#CatholicEdchat Archive
CatholicEdChat is a twitter chat. Topics focus on discussions around educational issues for Catholic Educators and topics beneficial to Catholic Schools. We look forward to continuing to connect Catholic Educators online to discuss education and teaching with faith in our schools. The chat takes place on Saturday mornings. Time 9am EST.
Saturday September 3, 2016
I will be using and to follow along at today's
Adam, 5/6 social studies, Brooklyn, OH! Great weather this Labor Day Weekend! God's creation is good!
morning! Great weather here too!
Morning, , tuning in before heading out for a run.
How is your first year going?
morning! Great weather for us today!
Good morning everyone! Woken up by an earthquake this morning. Haven't experienced that before, at least knowingly. :)
have to say, Kazam! to you today!
Good morning! I'm finally back again!
Good morning from rainy northern Saskatchewan
Good Morning from Arlington! 😄
Hello, Joan from California but today in the amazing Grand Tetons
wow! They say people could feel it up here, I didn't, tho
of course it's going to be in the 90s next week, but thank goodness for air conditioning at work!
morning! and welcome back to chat!
Good morning from northeastern PA.
Adam, we are having our typical hot, humid, and scattered showers pattern here too!
Good morning from STL, wow that’s scary!
Thanks for asking- off to a positive start- definitely learning something new every day-
So, how was everyone's week? I caught the first cold of the year. shares everything!
I always say you have to learn at least one new thing each day! Glad to here it is going well
Good morning- lurking today, late football night! We won 62-0!
we don't get 78 and a cloudless sky all Labor Day weekend too often! Enjoying it! Stay dry!
Good morning from Lincoln, NE! We felt the earthquake too. My first as well!
Today, in honor of Labor Day, let's share time saving ideas! Question one coming up!
We opened on Monday. Had a great week!
Good morning Waiting for rain from Hermine tropical storm
morning! Crazy to have felt it all the way from OKC.
I felt it here, too. Everything okay?
This week had its moments! Getting used to the new personalities in my room...kind Ss though! Good bunch of learners!
so happy to see you doing I really enjoy doing it! Loved how easily it is to look over the year
lots of great articles in the magazine too. The new publisher made some great changes.
Yes! I continue it after 100 days as well, lol! I introduced my new class to your class account. https://t.co/KzAEXf9YhA
so happy to see you doing I really enjoy doing it! Loved how easily it is to look over the year
nice to mention as maybe some new educators will join us!
Good morning I hope everyone is having a great start to their school year!
Q1: What are some of your best tips for setting up a classroom?
One of my favorite time saving tech is using Google Forms to collect data from Ps, Ss, and peers.
Will keep you in prayer ... flooding is no fun!
This Cover Girl is a star!
A1 love using fabric as bulletin board - lasts vs. bulletin board paper.
A1: Brain-compatible colors! Blues, greens, and purples. Limit reds, oranges, and yellows as they can be overstimulating.
Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing
never thought of that one!
A1: have a plan and focus. Make sure what you think are essentials are visible. Also, know the maintenance staff well!
using GForms for syllabus-- real paper saver, too!
A1 Don't use every space! Allow the students some space to help with the decor of the room.
A1 Use fabric on bulletin board instead of paper- lasts for years!
my big brother always says, there is a value in focus! It's so easy to get distracted setting up a classroom
A1 Think of activity flow in the classroom - Make supplies and tech easy to access, put away
don't forget the secretaries and cafeteria staff. All of those people run the school.
Agree! Also, avoid clutter on shelves, walls, etc. https://t.co/yPkSqFCZXu
A1: Brain-compatible colors! Blues, greens, and purples. Limit reds, oranges, and yellows as they can be overstimulating.
I remember learning that in my first or second year. So smart! Easier to work with and greater variety, too.
Had a professor who used Lime Green in a lecture hall in college- learned that lesson as a student- hard to read-
A1: Invest the time at the beg of the school yr to train Ss how to change the desk arrangement to meet the learning goals.
Great tips! Any other for setting up a classroom?
A1: Purge first, limit clutter, my office is a work in progress
It was sad- ran the clock the whole 2nd half!
I use fabric too! Have also gone to using same colours all year in the classroom, only changing hallway board
A1: I encouraged Ts to have different level tables for Ss to work at Also helped Ts make seating out of milk crates
A1: Use Google Classroom to make announcements, post syllabus, etc. all in one place.
My classroom is a library. My best tip is all books are new if you haven't read them.
Love ITI by Susan Kovalik and my first masters was all about brain-based teaching
A1: think early too. Think of next year to see what can be rearranged during the summer. (Too early too think of next year?)
