Hi y'all, glad you're here to #NoVAedchat tonight. I'm Kendra, a co-host, and I'm SO excited to have @acuteteacher taking over our chat tonight! If you haven't followed her yet, do it! #PLN
Joe here glad #NoVAedchat is back this week. It's not something new I learned, but something reinforced at the National Title 1 Conference is to treat each Ss as if they win the Super Bowl everyday.
A1 NOT trying to blame past Ts at all - this job is hard & when focus is on passing a test, sometimes effective rigorous instruction seems too good to be true/too scary #novaedchat
A1 sadly have had a great deal of experience w upper elementary & Ss clearly being used to Ts doing the hard work FOR them instead of equipping with tools to do work for themselves #novaedchat
Hey #novaedchat! Tyler here from Alexandria and I’m a tech facilitaor in @pgcps! I’m curious about how this warm weather will affect our cherry blossom season!
Hi #novaedchat IC @woodleyhillses Been learning a lot about ways to support Ss with phonemic awareness & phonics WITHIN Reading Workshop... can't think of a gif or image right now... :)
I’m Abbey Miller from McNair ES! I’m currently learning about concept based curriculum - on the way back from my class actually so I’ll be a little late! #novaedchat
Hey I’m Summer and a tech coach in Springfield Va. I recently met some terra-cotta soldiers and became curious to learn more about the people who made them! #NoVAedchat
A1: I’ve found that a lot of my students are conditioned to want to do the same thing as everyone else. They want step-by-step directions. I try to break them free of this by introducing as much #studentchoice as possible! #novaedchat
& then workforce will say "why can't Ss think for themselves/take initiative/CARE about their work?" What opps have we actually given them to learn these things? #NoVAedchat
A1: I have to admit that before I was an ITSer @GeorgeMasonU and got my masters I was a culprit of breading dependant Ss. It is so important to build Ss that are independent thinkers. I now work with some Ts to build PBL's that build this. #NoVAedchat
ABSOLUTELY- dependent doesn't mean they don't want to work/do well - they just haven't been provided w meaningful opps to struggle & learn strategies for navigating #NoVAedchat
A1: My experiences w dependent learners is to help them step out of their "comfort zone". We discuss daily that the best learning happens when you take risks! #novaedchat
A1: I think a lot of kids are afraid to make mistakes, which leads to what Ts perceive as dependence. Some of that it definitely cultural, but some of it is just that we need to work with them to develop self-advocacy skills. #NoVAedchat
and I model for them what that looks like in my grown up life - last year with 10k goals I had, being team lead, applying for great beginnings, shared all of that w them #NoVAedchat
We had a dependent learner years ago that everyone on my team tried to challenge. We knew how smart he was and that he could do it. Discovered that Mom was working just a hard to keep him dependent. She ended up home schooling him. #NoVAedchat
A1 pt. 2: I do have one student who wants me to "help" him with his writing but he knows the letter sounds and has to write the sounds he hears in the words he wants to write. #novaedchat
Hi #novaedchat! Sorry, jumping in a little late. Mary Kate here, @FCPS_TitleI Literacy Resource T. A1: Readers who continually appeal for help because they haven't been taught to monitor or problem solve independently. All readers can be taught to do this.
