Month by Month Reading and Writing for Kindergarten |
The Teacher's Guide to the Building Blocks |
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Jean - Evening All
Erin - Can anyone give me some ideas for structuring learning centers? Last year was my first year in K, and I don't like what I did (all assigned/rotation).
Jean - I'll be teaching a class of 10 at risk Kindergarteners. I've skimmed through the month by month book of buiilding blocks. I'm not sure I get the sequence of and if they must be used in that order. What would you say is the driving force in the BB method?
Paulie - using the letter sounds in a practical useful way and not in isolation
Erin - Jean, it seems to me that modeled reading and writing is the thrust, if you have to narrow it down.
Stanley - Kinder Ts, mind if a Sub/Guest/Visiting T hangs out here for a while?
Erin - lol, Stanley
Paulie - read to, with and by the kids write with and model also
Jean - Erin, I use necklaces with pouches that allows me to change pictures with words of the centers. When children go to centers, they can choose what they want to do. Afterall, wouldn't the child know best which modality of learning suits him/her?
Paulie - anyone is welcoem here
Erin - Jean, do your kids "do" more than one center during the designated time?
Jean - Hey laura, what county in MD are you working in?
laura/md - Howard
Erin - I'm thinking of having assigned literacy centers for 20 minutes, then choice centers for the next 20 minutes.
Paulie - that sounds familiar think we chatted last night too
Jean - Erin, they can do whichever and how many centers they want during that time. If I don't want certain centers available, then I take out that necklace.
laura/md - yes
Stanley - Jean, also, how is it that the 10 Kinders have ALREADY been identified as "at risk?" Were they retained? Also, only 10 in your class??
Jean - Laura, I was just hired to work in Howard, coming from PG. How long have you been in Howard?
laura/md - where are you, Jean?
Erin - I like that idea, Jean. I didn't "get" the necklace idea at first, but now I do.
Erin - Look at me, the quotation mark queen.
laura/md - 10 years
laura/md - I teach at Pointers Run
Paulie - where is PG?
Liz - I teach kindergarten and use Building Blocks ideas in my classroom
Jean #2 - sorry,I just joined..can someone explain the "necklace" to me?
Erin - For how long, Liz?
Liz - 19 years
laura/md - PG=Prince Georges County, near to DC
Erin - Oops -- I meant how long have you used Building Blocks!
Jean - Stanley, they won't be identified until October. We will assess i n Sept. Really, those 10 are the lowest 10, which I have dubbed "at risk" but a few may not be. However, much of the school population is targeted for "improvement.
Liz - This will be the 3rd year
laura/md - which school, Jean?
Jean - Laura, I have visited websites at Pointers Run....do you have one?
Erin - I'm guessing that there are a set number of necklaces available for different centers, and that determines the load for each.
laura/md - yes-not much there, though
Jean - The necklaces are bought at office stores, a bit expensive, but they have pouches that I can put cards in and and out of to identify the centers that children may select from that day.
laura/md - what websites did you see?
Erin - Aahhh
Jean - Laura, I'll be a Guilford. My own are going to Clarksville
Jean #2 - thanks Jean..btw,I'm in NH;where asre you?
laura/md - with my old principal, andy
Liz - There are so many mastery skills I need to teach. I need my centers to help me teach them
Jean - Laura, that website will delete your site if you do not update it every so often.
Starla - Does anyone teach middle school?
Jean - Jean #2, I'm in Maryland
Erin - We have 16 out of 100 kids coming in very low. We were going to have a developmental K, but there are just too many of them. Now we have to divide and conquer with aides.
Stanley - Here in San Diego the so-called "reform" district has instituted full day Kinders. Is that an up & coming trend??
Paulie - lots of people teach middle school but not many come to a K chat on BB
Jean - Laura, exact;ly! How did you like workiing for him?
Paulie - I love full day K
Starla - opps
Liz - I've always taught full day kindergarten
Starla - I thought this was Classroom Discipline....
Jean - Stanley, our entire state will institute full day K in 5 years.
Jean #2 - we had a full day kindergarten...think it is a GREAT idea...not having it again next year due to "budget."
Erin - I can't imagine using BB without Full Day K. I give credit to those who do.
Starla - now I see for Kinder Literacy ....thanks
laura/md - He is great to work for, not very organized, supports his teachers, doesn't visit much
Paulie - discipline chat finished 15 min ago
Jean - Oh, I like that , especially that last part!;
Jean #2 - my husband's brother and family live in Baltimore...they're on vacation at Old Orchard Maine this week(I stayed here to "clean" my son's room-he went there)
Jean - Laura, do you use BB?
Stanley - Also, at the same time classroom aides were removed. Is that common? [In CA class size should be 20:1 or less.]
Jean - Oh my, how did I do that face.... I didn't mean to. That was suppose to be lol!
laura/md - we all went to a bb workshop in April and plan to begin using more of the ideas this year
Erin - lol, Jean
laura/md - the county wants guided reading, too, though
Liz - School just opened here. I have a class register of 18 so far and more kids are registering
Jean - Laura, was that workshop sponsored by the county?
Erin - I wish I knew of a workshop coming up in my area (upstate NY).
Liz - There are some good BB books out to help you
Paulie - In CA it is 20-1 for K-2 only
Jean #2 - Liz.......WHERE are you;that's too early for me!!
laura/md - the workshop was in greenbelt with Dottie Hall
Liz - Florida Jean
laura/md - we got reimbursed part of the fee, though
Erin - I haven't even seen my list yet.
Jean #2 - the face was appropriate...they had a good thing going,and there it went....bye bye
Jean - Laura., I had a website that I am going to miss using this year cause my families won't be likely to have access.,,, Greenbelt, that's just about where I use to live and I missed it darn
Jean #2 - Liz..I'm an Esl teacher...I work in four different schools and work with Mucho teachers...we have low total numbers...15,so I'm the only one
Stanley - Paulie, actually Kinder & G-3 are OPTIONAL for 20:1, though in San Diego I believe EVERY district is accepting the K-3 program.
Liz - We have a great ESL program here.
Jean - Laura, what do you see as bb greatest ideas and or assets?
Paulie - well in LAUSD it is 20 to 1 in K-2
Erin - I'm still getting into the swing of Kindergarten. I'm starting BB this year, and I wonder how effective the Interactive Charts are. Do kids use them and learn?
