Thank you for visiting #ksedchat. We welcome all educators to our chat that runs Mondays at 8 p.m. Central. Though many of our educators have their homes in Kansas, all teachers are welcome to pop in and join in on the learning.
Katherine Ternes
Third Grade Student Teacher at Minneha in Wichita, KS
I love the overhead projectors and document cameras; they allow for all students to easily see what we need them to be doing, and we can be using the same paper we are asking them to use. #ksedchat
Hello! Jill Weber from Cheney checking in. I teach 7-8 Social Studies and have the Teaching and Training pathway at the HS. I LOVED and still do pens and pencils...I have to stay away from the isle in the store...I'll walk away with something for sure! #ksedchat
#ksedchat Hello! Suzanne, teacher-educator at K-State. I loved independent reading time, especially if we could get comfy. If I didn't have independent reading, I'd hide my books behind text book. A Kindle would have been very useful!
Hi, @snordenWSUproud and #ksedchat. My name is Rebecca. I have taught K, 1st, & ESL, but right now I am working on my M.Ed (Literacy). Two of my favorite things about school are playing and laughing. (And bubbles, too.)
Hey #ksedchat! I'm Brenna Brownlee, third grade teacher at Derby Hills in Derby, KS. Love connecting with other classes and T's through Skypes or Google Hangouts.
Happy Monday! Emily from Haysville. I am the Coordinator of our Parents as Teachers program. I provide home-visits to families with kiddos Birth to Age 3 and support the best group of teachers around. I LOVE to provide science exploration for all ages! #ksedchat
A1: I do a hybrid of sorts. We use the desks as a "home base" for our supplies, but students have the agency to use our space as they need to. #ksedchat
A1: I don't have flexible seating in my class. I have tables, and assign teams to tables. Ss can sit anywhere at the table, but I select the teams. My room is very active and we move around a lot. Just because they sit in the "home teams" doesn't mean they stay there. #ksedchat
Hi #ksedchat. Deb, 1st grade in De Soto. My favorite thing in school was when my 5th grader teacher, Mrs. Lindblad, would read the Little House on the Prairie to us.
A1 flexible seating would help out tremendously. We currently have students who wiggle in their traditional seats. I’d love to bring flex seating to my student teaching placement. #ksedchat
A1) Are those the only options? I have individual desks, but I pine for round tables and chairs. Between the two, I’d go for flex seating. Perhaps proper routines and protocols can mitigate the negatives mentioned. #ksedchat
A1: Nice question to mull over, in HS I lean more to the flexible seating side since handwriting isn't a major focus and formal writing is almost always on a computer. Still having some traditional seating can be a component of the flexible concept. #ksedchat
I would love to offer flexible seating for my students, but I am a traveling teacher, so that limits my options. From what I have seen, flexible seating can change the dynamics of a classroom. #ksedchat
A1: I have been in a classroom with flexible seating and classrooms with individual desks. I saw problems in the flex seating that kids tends to want to sleep on the furniture that it was possible to do so. Ss need to be taught how to use the furniture. #ksedchat
A1 Not 1 or the other but a mixture of seating options for Ss. Some of mine love floor sofas; others work best in an office chair at a table; some love theater seats,; others choose stools at the high counter. https://t.co/8tJ5m6XhGS key.. #ksedchat
A1 I have always thought flexible seating so we can move when we need to on the fly. I feel the seating can get in our way of collaborating, projects, and in the moment teaching. I hate rows of seats unless we are taking a standardized test which I hope is not often. #ksedchat
A1: I utilize flexible seating in my room, but some of the choices are traditional tables. We can and do change seats for different activities, kiddos are to sit where they can do their best #ksedchat
A1) I don't think it has to be an either/or situation. Context matters& ultimately whats best for kids in this question will be determined by the teaching style employed in that classroom & the teacher's skill at managing the classroom. Could be either or could be both! #ksedchat
#ksedchat A1 I feel like there is best practice with everything. Flexible seating has a place if it works for you and your classes. Some of my seventh grade classes have more options than others. I always start in desks, table groups. During independent or collab. They can move
A1: My students enjoy flexible seating and it has worked well for my 6th grade classroom the last two years. I like not having to worry about seating charts and making students responsible for understanding their own needs to learn best. #ksedchat#studentchoice
#ksedchat a1) I love flex seating but in our classroom the students have something more like seating options. For example during my 30 minute lesson students will start out in a chair and the last half can swap seating choice. If handwriting is involved we complete that 1st.
