The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
Good Morning #bfc530 Kevin, 7th gr history teacher from NW NJ. No power so no school today, Im questioning if we will have it tomorrow, snow again Wednesday. This has become my spring break/ Other than that, how is everyone else?
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
For those of us that teach young ones, we need to be sensitive to the age, of course. We also need to see what they are saying when there isn’t a teacher around..what are their misconceptions. #bfc530
#BFC530 Begin w news. What do we really know? What is this saying about us? kindness? safety? positive affirmation? What steps forward can change the situation for good?
Great morning #bfc530 😎 I admire you all and thank you for your never ending positivity! I rarely check in this early but, read the posts throughout the day. Great job❤️
A - Controversial content shouldn’t be off limits in the classroom, but it requires fostering & maintaining an atmosphere of respect and tolerance - without those two, delicate issues will shatter and kids will get hurt #bfc530
At the MS level, I always like to let the S take the lead, Some want to talk about things, some don't. When they do, I always think being honest, & letting them now there is support for them, is key #bfc530
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
I love using @ChannelOneNews as a catalyst for discussions as they normally give a good introduction so that all students are aware. We then talk about being respectful to one another and then discuss the different sides of the topic. #bfc530
Opposite here, my kids are jealous but I would rather have school & more of spring break. Its funny, I realize since we are in the same area, our families have probably passed each other in Shop Rite or another store without realizing it. #bfc530
Since I teach high school social studies, I feel obligated to discuss those type of topics. Alan Singer convinced me that if they don't discuss it in our class, they might never discuss it, and that would be no good #bfc530
Permit some time for a discussion, be sensitive, listen well, and help kids make sense of things, be present #bfc530 sometimes, kids just want to feel trusted to share and be included in what matters!
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
A - Controversial content shouldn’t be off limits in the classroom, but it requires fostering & maintaining an atmosphere of respect and tolerance - without those two, delicate issues will shatter and kids will get hurt #bfc530
Be careful of teacher bias, try to remain open to all perspectives, present the facts, compassion and sensitivity are essential...never easy, but important. #bfc530
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
controversial topics ... be unbiased ... give both sides to the argument ... don't shun kids who are on the opposite side. Remove your emotions #bfc530
#BFC530 Begin w news. What do we really know? What is this saying about us? kindness? safety? positive affirmation? What steps forward can change the situation for good?
A - Controversial content shouldn’t be off limits in the classroom, but it requires fostering & maintaining an atmosphere of respect and tolerance - without those two, delicate issues will shatter and kids will get hurt #bfc530
I also think that we do a disservice by not sharing our opinion. we need to teach kids how to talk discuss when there are different points of view involved. #bfc530
Too true. I was teaching 2nd gr at the time of Sandy Hook. I was surprised @ how many Ss had way too much info. Now I teach 6th...very different convos. #bfc530
I am Social Studies so I have the luxury of being able to incorporate current events with a historical perspective ... is history repeating itself? #bfc530
I believe in empowering students to use the concepts and processes they learn in class to help them understand and act against the injustices they hear about in the news. https://t.co/o2zSoUV3xM#bfc530
Especially on topics that would scare them (shootings) I wait and watch and see if it comes up. Other topics, like flooding and weather, we will talk about. #bfc530
#BFC530 Begin w news. What do we really know? What is this saying about us? kindness? safety? positive affirmation? What steps forward can change the situation for good?
