#ClasskickChat Archive
Classkick is hyper-focused on one goal: increase student learning. To achieve this, they listen to educators to truly understand how technology can assist in the learning process.
Tuesday July 5, 2016
Hello and Welcome to for today! We're so excited that you could join us!
Please take a moment to introduce yourself, where you're from, and what you're loving about July as we get started!
I'm Amelia, a third grade app lover from Ky. And I just got back from the beach!
Laura here, from Chicago, just got back from acapella camp myself!
Please remember to use at the end of each of your Tweets to be included in the conversation!
Hi Amelia! Welcome! Glad you're enjoying your summer!
Tonight's chat will take the form of Q1 / A1. You will see our lovely moderator for tonight tweeting out the Qs
Q1: What are the best resources or PD sessions you’ve seen around developing students’ critical thinking skills?
Heather- 3rd gr T and EdTech T Leader from S. Oregon
Hi Heather! Welcome - glad to see so many 3rd grade teachers uniting over the summer!
The new looks exciting! I'm developing one for the first day of school.
Ooh - please explain more. I haven't looked into that yet!
The app Thinking Blocks for math is excellent for critical thinking!
Are you creating an entire kit of immersive games for your students?
For critical thinking in math anything by Van de Walle is a must!
Have you guys seen the Critical Thinking Handbook created for K-3rd grade teachers and students? https://t.co/QPJW0JzdiA
That looks great! Saved it!
Q2:How do you direct students to respond to each other? What are great resources and PD sessions you’ve attended on this?
I have my students stand and present their answers with Talk Moves and speak clearly, eye contact and gestures.
I went in February and it has reinvigorated my teaching! I work so hard to set the stage to engage!!!
A2:I teach students how to give valuable feedback b4 they get the option to.then we revisit often! https://t.co/2e6zaV2Rrj
Q2:How do you direct students to respond to each other? What are great resources and PD sessions you’ve attended on this?
It's inspiring to get that new perspective on teaching and learning and the time and support to put it in place!
A2: Have Ss understand that thinking and discussing together is more important than finding the "right " answer right away
Is there a certain method you employ to get them to practice this? What do they give feedback to first?
We do this too. We call it think-ink-pair-share
Hi Andrew here, former HS math teacher, now building CK!
I use where I can turn comments on/off and approve/deny them before seen. No partic. subject https://t.co/PkoxmQ458Y
Is there a certain method you employ to get them to practice this? What do they give feedback to first?
A2 It's all about modeling good communication and expectations for Ss
YES! It takes a lot of practice!
Quick idea: Paper e-mail - They each have a piece of paper and they quickly write an 'e-mail' to the person on their right.
Katie, title 1 teacher in Indiana. Lurking a bit tonight till I've got supper all cleaned up.
Or if you're in the 1:1 setting - real email! And teaching the etiquette of online presence via authentic settings
they can cc: each other for group discussions!
Hi Katie! Welcome - glad to hear you're able to balance dinner duties and learning!
Q3: Asking students to illustrate a concept, with words, diagrams, or drawings: How do you give students choices? Resources?
A3: Doodle buddy, Pic Collage, Explain Everything are great apps we use
A3: We roll dice, make a tic-tac toe board, etc to make sure we vary our responses.
Do students turn to those apps for other things? Do they choose to use Doodle Buddy when writing a story, for ex?
We love Book Creator for writing stories!
Do the students pick things that go on the tic-tac-toe board?
all subject areas and upload them to Seesaw- we LOVED Green Screen the most this year to explain.
Have any of you tried a "Stuff We Want to Know About" board - like a running list of things students want to learn about?
At first I pick them- then I fill up half of them, and they fill in the other half with my approval.
A3: My Ss learn mult. apps through projects then get more and more choice as we learn how to utilize them
I've done a WONDER board- to help jumpstart passion projects/genius hour.
Do you keep an app "word wall" of the things that they've tried before, or do you find that students just remember?
