A1 caring about each other allows more risk taking and personal growth. When kids know you care, they do not want to disappoint and are more willing to work #novaedchat
A1: I feel this is huge when trying to teach Ss. If you don't have a relationship with them then how can you expect to get them to do anything? It takes just a few minutes to show a child you truly care, don't try to fake it because they will know. #novaedchat
A1: connectedness is so key. Listening to Ss stories... remembering it and referencing it later makes them light up. They want to tell us “EVERYTHING” about themselves and always try to make time and eye contact. Sometimes we may b the only ones who listen 2 them. #NoVAedchat
Hello! #NoVAedchat I'm Michael, a tech coach in Fairfax County! I'm sure @KatherineHover will be joining us any moment (now that I'm reminding her) and I know our @WIMSPrincipal is also interested in participating in her first #NoVAedchat :)
Yep! The teachers I learned the most from were always the ones who reached out to me outside of class, and showed a genuine interest in who I was. #NoVAedchat
Hi all! Missie, MS French in NoVa For me it’s a safety net for us all; covers learning trouble spots; allows us imperfect days & we grow to know we’re there 4each other #NoVAedchat
A2: A simple thing I do to help build relationships with kids is I listen. I greet them at the door in the morning with a high five and talk to each one about their night before and how they are feeling. Then I give them a high five at the end of the day to send off. #novaedchat
As a resource teacher, I try to learn names quickly, and say hi to kids in the hall. Is hard when I’m in every K-6 room, but when I see their face light up when I call them by name, it’s worth it! #NoVAedchat
A2: It starts with getting names correct! With so many new faces at the start, it’s hard but you gotta start with that simple act of respect. @scigates has awesome tricks for start if year!! #NoVAedchat
A1: Building meaningful relationships in the the classroom is a top priority for me. By making personal connections with Ss, they know they enter a place where they are supported and were their voice matters! #novaedchat
A2- I see so much at the start of the year- having fun together, 'icebreaker' activities, getting to know the class. Most teachers do many of these things. #novaedchat
A2a: Something else I do is I built an "All about Your Teacher" board. Each day to start off the year the Ss can ask me about any picture on the board as long as I can ask them a question in return. #novaedchat
A2 We play name games, create personal postcards, and use attendance questions which range from concrete (today was fave breakfast food) to the absurd (fight 1 horse sized duck or 100 duck sized horses) to the abstract (color of silence) #novaedchat
A2: I like to do a few fun icebreaker activities where we focus on listening and problem solving skills. I also share a video about limitless potential and we work on setting our learning goals for the year together. #novaedchat
A2 We start learning right away & fill it w/smiles, laughter & communication in the target language so success is seen quickly & reactions are positive 2show there are no “bad” mistakes #NoVAedchat
We used to do a ton of Mindtrap puzzles in my classroom - really unique brainteasers to solve! Sharing thinking on hard or no-right-answer questions helps! #NoVAedchat
I would write a morning message for the students with a different greeting each week. In the message there would be facts about the country where that greeting came from. #novaedchat
A3: It's the mid-point. The kids are getting restless and impatient. For older students it's crunch time for standardized test preparation. #NoVAedchat
Q1 This is so important! Building relationships with your students allows you to connect with them and creates an environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes. #NoVAedchat
A3: Relationships always need some "gardening" all year, but this time of year especially because the year is starting to wind down and the stress it rising with SOL's and different assessments. We all get stressed and it is good for the Ss to see how you deal with it #novaedchat
That would be cool for my Intro to WL board! I’m pulling 4things now too because it’s 26 boys + 4 girls...last period of day! I want to keep them moving & thinking. #NoVAedchat
A3 We get pretty bogged down with our own stresses, we forget about students’ stresses and how they affect their day. This time of year is hard to balance taking care of yourself and your students. #NoVAedchat
A3: now is when we need to make sure we show them that they matter! This is why I love teaching HS! REAL conversations, keep the dialog going! We’ve still got half the year to go!! #NoVAedchat
Also... not just the students! Everyone know all the things about each other... the weather has been cold and grey and even the adults are restless! #NOVaedchat@krissymbutler
A3: It's the mid-point. The kids are getting restless and impatient. For older students it's crunch time for standardized test preparation. #NoVAedchat
A3 relationships need to be a priority all year long, as they are at the heart of everything that we do! Without positive, trusting relationships with Ss and Ts change is not possible! #novaedchat PS this is my third tweet about #culturize in the past 24 hrs
A3: My Ss are DRAINED! So am I! I like to shift readings to personal stories/memoirs & writing to personal/reflection so we can relax as we plow through SOLs. Jr year is tough, so by easing the stress, & adding group discussions, we can still grow w/o burn out! #novaedchat
A3 FARCH (Feb + March) is the worst for everyone. Yes, we are into 2nd semester but there is no end in sight (barring freak snow) until Spring Break. We are all stuck inside all of the time, sun is scarce, and we are all a bit stir crazy! #novaedchat
A3 Also, with all the worries in kids' heads (and teachers too) right now with school safety, knowing you love and care for them is so reassuring #NoVAedchat
Q2 On the first day we do getting to know you games, icebreakers, and team building activities all day, and then through morning meeting throughout the year. We need to learn to be silly and comfortable around each other. We are a family! #NoVAedchat
A3- This time of year is often so stressful for everyone...especially Teachers & Students. A little caring can go a long way- especially leading up to the 'testing season' :( #NoVAedchat
