Join a Mailring at the
Teacher Mailring Center
http://www.teachers.net/mailrings/
Beth Bruno - Tonight we get to moan and groan!
Beth Bruno - about having winter break cut short due to storms - arghhh
Linda/2/CA - Hi Beth--before we can you tell me what it might mean when I am told that one of my students is being referred to a psychiatrist (sp?) instead of a psychologist?
Beth Bruno - a psychiatrist can prescribe medication - a psychologist can't. that's one major difference.
Beth Bruno - Why has the child been referred?
Linda/2/CA - I just got him last week--but he displays a lot of ADHD indications
Mary K&1 - We don't get a winter break, we've being going to school every day just like always
Beth Bruno - The most important thing is that the specialist have experience treating children and be willing to work with school staff
Linda/2/CA - He was referred to a med doctor last spring who referred him to a psych--but mother did not take him
Beth Bruno - no winter break? there's cause for the blahs, right there!
Linda/2/CA - We now have a psych on staff as part of our Healthy Start program
Beth Bruno - parents are often afraid of taking their children to mental health professionals. why is that?
Kathleen - I wore green for a breath of Spring :-)
Beth Bruno - I haven't heard a single complaint yet!
Linda/2/CA - What's Winter Break--ours was over 6 weeks ago--but we have rain instead of snow--so we just keep going--witht the kids and the teachers cooped up in the room all day, day after day after day
Beth Bruno - with all that rain in California, your school will slide away in the mud!
Linda/2/CA - we are on flat land!!!
Kathleen - We had this week off
Beth Bruno - are your students affected by the weather?
Linda/2/CA - Aaahhh! Kat--how could you say that?
Linda/2/CA - Beth--definitely affected by weather--little chance to get rid of excess energy
Beth Bruno - I'm not sure where to go with this topic, since no one seems to have the blahs.
Kathleen - sorry :-(
Kathleen - I get the blahs, but today it was sunny and 60, that helped.
Kathleen - Does anyone see the kids affected by winter blahs?
Beth Bruno - anyone want to bring something up?
teach3tx - I have the blahs and actually was ready to quit last week
Mary K&1 - They do seem to get a bit crazy when they can't get out to "get it out"
Kathleen - teach, tell us about it
Beth Bruno - what brought you to the brink of quitting, teach3tx?
Linda/2/CA - My biggest problem right now is that the kids are so eager to learn, but because of sub shortage, I have been getting 8-10 extra kids every day :-(
Kathleen - It seems while we wind down when we get depressed or tired, the kids wind up
Rose - I have the blahs in a big, bad way. I am only a 3rd year teacher and did not expect this to happen so soon!
teach3tx - I have 20 kids in my class and 8 are ESL 3 are special ed and 4 are being referred for special ed and it seems as if I have no support from the administration
Kathleen - Linda, I can't believe conditions like that exist, yet the expectations keep increasing!
Kathleen - Rose, do you think it's tied to the season, or can't you tell?
Linda/2/CA - We have the blahs from 3 weeks of continuous rain
Kathleen - teach, that sounds like a very difficult class
Mary K&1 - As the year progresses more and more needs to be done until it seems that I just can't handle any more, a break to play catch-up would be nice, but the tread mill keeps turning and we all just do the best we can to hang on
Beth Bruno - problems finding subs are getting worse and worse in this tight labor market. I think administrators are going to have to get creative.
Rose - Possibly, but the weather has not been that bad. It seems that the attitude of my high school students is bringing me down. This is strange because I am usually an upbeat person.
teach3tx - Some of the on level kiddos put no effort into their work and I try my best to plan motivating lessons
Linda/2/CA - Mine did a couple of weeks back--she subbed in MY room cause there weren't enough subs
Beth Bruno - each problem that isn't solved adds to that feeling of getting nowhere.
Kathleen - Mary, you get so few "breaks" during the school year, I think that's counterproductive
teach3tx - It is definitely not the weather in texas because it does not change much
Mary K&1 - That's the way it's done around here, I never heard of a winter break until I found T-Net
Beth Bruno - sometimes I think I'm my worst enemy. I have to lean on other people to help me more.
