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Kim - Hey everyone
milymo/oh/2 - How many weeks do you have left, Kim?
Kim - I have 4 weeks left
milymo/oh/2 - We have about 6. It's all going so fast.
Kim - I am at a new school this year and it has been wonderful
milymo/oh/2 - What grade?
Kim - I teach kindergarten.
Kim - What grade do you teach?
milymo/oh/2 - I taught a year of kinder, about 4 years ago. I've taught 2nd for 3 years now. I'll probably teach 4th next year.
Deb - I have 28 days left
Kim - I have taught 4th for 6 years. I prefer K
Kim - Not many days left Deb
milymo/oh/2 - I think 2nd and K will be my favorites. I don't want to go to fourth, but right now I have to be glad I still have a job. They have let go 14 teachers in our rural district.
Kim - Hey there meeha
meeha/ece/tx - How is everyone doing? Getting ready for the big wrap-up?
Deb - This has been a bad year, I have a BD students that has really been a pain
milymo/oh/2 - Hi meeha!
meeha/ece/tx - we have 21 days left with the kiddos this year.
Kim - The same thing is happening where I am. We will be losing 3 teachers at my school
meeha/ece/tx - Hi Cathy -- welcome to tonite's early childhood teachers' meeting (early edition!)
Cathy - thanks
Cathy - I'm from Long Island
Kim - I am a long way from you in Tallahassee,FL
meeha/ece/tx - As I understand my district's plan -- as of now -- no teachers will be replaced ... "natural attrition" will thin the ranks as needed to fit the budget.
milymo/oh/2 - I had a difficult student, but for the last two months, his behavior has gotten better.
meeha/ece/tx - hi, myrose! welcome to tonite's early childhood teachers' meeting (early edition!)
Cathy - I'm a substitute
Kim - Sounds like my district too meeha
meeha/ece/tx - mily -- i've found that kiddos with behavior problems often respond to routine, firmness, and a lot of compassion --
Kim - I have been very lucky this year to only have 18 students in my K class
meeha/ece/tx - hi, Paulie -- welcome to tonite's early childhood teachers' meeting (early edition!)
myrose - I'm from the west coast, but I will be too tired to chat at the later meeting
myrose - I teach k
meeha/ece/tx - we're glad you're here, myrose!
Kim - I can identify with that myrose. It is almost past my bedtime now
meeha/ece/tx - hi niki an dink! welcome!
Paulie - hi meeha and all I am west coast and finally made it early
milymo/oh/2 - Our distict should have used "natural attrition" within the last few years. They didn't and that is they are in the position they are.
meeha/ece/tx - What kinds of activitie are you all using to gently wind-down the year (if you're at that point already!)
Cathy - Your lucky Kim
meeha/ece/tx - hi, KindergartenCop!
myrose - I still have over 40 days left with my group
milymo/oh/2 - It took A LOT of firmness and consistency, but it was worth it!
KindergartenCop - LOTS of reading - 2/3 of my K's are reading
Kim - I know, Cathy, in the past I have had as many as 28
meeha/ece/tx - rose, we're at about 1/2 that -- 21 days!
meeha/ece/tx - KC -- that is wonderful!
Kim - I am doing lots of reading and we have planted a garden that we work in everyday
Paulie - am not teaching this year but hope to get a K jb again with a brand new school opening am here for ideas and input to how u are all doing. . .
milymo/oh/2 - I have only had 14 students for most of the year.
Paulie - I always had a garden with the kids no matter what gra I taught from K-4
KindergartenCop - Kim - where are located? Here in Northern Mich. we can't plant for another month, at least
meeha/ece/tx - we're embarking upon a four week Aquarium and Ocean unit (one of my favorites) ... final 4 days will be "summer safety" which we creatively tie into the fish activities!
Kim - It is a lot of fun but hard work. We ate radishes out of it today
niki/pk - What do you find is best to grow the the little ones?
Paulie - nice plan Meeha
niki/pk - We have a mostly shade area by our play area we'd like to fill with the kiddos.
Kim - K Cop I am in Florida. Our days have been in the 80's
Paulie - I have pictures of one K class eating radishes -- they all had to wait til all washed theirs -- we put it in the yearbook
milymo/oh/2 - I still have so much to teach. I'm not sure how many winding down activities we'll do.
meeha/ece/tx - KC -- have you ever tried planting in the classroom? I've known a couple of teachers who used two plastic swimming pools (one a little smaller than the other) nested ... filled with soil and planted in the smaller pool ... right in the classroom!
