#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Welcome to #6thchat! Please introduce yourself, where you teach, and what. I am Kristin and teach ELA and SS in Lansing, Michigan. I will be your moderator tonight! So glad you are here.
A1) I love the graphic of the "sweet" spot or purpose that lies between passion, mission, vocation, and profession. My purpose as a teacher is to inspire my students to become the best version of themselves so they can find success & joy in any path they choose. #6thchat
A1. I teach and work in education because I want to make a difference. Our students deserve someone passionate about others. Our students deserve difference makers. #6thchat
A1: WOW! This is my 2nd career & I'm #AltRtEd. For me its a passion. I wanted a job where I made a difference, where I loved coming to work. I found that with teaching. Getting a bear hug from a former Ss shows me I made the right decision #6thchat
A2) I used to allow my passion for teaching to overtake all other interests; my "self" got lost along the way. Now, I leave work early for 3 out of the 5 days so that I can pursue these interests such as working out, reading, and cooking healthy. #6thchat
A2: Set a time (after dinner) that you say is a no-school time. All work has to be done before dinner and then after is time for me to just relax
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A2: I try not to bring work home. I stay up to 90min after the kids leave so I can do just that. Exception: grading tests & creating special projects. I need to give my Ss time, but my hubby and kids need me to be mom when I'm home. #6thchat
A1 to make connections and build relationships with our future. I enjoy 6th graders’ personalities and watching them grow. I feel honored to be a part of their journey. #6thchat
A2. I begin each week by making a list of my tasks. Usually the list is pretty large. Then, I choose the tasks that will benefit my students most and I choose to handle those first. At end of day, if I feel my decisions were made for students, I can sleep easier. #6thchat
Great idea Sam. We have to set limits on ourselves. It's easy to work all day and night when you love it, but it does come at an expense to other priorities and interests. #6thchat
I LOVE my 5th & 6th graders. They're coming into themselves and they are personality plus. They make me laugh and brighten my day. From Sept to June they change so much and I love witnessing it #6thchat
I am similar except that I go into work early and do the same. I tend to front load my day. We have to manage the clock or the clock will manage us. #6thchat
It makes a difference when you love what you do - and who you work with. I'm lucky with coworkers, administration and students. Couldn't ask for better people to spend my day with #6thchat
A3: I am grateful for Spring Break. As much as I enjoy being in the classroom, it is nice having a bit of a break. I had the pleasure of finishing @NealShusterman's Thunderhead today which was fantastic!
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A3: Today I'm grateful for the Ss who asked questions in preparation for today's test. They genuinely wanted to be prepared and by asking Qs they helped their peers. I'm also grateful for the time I spent with my oldest at the gym today - our new mother son activity #6thchat
A3. I am grateful for the graciousness of my teachers as they work with this novice principal. I find joy in the fact that the work we do is just about as important as any work there is; we can find joy in shaping/molding lives. #6thchat
A3 I asked Ss to come eat lunch with me today to help me write a grant for my classroom next year. I am so thankful and grateful for those that came to help me. They even asked to come back-and I think I’ll just enjoy their time tomorrow. #6thchat
A4) Ah...an area of growth for me. I have been working on packing my "zen" with me every morning, but sometimes I get swept up into the trees and forget the forest. Idea: think, pause, then speak. #6thchat
A2 when I find myself working and feeling rushed or stressed, I pause and ask myself what is important. What has to be done now. It puts it into perspective for me. I tend to get overwhelmed and focus on too much at once. #6thchat
I’ve tried making weekly goals and then a todo. It helps me focus. My goals are usually student centered too, which makes me get pumped for the week. #6thchat
A4: ON Friday we had a field trip and were adjusting groups morning of before we left. Some other Ts were less appreciative of the last minute changes, but it was a stressful event since it was so last minute. Luckily we got it all fixed and done and wasn't too bad
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A4: LOL I count backwards when I need to focus and not react to situations. My Ss think I count down for them, but its for me (shhh). But it helps me gather my emotions and thoughts and stay in the moment vs react to the moment #6thchat
A4. As a novice teacher, I was very quick to react to stressful situations. I would yell, stomp, and storm around the room. It didn’t take me long to realize this got me no where. I no longer raise my voice. We must be mindful of our actions; we always model #6thchat
I think all first year Ts are in the same boat. I tend to raise my voice at home, and it was a struggle finding a way to not do that in class. Counting down has been a huge help - even when I just do it in my head. #6thchat
A2 I arrive at early each morning & stay late most afternoons. I try not to take work home with me, but if I do I put it away at 6 pm to focus on my husband & any children visiting from college #6thchat
A5) Well, #6thchat lifts me up every week. I am always amazed at the quality of the conversations and how much I am able to take away with me. I am fortunate to have a teaching partner who also lifts me up. I believe I purposefully surround myself with positive people. #6thchat
A5 this is a great question. I feel this time of year there is more negativity and I wish for more positivity. I can cultivate that by modeling being more positive. #6thchat
A5: I think my school community does both. There are some Ts who are very open to trying new ideas and getting on board with it and some who sort of judge the Ts that do