Linda/2/CA - Yes and to add to the tread mill--SAT 9 testing starts in 4 weeks
Kathleen - Does anyone think there is a cycle that is not dependent upon the weather that causes us to become tired, discouraged more at this time of year? In New England it's easy to assume it's the short days, cabin fever, etc
Beth Bruno - do you ever take a day off when you're not sick - just to go to a spa or something?
teach3tx - The sad thing is that the teachers who really don't do much but skill and drill in their class try to cheer me up and it makes me feel worse because they have high kids and do no higher level thinking activities with them
Linda/2/CA - YES!!!!! Called mental health day
noah - Kathleen- I think that the few holiday breaks during Feb and march can be stressful
teach3tx - No, because our district offers extra money for not missing any days during a semester
Rose - I have been thinking about doing it tomorrow, but it would seem a bit obvious on a Friday when I have not been sick. I feel so guilty!
Beth Bruno - I think teaching can be a very lonely profession.
Linda/2/CA - Rose--you just caught the 24 hour flu!
noah - taking any days off where I'm at is seriously frowned upon- psych hosp does not believe in mental health days
Mary K&1 - If we take days off without being sick we'd have to hide out in our homes anyway, people have been fired for doing that
noah - beth- why lonely?
Beth Bruno - I've taught in my own class and I've taught in a team-teaching arrangement. I liked the teacm teaching much, much better.
Linda/2/CA - Ah!! But I live 45 miles from school in another town
Rose - Yes it can! At our school there seems to be little camaraderie because we have no time to talk. I want to see adults sometimes!!!
Beth Bruno - Lonely because the buck always stops with you and there's so much responsibility!
Mary K&1 - Teachers.Net helped me with the lonely feeling of teaching
noah - the last time I took and illegal day off I ended up on the evening news! not cool
teach3tx - open concept can have its benefits to make teaching more exciting and helpful because other teachers are right there, but it can also be a pain.
Linda/2/CA - Noah--how did that happen?
noah - beth- but where else could you go knowing that you may be changing the future?
Beth Bruno - I thought most contracts allow for a personal day off - without any reason.
Kathleen - wow, noah, tell us about that
noah - Went to court and was filmed as I was leaving - so much for keeping private life private
noah - beth- not for us- kids do not handle change well
noah - beth- got one day off when I broke my ankle
Linda/2/CA - Beth--ours does
Beth Bruno - I know what you mean about lack of privacy as a teacher. same is true as an administrator. My husband couldn't even go into a store without being buttonholed.
Rose - We get two days....kids get EIGHT--no questions asked!
Kathleen - oh, noah, so you weren't on the evening news because you got into trouble for taking the day. But that must have been frustrating to have your life so public
teach3tx - I think it is more of a pain to make sub plans than just to go and be there
noah - one thing I do when I see the winter blues is make crazy posters with teach pix on them- favorite is using body builders photos
Beth Bruno - Noah, thanks for the comment about changing the future. I think that's one of the most powerful motives behind our decision to teach.
Kathleen - Beth, I would imagine your husband still gets buttonholed quite a bit! :-)
noah - I wasn't in trouble but had to testify and boss wouldn't agree to it so...
Beth Bruno - My husband was a superintendent for many years.
noah - well beth it surely isn't the pay!
Beth Bruno - Here in CT the pay isn't bad. Where are you all from?
noah - I teach spec ed and think that I can be a positive adult for kids who don't have them for parents, too
teach3tx - houston, texas
noah - beth - NC and pay is pitiful
Kathleen - Connecticut :-)
barbk - from near Chicago, principal
Kathleen - Beth's husband is a VERY important and VERY well respected person in Connecticut education
noah - I'd go under if I didn't have a booming tutoring business to suppliment
Bob R/CA - San Diego, City of the Future :o)
Linda/2/CA - Fresno, Ca
Beth Bruno - So is Beth's husband's roommate - me! :-)
barbk - very funny, Beth
pbv - Hello everyone, I am from Long Island
Kathleen - Beth, I figured they already knew that! LOL
noah - Beth- the better half I see
Linda/2/CA - Oops! forgot to add--Home of the Dancing Raisin
Beth Bruno - CA salaries are ok, aren't they? Or are expenses so high the money doesn't stretch very far
Bob R/CA - salary?