I so agree! This year I’ve been working w/boys crying & helping empower all Ss- not because of me- stress. Ts are exhausted but know we can’t stop helping Ss because they need support & help 2overcome all obstacles! #NoVAedchat
Nikki, HS English teacher jumping in late! A3: Speaking of jumping in, we could all use a jumpstart this time of year. Motivation & patience might be waning- a smile and “I care” goes a long way! #novaedchat
Yes! My kids make name plates & fill out a note card with their name & any fun/clever facts/thoughts about themselves. I use these as conversation starters on the first few weeks of school, and make a point to say each student's name when I use them! #NoVAedchat
A4: A great way to build in Ss relationships with each other is building in time for them to work together with first small goals and then ultimately bigger goals for a PBL, etc. #novaedchat
A4: I switch up seating groups regularly and have speaking warm ups at the start of each class. Collaborative habits and different ways to interact with each other each day! #NoVAedchat
A4 I love having students interview each other to find similarities between themselves. Building S to S relationships and a classroom community is just as important as building T to S relationships #novaedchat
A4 I like to have them work in groups as much as possible. Give individual time but have them come together in pairs or small groups to discuss. Anchor qs are also great when we get into new groups! #novaedchat
That just reminded me all the “orders” are starting to be put out ...with due dates! Plus “Rising ____” nights. So many school things to do! Never enough time! #NOVaedchat
A4: The need for this has become so apparent to me this year. We’re a @PosProject school and the weekly discussions/lessons are helpful reminders of why #OtherPeopleMatter, but it still takes effort to get Ss to engage. Modeling is important! #novaedchat
I love grouping students randomly. Many Ts want groupings to be fair and perfectly balanced. This is important for some learning opportunities- but Ss need to learn how to work with all of their peers. #novaedchat
A4 Help them find common ground and see each other’s strengths. If kids are good at something, point it out so they can be seen as a positive resource for another student, instead of always relying on the teacher. #NoVAedchat
Yesterday two of our students talked about how they work more with students from all different groups now - more opportunities in and out of class with the shift we've had in teaching & learning with #FCPSon#NoVAedchat
(continued) I think providing those opportunities is incredibly important. Mixing up choice of who you work with & some required switching around #NoVAedchat
Yesterday two of our students talked about how they work more with students from all different groups now - more opportunities in and out of class with the shift we've had in teaching & learning with #FCPSon#NoVAedchat
I'm exciting for our students to all take the @PosProject strength survey so we can continue the conversation about what strengths they have in common with us and each other #NoVAedchat
A4 Help them find common ground and see each other’s strengths. If kids are good at something, point it out so they can be seen as a positive resource for another student, instead of always relying on the teacher. #NoVAedchat
A4b Also, morning meetings (responsive classroom) is always a great way for students to learn more about each other and build relationships!#NoVAedchat
A4: Model the behavior w/ other Ts and Ss. I encourage group connections this time of year by sitting in table groups. They are working on peer writing feedback & participating in their own book clubs. I also oversee our writing center. Talk about #peer2peer support! #novaedchat
Q5 Share a relationship building practice you’ve seen in real life or from your PLN that you can learn from or want to try!2 (and give a shoutout to the teacher!) #NoVAedchat
A4a: Working to build a true TEAM with the people you work with on your grade level or in your department. If the Ss see you working and planning with each other then they will do the same. #novaedchat
It's great to work with creative teachers like @KatherineHover@IrvingMiddle that are willing to try new things in the classroom & engage their students through a variety of interactive resources & activities! #NoVAedchat
A5: One of the things I did and still try to do is I will ask Ss for a schedule of their events outside of school. I then go to watch them. There are many times I rolled up with my dog to a soccer or football game. I've also seen a few dance recitals. #novaedchat
A6: so many ideas, so little time to try them all! I think it’s important to work toward genuine relationships and connections, not just the superficial! #NoVAedchat
I feel like they kind of get tired of taking to each other... gotta mix it up!! I use a google slides template and just shift the text boxes around to change the arrangement! Makes it pretty quick to change it up! 🤗 #novaedchat
A5: At the beginning of this year, I just tried some “favorites”- book, album, artist- and shared my own. This generated fantastic conversations & new connections #NoVAedchat
A5 MAD About You cards! I am thinking about adding them to my classes so students can celebrate each other, if I can figure out how to add it right now #novaedchat
A5: I developed my notecard strategy and my seminar discussion forum from my mentor @mtedrow, who taught me everything I know about building student/teacher learning relationships. Writing and listening are key to forming relationships, and modeling it is essential! #novaedchat
A6 Conference with each of them on their goals for the rest of the year and help them reflect on their progress so far. Celebrate the little things! #novaedchat
A5 one of my favorites is nothing revolutionary, giving everyone a paper with their name on it, everyone writes something nice about that person! This can do wonders to improve someone’s day! #novaedchat
A6: Sit down with each novel group to listen to them discuss their books, check in with writing center coaches to see how their college preparations are going, & make sure to let as many of my Ss as I can know that I'm rooting for their success on the SOL next week! #novaedchat
A5: "High-five Fridays!" When I was in the classroom, I made this a routine from my initial time while student-teaching & kept it up, always making sure to give each of my students a high-five by the door when leaving for the weekend. ✋️A fun way to cap the week! #NoVAedchat
