#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Hi! My name is Rochelle and I am a preservice teacher double majoring in Elementary Education and Child Development and this is my first twitter chat! #Kinderchat
Hello everyone! Kathleen from Edmonton co-moderating here with @happycampergirl and Iโm not late this time! My child napped 30 minutes at daycare today and played himself and was asleep by 6:45! ๐ #kinderchat#playedyoself
Amy here, moderating from The Canada along with @mmekathleen who will be here shortly. I beat the January blues by planning & booking summer adventures! #kinderchat
Carrie here from Prince Edward Island, Canada. I beat the January blues (this year) by keeping my eyes on the prize: A trip to Las Vegas to see my bestie over March Break! This winter is especially brutal weather wise. #kinderchat
The universal social media consensus is that I should fly into Vienna before taking the train to Berlin, and WHO AM I TO ARGUE WITH SUCH GOOD ADVICE? #kinderchat
I just saw the insane dump of snow you guys got on the news today. โ๏ธ Enjoooooy! It was 6 degrees here today. Pretty much T-shirt weather after what we endured on the weekend. #kinderchat
Hey #kinderchat ! Sarah from OH here. Switching to K from 3rd next year! I try to keep running through the winter to keep my mind right... Even if it is on the dredmill
Kristin from VA. We moved into our new school building this weekend and tomorrow is our official first day in the new building. I'm exhausted. #Kinderchat
A1: I don't require them to sit criss-cross but I do not allow them to stretch their legs out or sit in the W shape. They can put their legs to the side also. #Kinderchat
A1: I have asked children to sit without touching others and to make sure the person behind could see what was going on. Hands in your own space. #kinderchat
A1: I do, mostly because that's how we can all fit together on the carpet. But I am not rigid about it, it's more of a starting point. And anytime they need to get up to move to a seat they are more than welcome to #kinderchat
A1: I don't require students to sit criss cross but I encourage it since it is a way for students to sit while keeping their hands to themselves, but as long as the student is comfortable and not disruptive, I'm good with it #Kinderchat
A1: I find it really depends on my group of students. Some groups are wonderful at being able to sit whichever way they want while respecting personal boundaries. Other groups, not so much. 1/3 or 1/2 way through the year, it usually improves and we can loose up. #kinderchat
#kinderchat Want tools on how T's & S's benefit from activities designed to bring ALL members of the classroom into community, creating a safe, equitable learning environment? FOLLOW @_coolclassroom & Carla Tantillo Philibert @ #CEC2019. CLICK: https://t.co/DJc7CiDWDa for info
A1. Not in the traditional sense. Have a rug with square spots & they have to be in their space-hands to self-listening with eyes, ears, brain & heart. I also gauge their wiggles on when to add in movement #kinderchat
A1 related: I have 2 students this year with ZERO core or upper body strength. That really made me review and rethink sitting criss cross, and rework plans to help those kiddos out! #kinderchat
A1 I did but mostly to help kinders with personal space. When they sat not bothering kids I ignored if they didnโt sit criss cross. For the wiggly ones we had lots of negotiations. LOL #kinderchat
A1: As an aspiring T, probably not. I know when I was a kid in elementary it was awkward for me since ... I don't know how to explain it really ... it ... it wasn't something I had the coordination to do. I think I got yelled at several times for not sitting that way #kinderchat
I ask students to sit where they can see what is going on, on their bottoms, unless they are in the back, and to keep hands to themselves. Other than that: have at it! #kinderchat
I am an aspiring teacher, too! I relate since I am so short (5'0) that my feet don't touch the ground on the floor so I found get made fun of for not being able to sit like everyone else when I physically could not #Kinderchat
PSA: if they wonโt sit criss cross, itโs not because they wonโt. Itโs because they canโt. Developing all those upper body muscles and core strength will help students achieve goals of remaining in their personal space and being able to sit for 5 minutes. #kinderchat
