#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 subjects. I am Kristin and teach ELA and SS in Lansing, MI. I will be moderating tonight's chat!
You can find questions tonight tweeted out from me @mrskochheiser and follow the #6thchat
We use the Q1/A1, Q2/A2 format! Qs are tweeted every 6 min. beginning at 9:06. :)
Hi there! My name is Tiffany and I am an elementary teacher librarian in Iowa. Curious to know more about #classroombookaday and daily read aloud with older students #6thchat
A1) I have included picture books in my classroom but primarily as mentor texts for reading and writing lessons. I always read chapter books aloud, and then from time to time have read picture books. Eager to reflect on this practice tonight. #6thchat#classroombookaday
A1 I used them a lot this year to teach nonfiction reading and writing. We did an in-depth study of picture books that have won the Orbis Pictus and read some picture books together as part of that process. It was powerful. They are short texts that pack a big punch! #6thchat
A1 I don't use them as much as I would like. Probably 10 times a year. I usually use them to reinforce/illustrate a skill I am showing the kids. #6thchat
A1: I read a picture book a week to my Ss related to our IB Learning Traits. I would like to include more that are related to content in the coming year. #6thchat
A1) #6thchat I use picture books for read alouds but not weekly. Usually, I read them to fit in with a lesson, in between longer read alouds, for holidays.
A2) My biggest concern (as with all things) is time. As I reflect on past schedules, I am determined to improve the value of the time I spend with my Ss which means some activities/lessons (that provide less value) may need to be shortened (or eliminated). #6thchat
A2: I would be a little concerned this could turn into some older student's "nap" time. What can we do to ensure it is beneficial, even if that benefit is simply having students enjoy a story? #6thchat
A2 Not sure reading them to kids is the always the best way to get them to understand what they can learn from the texts as readers and writers. Giving time to that as a read aloud every day = possible disengagement if students don't realize a purpose/see the effects! #6thchat
A2) #6thchat I am so excited to give this a try. I am worried that I will run out of time in the day as I still want to do a chapter book as a read aloud too.
A2: As with probably many people, time is my biggest concern. Our class periods just got cut from 75 minutes to 60 minutes each day (this is for reading and writing together), so we really look closely at home we use each minute. #6thchat
A2.2: Having said that, I am interested in trying to get my entire 6th grade team on board with reading a picture book during our "Flex" time which is kind of wrap-up time at the end of the day. #6thchat
A2 first, of course, is balancing time. I also worry about holding interest. I did #poemaday for April and I could feel the collective sigh each day. I tried to show excitement and chose poems I thought they would like, but I feel like the love wasn’t there for most #6thchat
I did a poem a day in April also and found a bit of the opposite problem. They weren't all super excited, but I wanted to spend time talking about the poem, not just take two minutes to read it and then it ended up taking more time than intended. #6thchat
A3) I think my class library needs more books w/strong other cultures as well as African-american and Hispanic characters in fiction books. I am interested in asking Ss what types of books interest them the most, too. #6thchat
That happened some days too! I gave them time to close read as well and it would take 10 minutes wth discussion. But, we had wonderful discussions. #6thchat
A3 I'm fortunate to have a really strong library. Add to it every year to keep it relevant and new. I keep the picture books separate for my use only. I don't have a lot of those. #6thchat
I am a bit concerned with that as well, but thinking I will do the picture books during my morning class meeting time; I wonder if @heisereads has ideas on managing this. #6thchat
A3: Last year I received a grant to build my classroom library. I was sure to include books related to characters of different ethnicities, those with characters in the LGBTQ community, and of different economic status. I would love to add more this year. #6thchat
A3: Mine is pretty good I think (and getting better). My problem is more that my students aren't super diverse and so sometimes I struggle to decide how to promote, being careful not to assume that something will be a window or a mirror for anyone. #6thchat
And how to keep engaged with an assignment...which is a problem with our read alouds that are chapter books. Sometimes though, the kids need that downtime to just listen I think. My Ss who sometimes seem disengaged, love this time bc it is less stressful I think.
