#gtchat Archive
Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT is a weekly chat on Twitter that takes place on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and 5 p.m. PT in the U.S. For one hour, parents, educators, advocates and experts in the field of gifted and talented gather to share resources, links, authentic life experiences and insights about gifted issues.
Tuesday February 2, 2016
For the next hour I’ll be joining others at ( ) ~ please pardon the heavy stream or better yet; join us!
For the next hour I’ll be joining others at ( ) ~ please pardon the heavy stream or better yet; join us!
Welcome to Global Gifted and Talented Chat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented
Our topic today is “Micro-Schools” with Jade Ann Rivera
Hi everybody! So glad to be here. Thank you for joining.
Before we begin, please tell us where you’re from and introduce yourself!
Hi - Joshua here from Charlotte, NC. 4th grade teacher at a gifted magnet school. Excited to learn about an unfamiliar topic
I’m Lisa Conrad ~ moderator, advocate, presenter, blogger & mother of 2 gifted young adults from Pittsburgh, PA.
Hi Jo Freitag from Gifted Resources and Sprite's Site Victoria Australia here on a rainy Wednesday noon for
Nikki freezing in AZ, homeschooling 2 of 3 kids, blogger. Excited for this topic!
As a reminder, we use a Q1/Q2 format for questions & A1/A2 for answers during
I'm Carolyn K. of Hoagies' Gifted, Inc. Located in southeastern PA.. or Cyberspace. Parent of 2 young adults, college & grad school
Hi, this is Corin Goodwin, Exec Director of GHF, tweeting in from :-) Also mom to a pair of .
If joining via Twitter, remember to add the hashtag to each tweet.
If joining via Twitter, remember to add the hashtag to each tweet.
& - this is how you know I love you guys. I'm missing my swordfighting lesson for <3
what do you recommend to join, Lisa? I struggled with tweetchat last week...
I was about to say, "Don't mess with Corin! She's armed!" :D
Tweetdeck is the best for me
I'm experiencing a several minute delay on Twubs today. Will try to follow on Twitter as well!
I'm FINALLY available during a chat. How do I do this?
TweetChat is working well for me today.
Thanks I'll try twubs, too. Tweetdeck forces me to remember the hashtag, and I fail at that
Hi Amy - just follow along the hashtag and you should see all comments and replies.
I can't even get on Tweetchat at all. Search & Save on Twitter, but remember to add hashtag!
That was my problem with tweetchat the last two weeks. Nasty delay.
Kirk here from Chicago Northshore. Teacher of 6 to 8th double accelerated math in a flipped classroom.
Welcome to Jade Rivera author of “Micro-Schools: Creating Personalized Learning On a Budget”
Q1) Why start a Micro-School for gifted/2E?
A1) The small, personalized, intentional nature of Micro-Schools offers a balance of connection, flexible
structure & freedom.
A1) Why not? When all else fails...
Hi Just doing a bit of lurking while I am trying to complete some work. Hope everyone is doing well
A1) You can build your Micro-School specifically for the gifted/2e children in your school.
A1) Micro-Schools provide a chance to bring gifted/2e issues out into the light
looking forward to sharing final transcript!
A1) One nice thing abt microschools is that you can have some of flexibility of w/o the responsibility of doing it all
<-- Advisory Board member! Welcome, Brian!!!
A1) When you start a Micro-School you get a chance to make gifted/2e life real.
A1) By that I mean, you’re not only educating students in your Micro-School, you’re educating the whole community.
Christine from Vancouver - teacher supporting home schooling families
We <3 Big Minds - good example of a microschool.
Q2) What role does individualization play in a Micro-School and how do you accomplish it?
A2) Individualization plays every role! Our Ss have an urgent need for depth and flexibility as do their parents & teachers.
A2) Talk openly about what students, parents & teachers want & need. Make flexible agreements.
A2) Those needs for depth and flexibility can only be met through individualization.
The Mislabeled Child: Looking Beyond Behavior to Find Solutions for Children's Learning Challenges (Amazon) https://t.co/t47yyakGAe
A2) Follow through on those agreements & keep an open dialogue about what is working and not working.
It seems like communication is likely the biggest challenge. is that right? https://t.co/YTG6jPZL67
A2) Follow through on those agreements & keep an open dialogue about what is working and not working.
