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.
Q1: We had some rather famous #snowday announcements this week in Michigan, including the Schwartz Creek viral video. How do your schools conect with parents/students on snow days? #michEDhttps://t.co/oBtpquOjtZ
A1: Our superintendent reaches out via Twitter and Email to inform families about snow days. I send updates through #ClassDojo about projects/reading activities students can do at home :) #michED
A1: Our district, @zeelandschools and supt. @CalDeKuiper use many tools! Social media, Email, local TV. (Im sure I'm missing some!) We add it on our @Creekside_MS Instagram account. #miched
A1) We use Facebook and SchoolMessenger. There was some buzz about doing a fun video this week, but it didn't come together in time. Our elementary principal challenged parents to post pics of kids reading. #miched
A1: Both of our middle schools have done fun videos over the last couple years. @Creekside_MS just did one for the first snow day this school year. https://t.co/NjvLtQPFwo#miched
A1: What a great video! I’ve never heard of a snow day here in Montana. I remember my dad driving me to school while plowing the highway in fourth grade. #MichEd
A1: Our school connects on email and all social media to spread the news to parents. They connect to students via text messages, email, and portal. #miched
Friends in #CEP810, there is a great chat starting in the #michED chat right now! We're discussing ways to connect with parents and families on snow days ❄️ Learning some ideas already!
A1: At TK, they have been posting to the Facebook page and mostly just telling kids to stay safe, perhaps issuing some fun “challenges.” I personally sent my kids a math challenge to show me they tried when they get back, if they’re so inclined. #michedchat#miched#snowday
I heard a math teacher from a nearby district was teaching with Facebook Live and Google Classroom. She told the kids to watch for it last week. Probably not exactly fun for them, but it shows she values learning! #miched
Q2: How are you connecting with your students during this extended #snowday Do you like to keep them engaged, or encourage them to enjoy their time off? #michED
A2: I send out a few ideas on Class Dojo but I like to have kids enjoy their days off! When I was in school, we didn't have the ability to be constantly connected and snow days were like little winter miracles! Just like us, kids can't pour from an empty cup! #michED
A2: As a whole school, we've posted #crksnowday challenges for our middle school via Instagram and Twitter. Things like reading, board games, creating something, etc. #miched Not a ton of participation.
A2: I am still a student in college, so I do not currently teach students. However, my teachers connect with me by email assignments to turn in online, and some of them just encourage me to enjoy my time off. #miched
A2: Personally, I finally reached out to my adv. geo class yesterday and hopefully moved them forward. They had watched a vid for #flipclass so just needed to practice. Sent them a @Classkick review today. #miched
A2: I plan to send something to my reg 8th math kids via @edmodo sometime this evening or tomorrow morning. It will be an entire week tomorrow that we've been out so need to get those brains rolling! #miched
Q2: For the purpose of expecting different challenges I might face as an educator.. I would connect with my students via Class Dojo or a similar program. I would encourage them to read, read, and read in their down time! whatever they enjoy. #MichEd
A2: I wasn't expected a full week so far off. Usually I want my students to enjoy their days off. Also, in my district I can't count on Ss having internet in their houses. I usually budget for days off so I still feel good. #miched
Q3: So some people have been saying it. Do you feel days off like this should be e-learning opportunities, or focused on enjoying (or for some just surviving) a #snowday ? #michED
I teach in a flipped classroom environment. (videos for hmwk w/ me explaining content & then we practice in class together) and @classkick is an interactive whiteboard app/site. Ss can help each other, Tchs can help Ss. It's awesome! #miched
In reply to
@raeleevandenbe1, @Classkick, @Classkick
Join @ammarcangelo and @kylemaginity at #macul19 as they discuss implementation of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality into the classroom! Attendees will explore the integration of VR and AR with students. Register here rhttp://buff.ly/2RRb2rH #miched
A3 I find it difficult to require things of our students and staff when they aren't at school. They may need to take care of their family members and are just trying to get through the day. But there should always be a little time to read. #miched
A3: I feel like e-learning can be extremely beneficial to an extent, but days off are also for students to enjoy, be with family, participate in a hobby of theirs, rest, and catch up. #miched
A3: With a snow day here and there, I am OK with just enjoying it and surviving it. With 5 off in a row, it's time for some e-learning if Ss are able to be connected. #miched
I teach 1st graders and I'm always wishing we had more time for cooperative play! #Snowdays are an opportunity for students build their social skills through creative and imaginative play with friends and family #miched
A3) I'm not in the classroom right now, but if I were teaching at the HS level I'd tell students to expect some sort of activity for class if it looked like multiple snow days in a row were possible. It's important they see how tech solves problems. #miched
A3: Snowdays in MI should be enjoyed. We constantly question traditional math HW, so practice without support isn't in my plans. My district doesn't have consistent home internet. I don't want to push ahead and have a handful of kids that fall behind because of that. #miched
If you ever want to see it in action, let me know. My classroom is always open. If you need observation hours for any of your college classes, come my way! Zeeland isn't too far from Cornerstone. (on good roads) ;) #miched
Help-I’m creating brown lunch sacks full of math games to be given out at kindergarten roundup. I need a cute name for the brown bag of games. #michED#flipclass
A3: that being said, I am happy that the schools have made staff and student safety a priority this week, and I am happy my kids are safe and warm. #michedchat
Q4: This week is anything but normal when it comes to #snowdays in Michigan and much of the midwest. How are you or your district planning to help students re-enter next week? #michED
A4: Honestly - no idea. Good thing I have another day to plan for it. ... We have a 1/2 day on Friday for PD in the pm so if we are back to school, it will be nice to ease back in with a half-day. #miched Need ideas here!