Q1: I love flexible/active seating! Mine is a little more structured, but you get to pick your spot and have active selections! I love being able to let them move, they need to move! #ksedchat
A1. I love flexible seating. My classroom is full flex seating all the time. It gives students ownership in their learning. They are more engaged and able to choose a place to work based on how they work best. They may choose diff. spots throughout the day. #ksedchat
A1: The best thing for each student is different. One size does not fit all. That’s the basis for flexible seating. Choice, voice, and differentiation. #ksedchat
A1: I am a true fan of flex seating! If I had to choose between handwriting or student engagement, I choose engagement! My students thrive on choices ! #ksedchat
#ksedchat As an adult, I need to make choices on where/how I function depending on the task I'm doing. Some tasks are fine slouched on the couch, but other tasks need me to be sitting at a table. Just like other choices, we need to help students think @ their choices.
A1-My 1st graders were so excited to have their own desks. We have trapezoid tables they can move to when they like. For writing all choose a desk or table. They can choose the couch or floor for all other times. Morning tub times they choose what and where. #ksedchat
Only after becoming a teacher did I realize I was in a Title 1 school. We were part of the free books from Reading is Fundamental program. The librarian would hold those books back for us as she knew we were building our collection. #ksedchat
I do think it's important to note, that I don't believe that the seating determines student engagement. While I love seeing flexible seating done well in a classroom, we have to be careful not to assume the seating will determine engagement. #ksedchat
A2: Ss first go to the Peace Corner. When leaving that area, we talk about why they were there, lead them in coming up with better choices, help them to apologize, if necessary, and welcome them back! "How can I help you?" #ksedchat
A2 focusing on students strengths and sticking with positive reinforcement. Also building positive relationships helps to deter poor choice making in my current placement. #ksedchat
I always try & find the learning opportunity in each situation. I always tell kids that they don't want to be in trouble & I don't want them in trouble, so if we can modify the behavior we won't have the same issue again. The goal is to never have the same talk twice! #ksedchat
A1: Since I teach HS science, I don't have much of an option. However, I have the desks arranged in groups. :) . Some prefer to sit on stools - so I guess it's semi-flexible. ;) #ksedchat
A2: I stress the concept of professionalism with students. Most problems can be addressed in the lens of the behavior being 'unprofessional' and would not work in other areas of society. Different approaches can be smoothed through honest discussion. #ksedchat
A2: In my current placement we have been using so much positive reinforcement in the classroom, and it works consistently for all but 6/22 Ss. My cooperating teacher and I have been trying to reinforce the Ss who are doing the right thing more then focusing on the bad. #ksedchat
We cannot allow for the students that are continuously disrupting to run out classrooms, and ruin learning opportunities for other Ss. Finding a balance of both is always good, because different things work for different students. #ksedchat
A2 Model and explicitly teach kids how we want them to act talk, behave. I firmly believe in teaching social skills to kids. If their parents aren't the we have to whether we like it or not. We've tried to develop a school wide norm for how to talk and respond to adults #ksedchat
A2: I think relationship building will take care of a lot of behavior issues. I believe in positive affirmations over punishment. High expectations and practiced routines help. #ksedchat
A1 Same here! I like putting my Ss in teams, as well, because it encourages them to work together and they have ready-made partners for think-pair-shares & other activities. #ksedchat
A2: The first part of that question is going to be difficult for me to answer in a tweet, but I feel that building relationships with students is key. I think sharing research with colleagues in a respectful manner is one way to reach common ground. #ksedchat
Hello! Jill Dodge, librarian, Eudora Elementary. My favorite thing about school then and now is the same...read aloud time. Loved it as a student, loved it as a classroom teacher, LOVE it as a librarian! #ksedchat
A2: I understand that consequences are crucial, but I really try to stay positive. I also always try to lay out my expectations so students are never caught off guard. I overexplain how I want them to behave often so students know exactly what I expect. #ksedchat
#ksedchat A2 We need to know that no discipline model, solution, answer will work in every situation or student. I have three adult kiddos and disciplining the same way did not work!! I think we share as peers what works and doesn't and keep trying to find what is best for Ss!
A2: For larger projects I like to have students create a contract for how they will handle disagreements. For everyday stuff, I make sure they know that it is OK to disagree with your team, but you have to have evidence to back up your point. #ksedchat
A2: I don't usually have a lot of discipline issues other than off-task talking or phone usage. It's usually solved with a little conversation or hand signal indicating to stop. On the rare occassion it goes beyond that, it's a case-by-case basis #ksedchat
A2: Our fall staff book study was on Lost at School. It helped change my mindset to see "bad behaviors" as lagging skills.
