#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Welcome to #6thchat!
My name is Mike Roberts, and I will be your guest moderator for tonight’s chat!
Please take a few minutes to introduce yourselves, including where and what you teach.
And don’t forget to use #6thchat in all your responses!
Welcome & thank you to @baldroberts for guest moderating tonight's #6thchat I'm attending a writer's retreat, so depending on wi-fi & schedule, I may pop in to enjoy tonight's exchange! Meanwhile, let's give a warm welcome to Mike Roberts, author of Hacking Classroom Management
Hello #6thchat, I'm Sam and it has been quite a while since I have been able to attend one of these chats due to summer camp events. Happy to be back though
Welcome to #6thchat!
My name is Mike Roberts, and I will be your guest moderator for tonight’s chat!
Please take a few minutes to introduce yourselves, including where and what you teach.
And don’t forget to use #6thchat in all your responses!
A1: I always send an email home to parents and introduce myself. I also ask parents to share an interesting fact about their child with me. I then share this with the class. #6thchat
A1: Standing in the doorway welcoming students, music playing in the room, and some fun activity to kick off the year (I still have about 2 weeks to worry about what) #6thchat
Our district uses PBIS and we begin the year with positive expectations. In my own class, I try to learn names as quickly as possible to begin building those relationships from day one! #6thchat
I also do a writing activity that lets me get to know them a little bit better and make book recommendations along the way. I "stole" the idea from @spillarke#6thchat
Question Two
Many classroom disruptions that occur happen during those one or two minute transition times between activities -
What effective transition strategies have you used to limit these distractions?
#6thchat
Question Three
Is it “my” class or “our” class? –
When setting up class expectations, what role, if any, do your students play in the process?
What are the pros and cons of empowering your students in this? #6thchat
A3) #6thchat I think it has to be "our class". I always have them brainstorm expectations/rules for how our class will run in small groups. Ss write these on chart paper. Then bring 2 groups together to share, combine or delete& then share out with class.
A3: Ideally students should have a say to increase buy-in and motivation to follow the expectations. I think as a T it is important to go in with an idea of where you want it to go though #6thchat
Good evening, #6thchat
Ryan in Michigan - Social Studies
Very excited to join the @BaldRoberts Hacking Classroom Management chat tonight, even though I'm late.
Question Four
I am a big fan of the “Trust ‘em ‘til you bust ‘em!” philosophy when it comes to my students -
What are some ways you show your students that you have trust in them and their actions?
How does this help create a positive classroom atmosphere?
#6thchat
A4: Letting them use headphones to listen to music and talk quietly with peers while they work, once the work stops getting done these privileges go away until the work comes back
#6thchat
If you like the topics being discussed here, there’s a lot more where that came from inside Hacking Classroom Management!
Plus, there is something in there for everyone from the pre-service teacher to the thirty year vet!
Check out https://t.co/q4IAEHHKvP for details. #6thchat
A4) I let my students do take home tests and self assessments all the time. When they do these things, I tell them “don’t let me down” by cheating. I find they live up to expectations like these when given the chance. #6thchat
A4) #6thchat Trusting them to borrow books from our classroom library without "checking out" books is a huge one. I give them a big pep talk and tell them how responsible they are now that they are 6th graders.
A4) We also grade everything as a class. Ss grade their own tests, then write me an explanation as to why they earned the grade they did. They are always a lot tougher on themselves than I’d be. #6thchat
#6thchat A4 I let students “post” and “comment” in our Google Classroom unless they prove they can not do so respectfully. Only had to shut off permissions for one S last year.
A4: I give them flexible deadlines for projects and assignments. I allow them to set their deadline (within reason) and trust them to live up to their end of the bargain. If they don't, I set their deadlines for the rest of the quarter. We start over next quarter. #6thchat
I am always amazed at how seriously Ss take a phrase like “don’t let me down.” It means a lot, and they don’t want to break that trust once they’ve been given it. #6thchat
Question Five
When my students sit too much, they tend to get bored and distracted –
What are some ways that you incorporate opportunities for movement into your daily lessons?
What benefits have you seen as a result? #6thchat
#6thchat A4 I let students “post” and “comment” in our Google Classroom unless they prove they can not do so respectfully. Only had to shut off permissions for one S last year.
A4) I also let them select their seats and partners when working on projects. I actually have Ss who won’t work together because they know they will just mess around. #6thchat
A5: Brain breaks when needed (Ss can request), also provide opportunity to walk around, stand and collaborate with one another. I try to include poster chats and gallery walks whenever possible. #6thchat
No idea, I tried playing my own music from Promethean board and my students didn't appreciate my choices. I let them use headphones and YouTube and find some have less issues then #6thchat
A5) we take our discussions on the road and do walk and talks. Instead of sitting in the classroom talking, we go walk around the field or the block and chat it up. Ss love it. #6thchat
#6thchat I don't care where or how they sit, with whom they sit, as long as they hit deadlines and can see/hear me in the room. They move as they need to as long as the learning continues.
