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meeha/ece/tx - How's the weather there in MO, Addie? We had a day off school today and tomorrow has already been "called" here ... another day at home. just over an inch of ice fell last night -- more expected tonite -- and we've not been near the freezing mark yet!
Paulie - It was 24 here last night and we still ahve no snow this winter
Addie/mo - the weather is horrible! we are on our 9th snowday this year. i assume we are going tomorrow. i havent heard otherwise. but there is more snow in the forecast
meeha/ece/tx - Hi Lucy! Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Paulie - going to go work on my homepages so it is a good thing I got the reminder lol
Paulie - not fair u guys get ALL the snow
Addie/mo - at nine last night we were supposed to have school today and then it started snowing again, so by 10:15 it was cancelled for today
meeha/ece/tx - 9th? WOW! I've heard the mid-west has had a lot of snow this winter, but that's a bit much!
Paulie - were u already at school Addie?
Addie/mo - paulie, you can have some of mine!!!!
Lucy - Hello
Paulie - I would love it
Addie/mo - no, i meant 9 and 10:15 yesterday evening
meeha/ece/tx - This is the first time in several years I remember having bad-weather days off. I bet over 80 districts had to call school today (and tomorrow!)
Paulie - o
meeha/ece/tx - okay ... got ya!
Lucy - If I remember correctly Paulie was willing to shovel everyones snow.
Addie/mo - we usually have several snow days, but 9 is alot for us!!!
Paulie - Yes Ilvoe to shovel snow
meeha/ece/tx - We now have one snow make-up day on April 26th (a Saturday) and May 30th (the day after school was scheduled to be finished.
Addie/mo - well, at least they shovel it and plow it at the condo where i am staying. i dont like to do that stuff! if they didnt paulie would just have to come to branson!
Paulie - How many kids will really come to school on a saturday?
meeha/ece/tx - Not snow here ... first a bit of rain, then a lot of sleet, then a top-coat of rain ... the ground is white and hard!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Evening everyone!
Paulie - would be proud to do your sidewalks Addie
meeha/ece/tx - I don't know, Paulie ... really wonder how many teachers will report!
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, Tina! Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
meeha/ece/tx - How's your weather, Tina?
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Hi Paulie!
Addie/mo - we made up on mlk day, pres day, this coming friday (half day school/half day inservice), good friday and 4/5 days of spring break, and one day at the end
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Hi Meeha!
Paulie - well a few parents who want a saturday babysitter will probably bring their kids to school
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Got a new keyboard! I'm ready to type!LOL
meeha/ece/tx - Go, Tina, Go!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yucky Meeha! Wet and rainy and COLD!!!!
Paulie - new toy huh?
Addie/mo - of course, we might be out this friday according to the forecast!
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- we were out of school today for ICE ... again tomorrow!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I love it!!!!!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - yOU LUCKY DOG!!!!
Addie/mo - some districts around here have been out for flu also, not just snow!
Paulie - I am gonna stay up all night and watch for snow here it is cold enough
meeha/ece/tx - May just need to "call the rest of the week" ... start again on Monday!
Lucy - I just heard on the weather tonight - last year we had 7 1/2 inches of snow. This year so far 45 inches!
meeha/ece/tx - We've had a few districts that had to close for flu, but not really close to us.
Tina/Pre-K/TX - There you go!
Paulie - when I taught 2nd gr our school was closed down because of flu -- it made the news in little hometown papers on the east coast and we were in the valley in CA Los angeles
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Wow! Lucy, where are you?
Lucy - Ohio
Paulie - <=======last year we ahd 7 snow days ===days it snowed I mean ======this year none not even a light snow nothing, zero, zip
Addie/mo - according to the news in springfield, this is the fourth worst winter in recorded history. and we only need two more inches to move to third place
Tina/Pre-K/TX - My girlfriend i heading there for spring break in two weeks, better warn her!
Lucy - Paulie you live in the wrong state!
Paulie - I hoep to get a job in a state where it snows
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie needs to move back to the land of ice and snow ... she yearns for contact with "real" winter!
Paulie - I moved back to WA because it snowed from CA and we had snow last yr even on mar 17th
Paulie - this is a really weird year and all the east gets it and none for us
Addie/mo - yes, move to the land of ice and snow---- texas! LOL
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yes! It's sad, when we study winter my kids have no idea what snow or ice its
Paulie - I love to play in the snow, I love to shovel sidewalks. I don't drive so i don't worry about that. My policy for a big snowfall is to ahve everyone but emergency personnel stay howma dn play in the snow with their kids anyway . . .
Addie/mo - my niece lives in dallas and i remember a few years ago when she was visiting us was the first time she had ever seen snow
Paulie - <=================would never move to TX
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, I have a hard time doing winter theme with my kiddos ... it is so unreal to them.
Tina/Pre-K/TX - But we can tell you about SUMMER! YUCK!
meeha/ece/tx - almost like "WINTER" needs to be done on the day it happens ... if we happen to be at school!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Oh comeon Paulie! It's not THAT bad
Paulie - not me when I taught in los angeles we even made a trip out to playground to see the snow on the nearby mountain
Addie/mo - it was even snowing in jeruselum today! they were on the streets playing and building snowmen. it "never" snows there
Tina/Pre-K/TX - That's right meeha! The one day it does get cold
Paulie - don't like their testing kids to death in TX
Paulie - I saw that Addie and I was so jealous
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I agree! I HATE IT!
meeha/ece/tx - "A light freezing mist is falling across the area.... Travel treacherous in the metroplex ... temperature in the 20's ..."
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I received a great email about "No child left behind" if anyone wants me to forward it to them
Lucy - Any artsy/crafty ideas for Dr. Suess?
meeha/ece/tx - artsy/craftsy ... Dr. Seuss ...
Paulie - <======don't want to ehar about NCLB it stinks
Tina/Pre-K/TX - It's from a princpal who is in diagreement with the idea
Paulie - ohoh soemone from aol is banned again
Lucy - Art or craft ideas
Tina/Pre-K/TX - What does that mean Paulie?
Addie/mo - there was a post about "no state left behind" on the teacher board earlier. it was pretty funny
Paulie - Tina post it to the early childhood board
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I ahve a couple of good site Lucy
Tina/Pre-K/TX - There you go! I will!
meeha/ece/tx - thinking ... those cute little 5-petal flowers ... draw pencil line for stem, tissue paper leaves (pre-cut, art tissue -- so colors bleed), kiddos paint paper and apply the flower petals ... could put flowers on top of people's heads, hats, in flower pots ...
Paulie - well when u see an ISP number and it says "logged off" it means theya re blocking aol members again because of ONE
Paulie - Yes ANN?WA posted it
Paulie - cute meeha
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie -- it isn't always AOL members being blocked ...
Addie/mo - that could go with daisy head maisy
Paulie - meeha this is in theis case
meeha/ece/tx - seems like they pop up often in his books ...
Paulie - e aol is the only oen who has ISP members for all that sign on at that moment
Tina/Pre-K/TX - http://www.teachingheart.net/thedrsuesspage.html">http://www.teachingheart.net/thedrsuesspage.html
Paulie - u see ofther ISProviders give out individual numbers but I get on with a groupthat signs on at same time as me
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, scooter ... Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Paulie - It happened to me a lot and I asked dave/Montreal why i was banned and he told me about this
Paulie - so when I get banned because of another user on my service I jsut come in using netscape or IE
meeha/ece/tx - 'evening, pre-k_nj ... Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Addie/mo - we had a dr. seuss day and an activity we did was reading "hop on pop" and then the kids got to jump on packing bubbles. take them outside. it is really loud when a whole class does it at the same time! i had a wheel of the stuff from the warehouse where my hubby works
Lucy - Who is banning these people?
meeha/ece/tx - Addie -- how fun!
Paulie - sounds liek fun Addie
Lucy - That is a neat idea Addie
scooter - that is every kids's dream activity Addie
Addie/mo - the kids loved it
Paulie - did the teachers get to jump on some too (to at least demonstrate?????) hehehehehe
Lucy - Any other theme ideas for March?
