The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
On this #ThoughtfulThursday , I wanted to begin the day by thanking all of you for taking the time to gather together and support one another. We are so much #BetterTogether ! #bfc530
Seek the positive people, share a laugh, a coffee, a conversation, get your energy and inspiration from the people who bring joy to your work! Remember tomorrow is another day! #bfc530
Turn the keys over to the students...they always find ways to ensure what you are doing is exciting and full of energy. My job is to find these things and help facilitate connections. #bfc530
#bfc530 On days when motivation is a struggle, I remind myself that everything is temporary. I am lucky to live and #teach in a town that I love. I feel connected to this community, and that gets me through the challenging times.
I had a group of kids yesterday who wanted to build with Legos & play with our Cubelets rather than play math games on laptops after a test. So, I let them. Why not? #bfc530
I keep a google doc of cool / inspiring YouTube videos and links to articles - stuff to make them think differently. Good brain break stuff.
When they ask questions & engage in lively discussions & challenge their understandings & positions, we all feel energized.
#bfc530
I stay motivated by lots of coffee (duh!) and by talking with the kids. Simple conversations keep it in the front of my mind why I need to be present with them. They keep me motivated. #bfc530
For fun, my students enjoy finding random memes to show on the classroom computers. This is normally part of their morning and after lunch routine. #bfc530
That's the key! When one creates a classroom environment where students are lining up to get in (would buy tickets for it), then the reward is inherent. Motivation 3.0 #TLAP#bfc530https://t.co/wZy2FYM9Bz
#bfc530 Whenever I call myself an "older" #teacher, people remind me that I should say "experienced" teacher instead. Either way, I have learned that this really is true.
I try to create the best possible learning experiences for my students no matter how I feel. Often on my hardest days, they do something that lifts me up. Or they don’t, but I try again the next day. Depression always comes back to play but it never wins.
#bfc530
Morning #bfc530 ☀️ Not usually awake to join! Reminding myself how much I love my job, my students. Knowing that everyday is a new opportunity to be joyful. Also, self-checking...do I maybe need some self-care time to be back the next day fresh & energized?
I try to create the best possible learning experiences for my students no matter how I feel. Often on my hardest days, they do something that lifts me up. Or they don’t, but I try again the next day. Depression always comes back to play but it never wins.
#bfc530
For fun, my students enjoy finding random memes to show on the classroom computers. This is normally part of their morning and after lunch routine. #bfc530
I exercise every day to get my mind and body in the right space and then I talk to people who are positive and make me laugh... my tribe. And then I focus on the kids and the job I need to do. And if all else fails, chocolate 🍫 #bfc530
I wish I had the opportunity to try cricket. One of the best hitters I ever played with as a kid was a Jamaican-American who played cricket on the weekends #bfc530
Thanks to @wheeler_laura for starting the #bfc530 question bank! I added a few yesterday...have you? This can be a fall back in case we have no question to drop by 5:31 am. Thoughts? https://t.co/fySgL2l69W
Sure can. A few years ago Clare did the Great Victorian Bike Ride. 11 days and about 1000km. One day she rode up the toughest hill she had ever seen. She says the moment she reached the top she knew nothing would ever be unachievable #bfc530
Thanks. I love my book covers. Such a source of stress because I know it is something I can't do and I need to depend on someone else. But the illustrator who does them is amazing! I love all his work. #bfc530
On maintaining motivation when things get soul-crushingly tough at school, beyond “stay positive.” I wrote this after an administrative decision, but a lot of it applies to other difficult situations too. #bfc530https://t.co/oMQhmNXCDu
I ran the Chicago marathon a few years ago and self talk definitely got me through the last couple lonely miles! I felt like the little engine that could... #ithinkican#bfc530
In reply to
@GruntledChalkie, @SusZanti5, @CoachKCullen
Sometimes you have to let somethings out of your control. Hard for us type A's.
BTW both my daughter and I loved Miss E. looking forward to your new one:)
#bfc530
Thanks. I love my book covers. Such a source of stress because I know it is something I can't do and I need to depend on someone else. But the illustrator who does them is amazing! I love all his work. #bfc530
Sometimes you have to let somethings out of your control. Hard for us type A's.
BTW both my daughter and I loved Miss E. looking forward to your new one:)
#bfc530
Thanks. I love my book covers. Such a source of stress because I know it is something I can't do and I need to depend on someone else. But the illustrator who does them is amazing! I love all his work. #bfc530
Throw out the plan and try something knew. Pick a random TED Talk to start class with, ask a provoking question and let the kids run, or have the kids trade burning questions and research answers to each other's. #bfc530
I find that if I admit to someone “Hey, I’m just not feeling it today,” it starts a discussion & helps me turn it around. I don’t have these days very often, thank goodness! #bfc530
All change starts in the mirror and usually requires more than a casual glance. #bfc530
. . . . And do Lego robotics 2:45-6:00 Tuesday thru Friday with the most awesome 3rd-5th students and coaches at #SiglerNation RoadRunnerRobotics!
Gr8 pic! Glad UR here! We also say G’day in Texas but it is sometimes not recognized when it has the same spelling but pronounced with 38 syllables. #bfc530
I’m big with laughter being a reward. This q made me realize I don’t give physical rewards. I joke around (not sarcastically) with students with funny dance moves or loud singing off tune. #bfc530
Thanks! I hope to visit Texas one day! I don’t think us Aussies have so many syllables. We pronounce it as a 2 syllable word. It is amazing the variations you can get within the English language. #bfc530
I look at « indicators of success” that I’ve generated for my own pers. self-assess. Reading these helps me remember the impact that the “small moves” can have (ie: smiling at Ss). It immediately motivates me knowing that my day doesn’t have to be about big moves to be meaningful