A1 Create inviting spaces for student collaboration
mine are pink and blue, painted one wall & radiators pink, shelves blue, using filters on the lights
A1: I use PowerPoint shapes in a slide each class, modeled after the room layout. Then insert names for a seating chart.
yikes! That'd be in the no zone for me - more part of the yellow family than green
A1: Having procedures/routines established & posted is very helpful
Good Morning Karen from Northern California, arriving a bit late.
yup! I will be very busy this weekend, paying for lack of focus earlier
A1 I like multiple options for sitting. chair, exercise ball, bean bag, milk crate chair, carpet squares,
A2 ClassDoJo is still a fave and have more possibilities this yr Ts still love it
great idea! Great choice in Padlet for sharing.
A1: Reflect on what the set up says about the culture of the classroom. Ask some Ss about their first impressions.
I'm expanding my options out slowly...easing kids into them...and my budget!
little stick on felt circles on chair legs, they slide easily and quietly without scratching the wax
Q2: Broad category, what is your best classroom management
I love padlet for brainstorming, collaborating, or just organizing. this is great, thx for sharing
https://t.co/QHsJaPlx3J
Anyone using flexible seating this year and allowing student choice in seating arrangements?
A1: Less is more. Most posters and decor are ignored anyway, so I don't put them up anymore.
A1 I'm back in the classroom this year after a year away. I think it's important to minimize clutter. Helps with focus.
A2 I allow my 4th grade students to choose their own seats the first day. They take ownership if they want to keep them!
A2: I love the app Teachers Pick for drawing names. No need to write names on popsicle sticks! I have the app on my iphone
A1 cont: Ss did beginning of yr project that's going to be hung all over my room instead to create ownership for them
A2: relationships. Know you're Ss. You can easily tell why some behavior happens based on your Ss' demeanor. Know your Ss!
A1: A small thing...have plenty of Post It Notes readily available, all the time. So useful for many things.
I had the same message on my board the first day!
Yes, with 7th and 8th they get to pick their seat each day - just can't sit by same person two days in a row
A2: I'm all about for cooperative learning. When kids are engaged they need less managing!
A2 With MS students, Im wavering between assigned and unassigned- but would be only teacher in 5-8 w/o them.
A2. Since I share your students, I have found best tool for me is thank students for their time and state learning objective
have you tried or considered it? Some of our Ts use it and it has a randomizer for choosing Ss.
A2: I come from the Harry Wong school of thought: Practice, practice, practice, esp.@ beginning of school year.
A2 Keep your students engaged with interesting projects! A bored student is a squirrely student!
took that workshop this summer!
❤️ and nice to make new connections with new people https://t.co/4QMYRhD0E5
Yes, with 7th and 8th they get to pick their seat each day - just can't sit by same person two days in a row
A2 Rotating seating assignments and configurations. Practice drills for activity set up and clean up.
A2 love to take brain breaks during the day! I can't sit all day!
I still love my Popsicle sticks - kids get excited w anticipation as sticks get drawn.
A2 Also, consistency is needed, but students really want to see fairness in a teacher
That would be a fun math problem. Determine how many different seating arrangements that would be.
the day I left my iPhone at home, we had to go 'old school'!
Plus phones are still considered evil. Heaven forbid we use them as a tool.
Great tips! Question 3 coming up!
I still love the sticks for ELA talks! They have to use theirs up so they/I can track their participation!
I agree! Have to let them know you too! I do a "what can you teach us?" to learn talents or hobbies.
A2 - For classroom management - Make sure classroom rules and guidelines are well known. Review and discuss often
Q3: another broad category: What's your for lesson planning
Just make sure you have good classroom mgmt in place first then lead by example.
Stick Pick was my favorite app for this
A2: is great to use for elementary. Airtime after recess was a great way to settle back down
is now trending in USA, ranking 37
that's a great site! They are always adding to it too.
A3: Oh man. Tough one. Be flexible. What works for lesson planning for me now may be different in 3 weeks!
A3 I always plan too much! My plans always go off the rail by Wednesday. If I had a sub on Thursday, they would be lost
you could assign at first, and have them show you they can be trusted with picking own seat
A3: learn the pace of your Ss. Know what they can do and push a bit more. Don't get frustrated if you get behind. Teach Ss!
A3 cont: Take notes AFTER the lesson for next year - to remember what did/didn't work!
A3 Be realistic and flexible in lesson planning, go with it.
What site/program do you write your lesson plans on?
A3: Write them all by Thursday, make minor adjustments on Friday, be done by the weekend so you can enjoy your family.
A3. I find I plan best if I am adding something new in mix. I love the shiny, but I also learn something new.
that's what im hoping will be able to happen in coming weeks. Right now staying assigned.
A3: Don't put off until the weekend. Also don't be afraid to deviate from the plan when teachable moments arise. Go with it
A3: I like for flexibility in planning
I used PlanbookEdu. $25 a year.
I've always made my own...need to add my templates to my website. Will share sometime this weekend.
going through same thing. Will start with assigned then see how things go.
Love this app and it now has a class blog option so parents stay connected too.
A3,curriculum Google sheet w/ grade level standards, & themes Special Ts access it for cross curricular content ideas
All our lesson plans are entered on . They even created a custom template for us.