Kathleen - welcome pbv! Beth and I are just across the sound from you
teach3tx - Teaching for 5yrs. has made me feel much older than I am. Have I hit a point where it really starts to sink in or something?
noah - I have taught over 18 years and still struggle with being paid once a month
Beth Bruno - Ok we have a roomful now-what's your best tactic for beating the blahs?
Bob R/CA - CA has the class size reduction, I think that has had an impact on teaching here
Linda/2/CA - Beth--it depends on where you live--some areas have very high salaries--but then they also have very high cost of living
Mary K&1 - I take a nap
barbk - do you all take state tests to measure success
noah - beth- still think doing something bizarre with the kids helps too
teach3tx - only once a month, I thought twice a month was bad
Mary K&1 - I feel like taking one right now
barbk - I like to try something new to get me energized
Linda/2/CA - Bob--you better believe it!!! :-)
pbv - I teach third grade and we have state tests in fourth.
noah - I always plan a geometry unit near the end of Feb so we can build tetrahedron kites
Beth Bruno - You must have great radar to be able to nap in class!
teach3tx - barbk we take a state test in texas starting in third grade
Beth Bruno - ooh, I love the kite building idea.
Bob R/CA - I mostly complain, that seems to help
Mary K&1 - I don't nap in class!!!! at home only
noah - nap? I wouldn't turn my back and I do trust my kids
barbk - I remember those noah from when I taught sixth
Kathleen - TEACHER Magazine ranked Connecticut #1 again saying CT is the nation's pacesetter on teacher issues
Rose - Noah, what kinds of bizarre things do you do?
Beth Bruno - just joking, Mary. I knew you weren't asleep at the switch.
noah - beth have plans at school and can email them
Kathleen - "No other state has worked so hard-or so smartly."
pbv - The kite idea is great. We play a lot of games centered on academics.
Linda/2/CA - kat--like what trends?
noah - sometimes when I read outloud with them, we have read in funny voices day!
Kathleen - I sit in the window seat of our southern facing dining room and let the sun soak in
Bob R/CA - I never met a teacher I didn't like from CT
Beth Bruno - My email address is bbruno@snet.net
Kathleen - oh, you mean what do we do at work??
teach3tx - kathleen just out of curiosity how many ESL children do you have to work with up there?
noah - It does sound silly because it is and the kids love it
Beth Bruno - Do the kids ever help you beat the blahs?
Kathleen - "Conn. is the only state that evaluated the perform of new teachers based on their mastery and teaching of an academic subj, not generic teaching skills. It's also the only state to base that eval on a portfoliio"
Beth Bruno - OK we have sun kites and games - what else?
Rose - I think it sounds like a great idea! I think I may try it with the kids I am working with for the spring play.
Bob R/CA - do any of you try to balance fluorescent and incandescent lamps, trying to fend off SAD?
noah - will send email tomorrow if i survive]
Kathleen - "CT sets tough standards for teachers but also gives them unusual support."
barbk - We have the students introduce someone they know to the class and explain what they do for a living
noah - Beth can you get pix of kids or teachers?
Kathleen - In my classroom we have good natural lighting, combats the fluorescent
Linda/2/CA - have all fluorescent lighting and tinted windows--sure wish I could get rid the the lighting
Beth Bruno - I once asked the kids to write about redesigning the school. Anything goes. Their ideas were amazing and some - hilarious!
noah - bob- my kids think my lights don't work- I use natural light as much as possible
Renja - Kids help me beat the blahs, I teach middle school lit & several of them have been asking about good books & now trust my rec
teach3tx - I don't even have a window in my room
Rose - My kids are so negative that redesinging the school would turn into a complaining session.
Kathleen - In CT "Teacher salaries doubled between 1985 and 1995--roughly twice the rate of increase for the nation as a whole."
Beth Bruno - Why do you ask about getting pix of kids and teachers? Noah
Ann/GA - Our students are researching their pets and bringing them in as a visual aid.
Kathleen - Linda, I wonder why tinted windows? Oh, you're in CA, the heat
jilli - there is a cluster in my middle school who are on a kindness campaign. every student who is caught following kindness policies is given a ticket. after ten tickets their name goes on the kindness bulletin board. students who are on the board after a period of time get to go to an ice cream social.
Beth Bruno - Rose, tell those kids to turn their complaints into ideas and solutions.