I have posters of the apps. My Ss & I brainstorm what apps would be best for the project https://t.co/TwXeTP4ZdD
Do you keep an app "word wall" of the things that they've tried before, or do you find that students just remember?
How much do students self-grade those choices? Are there rubrics with all of those options or is it more free?
Q4: Improving inclusive practices in all settings: What are you using that your students are benefitting from?
That sounds excellent! I'd love to see it in action someday. You should Periscope it out for the world!
we learn each choice I have a rubric for each- most of what they come up with a rubric I have goes along well.
I just started this week! I'm in a Vox group in https://t.co/qSzuaHJkxp
we learn each choice I have a rubric for each- most of what they come up with a rubric I have goes along well.
A4: how about a positive attitude? :)
looks like a great first week book!
Are you connecting with new educators on Periscope, or mainly people you already know?
A4:don't know it's WHAT using but how. Ex:a web. Give info 2 some 2 make web & others think & group ideas themselves. Levels.
Lots of new educators for me since I've never used it before! Loving it so far! :) https://t.co/lGkn5b0HXB
Are you connecting with new educators on Periscope, or mainly people you already know?
Great example! Very much about the amount of scaffolding provided so everyone is challenged at their level.
I think I've gained 20 new people in edu to follow!
Q5: What are some great professional development sessions that you have attended recently? What made them awesome?
Looks like a conversation-inducing book.
A5: Mine was the . I want to go to Get Your Teach On!
A5: I really liked one where it started w/a 30-minute open session where staff were just able to take the time to write blogs
A5: Teachers had the chance to reflect on what had been happening so far in their classrooms, connect w/parents publicly...
A5: has been awesome because it's my choice, on my time, take away what I put into it https://t.co/sbJkTezo2W
Q5: What are some great professional development sessions that you have attended recently? What made them awesome?
A5: ANYTHING AMLE. Srsly. The best rsrce for any in middle grades. Applicable practices, sound research, all directed to ms.
Katie, I hadn't heard of that. How helpful it would have been during my Middle School years! https://t.co/UTla9gA5Yn
And is just around the corner in October.
The best resources are like that, aren't they? Always waiting to give you more, as soon as you have time to explore
Has anyone attended a specific product PD? Like a Google PD or Microsoft PD?
I love Twitter for PD too. Have a question? Tweet it. My PLN is full of experts.
Q6: What do you WISH was being hosted somewhere? What are you looking for in a PD session?
Definitely - Twitter has basically become my more informed Google. Twitter searches = resource hunts for me!
A6: I wish ISTE was closer to me!!!
A6: I've always wished that a PD session took into account my style of learning. I'm a toucher and doer, for sure.
YES! My PD must be hands on!!!
A5: puts on great sessions. If you've never been, I recommend it. Inspiring & energizing. ❤️ his "hooks."
Yes! I think the travel and lodging expenses of attending fantastic conferences put them out of reach for most!
I NEED him to come to my school!!!
I went to some MyBigCampus PD a few years ago, and a couple iPad sessions through apple.
A6: Lots of time to collab., hands on, classroom application, time to work, resources to access later
YES! I did an engagement PD after I cam back from and made sure to give them PLANNING TIME!
AMEN!! I try to bring that to life in any sessions I lead. I try to present the way(s) we all hope to teach!
Do you ever feel like you deliver the same message as an "outsider" but they might listen more to others?
Is there any accountability in that planning time or completely open space to reflect?
Open, but our principal definitely looks for what we presented in classrooms!
I always struggled as an admin to balance freedom to explore with pushing new things
Never new for the sake of new, but exploratory, finding solutions for all students
I think in-school PD tends 2 work best using in-house experts. Conf PD, experts.
Compromise: send out to train, come back to share.
Well, ladies and gentlemen... That time is fast approaching. Thank you so much for all your great insight and resources!
For sure taking away that planning time in every PD is key! And I need to see for myself!
Ditto on the planning time.
Thanks to everyone for joining us tonight!
Enjoy the rest of your July and be sure to join us on August 2nd!
The next will be hosted by , and we're excited to hear what she has to share!