KindergartenCop - Last week we had 3 days of 85 and then SNOW yesterday (3inches)
Kim - Corn, cucumbers, squash, beans, eggplant, peas, tomatoes
Paulie - They were so proud of what we grew and could eat
Paulie - I wish we had more snow . . . last day we had snow was St. patrick's day in WA
KindergartenCop - meeha - good idea! I'll have to check out the yard sales for those little pools
milymo/oh/2 - KCop, that's how our weather's been, except with out the snow.
meeha/ece/tx - I know you can plant "salad" -- lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, cukes kinds of things
Paulie - Kim will you tend it in summer? are the tomatoes ripe?
Cathy - ok , see you soon
Kim - Yes, my school is not far from my house
Paulie - Meeha did it get enough light?
Kim - Tomatoes aren't ripe yet
meeha/ece/tx - Cathy -- are you leaving us?
Paulie - have two gro labs that have flouresent light so we start things in the gro lab and transplant
Paulie - that is great Kim
meeha/ece/tx - Paulie -- I think it does --r ight there in the classroom! (and you can grow it all year!)
Kim - It is a super experience for the kids
Paulie - great
Terri F. - thanks meecha!
Paulie - Kim, then u get to eat all the ripe tomatoes?????
meeha/ece/tx - (((wishing we had room to do it in my classroom)))
niki/pk - Do you all let the kids do all the work, or do you work along side them?
Kim - Right now we are working on taking pictures of our lives and making a scrapbook. They are loving using a camera
meeha/ece/tx - Kim, sounds like fun!
Paulie - Kim do u use a digital camera?
niki/pk - how interesting Kim!
Paulie - Our gardening was cooperative effort I model and they work most of it
KindergartenCop - we have a school wide open house in two weeks - any great ideas??? Themes of animals/spring/wind
niki/pk - thanks Paulie
Paulie - One yer I ahd 7 and 8 gr buddies and they supervised small groups of kids in different areas and kept a journal fo what each group did
milymo/oh/2 - KCop, things to display?
Paulie - sorry for the typos
kteach - We are making a scrapbook too. We are making a page for each month. We have been saving favorite work and pictures from each month. Students are also writing about their favorite activities from each month. There turning out really neat.
KindergartenCop - milymo - yes
Paulie - I think you should ahve a basket of apples for the parents -- because parents are teachers too!
meeha/ece/tx - KC -- how about a bubble-painted "North-Wind" blowing kites?
Paulie - sounds interesting Ktach
milymo/oh/2 - How about wind socks? Construction paper and streamers - tie in with patterns for a math lesson.
KindergartenCop - meeha - that's good wind and kites - do both sides and hang from the ceiling - with patterned tails???
myrose - We teach Open Court, so I'm starting the next unit, which is about perseverance.
meeha/ece/tx - I've got to get back into the scrapbook process next year. I've been SO tied up in university these past three years ... haven't even tried!
dink - any ideas on teaching number words to those who are not getting it
KindergartenCop - milymo - or wind socks (only down side - we made wind sock for Christmas that looked like Santa) and I'd like something a little different
niki/pk - myrose, what is open court?
milymo/oh/2 - Make flowers from cup cake wrappers.
myrose - that's our school's reading/language arts series
Terri F. - myrose, how do you like OC? Our district almost adopted it, but went with H. Mifflin instead
KindergartenCop - dink - are there songs somewhere that go with the nujmber words, like the one's I have for the songs?
Paulie - Open Court is a scripted Reading program . . . yuk
meeha/ece/tx - Our "SPRING" boards had caterpillars made for styro peanuts (colored with markers) threaded on pipe cleaners, coffee f ilter butterflies, string painted tulips, ladybugs made from red pompons with black paint and wiggle eyes ...
kteach - We made kites with the title SPRING is... We then brainstormed sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of spring on a large kite with those 4 sections. Students then had to write at least one thing from each category on their kite. Add the patterned tail.
Terri F. - I just got done reading several articles about the push both nationwide and especially here in CA to go to more scripted programs...double yuk
myrose - Some parts of it are outstanding, but other parts of it are so-so.
KindergartenCop - dink - OOPS - didn't finish - songs for the number words like for the color words ?
niki/pk - first I've heard of open court, thanks
myrose - It is taught in themes, and the themes don't all go with the seasons of the year. I would change that part.
