#5thchat Archive
#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
Tuesday September 27, 2016
Welcome to everyone! Please take a moment to introduce yourself to the group! I'm Paul Solarz, a 5th grade teacher from Illinois.
bummer I just got home from an eye appointment. If I would have seen this sooner... but I'm ready to 5th chat it up!
Nick Baskwill, Grade 5 Kingston, NS Canada
I’m Patricia Smeyers teaching fifth grade in NJ.
Hi everyone! Jon a 5th grade teacher from Iowa. Ready for another great this week!
hi everyone! I'm a 7th grade English teacher from Edison, NJ
I'm Scott, from NJ,first year teaching 5th grade. Loving it!
Hi ! Mallory from Level Up Village here!
Tanya from PA- just stopping by for a few mins- Teaching math and social studies this yr
Hi everyone! I am Krystin Rines and I am a 5th Grade Language Arts teacher from Virginia
Please join us for STARTING NOW!
Kelli - 4th grade in Texas. Howdy,y'all!
Same here: math and social studies
Question 1 coming up in one minute! (If you were planning on "lurking", please join in! We'd love everyone's perspective!)
4th and 5th grade multiage T in Maine. Glad to be joining for a few minutes.
Lexi Law - North Texas - loving life every day in 5th grade science! 🔬⚗️🔭
I'm also math, social studies, and science. First yr for science & social studies
Q1 - Building relationships is so often the key to success as a teacher. What have you done so far to get to know your students?
I have been teaching multiage for 13 yrs. 4 & 5 as well as 3,4,5. It is a treat & I think if great importance to Ss.
Talked and listened to each and every one.
A1: I have looked to find out about their out of school lives and interests in a Google Hour type prj called Set the world on Fire
A1: inviting them to lunch in room, positive calls to parents asking interests
A1 We do a lot of theater and improv games. I looped with my class so I already know them pretty well.
A1 morning circle and talking to kids 1:1 whenever possible! Homeroom, recess, hall on the way to lunch
A1 Set up a Padlet wall for the kids to introduce themselves on my website.
Phil, 5th grade from NJ, ready for
Ss wrote a poem about another S in class and then shared. These gave great insight about Ss.
A1: We do lots of Responsive Classroom stuff. Morning meetings are great https://t.co/U0fUoG3Ky4
Q1 - Building relationships is so often the key to success as a teacher. What have you done so far to get to know your students?
A1 Extra time at morning mtgs to hear everyone's voice. activities to share memories. Plenty of 1:1 convo at lunch & recess
Tell me more about this, Please!
We also started Passion Projects yesterday. What better way to find out what students are passionate about?!?
Hi friends! Corrina from Central New York here. I teach 5th in an elementary school - popping in and out tonight. :-)
A1) I love attending after school activities to see how talented my students are outside of class & who they are as individuals
Have students fill out interest inventories. I also make it a point to say something positive to every student every day.
A1: Morning meetings, Me in a bag,, activities, and more google-forms than ever.
love to! Took name from Fish in a Tree and Ss pick something that they want to learn more about have 4-6 weeks to do
this is cool! Wanted to integrate Thinglink last year in 3rd but never got around to it. This may be the year!
it gives them a chance to look more into what they love and can present in whatever way - paper, slide, movie, demo
Ahhh cool, so sort of like Passion Time/ Genius Hour/ etc?
You definitely should. The kids took to it quickly and really enjoyed themselves.
A1: Lots of time for conversation and hands-on activities where we can mingle and chat. Also a reading interest survey.
Also doing things that let the students make the space their own:Having a class mascot, class photographers, decorating their space
yup! The same idea, just a diff name 1 project will look at making the world a better place (class, school or town)
I don't know what thinglink is. But looking forward to finding out!
A1- I have also been throwing out my nerdy interests as well. Dr. Who, Legen of Zelda, etc. I've found many kindred spirits!
Q2: 2016 is a unique year: We had the Olympics & have an Election. What are you doing to include these occasions in the classroom?