When a student is misbehaving, I try to think about what skill they don't have in their tool belt. It's my job to help them gain that skill. #ksedchat
A2: I have a mix of both. I love using @ClassDojo, but on the negative side, sometimes we have to have a talk though about our actions and how to fix them now and next time. #ksedchat
A2) A degree of school-wide commonality is key. Routine matters. Rebuke is seldom right. Restorative justice should be primary framework. Praise and encouragement are paramount, but remember they aren’t distinct from assessments, grades, and curric., or instruction. #ksedchat
Sorry that I can't be here tonight #ksedchat. I'm presenting to preservice teachers about #mysteryskype tomorrow and I am preparing sub plans.
Thank you @snordenWSUproud for running the show tonight!
Have a great week everyone!
#ksedchat A2: I reward positives like kindness, team work, focus, & creative thought w/ praise & small rewards. I think knowing S's & their "why" allows us to move past old school discipline techniques. We treat others the way we wish to be treated.
Relationships first, for sure! Social contracts and buy-in next. Our district uses the Capturing Kids Hearts 3 questions model. What are you doing? What are you supposed to be doing? What are you gonna do about it? #ksedchat
A2 To each his own. We have old school Ts & they have fewer issues than I do. However, I'm still trying to figure things out. My biggest problem is teaching & enforcing routines & procedures better. I think lots of discipline issues could be solved through that #ksedchat
A2: I like to approach social behavior as a teachable opportunity every time. My Ss are not coming to school with appropriate skills! Must be taught like reading and math , not punished! #ksedchat
A3: Inclusion is not a problem in my current placement. Making diversity, inclusion, and school work a priority in our classrooms allows our Ss to become the more successful that we allow them to be; by holding them back in the classroom, we hold them back in life. #ksedchat
A3: As a social studies teacher I have all students included in my classroom. There have been times this year it has been difficult with the degree of modification that needs to be done. Working with @aboone_angie to help create a "class w/in a class" for next year #ksedchat
A3: My current school is bit of a different situation, since it is a private, Independent school, but we do have a sig # of students with Learning Profiles (IEPs). Everyone takes the same kind of classes, but the classes are scaffolded and strategies are used #ksedchat
A3 we have great teachers and paras that collaborate on how and what inclusion will look like. We've always worked with parents to communicate and develop appropriate leaning goals for students. I've always found it beneficial for all kids. #ksedchat
A3) It comes down to whats best for the individual student. We want them in the LRI and we want them to be able to be successful. It is out job as educators to put them in a position to be successful no matter where the right placement is. #ksedchat
A3: Inclusion is crucial for positive school culture. It needs to be balanced to meet the needs of the individual student, but how can we teach kids to be inclusive of diversity if we exclude students in our very own school? #ksedchat
A3: No issues with inclusion, so i will use the rest of this tweet to say thank you to all the spec ed. teachers whose flexibility and patience is incredible! Plus a shout out to certain special ed coordinator named @amberwarsnak! #ksedchat
A3: as a sped teacher I want all of my kiddos to be in all general education classrooms, but due to some educational and emotional needs a smaller, slower setting is needed to make progress #ksedchat
Our district tried boys town but it didn't get implemented well. I still use it in my small groups though. I love @BT_Ed. they do great stuff. #ksedchat
A3: I believe it is important that all stakeholders consider how they can improve the inclusivity of their schools and classrooms. I think most of us will find that there is still room to grow in this area. #ksedchat
A3: No issues with inclusion in my setting. The honest questions and curiosity of young children gives us the chance to teach acceptance and inclusion. #ksedchat
A3) Inclusion doesn’t happen much at my school. As the son of a highly respected SPED teacher, I know well the value of all people and their presence in a classroom. One reason I’m hell-bent on #PBL is the opportunities it opens up for inclusion. EVERYONE has a voice. #ksedchat
A3: I have discovered that what works for sped Ss also works well with others! Very importantto give all Ss the opportunity to interact with diversity! #ksedchat
#ksedchat A3: as a SPED teacher I want my students to be in the Gen Ed classes. Being with peers allows for curriculum exposure & time w/ same aged peers to pick up on social cues. However, I feel that this is a S by S case and there isn't a 1 size fits all answer.