Renja - Rose I had my kids write an essay about what is right with our school & was pleasantly surprised
Ann/GA - This is also a good time of year to produce a play.
Bob R/CA - Linda, are you in the high desert?
Beth Bruno - ooh, another great idea - as long as the pets aren't tarantulas and pit bulls.
noah - opps forgot to remove boots
Linda/2/CA - No--middle of central valley
Ann/GA - No, I've had a ferret, a hamster, a Pekinese so far.
teach3tx - kathleen what is the diversity in culture of your students up there?
Rose - It might help if I give them that slant because it drags me down when I hear them complain. (I usually overhear complaining because I do not allow complaining directly to me--only reporting)
Bob R/CA - a pekingese in the classroom?
Mary K&1 - We are in the process of reading 2000 books in two weeks for "Read Across America" even my kinder kids a busy reading their little books and writing their summaries - it's cute. We have a big chart in the main lobby showing our progress
noah - ann- when I had a big variety I used to bring them in for unit study
Ann/GA - yes, with the corrected spelling!
Linda/2/CA - One of the teachers had a rat--it scared the **** out of the teachers when it got loose during a staff meeting
noah - hi max!!!
Beth Bruno - I think it helps a lot to get other adults involved - parents, grandparents - or even older kids.
Mary K&1 - We did a "Snow Sculpture" day a couple of weeks ago when everyone went out and made things out of the snow
Kathleen - teach, it varies greatly from rural, suburban homogeneity to very diverse in the cities
teach3tx - We just made a slide show on the computer about the rainforest it was fun but very time consuming
Mary K&1 - Doing these things breaks up the routine
noah - Linda- that are my favorite! Teaches kids that things they think are yucky aren't - now only have hissing roaches
Beth Bruno - the new perspectives that visitors bring into the classroom often get kids and teachers recharged.
Ann/GA - Each child is reading for 600 minutes to earn a free ticket to Six Flags.
Faith - Hi, didn't read what the chat's about, anyone fill me in?
noah - but kids beg to get to hold them so..
teach3tx - Kat, what about the ESL population of students?
Renja - Ann we're doiing that at my school too
teach3tx - Same here ann!
Kathleen - Mid-Winter Blahs is the topic
Faith - Ann that sounds great, what program is that?
Beth Bruno - winter carnival ideas are wonderful
Ann/GA - Yeah!
Faith - Thank you Kathleen
Suzie Q. - I am new at this. What is a good way to get sixth graders excited about coming to school?
noah - max- have finally written up kites- would you like a copy?
Kathleen - teach, same. In my town, no esl, next town is a small city, very high esl pop
Kathleen - Mary's winter carnival/snow sculpture event was wonderful
Beth Bruno - Suzie - lots of hands-on learning.
Ann/GA - It is sponsored by the Six Flags Corporation.
bizzyjoan - What about getting quality work from 1st graders..
Faith - We are starting a program and our theme this year is vote to read, because of the election. Having a hard time with fun act. or trips, any suggestions?
G2/TX - Yes ann, I'd like to know too.
Beth Bruno - What grade, Faith?
Faith - We are using a real voting machine for the children to vote on the end of the year fun trip.
teach3tx - I was just curious because we are so close to latin america and the ESL population in the city is enormous
Renja - FAith is there a state book award?
teach3tx - Can be very tough to teach sometimes
Kathleen - teach, in our cities it is the same
Mary K&1 - Our HS Ag. Dept. put together a Farm animal petting zoo for us, I guess we do a lot to change the pace and break up the routine
Faith - Beth it's for grades k-6
Linda/2/CA - My class is involved in a recyling/litter progect. We built a dino out of chicken wire--about 12 feet tall--it has an opening into which they stuff it with trash found on the yard
Faith - not that I am aware of
noah - Linda- that sounds so neat!
Renja - Find out if there is, becuse the kids vote for the awards!
Kathleen - Linda, we do things like that in April around Earth Day
Beth Bruno - Boy, I hope other teachers visit the archives - great ideas tonight!