A2) I make it sound simple, but commitment to open, respectful communication is one thing that will make or break a micro-school.
RT A2) Those needs for depth and flexibility can only be met through individualization.
Makes sense. Also, good fit among adults and kids?
A2) When working w students new to choosing their learning path, how do you get them started, help them feel safe w opinions?
Q3) What are some ways to engage gifted students and help them find their passion?
I'd go so far as to say that a good fit is usually based on the ability to communicate.
A2) conferencing with parents and students every two week allows us the individualize programs
Great question! Esp kids who are used to being told what to do and how & when to do it.
Many of my students are traumatized by prior learning experiences. I have to really build them up!
Are micro-schools schools within a school or home schooling co-ops or?
I scaffold heavily at first and am sure to (gently) point out ways they can accomplish things on their own.
Or knowing when it's not a good fit.And that's OK, too - sometimes it's not. Honesty is part of good communication.
I'd say MS's live in an in between space. I've rarely relied on parents as volunteers, or collaborators
A1: It provides them an environment to go beyond and meet their needs. I teach all gifted students for math and I love it!
Totally! I address that in the book. It's an intentional community, and I'm VERY open about that.
A2: I give my students autonomy in their education. They choose what to do and when to assess. They work ahead as needed.
RT Q3) What are some ways to engage gifted students and help them find their passion?
I think that kind of engagement is the hardest thing in any post-traditional environment.
I think that kind of engagement is the hardest thing in any post-traditional environment.
hello! I teach in MN in a self contained get classroom grades 2/3
I think so too, it's hard for people to go from an authoritarian environment to working in partnership.
A3) help Ss find passion through books they read, what they do in free time, teach how to ask I wonder ?s, prjcts
A3) I have quite a bit to say on student engagement, so bear with me please.
A3: I established a this year within my classroom. Many students are discovering new interests/passions
Excuse me, for some reason I never received a prompt for question 3
And yet that's often what we ask of them when they go from school to the workforce, in this day & age. .
A3) First and foremost, a S’s passion is personal. All a person can really do is make space for a passion to evolve.
A3) A S’s passion cannot be forced into existence through independent projects & the like.
We’re already half way through our chat! Thanks for all the great sharing.
A3) Non-Violent Communication & Montessori methods heavily influence my teaching style.
A3) introduced me to Non-Violent Communication at the beginning of this Micro-School journey.
A3) Non-Violent Communication taught me the simple phrase “connection before strategy”
A3) Montessori as well as my chemistry education taught me how to observe in the classroom.
Where'd you find THAT!? ;)
A3) By prioritizing connection & observing where your Ss are at, you can extrapolate where they want to go.
(1/2)
A3) Then it’s my job to provide a space where that can happen.
A3 I integrate computer science and engineering into other subject areas which has sparked a number of passion projects.
Q4) What does a lead educator look like in a Micro-School?
A4) Part two of my many thoughts on engagement and passion. ;)
yes! And has a book on NVC coming out in a couple of months, also from GHF Press!
A4) It’s become a bit of a tired term, but a lead educator must demonstrate herself as a lifelong learner.
A4) Modeling having passion is important as a lead educator.
A3) Establishing my has turned those "what if" moments into "let's see" moments.
A4) My students know I love writing, cooking, knitting, music, intellectual exploration & educational theory.
Some of my students read my blog! HA! They even like it!
A4) A lead educator must know how to put into practice lofty ideas: magnanimity, flexible thinking, thoughtful
reflection.
A4) A lead educator must be willing to unpack her own baggage about what hard work and respect looks like.
Q5) How are classrooms in Micro-Schools different from traditional classrooms?
Also patience, creativity, and an open mind.
A5) My classrooms are more a co-working space. (1/2)
A5) Sometimes Ss do their own thing together. Sometimes we come together for group learning. (2/2)
A5) Comfort in the classroom is key. Overexcitabilities & sensory needs must be taken into account.
A5) There must be access to creative and technological tools in a Micro-School classroom.
A5) I try my best to keep the space clutter-free & restful. I’ve consciously worked to get better at this over
the years.
A5) Desks in a row, with a big teacher desk at the front of the room will not work. It connotes an
authoritarian culture.