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I have a update on our fundraiser, we are raising money like gang buster
pre-k teacher_nj - Does anyonr do number or lutter books (that kids make)? I need somw ideas for numbers...
k28 - We did the same thing for Chinese NewYears - the fireworks!
Paulie - great Tina
Addie/mo - oh yeah, ya gotta have a little fun!
meeha/ece/tx - Ideas for March ... we're finishing up DINOSAURS, will do SPACE when we return from Spring Break ...
pre-k teacher_nj - I can not type tonight!!! Sorry...
Addie/mo - i have a potato mini unit on my website. http://www.geocities.com/athens/aegean/2221/potato.html
Texas Cowgirl - i teach pre-k in houston texas
Tina/Pre-K/TX - What part of Texas?
meeha/ece/tx - what kinds of number book ideas do you need, nj?
pre-k teacher_nj - My March themes: Favorite Authors (one a week) Wind and Weather, St Patricks Day
Paulie - we did a makeover of the book Ten apples Up on top and used tiny apple diecuts on picture of kids they drew of themselves each apge and glued on that many mini apples and wrote one apple on top of Timmy, two apples on top of Timmy etc
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie, how cute!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Me too, where at?
Addie/mo - if you go to my website, i might warn you that it gets shut down from time to time from too much traffic, so if it doesnt work, try again later. sorry, but that is a geocities thing on their free sites
Tina/Pre-K/TX - That is CUTE Paulie
Paulie - or if you want ordinal numbers u could take small diecuts and say the third fish is orange, the tenth fish is white
pre-k teacher_nj - We actually have dittos (gasp!) of large blank letters and numbers...usually for the letters we glue something that goes with the letter (F = feathers) but I am running out of ideas for the #'s
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Paulie that good! we are working on that now, AND we are doing life in the sea next month!
meeha/ece/tx - we've used little cut-outs, bingo dots, stamp pads, sticker, finger prints on our numeral pages
Tina/Pre-K/TX - NJ, do you have the ability to cook in your classroom
Addie/mo - you could take digital photos of groups of kids in various numbers
Texas Cowgirl - i am actually i sub...i teach at alot of schools
pre-k teacher_nj - no tina
pre-k teacher_nj - thanks meeha..I have been using stivkers (stuck in a rut I guess!)
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Public or private? I'm private....but my school is in the Spring district...
Paulie - Addie that is good but is it legal for all kdis to ahve their photo taken and distributed?
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I have a recipe for every letter....thought maybe it would help with letters
meeha/ece/tx - nj, do you have access to Ed Emberly's books (fingerprint drawings)? Cute ideas for changing fingerprints into bugs, worms, animals, people ...
k28 - prek teacher in nj - have you tried using hole punchers?
Addie/mo - or find picture of things that come in that number like socks or shoes for 2 or eggs or donuts for 12, something like that
Paulie - no cooking in K???????? good grief
Texas Cowgirl - private
pre-k teacher_nj - That is great tina, but unfortunately we only have a toaster oven...if it could fit in a toaster oven I can do it!!!!!
pre-k teacher_nj - no k28, that's a great idea!
Paulie - I got three BIG hole punch thingies snowflake, feet and leaves theya re great if you don't have mini di cuts
meeha/ece/tx - nj -- do you have an electric skillet? If so, you can do some in-classroom baking in DIXIE-type (wax-coated) 5 ounce bathroom cups!
Addie/mo - i would think for a class project it would be okay, posting it on the internet might be a different story. i never ran into any issues with using student photos for class books or projects. sometimes parents didnt want them on my website, or attached to emails, or in the newspaper
k28 - you can get hole punchers in different shapes. It is great for developing their hands
Paulie - You could use a electric frying pan for many thigns too
Paulie - lol GMTA
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Some don't require cooking, I brought my blender from home and we made peanut butter for P
pre-k teacher_nj - really meeha? do tell!
Paulie - walmart has great punches of those
meeha/ece/tx - It is easy enough to send home a permission form, specifying that pictures will be used ONLY for classroom projects
pre-k teacher_nj - Do you have them online tina? Would it be a lot to ask you to email me them?
Paulie - can't use peanut butter in classes anymore sigh nut allery
meeha/ece/tx - nj -- if you can find the book CUP COOKING you'll find a number of recipes you can do using the electric skillet as your oven. We've made cupcakes and cornbread at school that way.
Paulie - Tina psot to all on early childhood board
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yep! That's true!
Paulie - Yes, meeha I know but if the kids make a book, they want to take it home too
meeha/ece/tx - So now you make popcorn for "P"!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - No, let me get them together! E mail a blank e mail to pkteacher@awesomenet.net and I'll send them to you
Paulie - or pizza
meeha/ece/tx - Well, if it is for class use -- just not for release to media or internet -- it should be okay.
scooter - if they want to take the book home take digital pictures of the cooking project and copy them for the kids to take home
Paulie - lol u got mail Tina
Tina/Pre-K/TX - LOL Paulie!
Paulie - That I know the earlier suggestion was for taking photos for NUMBERS and a cetain amount of kids would be in each photo
Paulie - eb just a class book would be best I liek the idea. . .
Paulie - well u said to email u
Addie/mo - i used to have a form that parents filled out at open house that said: I allow my child's photo to used in the following ways: class projects/displays, class newsletter, local media (newspaper, tv), email exchanges, posted on my website. then the parents just checked off the options they agreed with. most people checked everything off, but a few didnt, especially if there was a divorce or foster care situation
meeha/ece/tx - nj -- for one page in your numbers book you could have the children cut the page into X pieces ... then glue it back together on a 9x12 piece of construction paper ... like a puzzle!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - That's a good idea Addie
Paulie - good plan Addie
Addie/mo - good idea, meeha
Paulie - I hope mauce is ok . . .and that she will come tonight. . . miss her
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Me too! Wonder where she is...her B day was yesterday
Paulie - and where is Jen who reminded ME to coem tonight?
Paulie - yup sent her a card
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Are we boring...lot of people logging off
Paulie - oh well. . .
meeha/ece/tx - I didn't know it was her birth-day ... need to send her an e-card!
Paulie - yup we discussed it last week maybe when u left for awhile
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yeah...same day as my annivesary...that how I remembered
Paulie - (gosh u didn't send me one in january either lol)
Paulie - happy anniversary Tina how many eyars?
Tina/Pre-K/TX - 15 LONG years
Paulie - congrats
meeha/ece/tx - We're supposed to be sending home report cards on Friday ... I'm VERY proud of me ... mine are all input (into computer), printed, and copied ... just need to go into envelopes so they can go home in folders! YEAH!!! I'm ahead of the game for once!
meeha/ece/tx - congrats, Tina!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - good job Meeha!
Paulie - wonderful meeha
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Thanks!!!!!!
Addie/mo - way to go meeha. now since you have been out of school, do you think they will allow extra time to get done?
Tina/Pre-K/TX - So, what do you do , on your snow days?
Paulie - <====got 11 of my 35 pages completely finished and all the rest started on my new website that will be at least 35 pages long
Paulie - heck no they would expect u to do them at home lol
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Wow! Paulie, you have been busy!!
meeha/ece/tx - I kind of doubt it, Addie ... but one never knows! I was ahead of schedule because program coordinator was supposed to come by at 1 tomorrow to do "3-month reviews" (special education program) on my kiddos and I needed to have all the paperwork done before she came anyhow ...
meeha/ece/tx - my assistants say they're going to ask her to come by more often!
Paulie - and it makes u feel good huh meeha?
Addie/mo - i slept, watched tv, surfed the net, went to walmart, cleaned my condo
Tina/Pre-K/TX - LOL!
Paulie - lol
pre-k teacher_nj - How would you incorporate open ended questions into your centers (like wall displays)
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Lazy days! How nice!
meeha/ece/tx - I helped my daughter make cinnamon rolls (from scratch -- not a can!) today ----- they were good!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - What do you mean open ended questions?
