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.
It's 8:00 in the east, which means it's time for #mschat!
Let's start with introductions:
Who are you?
Where are you?
What do you teach?
Post a GIF to describe your week so far.
Good evening, #mschat
Iโm at K-12 Principal from Chickasaw County, Mississippi.
Being from Mississippi, I have to go with Jim Henson.
My week so far:
Hello #masterychat and #mschat. Melissa 7th Grade Science from Upstate NY. Just one more day until my Spring Break so I'm just trying to keep it together!
Hi everyone! I am a preserving teacher from PA studying elementary and middle school math and science. This is my first time participating in this chat, and I canโt wait! #mschat#gccedu
We will use a Q1/A1 format for tonight's chat. For all of your answers, responses, and retweets, make sure to use the hashtag #mschat.
Question 1 is coming up in a minute.
A1: Student engagement means opening space for students to get excited about learning! Moving from simple compliance to an active belief that Ss are creators of knowledge! #mschat
A1. Student engagement happens when students are interested and curious about the material being presented. Students are attentive with the subject matter. #mschat
A1: student engagement means students are actively involved in learning. They might be creating, discussing, or practicing. The learning is placed in the hands of the students, and they are excited! #mschat#gccedu
A1: to me, engagement means involvement beyond just being interested and participating. That students are an intrinsic PART of the learning in the room, that there is a level of excitement beyond mere interest #mschat
#mschat
A1 Student engagement means a bee hive of activity. It isn't quiet, it isn't traditional, and to the untrained eye, it might look like poor class management. It means kids doing, listening to each other, and the teacher chimes in only to guide.
Using activities and strategies that grab students attention and keeps them interested with the learning objective. Student engagement is so important! #mschat
A1: It means Ss are actively thinking, reflecting, trying, learning & growing, though it looks and sounds unique for different learners at different times on different days. #mschat
A1: Ss engagement means making an environment where they drive instruction. Allowing them to create products that are meaningful and demonstrate content knowledge. Ss are truly immersed in the what is taking place in a lesson. #mschat
Curiosity, in my opinion, is one of the foundations of engagement. Curiosity can be found across subject matters and grade levels, but it requires talent and preparation. #mschat
A1: to me, engagement means involvement beyond just being interested and participating. That students are an intrinsic PART of the learning in the room, that there is a level of excitement beyond mere interest #mschat
#mschat
A1 Student engagement means a bee hive of activity. It isn't quiet, it isn't traditional, and to the untrained eye, it might look like poor class management. It means kids doing, listening to each other, and the teacher chimes in only to guide.
Student engagement is a multifaceted experience which includes high levels affective, cognitive & behavioral engagement.
Think @DanielPinkโs autonomy, mastery & purpose. #mschat
A2: They ask questions, the "side conversations" between classmates are students talking about the content, students are working to create real world connections! #mschat@ERobbPrincipal@_on11@megan_hacholski
A1: Working with Ss who battle through disabilities, engagement is a big deal. It begins there. The rest comes later. They have to see they 'can' participate & learn. They have to see that the work is attainable for them. #mschat
True! I have a lot of standers and Ss who like to use fidget toys. Often it may appear as though they are disengaged. But if you call on them or talk with them they are right with it! #mschat
A2: When listening to the discussions and watching what product is being created. Ss who are engaged are providing the desired output, regardless of how it looks. #mschat
Q2- You know students are engaged in a lesson when they are responsive and voice their opinions. They will be active in learning. Progression in knowledge should be noticed. #mschat
A2 When students are fully engaged, they lose track of time because theyโre interested and challenged. They produce work thatโs meaningfulโto them personally and in the world. #mschat
A2: Ss can look engaged in many different ways since they are all different. Itโs our job to figure out when Ss are engaged. It could be asking question for one student, but sitting quietly taking notes for another student. #mschat#gccedu
A2 When students are fully engaged, they lose track of time because theyโre interested and challenged. They produce work thatโs meaningfulโto them personally and in the world. #mschat
A2 Student talk is all lesson related. Teacher talk is answering questions, not redirecting behavior. At least one kid says, "class is over, wow that was fast" #mschat
A2: when thereโs a general outcry of, โNoooooo!โ when the bell rings - or more to the point, when we donโt realize that time has moved that quickly! #mschat
A2 Bc their are working on the lesson outside of class. My 8th grdrs are doing a project comapring their family history to pioneers in west. Ss told me they're going to the library this wkend to use https://t.co/jiWOfesudB. #mschat
When I start hiding QR codes around the school, there is a buzz with my classes. I always have to hide them again between classes because the early class "shares" with the afternoon class where they are. #mschat
YES! There is always quite the buzz with a QR code scavenger hunt! One of Ss favorites. Always have to remind the early classes to keep locations TOP SECRET or ELSE! #mschat
A3. From a principal perspective, students that are not engaged end up in my office the most. When a student is sent to me, I will ask, โWhat were you doing in class?โ Often times, it was โnothingโ or an activity that wasnโt very engaging. #mschat
Q3- students might be off task, looking around, day dreaming about everything but the topic! You can notice when kids arent curious with the content. #mschat
A3: when not engaged, the student finds something to occupy his/her time - wriggly, whispering, pencil-tapping, mind-wandering...bad choices will often be made... #mschat
A3: unengaged students are talking about whatโs for lunch or what they are doing after school. They are complaining about the tasks they have to complete. They also might not be challenged causing boredom. #mschat#gccedu
A3 Itโs not always obvious when students are disengaged. They might do the work and get decent grades but still avoid the challenges, risk-taking, and decision-making associated with meaningful learning.
