Join a Mailring at the
Teacher Mailring Center
http://www.teachers.net/mailrings/
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, all!
meeha/ece/tx - Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
meeha/ece/tx - Jennivere, do you teach in an early-childhood or primary classroom?
Jennivere - ece - with toddlers right now
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Yes, it was warmer today, but gloomy...seemed the fog never lifted...Rain again tomorrow they say, I'm starting my ark soon
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Jennivere- In private or public school?
meeha/ece/tx - I work with "special needs" preschoolers ... love it!
Jennivere - YMCA
Lucy - Meeha, do you have 3-5?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Neat! Is that the age group you like, toddlers?
meeha/ece/tx - Lucy, yes! you?
Jennivere - well, I'm not sure yet. I've worked a LOT with 4-6 year olds, and think they may be my favorite - toddlers were available
Jennivere - good and bad with both
Lucy - I have the 5's getting them ready for K. They are sp. needs though
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, my kiddos enter my classroom on their 3rd birthday (or thereafter), can stay through the year they turn six after September 1.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Mine too..I like 4 and 5's myself
Jennivere - that is awesome meeha
Jennivere - been working on our dir. to consider that
Jennivere - a 0-3 class, 3-6 class
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - In your same class Meeha?
meeha/ece/tx - Lucy, I've got 5 3-year olds, 5 4-year olds, and 5 5 year olds ... we're REALLY getting almost all of them ready to start kinder in the fall. The 3's will return in the fall, as will 1 4 year old .... all others are moving on.
bette - had to come in a say hello to meeha
Jennivere - mee - is it just you in the room?
Jennivere - hi bette'
Lucy - I will be sending all of mine except 3-4 of them.
bette - meeha any big budget cuts in your district to your program?o
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - WB Teacha
bette - hello lucy what do you teach?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Meeha, do your kids stay with you year after year
bette - jennivere consider what?
Lucy - Pre K sp. needs 5 year olds
Teacha - I teach grade 6. I have taught grades k-4 previously.
bette - lucy where?
meeha/ece/tx - not for the coming school year (yet!) They couldn't cut it much more than they did this year! Of course, salaries won't be determined until after we return to the classroom in August!
Jennivere - what bette?
Lucy - Ohio
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, yes ... some of them stay with me for almost 4 years! It is hard to move those kiddos along!
bette - lucy only heard of a 3-4 yr early childhood program
bette - jennivere you wrote consider that ? further down
Teacha - I have done some "Looping" Meecha.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - That's great in your situation...they have someone they can trust
bette - meeha both our districts have a major hiring freeze
Jennivere - i didn't write that...?
Lucy - Ours is 3-5. They move the higher 5 year olds to the 5 year old class.
bette - oh maybe someone else did jennivere sorry
meeha/ece/tx - Jennivere -- I'm VERY lucky ... I have three fabulous teaching assistants!
bette - lucy where in Ohio? hubby si from there.
Jennivere - lol - i was a little confused there! lol
Lucy - Urbana
Jennivere - wow meeha - that is cool
bette - lucy my daughter has special needs and when she turned 5 she was not ready for kindergarten had to go to headstart
meeha/ece/tx - Teacha -- it isn't really "looping" in my situtation, just a repeated preschool situation.
bette - lucy where is that? hubby is from Ashland
bette - meeha when they turn 5 where do yours go?
Teacha - I understand. What ages?
Jennivere - mee - is this in a public school setting?
Lucy - I have one this year that turned 6 in Oct. If they turn six before Oct. 1 they must go to K. Most schools in our county they must be 5 by Aug. 1 or they can't go to K
bette - lucy what major town are you near?
bette - ((((((((milymo))))))))))))
Teacha - Any one here from a very small district. Where I teach, the average class size is 16 students.
meeha/ece/tx - bette ... children who are 6 on or before September 1 must go to Kindergarten or Elementary Skills ... children who are five on September 1 can stay with me for the entire school year. (((Right now I have two 6-year olds in my class -- by the end of April will have four! One turns 6 this summer.)
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Hi milymo!
bette - milymo how is the snow up there?
Lucy - South of Ashland about an hour west of Columbus and about 45 min. northeast of DAyton. Close to Springfield
milymo - Hi everyone! Hi bette!
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, Mily! Welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting!
bette - lucy okay gives me a direction
Jennivere - bette - urbana is not too far from Columbus
bette - jennivere you in ohio too?
Jennivere - lol - lag
milymo - Snow is melting today, but it looks like we will get more in the next couple days.
Jennivere - no - michigan
Jennivere - (neighbors) hee
bette - milymo my mother in law said it was piled up in Ashland
Jennivere - about 3' so far here today
Teacha - Anyone from New England? I am in NH.
Lucy - you know where Urbana is, Jenn
milymo - It got up to 42 degrees today.
bette - milymo might have to make an emergency trip up there if brother in law does not get his heart surgery ..
Jennivere - my sis is praying for school to be cancelled!