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A3 I'm incredibly grateful for wonderful teammates & a supportive administration. It also helps that I consider these ladies & gentlemen not only colleagues but friends!#6thchat
A5. Thankfully, I can say that my community/family supports me and my position. My wife, for one, understands that my job is a calling, and that I’m there to best my students’ lives. With that comes long hours and constant involvement. #6thchat
A5: Love my work communities & supportive parents. I have parents who email just to let me know how much their child has changed since being in my class. Increased confidence, love going to school. If that's not being supportive I don't know what is. #6thchat
So much easier when our spouses realize how important our Ss are. Between the after school shows, concerts and conferences - and worrying about Ss - having support from spouse makes our job that much easier. #6thchat
It would be super hard to be a principal without this circle of support and understanding. So happy you have this so that students, in turn, are the beneficiaries. It DOES take a village. #6thchat
A6) I don't think I an honestly say it is peaceful. Mine is more energetic, like a beehive. I have organizational systems but yet I need to tweak some to make better use of spaces in my room. Another area of growth. #6thchat
A6. From the principal perspective, I can say that I find my school peaceful. I suppose that peace comes from the fact that most situations aren’t new and can be handled. Even if I don’t have the answer, I can rely on others for the best solution. #6thchat
A6: I would like to say yes, but I don't think I can really say that. 1 thing I can work on is the seating. I have 6 large tables and only so much I can do with them, and often some Ss don't really agree with placement by others
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A4 I find it very stressful when Ss want to ask questions during class change. Now I give the students a sticky note & ask them to write the ? down. Sanity saved #6thchat
I went to a conference session that featured different flex seating and left loving it and wanting to look more into it. I might just have to do it over my break
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A7) I am passionate about new technology and apps that create opportunities for Ss to explore, discover, and innovate. Yes, I intentionally have Ss integrate these into learning when appropriate. Also, love writing, so work to share these loves w/Ss. #6thchat
A7: 1 passion I have is comic books and I have had the chance to bring it into class in different lessons. Sadly I haven't been able to use them as much as I would like but the Ss generally respond very well to them
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A7. I love to be outside. I love hiking, kayaking, camping. As a former geography teacher, I was able to use my experiences in class. I could simply ask students to help me plan my kayaking or camping trip; we would use our geography skills to do so. #6thchat
A7: I'm also passionate about personalizing activities for my Ss. I've created "Clue based" activities using their names, locations in the building, and items they see/use. It not only makes it fun, but they love seeing their names. They can relate to it #6thchat
A5 I am fortunate that one of my community partner companies employs my husband! So he & his co support me, my classroom & my Ss! Great working relationship! #6thchat
I do a lot with scouts, so I try and tie my stories in with "what are your weekend plans" discussions. Sometimes just taking a few minutes to talk about their outside school life is the break we all need #6thchat
Our new 6th grade curriculum is World Geography! I have really been enjoying it as I was worried it may not be interesting to Ss...I am very wrong...they love it. Great idea to include your personal interests! #6thchat
A8) This past year I reclaimed my "self".Last May I began a journey of improved nutrition, committed workouts, rest, and time for "me". Today I weigh less, have more energy, and feel more balanced.I food prep on Sunday so I have a week's worth of healthy meals. #6thchat
A8: I don't think I take care of myself nearly enough. Mentally I do, but not physically. I had a friend ask me to join a gym and I might just have to take her up on it
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A8- I try to make it to the gym every night. I am trying to get into a routine of getting to the gym before school but I can't seem to avoid the snooze button! #6thchat
A8 I try to hit the track in a regular basis. I also start each day with some quiet reading, reflecting and gratitude. Gets me off to a good start. #6thchat
A8. Right now, I’m training for a 10K. I’m trying to become a #FitLeader. Other than that, I rely on my quiet mornings with my coffee and Bible to give me the reflection and guidance I need to tackle each day. #6thchat
I have a passion for traveling & photography. I include photos from my travels go the countries we cover. I also love sharing artifacts I've collected from different cultures with my students #6thchat
A8: One of the things I'm making an effort to do is get back to the gym. Some of the others on the 6th gr team are doing the same. It helps us be accountable cause we share gym stories at lunch. Taking time to eat in the teacher lounge is a must too for my sanity #6thchat
I'm with you on the lack of motivation to head to the gym pre-school. I'd much rather catch a few more minutes sleep and go after work. Helps relieve some of the day's stress that way too #6thchat
Wow, many of you are well on your way to practicing the habits that make teachers happy and joyful! This week, let's reach out to others in our school to help spread this positivity! Remember, next week, no #6thchat. I will see you all on April 10! :)
Hearing you all talk about before school work-outs would be crazy for me. My school starts at 7:20am and I have to be there by 7am so before that is a no go on workout
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A8 my hubby & I are on to a better living lifestyle, we workout together & eat cleaner. We also spend as much time as possible at the beach #SSI#6thchat
Same problem. We begin at 7:25 with the bell. I am to school by 6 a.m. most days. Not going to work out at 4 or 4:30. Although, I am reading Miracle Morning right now...#6thchat
In reply to
@SamReisman93, @BlainlySpoken, @Mr_Bussiere
