#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
A1: talk with them, have fun together, build relationships by getting to know everyone-what their passions are, have them set up the classroom #5thchat
I think it is important to get involved in the children's school life as well as outside of school, ask them their interests, get to know the families and their communities. Seem interested! #5thchat
Lots and lots of conversations and teambuilding/getting to know u activities. Parent survey on the whole child. We practice small groups with getting to know you activities like the M&M game and toilet paper game instead of content. Small group lunch with the T. #5thchat
A2: #5thchat I think it is important to allow the students a say in activities they want to partake in through the school day. Allowing them to do something they are interested in will help run your lesson plan along smoother!
I love to do small brain break games to get to know new students! It is also so important to build a trusting relationship with your students/parents to ensure that they are taking part in their own learning! #5thchat
A2: I love to do small brain break games to get to know new students! It is also so important to build a trusting relationship with your students/parents to ensure that they are taking part in their own learning! #5thchat
Do you have specific things you do to help them set up the classroom? We choose our own coat hooks and create hot/cold lunch cards. I am thinking there is more I could do... #5thchat
A1: I love to do small brain break games to get to know new students! It is also so important to build a trusting relationship with your students/parents to ensure that they are taking part in their own learning! #5thchat
A1: I really like to use fun/silly ice breakers to get to know the ss and so they can get to know each other. Showing a general interest in ss interests, hobbies, dislikes, etc. can really help build relationships! #5thchat
I often let them discuss in small groups and then the whole class discusses issues/content/ideas also, small stem challenges to help them learn to work together, take turns, disagree respectfully #5thchat
A2: Group and partner work is great for forming relationships! Also, giving students choice really helps as well! If they like what they are learning about then they will be more willing to share their ideas and work with others! #5thchat
A2: For older students I think that field trips are a great way for bonding! For younger students, it can be a fun day of activities that will help them to get to know each other! In my high school, we went on a girls retreat in grade nine to meet everyone! #5thchat
A3: Incorporating not just voices in the classroom but other ways a child could communicate through the class is the use of technology, such as a class twitter or a class blog! #5thchat
A3: I think the most important to allow students to be heard. Ask questions, encourage conversation and different ways of expression. Some students may be shy so we have to be willing to adapt to allow for them to share their ideas in ways that are comfortable to them! #5thchat
A3: To encourage student voice in the classroom, I love the idea of meeting with students at the beginning, middle, and end of a semester to discuss what they wish to achieve, how hey think that they are doing, and what they can do to improve! #5thchat
This is a really great idea! I think it's great to check in with ss along the way because things change and we can't just assume what worked best for them at one point will always work best! #5thchat
I like how you added the different ways of expression! That should always be encouraged and will make for a comfortable learning enviroent that students will want to talk in! #5thchat
A4: To create an environment of risk takers I believe that we need to encourage a student when they take a risk and create a comfortable environment that ensures respect and no judgement! #5thchat
A4: #5thchat Challenging you students farther than maybe their level of learning will allow them to become risk takers which will then allow them to become stronger learners! SS always love a good challenge
A4: I feel that the best way to promote ss to take risks is by doing so yourself and showing the ss that mistakes are all part of the process and not something to be afraid of! Encourage those mistakes and growth from experiencing them! #5thchat
A4 This is a big goal for me. Starts with relationships & helping them feel safe, then teaching value of going beyond their comfort zones for growth #5thchat
Q3 Turn and talk before calling on students and the tried and true drawing sticks with student names or numbers on them. I often ask Ss their opinion by calling a class meeting to solve a problem or get their input. #5thchat
Both those games are fun and total crowd pleasers! They always get people talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves while getting to know others! #5thchat
A4 You have to model taking risks and failing....because failure leads to success and usually the Ss will want to collaborate to help me be successful! Math problems, making Guatemalan Worry Dolls or a quick STEM activity like whirlagigs #5thchat
A5: #5thchat focusing on the acceptance of diversity throughout individuals would be a great place to start in improving a classroom. We have different learners, different interests, different beliefs, different identities and all these should be celebrated!