To keep going - it's not about our devices, it's the opportunity our Ts had to try new strategies, look at what was working/not working, listen and learn with our students #FCPSon#NoVAedchat
A2 working with our amazing #aart@terpteach to scaffold level IV AAP resources 2 use w all Ss...feel like we haven't done as much this yr as last & need to reprioritize #novaedchat
A2 We must have a variety of experiences for all students! Helping build a shared knowledge before we jump right in to academic learning is important! #NoVAedchat
A2: I remind the students of where they can get help when they need it. We have charts around the room and they can ask a friend for help if need be. #novaedchat
and showing them we believe by expecting that they'll learn & helping them develop generative strategies that will work in many challenging scenarios #NoVAedchat
A2: A lot of the things I have done to help dependant Ss become independent Ss seems simple. I set high expectations for ALL Ss because even if they come up short they have gotten closer then they were before. #NoVAedchat
A2: In math, LOTS of number sense routines (count arounds, number talks, etc.), and math workshop with activities that encourage flexible thinking #NoVAedchat
A2: Students took on different responsibilities in class, and learned how to problem solve together (through teaching, modeling, & feedback). We learned what productive struggle meant and we all embraced our mistakes, myself included. #novaedchat
A1: In my first few yrs of tching 5th, I was surprised at the dependence of some of my Ss. We looked at ways to grow independence in all areas, not just academic. We slowly built confidence to take risks independently, all around. Baby steps. #NoVAechat
have you done 3 act lessons? we did an amazing one that would work with 4th - about prisoners that used sheets to escape from a 15th floor of a prison. Did it today and it was EN FUEGO! #NoVAedchat
A1: In my first few yrs of tching 5th, I was surprised at the dependence of some of my Ss. We looked at ways to grow independence in all areas, not just academic. We slowly built confidence to take risks independently, all around. Baby steps. #NoVAechat
A2: I think assessing for and teaching for engagement is an important step in building independence for Ss. They have to be excited about the work. #NoVAedchat
A2: Sometimes it can be as simple as setting high expectations for a student. Then knowing that you think they can do the work can be SUPER inspiring! #NoVAedchat
A2a: Another thing I have done is to instill choice with the Ss and allow them to chose what to do, but help them realize there are consequences for every choice they make good or bad.......Also help them to never stop asking WHY? #NoVAedchat
did some engagement inventories for the first time in a while this week and felt so much better that the 10 who were consistently disengaged is down to 3....baby steps...get the right book in their hands #NoVAedchat
Holding them to high expectations helps them grow. I also think good old fashion relationships helps dependent learners want to grow more independent #NoVAedchat
A2: Its kinda silly but I obsessively call Ss scholars to remind them that they are and to promote how awesome thinking and learning is. @HistoryBusch best be carrying on the tradition! #NoVAedchat
and I think you have to def hold them accountable to those expectations - don't slack off on your expectations when you don't see immediate changes. Does that make sense? #NoVAedchat
A3 we HAVE to see beyond any sort of end of yr summative assessment & realize potential long term implications of our willingness to address dependent learning or to just pass it along to the next year's T #novaedchat
A3 I think we need to spread awareness (thanks for this chat, @acuteteacher) and make sure this is on the agenda in our upper-level planning meetings. We need to support & be mindful of all students. Equity is critical. #NoVAedchat
A3: I don't think we are bringing enough urgency to this issue. I think we need to bring a bigger urgency to it because we are doing a disservice to our Ss when we don't help them to know not what to do when things go right, but what to do when things go wrong. #NoVAedchat
Yes yes yes! They need to see learning as something they have a voice in! Knowing that they can control not only what they learn about but also when and where it happens! #NoVAedchat
A3: This makes me think that urgency and mindset go hand in hand. I agree with @BrianHerb17 that there isn't enough urgency around this issue. Perhaps urgency would ignite the mindset shift... #NoVAedchat
A3: In FCPS, I see a focus on PoG as a helpful place to begin. Helping students cultivate the PoG skills early holds a lot of promise in their ability to think, learn, adapt. I wish more schools placed more emphasis and intention on this, though. #NoVAedchat