Jennivere - sure thing lucy
bette - no texas along with meeha
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn -- yes, I teach in a public school setting. Our district has (probably) 60 elementary schools now ... average elementary population about 850 students. Twelve or fourteen junior highs -- who know s what population?!!! ..... six high schools, the largest has over 4,000 students ... largest single-campus high school in the state of Texas! (((YIKES!!!!!)))
milymo - That does not sound good bette.
bette - milymo been up and down to Akron to the doctors for test ect
Teacha - I am hoping for a snow day tomorrow.
milymo - I work in a small district. Two elementaries with about 300 students each.
bette - milymo i showed you new baby pictures? of her birthday?
milymo - Where are you located Teacha?
meeha/ece/tx - Teacha -- we had two ice days last week ..... we're making them up on (Saturday) April 26th and May 30th (the day after school was supposed to be finished for the year!)
Jennivere - meeha - do you know how the 2-3 year stay was implemented in your program as opposed to the traditional move up every year ( i mean, was it just "always that way")
bette - meeha on a saturday ...jee that is hard
milymo - I think... How long ago was that?
bette - milymo bithday was feb 22
bette - about a week ago they were posted
milymo - No! I didn't see the pictures then!
bette - going to go to the other room ..my server or computer does not like this room might be back if i can get back
bette - http://www.thecortezfamily.com
Jennivere - btw....4000 students = bigger than my COLLEGE!
bette - milymo go to birthday and i am there holding her
meeha/ece/tx - Jennivere, I teach in a Special Education Preschool classroom. The age span of the children served is determined by IDEA (Federal) legislation. The children receive preschool services in a preschool classroom on a general education campus -- I just happen to be the only PPCD (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities) teacher/program in the southern half of my high school cluster.)
milymo - Checking it out now...
meeha/ece/tx - see you soon, better.
Jennivere - ah..I did one of my student teaching rotations in PPI, but the teacher/ration was still about 5or6 to 1
Jennivere - (not counting volunteers, etc )
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn -- I think it is too big for effective education, but the campus is "exemplary" ... better than 90% of the students in ALL categories (ethnic, low income, at-risk, etc.) pass the state tests!
Jennivere - wow
Jennivere - How do all of the texas gals here feel about Pres. Bush's ideas for education nationwide? Do you think he did okay in TX?
meeha/ece/tx - For the most part our program's ratio is 4 or 5 children to 1 adult ... as a free-standing program I wrote a VERY persuasive letter re: why we needed 2 assistants instead of 1 .... now I think all have 2 assistants -- I have 3 because of the level and special needs of some of the children in my program!
Jennivere - i could see that mee- when you have a child who needs an adult all to themselves =)
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn -- I know all children need to be educated, I just wish he knew what he was doing to the children we try to teach! He did some good for TX, but now what is happening is beyond ludicrous!
Jennivere - how so meeha?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I agree Meeha! did you get a chance to read the email I went you?
Jennivere - the importance placed on tests seems to be a little insane
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn -- the never-ending TESTING -- our kiddos now take bench-mark tests every 3 weeks, mini-TAKS three or four times a year, PLUS the "real" testing ... even kinders participate in several bouts of standardized testing each year now.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I agree Jeenivere....Teachers are now teaching to tests instead of teaching what they should be
Jennivere - when i was in college (in Oklahoma), one of the kids I nannied spent over 2 months of his year (4th and 5th grade) on test prep
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- not yet ... But I know it is there ... ((I will get to it!))
Jennivere - yeah - lol - coming from a longtime HeadStart background , I have some reservations
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - NP< I thought it was interesting
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn -- the kids in TX spend the ENTIRE year preparing for tests!
Jennivere - man, that is sad
Jennivere - We are just swinging the pendulum back the other way here in MI
Jennivere - (change of governors)
Jennivere - interesting to see what may happen here
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - It's a national rpoblem not just in Tx.
Jennivere - I saw Alfie Kohn speak last year, and I swear, I almost stood up and cheered.
meeha/ece/tx - I have been getting myself mentally prepared to return to university to pursue my doctoral degree ..... hoping to train teachers in the future ... then I think "I really don't like the direction education is taking now -- do I really want to do that?" .... and then ..... "WHO will make it better if I don't?" ...
Jennivere - however, this was at a school board members conference
Jennivere - many many "pro testing" folks
Jennivere - true, mee
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - That's true Meeha....but it will take a lot of voices to turn things around
Jennivere - all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing, eh?
meeha/ece/tx - SOOOO, I t hink I've talked myself into returning to my higher education to pursue that goal! It may take a lot of people to make it happen, but even one can make a difference!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - In the e mail I sent the author made a oint, Docotrs are not held accountable for their patients who die...Why are teacher held accountbale for kids who don't pass
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn ... a lot of what is happening is a part of that perpetual pendulum swing in education ...
Jennivere - brb (jenn has to pee)
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Some people don't follow doctors orders and die...some kids don't follow teachers orders and fail
meeha/ece/tx - we're pretty much at one extreme end of the swing right now.