Jean #2 - not surprised.....In NH,the state motto is "live free or die." not a lot of state mandates...same reason we're the only state not to require seatbelts
laura/md - Well, last year we started Morning/Daily Message and saw a real value in that modeling
Liz - I always liked using the predictable charts
laura/md - My friend who is special ed k used the interactive charts
Erin - I used the predictable charts last year and really liked them.
Liz - Most of my kids last year learned to read through the morning message
laura/md - she loved it-worked well
Stanley - Also, are any of you REQUIRED to do "Open Court?" Much of So.CA in "into" that, & it can be BURDENSOME for the biliteracy classes!
Jean #2 - many K and first grade teachers use the daily message
Jean - Actually, I'd like to pose that question to everyone.....What are bb's greatest asets and/or ideas?
Erin - It was nice having a class-made book for each of the kids to take home at the end of the year.
Liz - I never liked Open Court
Liz - Jean, I found with BB I didn't need to use a formalized reading program
laura/md - this year I am stating off with the name activities
Jean - Oh, how interesting. I'm reading R. Kriete', The Morning Meeting. I love it and can't wait to try it
Erin - Along with the Morning Message, I like the end of day journal.
Paulie - I left LAUSD so I did not have to teach scripted lessons in 4th gr
Liz - I do that every year laura! Its fun and the kids love it
Jean #2 - Liz,can you elaborate?why don't you need to use a formalized reading p with bb?
laura/md - I am going to try the daily journals, too
Jean - Liz, did you have the average K class with a good mix of abilitiles?
Paulie - Open Court is even worse with the new program
Liz - I would say so Jean
Jean - I used some of the name activities last year and found they had a very positive impact
Jean #2 - erin....that's a new one;do you use the end of day journal everyday?
Erin - I'm going to hold off on having the kids write their own journals until January or so.
Stanley - Paulie, there's a "new" version of "Open Court?"
Liz - BB gave me the freedom to teach reading without using the likes of Scholastic. My class learned to read through morning message, predictable charts and using their writing journals
laura/md - Liz, do you not have to test the reading levels each quarter?
Erin - No... no time last year! It was more a twice-weekly thing. I'm going to make time, this year.
Liz - Not in kindergarten here laura. At the end of the year a DRA is given by the reading specialist but that's about it
Paulie - yes Open Court is very old program I think three years ago they came out with new one
Jean #2 - Liz..that all sounds good,but do you still teach phonemic awareness?I think that Does need to be specifically taught
Jean - I'm just not convinced that would work for all kids, reading without formal instruction, especially the lower at risk kiddos.....what do you think Liz?
Debby - Laura, what type of name activities are you gonna do?
Liz - Our k kids need to read 15 high frequency words by the end of the year. I had several reading way more than the required 15 last year
Jean - Laura, how many times a year does Howard do report cards in K?
Liz - I teach phonemic awareness through writing
laura/md - 4 times
Liz - I teach in an at risk school
Erin - It's nice to teach the high-frequency words through predictable charts, then add them to the "word worm."
Jean #2 - Jean....we share a "name." and we seem to be on the same wavelength as far as certain "formal" reading instruction...
Jean - Liz, did you say that you did full day K?
Liz - Yes Jean
Debby - I teach full day Kindergarten too
Paulie - surely u ahve charts that have phonemic awareness poems and you use a childs name first sound and change words liek if it was Paulie and you add P sound to the insert word each time
laura/md - student of the day, cheers, drawing, name wall, name bottles, name puzzles, chicka chicka boom boom magnet activities with names...... to name a few
Liz - I had writing training through Lucy Calkins.....phonemic awareness is sort of built in
Jean - Laura, I just got my welcome back letter and have a couple questions, what does Andy mean by drills. He has us doing them first thing each day.
laura/md - Jean, I have no idea!
Jean - Name bottles, oooh I love that idea. Think I saw it on the chatboard.
Liz - We're also implementing a new writing program called Write Track
Erin - Safety drills?
laura/md - We have a whole phonemic awareness test to do on each student
Jean #2 - it's interesting how the "reading" pendulum swings...when I took my reading courses in 1974,Frank Smith was the "guru." You learn to read by reading...Then,it was phonics...then,whole language...it really needs to be a balance of both..sounds like a no-brainer to me
laura/md - Balanced Literacy
Liz - Right Jean
Erin - There are a TON of name activities on th web.
Debby - Erin can you name some of the sites--I've seen a few.
Jean - Laura, I also got a list of things to have on the walls. One included the word wall, which I always do but I put up the words as they are taught. Is that generally how Howard does it too?
laura/md - yes, it is more that you have to choose which ones you want to do
Paulie - whole lang when used right included phonics
Debby - I seen it on Victoria's page--kinderkorner
Jean - Jean #2 I agree with that.
laura/md - I think Word Walls work only if you do put them up as you teach them
Paulie - sometimes I ahve a unit wordchart too like snow words just for a certain center
Kim - Jean what are Name Bottels
Erin - Hang on, Debby -- I think it was Mrs. Bonthius' room that had the most. I'll check.
Liz - You can have an environmental print bulletin board too
laura/md - but if you are worried, put the words up and then take them down
Jean #2 - oops!!
laura/md - Andy won't really say anything about your room
Jean - I've seen the word list and do I get to select the words that I want to teach in the order that I see appropriate for my K kiddos?
Debby - That's Angie's site--I think I've seen those too
laura/md - He must have gotten that from the AP
I_LUV_K - i've seen a site that has environmental print that you can print off
Stanley - Jean, I was ALSO wondering about the "name bottles"……
Liz - No kidding I LUV K?
Jean - Kim, they are like discovery bottles but with names
CC - where was that environmental print site
laura/md - Go to Ilovekindergarten.com for the name bottles
Paulie - definitely need an environmental print word wall
I_LUV_K - yeah, let me look at my favorites and find it
laura/md - Jillybean has the environmental bb
Paulie - gosh jsut have the kids bring in empty boxes, labels and things from fast food and u got your env print word wall
Jean - Laura, I'm glad to hear that cause, get this, I'm teaching on a stage. They were out of room so put walls up where curtains once existed. Pretty funny if you knew me cause that's going to be a real challenge LOLOIL
CC - what do you do with the environmental print?
Jean #2 - I went to a five day reading institute put on by the Stern Center(they have a website)They're in Vt.The main focus was to help us educators to be "educated consumers." There are so many programs out there...we need to analyze exactly what they "teach."
