Good morning, Tiffany! It's pouring here at the Jersey Shore today. Looking forward to sitting on the couch, grading papers and watching football all day. (Oh, and making chicken soup!) #sunchat
Good morning, friends! Alex, 21st Century Teaching and Learning Coordinator in Freeport, IL, lying in bed for another half hour to chat before getting up to get ready for church today. #sunchat
The amount of time needed to complete #homework should be reasonable so as not to prevent students from participating in extracurricular activities, interacting with family, and getting adequate sleep.
#modHW#EdChat#Education#SunChat
I have to duck out early to take advantage of sun to get some much needed yard work done; my whole view on finals has changed over time for sure #sunchat
My finals used to be really big tests but they are worth 1/5 of a kids grade; it seemed to fly in face of my general issues with testing; now my guiding q is āWhat do I absolutely feel a kid must know?ā #sunchat
Morning, #sunchat. I'm Brian. I teach middle-school students English in Colorado. What do I do when the semester comes to a close? Something like this...
Yeah, this next week is going to be rough. Last week so many students and teachers had already had enough! Here's to waking up positive and making the most out of the week! #sunchat
Still teaching my 6th gr students the concepts of deadlines, so much of this upcoming week before our mid-term progress report will be working with students on outstanding activities. When they have assignments due down the road, they can't seem to manage their time. #sunchat
In terms of exams, I am a firm believer in "variety is the spice of life" mindset. I see the value in traditional assessments, project based assessments, and growth assessments. #sunchat
Grades are due after holidays here in my district...we gave up finals years ago! Itās become babysitting for some. Iām giving a unit test on last day #gottakeepthembusy#sunchat
My 2nd quarter unit is Events to the Revolutionary War...big unit test & usually an argumentative writing piece unless snow gets in the way like this year. #sunchat
Still teaching my 6th gr students the concepts of deadlines, so much of this upcoming week before our mid-term progress report will be working with students on outstanding activities. When they have assignments due down the road, they can't seem to manage their time. #sunchat
We went to Walmart to do some "quick" shopping. Nearly every parking space was full! I think we spent more time in line than actually shopping! #sunchat
I typically end a chapter at the end of a trimester or before a break. No huge exam. We go over older material throughout the year on weekly review assignments. #sunchat
I try to wrap up any major projects, etc. well before the end of the grading period - so often Ss are swamped with work from all their Ts in the last week. Doesn't seem fair.
#sunchat
If I have to give a final, I want it to be related to the standards they are required to learn during the class! My thoughts on finals have definitely evolved into only the standards required! #sunchat
As the semester comes to a close, I want to have an idea of what they know but ALSO what they can do with that knowledge. One of my favorite ways to assess is through conferencing. This way Iām not chasing down projects that havenāt been submitted. #sunchat
One culminating tradition: Make winter-break reading plans with students for their time away from school, make sure everyone has reading material in their possession (via class book swap, shopping classroom library, visiting school library). Share plans accountably. #sunchat
Amanda, If school is off due to weather, do you push out an assignment electronically? Keep the learning happening? Last year, I had the kids check in via FlipGrid and tell me about what they are doing on their snow day. They loved it! #sunchat
I really try to make the students not feel stressed over it. In the past, Iāve left positive message sticky notes on their desk for encouragement #sunchat
We have moved away from traditional finals to embrace incremental projects to showcase student effort & skill development. Oftentimes my exams will be take-home to allow quality writing responses & even student collaboration. The thinking is worth more in the long run. #sunchat
I say relax, do something that is personally rejuvenating while others heed professional advice: Mid-Year Reflection: Setting PD Goals https://t.co/zQfFObZtgc#sunchat
My district has also gotten rid of city-wide mandated exams. Without a reliance on these, I find many teachers craving additional training / assistance with building authentic assessments. #sunchat
This year a 7th grader commented that teachers were ācramming in testsā right before break. It made me realize that he didnāt know that we did this on purpose so that we ended a chapter before the break. Sometimes things that seem obvious to us arenāt so to be kids. #sunchat
So many of our Ss have low executive functioning skills they can't forsee the future like we can. We have to be more intentinal to provide calendar reminders w/ check in points & what should be completed by that time. My EF skills are strong and I still prograstinate. #sunchat