Paulie - That is why I left CA I was teaching 4th gr and this year OC is also used 3-5
tlc - Hi there. This is my first time in a chat, thought I'd give it a try
meeha/ece/tx - dink -- I've made 3 piece puzzles before ... top section has the numeral, middle section the number of "dots", bottom section the number word. Each is cut differently, so they are self-correcting.
meeha/ece/tx - hi tlc -- welcome to tonite's early childhood teachers' meeting (early edition!)
Terri F. - welcome tlc
dink - none that I know of
KindergartenCop - kteach - GREAT adding of writing to the kites!
Paulie - welcome tlc
tlc - Speaking of scripted programs, anyone use Saxon for math or phonics?
KindergartenCop - meeha - and the caterpillars (or any kind of bugs) - How cute!
niki/pk - welcome tlc
Paulie - Meeha, that sounds neato
myrose - hi tlc
niki/pk - how many different themes are there myrose?
Terri F. - tlc- we use houghlin mifflin for math, this is our first year for it
meeha/ece/tx - Oh, yes ... we helped the kiddos turn toilet paper tubes (probably more paper towel tubes cut in half) into grasshoppers ... oval heads, pipe cleaner legs and antenna
myrose - I like our Harcourt Math series
meeha/ece/tx - (the grass hoppers were a BIG hit!)
niki/pk - cute meeha!
Paulie - does anyone use Heath math Connections?
dink - that might work
KindergartenCop - meeha - do you have any pic's of the bugs?
myrose - We have 5 OC themes for Kinder: School, Shadows, Finding Friends, The Wind, and Stick To It
meeha/ece/tx - KC -- my TA's took it down today, I don't think we got a pic ... sorry.
myrose - We used Heath COnnections a long time ago, about 10 years or more, ago.
KindergartenCop - Oh, NO, it's bedtime! I'll be sure and read the rest of your WONDERFUL info as soon as it's postedHave a nice week everyone!
meeha/ece/tx - Have a wonderful evening ... rest ... KC
myrose - Does anyone else have silkworms in their room, ours just hatched?
Terri F. - goodnight kindercop
niki/pk - by Kinder cop!
meeha/ece/tx - myrose -- I"ve got some in my freezer, need some fruitless mulberry leaves before I use them.
milymo/oh/2 - I better get going too!
milymo/oh/2 - Goodnight everyone!
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, milymo - take care.
myrose - The trees out here inCA all have leaves now.
meeha/ece/tx - hi Shaun -- welcome to tonite's early childhood teachers' meeting (early edition!)
Terri F. - does anyone else out there have to give their kinders an end of the year achievement test just like the "big kids" (bubbling in, etc..)?
kteach - How long does it take for the caterpillars you can order online to hatch. We end school the end of May. Do I have time to order and watch them?
tlc - We had to give the Sat9 this year. What an experience!
myrose - You would be cutting it very close, kteach
Paulie - I kept eggs in refrigrator and they hatched when I brought them out each spring when the leaves were on the Mulberry tres
myrose - Is the Sat 9 hard for Kinders?
meeha/ece/tx - kteach -- our district did it one or two years -- now just a 1:1 (TPRI), no bubbles!
Paulie - wow soemone with the same spelling as my son
Terri F. - This is our 3rd year of giving the SAT9 to kinders- at least 1/3 of the math is 1-2 grade levels above the kids!
kteach - We had to give the SAT test in K. too
Paulie - I have never seen the name Shaun spelled like that besides my son
meeha/ece/tx - Terri -- I am SO frustrated with all of the test-mania!
Terri F. - The lang. arts is ok, except for the self reading section
meeha/ece/tx - (and my kiddos don't even take tests!)
tlc - I gave the ITBS in first grade last year and much of the math was the same! The sentence reading really blew their little minds too!
Terri F. - And the scores for K (and 1st) don't even get counted for state tallies, money, program help, etc...
Paulie - I think it is terrible that K are tested with pencil and paper
myrose - Why does your school make the Ks take it then?
tlc - For my principal it's like the teacher's report card.
meeha/ece/tx - our 3rd - 6th graders are taking the TAKS (TEKS?) test tomorrow ... took the TAAS last week ... tomorrow is part of validation for what is coming next year!