I_LUV_K - it is http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/i_can_read_.html
laura/md - Jillybean has the environmental bb
Debby - CC the kids can read these words all on their on and they can do it during centertime"Read Around the room"
Liz - For instance, cut the word Coke out from the bottle. See if the kids can read the word. Hang the label under letter C on your bulleting board
I_LUV_K - you can also make a book out of cereal boxes that the kids can "read"
CC - thanks great ideas
I_LUV_K - i also have the kids bring in print that they can already "read" like McDonald's
laura/md - Our strings teacher is on the stage-makes lunch entertaining
Debby - Where are you Erin????
Jean #2 - this is a lot of fun......but I need to get busy on my "free time"(12 year old son not here)I've really enjoyed chatting with all of you!!take care,and hope to see you again.If not,hope all of you have a super school year!
Erin - I'm going to have the kids bring in their favorite cereal boxes and do graphing too.
Erin - Debby, I'm still looking!
Liz - Thanks for that environmental print site. I bookmarked it
Debby - Bye Jean 2
Liz - I have to go too. Thanks for the chat
Jean - Laura, how do you feel about doing all day K? That's coming in 5 years. Think you'll still be in K?
Erin - Bye Jean2
laura/md - I am planning to have each child bring something that starts like their name, Mike can bring McDonalds, Peter can bring Pizza Hut
I_LUV_K - bye Liz
Debby - I waiting patiently Erin
Stanley - Adios, Jean #2!
Jean - Night #2
laura/md - I think I am going to like it
CC - I'm half day kindergarten, would love to be all day. Scheduling half day is hard.
I_LUV_K - i'm all day, but the scheduling doesn't get easier....they just add in more specials and things
laura/md - I would like to give them more free choice time
I_LUV_K - i do like it though
Paulie - gosh what if a kid can't find anythign ads wise with their name
CC - I've got music, gym, library once a week, computers once a week later in year
Jean - Laura, I did that in PG and really loved it. Howard is going to need many more K teachers, opportunities will be a plenty
Erin - Found it! http://www.thevirtualvine.com/Names.html
I_LUV_K - most really can though
laura/md - Maybe I'll send suggestions
Debby - Thanks so much Erin!!!
Erin -
laura/md - you came back?
I_LUV_K - i have PE 3 times, Music 2, Art 2, Quest 3, and Spanish 4 times each week
Jean - Laura, do your K kids have music pe etc?
I_LUV_K - plus we have a 2 hour late start every Wed. for PD
CC - Oh my gosh, I won
Jean - hi again #2, leave something?
jean #2 - the websites are great..thanks and hasta la vista everyone!!
laura/md - nooooooooooooo
Kim - Erin what's at the web site
Susi_in_AZ - hi fellow BB teachers
CC - Sorry, Oh my that's a lot of specials. Sorry for the mess up
Erin - Lots and LOTS of name activities.
laura/md - CC what did you win?
Jean - Really, is it that way in all of Howard?
Jean - Hi ya susie
Susi_in_AZ - Is there still some time left here in the chat? sorry I got here late, been in my room all day setting up
CC - Just messed up with the keyboard, Fingers work faster than the brain some days
Erin - I want to try someone's idea from the last BB chat of using blank puzzles to make name puzzles for the kiddos.
Debby - I'm gonna look at this name activity site that Erin gave me--see ya'll!!!!
Erin - Good luck, Debby
laura/md - I think it depends on your school
Susi_in_AZ - Erin, it's a great activity, I did them last year
Jean - Sorry to give you the third degree Laura, I just can't believe my luck, and maybe your misfortune, at having found another Howard Teacher
Just Me/Mi - Hi, all. I'm new to BB but glad to see that some of the things I've been doing fit. I'm reading BB and M by M in my last days before school.
laura/md - I don't mind at all
I_LUV_K - Erin, where do you find the puzzles?
Susi_in_AZ - and if you go to angie bonthuis site, you can get a great puzzle to go with them
laura/md - I ;have to explain a lot of this to my team in a week or so
Erin - I saw them somewhere on the web today while cruising, and didn't write down the site. That's a hunt for another day, I guess. I'm kind of hoping my local teacher store will have them and save me the trouble. Their prices are usually good.
Jean - Laura, I just moved to Howard a month ago and am loving it,, especially cause my own kids are really enjoying it here!
laura/md - the puzzles are available at teacher stores, at michaels, on line at discount school supplies
Susi_in_AZ - you can get them thru discount school supply
Erin - There ya go.
Just Me/Mi - There is an Ellison die that makes puzzles, too.
Jean - Laura, are you the team leader and what will you explain, missed that
laura/md - they will be in elem or middle?
Jean - hello hello
I_LUV_K - how much do they usually cost?
Erin - Hmm. I want that Ellison.
Paulie - Did you know that u can make your own name puzzles? Type in large font their names in color on a construction sheet (print if on computer) Then glue to heavy felt or foam sheets Deisgn squares lightly with pencil and then make those little corners that hook into the other piece. Cut out and lightly erase your mars works great
I_LUV_K - i'm a teacher on a budget
laura/md - not the team leader-just learning a lot this summer
laura/md - the best price I got was 30 cents a puzzle
Jacque - Hi, all...someone mentioned blank puzzles and the ones from www.papergoods.com are quite nice.
Erin - I'm thinking a 12-pack for about $7? Does that sound right?
laura/md - or you can just write on the foam
Paulie - I made 5 puzzles for VBS this summer and that gave me the idea I won't have to buy those premade puzzles
Erin - :::copying site name:::
I_LUV_K - wow, laura/md.......not bad. where was that?
laura/md - in maryland, sorry
Bear - Hi everyone! I'm in the midst of decorating my 5-7 gr. classroom. Any suggestions on colors for the room? (Such as for the bulletin boards- w/ fadeless paper).
Jean - here's one of my tricks I used last year though some of you may already do it. I got plastic portfolio sleeves and put things inside for kiddos to copy and trace with dry erase markers, They love it.
Susi_in_AZ - Paulie, have you tried them yet?
Paulie - Yes but with the paper u can use the correct font you are trying to teach them to write with especially fi your handwriting isn't perfect
Paulie - Yes I made 5 this summer
CC - Bear, I've got lots of colors in my room k- I try to have some of all
meg72q - I need some info
Jacque - like the idea of the name puzzles...
Susi_in_AZ - did you use the fun foam or felt?
Paulie - what are portfolio sleeves?
Erin - I have to use the Rinehart writing system, and I hven't found any fonts to match it!
I_LUV_K - definitely gonna do the puzzles! great idea!
CC - What's up Meg72q?
Bear - CC, I don't want it to be TOO colorful- then its too much stimulation.