Thanks for the suggestions for online planbooks!
Our diocese is implementing their own online planning site...hope it works well!
trying this year. Excited for the possibilities
A3. Had been using google docs, but might check out other sites. Cool ideas...
I think I should make the jump to an online book, looks like it would be easy to adjust from home and make notes
For those using Google Docs for Lesson plans, are templates out there?
did you buy the upgrade? Wondering if I should too!
A3 I’m dabbling in for Sub plans. Share with Ss and sub just facilitates.
Looks fabulous! Enjoy it for me. :)
You will never look back!
Cleveland. It's a totally new site. Still working out kinks.
With , we can allow parents to see some lesson planning info. Has allowed more parent engagement.
Chck out Seesaw webinars all this month Calendar sched on the Seewsaw home site I've taken 2 already
I did...use it all the time.
I have a sub next week and my kids are ready to go. Sub just need to give the words"u know what to do"
like that idea! We post our pdf lesson plans on
beautiful, enjoy those mountains, Joan
Loved all the answers for Lesson plan sites! Can't wait to check them out. Here comes question 4
I need to check this out. Can your share them? Our admin requires sharing of plans periodically.
I think I have seen lesson plan templates Check Alice Keeler for all Google Resources the best!
Q4: What's your favorite for community builders with your class?
Good for you No regrets I learned much Good for all grade levels too!
Check or I would imagine there are some templates
A4: I used the and play-doh activity! Ss learned so much about themselves and each other!
A4 We are bucket fillers! Each week, each student has 2 nice notes from classmates. They follow a list so no one is missed
A4 Start off right off the bat with a collaborative project! Make it fun!
A4: At our T meeting, we did the marshmallow challenge. I think some of the Ts did it with their classes.
A4 We spell out our class theme with each good deed we do. When we spell out Third Graders for Others- we give a prize
A4: Talk to the Ss & let them talk to each other...community circle to start every Monday...class "quilt" w pics of families
A4 We create video or slideshow projects for younger grade levels to learn from. Prayer Partner activities are always a hit.
Google docs is adding a template gallery - coming soon.
A4: Use community terminology often..."family," "community," "friends," "brothers & sisters" when talking to the class.
A4: Struggling with this this year. Working at a Cath school where kids have gone to school together FOREVER. ...cont
A4 I am working w/ Ts @ SJRCS intro Christian meditation Ss will meditate 2-3x a day check out https://t.co/KScNiDQJtR
I use Circle of Courage framework (belonging, mastery, independence, mastery) for discipline, focus on Belonging first
A4: They know each other (prob TOO well) but I dont know them. Did a project so they could introduce themselves to me!
great tip! I've noticed so many of my colleagues using 'friends' love hearing that!
A4 Teach students to build community both face to face and online - , respect, kindness always
Great tip Always have in the back of my mind! Making it in the front of their mind!
Q5: Wild card! What would you like to share with the community!
A4: Love Google Classroom for community building. S's Post favorite quotes Or have S's create a about themselves
It can be a powerful word when you think about the meaning of it.
I should add Brothers and Sisters to my vocabulary too. Thanks for the
Thanks and friends. Gotta go a little early. Always enjoy my Sat morning
A5: "Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative!"
A5: greet Ss daily. Ask them about their out of school activities. Attend some events if possible. Kids want to see you!
A5 Stay away from negativity and enjoy your students and classroom. The days go by so quickly as do the years-36 for me!
A5: Invite S's to share prayer intentions daily. I learn SO much about them and what's on their minds + builds community
Gotta go everyone...pulling weeds while the weather is still cool and beautiful! Have a wonderful 3-day weekend.
A4: iPhone screens designed by Ss. Each app represents self, written descriptions included. https://t.co/vNQeH5HuKP
A2 popsicle sticks are helpful for though!
A4: the novels we read also develop a sense of community and compassion
A5 Get to really know your students- and let them get to know you
A4: Note: These were made on legal-size paper. They aren't small like an actual phone screen! ;)
exactly! Negativity is a motivation destroyer. Avoid those areas, mostly the lounge! Focus on positives and Ss!
I love my students this year! So friendly and polite!
Ken with the win for best picture!
Sounds like the making of a great year. Enjoy!
A5: "Love your students first. Then teach them." -St. Theodora Guerin
ND Football starts this weekend! Can't wait!! 🍀🏈🍀
it will be a great year! You do the same! Looking forward to continuing!
Thanks everyone for a great chat! Enjoy your 3 day weekend. Archives will be up shortly.
Where did you have them write the explanations or did they just share them verbally?
USC vs Alabama at our house!
Have a great weekend, everyone! Thanks for being such awesome !
Good news for us this year, no daily homework, encourage reading and family time just send home unfinished classwork
Have a great 3 day weekend everyone!
Have a great weekend!! Awesome chat! Thanks for sharing! God bless!
I think this would be a great topic for some day.
Enjoy the long weekend everyone!