Terri F. - I don't know, I bet somewhere along the line it has to do with money. K isn't even required in our state
Paulie - that is ridiculous kids have responsibility and so do parents
kteach - Me too. Our k team has voiced our opinion, but no change yet.
Paulie - t blame non learning on teacher alone
myrose - That's awful, tlc. The teacher has no control over the type of kids she has, what skills they have starting school.
tlc - Sorry to say, I think the testing will only get worse
meeha/ece/tx - dink, you must be having a terrible time staying in the room tonite!
Paulie - when I taught K in Ca we had standards to teach for K BUT K is not required in CA
Paulie - ll so ridiculous
dink - yes i am
Terri F. - I'm afraid I must agree with you tlc, it's so sad
Terri F. - paulie, we have these great new standards- and none of our tests are aligned with them. So, theory has it that if you teach the standards- your school will look like it failed
Paulie - I guess I should type slower -- maybe I would not make so amny typos sorry
Terri F. - I'm in Ca by the way
Paulie - where are u Terri?
meeha/ece/tx - kteach -- it will take ALL educator and parents standing up and REFUSING to participate in ineffective education processess (like testing at this level with this frequency) to put a stop to the practice (POLITICIANS shouldn't make the rules and then stay OUT of the classroom! They need to come and teach if they want these tests so badly!)
Terri F. - Here, here meecha!!!!!
Paulie - Oh, I understand
Nee Nee - It's easy to be disillusioned, are we teaching standards or children, seems administrators have difficulty with that one.
myrose - We are starting a mini unit on Hawaii, and are learning to do the hula for our schools annual cultural celebration. Does anyone have any ideas for projects?
Terri F. - be right back
meeha/ece/tx - Hi Terri!
Paulie - That is what I always say when someone asks what do I teach . . . "kids"
Nee Nee - myrose, I went to Hawaii last May and had a great time. I was in absolute awe of the volcanos
meeha/ece/tx - myrose -- make leis ... pieces of cut straws and paper flowers (alternate to make a pattern)
meeha/ece/tx - coconut math
Paulie - I lived in Hawaii for three years -- one son born there
myrose - I have alot of boys this year, and I think they would like learning about volcanoes
myrose - what is coconut math?
dink - make lays from paper flowers and straws
Nee Nee - Myrose, one neat thing I learned was that new islands are being formed as older ones are "sinking" sinking back into the ocean. Really neat info.
Nee Nee - Wow Paulie, why did you leave?
myrose - We are planning to do that, dink.
meeha/ece/tx - myrose -- math matching (numbers/numerals) on brown "coconuts" ... adding and subtracting using coconuts (real or paper) ... Oriental Trading has plastic coconuts you can put 12 oz d rink cans in!
myrose - Where in Hawaii did you live, Paulie?
Paulie - It is very expensive to live there -- hubby was in navy we went twice One year when son was born and two years later on
Paulie - when all the kids were in school
Nee Nee - The geological difference between the islands was fascinating, maybe you could do something with that.
Paulie - Oahu
Paulie - st in Honolulu foor a year and two years in Pearl City
meeha/ece/tx - hi Jessica -- welcome to tonite's early childhood teachers' meeting (early edition!)
myrose - I've checked out a few books from the library.
Nee Nee - Hello Jessica
Jessica - Hi! Looks like we are talking about volcanos tonight?
myrose - Paulie, my neice is stationed on one of the ships in Oahu right now.
dink - use brown paper bags to let the kids make shirts and paint their own flower designs on them
meeha/ece/tx - Can you do some comparing -- fresh vs canned pineapple, coconut
Paulie - Brain dead can't think fo crafts from hawaii and I had kids in school, lead a Girl Scout troop and had boys in cub scouts too
Nee Nee - I was talking with some other people and wondering what reading levels most K kids are on.
Paulie - mmmmmmm
meeha/ece/tx - Hi Karen -- welcome to tonite's early childhood teachers' meeting (early edition!)
myrose - Jessica, do you have any good ideas for volcano art projucts?
