#WeirdEd Here's the my clever little blog post for the week, which is really just me taking a popular Christmas song and changing the words in a brilliant way https://t.co/0Kq4kR02ub
#WeirdEd Chris from Brooklyn and it's been at least 4 years since I met @korytellers, so I've been on the chat for 4.5-ish years?
(REALLY????? That long???)
Hey #weirded! I'm Jenny and I've been coming to the chat since 2015. I was gone for a really long time, though, but I'm glad to be back - bedtime be damned.
Hello everyone. I’m Angelique, elem & middle school librarian in the Bay Area. I’ve been participating in this chat for about two years, but only every so often when I can remember. #WeirdEd
Good evening! I’m Jess (7th grade writing and English II teacher in Texas).
I think I’ve been chatting at #WeirdEd for a year maybe? I was drawn in by a Roger Rabbit reference, and since he’s my favorite, I had to join in.
#WeirdEd Ok, let's get rolling. I'm not gonna do this for every question, but since it's the blog we might as well knock a few out in that vein.
On the First/Second/Third Day of _______, your students did with you ________
Fill in the blanks.
#WeirdEd
Bridgette
4th to 7th EBD
Maybe a year
Snuck over to school to see Christmas program. Can't do faces due to HIPPA. Saw huge Pile of to be graded stuff and sat down and started grading.
I’m not going to hang out for the whole chat, but Kory from MN, I’m not usually able to do the chat anymore, but I remember #WeirdEd Chat #2! I am an OG! ;)
#WeirdEd On the First Day of school year, my students did with me, Sat down and laid expectations....
Pretty sure that's close to the original beat....
Online openness can be a challenge. I know too many who have limited or self-censured their online presence - its a tricky balance blending professional/personal social media-ing #weirded
A2: This week is fun for me. In the library, I always let kids get an extra book for winter break. We make bookmarks, cut snowflakes, and even made some origami Christmas trees. I love this week! #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A2 My mentor T thought it would be a good idea to bring in his soon-to-be student teacher to meet the class that one student calls “a handful...and that’s an understatement”
#WeirdEd A2 Keeping my fucking cool. After school, during the last week before winter break. Oh my god.... Before school, waking at 5:30, then driving early enough to get to work on time, with no breakfast for b4 school AND monitoring breakfast for the rest of the school
#WeirdEd With that said, my afternoons have been somewhat ok, the mornings though.....
Also, please check in with your in-building before and after school care staff, we got 'em right when they arrive and right before they leave. Demanding job...
#WeirdEd A2 Keeping my fucking cool. After school, during the last week before winter break. Oh my god.... Before school, waking at 5:30, then driving early enough to get to work on time, with no breakfast for b4 school AND monitoring breakfast for the rest of the school
#WeirdEd A1 My mentor T had his class doing holidays around the world. They were doing a Swedish holiday and there were scissors and paper and awesomeness. Can only assume this is related to Icelandic paper company sport: flonkerton.
A2: In global studies the week before winter break, we review current events in rap with #flocabulary Year in Rap & in search form with Google’s Year in Search https://t.co/aAPZwVfeF6 The later will require you bring your tissues, so watch out... #weirded
A2 keep my office supplies of self regulation tools easily accessible - esp the white Lego and kinetic sand and Buddha boards etc for those who find things too chaotic (not just at school) #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A2 When I have a class, I give them there vacation assignment so they can do it before the vacation. And get points for it being handed in early.
A2 continued: since we made a big move to a whole new campus at a weird time of year and changed the schedule entirely I’m keeping things as easy and predictable as possible. #weirded
A2: Okay, I'll probably sound like a horrible person, by my soph US history kids get a presentation from a co-worker who has studied and traveled extensively in Germany and surrounding areas about the Holocaust #weirded
A2: I had a collection of really intricate paper snowflake patterns and you wouldn't think high-schoolers would be into that, but they totally were. Also there were a lot of whole-school activities that took some of the days. #weirded
He's a former SS teacher as well...he was originally like..."the week before vacation"? and I told them that these comfortable kids could perhaps use a little uncomfortableness #WeirdEd
I don't like holiday assignments -- esp when I had kids that would most likely be out of the country for part or all of that week.
I also wanted to encourage getting it done. #WeirdEd
Hi. I have no idea where we are or what we're doing so I'm just going to complain about giving exams. No angels, I cannot teach you for months of material in two days. That's why I told you to start reviewing when we got back from Txgiving. #WeirdEd
I mean are high schoolers really any different than toddlers...you buy them the super expensive toy/whatever and they end up playing with the box...#WeirdEd
What a powerful learning opportunity for your sophomores! I don’t think that’s horrible, I think it shows kids that every minute of their education matters. #weirded
#WeirdEd Funny story-
Yesterday a kid missed the bus and came to school late. Her friend asked her when she came in, "How did you get here?"
Straight-faced and fully innocent the child said, "Your mom."
SHE didn't think it was funny. I almost broke my face.