A1: There are times we all practiced sitting criss cross, just as we practiced waiting in line or other social conventions that can make life easier, but usually we worked on body control that was appropriate to the situation and individual. #kinderchat
My other revolutionary seating epiphany: it is not the responsibility of the person IN FRONT of you to move so you can see. If you can't see, MOVE SO YOU CAN SEE. #kinderchat
Bobbie hello! I'm so glad you're here! You always have such good insight. But yes! As long as they participate and do their best it shouldn't matter #Kinderchat
And while we are at it: sitting in a circle is not a workable arrangement for a readaloud. Let all the kids sit WHERE THEY CAN SEE THE BOOK. #kinderchat
My other revolutionary seating epiphany: it is not the responsibility of the person IN FRONT of you to move so you can see. If you can't see, MOVE SO YOU CAN SEE. #kinderchat
Thanks so much Rochelle! I remember having to sit criss cross in elementary school; it was always so hard for me! If your student is uncomfortable, they won't be able to pay attention as well! (I wouldn't be able to at least!) #Kinderchat
Ha! As I was tweeting that, I was thinking about what I say. I usually say โassis-toi comme il fautโ which basically means โsit the way you are supposed to.โ I guess that can have different meaning for different people?! It works. ๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ #kinderchat
Hear ya on that. I understand why they wanted us to... so that everyone can easily see the board or the school assemblies. But just wasn't a comfortable setting #kinderchat
And while we are at it: sitting in a circle is not a workable arrangement for a readaloud. Let all the kids sit WHERE THEY CAN SEE THE BOOK. #kinderchat
A2: honestly, talking in the hall is a big one. I always catch myself apologizing to my class for not being a good model when I'm talking to another teacher in the hall #kinderchat
A1 Raise your hand if you want to speak (true adults wait to jump in maybe), Raise your hand to ask to go to the bathroom. These two come to mind..... #kinderchat
Ashley from Indy...joining late! A1: I give my Ss three choices, cross cross, mountain (knees up, arms around knees) or mermaid (legs to the side)-Thx @DNTatFCE! Like others have said, as long as Ss are not bothering others & paying attention, itโs all good. #kinderchat
A2: We impose rules on children and any questioning of the rules is not tolerated. Growing up, if you questioned any rule you were a "trouble maker" and I think as an adult everyone questions some rules to some extent (and I'm a huge rule follower) #Kinderchat
A2: Line up outside in class groupings after recess and come into the school when the adult says you get to come in. I understand coming in without killing each other, but, . . . #kinderchat
A2: Permission to use the bathroom! I worked with my kinders to be politely independent about this ASAP. As always, there are exceptions, but most five year olds know when they need to go and should be aloud to do so! #kinderchat
Things I cannot stand as an adult: being told when I am allowed to go to the bathroom, being told I cannot sit w/people I know, being told where to put my hands when I am walking... #kinderchat
Devan I'm so glad you're here too! More good insight! I appreciate that Sally will allow us to even stand or move if we need to as long as we're not disruptive and I wish more teachers and professors practiced that #Kinderchat
Can I just defend raising your hand for a second? When we are in a lecture or in a meeting, we as adults raise our hands for our turn. That's how I view raising hands in class. Not in a casual conversation, but if we are in "meeting" mode. #kinderchat
Agreed. I tell children that when grown ups are chatting together at a cocktail party, we don't raise hands. But we do here so we can each be heard and respected as we take turns. #kinderchat
Our Home Connection for this weekโs #corecompetency: I know that others can be different from me. So great having the Sts bring in & present their traditions/artifacts & connecting their learning at home! #sd43#BCEdChat#kinderchat
We will have a bathroom in our room next year, new building, how do you grow this independence? In 3rd I have a pass they set by their stuff but if I'm not teaching they are free to use the pass #kinderchat