Karen - Thanks mccha
myrose - That's a good idea, dink.
myrose - That's a good idea, too, meeha
Jessica - nope, sorry - volcanos aren't something we really have around "our parts" and it's not something I have taught a unit on - sorry
Jessica - Nee Nee - what "levels" do you "level" by?
myrose - THanks for the ideas, folks.
dink - or uae the bags and amke hula skirts for the girls
Paulie - My rose that is neat to ahve her over there -- nice place to visit expensive place to live
Karen - Does everyone prefer tables to desks?
meeha/ece/tx - how about a puddle of paint that the kids blow up ... using a straw ... like it is erupting ... then add the mountain and add a bit more paint for the kiddos to blow "down" the walls of the volcano
Nee Nee - Jessica, I'm refering to the reading levels DRA defines and many publishers refer to, Wright Group, Scholastic, Rigby. etc. Though I know there may be other scales out there too
Jessica - YES, I do Karen!!
dink - tables
meeha/ece/tx - Karen, I do -- but I work with younger kiddos (3 - 5)
Paulie - if u use a straw with paint blowing be sure to put a tiny cut hole in the top edge so that they don't suck in paint
Nee Nee - Tables here, Karen
tlc - definately tables!
Jessica - I guess those levels all confused me and were so different, so when I did level mine, I did it with Fountas and Pinnel's GR "leveling"
Karen - I've been in 1st for many years and needed to know for next year.
Paulie - Tables here too
Tigger1 - Hello, I am taking a teahing class @ a local college and I was wondering if anyone would like to answer some questions that I am supposed to ask a teacher 1) worst teaching moment?
Terri F. - jessica, I'm the same way- most systems have some sort of correlating chart to the more used leveling systems. I use reading recovery leveling and have found I can find levels for most anything I have
niki/pk - tables in my PK & when I taught K!
Paulie - Tigger when disruptive students don't let you teach or the class learn
Terri F. - I like tables
Paulie - I had a kid bring two knives to school
dink - cant say i have a worst
Karen - Tigger1--First day of school, I had a child throw up in MY SHOES.
Nee Nee - The levels we use correlate with the Reading Recovery program. Do you use those level Jessica or Terri?
Paulie - another got suspended for threatening to bring a gun
Paulie - that was in 4th gr tho
niki/pk - Karen, that's awful
Paulie - In your shoe? did you ahve it off?
tlc - Tigger, when a 2nd grader called me a bad name and ran out the back door!
Tigger1 - before I started teaching I wish I had learned?
myrose - I have no idea what level my children would be reading at. At the end of the year we test them, with, I cna't remember the name of the test! But it gives levels in terms of grades: Early 1st, Advanced 1st, etc.
Jessica - Random question here - do you experience major problems wtih parents or is it just my school. I am a first year teacher - I LOVE teaching and have wanted to be a teacher all my life. I am so frustrated wtih dealing wtih these parents that it makes me want to not be a teacher (rough day with a few parent problems) Why can't we just teach and do what is best for these kids!!!!! (thanks for letting me vent)
Karen - My shoe was on. Just a very good aim.
Jessica - I use the GR (Fountas and Pinnell) leveling
Paulie - Tigger, that politicians who know nothing about teaching control the schools
Terri F. - I level my books to the reading recovery. Wright group and rigby both have charts to translate other systems over. There is also a website that you can type in a book title and it will give you the level. The rigby sight will also give you a level for rr, or FP
niki/pk - jessica, are the parents too involved or not enough?
Paulie - o good Karen or bad maybe hehe
dink - more of what i would be teaching and not so many methods and theories
Nee Nee - Jessica, how are parents irritating you?
Paulie - what is the url for that leveling site Terri?
Karen - Jessica, there are always those that are unreasonable, but there are more that are very supportive.
Nee Nee - Terri, what level are most of your students reading at now?
Terri F. - hang on paulie, I'll look it up
Jessica - TOO involved - WAY too invovled. I had the opposite extreme in my student teaching last year (most parents were in jail, etc) and surprisingly, I liked that better I think. They didn't interfere as much!
niki/pk - Tigger- more songs & things to help with transitions, that was hard my 1st year.
meeha/ece/tx - Jessica -- I can't explain the process ... or why it work this way, but for some reason communication and collaboration clases with families are left to masters' level classes. Dealing with parents can be a tough challenge! Hold you chin up and be sure the parents understand you are working WITH them to help prepare their child for future successes
Paulie - Thanks terri
Nee Nee - Jessica, are you putting the parents to work?
niki/pk - Jessica, hang in there! The more experience you gain the more confident you will feel in dealing with the parents
Tigger1 - my biggest challenge as a 1st yr. teacher?
Jessica - Thanks for your positive comments. I do have wonderful parents too, but these challenging parents just get to me so (I'm irritated as I just got home and had four e-mails from a parent all ticked off. I'm just tyring to help her little boy, but she is getting so defensive, etc.)