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- how about the concept of making all students "average"? Isn't that what we would want ...even if it was mathematically possible!
Jennivere - okay, sorry if that was TMI
Jennivere - yes! the average thing
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - But I don't think all student are average...Some don't leanr as well as others...Which is why I can't underatand how all children can be tested the same way
Jennivere - was just reading an artlcle about (texas) schools that couldn't have "gifted and talented" programs b/c all students are "gifted"
Jennivere - no pullouts/special activities - all kids, same exact curriculum
Jennivere - zzzzzzz
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - We have Tier four...that's above grade but NOT gifted...bad word here
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, a workshop that I went to a few weeks ago indicated that the "NCLB" goal was to do just that!
Jennivere - i can see where the word could be a problem, but the idea that all kids should be learnign the same thing the same way - i mean, DUH
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - NCLB?
meeha/ece/tx - Look at how other nations educate their children ... some kiddos only go to school through grade six or seven, then enter the workforce ..... others get some technical job training (child care, sales, cooking, etc.) .... others continue on into pre-college and college studies .... based in individual ability and interests!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Exactly!
Jennivere - yep, mee
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn -- every teacher who has a "gifted" child in her/his classroom must be "GATE" (Gifted And Talented Educator) certified!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I think that they should more faith behind teachers in knowing what our children need to learn, when they need to learn it and faith in the pass or fail grade they receive from that teacher
meeha/ece/tx - NCLB = no child left behind
Jennivere - lol - so the teacher's credentials decide who's "gifted"
Jennivere - NCLB is translating into many left behind here
Jennivere - school vouchers
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - And forget all the tests..
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I agree Jennivere
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn, it is some 30 hours of "core" training, then 12 hours to keep the cert. current. On my campus I'm the only teacher not certified (endorsed?) for GATE
Jennivere - that's not too bad at least
meeha/ece/tx - I believe in "teacher accountability" ... but want to know what ever happened to family accountability ... community accountability ..... student responsibility .....
Jennivere - G/T is just a hot button with me.
Jennivere - I had a great experience in upper el. with a GT program
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - A friend of mine daughter actually got physically ill over having to take the TAKS test last week...she was so scared she was going to fail and have to repeat the grade
Jennivere - but also had a sixth grade where I was bored senseless (and caused trouble)
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - That's true Meeha...
Jennivere - does that happen tina (it's a pass the test or repeat deal)
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- what I think is this: if EVERY parent would keep their child home on TAKS days (they're NOT re-administered, you know!) ... someone would eventually get the message!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - There you go! But wouldn't they automatically fail?
Jennivere - oh man, our superintendent would have a heart attack if kids skipped MEAP day
Jennivere - they serve breakfast, the whole shabang
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn, this year in grades three, seven (or eight), and (I think) ten the kids MUST pass a reading test or not be promoted to the next level
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Yep...they get three chances to pass or they have to repeat the grade
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Wonderful plan huh?
Jennivere - those poor kids
Jennivere - 8 year olds with ulcers
meeha/ece/tx - let's just call 'em all in sick ... call it "test fever" ... kids vomiting, head aches, passing out ..... stressed beyond adult comprehension ...
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Yeah...pretty soon 10 year olds having heart attacks...talk about hating school
Jennivere - what are the consequences if a school has a large # of kids not passing?
meeha/ece/tx - last year I read about one 4th grader (top of her class) who was eating soap in the bathroom so she could throw-up and go home rather than take the bloody test!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I think less money for them
meeha/ece/tx - TEA steps in and runs the school ... life becomes "H-E-double toothpicks" for all educators on the campus.
Jennivere - ick
Jennivere - has that happened to some?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - None that I know of...just started this year
Jennivere - ah
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - We had TAAS before this....TAKS is supposed to be much harder
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn -- yes ... and from what I've heard it wasn't pleasant! Of course, drops in scores can result in less funds for some campuses, too ... and on some campuses (like the school I teach at) a drop in scores could make life really uncomfortable because the parents would be VERY unhappy!
Jennivere - getting scared that soon my toddlers will be mandated to know all of mother goose before they can "move up" to the preschool room
meeha/ece/tx - That's what I've heard, Tina.
Jennivere - or some other nonsense
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn ... be more afraid than that ... I'm sure it is coming that they be able to identify all the letters and their sounds before going into kindergarten!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - LOL....What Mother goose? No the shoudl be doing Algebra by that age...
Jennivere - lol tina
Jennivere - yeah - I subbed with HS last year- BIG deal about knowing the letters
meeha/ece/tx - Of course, how does one legislate that when children don't HAVE to attend school until the age of 7 anyhow?
Jennivere - 4 1/2 year olds - gimme a breaks
meeha/ece/tx - Jenn -- it IS coming, I promise you!