One culminating tradition: Make winter-break reading plans with students for their time away from school, make sure everyone has reading material in their possession (via class book swap, shopping classroom library, visiting school library). Share plans accountably. #sunchat
I've been given flack by colleagues about my acceptance of late work by students. But I'm trying to teach them they don't get off the hook by not doing it. Still expected to be done. Each marking per. I tighten the reins a bit. Hoping by the end, they're better managers. #sunchat
This year a 7th grader commented that teachers were ācramming in testsā right before break. It made me realize that he didnāt know that we did this on purpose so that we ended a chapter before the break. Sometimes things that seem obvious to us arenāt so to be kids. #sunchat
I try to plan a short inquiry unit of 2-3 weeks for the end of the semester. While students are researching, synthesising, and creating, I am providing targeted interventions to fill holes. #sunchat
When I was in the classroom, I was the same way. There are bigger lessons about grit and resiliency here that a zero just won't teach students. #sunchat
I've been given flack by colleagues about my acceptance of late work by students. But I'm trying to teach them they don't get off the hook by not doing it. Still expected to be done. Each marking per. I tighten the reins a bit. Hoping by the end, they're better managers. #sunchat
My students only homework is reading 20 min. a night. I have first graders. Parents ask for more #homework. They want to keep their kids "busy". It is frustrating they don't value family time. #sunchat
We have been rebuilding our curriculum over the past three years, which has been great because it was desperately needed, but we are also seeing struggles with designing high-quality, authentic assessments. (Unit tests from a book don't always cut it.) #sunchat
So true. Plus, learning to manage time & stop procrastinating can take some Ss years. I know plenty of adults who can't meet deadlines - it's important to teach this skill, rather than punish Ss who don't master it yet.
#sunchat
Thereās not one way for it to look. One way that I liked to make it look was like a lunch and learn (but doesnāt have to be during lunchtime). Pack your favorite snack and dine with your Sās as you talk openly and honestly about the semester. The connection is key. #sunchat
How do you determine whatās best for the class but also meets your goals. Wondering how it shows consistent demonstration of knowledge from year to year regardless of method? A ? Iām always wondering this. #sunchat
Seeing this as well. I love that many districts are seeing the value of offering multiple types of assessments, but we need to consider how to support teachers in creating these. My 10 years as a classroom teacher started and ended in the era of NCLB standardized testing.#sunchat
We have been rebuilding our curriculum over the past three years, which has been great because it was desperately needed, but we are also seeing struggles with designing high-quality, authentic assessments. (Unit tests from a book don't always cut it.) #sunchat
I would call it our "Testapalooza" and explained that I used all of the assessments to plan what to do after the break; made sure students knew that I didn't want to waste their time teaching something they already knew! #sunchat
Yes! My guiding Q: Do I want them to do it/know it TODAY? Or is it important enough for them to do it/know it tomorrow? I donāt take late work for full credit but I do want them to do it because it is important for their learning. Retaking tests is part of this too. #sunchat
Agreed! Each day, I go over step by step what our writing activities are, when they are expected to be handed in. Much of our writing is done in increments, they just need to reach a point so we can check in on it. Not completed. And, they self-assess using a rubric. #sunchat
As a high school instructional coach, I have encouraged a few of my teachers to encourage students to set up meetings with their teachers when a project is late - a guided reflection on responsibility, management, and how to have critical conversations #sunchat
This kid's got a point, I'll suggest. Milestones in the school year, like the end of a marking period, need not be as hard & fast as we make them out to be. Learning is more fluid than many school structures give it credit for. Retrieval practice can payoff any time. #sunchat
Can you repeat that about RETAKING TESTS? Why are so many teachers against this? What are we valuing here when we deny this? Certainly not growth or grit. #sunchat
Yes! My guiding Q: Do I want them to do it/know it TODAY? Or is it important enough for them to do it/know it tomorrow? I donāt take late work for full credit but I do want them to do it because it is important for their learning. Retaking tests is part of this too. #sunchat
Build your tests at the beginning of your planning...use a common test bank...you will have some good data on what activities/lessons should be taught.