Addie/mo - yesterday i finished the laura bush foundation grant i was working on and submitted it online. it is due friday, so i was ahead of the game
Paulie - yum
Paulie - <=========getting hungry here this is during my dinner time
Paulie - addie what will that grant give u?
Addie/mo - i still need to make sure that i got the confirmation email, but that went to my school address, so i will have to wait until i get back to school to make sure i got it
Paulie - good luck
Addie/mo - well, if (and that is a big if) we get it, it will provide 3000 to our elementary library. we are going to buy books that will support our new standards based math program.
Paulie - how enat
Paulie - and there are many "math" story books available
Tina/Pre-K/TX - NJ, can you give me an example
Paulie - is that 3000 dollars or 3000 books?
Addie/mo - that is 3000 dollars! (i left out an important word)
Paulie - who u talking to Tina?
Paulie - yup dollars is important
pre-k teacher_nj - Actually Tina, I am not sure...it's on my upcoming evaluation form...I didn't know if anyone was doing this in the classroom...
meeha/ece/tx - Would be nice if I could build (or replace!) my classroom library that way, Addie ... our elem. lib. really doesn't address pre-school books. Librarian doesn't "do" preschoolers
Addie/mo - actually 3000 books would be better because the books averaged about 11 dollars each
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Prek NJ
Paulie - how sad meeha
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Hmmmm.....let me think a minute
Paulie - that is why I wondered addie lol
Tina/Pre-K/TX - yuck meeha
Addie/mo - the grant is pretty specific, only for school libraries, not classroom libraries
meeha/ece/tx - NJ -- something I did for several years was to put "BLOOM'S TAXONOMY" up on my wall with question openers in each of the six categories ... as a reminder to move up and down the question spectrum ... kept me "honest"!
meeha/ece/tx - 'evening, JofPA! Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Paulie - well the librarian could write the grant for ehr preschool need then addie
JofPA - I need help! Anyone have the site where they have all the dolch words in a story and they are color coded?
meeha/ece/tx - The posters clash with this year's decor so my assistants wouldn't hang thtem up!
Addie/mo - yes, it could be done that way to expand the school library collection of preschool level books.
Paulie - color coded tooo? nope jsut the story u can find it usign Google.com
Paulie - ust type in Dolch story
Paulie - good grief meeha
JofPA - Paulie, yea I have one copy of it and need another for a co-worker and well can't find it!
Paulie - hi polly from paulie lol
JofPA - and of'course I can't remember where I got it except off the net
Paulie - Jof I saw it somewhere on Google the colored one I mean
Tina/Pre-K/TX - What about just using a chart tablet and writing a open ended question to answer each morning...or do a graph
Paulie - I was thinking of graph kids put an answer daily to a question by puting sticker on which side of venn diagram or in middle if both answers are what they think
JofPA - ok, I'm checking now Paulie
Paulie - Good luck J of PA lol I thought you were Jof
Tina/Pre-K/TX - We have a yes no graph....and each morning I ask them a question and they clip their clothespin to which side they choose
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, mily ... Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Paulie - Teachers are gonna strike in OR
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Really Paulie
Addie/mo - if you were truly asking open ended questions, wouldnt you have to let the kids answer them orally?
Paulie - Tina that is good way to see who is not thee too
milymo - We are up for negotiations this year.
Paulie - yep march 10th
meeha/ece/tx - J -- a trip to copymax might be the easiest way ... if you don't have a scanner at home or school >
pre-k teacher_nj - That's what i am thinking Addie...and my kids can't read to answer the ?'s themsleves...
Paulie - addie that is why I at first said a venn diagram
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I guess your right Addie....maybe chart their answers on a tablet
meeha/ece/tx - Addie -- I was wondering about that ... open-ended aren't generally questions with only one or two answers possible
JofPA - ack can't find it!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I have a here/not here board for attendance
Paulie - but maybe I meant a yes no or other answer lol
Tina/Pre-K/TX - The move their pic over when the come in and move it back when they leave
Paulie - J of PA post it on the early childhood board soemone will ahve it on their site
Tina/Pre-K/TX - LOL paulie
meeha/ece/tx - NJ -- there is more than one way to complete tasks, to approach work-jobs, to play. When you're in the centers (supervising), just ask questions about how to do _____ differently ..... what happened when _____ or what might happen if ______ instead of _____ .....
Paulie - don't laugh . . .was trying to be helpful . . .
pre-k teacher_nj - cool meeha thanks
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I know you were...I just thought it was funny they way you said it
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, Terri ... Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Terri F. - hi all
milymo - It looks like I might have to switch grades again this year. Kinder registration was low this week.
Paulie - wb addie
Tina/Pre-K/TX - NJ, I go through about 10 chart tablets a year...we write doan everything
meeha/ece/tx - 'evening, Pan -- Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Paulie - o no mily what grade will u go to?
Addie/mo2 - meeha,that is a good way to incorporate the higher order thinking questions. you can ask those kinds of questions as you are reading with the kids too.
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Oh NO Mily...that bad huh?
Terri F. - I might have to move from K to 1st next year too. Class size increases will make 2 k teachers unnecessary
JofPA - brb
pre-k teacher_nj - I am on my 4th!I'll have to start writing more!
Pan - Is there some reason i cannot get into meeting room one of the Teachers chatroom?
Addie/mo2 - thanks, good ole, msn failed me! i had to dial up again
Paulie - mayeb u r banned?
milymo - Probably back to second, but who knows what they'll do. I'm a little frustrated with all that's going on right now.
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I should own stock in them....
Paulie - I will keep u in my prayers Milymo hoep u get what u would like
Pan - How do I find out Why?
Paulie - I ahve no idea pan
JofPA - I don't even know if I'll have a job next year
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I bet...
Addie/mo2 - well, at least you will still have a position. i assume with the rearranging, someone low on the totem pole wont have a position. unless you have people leaving or retiring
milymo - Negotiations... Budget problems... Moving into new school...
Terri F. - Pan, this is the meeting room. Do you mean the main chatroom?
Lucy - Paulie you never said earlier why do people get banned and who bans them
Tina/Pre-K/TX - How sad Jof
Paulie - they have mdoerators from Tnet that do it
milymo - Basically what I want is to know what's going on, instead of finding out at the last minute like last year!
Paulie - if u report them a moderator will coem in here if not already ehre
Paulie - eck their ISP number
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yeah...I would too mily....
Addie/mo2 - they get banned for inappropriate behavior. sometimes others from the same isp get painted with the same brush
Paulie - and then if u r on aol and not signed on yet woe be you sicne u will probabaly get banned with all who signed on on the "banned" person's time
JofPA - yea...I'm just a long term sub....have been for 3 yrs now
milymo - JofPA, that has to be extremely hard on you.
Paulie - addie happens to me all the time cause I am on aol
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Come to Texas....we are in BAd need of Subs from what I here
Lucy - I better sign off time for bed.
Paulie - do not ever say JUST A SUB!!!!!!! I subbed 8 long years and contributed a lot to kids' learning
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Bye Lucy
Paulie - nite Lucy
Paulie - barely 7 here
Tina/Pre-K/TX - NJ, what theme are you doing now, if you have one
Terri F. - nite lucy
JofPA - milymo....VERY.....but there are positives...our superintendent left so I'm hoping that will help LOL
pre-k teacher_nj - right now, we are doing dental health
milymo - Changes like that can sometimes help!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Hi Jen
meeha/ece/tx - J -- you must be very dedicated to continue subbing for three years!
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, Jen! Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Paulie - hi jen wondered where YOU were after YOU reminded me to come with a post on the main baord lol Thanks or I might have forgotten
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Hmmm. don't have much to share on that subject...
Addie/mo2 - well, see ya later!
Terri F. - nite addie
pre-k teacher_nj - dr seus, tina?
