#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
We have Mr. Dave Horan, @downrightdave, fresh off of #DaveWeek, joining us tonight as guest moderator for #4thchat! Welcome, Dave! The topic is "Don't let data drive you crazy!"
Hi #4thchat!! How are you all this evening. Thank you @downrightdave for helping co-moderate this evening with @JennRegruth & me. Can't wait to hear from @plnaugle & what she learned at her conference.
From my little bit of experience, I really value both formative and observational data greatly as they are likely to be less intense and offer a wide range of data consumption opportunities #4thchat
There are so many programs that help collect data now that help you correct things on the fly...no better way than to catch things right away. #4thchat
A1: I collect a lot of math data and reading data. I’m trying to be better about using it to drive instruction but there is a lot of data to look at #4thchat
My Data-Driven Instruction
Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM) page https://t.co/8LtNW6ahWC I used the U.S. Census data of the area where I taught to personalize the census. #4thchat
A2: The elementary schools in our district moved to standard based report cards this year. It has really helped create a growth mindset and data where parents, teachers, and students can know what to work on. #4thchat
As a current college student, I completely agree with this. On a daily basis I am collecting data in regards to my understanding in specific classes, where I need more work and where I feel I have accomplished what needed to be done. #4thchat
A2: I use entrance/exit tickets, observations, and the formative assessments to drive my instruction as I am constantly making changes to my lessons even as I'm teaching it and have to change directions #4thchat
We also work together as a grade level to come up with what is essential and we have some time set aside each week where we reteach or enrich those students that need it. #4thchat
A2: If your data doesn't drive instruction, then why are you wasting time giving that assessment when we already have so little instruction time and so much to learn. #4thchat
A2 My data drives my instruction. I "plan" for the week but it never ends up the way I planned and that is ok. I've all ready changed my math for tomorrow based on my data from today. #4thchat
A2: I was a master of data collection and data-based lesson modification as a classroom teacher. Still haven’t found my groove as a computer teacher. I do use badges to track skills mastery. #4thchat
From my little bit of experience, I really value both formative and observational data greatly as they are likely to be less intense and offer a wide range of data consumption opportunities #4thchat
Are your entrance/exit tickets generally based on a question you have for the students or do students also have the opportunity to ask questions that they may still have on the tickets as well? #4thchat
A2: I use entrance/exit tickets, observations, and the formative assessments to drive my instruction as I am constantly making changes to my lessons even as I'm teaching it and have to change directions #4thchat
A3: We are constantly analyzing and assessing, but I'm lucky to have an hour every Monday where we really dive into data and help guide what we do that week. #4thchat
I think this becomes the problem with data collection. We are really good at getting it & then often don't take/or have the time to review. #4thchat@mrsreedsclass14
A1: I collect a lot of math data and reading data. I’m trying to be better about using it to drive instruction but there is a lot of data to look at #4thchat
A3: We have a PLC mtg with 4th gr team and the literacy coach while aides cover our rooms every other week. We discuss online assessments, growth data and plan forward. #4thchat
Our district has been standards based for a couple of years now. I think it helps us all to focus on what learning is taking place. Love the thought about "growth mindest" #4thchat
Last year I started giving kids the answer and they had to come up with the question. For instance the answer is 7/8. What is the question. This was practice decomposing fractions. #4thchat
I love doing that! I should probably do it more. It really helps students see that it's not all about the answer, the process is just as important, if not more. #4thchat
A3 I'm collecting data in the future and analyzing it, I would hope to analyze the data collected prior to the next meeting for the content it is over in order to accommodate my instruction effectively. #4thchat
A4: Our students have data folders to mark just a few data points to monitor improvement. We track a few online programs as a team on the board! #4thchat
LOVE, exit/entrance tickets - you can glean a lot of information. Easy to use Google Forms for this too so you can look remediate quickly. #4thchat Here's Alice Keeler's 5 Steps to Formative Assess. with Google Forms: https://t.co/H37OjOjc1V
A2: I use entrance/exit tickets, observations, and the formative assessments to drive my instruction as I am constantly making changes to my lessons even as I'm teaching it and have to change directions #4thchat
#4thchat A4 A key part of using data with Ss is a true culture of learning where #growthmindset allows for mistakes and new strategies. Then data is part of the learning journey.