Paulie - jessica only allow so many in the class at a time
meeha/ece/tx - niki is right, Jessica -- it will seem to get better as you gain skill and confidence a a teacher!
Paulie - any other volunteers do stuff at home
tlc - niki/pk, I agree. This is my third year teaching and i have so much more confidence when talking to parents, and I think it shows.
Jessica - Tigger1 - I'm living it - I have a TERRIBLE first year class! AHHHHHH! How many weeks to go!?!?!?
Jessica - oops - gotta go
Nee Nee - Jessica, I have games that my parents can play with the kiddos....in the hall. That helps
niki/pk - great idea nee nee
Jessica - (it's not the parents IN my room taht are bad. I have an important phone call so gotta run!) TTHANKS THOUGH EVERYONE
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, Jessica
niki/pk - bye jessica, keep us posted
Nee Nee - bye Jessica
myrose - I'm going, have a wonderful evening everyone! Thanks again for the Hawaii ideas.
dink - tigger-learning the small tricks to thing and learning everything to bring it to the level of the students to teach
tlc - Tigger, my biggest challenge was discipline & classroom mgmt. I had a terrible class too, but now I think I would handle it much better!
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, myrose -- enjoy your time 'on the islands'
Terri F. - here's the site for leveling books: www.beavton.k12.or.us then go to resources, then to leveling books database
dink - tigger - bring things to theeir level
Paulie - thanks Terri
Mary - EC/Kidergarten/Primary
dink - good luck
Terri F. - although it's a huge database, you won't find every title you own there- but it's a great place to get most of what you have leveled
Tigger1 - If I had 1peice of advice for any entering teacher, it would be?
Paulie - the url is not org? but just and or in it?
meeha/ece/tx - I think classroom management is probably the toughest skill new teachers have to master ... and they have to find what works bet for themselves! It truly isn't something you can just look in another teacher's room and learn!
Terri F. - yep- I check it, it's just or (not org)
Nee Nee - I was asking about the average level of other K classes because someone told me their school had the average K at level 8. I wondered if that was what most had. Obviously, mine are barely half that.
Paulie - I appreciate your thoughtfulness Terri
dink - beg, borrow, steal (Harry Wong)
Paulie - ok thanks Terri
Nee Nee - Thanks for the url Terri.
Terri F. - only 8 kids in the class? sign me up!! I thought I was doing great with only 20 (southern california)
tlc - Tigger, I would say to find a mentor that you trust and work well with. This is what saved me.
niki/pk - Tigger- if they have available professional development days, arrange to visit other classrooms (of same grade level) in other building to gather ideas
meeha/ece/tx - Harry Wong is a GREAT resource for new (and well-seasoned) teachers!
Paulie - Yes read harry Wong, The First Days of sSchool
Nee Nee - That is, 8 is their reading level average.
Karen - meeha -- you are right about Harry Wong!!
meeha/ece/tx - Tell new teachers: "Don't be afraid to ask questions, acknowledge limitations, and reach out! Find mentor who will support you, read -- study -- and don't worry about the mistakes (they aren't mistake, but lessons for the teacher!)
Terri F. - oops, sorry. My kids are about that too (using reading recovery system). I have 4 that are about a 11-12, but another 4 who aren't reading yet
Paulie - Terri u r so funny -- 8 kids in a class!!!! I will excuse it tho cause you were off getting that url for me
Nee Nee - Terri, most of your kids are at level 8?
Tigger1 - tlc? what did you teach your 1st year?
Paulie - Good advice meeha
Terri F. - brain death due to sat9 (nice message on a tombstone, don't ya think?)
tlc - For those of us who don't use rr, what does that translate to?
Paulie - good plan Terri
tlc - My first year was 2nd, then last year 1st and now I'm in K. Hoping to stay put next year
Paulie - you teach kids
Nee Nee - tlc, I don't know what to compare that to
Paulie - (and sometimes , yurself)
Karen - Has anyone done the DRA testing?
Terri F. - I think, not sure by any means, that should be about a level D (for level 8 we spoke of)
Nee Nee - Karne, I do the DRA
Tigger1 - my best teaching moment was? (I like your answers tlc)
Karen - Nee Nee, did you have trouble entering it into the computer?
Paulie - (guess it si time for the rest of us to stop helping out
Nee Nee - Karen, what level do your average kids test in at?