I had a carpet sweeper which the children LOVED to push around and encouraged the use of slippers. How can I expect them to sit somewhere I'm not willing to sit? #kinderchat
Confession: sometimes, I use a "bathroom break" as a way to give myself a break from a long meeting or workshop. Shouldn't we allow kids to do this, as well? #kinderchat
But! What if you have 650 kids grades K-3 all waiting to come in 4 sets of doors. I think you need a line up, otherwise you have a dangerous situation #kinderchat
I agree. Thereโs a time and place. They will learn with time and experience when hand raising should be used. Itโs part of our job to teach them this too. #kinderchat
Can I just defend raising your hand for a second? When we are in a lecture or in a meeting, we as adults raise our hands for our turn. That's how I view raising hands in class. Not in a casual conversation, but if we are in "meeting" mode. #kinderchat
Hi, my name is Carrie Marshall and I suppose my job tonight is to defend lining up and raising hands, lol! Who knew I'd be a rule stickler ๐๐ #kinderchat
ME TOO! Just some sort of brain break where they can just be quiet and mentally relax without constantly thinking. They can practice healthy mental heath strategies young #Kinderchat
Yes. I know. It just reminds me of how we had a door for boys and a door for girls and we were segregated. It often feels like a powerplay. #kinderchat
I think the thing with hand-raising is the intention: is it to indicate a desire to speak and ensure everyone gets a turn, or is it to control the conversation? #kinderchat
Agree when weโre in circle time and kids are taking turns talking, but there must be a better way to ask it go to the bathroom then raise hands. Lol #kinderchat Can set other guidelines
A3: There can be so many consequences! As someone with ADD, if someone with ADD or especially ADHD can not physically move they might use their energy in a way that is disruptive or unsafe #Kinderchat
Absolutly! Aspiring teacher here: I have a proffesor that says most high school students can only focus for about 20 minutes at a time. Students really should be getting up to move around, or do something different, every 20 minutes! #Kinderchat
All these โwhat ifsโ come down to that kid who you know is taking advantage, that kid that wonโt listen and wonโt be able to complete the following activity, or that kid who will hurt someone/fool around/blurt out if you donโt control everything. 1/2 #kinderchat
BUT, we need to plan and act for the 95% of our class that DOES WELL with these freedoms of a non micromanaged classroom. We can deal with the other 5% using broad based strategies and personalized intervention. 2/2 #kinderchat
A3: In music ed, we have a saying that goes "Never work harder than your group" when conducting an enssemble. You should be working equally as hard as your classroom. They want to acheive as much as you want them to, so sometimes you need let them try on their own! #Kinderchat
1/2: I remember being a freshman in college, my first lecture, and raising my hand to ask to use the bathroom! The prof said, "We are adults. Go to the bathroom whenever you want." The embarrassment of that moment obviously stuck with me. #kinderchat
Which makes a lovely segue into the question: is it okay to have different rules for different kids, rather than making a rule for EVERYONE because of one child's needs? #kinderchat
All these โwhat ifsโ come down to that kid who you know is taking advantage, that kid that wonโt listen and wonโt be able to complete the following activity, or that kid who will hurt someone/fool around/blurt out if you donโt control everything. 1/2 #kinderchat
2/2: I give my Ks chances to go to the bathroom before we meet as a group. During activity time, if they need to go, they just tell me so I know where they are. #kinderchat
A3 I'm wrkg on building children's independence in positive ways. When they make choices abt where to sit, how to sit, where to move, they begin learning what's acceptable. If they can't handle it, I'll ask if they'd like me to choose for them. We all lrn eventually. #kinderchat
A3: I read about a teacher who had the rule that students have to be either still, or quiet. So they could walk around without talking, or sit and whisper. Without the movement, students will lose their focus.