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Anyone try the mealworms from last week? LOL
Paulie - <=====================subbed 8 long years and people wonder why I won't sub again after having my own clasroom
JofPA - well...this is my 5th yr...the last 3 have been full years just not permanent (that better Paulie??) LOL
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Let me see...BRB
Terri F. - anyone have some good plant/seed/spring center ideas for my science center?
meeha/ece/tx - I enjoyed subbing, wouldn't mind subbing now -- except that I couldn't support myself on that income.
pre-k teacher_nj - not yet tina, but I plan to!
Terri F. - OOOOHHHH, I forgot all about those wonderful worms til now....I can't believe I forgot to get some after all of that!!!
Paulie - teachers could not manage without subs u r important!
JenTX - JenTX
Terri F. - wb jen
Paulie - I loved subbign too actually BUT after ahvign my own class for 6 years I don't want to go that route anymore
milymo - I enjoyed having mealworms in the classroom with my third grade student teaching class.
JenTX - Golly, it was hard to get on
Paulie - <=========not doing mealworms ever I liek doing the red worm s for gardens
Paulie - Jen why?
Paulie - I came ten min early and signed on when the art group left
JenTX - I don't know. It just wouldn't let me. Oh, well.
Paulie - jena re u an aol user?
milymo - I need to get to bed tonight. Have to wake up early to finish kinder registration!
Terri F. - I think I will wait to get some until after my plant unit (I have an animals unit then)
Terri F. - good nite milymo
Paulie - I wish they ahd the big smilie that grins for use in here
Paulie - nite milymo glad to see u for awhile
JenTX - this one
milymo - Goodnight everyone!
JofPA - I have proved myself over and over this year...principal is stunned...not that I'm perfect because that's far from the truth but he can never give me areas to improve on
Paulie - nope the big teeth grin one
JenTX - milymo, gone so early
Paulie - that is sad J
JenTX - What do you mean Jof
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Well , NJ I found a couple of things, for Dr. suess...want me to send them to you?
Terri F. - doesn't anyone know if radishes need lots of direct light?
Paulie - well gosh Jen there are always thigns to improve on but if principal always says you are perfect they don't help u to become a better teacher
meeha/ece/tx - Terri, when you do your plant unit, will you all plant a "salad"?
pre-k teacher_nj - I would love it tina!
JenTX - Terri, worms or mealworms?
Paulie - jsut don't eat the worms in the salad
Paulie - the garden worms for good soil are NOT mealworms
Terri F. - actually the radish seeds came from a local water company assembly we had...never thought to plant a salad, but sounds fun
JenTX - Yeh, but I'd rather be close to perfect than to take the hassling I've seen some teachers get. My observation is Thurs
Paulie - are big and red and u get from a bait shop
Paulie - good luck Jen
JenTX - Yes, Paulie. Mine were Canadian worms, but they died. I will try worms again someday
meeha/ece/tx - All radishes, no matter how long the life span, require similar conditions: plenty of moisture, cool temperatures, a fair amount of sunlight and soil that does not resemble cast iron. Obviously, the more well-worked the better, but radishes can conquer dirt that will make other vegetables wither and die. In fact, many gardeners plant radishes between more fragile seeds, knowing that the quickly germinating (about three days) globes will break ground for less hardy crops.
Paulie - but when u plant a salad u ahve to be really organized to make sure each is ready at the same time so some will be planted early and some later
JenTX - What is the fastest thing to grow
JofPA - well I just don't want to get my hopes up for next year...done that too much and they got dashed
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Grass seed
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Or lima beans
Paulie - never heard of worms called Canadian worms
Terri F. - I was thinking of planting grass in the shape of each student's intials (read that somewhere, can't remember where)
JenTX - Do the kids like the radishes
Paulie - radishes grow in about 55 days
Terri F. - not sure- I have always grown flowers before, never food
Paulie - my K crew liked them I ahd salt for them to dunk them into
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yes...You put the soil in a letter shaped cookie cutter and then sprinkle grass seed on it...It works great
JenTX - Only teachers would think of that, Terri - initials
Terri F. - brb...little one needs to be tucked in.............
meeha/ece/tx - Radishes grow best in full sun but tolerate some shade
Paulie - kohlrabi is a good one to eat eat right from garden raw and is great but long time to grow
JenTX - The Canadian worms came from Pokey's Bait Shop. I made my husband go with me. It's a bait shop & a bar!
Paulie - lol Jen
JofPA - what is everyone doing for Dr. Seuss day?
JenTX - Jof, what are you afraid to get your hopes up about
meeha/ece/tx - When is Dr. Seuss Day?
Paulie - I always had an all day MULticultural read a thon Got parents and community members to coem in and read a multicultural story I provided most but some asked to read certain one also some administrators particiapted
Paulie - we brough blankets and pillows and laid on floor all day
JenTX - It's March 2 (his birthday), isn't it
meeha/ece/tx - I like growing the grass seed in eggs or potatoes ...
Paulie - march 2
JofPA - JenTX...actually getting a permanent position next yr
Paulie - one year I ahd grandparents coem in and read to us their fav bvook and then tell us something about their childhood customs
JenTX - We have Texas Public Schools Week the Dr. Seuss week
meeha/ece/tx - Well ... we may take a break from dinosaurs on Monday and do something "Seuss-ish"! That might be fun!
meeha/ece/tx - Congraats, JofPA!!!!!
JenTX - Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, Jof
Paulie - There is a seuss book o dinosaurs
meeha/ece/tx - we have open house on the 13th, Jen ... is that Public School Week?
meeha/ece/tx - There is? I'll have to check it out!
Paulie - (I think she said that is what she is worried about not that she ahd a job Jen)
Paulie - I will go find it and tell u the name
Paulie - brb
JofPA - yea Paulie you are right...I don't want to get my hopes up about gettinga permanent position for next yr
JenTX - That's the week after. Maybe I'm wrong. Just checked my lesson plan book.
Terri F. - okay, I'm back... can't believe she let me get away with only 1 story tonight
Terri F. - grass seed in an egg?
JenTX - Thnik positive Jof. You are lucky with 1 story, Terri
Tina/Pre-K/TX - A empty eggshell
meeha/ece/tx - I think we're having our open house later than usual this year -- generally it is in the FIRST week of March!
Terri F. - my little one usually demands (she's 2) at least 2-3 stories
Tina/Pre-K/TX - It's cute you can draw a face on the eggshell so the grass(when it grows) looks like hair
JofPA - hard to think positve after doing so for 2 yrs and nothing worked out even AFTER the super. told me I'd have the next position....but then a long came a friend of his and so she was hired
Tina/Pre-K/TX - We aren't allowed open house...
Paulie - The book is called Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur? actually it is from the cat in the hat library and not written by suess
Terri F. - tina, that sounds really cute- I definately have to try that
meeha/ece/tx - Terri, you just take the top off the eggs, put potting soil (or cotton balls) inside, sprinkle on grass seed, keep moist and ..... voila! Grass! (Hair!) Give the kids scissors and let them style their egg-heads!
Paulie - but it has the cat in the hat on the apges
Paulie - It is by Bonnie Worth
meeha/ece/tx - Thanks, Paulie -- I'll check it out this weekend!
Tina/Pre-K/TX - It's great.
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Hey I saw a cute idea for Easter
Terri F. - my science center is a couple feet from a window- light is there, but not strong direct light. Can I still grow grass?
Paulie - The cat int he hat tells the story of dinosaurs
Tina/Pre-K/TX - A living easter basket...u cut the bottomoff a milk carton and punch hole in the bottom and fill it with soil and plant grass seed
Paulie - Terri that is wonderful that she likes u to read
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yes Terri
JenTX - Can it grow with no soil, Meeha
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Grass doesn't require much of anything...only amisting of water now and then
meeha/ece/tx - JofPA -- I don't want to sound negative, but I worked toward a teaching job in Michigan for seven years (subbed almost every day, had five districts after me to sub) ... NEVER got a single interview! (Only wrote something like 300 letters of interest. Came to TX on vacation, 2 interviews and I had a full-time job!
meeha/ece/tx - sure, Terri -- grass will grow.
