I’m always inspired by the work Fielding International is doing to reimagine school. On May 29, they’re hosting a free virtual event with Joseph South on designing for purpose-driven expertise in an AI world. 🔗 www.eventbrite.com/e/joseph-sou...

Thank you for joining #EduSkyChat. ❤️ Be sure to follow everyone in the chat and join us next week!

A3: Play lives in our team chats: dropping GIFs, celebrating tiny wins, or just LOL-ing. It keeps things light when the work feels heavy. Those moments remind me that delight has a place in serious work, too. One last resource from Edutopia! www.edutopia.org/blog/changem... #EduSkyChat

Reconnecting Adults With Playful Learning

Creativity and self-expression are the keys to helping adults understand how playful learning can enrich the experience of the children in their world.

edutopia.org

Q3: Where does play live in your learning life these days? What would it take to invite it back in? Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

#EduSkyChat - A1: Play is key. If we are playing we do not even realize we are learning. It just seems to come more easily. It is like learning and engagement come together in a beautiful harmony. When play is involved there are so many opportunities to grow in ways we do not even realize.

Mel Ching@melching5.bsky.social · last yr.

Q1: How might play be welcomed not as a tool, but as a way of being for learners to explore, question, and stay open to possibilities? Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

If the word "vigor" caught your eye (and ear) in A2, here is an article by jdeborahklein.bsky.social on vigor vs rigor. #EduSkyChat www.principledlearning.org/post/languag...

Jennifer D. Klein (@jdeborahklein.bsky.social)

Author, speaker, facilitator & coach committed to equity and justice in education & the world. I believe student-centered learning has the power to reshape society when we engage students as…

jdeborahklein.bsky.social

A2: Play feels risky because we’ve been taught that real learning should look serious and measurable. But joy, creativity, and vigor can and do live in playful spaces. Here's an article in The Creative Post on integrating play in higher ed! www.creativitypost.com/article/beca... #EduSkyChat

The Creativity Post | Play Matters: Six Play-Full Practices For…

Some topics get a lot of airtime in education. The value of play for children’s well-being and intellectual development is one such topic that has many educators talking. There is ample research to…

creativitypost.com

Q2: Why does play feel risky in older learning spaces? What stories or pressures are getting in the way? Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

A1: Play is a way of moving through the world. It shows up when we feel safe to follow our curiosity, ask wild questions, or try without knowing the outcome. It's magic! Here's a white paper by the LEGO Foundation on Learning Through Play. cms.learningthroughplay.com/media/wmtlmb... #EduSkyChat

Q1: How might play be welcomed not as a tool, but as a way of being for learners to explore, question, and stay open to possibilities? Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

Hello #EduSkyChat, friends! My name is Mel, & I'm the Global Knowledge Curator at @WhatSchoolCouldBe. Although I'm not in an elementary school setting anymore, my ❤️ is still with the littles, where I worked for over 20 years. Play was a HUGE part of learning there (as it should be in all spaces!).

How to participate in #EduSkyChat: ✅ Use the #EduSkyChat hashtag in all posts & replies 🚫 Do not use OTHER hashtags when in the chat ✅ Look for the Q1, Q2, Q3 from the moderator ✅ Start a new post and respond with A1, A2, A3

Welcome to #EduSkyChat! 👋 Tonight’s topic is "The Importance of Play for All Learners" 🛝 with ME as your moderator. Please introduce yourself by sharing your name, role in education, & why you're here tonight. Be sure to include the hashtag #EduSkyChat!

GET READY!!!
 #EduSkyChat starts in 15 minutes.
 I'll be chatting with you all about The Importance of Play for All Learners.

⌛ 30 minutes until #EduSkyChat
 The topic is The Importance of Play for All Learners, with me, Mel Ching!

🚨 Join us later this evening for #EduSkyChat
 I’m moderating 💬, and the topic is The Importance of #Play for All Learners! 🛝 I'm excited to connect with more of you in the #EduSky community. This will be fun!

Such an honor to do this with you, Barbara!

Barbara Bray@bbray27.bsky.social · last yr.

Rethinking Learning Podcast Episode #167: The Art of Living in the Question with Mel Ching. @melching5.bsky.social Enjoy! bit.ly/episode167-c... #makerspaces #learning #play #curiosity #Rethink_Learning #DefineYourWhy #purpose #stories #process @whatschoolcouldbe.bsky.social

A3 I heard something about community recently that stood out to me. In addition to all things we usually think about community providing, a true community also "refuses to support our harmful internal patterns." I love that and wish I had the source to cite! #EduSkyChat

A2 Administrators can be intentional about taking one thing off the proverbial plate when adding something new on. Name it, put it in a box, and don't take it out until/unless something else comes off. #EduSkyChat

A1 One simple thing educators can do to prioritize their own well-being is to be very clear about personal boundaries. Everyone is different in terms of bandwidth & time & responsibilities, so it won't look the same for each person. Communicate them to others firmly and clearly. #EduSkyChat

Hi #EduSkyChat! I'm Mel with What School Could Be signing in from Hawai'i. Excited to learn from all of you!

A2 This almost feels like a "safe answer," so Iʻm truly looking forward to hearing everyone elseʻs! Having clear, consistent routines is important. Predictability lowers anxiety and provides structure. When routines are clear, there’s less room for power struggles. #EduSkyChat

A1: Easier said than done, but when gen ed & SPED teachers can actually sit down together, even briefly, they can anticipate challenges, differentiate more intentionally, and build stronger support systems. Admin has to find the time for them to do that! #EduSkyChat

Karly Moura@karlymoura.com · last yr.

QUESTION 1: How can special education and general education teachers collaborate more effectively to support inclusive practices? What role do administrators play in fostering this shared responsibility? Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

When I taught 3rd grade, I invited guest readers to bring stories to life—some visited in person, while others shared through recorded videos. One memorable moment was a parent reading traditional Ukrainian folktales, which we absolutely loved! #EduSkyChat

A3 Storytelling apps have always been a part of my toolkit. Holding space for students to share their cultural heritage, traditions, and lived experiences creates a climate of respect and belonging. #EduSkyChat

A2: I think for me it’s important myself and the students family are on the same page as far as communication. Some of my colleagues will translate emails to make sure it says what needs to be said #EduSkyChat

A2: Some of my go-tos include----> TalkingPoints – Two-way translated messaging. Google Forms – Collect feedback in multiple languages. Canva – Create translated visual newsletters. Screencastify – Record videos with captions for support. #EduSkyChat 🗣️🌍

A2 Not a tech tool, but strengthening trust between home and school is necessary. Validating students reading and speaking in their home language is so important. #EduSkyChat

A1: Microsoft/Apple Translate – Help MLs access content in their language at their pace. Brisk/MagicSchool – Differentiate course content. iPad Accessibility Tools – Spoken content and live text. These tools ensure all students can engage, learn, and express themselves equitably! 🌍✨ #EduSkyChat

A1 I used Google Translate a lot! I’ve found the translation tool in Canva to be quite good, as well! #EduSkyChat