#4thchat Archive
#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).
Monday February 1, 2016
Here we are for another and . Hello tweeps. Paula joining in form New Orleans.
Good evening, Paula! I’m happy to with my favorite folks! How was your Monday, friends? I’m Jenn from IN.
Hey ! Keith from Pittsburgh, PA here popping in for a little bit tonight!
Hi Paula! Joining in from an unseasonably warm Mass. 67 degrees today!
Hi Jenn! Hope you are well! Day flew by today! We are at day 94 :)
Billy, STEAM, and Computer Teacher for grades 3 & 4 in NJ
Hi Keith - glad you’re joining in for a bit! Hope you’re off to a great start this week.
Hi, Keith! Glad you are here!
Tonight’s chat is custom made for you, my friend. How are things in NJ?
A1 We are developing a Lab in our school where students come during a cycle.
Hi Jenn, had a great Monday. We have four more days and then a whole week off for Mardi Gras.
Thanks and . It's been a while since a chat - I'm a little rusty!
We have STEM and we have arts... working toward STEAM!
A1: Our school is becoming a STEM school, but I which they would make it STEAM.
A1: Neither really - I incorporate some STEM into my Science class every month, but nothing major.
A1: We are neither STEM nor STEAM, unfortunately!
A1: Wednesday evening is our STEM Night for Ps and Ss.
Hey Folks! Nate from (going to get 15 inches of snow) Nebraska. Elementary Integration Specialist.
Love it, jerry. Thanks for sharing.
I love that idea! Then ALL kids are sure to participate. https://t.co/yMnCbqmpn0
A1 We are developing a Lab in our school where students come during a cycle.
Nate! 15 inches of snow!!! What a dream! How are you tonight?
A1 Hello Tammy from Iowa, I feel my school is neither
A1: I’m not sure how we would designate our school. We are having a STEAM night this yr. https://t.co/OMccA8SxzP
Love it, jerry. Thanks for sharing.
This is the Symbaloo I'll be sharing in the computer lab for STEM night. Bissonet STEM - Symbaloo https://t.co/7aPvNnO7oq
This is the Symbaloo I'll be sharing in the computer lab for STEM night. Bissonet STEM - Symbaloo https://t.co/CgfKJTlmcJ
I'm doing great! They called our snow day tomorrow before students left today. How are you?
Q2: Do you feel Arts are as important as science, tech, engineering and math? Share your thoughts.
Hey Nate! Wow - you must be getting what we got last year! (It was 67degrees today - unheard of!).
Thanks my friend miss you. Things are quite busy!
All my kids love it they are always asking when they are coming back.
Hi Tammy! Hope you are well!
Doing great! But I really love snow, so I am a bit jealous! Hope you all stay safe? Did you assign work for tomorrow?
Just worried I'm going to wake-up stuck in Groundhog Day!
A1: How does a school get this designation?
Sounds like you beginning to move “full STEAM ahead”. LOL.
Just reading... a few are planning to work on Khan Academy from home.
We are in a blizzard warning also could get a lot of snow, already cancelled school for tomorrow
Definitely miss hang outing out with you. We need to do one soon.
A2: A wise man once said: Instead of STEM it should be STEAM. With A for arts. cc Yes, the arts are just as important.
Holy cow! Please send pics!!
A2: Arts are definitely just as important. We have 40 min Art/week & 60 min of music/wk.
A2: I personally prefer STEAM to STEM. I think all areas need to be covered in our schools.
Kathy showing up late.Sorry
On our news this evening they said IA was getting a blizzard - stay safe!
Q3: How can you get STEM/STEAM started in your school without support?
A2: We have a gr8 Art DOCENT program in grades 3-5. Culminating activity is a trip to Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Hi Kathy. We won’t ask for a tardy slip. LOL Glad you are here for .
A3: I am looking forward to replies on this one!
Be safe and yes, please share pictures.
Can you hear me chuckling??? hahah This cracked me up! https://t.co/ow17NAjT2z
Just worried I'm going to wake-up stuck in Groundhog Day!
A3 Start simple, a makers box and build from there. Makers and STEAM/STEM go hand in hand.
I just started asking parents for random/recycled odds and ends for a activity.
I'll totally send pics. Hasn't accumulated yet. Supposed to kick in after midnight.
That is a great way to start.
Glad you’re here - I know you’ll have lots to add!
I am hoping to start a club after school. I don’t feel like I can work it in during the day.
A3: Could start the move toward STEM/STEAM school with a makerspace maybe in your library.
Make sure we talk my friend working on a ton of & STEAM stuff right now.
Q4: What is most challenging about covering STEM or STEAM?
I would welcome that!!! Looking forward to it!