#mschat
A3: Lack of engagement has many factors. Usually it takes a little listening time to bring a student back from the depths of disengagement. Rough start to the morning, trouble with family; we need to get to the root and not assume it's just boredom. #mschat
A3 Disengaged Ss finish assignments in no time. They don't put care in their work. They rush to move on to something else they are interested in. #mschat
A4: Build relationships and find what interests them. I was able to build a lot of buy in the other day when I referenced @FortniteGame to help teach about the Cold War/Berlin Airlift. #mschat
A4: I think the first requirement is building connections with students. They will try because they like YOU, not always the subject you teach. And giving time for Ss to explore on their own #geniushour#mschat (something I want to explore further!)
A4: Student autonomy! Choice. Voice. Connection. Make learning challenging & meaningful. Encourage a growth mindset. Let them see the purpose. Listen to the students & take action based on what you learn. #mschat
Q4- implement activities that motivate students to learn, giving them choice is also a great thing. Make lessons fun and directed toward what the students like. #mschat
A4 - Relationships. Connect with those kids to help gauge what will interest them. Movement, fun, competitions. Get feedback on lessons from Ss what they liked, what they would change for next time etc. #mschat
A4: We have to get them engaged EARLY. If the start of the lesson is lame, the Ss will tune out for the rest of the time. We need to be passionate about the content, put effort into lesson planning with engaging activities like w/ music, technology, art, or movements. #mschat
A4 Students engage more fully when they see how their work connects to sources of meaning in their lives. EMPOWER Your Students is all about strategies for how they can do that. #mschat
Hey #mschat ! I'm joining super late due! My "cheater" answer to Q4: If students know that you care about them and want them to learn, they are more likely to be interested, no matter the topic.
A4: allowing choices and option to โcreate your ownโ. Connecting with their lives and bringing in elements of real life. Analyzing โyour favorite song,โ was so much more powerful that Analyzing songs I chose! #mschat
A4: I try to involve those students in the action- I had one S be my grammar DJ and one Ss got a disco ball when classmates got a Q right- learned the content to know which song to play & when to hit light :) #mschat
A4: I have also gone out of my way to learn about every strange topic my Ss are into to try and make connections to their passions/ interests- It is a crazy challenge but worth it when you hook them #mschat
State the learning goals or essential questions and offer students choice in how they learn and demonstrate understanding. And make sure some of the choice includes opportunities for student voice! #mschat
I did it during my post-interview lesson to get my new job, and the Ss were amazed that I would give them that power with all of the adults who were watching me. "Are you sure you want us to grade you?" #mschat
A4 still trying to figure this out after 14 years of teaching. Tech tools have helped, like @edpuzzle and @quizizz. This year has tested me to try new things with Ss who won't engage w/o A LOT of support and prompting. #mschat
A5: Balancing what students need and what they want. Sometimes the two do not line up. For example: I need to eat well to live long, but I want to eat pizza everyday. Sometimes I can have pizza, but somedays I just need to down some cauliflower. #mschat@_on11
A4: The non-engaged S - Humor, short work intervals, take the fine motor challenge/burden off of some, reach outside of school (cooking, building, etc) and bring it it into the class, let them coach a younger S. #mschat
A5: I donโt have much experience with lesson planning yet, but one thing I think I struggle with is coming up with practical ideas/games with purpose, not just adding them in for fun. Any suggestions for places to find resources for this? #mschat#gccedu
A5: This year, being in a self-contained elementary setting. Itโs me and them, 7:40-3:15. I can rock a 66 min period beginning to end, no prob. But having them all day, no matter how โonโ I am, I will lose some of them from time to time. #mschat
A5: Time:) Great Lessons take time to prep and plan. Being on my computer til 10 at night and at my desk an hour before school to cut out manipulatives or rig the room- is awesome but taxing for a mom & Leader #mschat
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A4 Be the cool teacher, but not a pushover. I have already imprinted myself on the younger ss in the building (we are brands, people). They run up and give me high fives and hugs because they see me in the talent show or their siblings tell them about me.