Jean - Bear I read some intresting info on colors for rooms and how they may effect the children. The upshot of it was that blues were the best.
Paulie - blue is a calming color and brain based
Paulie - yep
Jacque - I did the puzzles last year and the parents loved them so much, I know I have to do them again this year.
Bear - Yeah! Thanks, Jean. Two bulletin boards are already blue. But are three diff.colors ok?
sue - blues are most peaceful and relaxing
Jean - You know the plastic sleeves you can use in photo albums. You can put entire sheets inside or sentence strips, whatever.
laura/md - we are doing the kissing havd puzzles first day
Jacque - good, I have lots of blue and greeen too
CC - Bear, its not That colorful-just with backgrounds on bulletin boards and such. I know better than to over stimulate.
Susi_in_AZ - I don't think I will do puzzles this year, but not sure yet... am starting out with 34 kids so far, and that is alotttttt
laura/md - I personally like balck bb-everything stands out really well, like an Amish quilt
I_LUV_K - Jacque, when do you do the puzzles? 1st day?
Erin - Speaking of color, I just learned that I should only be using black or dark markers when doing charts with the kids. Has anyone heard this before, and do you know how sound the research is?
meg72q - I need some info
Jacque - Wow! 34 is a lot---I hate to tell you I have 21
laura/md - Suzi -34!!!!!! two sessions?
Paulie - o those sleeves thanks
Susi_in_AZ - ahhh I would love to have 21
Bear - Does anyone use the computer to write out their lesson plans? I don't like to write too much- just short notes, step-by-step. But I can't find a good lesson plan template that will work like a calendar- week by week. Anyone know of one that's good and cheap- or free?
Susi_in_AZ - no, full day
joanK/1st - 43 kids wow is it Kindergarten and do you have an aide?
Jean - My room came with 2 very busy and colorful rugs. Too much. I just don't know how I'm going to tone it down and I love colorful places but this is too much.
meg72q - I need to find a place that i can have some calendar ideas for pre-school
I_LUV_K - wow! i've only got 14 this year! a blessing after last year!
sue - here's the research on color--- blue, relaxing red and yellow energizing
joanK/1st - I meant 34 kids sorry
Jacque - Yes, I do the puzzles the first day....kind of a non-stressful activity that the kids love and parents tear up over, but do okay...
Erin - Bear, I make my own on MS Word using tables. I can get it just how I want it that way, and adjustments are easy.
Susi_in_AZ - yes i will have an aide, but to me that is not much help, just another body in the room making more crowded
Stanley - Susi, how long is your school day? Plus, do you have an aide?
Jean - Paulie, they can be about 7-10 $ for a pack but you can use them over and over again.
sue - brown- relaxtion and security
laura/md - that is outrageous!!!! too, too,too many
Paulie - Yes I ahve used them I called them sheet protectors or photo covers
Susi_in_AZ - Erin, I did that last year, but the same format won't work for me this year, and I don't know how my team mate did it! ARGH
Jean - Jacque, what kind of puzzles was that?
Bear - Thanks Erin- I'll try it. But how do you do it? Do you print the plan weekly, and put it in a notebook?
Susi_in_AZ - we are in school 8-2
Just Me/Mi - Susi, doesn't your contract set a limit to how many you can have?
Erin - I'm trying to picture 34 kids in my little room. Overload
Jean - sue, what about black?
sue - erin- 34 kids? what grade?
Susi_in_AZ - lol, our contract says nothing of the sort
Susi_in_AZ - kinder sue
Jacque - I paid $1.50 for 3 puzzles, but they are larger than the Discount School Supply ones I did last year and some kids hands barely fit on those.
Stanley - Bear, I'm a Sub, though last yr, when teaching intercession, I also did plans using a spread sheet [i.e., tables.]
I_LUV_K - are you the only teacher??
Just Me/Mi - Call the fire marshall - too many bodies for the space!!
CC - I've got 24 morning, 24 kids afternoon with three more trying to get in to the class
laura/md - our contract does not specify the class sizes, either
Susi_in_AZ - we were told last year we would have a cap of 27, but that meant averaging ALL the classrooms in the school
Jean - Paulie, sorry, I did not remeber other names
Erin - Kind of, Bear. I have my master schedule "at a glance," and then write up descriptions for specifics on a daily basis.
sue - dark colors lower stress and increase feelings of peacefulness ( all from Start Smart)
Paulie - it isok
joanK/1st - our contract has a limit but then if you are over the limit they pay you a small "extra" for each child for each day you are over
Jacque - Our legislature passed a class-size reduction thing and last year was the first year of it. ...we were 26 before...
Just Me/Mi - My contract says 28 without an aide. 30 with an aide.
Susi_in_AZ - extra pay would be good, if we got that, but nope, no chance for that either
I_LUV_K - my contract doesn't specify either
Stanley - Suzi, do you have any aide time? Also, CC, you teach BOTH A.M. & P.M. Kinders?!?
sue - right now my district board is voting on 9.8 million dollars in cuts. they wanted to raise the ptr to 33
Jean - Think I'll put up black with my busy rugs in the very confined space.
Erin - I DON'T HAVE 34! I'll be lucky to pass 20. I'm more concerned about losing my job for lack of students!
joanK/1st - Jacque....which state is that?
CC - Yup, am and pm, half days
Just Me/Mi - I have AM and PM too usually about 20 to 24 per class
sue - erin- sorry thought you said 34 kids
Jacque - I'm in Washington State---Seattle area
meg72q - PLEASE HELP
Jacque - What do you need Meg?
Paulie - am also in WA state in Vancouver
Erin - Meg, did you say you need calendar ideas for pre-school?
Susi_in_AZ - stanley, I will have a full time para...but like I said, i think that it will just add to the "crowdedness"
Paulie - with what?
Jean - Joan, who pays the child for the education they don't get for being in a larger class. Sorry, just doesn't seem fair to you or the kiddos. You're doing the best you can with or without the extra $, doesn't make sense.
meg72q - I NEED A PLACE WHERE I CAN GET CALENDAR IDEAS FOR PRE-SCHOOL
laura/md - I teach am and pm, usually 20-24 per session
Erin - Patterning the days is a nice touch.
meg72q - YES PLEASE ERIN
Stanley - CC, I friend in ID was doing the double sessions. NO ONE here in So.CA could believe it!!
sue - meg- go to enchantedlearning.com
Jacque - Have you tried the preschool chatboard? Or a site called preschool.com???
laura/md - Meg, try tthe ec chatboard
Erin - Singing the days of the week to help them remember...
