Autumn Crosby, Digital Learning Coach and IB Coordinator from Colorado Springs. We enjoyed some nice family time and binged watch a lot of Netflix! #dojochat
Rachael Fiddler. Grade 4 Teacher and Tech Lead (I'm the pocket IT person & trainer) from O'Chiese First Nation, Alberta. I spent time with family and visited Niagara Falls! #dojochat
Hi guys! Amanda, 1st grade teacher in NY! I went to NYC for Christmas and got to see all the gorgeous decorations. It was beautiful and so fun! #dojochat
A1 Voice and choice, to me, means that all Ss feel comfortable to use their ideas and wonderings in class to drive their learning opportunities. #dojochat
A1 Students feel comfortable expressing themselves and their interests. They have time to explore those interests and have a say in our classroom and their education. #dojochat
A1: I also find timing important. Allowing a child to say "right now I feel I would do better if I worked on math." can be a powerful tool for a child. #dojochat
A1: I define S voice & choice as Ss having a stake in their learning. My Ss get a choice in the order of their centres. When they "cash out" their dojo points @ the end of aweek, they have a say in what they can pick. They created the list collaboratively.#dojochat
We control so much of our children's lives and experiences. Whenever we can provide them w/ a little control over their choices can be huge in relationship building. #dojochat
I used to have choice time built into my day for this reason. We did choice centers while I had students pulled out for services. This year I have to teach a math pull out group and I miss that choice time SO MUCH! #dojochat
I had a similar conversation with a coworker the other day. As adults we will often decide to put off a task until another time because we know our heads aren’t in it at the moment. Ss can also benefit from these decisions! #dojochat
A2 + student is will do their best because they are choosing what they want to work on A2 - need to be flexible, whole class could be working on different things #dojochat
You said what I could not figure out how to say...Con is feeling like you are doing something wrong based on someones expectation of what a classroom should look like. #dojochat
A2+ Students LOVE learning and engaging in their interests! A- Some students will always pick one subject or topic to work on. Hence why I loved choice boards! They are still required to do some of each subject! #dojochat
A2 + student ownership of learning, feeling of belonging
A2- need for both T & Ss to be flexible. Some kids prefer 'traditional' & it can be difficult for kids who 'just want to know what to do! #dojochat
Completely! Mine are very comfortable in telling me what is & isn't working. When it comes to things like their word work, or how our day is flowing really pay attention to what they are verbalizing they need. It works better for all! #dojochat
Q2: #dojochat Pro for Ts and Ss.. chance to hear from more students in different ways. Con.. we could get stuck in a rut of the same tools to make both student choice and voice happen.
YES! Just today I had a student ask if she had to work in a group during our yearbook club. I told her no, working alone can be productive and beneficial too! #dojochat
A2: Pros: Ss succeed, Ss self-regulate, Ss learn early on how to advocate for their needs. Con: Ss abuse the power their voice has, but teaching them the power it has through things like the Vow of Silence helps. #dojochat
A2+ Ss feel in control of their learning.
A2- I think that it's trial and error with Ss voice. You need to be able to manage it so they do not take advantage. #dojochat
A3 Building a PLN on Twitter really gives me the most valuable resources from across the globe! I've learned so much in these chats and been given ideas I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. #dojochat
A3: Flexible seating has been a valuable resource! Ss work much better in a relaxed atmosphere. My materials were funded through donors at @DonorsChoose#dojochat
It's definitely all about the management piece! Also, changing things up throughout the year. Young students get bored with games, centers, activities quickly if they do them too much. #dojochat
HA! Was just supporting a teacher in the classroom today using @padlet and having this same convo. We can't expect them to know...we MUST teach criteria and expectations! #dojochat
In reply to
@smithstrws, @mrshaskell213, @CristinaT1231, @padlet
A3 Collaborating with other teachers! Whether it is my Twitter or Insta PLN, veteran teachers at my school, my teammates --- teaching is all about stealing (I mean borrowing 😉) ideas. #dojochat
Ahh first year teaching, I remember that! Luckily I had some great teachers to guide me, and also other 1st year teachers to cry with haha! I'm happy to hear you have support that's important. #dojochat
A4 I am a very hands-on teacher. I have a hard time stepping back and letting someone else take the reigns. I'm learning, but it's definitely tough to not be in control. #dojochat
A4: Students who are not used to being asked to think.
The time & money thing.
Feeling like I have to keep up with the pacing guide.