I also think that we do a disservice by not sharing our opinion. we need to teach kids how to talk discuss when there are different points of view involved. #bfc530
I also think that we do a disservice by not sharing our opinion. we need to teach kids how to talk discuss when there are different points of view involved. #bfc530
I come at it as a parent. How much would I want my boys to know at this age? I might also speak to the school counselor to see what message the school was sharing. Being at the MS now, I know the convo is much more sophisticated than when I taught 1st. #bfc530
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
I was just going to write about bias. We are studying perspective/ point of view in class now. So very true, not always easy to remain neutral, especially when it comes to the POTUS 😣 #bfc530
Be careful of teacher bias, try to remain open to all perspectives, present the facts, compassion and sensitivity are essential...never easy, but important. #bfc530
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
Always begin day with a current event. Students will typically generate comments/?'s on things if it interest them. Great time of learning. I try to play role of devil's advocate & do not allow them to paint those who hold a different view as a monster #bfc530
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
I always felt like English class was a natural fit for controversial issues - we learned about persuasive writing and had discussions about books. I started with the news as fact (remember when?) and let Ss move into opinion. #bfc530
our opinion is a slippery slope ... there is a fine line between sharing our opinion and swaying a student. Not my job to form a student opinion, but rather to offer perspective. #bfc530
I like to present and defend different positions with students without ever tipping my hand about my personal stances - it models argumentation skills, pushes conversations, but saves me from emails and phone calls claiming I’m pushing my agenda or beliefs #bfc530
Perhaps, but usually a variety of opinions are already on the table and when we add our own it can seem like we're taking sides. This has to be done so carefully. #bfc530
In teaching Religious Education in Catholic Schools,this could happen in every Croom. If I sense that it’s heading there:Decide is this is an individ.who is about to divest>I organise for them to talk to someone in confidence. If a class discussion, ground rules important #bfc530
When the Presidential Election was taking place, we had students go to a website where they answered where they stood on sensitive issues, in order to see which candidate's beliefs they were most like. Some parents did not enjoy who their student aligned with. #bfc530
I am Social Studies so I have the luxury of being able to incorporate current events with a historical perspective ... is history repeating itself? #bfc530
Agreed. For kids growing up in an idea bubble, I may be the first person to challenge those ideas... and make them realize there are other opinions and reasons #bfc530
I hear that, but I think we end up leaving a lot on the table when we take that tactic. I also think its a shame that we have come to a place where parent phone calls dictate how we talk to our kids. #bfc530
I think this depends on the grade. Once they start learning debate or really getting into perspective and bias writing, then I think it's ok, but as a first grade T I was always neutral. #bfc530
Through our US History class we try to get inside the mind of people as a means to find the "why" they did the things they did. ... then connect to now #bfc530
Please plan to join #WhatIsSchool with @deem_ellen and me at 6:00 PM EST, Thursday March 8 for a fun and informative exploration of "Strengths and Vulnerabilities of Teaching" #bfc530
That is my favorite part of teaching history, showing connections from the past and how the thoughts & even actions are similar to today and allow us to form opinions based on past experience #bfc530
Exactly. I would never bring up those topics. I might not always agree, but I respect a parents right to keep kids in a bubble. I will not be the first to poke a hole in that bubble. They have the news and their own screens for that. #bfc530
I definitely see your point & sometimes have difficulty with my Ss postions - yet, I think I think I have to find ways (through read alouds, putting themselves in another's shoes, asking questions) to help them change. Just giving my opinion doesn't tend to do that. #bfc530
Want to blow kids minds ... talk about how it starts with one group blaming another group for the countries problems ... how does a minority of people convince an entire country to "look the other way" while bad things are happening. #bfc530
I've taught from ES to HS (currently MS), I think kids are not as easily swayed as one would think. They have strong opinions, but maybe not always strong reasons why... #bfc530
Using prior knowledge; encourage the S’s that we may disagree w/ each other, we still must respect each other; and above all be respectful of other people’s sensitivity #bfc530
Agreed. For kids growing up in an idea bubble, I may be the first person to challenge those ideas... and make them realize there are other opinions and reasons #bfc530
At the HS, it would be fine to allow the students to debate the issues, but as a T I would try to stick to facts or offer perspective for both sides, especially the under represented side. #bfc530
Depending - I keep my religious beliefs to myself & so far they really haven't figured me out. Politically, I'm sure they know where I stand. But at times I'll also play devil's advocate & question them from the opposite stance #bfc530
I would tell the Ss you’re entitled to your opinion but how informed is it? In life, learning the art of acquiring an informed opinion / position is important. Academic work requires it, so should these discussions. #bfc530
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @LaurenPorosoff, @ChrisQuinn64
I think their #1 reason is their family. I see it in my own boys. We were never as open about our politics until this last election, not wanting to sway their views, and always tried to share ideas from both parties, but it got harder leading up to 2016 to stay quiet. #bfc530
As a history teacher, there are topics that we should stand up and flatly state "That is wrong" but as teachers we dont want to falsely raise topics that have legitimate opinions from both sides to that level just to appease our bias. That is wrong too. #bfc530
I think this depends on the grade. Once they start learning debate or really getting into perspective and bias writing, then I think it's ok, but as a first grade T I was always neutral. #bfc530
And yet “digging in their heels”, with ‘appropriate’ support, demonstrates that they stand for something. I know we walk a fine line, but we really get them thinking...maybe just to consider differing perspectives, even if it doesn’t change their own. #bfc530
#bfc530 Offer texts for consideration first (i.e. articles, videos, interviews) then use as few words as possible if your opinion is sought. Put the onus back on the younger thinkers because "our job is to teach them how to think, not what to think."