Q3 Want to add books that create opportunities for kids to question our world and decide what they think about cultures, people, and issues through discussion with their peers. I want book discussions that lead to more reading, research and writing. Books that SPARK! #6thchat
A3 I like the idea of adding books that students suggest. I try to update my library yearly, but am not sure I meet the need of every culture or character type represented in my classroom #6thchat
I was amazed at how many books my library had so that I won't be spending money. The key is to plan ahead enough to get them in my hands prior to the read aloud day. #6thchat
A4) I believe empathy, diversity, inclusion, and kindness are all themes I would like to put front and center. Picture books can help me hit many themes quickly and open discussions to tap into Ss' thinking/understanding of these topics. #6thchat
A4: Name a theme picture books cover it. I taught 6th grade for a few years and used picture books more than any other text. Now in 7-8 I do the same. #6thchat
Check with local businesses (especially insurance companies) to see if they work with schools and what grants they offer. Horace Mann and Meemic will often fund Donor's Choose projects and offer grants for classroom needs. #6thchat
I am thinking of having some guest readers skype or "video" themselves reading for us to share in class, too. I want my readers to share why they loved that book. I also want to capture cool words/sentences for us to study along the way. Kids could also "mine" for these. #6thchat
A4: I love the idea of using picture books to discuss history as well as social justice issues. So many good ones out there now that can really make 6th graders start to think more deeply. #6thchat
@mcgee_riddle Also, I think it would be great to share books between teachers within the building. Every so often, wander to other classrooms to explore available titles nearby. #6thchat
I will never "promote" a book that might be controversial, but I leave it available in the classroom for Ss to find. I have found that Ss who are comfortable reading about those topics come from supportive families. I have yet to have a P approach me about it. #6thchat
A5) Some criteria: does it have a theme I want to explore? Can I use it as both a "good, fun" read aloud as well as use it for various mentor text needs? Will it generate important discussions in the classroom? Can I connect it to other texts/ideas we are studying? #6thchat
Be sure to follow @heisereads as she began #classroombookaday She taught middle school and would be able to answer some specific Qs. Also, here's another slideshare I went to last week with lots of theme recommendations: https://t.co/sYn2MhREgx#6thchat
A5: I would want picture books that have something for the kids to learn or think about and that are also great examples of writing (word choice, fluency, etc.). I have no interest in reading anything boring, even if it has a good message. #6thchat
A5: What does it say on the pages, what thinking does it lead to and how might it touch the readers heart. Picture books are powerful stories that seem to readers as manageable. My criteria help me to get the most of the books my students encounter. BHH is the way. #6thchat
Oh great! That's what I thought I remembered. It will be a balancing act for sure, but I think the exposure to a variety of "complete" stories, themes, cultures, and vocab make it worthwhile #6thchat Still interested in how she balanced chapter book read alouds w/picture books.
A5) - #6thchat Because of my concern for time, I want books that will be a mentor text for writing, promote a cultural discussion and connect with SS, or help build community and promote empathy.
I really want to do more with mentor texts this year. I like the idea of going back to something that students are familiar with, so I guess I would also want a book that is enjoyable to read / listen to multiple times. #6thchat
I was lucky enough to start with it early, even got into scholastic magazine :) So fun and even with my 7-8 students, that at times think they are too cool for picture books, the reflection is amazing at times. #disruptingthinking#6thchat
A6) Quiltmaker's Gift/Journey by J. Brumbeau (great to discuss taking care of community); the Spyglass by R. Evans (great to discuss perception, vision); Those Shoes by M. Boelts (great to discuss needs/wants, peer pressure, fads). #6thchat
A6: This is one I randomly stumbled across this summer - but could be a hilarious and super silly way to start an discussion about people who run for positions of power #6thchathttps://t.co/TsKCYr2FSL
A6: I like A Bad Case of Stripes and The Sneetches (both good to help early middle school students think about fads/fitting in). Other Dr. Seuss as well (Lorax, Butter Battle Book), can't go wrong with those. #6thchat
A6: Oh the list is TOO LONG but I read The North Star by @peterhreynolds every year at the start to my students. I love so many though. I just bought We Don't Eat Our Classmates and it is awesome. #6thchat
A6 John Phillip Duck by P.Polaco Great story to show determination, thinking outside the box, and story elements (what I originally used it for.) #6thchat
A6) #6thchat I love What to do with an Idea, What to do with a problem, More than Anything Else, A Taste of Colored Water (a little longer but so good), Drawn Together ( a new fav after #nerdcampmi).
