am 57; please let me PLAY!
#TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends A1 cont'd: We must give kids time to play, make mistakes, figure out how to fix them, and celebrate in contageous laughter, dancing--move like kids!
#teacherfriends A1 This is what play LOOKS like. A memory created in a child's life that could be enduring. If you are the adult that makes that memory, JOY is produced.
#teacherfriends A1 This is what play LOOKS like. A memory created in a child's life that could be enduring. If you are the adult that makes that memory, JOY is produced.
We have FreeChoice Time w/in the first hour of school. I've found Ss to be happier and more ready to learn content because they know they will be getting a "cognitive break."
Pic below: Our recent beach dramatic play area.
#teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends Q2: How does play help with social emotion learning and self regulation? Please share photos of your "play" centers, props and experiences.
I find play allows Ss to learn important life skills such as negotiating, sharing, taking turns, etc. Ss need to be taught these skills but play helps us learn how to use the skills purposefully. #teacherfriends
New year, same role for me π teaching my Kinderbabies in the Keys! Favorite tradition- celebrating a color every Friday and at the end, we tie dye shirts and have tie dye day! Love Ss excitement over mixing colors and the big final shirt reveal! #teacherfriends
I'm trying to be purposeful w/the items we use during play. We use a mix of everyday school and home items. I've solicited the help of my parents via @classdojo to me gather needed materials. #teacherfriends
A2: #teacherfriends I feel like my students learn to have better sharing and cooperating skills when they get a chance to play! They also learn what good, positive social interactions should look like.
#TeacherFriends A2: Kids self regulate by trying new movements, edging up to the extreme to find their comfort zone, or by observing others at play. They are teaching each other (unbeknownst to them).
New year, same role for me π teaching my Kinderbabies in the Keys! Favorite tradition- celebrating a color every Friday and at the end, we tie dye shirts and have tie dye day! Love Ss excitement over mixing colors and the big final shirt reveal! #teacherfriends
Mr. Fox then calls out a time that is on the even hour (1 o'clock - 12 o'clock). The group then takes that many steps. When the group gets to where the fox is, but not past him, and asks the time, the fox can yell "Midnight!"
#teacherfriends a new game to play!
#TeacherFriends These are magnetic wooden blocks and cookie sheets (and my WonderPeeps.)
Any time there are open-ended materials to explore and "play" with, there is all sorts of learning unfolding. Plus sharing? BOOM!
A2: Just look at how happy this child is, to have a puppet on his hand and be acting out some of his issues on stage. Get yourself a stage and a few puppets. Truly, #SEL play at its highest and deepest level. #teacherfriends
A2: #teacherfriends We have a variety of centers they can choose to go to: Marble Run, Hex Bugs, Home Living, Legos, Trains, Blocks, Playdough, Robots, Provocation Area, and Art. Each center teaches a different set of social and emotional skills.
#TeacherFriends Here's a #BuddyBench on the school playground -- intended to support students find peers to play.
Social and emotional support for the lonely or new student.
#TeacherFriends A2: We find our future architects, construction workers, strategists and more when we allow free choice in play. I have a child this year who is obsessed with stacking cups in different arrays.
#TeacherFriends Here's a #BuddyBench on the school playground -- intended to support students find peers to play.
Social and emotional support for the lonely or new student.
#TeacherFriends Look at this creative prop! An ancient TV cabinet becomes a 'stage' for puppet shows and other dramas.
Think of the possibilities for retelling stories and acting out understanding.
#TeacherFriends Here's a classroom vignette that allows for imagination and story-telling. Envision creating an entire environment that provides for creativity.
#TeacherFriends Every classroom that includes children needs to have an outlet for creativity. Providing easel space is a beginning for expression. A must have.
This is equipped for two (or more) students to work side-by-side!!!
I always find it interesting to watch the centers the Ss tend to chose, some years the dramtic play center is a favorite and then the next year no one wants to play there. #teacherfriends
I agree. I think that is why it's so important to have undefined space as well as change items based on student need and interest. My kids love collecting items they find outdoors. Our "treasures" as we call them are at the Science Center to investigate. #teacherfriends
I always find it interesting to watch the centers the Ss tend to chose, some years the dramtic play center is a favorite and then the next year no one wants to play there. #teacherfriends
#TeacherFriends Q3: How do you use purposeful play to integrate standards based learning and social emotional learning?