Jennivere - I am going to England this summer - am hoping to talk with the folks I'm visiting about maybe sitting in at their child's school.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - That's why...being in a private school setting, I spend as much time as I can jsut letting my kids play...cuz I know that next year they won't get to
meeha/ece/tx - That's a great idea, Jenn!
Jennivere - curious to see how different it is
meeha/ece/tx - brb ...
Jennivere - Tx for chat, but I am headed off to bed in a few.
Jennivere - hope to run into y'all again
Mauce - Thanks for your concern. My uncle and my brother-in-law both passed away last Monday. It was a nightmare.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Oh, I'm sorry to hear that...
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I bet that was hard on you!
meeha/ece/tx - Are things looking any better yet, Mauce?
meeha/ece/tx - I appreciated you and your hubby keeping me updated on how things were going!
meeha/ece/tx - So, Tina and Mauce ... what shall we talk about now? Let's get off the negative slant we had last hour!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Sounds great! I need a pick me up
Mauce - We went back to school today. It is going to take time to feel better. The kids were so kind to me.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Hi R!
meeha/ece/tx - We are now in our third week of "Dinosaurs!" in my classroom ... although we took a day off today to make jester hats for ""Fat Tuesday"" ... kiddos loved it!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Kids can be great! Make a bad day turn good...
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, R ... welcome to tonite's early childhood/primary teachers' meeting
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - How neat Meeha...I totally blew it on Mardi Gras!
Mauce - Hi R!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - We started our life in sea this week...made rainbow fish today
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I can't wait to turn our room into a underwater kingdom
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I ordered some new counters off e bay but haven't received then yet...the kids love all the counters for each unit
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, this is the first time I've ever addressed it ... and we didn't talk about it, just told the kids there were some BIG parties going on far from here and we were going to make some special hats ... cut 12-inch long (maybe 3 inch wide) triangles and glued them on sentence strips, curled the triangles, let kiddos add star stickers (colors = yellow, green, purple) they looked so cute walking to the bus today!
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- do you hang an ocean above using nylon/tulle netting?
Mauce - I was still thinking it was February - the kids filled me in on what they did while I was gone - we changed the calendar and had library. Sounds neat, Tina.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - How neat! I had several children who went to some of the parades in Galveston this weeknd.. they have a mini Mardi gras sown there
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, from what my grandmother used to say the island was a MESS when MG hit there !
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - No but that sounds like a neat idea...may have to hit Hobby Lobby tomorrow, we started with streamers for seaweed and are going to add what we make each day
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - It is....went a couple of years ago and hated it
meeha/ece/tx - I used to cut green "algae" from butcher paper, taped or stapled leaves to it and we hid fish in it ........... the net ocean is SOOOOO cool! I use several colors -- dark to medium to ligh blue and some "foamy" greens .... hang from ceiling in swirls and dips ... hang fish and underwater "creatures" from it -- looks so FUN!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - We are all making things for the hallways too
Mauce - We don't do much for Mardi Gras. Around here it is Paczki Day! If you have never had one, a paczki is a like a super jelly doughnut - yum!
meeha/ece/tx - Well, TIna -- after all, next week is TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL WEEK! We have open house on thursday ... spring break starts after school next friday!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Tomorrow we are making jelly fish from waxed paper ,with confetti inside..with curling ribbon hanging doen off the bottom,,,I think thise will be neat
meeha/ece/tx - Mauce --- in all the time I lived there I NEVER had a packzi! (((Thought about it, just never did it!)))
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Never had that Mauce...sounds good
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Our spring break is next week
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Guess we'll miss Texas Public School Week ...OH DARN!
Mauce - I only had one - custard, my favorite!
meeha/ece/tx - We made them using sandwich bags (the fold-over kind) -- blown up -- with crepe paper or tissue paper streamers ... also 6" paper plates painted and streamers hanging down ... jelly fish add SO much motion and color to the "ocean" (at least in our classrooms!)
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - LOL...mouth watering Mauce?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - How did you blow them up?
meeha/ece/tx - just kind of blow 'em and tie a rubber band around it ... not too terribly full ... just enough.
Mauce - At about 1000 calories each you only eat your favorite paczki.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Oh ok...I get it now
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I guess so Mauce...LOL
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- it doesn't even sound like it looks ... I think the word is pronounced more like punschkey .. than packzi! It was kind of funny!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - A nothing else for the day
Mauce - Is your underwater study part of your standards or is something you do?
meeha/ece/tx - Mauce -- for me it is just something we do -- every other year ..... this year we do SPACE!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Just something we do...Oneof my favorites ...Next to insects
Mauce - That's the way I pronounce it, meeha - punschkey
meeha/ece/tx - My favorites are ocean and space ... after that ?????
JenTX - Creepy crawlies.....my favorite
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I lkie space too...but we are leaving out next year
meeha/ece/tx - after spring break I think we'll be doing a food/restaurant unit for two weeks ... then four to six weeks of space followed by summer safety, then happy summer!
Mauce - I do eggs and Easter Lilies
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - With all the rain lately I was able to catch some tadpoles and we are hoping they will turn into frogs
JenTX - When do you do eggs?
