Great point, Alison! My current ratio is 1:22 but some years is 1:25. It would be challenging to assess this way for all my students. However, when I taught in the US my ratio one year was 1:34…It would be impossible to do under those circumstances. #sunchat

Just read your blog post, Carla. Your teachers are so lucky to have you and the supportive environment you create for them to experiment and grow in! Let me know when there's an opening.😜 #sunchat

The 0 is heartbreaking... I have tutored middle school students who are strategic about what assignments they choose to focus on, depending on the weight or points, in order to pass the class. The focus changes from learning to passing. #sunchat

My son in early childhood has a list of objectives that are super clear: can count to 20; can tie shoes independently; can solve social problems independently. These are really helpful for me as a parent, and I wish our standards-based objectives in elementary were a bit more clear. #sunchat

Sorry, my electricity went out so I’m on my phone. The joys of living in Mexico…random power outages. 😅 Will get caught up soon. #sunchat

Exactly! My goal is to send as many students as I can out of third grade knowing their multiplication facts. All of the students I’ve tutored in 4th and 5th grade are struggling because they don’t have those foundational facts. #sunchat

I say this because I think I had (without realizing it) lowered my expectations for students, and I think their engagement suffered because of that. Now, the expectation is high and nearly every student is rising to that expectation with this new curriculum. #sunchat

Oops, and I just said "Back to Basics!" 🫠 I think that if students have mastered the basics, then they'll be able to engage with and be successful with whatever new way of teaching and learning teachers develop. #sunchat

I mention handwriting specifically because post-pandemic I've noticed that some students don't form the letters correctly when writing and they lose stamina, purposely write less detailed sentences, etc. because they're handwriting is so inefficient. I second back to the basics, Susan! 😜 #sunchat

I *definitely* agree with students lacking the foundational skills. I wonder if they'd be more engaged if they had mastered early literacy (including handwriting!) and early math. It's easier to be engaged when you're not struggling with the basics. #sunchat

I had to look up what PLTW is! 😅 What an amazing opportunity for your middle schoolers!

That’s a great idea. I need to find the little pockets of time I can be more flexible with throughout the day. 🤔

Yes… I couldn’t stomach being on the other platform anymore. When I saw #sunchat had moved over to here, I knew it was time to give it a try!

This brings back a happy memory of canoeing in the front yard with my mom after the winter melt and spring rains. So happy to see you here, Carla. ❤️

Nothing compares to the excitement of new classroom library books! We always stop what we are doing to browse. #BFC530

I’m teaching CKLA for the first time this year, and while I’m amazed at how much content, vocab, grammar, etc my third graders are learning, we don’t have the time for these practices. Our classroom library seems a bit lonely these days, and this is the push I need to rethink some things. #BFC530