Faith - The principal went with this idea. WE wanted to teach about our fresh water fish that live in our area lakes, do an ice fishing contest, fish hachery trips, etc. no go though
moonbeam - I use jigsaw group activities in my 9th grade science...they teach a lesson to their groups
Linda/2/CA - Yeah--we are trying to keep the playground somewhat neat at the same time we show them how much stuff they drop on the ground
max - huge Spainish population in central Florida also
Ann/GA - This is a good time of year to bring in guest speakers. You can also look for contests for the kids to enter.
Kathleen - Faith, why not?
uni/IN - Any ideas when you can't go on field trips due to budget?
Kathleen - Our schools are doing the career month thing now
uni/IN - My 6th graders are stir crazy!
Kathleen - uni, sounds like a good meeting topic!
Faith - Kathleen, why not what. sorry boards moving fast
Kathleen - moonbeam, come back and tell us more about that, sounds very interesting!
Faith - Ny Renja
Renja - uni do a virtual field trip
uni/IN - Kathleen I have lots of meeting topics just no money LOL
Linda/2/CA - Anything within walking distance?
Beth Bruno - Kids get a lot from the recycling theme. We did a huge bulletin board with all recycled materials - the kids got very involved in that.
max - hi uni!! we aren't allowed any field trips this year, my first time in over two decades of teaching!!
Kathleen - Faith, why won't your principal allow that fish/water unit?
bizzyjoan - Don't all of these plays, recycling ideas, prizes, etc. take a lot of money and extra time?
uni/IN - me too max - I had unlimited ones up to this year - I guess this must have something to do with it!
teach3tx - My kids think it is the neatest thing when my parents from Ohio come to visit them and my dad always brings something and talks to them about it or the kids ask them questions about me and enjoy that too.
Suzie Q. - How can we keep a conversation going when everyone doesn't come into the meeting room?
Ann/GA - Turn on a web-cam of a zoo animal and show it all day on your TV screen.
max - uni, bring in the Fish and Game or other guest
Faith - He liked the election idea better. I thought the fish/water would be better because we could do more with it
moonbeam - I use jigsaw groups in my 9th grade science class breaks up the winter doldrums
noah - understand that frustration- had to walk water to get permission to take kids to earth quilt tomorrow
Linda/2/CA - bizzy--not really
uni/IN - No we are on a state road - no walking areas or anything
Kathleen - if you can't go to places, invite reps of those distinctions to come and bring as much realia as possible
Kathleen - Susie Q I don't understand the question about keeping a conversation going??
Kathleen - hi, savvyeaglet
noah - kathleen- also check with local pet stores- ours does great slide presentations
uni/IN - I have had non-stop guest speakers that is not the problem - I need to get OUT!!!
max - what are jigsaw groups?
Kathleen - noah, good idea
bizzyjoan - Please explain, Linda...How do you get out of extra work and money.?
Beth Bruno - Kathleen, that's such a good idea. People willingly come into the schools to teach mini-courses or just to take questions from kids about what they do.
Kathleen - Faith, does one have to exclude the other (election, fish)?
Renja - faith go to www.acs.ucalgary.ca/( squiggle) dkbrown/index.html for book awards
Linda/2/CA - Kids all bring 50 cents for costs--shop class came and built the dino for us--with the kids having written up the directions for them--cleaning playground is done during recess
Faith - this is my first year doing it and already I have been neg. compared to the k-teacher that did it for ten years. bummer. I feel like i don't have a chance
Kathleen - uni, LOL, I understand, it's not the same. How about making visits around the school grounds and into other classrooms, work areas that the kids don't frequent?
Beth Bruno - how do you deal with having to teach the same content over and over - that's always been hard for me.
Renja - since I also teach drama & have no budget we are writing out own scripts from short stories
max - oh well, we had a DJ come out for an hour last week, kids loved it
Faith - He didn't seem overly thrill with the idea.