Terri F. - tina, hmmmm a plant that I can purposefully forget to water...I am liking that
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- I think cotton balls will work ... but not positive.
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yes...It's great and Yes it will work on cotton balls
Paulie - the end of the story of the dino with cat in the hat names the cat "Catinthehatosaurus"
JofPA - meeha....well the principal says "I don't want to get your hopes up but I believe you'll have something next year."
Tina/Pre-K/TX - That's what I use in the eggshells
meeha/ece/tx - Cotton is what I think I've seen in the egg shells.
meeha/ece/tx - Think positive, J ...
JofPA - I try...I try
Paulie - when is easter this year?
Terri F. - okay, science center is shaping up...I have some books, eggshell grass growing, sequencing cards, photos of real plants, flower labeling activity.
JofPA - t looks like there are going to be some openings...and if I don't get one then I won't sub
Tina/Pre-K/TX - That's right J...if it was meant to be it will be
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- I like the idea of a living easter basket ... may have to try that! Of course, we don't have a single outside window in my classroom
Paulie - Terii . . . and worms?
JofPA - Easter is April 20
Paulie - thanks
Terri F. - no, no worms in this center. I will have them when planting is done when I do an animals unit
JenTX - Easter is April 20. Good Friday is the 18th
Paulie - it is really late this year
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Meeha...that's the great part....Grass requires little light...maybe set them outside twice a week or so
Paulie - maybe u have a wagon to haul plants outdoor
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I need new ideas for my writing center...they are tired of writing the room
meeha/ece/tx - Terri -- have you done the bean-growing experiment? 1.) Bean in a baggie and sealed ..... 2.) Bean seed in a baggie with a damp paper towel and sealed ..... 3.) Bean seed in a baggie with a damp paper towel, surrounded by black construction paper (no light) ..... monitor growth
Paulie - Tina do u want them to use a pencil or spell?
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Oh that's a good one Meeha!
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- sentence strips with children's names, some basic action words (with pictures of those actions)
Paulie - I ahd mine use magnetic lettrs to spell words from a little picture dictionary on magnetic board
Terri F. - meecha, oh yea...forgot about that. Did it last year. I had one student cry because on of her beans didn't grow (even though it wasn't suppose to).
Paulie - ad others match upper and lower case letters
Tina/Pre-K/TX - well, just get used to writing...they are all pretty good at using a pencil...I just want them to stay excited about writing
Paulie - They can "write" words using trays of sale
meeha/ece/tx - Add a poster of the animals you have in the block center and post-it notes (or 3x5 cards and tape) ... let the kiddos label the animals ..... let the kiddos name the streets in their block cities .....
Paulie - oops
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Done the name cards, have the magnetic letters, write on boards, chalk boards,
Paulie - salt which is inexpensive
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Oh, hadn't thought about that Paulie
Paulie - also use sandpaper to cut out tactile letters for them to trace with fingers
Tina/Pre-K/TX - They have been writing the room with clipboards for about three weeks now...I have added new words to our word wall but
JofPA - what do you do when you have a student in class that when he's with you his behavior is good BUT when he's not with you...either w/ a sub/out at recess/lunch/etc he doesn't follow the rules or listen to teachers
meeha/ece/tx - Have you put envelopes, "stamps" ( the magazine stickers from places like pub. clearing house), stationery of varied colors/sizes/shapes? a variety of writing tools?
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Did that too....they didn't really go for that
JenTX - My kids like tracing around tactile abc's & rubbings in the abc center
Terri F. - my writing center includes: lined and unlined paper, personal size chalkboard, markers, crayons, colored pencis. Charts there include ;monthly words, color words, number chart to 100, alphabet chart, first 30 sight words. I will put extra worksheets in there from time to time. Last week I put folder construction paper in many, many sizes so they could make their own "cards". You can also use const. paper to make little books and then put beginning reader books in the center for them to copy from to make their own book
Paulie - You can get new pointers for each season (make them) to write the room tape flowers on ends of pencil or other realia
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I just added envelopes, they love that... I hadn't thought about stamps
meeha/ece/tx - J -- set him up with the expectation of what IS acceptable ... and a "reward" when you get a good report when he returns to you.
Terri F. - how about using a rubber stamp of a stamp?
Paulie - they can make rainbow words
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yes I need to add new pointers
JenTX - They can use stamps to stamp on designes & stickers, too
Paulie - hen trace with three more colors of pens
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I have most of that Terri. Maybe I can add some blank books
Paulie - I have rubber stamp abc's
Paulie - l words with them
JenTX - I just put out some fat colored pencils, too
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I have some rubber stamps in there but I can't find a inexpensive set of letter stamps anywhere
Paulie - don't forget journals
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I thought about that Paulie....Maybe including journals
meeha/ece/tx - J -- something I'm learning is that too often we expect "good behavior" and don't genuinely acknowledge it ..... kiddos get more attention for inappropriate behaviors, so that is what they use. We have to take the time to acknowledge "good" behavior -- using very specific terms -- and make the pay-off SO MUCH BETTER for appropriate choices -- and it ain't easy!
Paulie - I have had mine for 8 years bought them at lakeshore they hodl up why do u want inexpensive set better they last long time
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I know some teachers do that as a group...
JenTX - My kids are making a lot of num,ber books right now
Terri F. - my only problem is that the kids will only write when I encourage them, as soon as I walk away- they just want to draw pictures
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Not a lot of money to spend....BOSS IS A TIGHTWAD
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Mine too Terri
Paulie - o well these are MINE
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- how about newspaper/magazines and scissors and glue ... let the kiddos cut out letters and glue "words" together?
Terri F. - walmart has some small alphabet stamps in the craft section...could parents help towards costs?
Paulie - drawing is ok but tell them to label their drawings
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I try to encourage them to label their pics, but they don't
Tina/Pre-K/TX - That's good Meeha...
Paulie - make that a requirement they must write /scribble what their picture is
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Thanks Terri...going there Thursday
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, they may just not be ready to do that yet .... do you write for them now when they share information about their drawings?
JenTX - Do you guys use dictionaries? My kinders use them more than my 1st graders ever did
Paulie - I also wrote what they said under their pictures in YELLOW and they traced it when they first started journaling in K
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Yes...but I also have common owrds such a dog cat and such with pics for them to use
Terri F. - I have 5 picture dictionaries in the writing center and no one ever uses them- and I have modeled it several times this year how to use them to find words to write
Paulie - picture dictionaries yes already said that for making words below
JenTX - Oh, my kids are going crazy cutting in craft magazines & Oriental Trading
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Just started using the yello idea...works great
Paulie - Terri make that a center that they ahve to find something to write there and then illustrate it
Terri F. - I have the newspaper cutting as a separate center, and you're right- they love it
Paulie - I loved using the yellow pen when they did not want to write at first but did not do past jan for K
Tina/Pre-K/TX - My main problem is I am now a @) kids with no aide and someimtes I can't spend as much time with them as I like
Tina/Pre-K/TX - that should be 20 kids
JenTX - I wish I could spend more time with my kids in centers
Paulie - 20 kids?
Paulie - lol I was figuring that out when u wrote it
meeha/ece/tx - That concept ... that specific letters always spell certain words ... may not be there yet. Sit down and work 1 on 1 with a child as you write ... sounding it out, get the child to suggest letters as you think about what to write ((do a think-aloud about the letters if you need to ..... set the example))
Terri F. - me too jentx, but it's the only time I can read in small groups or 1 on 1
Tina/Pre-K/TX - yep....It's hectic!!!!
Terri F. - I have 20 also
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I write in code...LOL
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Good I'm not alone
JenTX - Yes, I monitor centers on M. Do guided rdg on t, W, Th & running records & monitoring on F
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- any hope of a volunteer parent or grandparent? A student doing field-work from a local university?