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, since I have my kiddos so long most of them get to do both at least once -- one boy will have done two ocean units and two space units with me!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - LOL...he can be your sub if need be
meeha/ece/tx - Oh ... we'll throw in a week of spring (two?) before the space unit -- I'd forgotten that one. Thanks, Jen!
Mauce - I do eggs around Easter time
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Keep you on your toes for new ideas huh?
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- if he could talk! He's a cutie, though!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - We do Spring in April , with planting Insects and easter...busy month
JenTX - Have you seen the cute bunny that is a chick when you trun it over. It's a real old idea.
meeha/ece/tx - Always looking to add to my idea list ... this year we've added a DINO unit ... I'll be building on that in the future, too.
meeha/ece/tx - Jen, no ... could you scan one and send it my way, maybe?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Someone gave it to me but I lost it...I need the poen agin...and the pattern too Iguess
JenTX - I'll have to get someone to show me how.
JenTX - Oh, there's a poem with it?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I need to make time for Dinos...BUT where? Not enough time... I may do that this summer
amy - I have a question I need some help with maybe you can point me in the right direction
JenTX - You teach all summer, Tina
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Yes... I'll have to comb through my stuff and see if I can find it before Easter
Mauce - summer? Do you go year-round Tina?
meeha/ece/tx - We just kind of kicked out two other units ... the kids have been SO into dinosaurs this year ... and the group is a LOT older than I usually have, so we decided to see what would happen. They've totally enjoyed it thus far!
JenTX - What question, amy
amy - i am interested in substitute teaching and i live in cleveland ohio
meeha/ece/tx - GO for it, amy! We'll help if we can!
amy - hwere would i be able to find info on requirements
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Yes.. Mauce
amy - any advice on where to look?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Private school...all year
meeha/ece/tx - just contact the local school districts and ask them what they require of substitute teachers -- most are looking for subs all the time!
JenTX - We never have enough subs in our district
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Maybe they have a website...try a search
amy - Thanks for the advice all, i'll call the district tomorrow
Mauce - We are always looking for subs too.
JenTX - Tina, how long have you been in private
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - 16 years
JenTX - How's the pay
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Terrible...but at my school I have the freedom to do almost whatever I want to with the kids and that is more imprtant to me
JenTX - I am thinking about private, too, Tina
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I love it...I wouldn't change for the world
JenTX - Meeha & Mauce, how about you
Mauce - I'm in public
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- I'm in public education ... special needs preschool ..... been teaching in Texas for about eight years now.
JenTX - Is that like PPCD, meeha
Mauce - I have kdg in a k-12 district
meeha/ece/tx - n --it is PPCD!
JenTX - I teach K & love it. I have a little guy from PPCD for centers, lunch, p.e., specials. He's easy, just needs a lot of redirecting. Loves to share with me.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Jen...as a K teach, what are a few things that would be the most imprtant thing s for kids to know coming into you
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - You too Mauce
JenTX - I can really tell the kids who've had prek. They love stories, know how centers work, etc. The rest, IMHO, comes with time!
JenTX - I like it when they come ready to listen to stories
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I spoke with one of the K teachers in my district , and asked her what she thought would be most important for them to know before K...her reply was to sit
JenTX - Yeh, right. When I was in first, second grade told us to please teach them how to follow directions
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I told her all of the things we do and she shook her head at me and told me I shouldn't be worrying with that
Mauce - Able to take care of their personal needs - bathroom, coat, eat a snack without help, etc. Able to wait their turn, sit and listen to stories and other children, eager to learn "school" type things, someone who has been read to, and talked to, and listened to.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I was offended
JenTX - How are prek's with wiping in the restroom
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Mine do fairly well, some require assistance at times, but as a whole they do well
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I have reminder signs in my bathroom
JenTX - Should I expect parents to send them to K knowing how to wipe?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Potty, wipe, flush
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I think? , but now a days... it's hard to tell
JenTX - I had a student in August who sent some kids to me & told me George said to come wipe his butt. LOL
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- none of our K teachers would wipe a kinder kiddo ... they gotta wipe themselves!
Mauce - I am not to go near the bathroom. They must do it entirely on their own.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I forgot to check bathroom one morning and the tissue had runout...the girls were in there screaming, I need tissue... I was so proud that they didn't just pull up and go
JenTX - They kind of smell sometimes, don't they, Mauce
Mauce - Gag, gasp, yes! lol
JenTX - Do you ever want to yell out real loud, "who stinks?"
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - LOL Jen!
JenTX - Can't you just see the fingers pointing at the poor little stinker
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - We are not allowed to be in the bathroom with the children alone...another teacher must be there...to cover our butts I guess
meeha/ece/tx - I have my assistants leave the bathroom door open when changing diapers.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - It's sad it has come to that
Mauce - lol Tina - covering your butt as they wipe theirs lol
JenTX - Really sad!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - LOL Mauce!