#WeirdEd And we combine 2 school sites into 1, so, I lead groups mixed with kids from my school and the other, and the other kids couldn't give a f-I mean, lacks the relationship I have w/them compared to my kids = don't listen to me at all, I spend my $$ for art supplies, man!
A3:
Movie: Muppet Christmas Carol
Song: Elton John, Step Into Christmas
TV Episode: all the Great British Baking Show's Christmas specials.
#weirded#ImissMaryBerry
A3: Under protest I will refrain from naming the greatest Christmas movie ever...an underrated song IMO is Wham's "Last Christmas" but then maybe again I might just have a soft spot for George Michael #weirded
#weirded Read a tweet that was something like “This is the time of year where the argument starts between people who think Die Hard is a Christmas movie and people who don’t give a [care].”
My oldest kiddo (9yo) told me that there’s one thing that absolutely doesn’t want for Christmas: “Mommy, I really don’t want a hippopotamus for Christmas. Why would they even make a song about that since it’s so dangerous and can kill you? That’s the worst present ever.” #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A3 As for favorite Christmas episode of a series -- I'm old enough to remember when so many shows had these, and they weren't all "It's a Wonderful Life" retreads ...
A3: If you really want to watch a bad, low budget Christmas movie, check out “ Santa Claus vs the martians.” It’s sooo bad, it’s good. #WeirdEdhttps://t.co/FtNnlsn1Ov
A3 my “go to’s”
Movie: Scrooged & Christmas Story
Song: Bings White Christmas
TV episode (as the worst Frosty is on tv right now - with Summer Wheeze) Dr Who Snowmen
#WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Yeah, I'm on the verge of a rant, so I'll just close off this topic. XD Though, I think I'm also on the verge of a blog post that I might email to @TheWeirdTeacher about b4/after school stuff, but I dunno.
Yes. There's a girl in a freezer, and they thaw her out every Christmas, but then it has to end because she only has 1 day left ...
Guest starring Dumbledore
#WeirdEd
A1: #WeirdEd On the First Day of the final countdown, my drawing students said my white board countdown made them sad because (they will miss me) because they will miss me
"You may be A doctor, but I am THE Doctor"
-- C'mon, when David Bradley walked out as the First Doctor in a "canon" role, that was just awesome!
#WeirdEd
I'd actually forgotten about the fish until I started to picture the episode. I only remembered the girl half of the plot and not what was going to "doom them all". #WeirdEd
A4: Tough question... 🤔🤔🤔 #WeirdEd
I’m going with a #WritersNotebook is a must-have item, and there needs to be freedom in what students write with daily writing time!
#WeirdEd Would come to that session and sit in the front row.
...I'd also try to distract you because how often do you get a chance to fuck with the keynote of a conference? But that topic sounds awesome
Getting to watch it is a feat unto itself and then sitting through it is like doing a decathlon all on one day while someone punches you simultaneously in the gut and groin and the only reason who go through that is out of pure spite! #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A2: I try to keep my older students on task with project goals, media explorations, and behaviors. The last one is the most challenging - they’re climbing the walls at the elementary school. That is survival mode and keeping them entertained Pipe cleaners are best.
#WeirdEd
A4
That my kids are wonderful even with their challenges because I have a parent telling kid that kid is at school for crazy kids and I have districts who won't talk about taking kids back.
A3: 1. Scrooged is my all-time favorite Christmas movie. Oh and muppet Christmas carol.
2. Any of the songs from White Christmas because my heart
3. The Saturday night live Christmas special (especially Gumby). My formative years ✔️ #WeirdEd
A4: Learning styles don't exist, right brain/left brain is crap (unless you've had surgery), etc., so don't get wedded to one specific edu philosophy #weirded
#WeirdEd A4 I don't know, brain's fried.... How The Last Jedi's Luke Skywalker mirrors the enormous weight that is upon every teacher's shoulders? Something about immigrants?
A4. My students have important learning they’re doing and it spans the whole day, lunch, recess, PE, too and helping them learn is a schoolwide thing involving all staff and other students. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Q5 What's the last book you bought?
My A5 is Ghost by Jason Reynolds. Got it as a class read aloud on suggestion from a respected friend in my district and @Jess5th
#WeirdEd A5 Bought? I've gotten so many for free or borrowed that I don't remember. I think it might've been the kickstarter for a Bad Ass Faeires book from @eSpecBooks
#WeirdEd First thing I thought of, after leaving the movie. Especially as a young, fresh-eyed teacher who wants to "change the world!" The perceived failure of not doing enough or potentially mis-teaching Ss or not teaching them well enough the skills needed, etc. etc......
A5: I just bought some books to give away as Christmas gifts, so I can’t say what they are. Although I’m pretty sure none of the recipients follow me on Twitter. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd No, wait -- I bought a copy of "Fueled by Coffee and Love, vol 2: the Refill" A book of teacher stories (one of which I wrote (whistles)) since then.
