A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
We'll definitely miss you, @Mr_Lisek! Hopefully you can access all the fun through the #AMLE2018 hashtag and still feel like part of the party. #mschat
I will definitely be keeping up by following the hashtag. Does anybody have unlimited data and an open Google Hangout link they’re willing to share? #mschat
Q1: Look over the #AMLE2018 sessions: https://t.co/gOm8IZThdd
Pick a few & tell us why you're interested in them. If you're a presenter, feel free to tell us about your session! #mschat
A1: Th: Branding by Marlena Gross Taylor, Let’s Get Physical by Charles Beaman, Teenage Brain is like a Semi W/out Brakes by Dr. Lou Whittaker, Science of Adolescent Learning by Robyn Harper, Level Up by Jason Pound, Switch on the Adolescent Brain by Alisa Braddy #mschat
A1: The title tends to catch me first, even more than the presenter. A snappy title draws me in. Is it a topic I need? Then, if the description has personality, is well-written, and the time fits my schedule, I'm in! #mschat
A1: Fri: Learned Helplessness by Debbie Silver, That’s a Good Question by Erik Francis, 50 Ways to Leave your Lecture by Katie Anderson, Put the Highlighter Down by Anthony Davidson, Learning is not a Spectator Sport by Jane Feber, Formative Assessment by Marcia Tate
#mschat
A1: I’d love to attend You Make the Difference with another of my favorite Tweeple @mgrosstaylor! She has a great mind for education and I know the take away would be valuable. #mschat
@AMLE is the international organization supporting middle grades education, providing professional development, publication, and other services. Seriously, these are our people! #mschat
I am really proud of this presentation. We play bingo with the 16 characteristics from TWB, and take time for personal reflection and time to talk with your neighbors. You walk away with a mini plan on what you are going to work on. (plus candy and prizes!) #AMLE2018#mschat
In reply to
@Beyond_the_Desk, @DrDebbieSilver, @ellendamore, @DrBobbyMoore
A2: Sadly not going this year, but I went a few years ago, and it was honestly the best educational conference I've ever attended. I learned so much information to take back and use in my own school, and I met some great people from all over. #mschat
The personal connections may be my favorite part. It's a really valuable thing to feel like a part of something celebrated and special, to realize our tribe is so big! #mschat
A2) #AMLE2018 annual conferences are the most professional, most energetic, most inspiring conferences.
I am not saying that because I am a board member...
I am a board member because of the conference (true story!) #AMLE2018#mschat
A2: To be around so many other educators who enjoy teaching adolescents is a type of nirvana! Other conferences don't always address the needs of middle level Ss and Ts. #mschat#AMLE2018
A2 #AMLE2015 was such an amazing experience for me. The learning & sharing was top notch, but it was the personal connections I made that put it over the top. #mschat
A2: I started attending the @AMLE annual conference in 2015 when I presented my first session. I was OVERWHELMED with the feeling of belonging...to something awesome and powerful...and by feeling celebrated for being a middle grades educator. #mschat
Oh my goodness, that's too kind! BUT, that's also an example of how powerful the conference hashtag is! Those who can't attend in person really will be part of the action via Twitter! #mschat
A4) I don't think this was at AMLE, and I am sure it can happen anywhere to anyone... but when the tech doesn't work, and the presenter can't wing it... so you end up not getting to hear about the ideas you came to listen to. (Always have a plan B) #mschat
A4: One that felt...weird. 2 presenters, & while 1 was talking, the other would wander the room. Messed with lights, sat random places. They kind of had an idea what they were going to share, but seemed to wing it in a way that left us without tangible takeaways. #mschat
A4: Conference sessions where you are talked at and there is no engagement with the content. Presenters need to know that their attendees need to see how the activity works, not just told. #mschat
I've been rescued by awesome people who run down adapters or dongles for me too many times to count! Tag in the tribe, but yes, plan B (or C and D!) should be ready to roll. #mschat
I've been in this situation. If you aren't familiar with the content of your presentation, you might as well feed yourself to the wolves. #AlwaysHaveBackup#mschat
I honestly want to do a better job celebrating and supporting new presenters. I think now that I'm a few years in, it's something I'd really like to do. Those 1st time nerves can be killer, wondering if you stack up, if you have what it takes. #mschat
A4b: I also struggle with sessions when the presenter seems over it, like this is old hat to him or her. Each opportunity to present is an amazing blessing, one someone else got turned down for so WE could do it. We've got to take that seriously. #mschat
A5: Grace Dearborn--strategies I can add to my bag of tricks and use RIGHT AWAY, presented with humor and encouragement; @rickwormeli2 because he challenges me & fills each minute with content #mschat
A5: Any @lesliefisher presentation at #MACUL has been great. She brings the goods when it comes to new tools for the classroom. I know she's a pro, but I try to remember the energy she brings when I am doing my presentations to teacher groups. #mschat
A5) I always love seeing @rickwormeli2 you know he is a fantastic middle grades teacher because he is a fantastic and incredibly engaging presenter. You leave with so many ideas, and a real sense of reflecting on your practice! #AMLE2018#mschat
Q5- I don't remember who did it, but one of my fav sessions was a panel of 8th grade students that you could ask questions. One student made a comment that my co-worker and I still use each school year. It was great to hear from the kids in an honest Q/A format. #mschat
A5: One of the best I ever attended was at an NMSA in Louisville several yrs ago. I believe it was Dr. William DeVries who showed us & told about artificial hearts. He was so interesting that when we were kicked out of the room, we moved elsewhere & he kept going #mschat
A5b: Another great presenter is @rushtonh. Truly captivates an audience with his style. Nice flow and engages attendees with the tools he presents. #mschat
A6: I love having my Chromebook to create docs with hyperlinks and images. That way I can access content from one place. I tried sketchnotes for a keynote session once, and liked it, but I couldn't replicate it for the content I like. #mschat
Q6: I always like a laptop or my phone only because I'm a much quicker typer and can get all the things I want to down, as well as it's easier to share the information with other people. #mschat
A6) I like to download the presentation into @NotabilityApp and take my notes on my iPad, I can draw, highlight, add photos, type.