A3: We need to show them that real learning is learning about the WORLD around them, not just words on a page. Make the learning real/authentic/about their interests. #NoVAedchat
A3 agreed, put students in control. Stress progress not test scores. My kids know their IEP goals, keep a folder, and track their own progress. #novaedchat
and I think it's esp hard for some elem school Ts to think so far ahead into the future...we need to do some serious gut and reality checking here #NoVAedchat
absolutely - so many great resources and tools but def not something that's seen as a priority...those PoG rubrics? Wish those were our "high stakes assessments" #NoVAedchat
Q3 I wish I knew a good answer for this. I want to encourage and promote academics, but I also want to promote happiness. This may sound naive but I attempt not to seeing color but each individual with different strengths and needs #NoVAedchat
A3: Are we making every effort to offer choices to our Ss that truly reflect their interests? Do they feel seen and heard? I think these are important questions to keep in mind as we consider the urgency of this issue. #NoVAedchat
I think this is part of the problem. We don't give the Ss enough choice. We put them in a box and say ok do it this way. Then when we expect them to think get mad because they don't. Seems kind of hypocritical. #NoVAedchat
Q4 We know & have discussed at length the criticality of positive relationships with students. Often, teachers may believe that this is enough. Hammond argues that “Loving children should not become a proxy for teaching them” What are your thoughts about this? #novaedchat
A4 true story - used to think it was enough just to be a positive face in our Ss lives...now I realize how condescending & dangerous of an attitude that is. We have to be "warm demanders" - kids know we love them but that we absolutely have high expectations" #novaedchat
Chantilly used to run a pull out seminar for potential honors Ss, it was not a traditional grouping but it was a place for them to ask Qs about what adv classes look like but we stopped Why? #NoVAedchat
A4 We all know that relationships are important, but they are only the base of good teaching- they're critical, but we need to keep pushing further- how are we meeting our kids' needs? Personalizing their learning can be a great bridge. #NoVAedchat
A4: Relationships are the gateway to teaching and learning. The ultimate goal and purpose for us is to have high academic expectations for ALL students and push them to learn. Relationships HELP us do that. #NoVAedchat
A4. Often when we care about Ss we find excuses for their behavior or are willing to not hold them a high standard because x, y, or z. Caring about them should coincide with being their mentor/teacher/eyeopener/facilitator #novaedchat
Right, I think that is where I struggle. I want to provide so much for so many and i want to consider them as the persons they are, including their backgrounds but still respecting them too #NoVAedchat
A3: When Ss are under chronic stress, as many of our most at-risk are, think time needs to be extended significantly to account for their unmet needs (re: Maslow); in turn, many Ts see lack of participation, which perpetuates the cycle of disengagement #NoVAedchat
A4: as parents we strive for that same balance. Love them, support them but don’t do it for them. Build a safe place for them to struggle, maybe fail, but definitely figure out something about themselves and their process. #NoVAedchat
A4: Loving the Ss is challenging them to be the best version of themselves. Goes back to setting those high expectations and holding them and everyone else to them. They may be struggling, but expect them to meet the goals and then help scaffold them to get there. #NoVAedchat
And when they’re not there yet, we help them get there. Having the relationship helps us understand what is helpful/engaging/motivating/needed, and what isn’t. #NoVAedchat
Love this last line. I think a big piece of “teaching them” becomes an honest reconceptualization of what teaching and learning looks like in a modern classroom. #NoVAedchat
Warm demanders, that is a great way to call it. I don’t let Ss sleep in class b/c it means I don’t care about your learning if I let you disengage. Kids hear that love and then perform (usually) #NoVAedchat
Yes! When we love students, we are constantly refining and redesigning what we do. When we say “I was taught this way and I turned out fine,” is fine what we really want for our students? #novaedchat
just had a crystallized thought form - prob huge reason for dependent learners is our need to scaffold so they can do things but then never helping them learn strats for doing things w/o. if they always ride w training wheels, they'll never learn 2 balance #NoVAedchat
A4 This is why our SMARTR goals has one domain for learning environment and five domains regarding planning, learning, and teaching students. Teaching is paramount! #NoVAedchat
