The #michED chat is a grassroots effort dedicated to giving teachers, students, and parents across Michigan a bigger voice in the conversation about education in our state. We welcome all voices through a variety of projects, media, and social networking. We’re trying to address educational issues through apolitical conversation, spreading ideas and stories of success from Michigan classrooms across the state, and helping teachers and students regain the courage to connect and demonstrate that schools in Michigan are creating amazing opportunities for learning. We want the face and voice of education in Michigan to be a mural of shared experiences and positive examples of connected learning.
I will be in Detroit tomorrow at 3:30 as Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley announce the Marshall Plan for Talent. The announcement will be livestreamed at https://t.co/94wUXCqkQt. #MichEd
Michigan science teachers - I see your amazing work and I want to help get you the recognition you deserve. Let’s talk #PAEMST@MSTAMich#miscichat#MichED
Not sure how to start your #PAEMST application? Here are three things you can do to make the leap and get recognized as one of the best #STEM teachers in the U.S. https://t.co/JApqeN8liF
A1: Gun rights. Taxes. Representation. Safety. Revisited safety drills. Cheered as local group of Ss responded to a call to walk out. They contacted local media to get it covered. #miched
We've had several class discussions on how we are a learning community and the responsibility we have for supporting each other. Ss seemed to soak it in. #MichED
Not that 45 reads but thanks to @nrookie we have this history lesson from her must-read book Cutting School. At a time of racial tension and growing violence, President Johnson already tried the more guns more police approach and here we are. #KernerCommission
In reply to
@starrscience, @tjscience, @philiplbell, @nrookie
A2:I try to give Ss an opportunity to write their opinions/thoughts before we share out in an effort to remove impulsive emotional responses to each other. Also helps some collect thoughts. #MichEd
A1: I do not have my own students but today in one of my TED classes we talked about Active shooter safety and things to do to keep students as safe as possible. #michEd#TED108
A2: I know this sounds cliche, BUT you can't have the difficult discussions if you haven't established the right relationship with your students. It starts there. #MichED
A2: I try my best to listen, but at the same time I try to act like Snopes. When they ask my opinion I answer honestly which often includes a lot of "I don't have the answer". #miched
A2) Honesty. I share what is appropriate for my students to know. We take the time to address the Q's that cause anxiety so we can get to the content with easy minds. #MichED
A2: Mager said, "If telling were teaching, we'd all be so smart we could hardly stand it.” So it’s about asking the right questions. Why do you think that? What’s your evidence? Who can add something new? #MichED
In theory, the difficult conversations can help establish relationship. But that's a lot of trust to establish in a short time, in a less than ideal situation. I would wonder why it wasn't there, especially this time of year. #MichED
I feel the same. I try to act as moderator & withhold opinion until Im asked. Im honest in sharing, as I want to respect their ability to engage in honest convo. Also, establishing that everyone is entitled to share thoughts in our conversation. #MichED
Are we already establishing the way to appropriate have conversations in the classroom? If that's done, then your just intuiting the class on a particular day. #MichED
I am thankful for our amazing school/family specialist. Sometimes if it's a really tough topic I thank them for sharing important feelings with me & I may also ask if we can talk about this with school/fam specialist present. The kids love & trust her so much! #miched
Agreed. I think trimesters lend themselves to much change and more difficult to establish relationships throughout the year. Good point. Thank you #MichED
A3: Sometimes it is as simple as looking at school issues or local issues. Then maybe branch out from there. Get them to talk about their school culture and then branch out. #miched
This is an important question! I believe it depends upon age of students, relationships, how "safe" classroom conversations are already, and, would a parent on "the other side", whichever it may be, be OK with the conversation. #MichED
#miched Crystal from Gibraltar. STEM special teacher. Been awhile since I’ve popped into the conversation! Good to see you all again! A1: I’m struggling in K-5... some older Ss know... when they bring it up to others. It’s time.
A3: When students are faced with relevant problems to solve, they engage. As teachers, we need to ask students what problems they want to solve, listen, and then help them find their way to a solution. #MichED
A3: As a mom of elementary aged kids, and as person that spends most of her days in elementary buildings. I am interested to know who much convo happens. I have not heard much in the classrooms. #miched
A3: Honestly, in a math class, I wait to see what the students bring up. I am prepared with the "What's next Qs" as I've been having these exact convos with adults. #miched
A3: Allow Ss chance to address the topic but also address their own beliefs. For many this may be first time someone has asked them to share opinion and valued them for sharing it. #MichEd
A3: #miched Definitely depends on age. In our K-5, not much conversation has happened. From my perspective it is out of respect to families... so they can discuss as the child needs it. I want to be the one to tell my own elementary age children, when it’s time.