A4: #unpopularopinion I have more important things to teach than cursive. It’s become obsolete. Print Signatures are more secure in our growing hacking age anyway. I really just don’t care too much about this one... #ksedchat
A4: my daughter is learning cursive as a form of art. Hand lettering is huge in craft circles. Not sure if it vital, but can be used as a way to express creativity. #ksedchat
A3. Inclusion is important for all S's both academically and socially. I have seen some great relationships formed in my class through inclusion. #ksedchat
A3 Our educational system seems like it was built on a foundation of separation. I don't mind inclusion, but it's best to equip Ts and Staff how to function with it at its best...PD always helps #ksedchat
A4 cursive is a lost art these days. With everything being on electronics, Ss don’t see the need for penmanship and/or cursive skills. It’s truly sad, because I always loved reading things Ss had written in their “neatest” cursive 😅 #ksedchat
which is why it tanked for us.... Ts also didn't like thought there wasn't prelessons on how to teach to the skills. But that is one thing I like about it.... #ksedchat
A4: It is interesting to me my Ss that struggle with print can have magnificent cursive. I think it is another way to express themselves, however, I don't think it is always the best use of our time/instruction. #ksedchat
A4: This is such a hot topic in many states. Plenty of arguments to go around, but I’m fairly certain that we’ll continue to be able to read the Declaration of Independence regardless of whether or not it’s a mandatory skill. #ksedchat
A4
I had/have terrible cursive as a student and adult. Now I write with a mix. I think tech is making it irrelevant but I want my kids to learn. #ksedchat
a4 I just heard the other day that kids can't read cursive because they aren't taught it. Hadnt given that much thought, but its true... interesting! #ksedchat
I’m pretty open to adapting to whatever the modern needs are. I’m not a prescriptive grammarian, so if that carries over- cursive is only as needed as it is useful. And is it useful? #ksedchat
A4 Skills that we thought would last also become less vital...But that doesn't mean they aren't important...I think it's both, let's keep it and teach it #ksedchat
A4: anecdotally, even people of a generation that were taught cursive, still don’t write correctly, said a teacher who can’t form a cursive s to save her life #ksedchat
I always told students as long as I can read it I don't care. Also didn't care what they used to write it as long as I didn't need a black light to make out florescent yellow ink! #ksedchat
A4: I teach primary so I don't feel that I have enough background knowledge to give a well-informed answer here. Perhaps cursive should be employed as a tool that students can use if it works best for them. #ksedchathttps://t.co/atSVqhKNew
A4) Cursive writing is important to a degree! They should learn the basics so they can read old letters, historical documents & what I write on their papers(Stopped 10 yrs ago) Lol #ksedchat
I totally missed any cursive instruction. When I was in 2nd grade, it was taught in 3rd. We moved, and when I was in 3rd, it had been taught in 2nd. As a result, I always got a C in handwriting. #ksedchat
#ksedchat I love cursive & several of my students use it due to their diagnosis/need. I feel it's a needed skill that makes important connections in the brain. I find my students have an easier time communicating in cursive. In my opinion, it should be taught in some capacity.
I have seen the benefit of teaching cursive to dyslexic children. Teaching it even in primary is appropriate. Using the motions to activate that portion of the brain is great! Then let the kids choose. Don’t get caught up in perfect penmanship. #ksedchat
A4. We try to teach cursive as time allows, however I do have kids that use cursive on a regular basis because it's easier for them in their writing to make the connected letters. #ksedchat
A4: I just had this conversation with a student teacher today. If children don't learn cursive (both reading and writing); how many texts will be inaccessible to them? #ksedchat
A5: Won't go so far as saying it's evil but I sway away from it. Try to create PBL units that make kids want to think and work on outside the class but it's not required. Also, since using a online format it's unfair for students who don't have access outside my class. #ksedchat
Q5: Homework has no proof of helping students get better with a skill. However, if I have students messing around when they should be working on an assignment I tell them they are taking it home as homework. If I give you work time, you need to use it. #ksedchat
A5 homework shouldn't be a behavior grade. Over the course of a unit there are going to be things that we don't have time to finish in class and I ask kids to complete outside of my class. We go over it in class whether ss are complete or not. #ksedchat
Q5: It's busy times. I would rather my students have bonding time w/ family than homework. But bonding is also reading together? Playing games? My wish would be to send home one hands-on game working on one skill for the week/biweekly. Wouldn't that be cool? #ksedchat
A5: In my class, homework is any academic work you started at school but didn’t have time to finish. Sometimes a little at home project like a STEM challenge and always reading for 20 minutes! #ksedchat
A5: NO HOMEWORK!! Just for the sake of homework. Family time, outdoor time, play, down time, sports. All more important for a balanced life and person. #ksedchat