JenTX - funny, mauce
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Not to change this wonderful subject but, do you feel that Pre-k is a waste of time...that was the feeling I got from this other teacher
JenTX - NO NO NO NO ....that was on the kinder board , too
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I felt like she was telling me that what I was teaching them was not real learning and that I should spend all my time just teaching them how to be good little soilders
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - What was... that Pre-k was a waste?
JenTX - She doesn't have a clue what you do. I just wish we had universal prek
Mauce - PreK is not a waste of time. I wish all of my kinders were able to have preK
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- no matter what that person had to say, Pre-K is a VALUABLE program! Helping children learn to enjoy the school environment, to know how to socialize, and a few of the nuances of "appropriate school behavior" is so very important to many children's futures!
JenTX - Tina, a teacher had to go before the school board to justify keeping prek & she poster on the kinder board something like do you think prek is important
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I just think that if you make learning fun as early as possible then that will carry on in years to come
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Oh ok... I see
JenTX - I see prek as enrichment, because they aren't getting those great learning experiences at hom
meeha/ece/tx - a part of my "philosophy of education" is to help children embark upon a venture ... a life-long love of learning
Mauce - I agree Tina The early years are so important. They are the foundation that all learning is built on.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Mine too Meeha!
JenTX - They are messing with the foundation too much. I am worried about the pressures they're putting on kids.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Me too Jen...we were talking about that earlier
JenTX - What would be your ideal class size for prek
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Ideal ? No more than 15...But I NOW have 21...A new one started today... I better get a aide...or a raise
meeha/ece/tx - Jen, the foundation is becoming SO shallow ... time is going to demonstrate just how precariously shallow the foundation presently being laid ... because of the pushing down of curriculum .... genuinely is ...
meeha/ece/tx - I think 15 is a good pre-k class size.
JenTX - I would like k to have 18 & no more!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - The bad part about Private is that more kids meansmore money
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - So get all that you can...within the state limits....push it to the brink
Mauce - Our foundation is an inch deep and a mile wide - not at all structurally sound, meeha.
meeha/ece/tx - I think that through grade two or three class size should be tightly restricted ... 15 would be good, 18 tolerable, 21 unacceptable. I think, too, that kiddos in primary grades shouldn't be "switching classes" (other than for "specials") during the school day. A homeroom teacher is more than enough for primary age kiddos (We have 2nd and 3rd graders changing on our campus!)
JenTX - 22 is too many in K, because they are so needy
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I agree Mauce...we are all in for a fall
Mauce - Tina - what is the state limit? My licensed child-care provider couldn't have that many, how can you?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - My nephew lived with me for a few years and was barely passing 5th grade
JenTX - Yes, meeha. Third graders would do better with less switching. That's how they get lost in the cracks.
meeha/ece/tx - Teaching in K and 1 isn't like teaching older kiddos where you can sit during the day -- someone ALWAYS needs you! Normally I guess more than some "ONE" ... more like some "TEN" need you!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - His teacher gave me the best analogy..She said that his building was tall but it was missing pieces and was mostly likely going to fall....that's how I feel about our educational system
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- I think that is true of too many children today.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - It's tall but missing VERY IMPORTANT things
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, I think we're pretty much at one edge of the pendulum arc now ... soon we should begin the journey back toward the middle (and sane educational practice!)
JenTX - I hope so meeha, because I feel like quitting.
Mauce - I sure hope you are right, meeha
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- I"ve been dealing with that feeling for a few months now ... so frustrated with what we're doing with the children in our schools now.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - What about Public Pre-k's how many do they genrally run?
JenTX - We have a bad reading program-Harcourt.
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- they have the same class limit k - 3 have (in TX) ... 22 kiddos.
Mauce - I think we all feel that same frustration, Meeha.
JenTX - My school has 4 half day classes. My old school only have 2 half day classes.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - So I'm not alone
meeha/ece/tx - We're getting a new SCHOLASTIC curriculum -- same as Pre-K is getting -- next year. I'm so NOT excited! I don't use pre-written curriculum ... want to meet the kids where they are, not where some group of people who don't know my kiddos think they should be at any given point in time.(((Would rather have the $$$ to buy books and manipulatives for my classroom.)))
JenTX - Yes, give me money for books & hands on stuff
Paulie - no lie meeha . . . but it is a part of the NCLB that they are all on the same page (those idiots)
JenTX - Paulie, did you say how u doing like Joey on Friends?
Mauce - I have lots of stuff - I'd just like to be left alone long enough to be able to use it.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I agree Meeha!
Paulie - I don't know . . . don't watch Friends
JenTX - Me, too Mauce
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie -- next year I'll have 14 3 year olds, 5 4 year olds, and 1 5 year old who CAN'T TALK! What am I going to do with a preschool curriculum for typically developing preschoolers?????
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Really!!!!!