Yes, this is also important...taking time to have team building activities https://t.co/vYYXsQTZtP
A1: Lots of time for conversation and hands-on activities where we can mingle and chat. Also a reading interest survey.
Oh I just LOVE that. We have Ss during our remediation block doing enrichment activities and I would love to do this.
A2 Each of 4 different classrooms will host one election project and kids will switch rooms to experience all. Colleagues idea :)
A2 Modeling the power of voice & engagement. Each class develops a bill w idea to better school comm. Bills voted on by all Ss.
Ss are so into their work! want to do it all the time! Ss have an hour a week at school day 2 is tomm will tweet pics
A2: is from our town! The boys in my class are talking 2024 Olympic goals for gymnastics!
A2: We are trying to Skype with some Athletes from Canada who went to the Olympics to talk desire and drive
It is a great tool for sharing S understanding through curation. Also great org tool for T resources.
A2: reaearched Paralympics
Not much w/elections except read and discuss classroom news magazines. Worried about divisiveness
That is a really cool idea. What types of projects are you doing? My wheels are spinning
Found that the best aspect is the class discussion that leads to the bill. Rich with ideas, empathy, creativity
See how Level Up Village courses meet Common Core (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)! https://t.co/r65FaMETIZ
We're all running for President in our class, but no one is allowed to say the names Clinton or Trump - too divisive.
We are still planning at this stage so suggestions welcome. Definitely something with electoral votes and campaigns
A1 they designed our room so I learned tastes, they write daily preferences on interactive board , greet all every AM, Ss choice!
That's amazing!! Please let us know how that goes in a future :-)
Oh cool! How are you doing that? I was planning on reading "The Kid Who Ran For President" in November
A2: Going to nominate two candidates (from Movies/books/etc) and we are going to model the entire process. Ss will take roles.
very diverse topics, from Stockcars to 3D printing and design to Medical Studies
Q3 - Sept is possibly the CRAZIEST month for me as a teacher. What things are you struggling to keep up with? How are you managing?
Excellent ideas. Impressed and may borrow a few.
A3: Making sure that all my paperwork for Admin is done and in on time! (Sub binder, comm plan, etc)
A3) I'm behind on organization - prepping things for class. My students & I set individual goals to tackle… https://t.co/eobaOYhJ16
A3 Worry I am not as transparent/informative for Ss & Ps. Making sure all avenues for info (blog, website, tweets) are available
A3 - I'm using all of my plan periods and Ss' independent practice time to F&P students (reading levels). No time to give feedback!
A3. Trying to keep up with diverse needs of learners. Diagnosing what they know and don't know to provide targeted interventions.
A3 I am just learning new curriculum and making our own. Also seeing where the kids exactly are in math. What do they need?
A3- Getting into my groove. Amidst beginning of the year assessments and whatnot; many days feel disjointed.
A3- I am also behind on providing feedback on writing. Seems these kiddos haven't gotten a lot of chance to WRITE
Evening everyone. Ryan from IL, teacher, Manger of Campus Tech, writing and injured leg.
A3 struggling to keep up w content and making it relevant for Ss at same time creating framework connected to standards, new to 5th
I hope we move ours to October next year. Seems to make more sense! :)
The "Student Congress" session is also a blast. Ss respond to bills by sharing positives & drawbacks of ideas presented
it does, gives the first bit to establish routines and get to know Ss a bit!
A2- Ss DID just do a persuasive writing unit and had debates on classroom topics. Just realized I HAD tied into election.
My 5th graders did so well today we were done 3 minutes early before recess. It was incredible.
A3: struggles: learning 2 new areas (science and social studies), trying to make each lesson engaging and student centered
Q4: Feedback is so important at the beginning of the year. Ss need help fine-tuning procedures, etc. How are you helping Ss adjust?
A3 - coping by jumping on twitter and reading tlap as often as possible for inspiration, late nights & early mornings
A4 Small groups and individual conferences are a must. Getting to know each other is so important for good communication.