Question Five
When my students sit too much, they tend to get bored and distracted –
What are some ways that you incorporate opportunities for movement into your daily lessons?
What benefits have you seen as a result? #6thchat
A5) we also play musical chairs. I play a song, they walk around. Song stops, they discuss a question with a partner. Music starts, and they repeat the process. Great way to get lots of Ss involved and moving! #6thchat
Question Six
I argue that being a successful teacher isn’t about doing that one big thing – it’s about doing those 100 little things!
What are some ways you connect with/support your students outside the classroom, and how has this benefitted you within the classroom? #6thchat
#6thchat I don't care where or how they sit, with whom they sit, as long as they hit deadlines and can see/hear me in the room. They move as they need to as long as the learning continues.
Question Five
When my students sit too much, they tend to get bored and distracted –
What are some ways that you incorporate opportunities for movement into your daily lessons?
What benefits have you seen as a result? #6thchat
A6) any time spent at their after school events gets paid back ten fold in the classroom. If you want Ss to support you in the classroom, you need to support them outside of it. #6thchat
A6: I’ve been tweeting about this one all summer! I set up a Classroom for our Summer work (required to give) and I’ve been communicating and interacting with my rising Ss all summer long. It has been amazing!!!!!! #6thchat
A6) I also believe that a thirty second conversational in the hall means a whole lot more to a kid than any letter grade or percentage on a paper. #6thchat
#6thchat I jump in during gym class now and again, playing with and talking to some of the less athletic or socially struggling students. Under the cover of a loud setting, sometimes it's easier to connect with Ss.
Question Six
I argue that being a successful teacher isn’t about doing that one big thing – it’s about doing those 100 little things!
What are some ways you connect with/support your students outside the classroom, and how has this benefitted you within the classroom? #6thchat
A6) #6thchat I try to go to sport events and concerts. I also try to front load a bunch of good phone calls home and letting the parents know what a great transition the S is making into 6th grade.
A2. It’s definitely “our” class. I give students a team project without any directions from the teacher. Through natural interactions with their peers, they learn what works and what doesn’t work. This sets up a great discussion to establish class agreements. #6thchat
A3. It’s definitely “our” class. I give students a team project without any directions from the teacher. Through natural interactions with their peers, they learn what works and what doesn’t work. This sets up a great discussion to establish class agreements. #6thchat
Question Seven
My students tend to produce higher-quality work when they are given a range of options to demonstrate their learning.
What are some summative assessment methods you use that go beyond the traditional testing methods?
#6thchat
A6. #6thchat Sometimes it's difficult to get back to my school community for Ss' sports and club events. A short convo over a GS cookie order form, while picking a book in in our class library, or even at the lunch table with a small group goes a looooong way.
A7) I created a “do something that impresses me” option on formal assessments. This is one where they can create their own way of showing me they understand the subject matter. I have seen some super rad things from this! Way beyond what I could ever think of. #6thchat
A4. Yes! I always trust ss until they give reason. I show this by
proving leadership opportunities in the classroom, giving choice, and
allowing independent projects. When 6th
graders are given responsibility, they typically rise to the occasion. #6thchat
A7) #6thchat I would like to do more with this. I want to give them some choices with different apps like Seesaw or Flipgrid (learned this summer) so they could record themselves, write, create some other special project.
Question Eight
Trying something new and different can be scary…but it can also be awesome! –
What is something you learned about tonight that you are going to try out this school year?
#6thchat
#6thchat I give Ss a rubric w/ content & goals, and as many as 4 options to produce their work, They also have flexibility to modify an existing option or to get permission to do it in an entirely diff way. Have had all kinds of results that AREN'T posterboard and slideshows!
Question Seven
My students tend to produce higher-quality work when they are given a range of options to demonstrate their learning.
What are some summative assessment methods you use that go beyond the traditional testing methods?
#6thchat
#6thchat We used a lot of both! @Seesaw was great for sharing all our digital products with parents. We used @Flipgrid for many opinion and persuasive topics.
#6thchat A7. options have included poems, dramatic performances, green screen productions, building (makerspace-type), and a host of others, Even with writing, I have given them a chance to illustrate their work.
A5 I often ask ss to walk around the room while they process the answer to a question for 30 seconds. Then they find a partner to “turn and talk” before
sharing out. Read the room, reduce teacher talk and get them engaged in a learning activity. #MovementBreak#6thchat
Presenting a PD tomorrow with @Stacieray3Wood on the power of Twitter on building your PLN and connecting educators (and authors, etc.). I would love some feedback on how Twitter has helped you as a teacher or as someone who has connected with educators.