JenTX - You're going to be frustrated, that's what, meeha
Paulie - good grief meeha that is sad they make u use canned curriculum
Paulie - why can't the one talk?
meeha/ece/tx - ..... and how do I graciously say "No Thank you, I won't use that in my classroom"? I did tell my program coordinator today that I would REALLY like to have an infant/toddler curriculum.
Mauce - Thanks, Paulie and everyone else too. Your kind words and prayers are helping us cope with the double loss.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - My curriculum is found on the web...that way I can talior it to my kids needs
Paulie - Good {{{{{{{{{Mauce}}}}}}}}}
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - And their reply?
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie -- I don't use those curriculum boxes! They sit unused in my classsroom, in the way, and totally wasted! I hate that good money is being wasted in this way ... the intent is good -- just being put in the wrong hands.
JenTX - My principal is always putting articles in our mailboxes for us to read- all about small group instruction, hands-on learning, meaningful learning, etc. yet she expects our kids to like a canned program
meeha/ece/tx - she asked me what I have now and acknowledged my request -- don't know if she'll follow through or not ... time will tell.
meeha/ece/tx - kiddo with autism ... just kind of chirps and squeaks now, Paulie.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Meeha, do you HAVE to use it?
Paulie - so they allow you to do what u choose anyway?
Paulie - oic so you are the program huh? no sped for the autistic?
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- I just plain won't use it. I'll sift through and find the "good stuff" and employ that ... right now I've got a $900 box of curriculum in my room that we've used for maybe 20 hours in 2 years! such a waste.
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie -- I AM sped!
Paulie - o
JenTX - I wish parents would realize how districts waste their tax dollars on these crappy programs
meeha/ece/tx - 3 other PPCD teachers did pilot it in their rooms and think it is really a great curriculum ... I'll look at it, can't guarantee I'll bite.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - If you want ask for new items, like manipulatives and such, do you get them?
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I agree Jen...but I guess they think that the district know best
meeha/ece/tx - I get an annual budget ... then today was told she has some money for materials (I need a new CD player, she said to find what I want and pass it on ...)
meeha/ece/tx - Tina, what I need is a bigger room, good storage -- boxes and shelving units/cupboards, and a GREAT children's library in my room.
Mauce - If parents saw the waste that goes on they would flip. My shelves have useless things on them also.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I buy most of my stuff....My school helps some but most of it is mine...or made by me
meeha/ece/tx - We've got stuff in my room that we can't find because the storage is so woefully inadequate!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I have a great fundraiser if your interested for new boooks
JenTX - Question for you all. You are given some money to buy big books for science & soc. stud. Do you buy the same nonfiction plant book so you can use it for shared reading & let the kids enjoy it in centers. Or do you buy four different books & TRY to share them?>
meeha/ece/tx - Tina -- I used to be in that boat ... I could open a home day care with all the school stuff I"ve bought (and still have!) over the past ten or twelve years!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I can't complain about that... I have a huge room...
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Hmmm. that's a tough one
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- I try to cover as much area as I can in nonfiction areas ... but insist on QUALITY text and illustration for children's literature that I use. I would choose what works best for your teaching style and your kiddos.
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I guess I would say 4 different
Paulie - I did not evens end anythign but I got a message that the operation timed out lol
meeha/ece/tx - Jen -- share them meaning with the other K teachers?
Paulie - Well I keep getting white outs and this won't send right so I guess I will say goodnight. Thanks for waiting up for me to come. . . lol Maybe next week will be better.
JenTX - My grade level (all new teachers) gave me a list. I check it with the library & all of their selections were in the library. We have great bib book resources. So, I ordered 4 of the same book about plants. It has enlarged text which could be used for shared reading. That got very angry with me. The order was due the nexrt day & they had already gone home. I was off the next day, so I couldn't ask them.
Paulie - Bye Meeha, Mauce, jen and Tina
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Bye Paulie!
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, Paulie ... take care & God Bless!
JenTX - bye paulie
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - They left it in your hands...
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Too bad!!!!
meeha/ece/tx - Jen, they'll get over it ... should have been discussed much earlier in the decision cycle!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - I think you did the right thing
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - If the books they wanted were avaible, and the others weren't
JenTX - Yeh, you know how it is when you get money & they say you have two days to spend it.
Mauce - bye, paulie - talk to you soon
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - Well, I gotta get, early day tomorrow!
meeha/ece/tx - Oh ... didn't know it was so quickly to be spent!
Tina/Pre-k/Tx - See you next week! Mauce you and your family will be in my prayers!
meeha/ece/tx - We had to have our budgets turned in by this past Friday ... a neat trick, especially considering how we had 2 ice days right there before the due-date!
meeha/ece/tx - Most of my money I saved for next year ... so that materials can be purchased which meet the educational needs of the children who enter my classroom in the fall!
JenTX - who works on it with you, meeha
Mauce - It looks like I will have to go too. My son has homework to finish online. I have thank you cards to write.
JenTX - bye mauce, take care
meeha/ece/tx - Jen, I asked my assistants for their input ... I'm the only teacher in my program on my campus, so I get to make the decisions!