Paulie - and abc.com
Paulie - abcteach is another one
Erin - And the months
sue - we have had full day K here for the past 12 yrs
joanK/1st - Jean.the contract has a large number, I think it is 32 anyway. and the small change they pay you for each kid over the limit is ridiculous......and NO of course it doesn't compensate
Erin - Having weather watchers to graph the weather...
CC - Meg, you could do weather, patterning, check for kindergarten ideas and see if you can adapt down.
Susi_in_AZ - months are really not appropriate for pre-k though
Paulie - I taught double session K in so CA
Erin - True, Susi
Jacque - Many people are no longer doing calendar activities for preschool because it is usually too much for them.
I_LUV_K - counting by 1's
Susi_in_AZ - well not all at once anyway
CC - I'm in SD and all 5 schools in district are half day kindergartens
Susi_in_AZ - when I taught prek I mentioned the month and that was about it
I_LUV_K - dress the weather bear
sue - suzi- I disagree. I teach Pre-K and we talk about the months and sing the month song
Stanley - Paulie, I was speaking of some of my districts in San Diego.
Susi_in_AZ - it all depends on your program sue
sue - ours is modified- 7 days at a time
Erin - Well, it's time for me to put the kiddies to bed.
Erin - Good night!
meg72q - THANK-YOU EVERYONE
sue - adn we do a daily counting chain
laura/md - well, we have 80 half time kindergartens in our county, when the state goes to full day, we will need 80 more classrooms plus the teachers for 80 more classes
CC - When I did my student teaching in pk, we would sing the months in funny voices, like aliens, or other things, can;t think right now.
Jacque - So....do you all have experience using building blocks???? I will start it this year and trying to figure out a way to let my good fellow kinder teacher know my plans---she has always done letter of the week and I don't really want to do that...ideas???
Jean - And, Laura, they will need the space!
sue - wow laura! we just added 40 new full time public school pre-ks bringing our total to over 90
CC - Our district is in a money crunch so I don't think all day kinder. is in the plans soon.
joanK/1st - I do building blocks and love it
I_LUV_K - i'm required to do Saxon Phonics, and have to try and incorporate it w/BB
Jacque - I love everything I'm reading about it
joanK/1st - I looped K/1 and it was wonderful
CC - This is my first year with building blocks and teaching kinder
joanK/1st - We did BB in K and 4B in 1st
I_LUV_K - do you have a separate BB time and Reading???
joanK/1st - The first graders last year were way more advanced than in previous years
Stanley - laura, If MD's legislators are any like those in CA, they've made **NO** allowances for the increased # of classrooms!!
laura/md - I typed up a plan for me with themes, big books and pred charts I plan to do and gave it to my team
Jacque - Joan, I teach kindergarten in the mornings and first in the afternoons---although just math for first and possibly art.
laura/md - I wish we had some 4b in 1st
Jean - I luv K, my daughter will be in a program using Saxon. I have great reservations. What do you think about it?
Susi_in_AZ - I will be the only K teacher not doing LOTW we all will be doing BB though
CC - Are most first graders coming to school reading
joanK/1st - Jaque wow that is interesting
Lonna - The past 2 year I have done 1st. This year I am starting a k/1 loop. What do you do with your aide==will have her 1 hr./day.
Just Me/Mi - I've used some of the ideas in the past but this year I plan to do it in a more organized way. I'm finally getting to read the books.
I_LUV_K - i can't say it doesn't work...my kids last year, learned all their letters and sounds, but it is WAY TOO MUCH DRILL!!
joanK/1st - I loved having my kids for two years and watching them learn how to read and write using BB & 4B I also used the KIDWRITING book
laura/md - my assistant will have small groups for math skills while I do reading in small groups
laura/md - yes, i have the Kid writing on order
Jacque - I just bought kidwriting and again, I love what I'm reading...
Jean - Ironically, when I was interviewing, the instructional specialist told me that they only had one school in our county doing it and she didn't like it too well. She didn't know that's where my child was going
I_LUV_K - it can get boring...plus you don't learn all your letters til later in the year
CC - does anyone do bb and letter a week concept
laura/md - That is not the only school using saxon-atholton uses it too
Joan K/1st - My kinders learned all the letters and sounds using BB
Jacque - Oops! I've got to go!
I_LUV_K - Our old principal was BIG on Saxon...got a new one this year and she doesn't want to change anything. so we're stuck w/it for another year
laura/md - was it ann mintz?
Jean - My daughter is going to first and I'm afraid it will hold her back. She is definately not the drill and practice sort.
I_LUV_K - Exactly, Joan K/1st!!!! we've moved to BB and 4B but still have to use SAxon
Joan K/1st - The first graders after doing BB were really ahead of the game
Stanley - I've experience with Open Court, but not Saxon. Can someone compare the 2?
Jean - Laura, thanks. What do you think of Saxon?
Joan K/1st - Letter of The Week is not as good if that's all you do is one letter each week.....the BB teaches all the letters especially using the kids' names
laura/md - Saxon is different from open court-they introduce a series of letters, then words that can be made from those letters
laura/md - lot os drill
Joan K/1st - You can do a letter of the week in say a tongue twister but keep doing all of the activities that promote all letters
CC - Well, I will do bb, but I thought about using letter of the week with high frequency words to reinforce
I_LUV_K - I do like most of Saxon's Phonemic awareness, although some get old. The readers are very boring, and don't appeal much to my kids.
laura/md - at highger grades, they code different words
Jean - Joan, I did a mix of things last year and wound up doing a letter almost every 3 days formally. It worked out well.
laura/md - kids have to be drilled to learn the code
laura/md - it may be useful for a handful of kids who can't learn otherwise
Joan K/1st - My district just purchased Harcourt Trophies
laura/md - very boring way to teach
I_LUV_K - our older kids do the coding in phonics, but it doesnt carry over into their reading...so it dosn't do much for them
Joan K/1st - BUT I do NOT want to stop doing the BB because I kept good statistics and mykids did much better using BB then the series we had previously
Stanley - I've worked with Saxon math, & what you say sounds parallel to the complaints made about their math program.
I_LUV_K - we do some in K...some of the kids really like it, but i doubt they REALLY understand it. Like if they see a short vowel coded, they're not going to automatically remember the sound cuz of that.
laura/md - there are some great teachers at clarksville, do you know the teacher's name yet, Jean?
Jean - *shaking head* My daughter hated Kindergarten last year and she loves to read and write. I'm really hoping that this program, Saxon, won't keep her from learning to love school. That has to be a first priority!