A5) Homework in and of itself is not evil. I hope that it is not low level Bloom's time suck stuff. That doesn't seem like a good use of time, but if its meaningful and an extension of the classroom I have no issues with it. I am bracing myself to get yelled at... #ksedchat
A5 over the years I've developed a system that rewards attempting to complete assignments and correcting mistakes rather than assigning zeros for not doing it. #ksedchat
A5: I feel like I could argue both sides. A balance is good. Having homework does help with some of the soft skills but excessive amounts of homework aren't necessary. I do think kids should be reading 10-20 minutes a night depending on age #ksedchat
A5: Homework in my class is just "leftover" stuff they don't get done in class. Most of the time there's enough time in class to finish. Trying to teach time management! #ksedchat
A5: Some types of homework are more meaningful than others. For my 2nd graders, I find that reading each night is a very meaningful exercise and a great way to apply our learning. Beyond that, I am not a huge fan of homework. #ksedchat
A5 as a parent I dislike homework and seems like google helps them more than than I do. I don't see an increase in engagement b/c of homework
#ksedchat
A5.1 Pros and cons for both...It can teach accountability and how to process info on their own, but it also can further alienate Ss who didn't understand it in the first place...We always have to think about what's best! #ksedchat
A5) Homework should only be work not finished in the classroom. For many students, I'd argue "homework" is independent inquiry because students are constantly learning about something they are curious about. #ksedchat
A5: More important for Ss to have that love of learning than do homework that is meaningless and non engaging . Would prefer they read because they want to! #ksedchat
A5. Not a big homework fan. I just ask my students to read at home. It's all about balance. Evenings are their time to spend with family, play outside and participate in extra activities. Also, some S's may not have the support/help at home to complete HW. #ksedchat
If you do assign HW, know well its purpose & give it proper scope and size. If you don’t know those, don’t issue it! Research is mixed, so listen to yourself and your Ss. I did “no HW” this year. Next year I’ll have some, as described recently by @steve_leinwand. #ksedchat
A6: We have to teach Ss HOW to use it. We have to model/teach digital citizenship. For 2nd grade, it is learning how to find information on a topic using various resources. I would like to learn more about using @PicCollage@Seesaw to do more digital work. #ksedchat
A6 teaching students that tech can be used effectively for educational purposes and to enhance their learning. So many Ss just view tech as “free-time” with absolutely no educational purpose. Again goes back to setting clear expectations beforehand. #ksedchat
A5) There is no perfect answer to this question! Personally I never give homework but I'm in a unique situation! A Flipped classroom has its merits but so does completing work at school! It really depends on the socioeconomic paradigm! of your school! #ksedchat
A6) If you can use technology to enhance student learning while simultaneously improving classroom functionality then you are in the sweet spot. Its important that teachers are set up for success & are comfortable w/ what they are using so they can teach. Tech=Tool #ksedchat
#ksedchat A5: I have always felt homework should depend on the age of S's. I have always taught younger S's, so I never assign homework unless it is something not completed in class when ample time is given.
A6: Using technology appropriately means keeping the content at the forefront of the learning process. I have been guilty of using tech, just for the sake of using the "cool, new thing." #ksedchat
A6: I'm okay with tech. during centers. I kind of feel like my Ss so often are given it as a babysitting tool, that I shy away from it. At centers, we do educational games that they probably don't do on their devices at home. #ksedchat
A6: It doesn’t mean that kids can stop knowing stuff because of Google. In fact, in the age of technology, it’s even more important for our students to be knowledgeable, critical consumers of information. #ksedchat
A6: In my setting: Birth to Age 3. Appropriate use of tech is none at all! We are seeing more and more toddlers with delayed speech because of screen time. #ksedchat
A6: Using technology can be as complex as you want or as simple as you want it...as long as it enhances student learning. Learning to use a few simple programs can transform your class. But don't ever underestimate the power of a pack of Crayola markers and paper! #ksedchat
A6.2 There has to be a plan...Include in it being a good digital citizen always...Work in small chunks until it's a seamless part of your class #ksedchat
That's really interesting, Emily. Similarly, many of Silicon Valley's tech titans are vigilant about making sure their kids get minimal screen time (or none at all). #ksedchat
A7.1: We need to let parents in on their learning and the direction. I am hoping when we try #redesign parents will have the opportunity to talk about their wants/needs... I think we will be surprised how much it matches up with ours! #ksedchat
A7: I have a parent Facebook page. I text them, both group and individually. I send home notes and newsletters. There's no way they can't know what's happening in our class! #ksedchat