Paulie - that is ok we all teach little ones so know "the codes"
JenTX - What do you mean by code
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I have a girl that comes when she needs to observe but she's not much help
Paulie - well u wrote in code jsut now lol
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I use my shift when typing 20...paulie figured it out
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- I"ve never really allowed observers to sit ... they can get their hand s dirty and observe SO MUCH MORE!
Paulie - and my jsut = just and all preschool and K teachers know that
Tina/Pre-K/TX - I got three new one in two days
JenTX - I have 20 & one PPCD who comes in the moring, & has lunch & specials with us.
Paulie - <====would liek to eb able to "gripe" about not having help this year. . . just need a job
Tina/Pre-K/TX - An aide Jen?
Terri F. - jentx, I like your plan for center time. I might try that too- then I know I have at least one day to monitor up close what is happening around the room
JenTX - How is the job hunting goinfg, Paulie
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, Pan ... welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Paulie - nothing yet but keep woking at it
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Paulie, come to Texas...I keep trying to tell you...I'll get you a job
JenTX - Most of the time the aide is with him, sometimes not
Paulie - not moving to TX
Paulie - test driven states
Paulie - but thanks Tina
Terri F. - paulie, sounds like california
JenTX - I decided to do that Terri & hope no one gripes about it
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- please tell me you get an aide with the PPCD student! (I have 15 -- a PPCD teacher ..... always send an aide with my kiddos when we get to send them out!)
Paulie - that is why I left CA
Paulie - d won't go to FL either
JenTX - My student is pretty easy. He is there for social skills & I don't have to worry about academics. I still modify tho
meeha/ece/tx - The long-range plan is to do-away with teachers ... we're all going to be so put-off with the testing and the unrealistic expectations .... we'll all throw our arms up in exasperation and QUIT one day .... then the big losers will be the children.
Paulie - what is a PPCD student?
JenTX - You are so right, meeha
meeha/ece/tx - (((That is a personal theory ... not something I've read somewhere!)))
Paulie - the children are the big losers right now cause all thy learn is HOW to take a test
meeha/ece/tx - PPCD = preschool program for children with disabililties
Paulie - not how to think for themselves and apply soemthing they learned
Paulie - thanks for the info I ahd no idea
Terri F. - but it doesn't matter if they know HOW to take a test if the testing is going to be set up where 50% will always HAVE to fail. That is what needs to change too
JenTX - The big book companies are also driving the tests. They own the big testing corporations too
Paulie - absolutely terri
Terri F. - jentx- we have only 2 companies approved by the state of ca for textbooks adoptions this year...what a monopoly (almost)
JenTX - I hate the expectation that children are behind when they enter kinder. They aren't even required to go to kinder in Tx & prek is not available to everyone.
meeha/ece/tx - Terri -- I was at a workshop on brain-learning ... presenter told us one goal of NCLB is that "all children are to be average" ... think about the definition of "average" and tell me if it is even theoretically possible?!?
Paulie - many places including CA don't have K mandatory YET they ahve state standards for K and even preschool
JenTX - I wonder if they are connected to Harcourt or MacGraw Hill
Terri F. - impossible!!!!!!
Paulie - well if all teachers vote against Bush for next term maybe it will die
Paulie - test
Terri F. - yep, tons of K state standards but I can't even hold the parents accountable for lack of attendance, but I will be held accountable for lack of learning
meeha/ece/tx - My thinking on state-adopted texts is this ... IF the texts meet state learning goals, WHY NOT make the end-of-book tests the "standardized tests" the kiddos have to take? Kids have to do those tests, anyhow!
JenTX - I always thought it was my job to teach letters & sounds in kinder. Now, my wonderful prek teachers are getting the pressure to send them all up knowing them or they're "behind." What a joke!
Paulie - good plan meeha
JenTX - I won't vote for Bush
Paulie - and then they wonder why so many discipline problems and it is partly because children don't get time to develop socially in K and also lack of parental support
Terri F. - well, I believe that a publisher who's sole goal in life is profit shouldn't be in charge of telling me what a child needs to learn. If there are state standards in place, then those should drive teaching and let me use any sources I choose as long as the children learn
Paulie - <========never voted for him or his dad
Terri F. - I didn't vote for Bush or my "fine upstanding" governor Davis of Ca.
Paulie - amen Terri
meeha/ece/tx - TX has Kdg. standards, but school attendance isn't required until the age of 7 ... we have pre-k guidelines, too .... but only offer service (in public schools) to children who are bilingual, esl, or low-income!
Paulie - I voted for davis one year
JenTX - Hey, Bush is connected to those publishers, too
Paulie - because he was going to be the education governor what a traitor
meeha/ece/tx - I think we need politicians to step-out of education and let us get back to the business of teaching --rather than being political pawns!
Terri F. - amen meecha
Paulie - yup
Terri F. - because of davis- my district is meeting tonight to see if they will layoff 75 or more teachers.
JenTX - It's hard for a rich man (Bush) to understand the needs of kids who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. They need the best teaching, not the scripted publisher's idea of teaching
Paulie - and Terri I heard that they may not keep class size reduction 20-1 in lower grades
Terri F. - because of davis kindergarten in my district may go from 20 to 30. they will decide that tonight as well- and end our extended day k program
JenTX - 75, why so many
Terri F. - paulie, one of the options for tonights board meeting is to increase class size to 30 in both kindergarten and 3rd grades
Paulie - how sickening
JenTX - and parents are ok with 30?!!!!!!!!
Terri F. - our district is the largest k-8 district in CA with 45 (give or take) schools
meeha/ece/tx - 30 is a LOT of kinder kiddos! Might have worked when I was little, but with the expectations in kinder today ?????
Terri F. - parents don't know yet. It's being voted on as we speak
Paulie - Terri where? los angeles?
Terri F. - bakersfield CA which is 2 hours north of L.A.
Paulie - where I taught in Sylmar in the LA valley they used to ahve 32 in K classes
Paulie - oic becaue LAUSD is huge
Terri F. - 30 in a half day program! I will be lucky to get them to learn there letters
JenTX - You will be lucky to get them to listen to a story as well
Terri F. - right now I have 20 in an extended day program which goes from 8:20 to 1pm everyday
Paulie - can u imagine teaching two sessions of K at a school and having to do 60 report cards?????
meeha/ece/tx - terri -- the district will be lucky to have ANY kinder teachers! Can you imagine writing 60 report cards?!!!!!
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie -- gmta!
JenTX - testing 60 one on one. ridiculous
Paulie - was thinking "bad thoughts" lol
Terri F. - I would rather write them- we went computerized this year and 20 cards took 3 hours and then the district didn't get them back to me til the day before they went home. 20 by hand took me about 45 minutes
meeha/ece/tx - Scary is the word for that ... Terri, I'll be thinking good thoughts for you!
Terri F. - thank you
meeha/ece/tx - Terri -- I don't mind the computerized cards, just wish I could do them at my home computer!
Terri F. - I will hopefully know the outcome of the board meeting by the 11 o'clock news, if not tomorrow morning for sure
meeha/ece/tx - Of course, I get to print them right in my classroom!
Paulie - let us know terri even if you post on the chatboard
Terri F. - well, should get off my soap box for now.....american idol is on and I know it's not shakespear (sp?), but it fun escapism
Paulie - I sure hope mauce is ok sicne the health problems and deaths in her family relatives. . .
meeha/ece/tx -
Paulie - I am watching A Idol as we type
Terri F. - thanks everyone, have a good nite
Paulie - bye terri
JenTX - I'm watching The Piano
Paulie - You can't miss Eimon beingmean to them
Paulie - Simon
Paulie - what network is the Piano on?
Paulie - you watch My Big fat Greek Life last nite?
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Sorry, kiddos giving me a hard time tonight...gotta go! See ya'll next week!
JenTX - We have a satellite, don't know
Paulie - I missed havign the original husband on the 1.2 hr televised show
Paulie - o ok
meeha/ece/tx - only get to watch what is on network tv here ... don't have cable. No, didn't watch MBFGL .... any good?
