Hi everyone! Welcome to week 3 of our LAUNCH book chat! I'm Jennifer, and I teach reading intervention at Karrer Middle School. Please introduce yourself with your name, subject area, and building. #dubMSela
Hello! I'm Toby Carpenter, formerly an 8th grade science teacher at KMS, but will be a tech coach working in all 4 MSs. My responses are scheduled since Sunny 95 is throwing a block party tonight in the green space behind my house! #dubMSela
We will use a Q1/A1 format with Q1 appearing at 7:35 and subsequent questions every 10 minutes thereafter. Please include #dubMSela in each of your tweets so that everyone in the chat can see them!
Hey all! Beth Honeycutt, former ELA teacher at GMS and now the middle school literacy coach for Dublin. First week to join - although I will probably most “watch” since I am behind in my reading:-) #dubMSela
Hi guys! My name is Kristen Bennett and I teach 7th grade SS at SMS. I'm also work with ELLs as support staff in various science and social studies classes and study center. Happy to be here and thanks to Wolf for guiding us! #dubMSela
A1: We need to ask them a lot of questions and REALLY listen to their answers. But also, observe, observe, observe. Give them options, then ask more ?s & continue to observe, give feedback to help them progress. #dubMSela
A1(½) Ask students to talk among their table group and come up with a list of things they like about learning and things they dislike about learning. Ask for groups to share and make note of the groups that have more negative than positive responses. #dubMSela
I agree that short, regular check ins with Ss helps to keep the conversation going. I find that to be so helpful, as opposed to one big survey done at the beginning of the year. #dubMSela
A1 In my reading intervention classes, I have used a tool called the Reader Self-Perception Scale. It asks Ss to agree/disagree on a scale of 1-5 with statements like "Reading is a pleasant activity for me" and "I read better now that I used to." (1/2) #dubMSela
A1 If might be helpful to create something like this to gauge Ss' attitudes about learning in general. Although it's nice to have a tool in which the scoring is already done for you... #dubMSela (2/2)
Q1 I've started doing google surveys. The students are so honest, but always try to be kind in their critical analysis. I've learned a lot from their feedback and have been able to modify their experiences to better meet their needs as learners. #dubMSela
I agree that the ongoing conversation is important. The value for me in the RSPS is having a beginning score and a later score for comparison purposes. But it would be helpful to be able to compare a number of times throughout the school year. #dubMSela
I think it could be adapted for a number of uses... I've used something similar with ELLs. But this one is LONG... See if you can access it here
https://t.co/vviag1Dn9t#dubMSela
A2: Love all of the ways to build awareness! Not every project/activity can be set up the same. Maybe a few different "stimuli" could be used to peak interest? Goal = get kiddos asking questions. If the 1st attempt doesn't work for all, try another #dubMSela
A2(½)in science the demonstration example is often used. However, I️ really see how the “I️ wonder” questions kids inevitably generate on any topic we study could really be used here. #dubMSela
A2(2/2) I️ really had a class that would have benefited from this technique last year. I️ am thrilled to be ready about this cycle. That kid that knows everything already can really fly here.#dubMSela
I wonder (sorry... unintentional pun) if you could build a "wonder wall" that grows throughout the year. I would be cool to map out how the "wonders" develop or evolve as Ss learn more and ask more Qs. #dubMSela
A2 I feel like I rely on KWL-type strategies a lot. I've tried to pull in more photos, video snippets, and book/article excerpts. I love all the ideas in the book! #dubMSela
In my SS classes, Ss will benefit from merging current issues with ancient ones. When we take the time to discover both - their similarities and differences - students will gain a deeper understanding for issues that span the test of time. #dubMSela
A3: "Falling forward" is going to happen - wouldn't we prefer someone be there to talk them through it, encourage them to try again, then praise the small successes? That's why we must provide opportunities to do this in our classrooms. #dubMSela
A3 ½Failing forward allows Ss to realize exploration, discovery, and success take time, patience and persistence. We live in a society of instant gratification and “is this correct.” Having to work through failures builds confidence and critical thinking skills.#dubMSela
A3: I struggle with this. I need to provide more time and to not be so quick to intervene when I see struggle. I also need to be ready with my own ? rather than answers #dubmsela
A3 2/2 it is important for Ss to know we fail as well. That’s why I️ talk about how we could improve activities, what did I️ not include in the directions, why did so many students miss a test question.#dubMSela
How do you try to build that awareness of the connections between current and ancient issues? Do you use artifacts? Pics? Current articles that align with ancient history? #dubMSela
Ahhhh....good question! Honestly, the connect between ancient and current is a new initiative for me. I hope to do it with artifacts, articles, primary sources - but I have to spend more time on current issues. It's always been something that is lacking in my class. #dubMSela
A3 So many Ss seem to believe that they shouldn't ever "fail" ... even my own children. If they can't get something right the first time, they want me to jump in. And unfortunately, I often do. Like @sharondechert pointed out, Ss nust learn patience and perseverence. #dubMSela