A5) Authoritarian culture is the nemesis of the connection, flexible structure and freedom.
When setting up your classroom, ask yourself what message do you want to send.
RT I'm not just talking about "responsive data! What Do We Really Mean When We Say ‘Person...?https://t.co/hbL1vE1KQi
A5) giving Ss choice and voice in classroom design
A5) Our Ss tend to have paradoxical natures. The mess of learning must be embraced & have its place. (1/2)
A5) It’s a delicate dance and it takes some time to get right. (2/2)
It seems like this would require a steep learning curve for traditional classroom teachers as well!
I've been thinking more on your question. It depends on the student, but I try to show I'm listening through reflection.
reflect back what you hear is important to them, with out judgement or opinion.
When you say "the mess of learning", I'm assuming you don't just mean physical mess? :-)
You're right about that. NOTHING about my students is linear. It's fun!
As a sub this year, I see many teachers going this way. Unfortunately, still many desks in straight rows!
You're also right, but they're out there! I've met them and they're awesome.
Our final question is coming up!
It's interesting how we see Microschooling as new, but it has been part of education for centuries... until a few decades ago
So you don't get bored :-D https://t.co/9ShwhhJwr1
You're right about that. NOTHING about my students is linear. It's fun!
Q6) What are some ways to foster community in a Micro-School setting?
Absolutely not! My days fly by!
I try to be the teacher I always wanted, but never had. Confinement and conformity makes me cringe
A6)Bringing in thought provoking speakers or going to see them.
A6) Those are some of my most special bonding memories with my families. <3
That sounds like a lot of fun! (It also sounds like GHFO classes, one of which you teach, but doing it every day)
A6) Having a clear and concise written plan concerning communications is a simple way to foster community.
Interesting book I am reading now about how the philosophy of learning has changed over the years https://t.co/qB9F8JnUZr
I'll have to take a look at that, thanks!
A6) Discourage parents from gossiping or judging other people’s children in your program.
Is it in the GHF Amazon store? ;-)
A6: Ss asked how this was used in real life...I brought in the stats guy from Price is Right to show them. https://t.co/IGQjiz1h16
I would put that one on a banner! A6) Discourage parents from gossiping or judging other people’s children in your program.
A6) going on field trips together once a term
I teach lessons directed at the affective needs of my students. Having open and honest conversations creates trust.
A6) Educate the entire community about the multi-faceted face of g/2e. I talk about this in the book.
hard for parents to stop gossiping/comparing/stressing I think😿
A6) Work with other schools for gifted in your area to provide workshops or bring in speakers on gifted topics.
It's one the most challenging aspects hard for parents to stop gossiping/comparing/stressing I think😿
Personalized Learning: I'm not only going to get to know who you are as a person & learner, I'm going to respect it.
Yes, exactly. https://t.co/tKR59C0AjJ
Personalized Learning: I'm not only going to get to know who you are as a person & learner, I'm going to respect it.
We’re nearly at the end of our chat today … final thoughts or questions?
A6) Parents need a crash course on the effects of gossiping/comparing/stressing. Empathetic role play!
We'll archive the chat and share the link via later today.
It's the respect piece that squashes a S's emerging autonomy, to answer an earlier question.
Thanks to the fantastic staff for their continuing support; we couldn’t do it without them!
Thanks to the Advisory Board:
Thanks to the Advisory Board:
Before you go … build your Personal Learning Network and follow some of the folks whose comments you liked!
Thank you Jade, Lisa and , advisory board, supporters,sponsors and all for another interesting
Too many kiddos made to feel as though their unique passions are strange. When we should be helping them embrace their interests.
Thanks again to Jade Rivera for being our guest today!
Or unworthy, as in "not real learning" :(
Thanks for an interesting, informative chat - as usual!
Our next chat will be Tues Feb 9th at 8E/7C/6M/5P (US)/Wed 10th Feb at 1AM (UK)/14.00 NZDT/12.00 AEDT
I'll give my last breath to get creativity back into classrooms... because it's all I ever wanted as a kid.
Thanks all! Glad I could join you for a great chat!
RT I'll give my last breath to get creativity back into classrooms... because it's all I ever wanted as a kid.