Kathleen - Beth, at least at kindergarten we don't have the same content over and over, it's easier to vary it
uni/IN - That's an idea Kathleen - of course we have had bulletin board hunts through the school where they have to report where they found certain items, and we do have our first grade buddies
teach3tx - I always come up with some new way of teaching the same old concepts, because I make up these neat activities and then I forget about them the next year sometimes
bizzyjoan - Don't mean to argue, but what about kids who don't bring the 50cents...Where does shop class get the stuff? That's a cost?
noah - Our kids designed a gardern with stones, boards, etc in a star shape- got local co. to supply stuff so we build it and call it an earth quilt
Mary K&1 - Beth, theaching the same thing is never the same in reality because the students are always different. I have never done things the same each year, something is always different
max - Beth, I never teach the same thing twice the "same way"!!!
moonbeam - 4 lessons to cover you have 4 in each main group..each student has a number the ones all meet , twos and so on, they plan out the lesson and go back and teach it to their main group
Linda/2/CA - Chicken wire does not cost much
Faith - I am taking the kids swimming and rollerskating. I was told today by the janitor that it has nonthing to do with voting. I said the program is to get the kids to read and give them rewards not who has the best theme every year.
uni/IN - Beth I never do it the same ever - I would be bored - always change or adapt each year
max - our PTA picks up for kids that can't/won't bring their "fee"
noah - I agree with max but maybe because I can't remember that long anymore
bizzyjoan - But it's a cost.....
Kathleen - uni, see if other teachers are willing to host and be hosted with you, new settings are interesting. Also, if your school has a basement or furnace room that the kids haven't seen, take them there, the kitchen, etc. A corner of the school grounds they don't usually have access to.
uni/IN - I can tell you fifty ways to teach Europe, the middle ages, the renaissance, inventions, etc
Mary K&1 - I even spell things differently!
max - Faith, learn to just chuckle at the janitor when he tells you something, and be sure to keep him on the happy side; you can't win trying to explain anything usually
Kemmer - Beth... one thing about teaching the same content: you collect some lessons that you know always work, and you aren't scrabbling around to find materials every day.
bizzyjoan - I guess I'm bitter because I spend SO much on school stuff.... I buy paper, glue, pencils, for school supplies for kids.
Kathleen - Faith, have the kids "vote" for the activity they wish to participate in, that's a practical application for them
Rose - Huh? What do you mean you spell things differently?
uni/IN - Kathleen sounds like fun but our principal is very nervous about children and liability - probably wouldn't approve - but might try anyway - sometimes I do then ask permission after LOL
Linda/2/CA - Bizzy--CA furnishes the basics for us--so that is not an expense
Kathleen - uni, best not to ask. ;-)
Mary K&1 - Rose, here in this meeting, I noticed all my typos
noah - mary- like words in the bad spellers dictionary?
uni/IN - bizzyjoan we all do - I have easily spent 500 dollars this year already
uni/IN - Meanwhile when my son's tuition comes due....I'll be sorry
bizzyjoan - I guess I'm in the wrong place.
Faith - We have to give them suggestions first because our ...sounds like what uni just said! Principal and liability. I could suggest it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Linda/2/CA - I spent around $2500 every year
max - I agree, it is part of the "job" at least if you really want to enjoy your activities!!
Linda/2/CA - and uni--I have 3 kids in college
Faith - Linda, $2500 for what?
Kemmer - I never think about the money I spend; it's easier that way.
noah - mary - then you're the only one! Think spelling becomes a problem when you read so many wrong ones in school
bizzyjoan - uni--yes we all do.. that doesn't make it right..... I got to $1000 by the middle of Sept. and quit keeping track.
uni/IN - Well I have three teens so that is looming Linda but I certainly couldn't affor the sum you mentioned
Kathleen - Hi, Bill!
max - that is soooo true Kemmer!! plus I really enjoy giving to my kids (but that is my own personal charity)
noah - a lot business will donate things for schools if you ask
Faith - I am a new teacher and I can't imagine.
uni/IN - bizzyjoan I don't think it is right, it is just I have to have the right materials to make me feel comfortable
Linda/2/CA - Well--the science units require this and that, and the Lang Dev lessons require this and that, and then there is the changing curr--new things needed--and then there are classes to keep up to date, etc
noah - faith- it'll get to you in due time
Kathleen - Faith, I'm sorry, I didn't catch what kinds of suggestions you are looking for
bizzyjoan - I know....we all do it...Noah...the few around here won't.... Admin won't let us ask much anyway.
Faith - Suggestions on fieldtrips, activities to go with Voting??
Kathleen - Faith, what grade?
max - oh, Kathleen, y'all just need to come to Florida~~~walked three miles after school with other staff members and we worked up a sweat!!!
Faith - When I did my taxes I had about $150 but that was for my personal prof. stuff. I thought that was a lot.
