#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 May 24, 2016
Welcome to the chat everyone! I'm Jackie Batkins, your moderator, & today’s topic is “Ending the year, continuing the community."
Please introduce yourself & share your favorite game.
I'm Krystin from VA. My favorite game is all Zelda games.
Hi ! Hannah Powell, 5th grade Math/Science from Raleigh, NC. My favorite just-for-fun game is a classic - Scrabble!
Hi, I'm Kerry and my favorite game is Heads Up
Q1 In what way did the community in your class change during this year?
I'm Cathy from NS, Canada. My favorite game (at the moment) is Aggravation (old school!)
Hi ! My name is Mallory and my favorite game is Scattergories!
Jill, Nova Scotia, Canada. We love aka
A1: Ss became more comfortable taking risks. Initially, they were scared to try things, but now there's a culture of trying things!
My classroom changed to a student led environment and I couldn't have been happier with the end result!
A1- My students changed a lot this year as they grew in maturity. Lots of new issues arose near the end.
jessie Erickson, fifth-grade teacher, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Favorite game is cribbage
Christine Strickland from Alabama and My favorite game is candy land!
What types of new things did you have them try this year? I love the cultural shift!
Hi all! Lisa from DE, 4th grade teacher going back to 5th grade next year!:)
A1: I feel my students have become more willing to try new things. I think this may be in reponse to ME trying new things as well.
A1 My kids became so independent of me. They could run the classroom without me! :)
students have Learned to trust each other, have bonded like family, and it held each other responsible. We share and risk daily!
HUGE push for the 4 C's - collab., communication, critical thinking, & creativity..show learning in different ways!
A1 my community changed as new students arrived. I have a much larger num of girls too https://t.co/Q5NygdfSCS
Q1 In what way did the community in your class change during this year?
I use Build Your Own Deck and have a student input their Voc. words!
I also think incorporating more & activities has been helpful. Real world applications that challenge!
A1: I've also had new students join our classroom throughout the year. This can also this can change things.
I had a girl-heavy class last year! It was definitely an interesting dynamic!
Hi, Christine! That does often change the dynamic.
Q2 How did you facilitate a community of learners?
A2: Challenging at times! Ultimately by modeling risk-taking and working to support students with teamwork and group talk.
My favorite game is Taboo.
Welcome, Lisa! That sounds like a great idea to use across subject areas!
A2 creating an environment where students feel safe taking risks and learning from failure
Thanks. You are right. Only used it for Vocab, but now next year...:)
Shout out some book titles that 2nd-5th graders love - have the series covered, what else?
I will do! Looking for more ideas for next year!
A2: I have incorporated a lot more collaboration into daily activities. Kids love it!
Yes! Taking risks w/ new folks is difficult (I'm feeling it tonight :)
A2 Morning Meeting via ! Also modeling how a community treats each other. https://t.co/BymiDreajA
Q2 How did you facilitate a community of learners?
A2 set the tone, model expectations, facilitate discussion and sharing, support, give feedback, and get out-of-the-way!
I use tables with many inquiry based experiments and 1:1 letting S guide learning pace https://t.co/JGhvZJaFVV
Q2 How did you facilitate a community of learners?
Lisa, I love morning meeting & so do my Ss
Welcome, Jessie! "...And get out of the way!" is great for making things happen
Q3 How did your Ss play a role in shaping this fellowship?
A3: Each year, the classroom culture is shaped by student personality and dynamics. Play off their strengths and just roll with it!
A3 Ss stepped up to the plate and ran with it- they love and crave more independence at this age and respond to it
A3 4th graders are so sweet, and most of them treat each other the way they want to be treated.:)
A3 Agree!!! https://t.co/7zshItWCB2
A3: Each year, the classroom culture is shaped by student personality and dynamics. Play off their strengths and just roll with it!
Hi, Hannah! Thanks for joining in. "Play off their strengths" is a great point!
the students own and lead the learning and classroom. By working together it has built a culture of risk and success.
My kids are really keen and are quite enthusiastic! Hope this has something to do with more engaging activities!
A3 Let them be leaders, even if it's something small, and they blossom!:) I have a greeter at the door every morning.
This yr my Ss love planning the recess activity & getting everyone moving
That's awesome! Giving kids ownership and responsibility pays back tenfold!