A4 I love how LAUNCH gives question stems like: "What do you wish you were learning about right now?" Honestly, I feel like no matter what students answered, I could link it to history! So it's a WIN-WIN! #dubMSela
Agreed. I'm so quick to intervene when I see kids struggle. It's the mom in me, or something!! I have to remind myself time and again to let them do it, because they CAN!! #dubMSela
A4: Have Ss keep a running list of ?s they'd like to answer, then give them time (finished with a task early, have 1/2 period, etc) to answer one/some. Model the process & maybe even provide some initial examples until they get the idea. #dubMSela
A4 ⅓ Making thinking visible has allowed us to explore I️ see, I️ think, I️ wonder already. In science it is a great way to start a unit. However, some Ss never took it seriously and pulled others off task. #dubMSela
A4: I feel like I do provide the opportunity for lots of questions but I want to get better at recording or making student questions visible, maybe even display them. #dubmsela
A4 ⅔ Since this is typically limited this to starts of units, I need to incorporate the process more often. I️ always wanted an I️ wonder wall for those questions that arise when we can’t delve into them. #dubMSela
A4 3/3 This would be a good source of inspiration for student research and questioning. We could have an I wonder wall questioning/research day.#dubMSela
A4 I try to find lots of short articles that I think might pique Ss' interest, but I'm interested in the idea of letting the questions build and develop over time. #dubMSela
I've given "explore more" tasks to students where I provided some possible topics, but then left it open ended for those who had topics they were passionate about (related to our current content). Only expectation was to learn and share. #dubMSela
I had a similar situation when I tried to implement Genius Hour. The Ss looked at it as time to goof off. It seemed like the more I tried to corral them, the more the idea lost its intent. #dubMSela
A4: Love the idea of a "wonder day" where Ss get to research specific topics that they are interested in, and this can definitely be tied to learning in SS. I also love this idea for National History Day Club!! #dubMSela
I've never done a true "genius hour" for just that reason. I thought they would blow it off. I've always done it with more guidelines and it works pretty well. #dubMSela
I figured out why the image in my tweets. I wrote my responses on the ipad last night. I am copy/pasting them now from a google doc. Ipad must need an update. Sorry to be off task #dubMSela
HAhaha! No apology needed! I was just texting photos of a giant snake that was in my neighbors' yard. I think it's an anaconda. Waiting for confirmation. #dubMSela
I figured out why the image in my tweets. I wrote my responses on the ipad last night. I am copy/pasting them now from a google doc. Ipad must need an update. Sorry to be off task #dubMSela
A5: If they don't innately, they need to be taught and/or encouraged. We can model by asking our own ?s, start a group ? bank, have 1:1 conversations w/ those who don't ask a lot of them publicly, then get genuinely excited when they pose doosies! #dubMSela
Count to 10 and then ask them about a current event that might tie to the current topic and ask them to find out about that or something related. That seems to help in science #dubMSela
Everyone had to choose something. I had about 8-9 ideas but then they could choose something not on the list. I did front load them that this was coming so while we were exploring some of the content, I would remind them that they would need to pick a topic eventually. #dubMSela
A5: I like the use of question stems for modeling and I think they learn this best by asking ?s of each other. They are their toughest critics. #dubmsela
A5 ½ Ss love to respond to one another in schoology discussions. I️ need to model some examples of how to improve questions and turn them loose on a few I️ generate. No feelings can be hurt this way. #dubMSela
A5 2/2 Once they have “mastered” some of the skills, I️ will have small groups analyze and suggest improvements for Ss generated https://t.co/O9aOhGkuwC people I️ may need help with some of the techniques myself.#dubMSela
Q5: I think practice makes perfect. That may be a direct quote from Socrates, btw! 🤣 Seriously though, I love what the authors said about challenging students to "think like a 3 year old!" #dubMSela
A5 I love all the ideas in the book about helping Ss learn to ask better Qs, and the point about them asking each other better Qs really resonated with me. I have been frustrated by surface-level discussion skills but haven't done enough to teach how to ask better Qs. #dubMSela
Q5: I think practice makes perfect. That may be a direct quote from Socrates, btw! 🤣 Seriously though, I love what the authors said about challenging students to "think like a 3 year old!" #dubMSela
You're not the only one! Even with more awareness that many people "fail" many times before success, there is still so much stigma associated with "failure!" #dubMSela
A6: Ideally, from the beginning & then as often as possible. Initially, at least once a unit to get kids in the habit. Doesn't have to be a huge project/activity, but pushing them to ask/think/pursue answers or solutions with evidence is invaluable! #dubMSela
A6 Science lends itself to questioning. I️ need to ask the question, if you could explore anything, what would you choose? I️ found that idea intriguing. This would definitely give me ideas to feed off of for class.#dubMSela
A6, cont.: I really would like to see this become the norm in education. I think that the kids can be our biggest advertisers by spreading their energy for "launch-style" projects/activities. How else could we get other teachers to try? #dubMSela
We will take a break next week so that everyone can enjoy their holiday festivities, but we will see you back here on Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30pm ET! Happy Independence Day! #dubMSela