Conducting frequent self-audits to see where Iām thriving and where Iām not. Checking to see how Iām using my time and where I can make adjustments. Also, being sure to ask for assistance when needed. Most importantly, remembering to be good to myself. #sunchat
Wish I had a magic bullet - but it requires A LOT of post it notes stuck on them, and their chrome books. I've even resorted to paper bracelets with reminders written on them that I put on their wrist to wear home! (The modern version of string tied onto a finger!) #sunchat
Just a thought...I would ask, "What is the goal? Turing things in or learning?" If it is truly learning when it is turned in is not as important. #sunchat
We didn't used to give full credit for late work either - but my Ts are changing their minds about that since we want out grades to reflect level of mastery only. Now we grade and make comments on life skills as an important (but seperate) focus. #sunchat
In reply to
@cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
These are crucial. Look to colleagues for assistance. Have them spend time with your students. Providing your students with these self-regulation skills will help them become stronger in many areas.
šŖšŖ#sunchat
That makes me feel better. Thought I was just missing a strategy that is fail safe. Also letting them fail at it as well. That actually helps. #sunchat
Exactly how I feel, Tiffany. I'll note when things are late, and by how long, in our electronic gradebook. But if they complete it, they'll be graded based on the content. I want to know what they know, and want to reflect that in the grades. Tightrope for sure. #sunchat
I think it depends on the assignment. When I was teaching, many things were accepted late for full credit (within the marking period), but practice videos were the exception - small doses of weekly practice/feedback is way better than recording 5 at once... #sunchat
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
I've certainly heard this one before. However, this is the first time my brain is framing it as a correlation, not causation dilemma. Research in this areas, unsurprisingly, points to complexity: https://t.co/9UPdSF3yylā¦ Sorry, no one-size-fits-all solutions here. #sunchat
I love tabletop gaming and I tried to share that with my students. I would invite three or four at a time to eat lunch with me in my room and then we would play board games until lunch was over. Reminded us all that there's more to school than just schoolwork! #sunchat
Speaks to how parents don't have free time these days. I see how much time 6th gr boys spend on Fortnite. If they put one-fifth of that time into focusing on their writing skills, I'd be T-O-Y for how well my kids have progressed. Sadly, doesn't happen outside the Croom. #sunchat
#sunchat --- also , stop grading so much (actually we should stop grading altogether) - they need to see doing work as a part of learning, not as a part of getting enough points to pass
In reply to
@cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
One thing I remember coming up in here during a prior chat was the āblank sheetā method- give kids blank paper with q āWhat else do you know?ā And let kids fill it with additional relevant knowledge on test day #sunchat
Not all parents have time (working 3 jobs to support the family) or know how (if they didn't have a model growing up, or a model in a very different culture, it can be hard). I know that's not everyone, but...how can we help value family time without vilifying parents? #sunchat
Zeroes donāt reflect knowledge or proficiency. We can design other ways to teach how students should address deadlines. As educators our grading must emphasize a culture of competence not compliance. #sunchat
Same in writing workshop - when 1st & 2nd drafts are handed in on time, giving Ss time to use feedback to revise, the final draft is much stronger. Not handing them in naturally causes them to have a lower grade on final drafts, but not because we penalize them. #sunchat
In reply to
@Ms_A_Yeh, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
I tried to eliminate homework completely and sent a letter explaining why and what I wanted students to do instead. Parents went to my principal to complain and I was told I had to do it. Sigh. #sunchat
I have come full circle on test retakes. Iām now of the mindset that Iād rather have them go back and learn the material/clear up misunderstandings on a retake instead of just getting a D or F. If it is important, I want to give them an opportunity to learn it.