CC - Does anyone use their basal reader anymore, I've got a pretty new reading series still should i use it to keep up on skills, it does one letter at a time with high frequency words
I_LUV_K - we also do Saxon Math, but i like it, for the fact that the lessons build on each other. you don't do something once and leave it behind. you will come back to it again.
laura/md - I use old basals for the stories
Jean - Laura, that does sound very formula oriented. I hate "cookie cutter" programs
I_LUV_K - it's also pretty hands-on. the kids in my class liked it
I_LUV_K - some things do get repetitive, but we spice it up. i think you'l lhave that prob at some point w/a lot of programs
Joan K/1st - DO any of your schools give standardized tests in first grade? We have to give Terra Nova starting in 1st
Jean - No Laura, I've visited their websites and was happily impressed. Though I did wish that they updated more often. I started poking around websites back in January. Primarily Pointer's Run and Clarksville and one other school oh yeah Tridelphia. I don't know who she will have yet
laura/md - that is another advantage of bb
I_LUV_K - none at our school, Joan K/1st
Joan K/1st - I'm always curious to know if other districts do it cause it is NOT developmentally appropriate in first in my opinion
CC - We test the first graders, but I can't remember what it is
Stanley - _Luv_, so Saxon phonics doesn't "spiral" the way their math does?
Joan K/1st - I mean it is a standardized test with fill in the bubbles and all.......
laura/md - no, our testing begins in 2nd-doesn't our education oriented president wnat testing in every grade?
CC - I saw second graders testing having headaches, and asthma attacks.
Jean - I did stop in and visit quickly with the principal. He's probably already labled me as a problem parent lol. I just said I wanted to know what they will do to assess her before placing her for instruction.
I_LUV_K - it does....but it's TOO repetitive to me. I'm really just not a big fan of LOTW, Stanley
Joan K/1st - Well we have to give it in OCTOBER of first, they are barely out of K
I_LUV_K - Saxon Phonics, has tons of drill in it too, Stanley. Not great for K
laura/md - ahhhhh
laura/md - that is sad
Stanley - Joan, I thought San Diego was pushing the testing envelope -- & even WE don't test in G-1!
Joan K/1st - It is sad and the suburbs don't have to do it.......they give it to the city kids
mama - Hi everybody. Question: is there such a thing as conventions for retired teachers? Anyone heard of such a thing?
Jean - Laura, do you know any of the Clarksville teachers?
laura/md - so i guess you spend sept filling in practice bubbles
laura/md - yes, i ;know the team leader and Tricia Ingles
Joan K/1st - It is awful and most of the questions are put in a way that is sneaky
Jean - Hi ya mama, wouldn't that be called a cruise? lol
laura/md - and Carolyn Kennett is tranferring there from our school
I_LUV_K - letter of the week
mama - Maybe it would be called a cruise. But do they exist?
Jean - Laura, why did she want to leave? Do you have any insight about their program or teaching style. My first priority is to get her loving school.
laura/md - did you try the chatboar for retired techers? we teach k
Stanley - Thank you, _LUV_!Since my major district requires Open Court, I've seen little or no LOTW recently.
mama - Laura - tku! Is there a chatboard for retired teachers?
laura/md - Jean, our school is huge, so teachers leave for smaller schools every year
I_LUV_K - what is Open Cout?
Joan K/1st - Jean if you want your daughter to love school, she should go into a class that does Buidling Blocks and KidWriting if she is entering Kinder
laura/md - yes, check the main board
mama - Okay, checking the main board - signing off.
Jean - Really? Smaller schools .... that's interesting. Is Clarksville smaller? Aren't they trnasfering a number of kids there?
laura/md - welll, I taught a class with Mrs. Ingle-she seemed to be fun, loving, cheerful
Stanley - Open Court is an out-of-the-box literacy program which at least 2 of the nation's 10 largest districts mandate.
laura/md - we had 1200 students at our school last year
Joan K/1st - I watched kids that came into Kindergarten not knowing a letter from a number, never having held a book, shy and timid going out loving books and journal writing and school
laura/md - clarksville got 167 of ours
Jean - WOW that is HUGE!
laura/md - clarksville will be between 500-600
Jean - Your staff must be trmendous. Do you even know everyone's name? LOL
laura/md - we had 12 first grades last year
laura/md - nope
CC - Oh, my goodness, that's enormous
I_LUV_K - i can't imagine being in such a huge school district!
laura/md - Joan, I am sold on the ideas of bb
Joan K/1st - have you used it laura
CC - I'm very excited to teach bb this year
I_LUV_K - i'm in a small rural school...1 teacher per grade w/classes between 13 and 26
Joan K/1st - It is amazing what it did for my inner city kids
laura/md - just a few of the ideas
laura/md - read all the books
laura/md - can't wait to try it this year
I_LUV_K - how does everyone schedule in their BB??
Joan K/1st - THe predictable chart (one each week) was fascinating
Jean - Actually, I was thinking that I might apply to Pointers in 5 years when they go full day. We'll see. It would be quite a bit closer to home for me. But if I love it at Guilford, I might not even think twice about it. I worked at one school for 15 years. This is my first change ever.
Joan K/1st - THe kids learned so much from that
laura/md - our school was the largest elem, larger than all the middles and two of the high schools in our county
CC - one predictable chart per week, do you do any shared writing
Jean - Actually, I luv, the district itself is rather small, it's just growing so fast they haven't opened enough schools to keep up.
Lonna - I am starting a k/1 loop next year, after 2 years of 1st. I will have an aide for 1 hour a day. What do you recommend I do while I have her in the room?
laura/md - I plan to do a predictable chart every other week, (i teach 1/2 day sessiona)
Joan K/1st - Being able to have them in K and then do the 4 Blocks with them in first was absolutely fantastic
CC - Do small groups while the aide is there.
Stanley - _LUV_, well I believe Los Angeles Unified has about 36K contracted Ts, San Diego City Schools about 9-10K!!
Joan K/1st - The Morning Message is done in shared writing form, after the first few weeks
laura/md - our reading specialist in the county isn't sold on 4 blocks
I_LUV_K - WOW! I just can't imagine that!
laura/md - we do f and p guided reading
CC - I love the idea of the morning message. This is my first year so I think it is all interesting
Jean - Lonna, I used my aide to run a center during reading. I did a guided reading group, my aide assisted with "independent" work or small group activity, and the third group was at centers.