I am only a student, but in my internship I hope to create an environment that allows my students to understand why they are learning and to always ask questions. #5thchat
Q4 good question! I plan to start with growth mindset lessons and encourage Ss by pushing them to do more than they think they can. Develop strong relationships. #5thchat
A5: When working with ss, I would like to do everything I can to build and maintain healthy, positive relationships! A focus and celebration of diversity is step 1 in my mind! #5thchat
A5: I am only a student, but in my internship I hope to create an environment that allows my students to understand why they are learning and to always ask questions. #5thchat
A5: I'd like them to carry on the classroom culture to lunch, recess, etc. They should have the same acceptance and caring about others anywhere they are. Strategies? hmm..visit them more at those times, debrief when they return, any other thoughts you can share? #5thchat
A6: Family relationships need to start from day one. Telling the parents about yourself always breaks the ice, and then getting to know them through meetings, family events, and inviting them into the classroom whenever help is needed! #5thchat
A6: from my experience working with parents through summer programs, I find that communication is key. Let the parents know who you are, what your goals are, your approaches to teaching, etc. Just be yourself with them! #5thchat
A6: I have not been in that position in a school yet but I work at a daycare for the summer and I think the most important part about building a relationship with the parents is through communication, rather it be through technology or face to face. Trust is so important #5thchat
A6 I think you have to meet families where they are. If they are hesitant abt participating, look for ways to draw them in based on their interests. Make a positive first contact with every family #5thchat
A:6 I have been using classdojo, still in touch with families and had 11/25 of my scholars join me for 2 hours at the public library and pizza afterward, parents love it!! #5thchat
Q5 It really depends on the chemistry of the new class. Some years I need to do more than others. This year we read Fish in a Tree as our first read aloud. It lent itself naturally to convos about how we want to be in our classroom. Definitely a must for me in 18-19 #5thchat
I know so many teachers who use and love this! I have also seen class instagram accounts that are private to the students and their families. The teacher posted photos of their day at school and also printed them onto their Insta wall in the classroom! #5thchat
I ADORE fish in a tree! Another great read aloud for my 5th graders was "Because of Mr. Terrupt" last year. They loved the different perspectives throughout! #5thchat
A7: Celebrating children's accomplishments go along way with their self confidence. Things such as sticker charts, prize buckets or movie afternoons give the students motivation to work hard for their goal! #5thchat
A7: In the classroom I got to work in for a class placement, they did a star of the week! Each week 1 student got to bring a poster about themselves, share pictures, showcase a talent/hobby, and basically just get some individual attention! Great idea! #5thchat
A7: Celebrating their success is huge! I think that fun parties and family days are great for this. Take some time to point out each students success and it will boost their confidence immensely! #5thchat
A6 As I have been in this community for 12 years and my son will be in 5th this year, I know a lot of the families already. For those I do not know, meet the teacher night is a good start. Frequent whole class communication and just being available. #5thchat
A1: One thing I like to do at the beginning of the year is have my students fill out a list of 10 things they want me to know about them. This is a great thing to reflect back on throughout the year.
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A2: We do a lot of group work and I make sure that students work with all of their peers. We also play a lot of games for review. I hope to incorporate more class meetings this upcoming year.
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Q8: What is one tool/idea/lesson that you're itching to try this year? What makes this new risk difficult? How will you tackle it to create the best classroom culture you can? #5thchat
A:7 5th and 6th graders all walked to a park and then went out for pizza together and afterward walked past the public library for a photo op and invitation to summer learning!! #5thchat
A3: I like to encourage the idea that there are no bad answers and that sometimes the imperfect answers might spark good conversations and learning opportunities. We make sure everyone is allowed to share their thoughts and ideas.
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A8: It won't be this year since I am not in a school yet, however, when I am I really want to create a class blog where families, students and myself are connected through the students stories and experiences! #5thchat
A7: We celebrated students each day in little ways just a high five at the end of the day, asking about things they brought up during the week, etc. Share on social media, etc. Big celebration at end of year was 5th clap out as they leave for the summer and head to m.s. #5thchat
A4: I think to create an environment of risk takers, you need to be a risk taker yourself. I like to try new things in my classroom and am not afraid to say "Well that didn't work!" and let Ss know that sometimes we do fail, but its OK, and we learn from those mistakes. #5thchat
A8: I won't be in the classroom this year but something that is on my future teacher bucketlist is either a classroom blog, Twitter, or Facebook account! I want to embrace technology in positive ways with my students! #5thchat
A5: I want to make sure that every student feels safe in my classroom - safe to share ideas, take risks, be wrong, and learn/grow from one another. I want them all to feel that they are important to me every single day! #relationshipsfirst#5thchat
Q7 On Friday we celebrated reading accomplishments from the week (we use AR). After any assessment or new activity, we celebrated successes and discussed improvements. Student/Teacher/Parent conferences twice a year. #5thchat
A8: After taking an educational tech. Course, I hope to try new digital tools in the classroom! Such as Classroom Screen or even new slide tools to me such as Google Slides! #5thchat
A6: Good relationships with parents are vital! I try to keep an "open window" into our classroom with parents by sending out a classroom newsletter via @SmorePages
every week - sharing what we did, what we're learning, helpful videos, & pictures of kids. Also @ClassDojo#5thchat
A8 I am inspired by @TracyZager ‘s book Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You Had to encourage more questioning & risk-taking in my math/science class. I need to talk less, let Ss talk more #5thchat
Q8 I think I will take suggestions from @JuliaGalvenSTEM and give my Ss more ownership in the actual classroom layout. I will start small with decorations for fall and work up to other ideas. #5thchat
Thank you all for your input on Building our Classroom Cultures as we start looking toward a new school year! What was your favorite new idea? #5thchat
Thank you to @sreason329 for hosting tonight's #5thchat ! Such great ideas being shared that I couldn't possibly pick one favourite! Thanks for all the interactions!
Thank you #5thchat and @sreason329 for putting on such a great chat tonight! It was well worth partaking in and have learned some valuable resources and communication techniques! See you all again!