@FBCALbook#FBCALBook
Going further with that line of thinking...the expectations of teachers...when Luke asks Rey what she expects him to do, face down the entire First Order with his laser sword #WeirdEd
A4: Keynote on anything?! Maybe... hmm. not being afraid of/taking personally the scary kids/teachers/media.
I have learned a lot over the years and the biggest roadblock I have is fear of failure. I would wanna share strategies to overcome that. #weirded
#WeirdEd A5 Last book I read was {cough. suckup} A Classroom of One. But I just ordered “Lost at School” at recommendation of my mentor/cooperating principal.
#WeirdEd A5 Do tabletop roleplaying books count? Then Kids on Bikes RPG system (which I'm gonna GM soon! EXCITED), dem Stranger Things research "binge" though." And Marley Dias's book bc of recent book fair in the school I work in.
#WeirdEd Finally a proper answer. Honestly, what even is the point of having an edchat if I can't just use it as a way to sell books? #somanyedchats#yourecustomersfirst
If by being polite you mean saying that to the students then I don't remember us using that with the students (at least not me), it was more something we used in meetings, sans students #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A5 That dame order I also purchased Mister Rogers books “The New Baby” (for my goddaughter) and “Going to the Potty” (to prepare me for life as a teacher...or for my toddler son)
#WeirdEd A5 Last book I read was {cough. suckup} A Classroom of One. But I just ordered “Lost at School” at recommendation of my mentor/cooperating principal.
A5: Midnight Run by @kevinhoneycutt after a fantastic keynote session at @slateinwi. It’s in the to-read pile. Working on some borrowed books and was just given a book about “resolving staff division” because I guess some people don’t play nice with others . #weirded
#WeirdEd And, even before that, when Luke internalized the great expectation of rebuilding the Jedi Order, but failed to learn from the failures of the old Jedi Order = his misstep regarding Ben
Ross Greene is great - had a Counsellor go and see him and when she came back she said I must be a kindred spirit....and then I read his book! Another good one in this vein is @tweetsomemoore ‘s One without the Other! #weirded
#WeirdEd This is the last #WeirdEd of the year, which should be obvious because why run a chat over break? But I think it's gonna be the last chat for a while. I'm putting it on hiatus.
#WeirdEd I love hanging out with everyone and I've met a ton of great people running the chat, but it's no longer the chat that I set out to make. That's no one's fault but my own. I'm just not excited about it any more right now.
#WeirdEd This is the last #WeirdEd of the year, which should be obvious because why run a chat over break? But I think it's gonna be the last chat for a while. I'm putting it on hiatus.
We did a mini-teacher book club with The Hate U Give and a couple of us watched the movie together & discussed (and cried, obviously). @angiecthomas is a national treasure #WeirdEd
Ugh...seeing this scene reminds me that it was just on tv the other day, but it was the "updated" version with Vader giving the "Noooooooooooooo!" as hepicks up the Emperor...UGH UGH UGH....I sat there watching, hoping it wasn't coming, then...sigh! #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd I want the chat to break things and be a punch in the nose and be weird as hell and make the boring chats uncomfortable and irritated. At the same time I want it to be very us and student-centered and good for teachers talking to teachers about teaching.
#WeirdEd I don't want it to turn into some of the other chats on here that are treadmills churning out cotton candy.
I'm not sure how I'm gonna change things up. I might go to once a month. I might make it special one-offs. Or I'll take some time and then find the drive again.
#WeirdEd I really love the group that comes here, you're all super inspiring and I can't count the number of great ideas I've gotten here that have improved my classroom. But this chat is always me alone, which is my choice, I don't want it any other way. And it's a lot.
Man, I respect this, though #WeirdEd has always been the balm in the middle of the week, especially those hard weeks. Kinda sad too, 'cause this is occurring as another community I frequent is undergoing some difficult changes that's put some of their content in hiatus too...
Me too. I’m grateful for all that I’ve learned from you. I’ll never forget seeing you speak at CUE, urging teachers not to say that we work in the trenches. I heard a teacher say that today and it made me cringe. We are rainbows, unicorns, and rock-n-roll. Thanks Doug! #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd So I'm not killing #WeirdEd. Pretend it's a show on the BBC. It's over for right now, it'll probably be back, but no one knows exactly when. Luckily they didn't kill off any main characters.
#WeirdEd I don't know how to end this, so once again thank you for always coming to play. Your honesty and willingness to get silly or serious depending on what I'm asking for is what actually made #WeirdEd what it is and was.
#WeirdEd Hi all. Respect all you have done, Doug. I usually read in catchup (skippy time).
One idea given the community you have: Ts to present one idea each week and ask the team to dissect it. Good. Bad. Ugly.
Would be a great way to pressure test ideas.
(Love your work BTW)
I like that! Special series. A couple in a row. Then a one-shot special. A retrospective. A way to not be like the “regular” chats (which have their purpose) but a way to remind us that education is not something we do, but something we are - which is why we are #weirded