A5: Time I think is the biggest challenge. I try my best to get comfortable with a tech tool and allow the Ss to get used to using it too. Exploring, finding, and organizing takes time. Would love to find time to collaborate more too! #mschat
The focus on content over skills. If we are teaching the skills students need to be lifelong learners, then perhaps the race to finish "chapter 10" could give way to more engaging learning experiences #mschat
Check with your local and national teaching organizations. They often have teacher online boards and pubs. I'd say always start with the end in mind. What is the final objective? Then, use what you know of your kids to figure out how to help them get there. #mschat
A5: Time is always a go to answer. But I think even more than that I think meeting every student where they are to ensure you're challenging everyone. It's easy to challenge the lower, but what about the above-averages and gifted? #mschat
"Play" time is super important when introducing a new tool or activity. Need to let Ss know what to expect from it before making it a high stakes part of the curriculum. #mschat
A5: Time I think is the biggest challenge. I try my best to get comfortable with a tech tool and allow the Ss to get used to using it too. Exploring, finding, and organizing takes time. Would love to find time to collaborate more too! #mschat
A5: itโs easy to put on a costume. Itโs simple to engage with tableau and S-creation. Itโs harder when it comes to traditional elements such as note-taking - although sketchnoting has helped! Sometimes I just didnโt put extra thought to change โwhat weโve always doneโ #mschat
A5- Having Ss for 5th and 6th grade the hardest part has been coming up with new ideas and trying not to recycle the same ideas, lessons, & activites over and over that they've already seen before. #mschat
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A5 Not doing everything in one lesson. This is a real struggle. Also, not being a little annoyed when something I thought would be engaging, really falls flat. Ex. Oregon trail msdos free. 1st year- omg my whole family is dead! This year: wtf is this Mr Franz?
A5 All kinds of variables outside our control can limit engagement: curriculum, schedule, groupings, current events, even the weather. But even if we lโand our studentsโcanโt always choose what school is, we can always choose what school means. #mschat
A6: For science I have been using @legendlearning to mix it up and keep students engaged! Awesome science games where you can find something for every student #mschat
A5: Sometimes, disengagement really has little to do w/ the lesson & more to do w/ life or the Ss state of mind. They key then is to listen & be flexible to finding the best way to meet the needs of the student/class. Every day is unique. #mschat
A6 @brainpop@quizizz@quizizz@quizlet
I am developing a Zombie themed breakout activity to use at the end of my human body unit. No idea how it will go, but gotta try something new for the last unit.
#MSChat
A6: in my technologies of instruction class, we learned about augmented reality and virtual reality. If you have the right resources, itโs amazing how many places your students can go in a class period. #mschat#gccedu
A6: Just learned about Baamboozle from my mentor and friend @AubreyEMc. Kids love it for review. See more here (shameless plug for blog coming...) https://t.co/asANbhbp1V#mschat
A6: I make daily YouTube video updates for students on what we did in class to help keep students who may have been absent or those who would like refreshers on the material up to speed. Here's my latest: https://t.co/hbFMKwyI29#mschat
I thought it would be cool. I don't even like zombie stuff! I am going to head to starbucks for the afternoon on break one day and see if I can get something together. #mschat
In reply to
@DrKnicki, @brainpop, @quizizz, @quizlet
Time to "play" with tech is super helpful. One of the things I've found too is sharing how excited I get when I discover something new in familiar tech. I just found out about the timeline feature in Google Slides today & made a quick tutorial: https://t.co/zs4crmtx4M#mschat
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A6 This is my second shout out to them in the last few days (they're gonna start thinking I want something. Check out your @MicrosoftStore , they have free activities and lessons that teach engagement, problem solving and computer literacy.
Wow! EVERYDAY! I'm super impressed! I would love to build my collection of @YouTube lessons..have one for every topic so they can keep up, or relearn, or have a resource for parents/families #mschat
In reply to
@dwsteven, @Mr_Lisek, @blocht574, @YouTube
A7: Give them time to reflect. I have lots of movement planned. But they need the opportunity to digest. (Will be using musical desks for book study questions: https://t.co/FLZMndFfuD) #mschat
It takes about an extra 45 minutes - hour at the end of the day. I record right in my classroom after school, make a quick edit and post it for students. #mschat
A7: I donโt have my own classroom yet, but when I do I want to make sure forming relationships with my students is a priority. Forming a mutual respect for each other helps increase student engagement! #mschat#gccedu
A7: My lessons have been lacking in the movement department. Need to provide more opportunity for brain breaks and movement within the lesson to keep Ss on their game. #mschat
Thank you all for joining us for #mschat! It was a pleasure to lead the chat tonight.
Be sure to follow those you chatted with tonight to grow your PLN.
We are here on Thursdays during the school year starting at 8pm ET/7pm CT.
#mschat
A7 Not necessarily a change, but I am constantly trying new software, videos and modes of response with my ss. Especially this year, I have a challenging bunch in a 6:1:1. How do you engage someone in the district curriculum if they can't read? Thats our struggle.
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