Do you have any blog articles that expand on this topic, that you can share with your PLN?
Being back w/littles in #TK has made me reflect on the importance of choice & play. I'm mindful of what I place w/in the play areas but also try to incorporate what we're learning. This center aligns to #benchmarks Ready to Advance science lessons about our body. #teacherfriends
We had a big discussion on why we shouldn't be in bed even though the moon was visible and the sun was out, the K's all said we needed to be up. Darn it I tried! Lol #teacherfriends.
#TeacherFriends I love this chat focus! If anyone likes envisioning literacy across the school day, check out this resource my colleagues and I worked on. We love to hear feedback from teachers!
Same for us! Whatever is new is hot- but some centers seem to get old quick. Kitchen is hot and cold for us. I would think that would always be a favorite! One year my Ss turned it into a restaurant. Maybe this year too..? #TeacherFriends
#TeacherFriends A3: Literacy and math centers always should include play dough, glue, scissors, and paper scraps. Kids can respond to a standard while being original in that response.
A3: #teacherfriends I like to include literacy when I can. As @Mattglover123 suggests, I give students the option of taking booklets 2 their centers with them so they can write about their play. We also have a few standards about getting along, so those are incorporated as well.
#teacherfriends, sometimes I need to schedule myself during Choice Time. Ss don't seem to mind. :)
Here's a copy of the Choice Board. Just Make A Copy and enjoy!
https://t.co/jkrdt5Ne1k
#TeacherFriends This is one of my absolute favorite images of "play." Call it #STEM Call it #STEAM Call it cooperative learning.
Just get a BIG box and replicate the idea. Physics. Art theory.
A3: #teacherfriends I like to include literacy when I can. As @Mattglover123 suggests, I give students the option of taking booklets 2 their centers with them so they can write about their play. We also have a few standards about getting along, so those are incorporated as well.
#TeacherFriends Q4: What are some 'must haves' for supporting play? What are your favorite 'play-materials'? What materials are on your wish-list for adding the future?
Creativity, a flexible space, and time are all you need. Creating a space that Ss can use in multiple ways is important. Making time daily is key. Thankfully, children have an unlimited imagination. As a T, I learn so much from watching them play. #teacherfriends
A4: #teacherfriends I love anything that allows my students to pretend and explore: play food, cupboards, pretend range/fridge, aprons, mops, etc. Blocks, Legos, Marble Run, etc that let them build and use their problem solving skills as they work to build and play together!
#TeacherFriends I love having kids to record/tell about their "projects" during play. The discussion is both comical and revealing about where their heads are in their development. @Seesaw comes in very handy for this.
#TeacherFriends Q5: What professional readings would you suggest for others to read? How do these works inspire you as an educator? Blog articles? Books? Links to share?
#TeacherFriends Please join me in thanking our own EduGuestCelebrity, Sylvia @LWMrsParker for her insight tonight.
Any final thoughts to share? Links? Encouragement?
Hey #teacherfriends, I'm going on a world tour! https://t.co/rFHemCMCw6 Hopefully I will be coming to a city near you... if not we might might be able to SKYPE or I could do a Shoutout for your class on YouTube.
I understand. Even harder as Ss get older. I had "Fun Friday" w/my 5th graders last yr. This yr, my #TK class has 6th grade BigBuddies. We are incorporating lots of collaborative play. #teacherfriends
Omg! A parent just gave us this game and a few others like it!! We tried it out with a few Ss at dismissal the other day- they π it! I am thinking perfect for #wordwork during #daily5 plus- the toucan is amazing pincer practice!!!!! #teacherfriends
We had our Buff Reward last week, give a 1st grader a piece of chalk, and the entire playground will be covered. The little things in life. #teacherfriends
#teacherfriends Come and join the fun! Subscribe to Rocking Dan Teaching Man on YouTube now. Super fun educational tunes for the classroom.
https://t.co/5LNWtooBNg