That's where my Ss are with Hitler as we read DOAF. They keep asking me why/ how? #bfc530 I teach in a VERY diverse school. I sometimes feel guilty about being blond and blue eyed 🙊
Through our US History class we try to get inside the mind of people as a means to find the "why" they did the things they did. ... then connect to now #bfc530
I turned into a dictator one day (for an intro to 1984) and couldn't believe how quickly my Ss fell for it, in spite of the fact that they're 12th graders & they've known me & my philosophy for years.. #bfc530
I get that, but I don’t want kids catering their responses & writings according to what they think I want to see or hear or even making my stances the focus for learning & understanding - my beliefs aren’t the content (which in my course includes gov’t, religion, politics, etc.)
True, but we can teach values through read alouds, discussion, putting ourselves in someone else's shoes, etc. rather than just telling them what to think (but I think your book is about that, right?) #bfc530
In reply to
@LaurenPorosoff, @edu_ivers, @ChrisQuinn64
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Agree! I think reading The Wave while I was student teaching gave me pause to realize that there is power in what I deliver to my students, and it should not be abused, but used to drive them to "think for yourselves" -Mr. Keating #bfc530
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @SoperWritings, @MrEandre
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I am just glad if they are reading the news. I will usually have them table it until we have a good time to discuss it. This is especially true if what they are talking about is off topic. #bfc530
#CuaresmaConAcción El objetivo de este día es analizar completamente tu vida, cada aspecto, cada área y pedirle a Dios fortaleza para deshacerte de esas ataduras de todo lo que te separa en la correspondencia a ese amor que Dios te tiene
Don't be fascinated by other people's goals. Instead, get to making your own come true. Be true to who you are and who you hope to become! #MSAAChat#bfc530#leadership
¿Cómo podemos, desde nuestro periódico o nuestra pantalla de televisión, ser espectadores fríos, hacer juicios de valor sobre los acontecimientos, sin ni siquiera salir de nuestro bienestar?¿Cómo permanecer impasible ante esos niños de mirada desesperada? #PapaJuanPabloII
I call it a two-minute “Hot Topic.” Start with facts then opinions. Stay honest. Now, if I feel the discussion is not resolved, I do go passed 2 minutes. Shocking: my HS classes discussed Florida. When I asked my undergrad observer if they did, he said no. #bfc530
No puedes calmar la tormenta con su oleaje y vientos. Lo que sí puedes hacer es no desesperarte, calmarte a ti mismo, no perder la paz... porque la tormenta, al final, pasará.
#FelizDomingo
Facts AND values. We also need to be aware of how our own values influence our students. Classrooms are not neutral spaces. Creating a curriculum is always a process of choosing what to include & amplify, and what to leave out & diminish. (That’s my other book.)
In reply to
@carlameyrink, @ChrisQuinn64, @edu_ivers
"I wish I could eat healthier. I definitively will, when I'm out of this place. I can't eat healthy foods in here. That's why I exercise so much. I won't have to exercise as much when I can eat a healthier diet. But I'll always be active." #ARMYSelcaDay#bfc530#Oscars
Morning, #bfc530. For starters, listen to the questions & create space for discussions inviting multiple points of view. Deepen/sharpen the former; connect the latter to further learning and potential action steps.
Q🤔 #bfc530
How do you handle questions & discussions when there are sensitive or controversial issues in the news that students want to talk about?
Via @BrianHerb17
...treat our farmers much better. Highly restrictive. Mexico must do much more on stopping drugs from pouring into the U.S. They have not done what needs to be done. Millions of people addicted and dying.
We have large trade deficits with Mexico and Canada. NAFTA, which is under renegotiation right now, has been a bad deal for U.S.A. Massive relocation of companies & jobs. Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum will only come off if new & fair NAFTA agreement is signed. Also, Canada must..
With snow in the forecast again, we can't wait for our spring time celebration with some of the best educators in the area! Spread the word and register today! #edcampgs#collsedu#njed#edtech#bfc530#satchat