Just got The North Star from the library and read it today! I noted: read first week in my planner! :) And We Don't Eat Our Classmates was discussed last week! Great! #6thchat
A7: I think I would like to have students respond on a Schoology discussion (our LMS) or maybe a quick exit ticket on paper. Probably not every day, but often enough to keep them engaged in listening. #6thchat
A6 I love Finding Winnie - true story of Winnie the Pooh. Octicorn is a great one for identity to start the year. I have so many I like actually. I agree @pernilleripp has great lists to get you started. #6thchat
A7) #6thchat I have found great book ideas on Pernille Ripp's website. She has favorite books for the last several years posted. Also @heisereads,and @MrSchuReads. I am ordering some on Amazon and getting many from the library to read and then check out again later.
Every so often will keep them on their toes as they won't know "when" they have to do that, and keep them interested. If you do it all the time, the joy goes away. Agree! #6thchat
A7 Any form of discussion you can get going about the books is important to the time spent affecting learning in a positive way: Schoology or other digital chat, backchanneling as you read, silent discussion passing paper thinking, or actual talking. More ideas = better! #6thchat
A8: I am planning to pair my picture books with short stories and really dig deep into reflection and discussion next year. Small text, Big thoughts. That will be the goal. #6thchat
A7) I was also at a Book Warehouse store today. :They have 60-70% off their picture books. I found several with ties to Soc. Studies and multi-cultural themes. Got several for not a ton of money. Fyi #6thchat
Oops...
Got distracted and missed the 2nd half of #6thchat. I'll catch up later.
Have a great week, y'all and I look forward to meeting up with you all next time. Be well, crew!
A8) #6thchat I am definitely going to make this happen in my class. Want to continue compiling a list of books in order to have many book titles ready to go when school starts and have a list started on padlet to organize them by theme so I have it going forward.
A1: I don't, but I plan to this coming year- I'd love to use them as mentor texts! They're short enough that we can follow an entire plot in 1day. #6thchat
A8 Have to find intentional ways to weave these power-packed texts into our classroom. A short, sweet way to get examples into the hands of our young writers and an easily digestible way to show a student a reading strategy! #6thchat
I also think this is a great idea to tie into any chapter read alouds. Discussion of theme connections, character traits, dialogue, etc. Terrific idea! #6thchat
A8: I am planning to pair my picture books with short stories and really dig deep into reflection and discussion next year. Small text, Big thoughts. That will be the goal. #6thchat
Yes! I agree. I am overhauling my writer's workshop and can't wait to link ideas, examples, etc into my reading. So many ways to get great examples! #6thchat
Oh my gosh, so many great ideas here tonight! Thanks to all my #6thchat folks for being here and helping to share ideas and pushing our thinking forward in this areas.
That's a great idea! We have a homeroom/intervention-ish time (it serves many purposes!) That would be a perfect time to fit in some extra reading! #6thchat
Hey #6thchat! I am going to do another slowchat next week as I will be out of town on Tuesday night. So, look for Qs to be released every morning at 9 am. Answer when you can, and respond to one another! :) #6thchat
A3: My collection is a lot better than it was when I started teaching, but there are still so many books I'd love to add to our library. I need more mirrors and more windows into non-white lives. #6thchat