We sort of just started using the term STEM last year when we changed our math and tech night to STEM night. Small steps for sure.
I'm new to makerspace, what is the difference between that and genius hour?
makerspace focus more on STEM/STEAM Concepts where students are building.
I just signed up! Looks like fun!
A makerspace is a designated area where supplies are housed for Ss to make things. Could be cardboard, electronics, etc.
A4: Sometimes tying the activities into the curriculum (and coordinating materials.)
You're the first official sign-up!!
Q5: Does your school/district have a strict time schedule for number of minutes spent on STEM and ELA curriculum?
we are neither. I'm trying STEM ea. Week after taking s class
Just signed up!!! How fun!!!! Thx for invite.
A5: Yes, our state and district have strict guidelines about number of minutes for each subject at each grade level.
You’re sweet to mention. I have to laugh as I’m just getting to the bridges this week. Don’t know what’s taken so long.
Class? What class? Tell us more.
A5: We do have state guidelines for minutes spent per week in ELA and Math.
Q6: When is a time crunch, which is the subject area you are likely to “borrow” time from first?
What in the world have I missed?!
Thanks for signing up Nancy!!
Awesome thanks for signing up Paula!!
A5: We have Time On Learning minutes for all curriculum areas. (Not specifically STEM).
A6: Science & Soc Studies is where I steal - BUT I try to bring those topics into ELA (and math).
A6:Since I teach ELA and social studies, minutes seem to “get borrowed” from socst. Never want to lose ELA time.
A6: Seems like I always borrowed from Social Studies before the State Writing Assessment and then from Writing time afterwards.
Q7: What do you believe is most valuable to prepare our Ss for their futures? Explain your thoughts.
A7 Hands on learning, allowing students to think and explore.
What kinds of STEM/STEAM activities are you seeing in your district?
A6: always borrow from ELA I can teach reading writing and research within the lens of any subject or project, NO textbooks
A7: how to work in a group of differing ideas and abilities, take risks, and persevere in problem solving
A7: Being Problem Solvers - using various strategies to solve real world problems - spans the curriculum areas.
A7: Problem solving and teamwork. If they become confident about their skills, they should be able to handle anything!
A7: Project-based tching and learning allows Ss to understand and appreciate the relevancy of their work to the world around them.
Working in a group is key! Do you teach “HOW” to work as an effective group member? Looking for resources? https://t.co/VF0kz57ghF
A7: how to work in a group of differing ideas and abilities, take risks, and persevere in problem solving
we work on constructive dialogue and the first few projects students have roles, lots of team building first two months
A7 Kids and adults- we all learn by doing- can't learn golf from a worksheet
they also wrote "researcher reports" new animal discovered, stop motion, presented as a scientist, and discuss building
Q8: Do you foresee a change in your curriculum in the next year or two? Is a change needed?
So glad to have this discussion. To be honest it feels lonely around here when it comes to STEAM.
true but practice in golf does not always make you better… just saying.
We do a lot of partner work - I’ve been shying away from more than 3’s. Like the roles idea for group work.
Fun, fun, fun! & Learning too! They’ll always remember that! https://t.co/PVL3bt7Eyl
they also wrote "researcher reports" new animal discovered, stop motion, presented as a scientist, and discuss building
A8: Yes, I foresee many changes in our curriculum next year, and the year after that, and the year….
RT https://t.co/wC4vuIUnPx ERobbPrincipal true but practice in golf does not always make you better… just saying.
true but practice in golf does not always make you better… just saying.
We need to get a Collaborative STEAM Project among our classes! What say you all? https://t.co/6SSnRwQfme
So glad to have this discussion. To be honest it feels lonely around here when it comes to STEAM.
A8 yes I see our curriculum changing time is needed to create and collaborate
The post didn’t say much but I found it interesting because I’ve heard more talk about NGSS than STE.
A8: Honestly - things always seem to be changing to me! lol Everytime I turn around we’re adding something new - lol
And it seems like not much comes off the “plate.”
I encourage more STEAM in our school by involving my Ss in calls etc.
what about STEAM instead of STEM?
Q9: How can you encourage your school to become more involved in STEM/STEAM education?
So true! Just have to keep in mind to do what’s best for the kids!
Do you have trouble explaining/inviting others about STEAM?
A9: Quality science curriculum and professional development for its implementation is essential!
Definitely, but I just keep on doing what is best for my Ss. I’ll worry about the fallout later.
Another amazing have a great night everyone. Great job &
I started my board with STEM activities just need to set time aside to get started
. And as long as my Ss test scores remain high, I get few questions from my admin abt what I do in my classroom.
Thank you and everyone else who was here and participated in tonight’s . https://t.co/3UYDn3HCXy
Another amazing have a great night everyone. Great job &
