An informal learning community for educators worldwide. Our passion for learning and connected learning experiences help us to improve our teaching practices. #txeduchat features guest moderators every week.
Hi friends! So excited to be chatting with you tonight. I'm Caty logging on from Keller, TX. Currently serving as the Secondary Literacy Instructional Coach for Region 11. Sidenote: I'm drinking Topo Chico water and I feel super sophisticated right now. #txeduchat
Hi friends! So excited to be chatting with you tonight. I'm Caty logging on from Keller, TX. Currently serving as the Secondary Literacy Instructional Coach for Region 11. Sidenote: I'm drinking Topo Chico water and I feel super sophisticated right now. #txeduchat
A1: Critical literacy is the ability to move beyond the self and examine other perspectives, biases, etc. I think it extends to examining ethical issues, social justice, etc. and understanding one's place in the world. #txeduchat
#txeduchat A2: It’s crucial, but many teachers are wary of perceived backlash from parents & community, so they shy away from these “crucial conversations.”
Glad to be heading to warmer weather in Fort Worth, Texas for the TAGT Conference. Will be presenting a variety of topics including workshops on Project-Based Learning and Authentic Learning as well as the myths of gifted children and the value of 21st century skills @TXGifted
#txeduchat “Safe places.” Exactly. Creating a classroom & campus culture where students can explore, discuss, & learn about the tougher things that they will need to understand as adults. It’s almost a type of citizenship.
A2: I think it's so important to provide students a safe environment to grapple with tough issues in the world. Society won't be as nice as our classroom community can be while we figure out how to dialogue about religion, politics, and the issues of today. #txeduchat
I agree wholeheartedly. I think administrators are a big part of this conversation as well; it's important to let teachers know that they are supported when these big questions and conversations arise. #txeduchat
From the parent standpoint, I think it helps for schools to provide a forum for kids to hear from others than from within the universe of their family. And they me be isolated otherwise. #TXEduChat A2
Yes! I've found that students thrive when they're able to express themselves more freely, particularly in an environment where safety and respect are embedded into the culture #txeduchat
#txeduchat Absolutely! Learning together & growing as learners is so much more than just about the curriculum. (I taught 7th, & the things we talked about and learned about were often essential life skills that might be more important than gerunds.)
It takes an entire school to create and promote this type of culture, as well as a central admin and tolerant communities. Very difficult combo to get #txeduchat
As someone who grew up in Small Town America, I agree. I desperately needed to see, hear, and talk about multiple perspectives to even have the wherewithall to understand what my life could be like outside of my tiny community. #txeduchat
#txeduchat Agreed. Sometimes parents are the isolated ones, too. Many kids are used to growing up with a diverse group of friends & schoolmates, & parents have to “process” what is normal for their children.
From the parent standpoint, I think it helps for schools to provide a forum for kids to hear from others than from within the universe of their family. And they me be isolated otherwise. #TXEduChat A2
A3: Fear. I think @ToshMcGaughy already referenced this, but many teachers are terrified of the potential fallout or backlash from parents/admin. I also think there's a fear of "getting it wrong" that keeps many people from speaking about varied perspectives. #txeduchat
It takes an entire school to create and promote this type of culture, as well as a central admin and tolerant communities. Very difficult combo to get #txeduchat
This reality makes me sad. If jobs are dependent on test scores, how can anyone expect a teacher to break out of survival mode and get to the heart of teaching kids? #txeduchat
#txeduchat Nneka! This is sadly, emphatically true. I’m up to my elbows in textbook adoption materials for new ELAR TEKS, & you wouldn’t be shocked at how little texts have changed. (Even though our students have.) Testing drives many things...
I was talking with a science teacher yesterday who couldn't show the Mars landing in class because it didn't fit benchmark teaching schedule. #txeduchat#sad
A4: The Internet in and of itself connects this generation of students in ways most of us never experienced until adulthood. When I was in the classroom, we used to take Google Earth Lit Trips; students could see cultures/parts of the world they never would otherwise. #txeduchat
#txeduchat Agreed. Sometimes parents are the isolated ones, too. Many kids are used to growing up with a diverse group of friends & schoolmates, & parents have to “process” what is normal for their children.
From the parent standpoint, I think it helps for schools to provide a forum for kids to hear from others than from within the universe of their family. And they me be isolated otherwise. #TXEduChat A2
As someone who grew up in Small Town America, I agree. I desperately needed to see, hear, and talk about multiple perspectives to even have the wherewithall to understand what my life could be like outside of my tiny community. #txeduchat
This was always such a controversial convo I had with my 12th graders. On the one hand, community college helps them avoid so much debt. But I want those babies to get out of their town and experience something different. #txeduchat
A3- I think the first step is an awareness through diversity training - to see issues do exist for our students -many don’t realize if they’ve only taught one type of literature/units for a long time without talking to your kids about what they want to read as well. #txeduchat
A5: Socratic seminars, pinwheel discussions, any activity that can provide a safe platform for open and honest discussion. I also used to do research projects/presentations on polarizing viewpoints. So many incredible discussions stemmed from their questions. #Txeduchat
#txeduchat I graduated from La Vernia HS...87 kids in my class. Rural, conservative, traditional, close-knit. Even with my small horizons, I knew that education was my “golden ticket.” Went to UT & quickly learned sooo much about the world. Also learned to ❤️ where I was from.
As someone who grew up in Small Town America, I agree. I desperately needed to see, hear, and talk about multiple perspectives to even have the wherewithall to understand what my life could be like outside of my tiny community. #txeduchat
I graduated high school so long ago, I'm pretty sure the world really was a smaller place then. Our students have a much bigger world to explore. #txeduchat
I definitely think so! So many students only see one perspective as the "right" perspective. Forcing their hand a bit to support either side with research can open a door to A) understanding a new "side" and B) articulating an opinion intelligently. #txeduchat
A3- I think the first step is an awareness through diversity training - to see issues do exist for our students -many don’t realize if they’ve only taught one type of literature/units for a long time without talking to your kids about what they want to read as well. #txeduchat
#txeduchat My incredible but very opinionated & sensitive 18-year-old daughter loses it on me when I push back as a devil’s advocate. “There are no absolutes. There are people. Everyone has beliefs & respecting their right to believe is what we do.” She gets so made at me...
I definitely think so! So many students only see one perspective as the "right" perspective. Forcing their hand a bit to support either side with research can open a door to A) understanding a new "side" and B) articulating an opinion intelligently. #txeduchat
Curious to see everyone's responses to #6. Is this a current conversation happening in districts/campuses, or are many not ready to have it? #Txeduchat
A7: If I can help a student become a better human being, one that can process complex emotions, discuss multiple viewpoints, and develop their own opinion, it's more important than any lesson on summarization I can teach. #txeduchat
#txeduchat A7: Definitely. Exploring how we should interact in the world, through inquiry & open discussion, teaches those socio-emotional/ empathy skills that are only going to become more necessary in our increasingly global society
#txeduchat A7: Definitely. Exploring how we should interact in the world, through inquiry & open discussion, teaches those socio-emotional/ empathy skills that are only going to become more necessary in our increasingly global society
#txeduchat My pal Dr. M might chime in on this as well, but the design process begins with Empathy. I think that’s very interesting...& powerful for teachers to tap into with students.
#txeduchat A7: Definitely. Exploring how we should interact in the world, through inquiry & open discussion, teaches those socio-emotional/ empathy skills that are only going to become more necessary in our increasingly global society
A6: I find a lot of younger teachers are predisposed to feel positively about this but lack the courage to step out and go that direction. Admin needs to set the tone. #txeduchat