#Kinderchat
A3: I believe that it is important for the rules to be equitable, not equal. I still believe that most rules can apply to everyone, but it is important to remember to be equitable #Kinderchat
I think it's a little bit of both. However, if we taught our students how to have continous and polite conversations (allowing everyone to speak who wants to, and not interupting or intruding), that would go a long way in the classroom and into their adult lives! #Kinderchat
Oops. I forgot I helped create some of the questions for tonight. ๐ I mean, uh, yes, very intentional segue in my co-moderating status. ๐ #kinderchat
I think "basic" classroom expectations are important, but also making sure and knowing there is freedom within those expectations for differentiation. #kinderchat
We co-construct essential agreements about how we will be with each other on the first day of school. It's always based on respect and caring! #kinderchat
A4: Quoting from my last tweet:
We co-construct essential agreements about how we will be with each other on the first day of school. It's always based on respect and caring! We build the expectations TOGETHER. #kinderchat
A3: an unnecessary power struggle. These Ss are 5 or 6 yrs old-not robots or statues. They lose focus and frankly you lose their buy-in and joy for learning #kinderchat
A4: I think sitting down with the children on the first day and going over rules and saying something like 'we can always come back to this and if you feel like something is unfair we can talk about it any day' so the students know they're being heard #Kinderchat
Full moon. Indoor recess. And prep second period. It doesn't seem to be a winning combo, but it really was! Today may have been one of our BEST days ever!!! Can't wait for tomorrow. https://t.co/4MKWtWMY10#kinderchat#luckyteacher cc @john_gris
A4: For me, it's activity/play/learning center (whatever we want to call it) time. They choose the activities they want to because they know what they need. I just ask that they clean up after themselves so others can play too. #kinderchat
I always told the children my number one job was to KEEP THEM SAFE! That, combined with mutual respect, kindness and caring formed the basis of our interactions. #kinderchat
I see in our kids design classroom pledges based on respect, safety, kindness (expectations to make a safe learning space) Differentiations not about these but on parameters individual kinder may need #kinderchat
In reply to
@CarrieMarshall1, @KeeneeLou, @happycampergirl
A4: A super easy way to allow students to do that in music is letting them pick their own instruments you show them (for example, egg shakers or little drums for everyone?), or letting them pick between which song story to go through today. #Kindermusic#Kinderchat
A4: My personal TSN turning point was letting my students each snack whenever they wanted and wherever they wanted. Anything extra I donโt have to mange is a huge bonus. Parisien eaters can eat for 30 minutes, and chompers can chow down in 50 seconds. #kinderchat
That's beautiful. We're taught that our children need to feel and be safe and loved and everything else comes second. But really, I love that #Kinderchat
That's awesome! I think its a practice that should take place for K-12. With persistance, it teaches kids how to have conversations in the real world so much better. #Kinderchat
Keeping them safe underscored my intention. And explained why I needed them to check in with me before leaving the room or hiding in the lockers! #kinderchat
A4: My personal TSN turning point was letting my students each snack whenever they wanted and wherever they wanted. Anything extra I donโt have to mange is a huge bonus. Parisien eaters can eat for 30 minutes, and chompers can chow down in 50 seconds. #kinderchat
A4 #kinderchat start the day with โplayโ then morning meeting, then outdoor play (snack) then a chunk of structured academic time. Lunch/play and afternoon vary. Often โfree choice timeโ is just that within parameters of whatโs open.
A4: For me, it's activity/play/learning center (whatever we want to call it) time. They choose the activities they want to because they know what they need. I just ask that they clean up after themselves so others can play too. #kinderchat
It all depends on the situation. If there is a good reason to line up or be quiet do it, but if not let it go. Life is not one size fits all. #kinderchat
In reply to
@CarrieMarshall1, @KeeneeLou, @happycampergirl
Oh man would I pay big money to see someone bring this up to the administration that was in charge when I were in elementary ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ #KinderChat
A4: My personal TSN turning point was letting my students each snack whenever they wanted and wherever they wanted. Anything extra I donโt have to mange is a huge bonus. Parisien eaters can eat for 30 minutes, and chompers can chow down in 50 seconds. #kinderchat
Still thinking about the article & if itโs compliance we seek, or a standard to help set the stage as we get our kids involved in the kinder world. reflecting as I look at when we can sit back.. & give more choice @happycampergirl@MmeKathleen Good article #kinderchat
