https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/g4s6b9rp3715 Please respond. Remember that your thoughtful responses can be used in lieu of writing a reflection paper at the end of class. en-us 2017-06-22 16:38:08 UTC 2017-06-30 20:47:23 UTC hello@padlet.com stephanie_holtz https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/g4s6b9rp3715/wish/177225819 1. What is the culture like in your own classroom? Do students know each other's strengths and weaknesses?

SH - The culture in my classroom is open, safe, and encouraging. As the year rolls on, I believe that we begin to recognize eachothers' strengths and weaknesses. For some students this recognition will come earlier than with others. 

RR - We work on building a culture from day one that focuses on being respectful. This past year we worked really hard on having a growth mindset! Students do realize their strengths and weaknesses and try to utilize students that are experts in certain areas to help them.

DL - As the year goes by, the students in my room recognize each other's strengths and weaknesses more and more and the class really comes together because of that.  I stress respect in the classroom, so that students do not feel embarrassed to ask questions or speak up during class.  I have found that the smaller classes of 20-22 kids really understand each other much better than the larger ones.

JW - I would like to believe that the culture in my classroom is one of respect for others and their ideas. Realistically, there are bumps in the road at times. However, we always communicate the importance of acceptance and tolerance of others. If a student doesn't feel safe, it will be very difficult for her/him to put herself/himself "out there" when trying new things. 
JP-6th grade is interesting in that they are coming from feeder schools so there are tons of new people to get to know and learn from. It takes awhile, but once our year progresses the kids pick up on strengths and weaknesses. When we talk about passion project ideas and get feedback from classmates, this really shows how kids pay attention to details and personalities. 

BB- Fear....there is great fear in 7th grade. I try to make the culture of my classroom a place where day-to-day, mistakes and being wrong is just another part of learning, and life. We have countless conversations about "guessing" being appropriate, encouraged, and preferred over "I don't know." I have a schpeel about that....but this is neither the time nor place. I would venture a guess that most 7th grade students play to their strengths, which in turn subtly identifies their weaknesses (to a keen eye). If only they would use their powers for good....

KH- I hope that my classroom is a place of mutual respect and growth centered. It was interesting last year to teach Transitional Math at all three levels and then AVID 8. The feel of the two classes were very different. My TransMath kids needed a coach and leader, while my AVID students often needed a cheerleader and mentor. I think our environment may change a little from year to year depending on what our students need from us.]]> 2017-06-22 16:43:09 UTC https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/g4s6b9rp3715/wish/177225819 stephanie_holtz https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/g4s6b9rp3715/wish/177225873 2. What would Pitch Day look like in your classroom?

SH - I am not sure yet - I have never actually had a "pitch" day. I usually have students share their thoughts/ideas with a small group in which they bounce ideas off of one another seeking feedback. I do like the idea of showing them a video clip of Shark Tank and taking the pitch a bit further. I don't foresee asking students to create and present an elaborate pitch that they would  do for the whole class. I do like the feel of the smaller group pitch in which the setting is more intimate and feedback a bit more natural. 

RR - I agree! I do think there could be some value in doing it with the whole class, but I also think that small collaborative groups could be very beneficial too. I think I would probably start out with small groups and see how those worked.

DL - Pitch day in my room would be some smaller groups for the first time. I would want the kids to get some feedback in the small group setting prior to taking their idea to the whole class. That could be intimidating for some.  I have done a little of this with their state project, but in that case they are "pitching" their idea for their project to just me.

JW - I agree with what the others have stated in that I foresee the "pitches" being done in some sort of rotating small group setting. I would have to do some instruction on specific feedback prior to this. 
JP- I didn't do a pitch day as a whole class, but walked around as the students discussed their ideas and asked questions. I want to make this day BIGGER and with more peer feedback the next time I do GH.

BB- I envision small group or "speed dating." The large group idea we read about seemed a little long and drawn out for my taste. I want efficient, but I also want quality. Can we have both? 

KH- No clue yet. I liked the idea of Baron's- speed pitching. I have yet to figure out how Genius Hour can help my students show mastery of Math standards. An inquiry project, yes definitely. However, a true Genius Hour, I'm still thinking about.]]> 2017-06-22 16:44:00 UTC https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/g4s6b9rp3715/wish/177225873 stephanie_holtz https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/g4s6b9rp3715/wish/177225887 3. Do you believe collaboration is natural or does it need to be taught? Do you think there is a difference between collaboration and group work?

SH - I do not think collaboration is necessarily natural for all students. This does need to be taught and practiced. This is one of the reasons in which I feel that this type of project should not occur early in the school year. I do think there is a difference between collaboration and group work. Group work, in my opinion, is when you all work on the same task/project in which the purpose is the same as well. Everybody has a job to complete the group work. Collaboration occurs when students share with others in search of feedback. They may not necessarily have the same purpose or need however, the students are collaborating to produce different products and they check-in periodically for feedback. 

RR - Collaboration is not always natural for all students. I think some students need to see it in action or being modeled. Students need to be taught how to give appropriate feedback and how to be good listeners. I think there is a big difference between group work and collaboration although many people think of them as the same.

DL - Collaboration is definitely not natural for all students. With that in mind we need to teach those skills to our kids so that they will find some success and accomplishment when collaborating. If they realize there is a purpose in it they will value it much more down the road.  Yes there is a difference between collaboration and group work.  To me collaborating is working together to accomplish an end goal.  Group work would be where everyone is doing the same thing, just at the same time, together.

JW - Yes, collaboration needs to be taught. I don't think it is a natural thing especially for 7th graders. I also think it can be challenging to have students assume roles and be responsible for their parts. I have learned, through reading this, that there is a big difference between group work and collaboration which makes a lot of sense. 
JP- Taught and modeled and reminded and retaught and ......
I think collaboration brings in more precise discussion and feedback with a focus on specifics. 

BB - Yes...taught. Coblaboration is another word for group work. She hit the nail on the head. I agree with everything.

KH- Yes, for sure it needs to be taught. Group work to me is not always collaboration. Like mentioned above, it can get out of hand and doesn't always show mastery of standards for all students. ]]> 2017-06-22 16:44:08 UTC https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/g4s6b9rp3715/wish/177225887 stephanie_holtz https://padlet.com/stephanie_holtz/g4s6b9rp3715/wish/177225911 4. Are you currently encouraging group work or collaboration in your own classroom? 

SH - I think we do a little of both... I would like more collaboration to occur but I think it's easy to fall back on the group work. 
**I have attached an interesting article concerning group work and collaboration.

DL - I agree with Steph, there is a little of both, but I would say the majority is 

JW - Unfortunately, I would have to say there is more group work than collaboration. We will have to work on that.
JP-Both in my classroom. Depends on the activity or lesson. 
BB Same with JP. I would add that it depends on who is in the group as to if there is collaboration. 
RR - A little bit of both. It depends on what students are working on.

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