Iām very upfront that āhomeworkā is to review content...15 minutes every other day. Occasionally, they may need to finish up something but that is rare. #sunchat
I let them re-take. I wish our online gradebook program had a better way to track progress. I do well with notes in with the grades, but would be nice to see the trend of re-takes, the growth, the mastery, etc. #sunchat
Mocker In Chief Alec Baldwin took viewers to a āItās A Wonderful Lifeā Christmasāa magical world āwithout President Trumpā.
If only there was a š without the serial rage offender Baldwin.
#ffweekend#Sunchat
and really, every grade should be an "A" if you are grading. why would we be okay with "got 80% of what I was supposed to" (i prefer competency : "got it , move on) #sunchat
In reply to
@ballardam, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
In the week before the break please remember that the calendar does not dictate learning, your students do. Cramming things in will help you check things off your list but will not guarantee that anything is actually learned. #LastingLearning#sunchat
I struggled with the balance between practice & playing tests. So many of my kids were anxious about the tests & didn't show their best playing, even recording at home, so I tried to find a balance...but there wasn't always a "final" on what they were practicing weekly. #sunchat
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
I'm on board with this sentiment. My inner editor, though, suggests you only experienced part of the loop that you claim. Instead of coming full circle, you actually did a 180 :) #sunchat
I have come full circle on test retakes. Iām now of the mindset that Iād rather have them go back and learn the material/clear up misunderstandings on a retake instead of just getting a D or F. If it is important, I want to give them an opportunity to learn it.
Answers will certainly vary depending on the family. Iāve heard that HW extends learning or gives them chances to practice independently or gives them a chance to apply newly learned skills outside the classroom. #sunchat
In reply to
@thnorfar, @carlameyrink, @BirdTownCrafts, @Erik_Youngman
Re-take with full credit! Once mastery is shown, students should get full credit for demonstrating it! It makes me furious when Iearn of teachers who only give partial credit for a retake or average the scores. #sunchat
Heck, as a student & in my initial years teaching, *I* liked grades. They seemed easy to understand & (usually) validated my success. The accrual of wider experiences has complicated that relationship. #sunchat
In reply to
@thnorfar, @shirky17, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
We're moving into student self-assessment. They learn to find their own strengths & weaknesses, and then conference with Ts about them. This has been a game changer for us.
#sunchathttps://t.co/dywxlhm5XK
In reply to
@shirky17, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
Exactly. After using chrome books since Sept, I had my 6th gr write a draft argument essay ON PAPER (oh boy, they groaned a lot!) but it gave us time to manually edit, revise, re-check sources. THEN they typed it out. ("My paragraphs look so short!" was heard throughout) #sunchat
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @Ms_A_Yeh, @cmt215il, @tiffanytruitt
All the best, #sunchat contributors, for whatever endgames play out in the spheres of education where you exert your influence. But first, enjoy the second half of your weekend.
What about students who need support and do not have the help for whatever reason? I can remember a neighbor helping me in 4th grade due to my mom being a new single mom who just rejoined the workforce who also had two toddlers besides me.