Mandatory scheduling requirements. TESTING ad nauseum. #dojochat
A4: I struggled with letting go of how I wanted the learning journey to proceed and working with my Ss to create the journey. I also found letting go of some of my favroite lessons hard. #dojochat
Q4: The tendency to “save the day.” It takes deliberate intention to step out of Ss way and let them discover and learn in independent and collaborative ways. When it happens, there’s nothing better! #dojochat
A4: Ss respect. A lot of my 4s expect that in Gr 4 they are lectured to. They even wanted their desks in rows?! I had a few that weren't sure what to do when they were allowed to have a choice. #dojochat
Ugh. The thinking thing KILLS me! I blame state testing for that. We have drilled them to just choose an answer for years instead of taking the time to think it through. #dojochat
A4. Feeling like I’m not doing what I’m supposed to be doing as a teacher! Those who are not familiar with facilitating learning might not understand why I am doing what I’m doing. #dojochat
A4: @JSchwartz10a introduced me to the concept "notice & wonder" in math. Letting Ss create their own ideas of an image or number, or answer, or ANYTHING! Boy was that hard. No help, no guidelines, just let Ss develop their thinking. After much practice they're pros! #dojochat
Even today we did a free write....write about anything you want....they STRUGGLED to think on their own. "What do you mean you aren't giving me a topic to write about?" #dojochat
A4: Also getting some of them to use their voice. I had most of them expect me to come up with the answer. It was so ingrained for them to be talked over & not explore things beyond a single answer. #dojochat
I have explored and played with math chats or math talks, but left the classroom before I could implement. There are a bunch of great books out there and it seems to really support a strong foundation in numeracy. #dojochat
A5 Most of my young guys are very interested in animals. They love exploring on Pebble Go. It is a primary research website that my district pays for. #dojochat
A5: SeeSaw! Google Drive. Padlet. Kahoot. Leaving a blank Smart Notebook page open for them to write down https://t.co/FyT0uhDoTi makers like Clips, or Lego Movie Maker (stop motion) on our iPads. #dojochat
Well said. I think that’s a common struggle. Educators/caregivers do that naturally. It’s important though for the student to experience that productive struggle. Part of the design thinking & inquiry based learning approach. #dojochat
A5 To hold my students accountable I have them post to Student Stories on @ClassDojo. They take pride in their work that they post and the parents love seeing the posts! #dojochat
A5 To hold my students accountable I have them post to Student Stories on @ClassDojo. They take pride in their work that they post and the parents love seeing the posts! #dojochat
A5. My Ss love posting on Student Stories. They get so excited when their parents leave comments for them to see and I get excited to have an online portfolio created for each of them. 🤓
#dojochat
A6: Empathy, ability to understand each other & communicate effectively & self-regulation. So many of mine are now telling me that "they need to ___, instead of taking a brain break." I've heard a few talk to themselves too about what the need to finish a task! #dojochat
A6. Self-confidence, positive attitudes, persistence, time management, problem solving skills. All skills that will positively impact Ss lives far after they leave my classroom! #dojochat
A6: Independence, perseverance, decision making and self regulation. It's the first full week back and we def have to polish these skills. Lots of "I can't do this" ringing through the classroom 😞 #dojochat#BTSblues
It's really interesting to watch my little ones' train of thought with no teacher influence (except for using prior knowledge, which is hopefully my influence ☺️) #dojochat
A7: I don't have to remind Ss what they need to be successful, they've figure it out already. Those who need a rocking chair to focus get it & will even verbalize to others that they need it & why. It allows me to focus on the more important things like relationships. #dojochat
Q7: might sound crazy but I feel like at times it’s “magical”... Ss making choices, engaged, and enjoying the learning process! Then it’s my honor to encourage and facilitate the magic! #dojochat
A7: I had a S that suffered from significant anxiety. Allowing that child to have a say helped their anxiety. I always felt like it was because she realized I wasn't looking for failure, but rather perseverance and #growthmindset#dojochat
It's not crazy. I was super proud of 1 of my Ss today when they told another S "to not steal their seat as they were getting headphones to learn." Those are the magic moments when they just know it & it makes you beam with pride. #dojochat
Keep going. It’s such a powerful practice for teachers and students. May be even start by helping teachers identify how they would like to change their classroom set up. #dojochat
I have had other teachers walk in my room and basically have their jaw drop to the floor in amazement. The word magical definitely describes student choice perfectly! #dojochat
A7: I also love when parents get to witness students in these environments and say "are you sure that's my kid" jokingly. They are so proud of their independence, confidence and team-work. #dojochat
We love ending our Wednesday's inspired and full of positivity! ❤️ It's all because of amazing #dojochat --s like these... thanks @CrosbysCoolCats for hosting, and thanks for sharing your wisdom #dojofam 🤗