Hi, Cathy! How could it not! Excellent!
Hi - don't want to intrude but am looking for some innovative elem to give input for new
Q4 What aspect of your class community had the most powerful positive impact this year?
A4: I think it's been the value of student voice. Ss have learned to listen and challenge each others' thinking. I <3 watching it!
A4 My student's set individualized goals and only 1 that was narrow and focused. We revisited the goals every 9 weeks.
Goals were posted in the class and they supported each other.
A2: Teach Ss about FAIL-First Attempt In Learning & reflecting about their learning.
A4: Their ability to work collaboratively in groups. I love the conversations!!!
Tina, from Wisconsin here at a baseball game
Hi, Rosa! Goal-setting was really powerful in my room this yr too. Thanks for mentioning that.
Hi, Tina! Like that acronym
A4: Ss love their construction paper boot for their bday. Ss share a positive comment about their classmate.
A4: Working on executive functioning skills
Q5 How do you support the endurance of team-building traits & skills over the summer?
So they "get the boot" for their b/day? :)
Ss voice and choice. They have a say on our "family" and we value each other!
Yes, a construction paper book that says..."We Get A Kick Out Of You..."
This is an issue of mine! I will have a few of the same students next year and hope they keep that enthusiasm up
A5: Stumped on this one! Not sure how to support Ss in keeping their teamwork skills strong over the break.
I think could be really powerful during summer. S particip varies yr to yr
A5 I have never thought of this and I won't see my students next year. They go to a new school.
I've tried "alumni" groups but Ss don't naturally use this platform, I don't think.
A5. I hope the bond is so strong that Ss remain in touch over the summer and can rely on each other in the fall at MS.
I think that's the key. Helping Ss see each other as a support system, and keeping that as they transition to MS!
agree! I hope my kids stick together, I never what happens.
Interesting that so many of us are stuck here...
Q6 What is a way to continue the community into the next school year & beyond?
Yes, MS can be a tough transition! Need bonds!
A6: New group, new community, new dynamics! Use similar strategies, make improvements, and support the new unique students!
How about family contacts? Legacies at your school??
A6 Ensure that they have a strong foundation before leaving your classroom.
6A: It difficult to in my building. There are 10, 6th grade classrooms. They may only see each other at recess.
we have some family contact through siblings but typically we don't get a lot of information except from a few kids.
Learn from these Ss and make changes to the community as needed for next year's group https://t.co/gmwUNlgVIr
Q6 What is a way to continue the community into the next school year & beyond?
A6 Start the year with the idea that I am rebuilding a family, supportive community, and a class with strong voice and success!
A6: Start the team building from the very first day. Relationships need to be fostered from the beginning.
A6: continue learning new strategies over the summer to implement next year
I like that, going into it as rebuilding a family etc. I tend to go in simply building!
What do you think of having 4th visit now & see how S-led looks? Considering this.
I like this idea! https://t.co/R82u4FlVEU
What do you think of having 4th visit now & see how S-led looks? Considering this.
Q7 What will you do differently next year with community-building in mind?
A7 My students sit at tables of 4. I want to do better with defining and rotating roles.
A7: make more time for team building exercises
Tell us about the roles they have
When planning, I will be even more mindful of including opportunities for collaboration and reflection.
A7 Have Ss lead morning work earlier in the year and encourage our agreement/disagreement collaborative debates sooner.
I have a colleague who has a short team art or craft project for each new seating arrangement
table has a teacher assistant the one that helps the others with learning, a table runner, table monitor etc.
I'll have to make a note of doing this in the fall. https://t.co/kaRfflag1F
I have a colleague who has a short team art or craft project for each new seating arrangement
A7: Always saying we are a family. Family looks out and stands up for each other.
We played Rachel Platten Fight Song every 9 weeks! https://t.co/2wRMRjLsJI
A7: Always saying we are a family. Family looks out and stands up for each other.
She tied it in to content so they did a mosaic tile piece w/Rome studies & illustration of folk tale for LA..
we did mosaic tiles with learning decimals using a 100's grid. I teach 2 sections of math.
Thanks so much for a great chat tonight! Any final take-aways? I like the idea of a theme song :)