Joan K/1st - Lonna, if you get the Kid Writing Book and teach your aide how to do the writing conferences with the kids that is a great way to use her
Jean - Laura, that's great. I hope that means we
laura/md - I wish I had an aide everyday
CC - Jean, you just have 3 groups?
Joan K/1st - F and P uses ability grouping and Blocks doesn't that is one difference
Jean - see more of that and more training too.
CC - Do most of you ability group for small groups
laura/md - you will see a lot of traing, Jean, you are going to a focus school
Jean - I use flexible grouping CC
laura/md - they have to raise their scores
Joan K/1st - We have been keeping really good statistics in my school. We have 7 1st grade classess......and my kids did really well compared to the other classes, my principal want us to go to a BLOCKS school
laura/md - i use flex groups
Jean - Though most of my groups change as their needs change too.
CC - What do you do in your small groups?
laura/md - I am jealous, Joan
Joan K/1st - Well like I said I think the TWO years of Blocks is what really sinched it for these kids, they are really opposed and do not have literacy skills coming into school
Jean - Will they train us in these "newer" techniques... bb that is. Or do they stcik with more tried and true types?
Joan K/1st - THeyare really oppressed I meant to type
laura/md - my kids did really well and i was told it was because I got a good group
Joan K/1st - laura did your kids do well cause you used some of the BB
Jean - CC, have you done guided reading?
Lonna - Thanks for the suggestions! I used some 4 blocks in 1st. I'm looking forward to using BB.
Joan K/1st - My group was not particulary "good" and they did well........But some will say I probably had a good group I know where you are coming from
laura/md - I doubt you will get bb training, as I said, the head of reading instruction doesn't like it
CC - I've done guided reading in 1-3 grades, how is it different in kinder
laura/md - at the lower levels, it is more like shared reading
Joan K/1st - If you get the Month by Month Reading and Writing in Kindergarten book.......it really walks you through each month
Jean - CC, though I didn't do guided reading every day, I did it often. Other days I did activities to support phonemic awareness in smaller intense groups.
Joan K/1st - One of the best aspects of BB and 4Blocks is that the kidsare "sharing" after writing and after Self Selected Reading and my kids really needed that.......they don't get that language usage at home
CC - I've see guided reading, that was my only job last year, I didn't get to see the rest of 4 blocks. I've got the month by month, is that the bb in kinder
laura/md - good night all! Nice chatting with you! Have a great year!
Jean - CC, in Kinder they just start out with a much more limited vocabulary and their strategies for reading are few if any. You start off by just building that foundation.
I_LUV_K - good night, everyone!
Joan K/1st - THere is a alot of modelling by the teacher then the kids get to do the work.......it is a very good way to teach independence to the children
Jean - Oh, I thought you said the head of reading DOES like it. Well I'm very sorry about that!
Jean - See ya Laura
CC - Modeling with big books, and shared reading, when do the kids actually read, towards end of year?
Joan K/1st - Modeling how to read, you know there are 3 ways to read.......modeling writing there are 3 ways to write and then really releasing them to do it
Jean - CC, it depends on your kids, and you will likely have a wide range in your class.
Joan K/1st - I start out with a reding center and a Read Around the Room Center....later we BASKET READ and they share the book they read
Jean - Well, guess I'll be going. Enjoyed chating
CC - what centers are you all using
Lydia - writing center computers abc center
Lydia - school starts tuesday for me when do you all start
Lydia - tomorrow night i have my kindergarten parent night
Joan K/1st - I start on September 9th for teachers and 10th for the kids
CC - My parents meeting is Aug 21, then 3 days of small groups, then the whole kit and kaboodle.
Joan K/1st - But we have to go until June 26th
Lydia - wow that is a late start but we do finish before memorial day in may
Lydia - wow that is a late start but we do finish before memorial day in may
CC - We only go unitl end of may
Joan K/1st - we have 42 weeks
Joan K/1st - how many weeks in your contracts?
Lydia - i am excited about going back last week i went to a building blocks workshop and learned lots
Lydia - i love doing the name activites
CC - I have yet to see a contract-still in negotiations
Joan K/1st - I'm sold on Building Blocks........who did your workshop Lydia
Lydia - i am contracted 182 days
Lydia - it was a local workshop
Joan K/1st - they learn so much from the name activities
Joan K/1st - what state are you in Lydia
Joan K/1st - What state CC
Lydia - we were able to see teachers model buidling blocks using real students in a real classroom neat
Lydia - i live in indiana
CC - After all the name activities, do they pretty much know the letters?
Lonna - I am sharing a room with a teacher who doesn't do BB. I want to put up an environment print board. What would you say is must to negotiate with my partner?
CC - I teach in SD
Joan K/1st - that is the best way to see it is in action
Lydia - i think you must have enviromental print up
Lydia - for some students it is the only print they see in their homes
Lydia - why does the other teacher not do bb
Joan K/1st - You could buy the charts with the monthly words
CC - Do you just hang it up on a bulletin board?
Lydia - i am sold on building blocks
Joan K/1st - I have them, or you could make your own........but I do agree the theme or seansonal charts are a must
Lydia - i hope to do more with envormental
Joan K/1st - I have a clothes line and I hang up the purchased charts.......I leave up a few months at a time
Lydia - hope to make comparisons between different print
Lonna - I also plan to label things in the room, right now there is very little print in the room--an ABC chart above the white board.
Lydia - i don't know how i got that awful face sorry
CC - I've labeled a lot.
Joan K/1st - When it is center time mykids love the Write Around the Room Center that is when they "write" some of the words that are on the charts.
Lydia - in workshop the lady said not to put up labesl without showing and discussing it first with students
CC - Couldn't you discuss it after the fact?
Lonna - She has taught for several years, hope to have a positive influence.
Joan K/1st - I just get a bunch of clipboards (from the dollar store) and some markers and BIG pencils and the kids go around and write any words they want, because the charts Ipurchased have the pictures near each word they love that center
Lonna - Discussing the labels before putting them up makes sense to me, just like building the word wall with first graders.
Lydia - yes i agree she said in k they sometimes just don't make the connection because something in the room is labeled we need to call attention to it so they know that word stands for something in the room
Lydia - anybody have any good teacher guide books for BB i have month by month and teachers guide to BB What other books do you all use
Lonna - My first graders loved using clipboards, hadn't thought of using them in kinder.
Joan K/1st - We also had word family houses, the idea came from KIDWRITING
CC - I agree that you have to call attention to it so that they can make the connections. It's just harder with two sessions of kindergarten after another.