In reply to
@PaulONeill1972, @thnorfar, @carlameyrink, @BirdTownCrafts, @Erik_Youngman
HW not getting done requires a deeper level of reflection. We must get to the root cause. WHY isnāt that HW not getting done? That requires individualized investigation that digs toward the root cause. Again answers may vary and solutions need to be creative. #sunchat
In reply to
@susankotch, @thnorfar, @carlameyrink, @BirdTownCrafts, @Erik_Youngman
yes because they are used to the "system" (which is no longer what these students or current society needs) ; they just want communication that says "my child is being successful" ; those numbers we use for grades are really not good indicators - whole chats on that #sunchat
In reply to
@thnorfar, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
YES! self assessment (& peer assessment) needs to be a big part of assessment (hopefully getting away from # & letters and talking understanding of ideas - narrative) #sunchat
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
I agree about extended learning and families. My hope is that homework is purposeful and not just that is what we do because that is what we did last year and the year before that... #sunchat
Answers will certainly vary depending on the family. Iāve heard that HW extends learning or gives them chances to practice independently or gives them a chance to apply newly learned skills outside the classroom. #sunchat
In reply to
@thnorfar, @carlameyrink, @BirdTownCrafts, @Erik_Youngman
We have to keep these very real factors in mind when assigning tasks outside of school. Not every student has the support/capabilities to complete their HW independently & accurately. We must think of what we are asking to be done and what the assignment accomplishes. #sunchat
In reply to
@ballardam, @thnorfar, @carlameyrink, @BirdTownCrafts, @Erik_Youngman
I do it on every writing assignment where we go for mastery. They highlight, circle things that should have been included, show they can punctuate, etc. Then they score themselves. Sometimes I tweak it, but it's the words that count on the explanations they write. #sunchat
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @shirky17, @cmt215il, @tiffanytruitt
#sunchat - feedback, people need feedback, high quality feedback (had a T tell me their feedback was "i circle the ones they did wrong"), narrative is best, and yes difficult (1 reason why we need better T/S ratios
In reply to
@thnorfar, @brianrozinsky, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
I find that feedback in conferences is more effective than written feedback. Instead of "telling" I can ask questions so that Ss learn to give themselves feedback instead of relying on me.
#sunchat
In reply to
@shirky17, @thnorfar, @brianrozinsky, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
Not in my room! šEven with the little I require. I try to think of homework as extended practice. If it is something for the grade book it is school work and the other is home practice. #sunchat#elementary
Thanks team for getting me going this Sunday morning. I am off to get some work done on one of my finals before the Bears / Packers game this afternoon! #sunchat
#sunchat questions are a very important part of feedback, the ones we ask, the ones they ask, they ones they answer, the ones that cannot be answered.... questioning is SO IMPT!!!
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @thnorfar, @brianrozinsky, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
It is when they are state-tested on it. Therein lies the dilemma. Teachers who care too much about their test scores, well, we need to understand what is really important. Learning looks different in each classroom. And, not every student will be college-bound. #sunchat
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @alextvalencic, @tiffanytruitt
Hey #sunchat that was fun!
We are proud to announce that EdCampLacey is taking place on Saturday, January 12th in Lanoka Harbor, NJ. Canāt attend? Please like/retweet so others can join us for this day of learning and fun. Link to register is below:
https://t.co/ZaotTWiqZI
I love the idea of "extended practice". We no longer use the word "homework" but call it "learning opportunities" instead. Changes the mindset completely.
#sunchat
#sunchat we all do ; "when you know better, do better" ; remember , assessment comes from a word that means "to sit beside" , so discussions MUST be central to assessment
In reply to
@ballardam, @carlameyrink, @thnorfar, @brianrozinsky, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
Dialogue can be heady stuff, whether spoken or written or some combination. Here's recent post (math-focused, but transferable) that, for me, cemented power of two-way communication: https://t.co/dvcwe8Kk58#sunchat
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @shirky17, @thnorfar, @cmt215il, @susankotch, @tiffanytruitt
You are not the only grade doing this! I teach 1st grade and was just talking with a teammate that I wanted to finish the science unit before break I would have to have a full day of science. I Q. What is the value of finishing before or after break? #sunchat
This year a 7th grader commented that teachers were ācramming in testsā right before break. It made me realize that he didnāt know that we did this on purpose so that we ended a chapter before the break. Sometimes things that seem obvious to us arenāt so to be kids. #sunchat
#sunchat do you need to do some more on your own? can you do some more to further your learning or the project? do you need a break from your learning/project? can you take pics and upload them on your own, can you find a video related to ... .,
I have the pleasure of working with @susankotch every day. Her classroom celebrates learning, progress and most importantly CARE each/every day. Join us on Saturday 1/12 and visit a learning environment where great things are happening. #sunchathttps://t.co/ZaotTWiqZI
While not every student is college-bound, the skills needed for success in college and the skills needed for success in careers are the same set of skills. Unfortunately, those aren't assessed on high-stakes state-mandated tests. #sunchat
In reply to
@shirky17, @susankotch, @carlameyrink, @tiffanytruitt