Faith - K-6
Kathleen - Faith, any area business is interesting for kids, seeing the behind the scenes activities
noah - bizzy- I never tell admin all my business! lol
Beth Bruno - With the elections around the corner, lots of activities could center around those.
Bill T NC - Well...one thing my third grade team came up with (one teacher did) is taking one day to have each of the four teachers do ONE thing and have all four classes rotate through each room.
Kemmer - Faith, it gets easier as your income rises. lol.
Beth Bruno - A great time to get into debating.
bizzyjoan - LOL....Small town... he knows.
Faith - Like what Beth?
max - yes Kemmer, or as your spouse rises on the salary ladder, LOL
noah - when I taught in public school, our science club did fund raisers like dog washes so we could travel
Kathleen - Town office buildings have a lot to offer, kids can see the voting machines, the tax collector's office, vaults, old records (history). Also, cemeteries are fascinating
Linda/2/CA - We are a K-2 school in a small town--we take them to the police station, the fire station, the post office, the health center, the tortilla factory, Pizza Factory, the grocery store, etc
uni/IN - Cemeteries are great places
Beth Bruno - Kids can come up with a school problem and figure out ways to solve it - just like what foes on in town politics.
bizzyjoan - Nice ideas...... We were told we can't have fund raisers....
uni/IN - My school is a polling place so we always go visit in fall
max - yes uni, and do headstone rubbings; we use to do writing projects at the cemetary
noah - noticed that our voting center had a special booth set up for kids this year
uni/IN - No fundraisers here either
Beth Bruno - excuse the type - I meant goes, not foes.
Linda/2/CA - Can you collect box tops or can labels?
Faith - I talked to the town office today, they said they use to do that but got away from it. We have 4 feet of snow, can't get into the cemetaries.
Kemmer - ...(I am picturing my rowdy first graders in a c emetary. The mind boggles! I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face.)....
noah - max is so right- we took some to an old cemetary and it was great
uni/IN - foes might have been Freudian LOL
noah - kemmer- they will not disturb the residents! lol
savvyeaglet - Has anyone tried the BoxTops for Education- I've raised over a$1,000 for science stuff!
Beth Bruno - great idea, Savvy. How does it work?
max - great savv
uni/IN - 4 feet- whew that is a problem - it was 65 here today and I am fighting early spring fever with 6th graders
bizzyjoan - I'm just a griper tonite.... We have so few kids... It doesn't amount to much...We only have 70 kids K-5....
Faith - I am doing soup labels, we have close to 43, 000 to send in in JUne
uni/IN - Our PTO collects so we cannot individually
*Nanny* - I have been watching!!! Some neat ideas here!
Linda/2/CA - Yes--we do the boxtops--we raised over $3000 for field trips
Kemmer - noah... I'm seeing myself looking a couple of them in the eye and pointing to an empty plot! It might work, even!
Faith - it was 50, heatwave and that is unusual
Kemmer - Oh, and my class really CAN raise the dead.
noah - the winter blues can also be relieved by planning a joke/riddle day- we even type ours up and print them
Linda/2/CA - http://boxtops4education.com
noah - lol@kemmer- point all you want - the ground will spit them back out at you!
Beth Bruno - Well, I hope everyone's blahs have evaporated - or you have a few ideas to banish them!
uni/IN - we did poetry reading today - SHel SIlverstein and Prelutsky ruled the floor!!!!!!!
savvyeaglet - They have a website; you get kids to bring in the cereal boxtop coupons and I have them drop them in a wishing well; count and send; you get $.10 a coupon IN a CHECK .
Linda/2/CA - kemmer--have often had that idea
noah - kemmer - our new admit today is suicidal so we wore black to see if he noticed
Kathleen - Beth, all I need now is a week in Bermuda and I'll be fine! ;-)
Kemmer - lol, noah!
uni/IN - Bermuda - let's all go together!!!!!!
bizzyjoan - b-bye
noah - Kathleen- don't we all!
Beth Bruno - Kathleen, start saving those boxtops!
Linda/2/CA - kat--why not Tahiti?
Kathleen - Well, we have to vacate for the next meeting. Thanks, Beth and all!
Beth Bruno - Thanks for all the ideas, everyone! Good night.