A4: I know a LOT of districts in my area were set to start 2nd semester this last Monday. My daughter was actually scheduled to take her last mid-term exams...and now will have to wait until Friday or Monday. #michED
A4: We will be spending a LOT of time Friday and Monday reviewing #PBIS expectations! Along with this, we will be spending a few days reviewing what we were working on prior to all these snow days! #michED
A4 All staff is wearing blue (our school color) on Friday when we return to school and we'll be greeting them outside before they enter to let them know we missed them and are glad they're back. #miched#MertonProud
A4) We have had only two regular days of school in the past two weeks. There are a lot of questions about how we're going to get back on track. We were doing NWEA and a pilot M-STEP test too. #miched
A4: I'll probably introduce myself as their teacher. Ask if anyone did anything fun while trapped at their homes and review what we were learning about. We were at a good break before we left anyway so I hope we'll be good. #miched
A4: We had planned a Super Spirit Week for this week to beat the mid-winter blues but we'll be pushing that back to next week. Hopefully that will get them excited to be back all next week. #miched
Exactly! Our president is super down to earth as it is, I know all of the students here really look up to him, but seeing him with shades and singing would be a HIT #michED
Really tough question Ben. We also are in the midst of exams which makes things even more difficult. When does second semester start now? We are serving lunch tomorrow for those that need it at our HS so that will help bring our community together and connected #miched
Q5: With Michigan currently in a State of Emergency, and many students going without their usual school-provided supports, had anyone found a way to still serve meals or deliver support? #michED
A4: After Christmas, asked Ss for a peak and valley of break...Interestingly, they shared both, but their peaks were short and to the point as they thought of a valley. Allowed for all Ss to share and also let us move on. #miched
A5: I know @bdavisHPS had students and parents in earlier this week. I heard the downtown @ymca in GR is feeding GRPS students tomorrow. @h2hfeedkids has plans to connect with families they serve Th/Fri as well. #miched
A4: After Christmas, asked Ss for a peak and valley of break...Interestingly, they shared both, but their peaks were short and to the point as they thought of a valley. Allowed for all Ss to share and also let us move on. #miched
Q5: I never even considered this. A lot of students in Montana rely on free and reduced lunch programs. I would imagine my community/school here in Dillon would come up with something. #MichEd
A5: I am not sure if our district does this but working in a Title 1 school, I know that many of our students rely on the Free & Reduced lunches provided. I hope there are facilities in the area open for food pick ups :( #miched
A5: In our area we have warming stations (several churches), but with the number of unplowed streets (I've seen a plow once on Monday, once on Tuesday, none today) to keep the main roads "flowing" it is just dangerous to be out. I will be mindful of this when Ss return. #miched
A6: Personally, I have tackled some cleaning projects. My donate pile is huge but everywhere I can take it is closed! Reorganizing the storage room & guest/craft room. So much crap! #miched
A6: Trying to help my own kids stay busy with reading, crafting, making videos for their cousins bdays, board games, cleaning, re-organizing too! #miched
A6: I just started my @MAET grad school program at @michiganstateu! This week has been SUPER helpful to catch up on course work for my #CEP810 class! #michEd
Hey everyone! Siena Heights University is going to lead a special edition of #WorldGeoChat on 2/7 at 8 pm EST and we are talking teaching strategies! Please swing by and help us all learn! #TLAP#sschat#sstlap#MichEd