Can absolutely understand this approach, as I would want to discuss with my child as well. Is there a time to address it with K-5 students? What about those who don't have those conversations at home? #MichEd
A3 Our school is currently participating in #thechalkboardproject Its purpose is to highlight the importance of our words. #bullying is common theme in many of these tragedies #michED
Always trickier at elementary school I think. It would depend upon what they are brining to the classroom with them. Do they already know? Are they scared? Do they bring it up? Take the lead from the students. #MichED
I am that mom that tends to shelter her kids from stuff like this. If they bring it up we will talk about it, but I also want them to believe the world is full of unicorns and cotton candy. #miched
A3: We had a human rights presentation when I student taught. At the end of presentation, Ss just went back to class. Usually I taught chemistry. That day Ss got a chance to unpack what they learned and have a convo. We can't gloss over these chances. #miched
Q5: My upcoming book is called The Path to Serendipity. Tell us about a serendipitous experience you have had where something seemingly bad lead to something really good. #Path2Serendipity#LastingLearning
We don't shelter, but we make sure that we have as much cotton candy (well Sour Patch Kids and Combos) as we can get. The world has bad, this is true, but continue to fight for what's good and celebrate the wins. #miched
Q4: Without completely shutting down a conversation with students, how do you help steer difficult conversations in more productive directions? #michED
A3: This is a sign of good instructional practice. Are we asking students to grabble with the big questions of our content? Showing them how to evaluate perspectives? Those strategies can be applied to crisis situations. #MichEd
A3 - I need to do a lot more of this. Community Circle is probably a way to find out what topics should be discussed (whole group.) But individual reflection is important too. Maybe have them use speech-to-text in a doc/slide so their thoughts aren't limited? #MichED
A4: Helps to have "rules of engagement" to use as a third point. Reference the question or procedure to redirect instead of making a student feel like they are personally being shut down. #MichED
A4: If there is a moment to direct conversation into content I will try to take it. However, sometimes I read the room and if Ss need this forum to express emotions I let it continue and facilitate. Their needs can be very productive #MichEd
I guess shelter is not the right word, but I just want them to be happy and not worry or dwell on the bad. Parentling is hard in times like these. #MichED
In reply to
@conrad_chris, @MrsBrownC, @techsavvyed
Hi Ben, I’m Stephanie Sutherland and if I were a teacher i’d say the most difficult conversation is trying to find out what’s wrong in their lives and if everything is okay back at home. #michED#TED108
A4: With proper relationships built through collaborative classroom norms, I truly think this happens out of respect. So much of this chat tonight is about democracy. #MichED
Q4: Without completely shutting down a conversation with students, how do you help steer difficult conversations in more productive directions? #michED
A4: Anyone with restorative practices training see a connection with circles? Can we use this training for safe conversations about broad issues? How would you facilitate? #MichED
A4: Remind Ss that their opinions are important but help them understand with something as simple as sentence starters how they should express their opinion. #miched
Q4: Without completely shutting down a conversation with students, how do you help steer difficult conversations in more productive directions? #michED
A4: We just had to do this ... tried to ask the Ss what they individually needed. Tried to get off the hard topic and see what they need to get through the tough situation. #miched
Had many interesting convos with parents who didn't appreciate that i did not choose that approach. Definitely need to balance with how much children need to know. I worry about how infor will be presented if not from me. #MichED
Q4: Without completely shutting down a conversation with students, how do you help steer difficult conversations in more productive directions? #michED
Age-appropriately, there has to be a ZPD for facing adversity. Students who learn to solve their own problems from early on can go on to tackle harder more difficult issues. #MichED
In reply to
@AnnSmart17, @conrad_chris, @MrsBrownC, @techsavvyed
Bennett was 5 when 9/11 happened. Changed everything. He knew. Especially having friends of Middle Eastern heritage. Definitely influenced how much info was shared. #MichED
In reply to
@AnnSmart17, @conrad_chris, @MrsBrownC, @techsavvyed
A5: Help them develop agency. Show them that their voice matters (value them in class convos) and give them productive outlets like contacting Congressmen, etc. #MichEd
A5: At HS lvl, I always remind Ss to participate in their government. I tell them that I don't need Ss to agree with me, but they should contact their reps with issues they feel strongly about. Focus frustration into action. #miched
Time to unplug for the night. I hear a few kids who need a re-tuck. It was great tweeting in tonight, even if it was around such a tough topic. I’m putting the next #miched night in my calendar now. I love working with great #MIeducators in person and on Twitter
A5: I think we have to help our Ss understand what their options are within their realm. Is making posters enough, attending board meetings, protesting? What can be positive action? Help them realize they can make a difference and have impact. #miched
A5: Always keep them informed so that they can form their own opinions on these difficult topics and be able to stand up for their beliefs. #michED#TED108
A5) Wind down a challenging conversation with brainstorming appropriate ways to address the issue at hand. Be prepared to make this the center of your lesson. #MichED
A5: Education is central to a functioning democracy. Too often we hear school as a means to “get out” or “move on". We need to reframe school as a means to establish and maintain the community. #MichED