I am also dabbling in using my dot journal and lots of colorful pens! (Works great when capturing lots of quotes and ideas) #AMLE2018#mschat
A6: I take notes on a @rocketbook that I can upload to my Drive. I also tweet anything I find super meaningful or valuable. Then I go back through my tweets on the flight home. #mschat
A7: I go back to my classroom and put my Ss in the driver's seat. Try these things out, then give me feedback about it. They will give you what you need to know about what works and what needs to be fixed. #mschat
A7: I find that I honestly kind of forget...there's SO MUCH awesomeness at a conference, especially a multi-day one, that a few nuggets ride home with me to use the next day. But then real life washes over me, and... #mschat
What a great question! Our classroom situations may not be the same, our Ss could have different prior knowledge, plus it's hard to convey a complete lesson or anticipate what might happen. Plus we forget things! #mschat
A7b: It helps me to follow up a bit after the conference, a few days or even a few weeks later, talk back over highlights and questions with others. That way I don't lose what I learned. #mschat
A7: Are there ways for presenters to help make the material easier to remember? Are there any takeaways or presentation techniques that you felt stuck post-conference? #amle18#mschat
A7: Are there ways for presenters to help make the material easier to remember? Are there any takeaways or presentation techniques that you felt stuck post-conference? #amle18#mschat
A7) Time, always time to create the new pieces. There is also that little bit of a reality check when you get back to your school, and that energy from the conference has worn off. #AMLE2018#mschat
A8: Here's where I basically fail miserably. A few things get implemented right away (especially if they were tangible strategies or so exciting I talk about them immediately), but a lot of really valuable learning sits in those notes until I stumble across them again... #mschat
A8) I like to come home with books! (I can go back to some of the ideas as needed) And small things for my team members to help pull them into my excitement. #AMLE2018#mschat
A8: I have a special PD folder in Google Drive that I have labeled so it always stays at the top of my Drive. I go back to it weekly to find tools and things. It's been very helpful in bringing freshness to my Ss. #mschat
This is an excellent idea. I bet if I poured through my past notes now, I'd find valuable things I'd forgotten. OK, going to do this regularly from now on! #mschat
I've attended sessions where we completed a postcard at the end where we listed the things we wanted to implement during that year. A few months later, the presenter mailed it to us so we could see what we'd used. #mschat
A9: Connect with people. Invite yourself to sit with them. Tweet out that you want a burger and see who's in. Those personal, real-life connections are so needed. I'm shy, and I can do it. #mschat
A9) @AMLE is trying something new this year, mentors for first time attendees. I am so excited for this, a great way to get connected quickly. (I think I am going to encourage my mentees to check out this chat!) #AMLE2018#mschat
A9 Choose a few topics you'd like to learn more about before browsing catalog. So many great choices it can be overwhelming. Have a plan B. And don't be shy...make new friends! #mschat
A9: I've never gone to an AMLE Conference, but I would say to meet as many people as you can and exchange contact info. That will build your PLN and potentially have a positive impact on your teaching toolbox. #mschat
Good point, sometimes if you can't find a session to go to, taking that "quieter time" in the exhibit hall can be really beneficial. You can spend more time talking to specific vendors. #AMLE2018#mschat
A9b: It's cold in convention centers. And it can be a far walk from your hotel room to the conference, so even though we sit a lot at conferences, I prefer comfy shoes. #reallife#mschat
Yes! I wish I'd known this the first year! Have your phone at the ready to get Twitter handles or email addresses. Build those connections! #mschat#AMLE2018
A10: I was kind of shocked how many presenters I've struggled to find on Twitter. This is such a valuable way to connect with each other. #mschat#AMLE2018
A10: I know it's not a teacher thing, but having a business card or something small to hand out is a great way to keep connected. I used to do small slips of paper and tell people "I'm on a teacher budget." #mschat
A10: I know it's not a teacher thing, but having a business card or something small to hand out is a great way to keep connected. I used to do small slips of paper and tell people "I'm on a teacher budget." #mschat
A9: While electrical outlets are easier to find now in the past, a portable charger can't hurt, and you can make friends with a mini-extension cord. Second the snacks! #mschat
Was that seriously an hour of #mschat? Wow, that was a ton of fun.
Thanks @Beyond_the_Desk for leading an awesome chat.
If you're attending have fun at #AMLE2018 and make sure to share, share, and share some more on with your Twitter PLN!
Hi everyone! I am super tardy to the chat tonight but I look forward to reading through the conversation AND meeting many of you in person next week at #AMLE2018! #mschat
Thank you all for such a valuable #mschat tonight. I know not all of us will be at #AMLE2018 in person, but it will still be so very valuable to connect, share, and learn together next week while the middle grades get to take center stage!