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, Mauce ... blessings ... and have aweek!
JenTX - My prek friend was in the same boat. Sometimes, she got lonely for a bud
Mauce - Thank you both - talk to you next week
meeha/ece/tx - It can be a pain, at times, to be the lone ranger on campus, but I get to do WHAT I want, WHEN I want ... that works for me!
JenTX - well, meeha. Do we need to go
meeha/ece/tx - we can stay or go ... until about 11 (TX time) the room is for ece!
JenTX - are you tired
meeha/ece/tx - pretty quickly getting there! You?
JenTX - my eyes are tired, but my husband woke me up snoring last night
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, Vic! How are you this evening?
Vic - Hi Jen and meeha
JenTX - Vic, weren't you here last Tuesday. Welcome
meeha/ece/tx - No hubby to wake me up, Jen!
Vic - you bet, the teacher with the back injury
Vic - I'm the one that the principal took my self-contained kiddos and put them in regular ed.
meeha/ece/tx - How are you doing now, Vic? I talked with another SPED teacher in Oklahoma after talking with you last week. She was about as incredulous as I at the audacity of your principal!
JenTX - Oh, yeh............
Vic - I found out today that one of my little boys transferred out yesterday. I will miss him a lot!!!! No kidding Meeha, I can't believe my sped team leader hasn't ratted him off yet.
Vic - I don't feel like I can, as I don't really know what is going on there.
meeha/ece/tx - Can you send an anonymous tip to your state's ed. agency ... "rumor has it that _____"
JenTX - That's what it take sometimes to get the laws enforce
Vic - Hmmmmm, I have thought about it. I'm thinking, I'm thinking, I'm thinking. Maybe I'll start with our district SPED director, if no results the local AEA (special ed agency), then state dept. I just haven't felt up to it yet. Back is not doing well at all.
Vic - I'm waiting for the work comp. people to ok an MRI that the doctor requested last Wed. In the meantime, I can't do a whole lot. I take my pills sleep, wake up, take a pain pill and sleep some more.
meeha/ece/tx - Vic -- you may need to just "let it go" ... stress can be as big a complicating factor as any physical issues you're presently dealing with!
Vic - I know, but it's my KIDS, you know how that is.
meeha/ece/tx - I know Vic ... but you'll get back to them quicker if you let it go (maybe?)
JenTX - It's hard when you're responsible for kids, huh
Vic - Their parents don't have a clue, somebody has to look out for them.
JenTX - what do you mean about the parents
Vic - I think that this comes from working in an inner city school, they become a part of us.
meeha/ece/tx - Jen, their parents are almost as "out there" as many of his kiddos ... some of the even farther out!
Vic - Many of my student's parents abuse several drugs and sell their bodies, so their interests lie elsewhere and not with their children. Plus the principal, I'm sure, hasn't notified them about the change in placement.
meeha/ece/tx - (((Vic ... trust me ... I'd feel the same way you feel!)))
meeha/ece/tx - Vic -- if he HAD notified them would they have even seen it anyhow?
Vic - I think that it is the nature of the beast meeha.
JenTX - I only have one in jail for drugs so far this year
meeha/ece/tx - I'm thinking I've had NO parents incarcerated this year! (WOW! that IS unusual!)
Vic - lol Jen, I think that I only have 1 that isn't in jail.
JenTX - Well, I have 2 conferences after school, so I need to go now. Good night Meeha & Vic. Take care with the back, Vic.
Vic - I have to Jen. Good night.
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, Jen -- have a great week!
JenTX - night
Vic - How's your week been meeha?
meeha/ece/tx - Vic -- the week has started nicely! Report cards went home yesterday ... kiddos are cool.
Vic - Weren't you dealing with ice last week?
Vic - We;ve gotten 6" of snow today.
meeha/ece/tx - yep ... 2 ice days, then a late-start day ...
meeha/ece/tx - It is running in the 40's - low 60's here now ... not too bad!
Vic - Everyone around us is postponing school for 2 hours tomorrow, but not where I live. They never have delays. At least not for 4 years.
meeha/ece/tx - I'm thinking our district delayed because we didn't have to do the state testing on the return day if we started after 10!
Vic - Sounds like a GREAT plan to me. Are you relieved and a little stress free with report cards out? That is one advantage to being home.
meeha/ece/tx - It felt good to get them all done ... early and right!
Vic - I was just talking to a friend in Utah tonight. She is pregnant and not having a good time right now with it. Anyway, we were both talking about how helpless we both feel and useless, not being able to do a lot and having to rely on hubbies.
meeha/ece/tx - Vic, I hate to abandon you, but I'm about to fall asleep at my keyboard ... I've got to say good-night.
Vic - Get a good night's rest, I'll try to get here earlier next week.
meeha/ece/tx - Take care of you ... hard as it is, take it easy, do your exercises, and GO!
Vic - night
meeha/ece/tx - Take care and God Bless!