A4: I giving them choice and directly asking: "What do you want to see?" How would you do it differently?
A4: Giving feedback and understanding that this is Sept and that there are adjustments that need to be made by Ss and by me
A4) using GAFE & apps like ClassDojo allow you to walk around the room & provide immediate feedback on an assignment & behavior
A1. Made plenty of videos .... students come to class on time vs. tardy to view their MTV moment prior to the bell.
A4 - I'm trying to give whole-group feedback all day & empower my students to give each other feedback whenever possible!
a4: My Ss don't regulate their talking well yet. So we have a "talk-o-meter" to show what kind of talk we should be engaged in.
Great! What method do you use to encourage this. I am all about students in charge of learning.
A4: I love that we "Evaluate" every day during REARJMCL. We I.D. strengths/weaknesses, reflect & set goals: https://t.co/JgU3c7p3bo
I leave sticky notes on my students' desks when they are not looking. Sorry I'm late.
So simple. I should start doing that!
I want to do this so bad but I teach 2 classes and I only get my homeroom for a few minutes at the end of the day. :(
Q5: Tis the season to try out new things! What new units, lessons, pedagogies, hooks, methods, etc. are you implementing this year?
Neat idea I am going to try this https://t.co/LzoBvKm8Bx
I leave sticky notes on my students' desks when they are not looking. Sorry I'm late.
Similar boat for me. Although I have one class; we have support for math in until the very end of day.
A5: I am gearing up to start Global Read Aloud next week! It is completely new for me! https://t.co/2jYS0p2dvJ
Q5: Tis the season to try out new things! What new units, lessons, pedagogies, hooks, methods, etc. are you implementing this year?
Surely there has got to be a way to make it happen in an altered way or something???
A5: Have expanded my gamification, want to do more and working towards more student-led/inquiry based learning
A5 Once Ss are proficient at student led projects, I would like them to create their own rubrics for teacher/peer evaluation.
which book are you reading?
A5: sending notes home to encourage and recognize their strengths w/1st report card. Working on them during this chat, in fact!
friend of mine has a breakout for Pax!
A5 My Ss love music & movement this year, trying to incorporate this into academics, where possible having them create music/lyrics
A5) I want to do more with book clubs & have students create blogs that are updated frequently - posting about things in class!
cool! So are we, should connect our classes at some point!
let's art up a
We have done 2 so far!
Awesome! I saw that a breakout is in development for it on the GRA website too!
We DEFINITELY should. My class would love that.
I think his is on the Breakout website
Are you reading I am Malala or The Giver in class?
what blog platform do you use? Used but it's no longer free.
A5: We replaced a science unit w/ Space this year (which makes me VERY happy) to match up w/NGSS. But sad to see Energy Debates go!
he has it posted on the BreakoutEdu website. If it is not there give him a tweet and he will share it
Q6: Looks like "Passion Time" has come up tonight. How are you encouraging Ss to wonder & learn about topics they're interested in?
Breakout website even has GRA +BreakoutEdu Bookmarks!
often has interviews students can participate in. We did 3 or 4 last yr!
A6: By giving them time to do so. Ss have time when they can research anything that they want. Then present it back to the class
Focused on the marsh for sci. Ss invited to take a Deep Dive into an aspect of the marsh that interests them. Check out .
A6: Give them time to explore, what can they create from what they see. Using with this big time this year.
A6 We've started interest groups in hopes to get started https://t.co/juPkpaqp4i
Q6: Looks like "Passion Time" has come up tonight. How are you encouraging Ss to wonder & learn about topics they're interested in?
A6) I would love to start genius hour in my class with my students for that exact purpose!
A6: Starting by giving Ss time to look up whatever they want and then reporting back. Use Teachable moments when we share.
sounds great! We can talk more about this.
A6 Finding the time to complete Passion Projects of interest. They can display learning with any presentation method they choose.