Lydia - do any of you use Tucker signing strategies for reading
Joan K/1st - You draw a house on chart paper and on the roof you write a phonogram...like -at and whenever a child comes across a word using that family -at the ask for a marker and get to write the word themselves on the at house
Lydia - i just presented a workshop this morning to teachers in my corporation on this strategy i attended workshop last winter to become a trainer
Joan K/1st - I never heard of tucker
Lydia - what reading series do you all have mine is Harcourt
Lydia - what reading series do you all have mine is Harcourt
CC - great idea for house, do you leave them up or take them down when you start another?
Joan K/1st - Lydia, I would get the Kid Writing book if I were you, you cannot buy it in a store, it has to come from wright gruop
CC - I've got Houghton mifflin
Lydia - i have heard lots of good things about kid writing i need to buy the book
Lonna - We use Scholastic.
Lydia - does anyone have a favorite big book
Joan K/1st - You leave them up, after I read The Cat In the Hat, is when I made the -at house, I only had four charts up -it, -at, -en I can't even remember the 4th, but one of my high kids actually told me that he had to write the word kitchen on both the it and en boards.......
CC - Don't you love when they connect and the light bulb is on.
Joan K/1st - The neat thing about the houses is that the kids own them.......they are in charge and it has them watching out for word families......very effective from KIDWRITING
Joan K/1st - Yes I love when they connect, that's what Ilove about Building Blocks and 4 BLocks they really are multilevle and all kids feel smart
CC - is your kidwriting time separate or do you intergrate, I haven't read it.
Joan K/1st - multilevel I mean
Lydia - good night everyone
Joan K/1st - THe KidWriting is just a philosophy on how to write with Kinders......I write every day with them
Joan K/1st - Good night Lydia
CC - thanks for all the help, bye
Joan K/1st - good night all
Lonna - good night, thank you.
Lonna - Hi Deb and Lydia. Do you use BB?
Deb - Yes
Deb - I love it.
Deb - have you been using it long?
Lonna - This will be my first year, I used parts of it is 1st last year, and planned to fully implement this year, but got an opporturnity to start a k-1 loop this year.
Deb - what is a k-1 loop?
Lonna - I will start with a kindergarten class this year and at the end of the year move to first grade with the same class.
Deb - ah
Lonna - Deb, what do you enjoy most about BB? What is most important?
Deb - Last year was my first year teaching after 20 years out. A whole new world
Deb - That it isn't dril and skill stuff
Deb - hey have fun learning
Deb - Some of it is a little dry---the predictable charts can get old.
Deb - I love the interactive writing.
Lonna - I'm really excited. I felt like the 1st graders I was getting had done too much copying and written busy work.
Deb - There are some teachers who do that with BB. I don't know why.
Deb - They can learn it without the frustration.
Deb - Hi Ib.
Lonna - Looking at the schedule, it seems like a lot of whole group on the carpet. I'm a little worried about keeping everyone engaged. Any hints?
Deb - Do it in chunks.
Lonna - What do you do to break up the chunks?
Deb - Well..
Deb - I have more than one circle time
Deb - More than one center time.
Deb - With a focus on different things.
Deb - For example,
Deb - We do morning message and calendar.
Deb - When they get antsy, I put on a CD and we dance and go to the restroom
Deb - Then we do math (Investigations, which I also love) and then math centers
Lonna - Makes sense.
Deb - When we get back from PE, we read a story, act it out, do some phonemic awareness games, some interactive writing, some predictable charts
Deb - I try to break up the sitting with the movement activities.
Lonna - Do you have a full day or 1/2 day kindergarten?
Deb - We do centers. I do what the rest of my level calls disparagingly "play centers" and include literacy center. Full day
Deb - Will yours be full day or half?
Lonna - I will be 1/2 day. Kids arrive at 8:10 and go to lunch at 11:10.
Deb - Well then, you will be busy! Do they go home or do you job share?
Lonna - Seems like not nearly enough time, especially since many have not had pre-school and are 2nd language.
Lonna - They go home, another teacher teaches another group of children starting at 11:10.
Deb - What are your goals by the end of the year? How far along the reading road are they supposed to be?
Lonna - I'm not looking forward to sharing a room. The other teeacher does not do BB. We give a DRA at the end of the year. They are supposed to read a level 4. Many do not meet goal.
Deb - I don't know--we spend so much time doing music, Pe, Lunch, snack that i don't really think you gain much time by going all day.
Deb - Years ago I taught 1/2 day and I am amazed at what I got in. But they weren't expected to read.
Lonna - Never enough time!
Deb - I shared a room for a while with a special ed infant class.
Lonna - Where do you teach?
Deb - 1/2 day each. Very interesting use of space.
Deb - Texas
Deb - And You?
Deb - I am in a low income school. The kids move a lot and they is very little support from parents. It is very discouraging sometimes.
Deb - Many don't speak english as a first language.
Lonna - Sorry, my laptop froze. Had to change computers.
Deb - I figured
Lonna - I also teach in a low income area, in CA.
Deb - You kept logging on without logging off!
Deb - It's odd--I'm in a "rich" district. Sometimes I feel like we're the stepchild.
Lonna - For many of my students Spanish is their at home language.
Lonna - Parents really want the best for their children, but many don't know how to help at home.
Deb - Mine too. But BB works great for them
Deb - My parents are about 22.
Lonna - We have new houses in our district, that are bringing in a different population.
Deb - I knkow they love their children, but the children seem to just grow up without much input.
Lonna - I know what you mean!
Deb - The parents seem to want the school to provide it all for them and when I ask for help, the attitude is "well that's Your job."
Deb - I sent home a note asking the children to bring rocks (explained why) and I didn't get one!
Lonna - Some of the parents are so young, they don't seem to realize how important they are?
Deb - hahah
Deb - Sorry, my haha was about what I wrote. No, they don't realize. I am going to do a better job of communicating this year--I'm determined.
Deb - And I hope I get a better response.
Lonna - It is really discouraging at times. Know that you are doing the best you can, but you can't do it all.
Deb - I think you're going to love bb. Do all the K teachers use it
Lonna - No, but after seeing what I was doing in first., 3 of the first grade teachers are going to use 4 blocks next year.
Deb - Great!
Lonna - One of the first grade teachers will be moving back to k when I move to first, I think she will do BB then.
Deb - Almost all of our district uses it. and the schools who don't are changing to it
Deb - But we all seem to have a different flavor
Lonna - I think it will make a big difference.
Lonna - Better go, haven't had dinner yet. It was great talking to you. Maybe we'll talk next chat.
Deb - bye.
