Jon Harper

I understand that it can be difficult to not share our political beliefs with our students. We spend hours, days even months with our students in the classroom. But as Robert mentioned in this discussion, we are "hired speech" and we wield an incredible amount of influence over students. We can not simply share our political beliefs or opinions with our students because we are passionate about a subject or topic. We discuss this and more in this important discussion about difficult conversations in the classroom. @rickwormeli2 @rpondiscio @mellyteaches @bamradionetwork @curriculumblog bamradionetwork.com/track/navigati…

@DonKAriel @SciInTheMaking thank you for the suggestions and the encouragement. I always appreciate both,

Cog skills bleed into good pattern recognition, especially if they are not developed with- or applied to- psychomotor reinforcement (why pencils matter). You have still accomplished something major! I would recommend finding a way to reinforce with application skills. Team challenges- allowing children to share what each knows to mutual benefit. This is always a great reinforcing technique. Math relationships exist independent of the symbols themselves. It is this fluent sense that benefits rapid individual and team decision making. You are killing it.

As the school year comes to an end I am still working on having all of my 4th grade students know their multiplication facts instantly. The thing is, they knew them in January and we practice them every day. This is frustrating but eye opening. In this conversation we discuss specific retrieval practices that teachers have found work for them. I have begun to revisit some of the strategies these last few weeks and I have noticed it has helped, especially having them recall their facts from memory and not just studying flash cards. @smorrisey @effortfuleduktr @bamradionetwork @SciInTheMaking bamradionetwork.com/track/unlockin…

I have concerns about allowing cell phones in the classroom regardless of the expectations or parameters that are set. I think their ability to fracture attention is simply too great. Having said this, I am not well versed in how to teach students how to use them effectively. I believe our students lack too many of the basic skills that should come before learning how to use their cell phone to help them in the classroom. I think modeling and teaching productive use of cell phones is something that shouldn't be on teachers' plates and definitely shouldn't come before teaching many of the basic skills that many of our students sorely lack. @lkolb @ISTE_ASCD @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork bamradionetwork.com/track/thinking…

@ColinJSchindler I think it is a great idea. I would just set up some clear rules before you start. Kids love markers and whiteboards. Heck, so do I. :)

@Jonharper70bd Seeing more and more of this. I am planning to incorporate them into my teaching next year. I teach science and was thinking of a basket on each table with a few dry erase markers, erasers and boards for immediate access. Use with hinge questions between transitions. Thoughts?

I had never taught using white boards until this year and now it is pretty much all I use. What I appreciated about this conversation that while we discussed the benefits of teaching using white boards we also discussed when not to use them and the danger of overusing them (I am guilty here). @AmberBHaven @AndrewWatsonTTB @SoLInTheWild @bamradionetwork bamradionetwork.com/track/maximizi…

@PFilmlid Yes, I have encountered this and something that has worked is having a challenge problem for students that are more able. It’s not perfect but it’s worked at times.

@Jonharper70bd The only downside to MWBs I've come across is the more-able having to wait on the less-able to complete questions which require calculation. Any way around this?

@JenniButtonUSA @GregJWolcott @pgliljedahl @plickers Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to take a look.

@Jonharper70bd @GregJWolcott @pgliljedahl Feel free to check it out - it's not just for math. The research shows that standing at whiteboards or vertical spaces is the best for learning. Have you tried @plickers? I used to use that with 4th-8th grade math and reading intervention classes. Happy learning! 🎉

I’ve heard a little about it. My concern would be keeping kids on task and not receiving direct instruction. I really enjoy having all of my students seated and i. front of me where I can see what they’re doing and move quickly while at the same time holding them accountable at a rapid pace. Having said this, I don’t know much about Thinking Classroom strategies and their effectiveness.

@Jonharper70bd @GregJWolcott Have you ever read Building Thinking Classrooms by @pgliljedahl? I use his research-based practice of getting kids up at the whiteboard or smart TV, even in my ELA intervention.

@h2sdrummer that’s an interesting point about the impermanence.

@Jonharper70bd My room is awash in whiteboards. Not only can you see work at a glance, but there’s research that shows kids are quicker to start the task and willing to take more risks because of the impermanence. Pencil is not as easily erased. Color coding work is another plus.

I’m confused as this is certainly nothing even remotely new (I have mini whiteboards, standing, and all desk are whiteboard) and the A4L, etc… in the implementation comes directly from very progressive education reform.

@MindyCoreOU yes the power of small consistent wins is so underrated.

@Jonharper70bd It’s interesting how small, aligned actions across a whole system can create far larger outcomes than any single curriculum change on its own 💙⚡

I have been a part of numerous education and behavior curriculum adoptions in my career. But, as was mentioned in this discussion, adoption does not always guarantee implementation. Far from it. I am sure I have been guilty of not following along and it is not until my later years that I have begun to realize the importance of fidelity and consistency. Oftentimes small steps in the same direction by everyone involved can lead to enormous gains. @mjanatovich @bamradionetwork bamradionetwork.com/track/putting-…

@StamStam193 @Freedom_in_Ed @researchED_US Congratulations, I wish I could be there.

I'm excited to be presenting at researchED Atlanta! @Freedom_in_Ed @researchED_US

@helenrey @CFKurban I am testing these images to see if they help.

@Jonharper70bd @CFKurban I'm curious as to why you have an AI generated poster attached to your posts. Your thoughts don't need it because, well, the AI isn't thinking and you are.

This discussion really stretched and pushed my thinking. I am very concerned about the negative effects of screens (computer and cell phone) and AI in the classrooms. At the same time, I realize there is much I don't know about this topic so I listened to learn. @CFKurban @hcrompton @lkolb @punyamishra @bamradionetwork bamradionetwork.com/track/expandin…

I can’t wait to hear it.

One of the more important ideas in this conversation is that schools do not need to win a race to adopt AI first. Keith Kruger argues that thoughtful implementation matters far more than fast implementation, especially when students, teachers, and trust are involved. @cosn @keithkrueger @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @BAMRadioNetwork bamradionetwork.com/track/a-school…

This conversation does not treat AI in writing as a simple yes-or-no issue. Instead, it wrestles with the tension many teachers are feeling right now: how do we protect foundational writing skills while also acknowledging that AI is not going away? @JSerravallo @MelanieMeehan1 @T_F_Berger @BAMRadioNetwork bamradionetwork.com/track/second-t…

AI conversations in education often swing between hype and fear, but this discussion stays grounded in the day-to-day realities of schools. Dr. Paul Turnbull shares what’s actually working, what has been difficult, and how schools can move forward with more intention and clarity. @MPIPresident @sparvell @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork bamradionetwork.com/track/the-clev…

It’s May, and many classrooms start to feel different as students become louder, attention spans shrink, and everyone in the room feels the weight of a long school year. If your class has felt harder to settle lately, this conversation is a reminder that even experienced teachers go through it too. Great suggestions here for teachers of all ages. @dalorleon @mrs_frommert @EmilyAPaschall @Mr100Teacher @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork bamradionetwork.com/track/34-grade…