A5 This one makes me feel the most guilty - am I actually helping Ss be critical thinkers? Or am I doing things that will help them demonstrate something for a standardized test? I truly don't know & this weighs on me #novaedchat
A5- I see this happening with all of our students. There's so much emphasis on 'this' test score or 'our levels' this year. We really need to change the conversation around eduction to that of learning & mastery, away from tests and points. #novaedchat
A5: I think a part of it is not making the students accountable. This is due to teaching to the standardized test rather than going back to the basics. #NoVAedchat
A5: As an academic coach I try to model best practices and have discussions with Ts about the purpose of the activity and how we can +1 that activity to make it Ss centered. #NoVAedchat
Amplifies the need for student reflection. How do I learn best? What do I need to be successful? If it’s not already in place, how do I create it? The goal should be for students to understand and be able to transfer the scaffolds that helped them learn. #NoVAedchat
we have become so much more explicit w explaining scaffolds to our Ss - why we're using them, how we can create them ourselves, and how we know when we're ready to work w/o them #novaedchat
A5: I think one way is through whole class conversations and partnerships. Teaching Ss how to share and grow their thinking through talk. Helps them learn and realize that their voice and thoughts have value. #novaedchat
A5 We have to foster actual learning, not rote memorization. Test scores do not indicate a closing of a gap. How do we ensure each students gets this? #NoVAedchat
A5: We all feel the pressures of testing. However in a time when we COULD only focus on test prep, we don't. We've done a lot of work on developing understanding of content and best practices for Tier 1. #NoVAedchat
A5 This is the one thing I LOVE about my job as AART! I can teach all, not just the AAP Ss, how to think critically and analyze multiple perspectives in order to draw their own conclusions. The AAP curriculum is fantastic for fostering independent learners! @fcpsaap#NoVAedchat
As a T, it’s hard not to step in and allow students to experience productive struggle. How many times have I sat on my hands at my kidney table trying not to grab a Ss pencil and show them what to do? #NoVAedchat
“The commitment to be an effective educator of culturally diverse dependent learners builds the stamina and courage to persevere when the process gets challenging” (Hammond, p. 55).
Q6 Something I plan to do as a result of this chat….#NoVAedchat
A6 help Ss connect the work we do in class 2 their future - why is this going 2 help makeur future better? u may never have 2 tell anyone what happens as the depth of ocean incs but can u determine validity of conclusions? Can u advocate for yourself and others? #novaedchat
A6 If you liked tonight's chat - make some time to read @Ready4rigor Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain...I've become a bit obsessed #NoVAedchat
Before we end for the night, I want to put in a plug for #EdCampNOVa which will be at @IrvingMiddle on 4/21! If you enjoyed the convo tonight, you’re sure to have some fun with us! #NoVAedchat
A6 one thing I am going to do after this chat: add the book @acuteteacher referenced earlier to my Amazon wishlist! I want to dig deeper in to these concepts 🤔 #novaedchat
Thank you so much for joining the conversation tonight! #mvpyreschat will be discussing chapters 5&6 of Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain next week - slow chat format, 1 q/day. Jump in as you're able! #novaedchat
A6: Continue reading Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain with my amazing colleagues, and INITIATE more conversations on how we can incorporate our new knowledge into our practice! #NoVAedchat
Thanks for joining us for tonight's #NoVAedchat! We'll be back here next Wednesday to talk about reconnecting with your students - especially important in these long winter months!
A6 I think I would like to read this book and continue to learn more to support all of my students best. Thank you #NoVAedchat for an important discussion
A6: Continue to work with Ts to stomp out negative thinking and build independent thinkers through Blended Learning and Authentic Problems in PBL's. #NoVAedchat
A6: Keep engagement and independence at the forefront in all of the work I do, but mostly...continue to engage in learning and prof. conversations around this topic with colleagues. Thanks @acuteteacher !! #NoVAedchat
Shout out to the awesome @acuteteacher for cohosting this fabulous #NoVAedchat! Want to cohost? Have an idea for a chat? Contact @techinteaching and me and we'll work it out!
A6: Remember that it’s not enough to love them; it’s our job to teach them. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it. So good to know there is an awesome tribe doing this work together! #NoVAedchat