Paulie - nite Tina
Tina/Pre-K/TX - Bye
Paulie - no cable hee
JenTX - I still haven't seen the Greek movie
JenTX - bye tina
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, TIna -- rest well.
Paulie - ekd the half hr tv show but missed having original actor for hubby on it and wish it was an hour but gosh the origianl movie was jsut over an hour
Paulie - I ahve the dvd of it I loved it so much
JenTX - He wasn't as cute as the actor in the movie, was he
meeha/ece/tx - Paulile -- it is COLD in Mauce's area of MI right now .... currently 4 degrees F -- wind chill -16 degrees!
Paulie - next wek the MBFGW will eb on sudnay
Paulie - o wow and I thought our 24 last nite was cold
JenTX - Did you have school today, meeha? Ours was cancelled
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- no school today .... no school tomorrow -- roads still freezing!
Paulie - no jen he jsut did not fit the personality of John Corbett
JenTX - where are you? I'm San Antonio
meeha/ece/tx - Jen, I'm in Arlington.
JenTX - My husband & I were supposed to rent the Greek movie for Valentine's Day, but there weren't any at the video store
Paulie - I bought mine last week the dvd has neat info on it about them makeing it
JenTX - Can you believe all of these school closings the day of TAKS
Paulie - I get dvd's when i really like a movie cause it ahs all the extra goodies
Paulie - wellbetter to have the kids safe than take the tests maybe that is a sign from God telling them to toss the TAKS
JenTX - That movie sounds like one to buy for your collection,. maybe we'll just buy the dvd.
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- it is pretty incredible, but noone could have gone to school ... they had to do it!
JenTX - Yes, I just feel sorry for all of the teachers who just want to get it over.
Paulie - you won't regret it good movie too short tho
JenTX - On Valentine's Day, I opened the candy from my husband & it had ants
meeha/ece/tx - I"m not sure taking the test the first day back after this kind of event is the best idea, but that is what they've decided to do ..... kids schedules have been disrupted, they'll be excited about what they've been doing ...
meeha/ece/tx - Jen, YUK! i'm sorry!
meeha/ece/tx - I bet your hubby wanted to die!
Paulie - ants?
Paulie - in a sealed box?
Paulie - how?
Paulie - aybe it was chocolate covered ants?
JenTX - We went to the kitchen sink, rinsed the candy off, & had our feast there. He had put it away & I guess the ants ate thru the seal.
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie -- this is Texas ... ants aren't uncommon! (even in sealed packages!)
Paulie - u ate it after washign off the ants?
JenTX - That's what I kidded him about. I told him I'd never gotten choc covered ants before.
Paulie - o yuk writing that down never going to TX to teach because of tests and ants
JenTX - Yes, the candy was fine with the ants gone.
Paulie - did he get his money refunded?
JenTX - You should see our fire ants
Paulie - o lol
meeha/ece/tx - "more than 100 school districts have decided to cancel Wednesday classes" in this area!
JenTX - No, we got rid of the ants & the candy was ok.
Paulie - my words did not apepar
JenTX - So, will the classes that return tomorrow go ahead with the test
Paulie - wonder what is happening
Paulie - ey just went into cyberspace I guess
Paulie - I could not eat candy the ants had chomped on or run across
JenTX - They didn't chomp on it.
meeha/ece/tx - Jen ... from what I've heard on the news here ... schools that open by 10 a.m. tomorrow will administer the TAKS tomorrow, after 10 a.m. openings the district can decide ..... schools returning to class on Thursday take the test on thursday.
Paulie - ok jen hehehehee
JenTX - I get upset about testing. Ants don't bother me that much.
Paulie - good plan Jen
Paulie - how long does the test last meeha?
meeha/ece/tx - testing this year seems really pretty choppy ... lots of testing dates, lots of different tests.
JenTX - Our 4th graders paraded down the hall on Monday. We cheered for them & gave them a poster
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie, I think this test is the writing test ... kids get as long as they want/need to do the writing. (Some take ALL day and even stay after school while working on it!)
JenTX - Yes, it's the writing test. My school has worked on writing since day 1
Paulie - oic our writing test in CA for 4th graders was tiemd
JenTX - Paulie, what's been going on with your job hunting?
Paulie - nice Jen
meeha/ece/tx - Our campus is pretty persistent about TAAS/TAKS practice, but they are really good about providing breaks from the drudgery ... special treats for all kiddos, extra help where needed, lots and lots of encouragement!
Paulie - not much been applying to Lutheran schools too
Paulie - been looking for any kind of job here sicne I can't support myself after next month on what I saved
JenTX - My school, too. Not true for last school. They wree TAAS driven from day 1 & made the kids hate school
Paulie - might only be online for one more month . . .
Paulie - so am taking advantage of it while Ic an
meeha/ece/tx - We are an exemplary campus (for what that's worth), but the kiddos do get to have a lot of fun during the year in addition to the test preparation.
Paulie - good meeha
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, vic! welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
Paulie - hi vic u an early childhood teacher?
JenTX - What kind of rdg & math programs to you use to be exemplary
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie -- maybe now is the time to move!???
JenTX - hi, vic
Paulie - I am applying to any state that has snow
Paulie - (I just moved from CA two school years ago)
JenTX - Hey, TX has snow
meeha/ece/tx - I don't have a clue ... I work with special needs preschool ... write my own curriculum. I know some of the teachers use some Michael Eaton (?) products.
Paulie - <========not moving to TX, CA or FL
vic - Hi everyone, I teach k-3 special needs. At least I will again after recovering from 3 epidurals in my back from assault by one of my students.
Paulie - wow vic
JenTX - You were lucky to escape from California
vic - I haven't been in the cv
JenTX - gee whix, vic. Hope you are ok. What happend
Paulie - I resigned the job I ahd in end of June when it was legal
vic - sorry, in the classroom since my first injection on 1/27
meeha/ece/tx - Vic -- bless your heart! are you feeling better yet?
Paulie - never ehard of Michael Eaton
vic - I was walking a student to time out. He jumped strainght up in the air and latched onto me. Pulled and then started punching me with his free hand. I have/had a bad back to begin with.
meeha/ece/tx - looking for informatioin on michael eaton
JenTX - I have not heard good things about Eaton.
vic - Thanks meeha, nope, Just got 3rd epidural yesterday and already my hip is bothering me. Back to the doctor again tomorrow.
JenTX - why did you resign, paulie
Paulie - because they were havign scripted Open Court in 4th gr and I was not goign to teach scripted Open court with open court police
vic - I vaguely remember hearing the name Michael Eaton, but can't remember in what context. Mind is a little fuzzy with the drugs they have given me.
Paulie - that is as bad as teachign tothe test
JenTX - Good for you, Paulie. We do Harcourt & I mostly hate it
vic - Isn't that what we are all going to have to do with No Child?
JenTX - That's what I'm afraid of even in kinder
Paulie - I really like to use guides as a tool but not to read from to teach How can you meet different needs that way?
Paulie - teaching that way?
meeha/ece/tx - I think his programs on "Breaking the Code" are what I've heard used ... the key words in math problems for students to learn as they take math tests/work problems
meeha/ece/tx - scripted teaching .... they can get trained monkeys to do that ... i keep thinking about leaving teaching. if i do THAT will be the reason!
JenTX - Yes, Paulie teaching to a test & having kids get lowere & lower every year. And, have young kids hate school.
vic - Maybe this is the way that they are going to get parents to use vouchers, those of us teaching in low income inner city schools will be shown to be such BAD teachers so parents will go elsewhere. Either that or we teach to the test.
JenTX - I try to shut my door & do what's right. It's getting harder & harder.
Paulie - Yep that is what I said they could get a robot to do scripted junk
vic - Isn't that the truth Paulie
Paulie - are for beginnign teachers to give them confidence
JenTX - That's what they say Bush is doing, because he wants vouchers
Paulie - well with the Oepn Court Police u could not jhust shut the door
vic - Or another way to get the noncert. teachers in the classroom and able to teach. If they can read, they can teach, yah right!
meeha/ece/tx - the parent of one of my kiddos was telling me that my talents are wasted in the classroom ... she thinks I'm too smart to teach -- but it is all i know! i wanted to train teacher-wanna-be's, but am not so sure anymore!