A6 Ss exposed to basic info during rotation of sci classes. Ss brainstormed questions, each chose 1 to dive into. Now, site visits!
A6: Working our way to a longer term Then in the middle of the year, we are going to try 20% time and Science Fair.
We are pushing a lot this year.
A6: the best thing about teaching my new subj - science - Ss LOVE it, are interested, & WANT to explore more!
I really want to implement this but time is REALLY constrained because reading scores need to be boosted...
its great for this and so is working with
So am I. Finally made the jump from thinking about it, to actually doing it!
you might find reading scores go up, as Ss will be reading lots of high interest material
I did it regularly at my former school. My new co-worker has really started it beautifully at my current school.
I believe it! Those who made the schedule may not...working on finding a way to integrate.
Time was an issue for me too, so we are doing Genius-half hour.
Q7 - Every class is unique & I'm constantly surprised by each! What are you MOST proud of your students for doing so far this year?
Here are all of my Genius Hour (Passion Time) resources: https://t.co/pKNLT3gGxU (Sample projects, Step-by-Step Directions, etc.)
Thinking it may become a part of the independent work during my schedule "Reading rotations" time.
A7: The way that they handle themselves with our Kinder learning buddies - great to see oldest/youngest Ss together
A7: I had my Ss write me a list of all the things I was proud of them for & all the things I thought they needed to improve on.
A7: The way they have come to love they are calling out STEAM, STEAM! all the time and excelling.
A7 Learning in Sept., trying new things, adapting to my craziness, willingness to work harder https://t.co/ufOiFDWrae
Q7 - Every class is unique & I'm constantly surprised by each! What are you MOST proud of your students for doing so far this year?
A7: unexpected death in my family. Ss knew I would be out. They were so sincere w condolences and excellent for sub
A7 How easily they adjusted to switching classes and coming into math with a great math super powers. Ready to learn!
Teamwork. I have a great group that has great respect for all the members of the class.
Love when Ss are excited about learning
Wow - amazing!! Check out our classes if you have a chance... + Global Partners… https://t.co/rVeHXdrRrN
A7: The way they have come to love they are calling out STEAM, STEAM! all the time and excelling.
A7 - This group is particularly good at:
- Give Me 5,
- Helping each other,
- Running the classroom, &
- Sharing responsibilities.
A7 Walking on a hike a S turned to me & said, "this is a great class. We really look out for each other." Only 6th day of school!
Last question coming up...
A7) had students create any project of their choosing to utilize our new Vocab words. The things they came up w were phenomenal
A7: They jump head-first into all my crazy ideas - time machine, class cheers, silly call backs, kinethetic activities, etc
A7: Ss today were working on answers in complete sentences. They asked each other "why am I so awesome" Their answers were amazing.
tell again, what is Give me 5?
Q8 - As we "lean into October," how will you ensure that it's going to be an even better month than September was? Changes? Mantra?
Our call out to get everyone's attention, but my students use it more than I do, so they lead more! :)
A8 Ah! We will know the routine and then we can venture to new activities without laying too much groundwork.
A8: Looking for more flow in our day, time on task and a greater sense on community in the room - all in it together!
A8 - I need to improve my patience this month. I keep on forgetting they're only 10! They'll be in a groove before long! :)
A8 Be consistent with expectations, focus on what's best for Ss, meaningful, relevant lessons https://t.co/cUTNv1VoBi
Q8 - As we "lean into October," how will you ensure that it's going to be an even better month than September was? Changes? Mantra?
Could you explain this more? I'm diging it.
Thanks everyone for jumping into this week! I hope you'll all be back next week to learn from about Mystery Skype!
when I need to do beter with my dogs I try to be like Ceaser and when I need to be better with Ss I try to be like Paul
A8: reading your answers to Q8 almost makes me want to cry! I'm not alone! we are struggling together! We can do this!
Thanks for the great chat. It was my first time here, but definitely not my last.