A4: It's always cool if you can show them something from the beginning of the year, especially writing. They are always shocked. Sometimes it's hard to see how far you've come day by day, but over the year it's amazing what these kids do! #4thchat
I love your idea to use Google Forms as a way to collect entrance/exit tickets. So easy to create and also easy to sift through data afterwards. #4thchat
A4 I don't overload the kids with data. With SBL we use 1, 2, and 3. We talk about what a 1 looks like, a 2, and then 3. I love when kids ask how they can move to a 2 or 3. Great conversations about owning learning. #4thchat
We also work together as a grade level to come up with what is essential and we have some time set aside each week where we reteach or enrich those students that need it. #4thchat
A4: In Utah we have a program called Utah Compose, it grades their writing immediately and gives spelling and grammar suggestions. They all want to beat their scores and it's immediate feedback, unlike my mine trying to get to and help 32 of them. #4thchat
Data does not really take into account the full picture of a student who might have LD or other difficulties that are unaccounted for. My Learning Analytics - Big Data - Data Mining page https://t.co/TrOw3xO8tE#4thchat
A2: I am using my math data to drive instruction and to assign work for students who need the extra help using https://t.co/MPBJYpF2HV. I am trying to get my ela data analyzed but it is taking more time and ive been sick so im behind in that #4thchat
UGGHHH I have the hardest time giving immediate feedback with writing. It is very labor intensive. EVERYONE needs some type of corrective feedback. #4thchat
I'm loving the #UnlikelyHomeworkExcuses hashtag. I think the best one I ever got was an email from one of my 4th graders saying he was going to be late because he was in the middle of making a Youtube video for his channel. #4thchat#UTedChat
Last year I started giving kids the answer and they had to come up with the question. For instance the answer is 7/8. What is the question. This was practice decomposing fractions. #4thchat
A5 We have a team of five fourth grade teachers that meet every Friday from 12:45-3:00 to discuss data. Our principal will join us as well for a bit. #4thchat
A4: Last year my students kind of revolted against it. this year our new superintendent decided to get rid of of the district benchmarks for the rest of the year. my students this year are alot better about assessment but i've had to train them to be good about it #4thchat
I’m a huge fan of exit/entrance tickets too. Did them daily for every Math lesson with my fourth graders. Entrance covered topic of the day before Math. Checked and analyzed immediately. Differentiated every Math lesson. Exit for formative assessment. #4thchat
We use @MasteryConnect for most of our assessments. You can even tie each question on the test to a standard, so it's really easy to see where/if they need help. #4thchat
I can understand that. I try to keep it very simple- only one reading and one math goal in the personal folders. And one of each for the team goals on the board. #4thchat
A5: My teacher leader and 4th grade cohort go over data. I think i need to include my students in the reviewing of the data and see what they come up with. #4thchat
My kids don't even know when I am assessing them. It is just a part of what we do in a very low key way. I never even use the words test or assessment unless I am talking about Evaluate or state testing. #4thchat
A6: I’m a big fan of Google Sheets. In order to act on Data I have to organize it in ways that make sense to me. Also: I ❤️ Conditional Formatting! #4thchat
A4 From a student standpoint, I am far less apprehensive towards a formative assessment over a summative any day of the week... Primarily because I can focus more on the learning I am doing rather than the grade I'm striving to get. #4thchat
Writing is an area that I found was so subjective. Loved sitting with Ss and conferring-however, there wasn't enough time each day to get to each student. Program sounds awesome! #4thchat
I wish I had used Google Forms then. Mostly 1/4 sized sheets of paper! Problems on the whiteboard/projector. Teachers have NO excuse with Forms as a option. #4thchat
Well said Jerry! I totally agree with this statement. After all, just look at all those folks who either dropped out or didn't graduate but had lasting impact in our society! #4thchat
A6: I use google sheets. I use technology because its easier to share between and with other teachers and with parents if i need too. Also i can create a graph or pie chart to show my students data in a visual format. #4thchat
A5: Grade level team members (sometimes district wide); Sometimes: Reading Specialists & MSN teachers & Admins. #4thchat Depending on the type of data being collected.
Data doesn't track everything. I sent a parent survey home and most commented about how their students had learned confidence, gained social skills, or become more independent this year. #4thchat
OMG! I was trying to explain to the other teacher whose class I was in - how your class worked - she was flabbergasted when you said you had so many Ss. #4thchat I can't imagine grading the writing & providing effective feedback.
I find if the Ss were writing via Google Docs they received better feedback from me (unless I was conferring w/ them). I can type faster than handwrite. #4thchat Now we can add VOICE comments.
A7: I love using helpful data to adjust instruction, understand student needs, and encourage students! I wouldn’t call that pressure- helpful common sense! #4thchat
A7: yes i feel pressued to use data but it is completely of my own doing. My Principal wants us to look at the data & use it to evaluate ourselves which i like. Sometimes i feel like if i dont use the data or evaluate it im not a good teacher #4thchat
A7 At this point I put the pressure on myself to know various ways to collect data, analyze it and put it in motion during instruction. It's just going to take #practicepracticepractice! #4thchat
A8: I have to find a way to have ahappy balance. Using data that i know is important instead of using data for data's sake. I know i will get better with it as i grow as a teacher. #4thchat
A8: #4thchat The challenge for data is that when it lines up it's redundant and when it doesn't it's a piece of the puzzle. Data frames a view but Ss are much more.
I'm used to being the best, it's hard being judged on what someone else does. I always feel bad if I don't have 100% pass, which means I always feel bad. There's always more you can do, it can burn you out sometimes. Then when you add admin pressure, it can get to you. #4thchat
A8: Big picture- data is helpful and necessary- but remember, students are the most important factor in learning. This helps me center my thoughts every time. #4thchat
My kids don't even know when I am assessing them. It is just a part of what we do in a very low key way. I never even use the words test or assessment unless I am talking about Evaluate or state testing. #4thchat
A8 The data is important but the student even more so. We have to know our kids and our content in order to make good effective data decisions. #4thchat
Yes! I’m trying to find a pic of my board with team goals- like 100% of students meet required minutes for reading program. 70% of students with passing Raye for math einstructon. #4thchat
A7: Even in my role as a Digital Learning Coach, I think I put the pressure on myself. Clearly, people want to know that what we are doing as teachers is working. #4thchat It goes just beyond our school when State Testing scores are published in the newspapers for all to see.
To this incredible #4thchat crew: you make us smile, inspire us, and help us grow. Thanks to the amazing @downrightdave for being an awesome cohost! And to @ncarroll24 for being a great support always! Missing @plnaugle tonight!