JenTX - The beginning teachers I work with say Harcourt is crap, too. It's not what they were taught in college.
Paulie - Meeha you would do great at that BUT I think you would miss the kids
JenTX - I would miss young children too much. I just can't leave them yet.
vic - I know what you mean meeha, I tell anyone that listens that they really don't want to teach
JenTX - me, too
Paulie - vic yes they do . . .but others/the state.principals.companies won't let us really teach
meeha/ece/tx - NONE of the programs presently in use are what is taught in university! Because NONE of the programs are even minimally aimed at helping children learn. They are intended to fill someone's pockets! (((They look good to politicians and to the educators who initially look at them, but are void of real educational merit.)))
Paulie - <=========already missing it
vic - That's what I mean, too many politics
JenTX - Well, guys. I have to go. We don't have running water in the house, so my husband & I have to go outside & fill up some jugs to take a sink bath. Can you imagine that?
Paulie - amen meeha
Paulie - so sorry jen nite take care
Paulie - did your water freeze?
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie, I would probably die without regular contact with my little ones, but if my presence in the classroom is a negative for the kiddos, i'm out of the classroom!
vic - Night Jen, how soon before you have water again?
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- good luck! Keep warm and be safe.
Paulie - k
JenTX - The plumber was supposed to come this afternoon, so we don't know what happened. our neighbors have water
JenTX - I don't know vic
Paulie - oic hope it gets back on real soon
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, Jen!
JenTX - night you guys
meeha/ece/tx - brb ...
Paulie - miss seeing Mauce tonight . . .
Paulie - u fall asleep vic?
vic - nope, took a nap earlier
meeha/ece/tx - Well, Paulie -- it is early there ..... but getting late here! What is your plan for tomorrow?
Paulie - why so quiet? where are u located? I am in WA now
vic - IA. You will never guess what my principal did
Paulie - tomorrow I am working on my website and have laundry and will check for jobs in area too
vic - He called me and told me that subs aren't working out, so he put all my self-contained students in regular ed, with no support
Paulie - so tell us what pricnipal did
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie, good luck with the job-search ... these are tough times!
Paulie - good grief
Paulie - yup
vic - I sent an email to my special needs dpt. head and I haven't heard back from her, she wanted to know why I wasn't getting a sub
Paulie - thanks Meeha I need more than luck tho
meeha/ece/tx - vic -- how does that meet their IEPs ... how does that meet IDEA protection those children have? Does your principal REALLY want to set the district up with a FEDERAL LAW SUIT?????
meeha/ece/tx - Well, Paulie -- I'll talk to THE FATHER about it, too!
Paulie - appreciate that Meeha
meeha/ece/tx - Vic -- you work with kiddos whose "eligibility" is EI or ED?
Paulie -
vic - sorry got bumped off
meeha/ece/tx - welcome back, vic!
vic - It doesn't, that's why I contacted my dept. head. She thought that I had not called because I wanted to.
Paulie - wb vic
Paulie - at least u covered your a$$
vic - I'm about ready to call the state dept. My just go local though. I'll wait and see if I hear from Rusti tomorrow
Paulie - good paper trail
vic - I've been doing that a lot lately with being off since 1/27
meeha/ece/tx - vic -- do one better .... call parents you trust and get them to start voicing complaints .... filing reports .... making noise .... be fast and furious!
vic - The principal is retiring in June so he doesn't care, well he better. Unfortunately not one single parent has complained.
Paulie - good plan
Paulie - amen meeha
vic - If Rusti doesn't call or write back tomorrow, then I go to the district special needs coordinator
meeha/ece/tx - district super needs to know of w hat's happening, too ..... that behavior needs to SEVERELY THREATEN the principal's retirement security!
vic - Yep, tomorrow wouldn't be tooooo soon
vic - He's been a lame duck all year
Paulie - well it is time to go and I ahven't eaten tonight eyt so take care, have a good week, stay warm and see u next week
meeha/ece/tx - every day your students are denied FAPE is a waste of their time .... a threat to their educational success -- and to the educational success of every other child they meet w/ith during the school day!
vic - night Paulie
Paulie - and maybe THEN (no promises) I will type better
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie -- have a wonderful week ... hopefully it will be a bit warmer next week when we meet!
Paulie - bye vic and Meeha
vic - Well and when I go back, I get to be their resource teacher, not their selfcontained teacher.
vic - Can we say file a grievance?
Paulie - I am hoping for snow ehre
vic - We haven't had much snow all winter
meeha/ece/tx - I don't know, vic ... our rights as teachers in Texas are b eing so fully infringed upon that it is hard to know what good it would do -- we can't really file a grievance, anyhow! (no union!)\
meeha/ece/tx - we've maybe had 1.5" snow ... but got over 1" of sleet/ice last night ... roads are like skating rink now ..... still no school tomorrow.
vic - Yuck no union? We are losing a lot of our rights as well even with a union. Too many parts of the contract ruled nonnegotiable
meeha/ece/tx - we have educators' associations -- provide legal representation and liabililty insurance .... I wouldn't strike, anyhow.
vic - We can't strike in Iowa .
meeha/ece/tx - Somehow I just don't see strikes as the way to effect positive change!
vic - I just can't believe what the principal is doing. He even has it now so that when I call in I can't get a sub, and there is one that was real good with the kids, and they are a tough group
meeha/ece/tx - are your kiddos emotionally disturbed?
vic - I have two labeled MD who are functioning approx. 3 yrs. below grade level, the rest are just Entitele to special needs.
vic - Most of them are drug affected babies.
meeha/ece/tx - vic, it sounds as if he's trying to cut back on campus expenses ... what is MD? Mentally Deficient?
vic - That's why contacting the parents wouldn't do any good. MD=mentally disabled/retarded
meeha/ece/tx - ..... just entitled to special needs? what does that mean?
meeha/ece/tx - I bet some other teachers (general ed) would be willing to make some noise! (((If you know the right ones to contact, anyhow!)))
vic - They are getting away from labels in Iowa, so now if they are severe, they get either a BD or MD label and that's about it. Then they are leveled. Level 1 is usually resource support, Level 2 or 3 is self-contained
vic - Oh yeah, they are getting really frustrated with the behaviors.
meeha/ece/tx - WHAT are the politicians thinking? I know the labels can get in the way, but .... any teacher worth their salt is going to look at the kiddo -- and not the label to determine educational programming!
vic - I also don't understand how he can change my job like that, or thinks he can. Just because the subs weren't doing their job, I get to change jobs.
vic - He's just being a jerk, and has made me his latest patsy.
meeha/ece/tx - vic -- he may think it is less disruptive to those kiddos ( and possibly easier on you when your return) to handle it that way for the balance of this year .... it certainly doesn't sound like you're ready to return yet!
vic - This is a man who I had high respect for when he worked downtown (in Admin) then he wanted to end his career working with kids again, and this is what he does.
meeha/ece/tx - (((Being in resource may just mean they go to homeroom and lunch and specials with the regular class ..... IEPs can be written for virtually full-day in resource!
vic - Nope not yet. I just wish the pain would go away.
vic - I hadn't thought about that, but he did this without 1 single conference with a parent. I don't think they know. 3 of them are 100% selfcontained
meeha/ece/tx - Sometimes we just have to think "outside the box" and effect the outcome we want by being creative!
vic - Thanks meeha, I appreciate that
meeha/ece/tx - well, that move is illegal ..... not just bad educational practice, but ILLEGAL!
vic - I know
vic - Well meeha, I really hate to go, but my meds have kicked in again, so I better head to bed. I've been reading John Grisham's new book and really can't put it down.
meeha/ece/tx - Well, I hope you get to feeling better very, very soon! Stick with the therapy and take care.
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite.
vic - thanks meeha, have a good rest of the week