Tigger1 - I like all of your answers
tlc - Tigger, (thanks) the best moment was this year when a K student who has had a rough time this year read me a story last week. It was magic watching the light go on
Nee Nee - Oh, YIKES, Karen. We don't do it on the computer. We have to enter the information in on bubbles that is run through computers elsewhere
niki/pk - Tigger- there are a lot of great memories with the kiddos, but the day I got a copy of a letter a parent sent to my principal & superintnd. about her experience with her child in my room, when ever I get down I go back & read it still!!!!
meeha/ece/tx - Tigger -- every hug, every smile ... one 3 year old last year traced a word on a chart we were working on, when he finished he put the lid on the marker, drew his arm back-shot a fist up and said "Yes!" (he'd done a great job!)
Karen - Nee Nee, I am teaching first this year. Most of the kids are passing 16 and that is as far as they can go. Where do yours level in at?
Tigger1 - okay, last question, for now, if I had to do it all over again I would?
Terri F. - tigger1, in a heartbeat!
tlc - yes, yes, yes!
Nee Nee - Wow, Karen. I think I must be doing something wrong. My kids average in at level 4. Guess I better go back and rethink what I'm doing.
Karen - The computer keeps eating the information and we have to reenter it. It is frustrating when it takes at least 15 minutes each to enter.
meeha/ece/tx - it is WHO I am, Tigger -- I AM a Teacher, no question about it! I'd do it over and over and over!
Karen - Nee Nee -- remember that it is 1st graders. I think 4 is great for K.
meeha/ece/tx - Now, Tigger -- if you don't get all of this, you can visit http://www.teachers.net/archive in a day or two and the meeting transcript will be posted.
tlc - My kids average 4, too. Some much higher and some much lower
Tigger1 - thank you all for your help
Nee Nee - Tigger, I would enter my major in college first with education. I had too many other majors first. Trying to find something I could do that was financially gratifying though I know all along I wanted to teach.
meeha/ece/tx - This is the best attended ECE meeting I've seen in quite awhile! I'm glad you all came tonite!
Nee Nee - Oh Karen, THANKS.
meeha/ece/tx - Good luck, Tigger! when do you finish?
Terri F. - there is no perfect job. There are buerocrats (sp) in every profession. But I would never give up teaching
Nee Nee - tlc, mine are similar. I have a few that go higher and a few more that are lower
Terri F. - this is the first chat i've been too since summer- when i came here WAYYYY too often
niki/pk - This is the first meeting I've remembered to come to & am so glad I finally remembered
Nee Nee - Thanks meeha
tlc - I've enjoyed my first chat and will be back. Goodnight for now
Tigger1 - oh, i found another survey that I need to fill out these are questions refering to how much time teachers spend doing different task.
Karen - meeha - When you teach you get to do it over and over and over. LOL
Nee Nee - night tlc
meeha/ece/tx - Terri -- come back soon! (I've not been here often enough ... too busy wrapping up loose ends on my degree!
Terri F. - tigger, at home or at work?
meeha/ece/tx - Karen ... absolutely!
Paulie - every walking moment Tigger
Tigger1 - filling out forms: attenance paer, work from main office
Terri F. - thanks meecha
Paulie - way too much time doing paperwork for the office
meeha/ece/tx - On May 9th I write my last final, May 11 I "walk across the stage" and get my masters' degree!
Terri F. - way to go meecha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paulie - congrats meeha
Karen - congrats meeha
Terri F. - ask away tigger
Nee Nee - Congrats meeha *big pat on the back*
Tigger1 - 2) reading/correcting students work.
Nee Nee - meeha, what is your masters in?
Tigger1 - these are amount of time you spend @ work w these task.
Terri F. - I correct student work right there with the student. They don't take the paper home until it's correct and they understand how to do it. It's part of my teaching time.
Paulie - I liek to keep up on reading professional things-- magazines and books
meeha/ece/tx - Tigger -- I work in a special education preschool room ... about five minutes a day on attendance, 15 hours a year on c*umulative folders, 2 hours per c hild per IEP meeting! (I carry a load of 19 - 20 IEPs, probably do 30 meeting a year!)
Paulie - It takes forever to correct students work in upper grades -- easier in lower ones
meeha/ece/tx - Special Education, behavior interventionist
meeha/ece/tx - (I'll stay in the classroom!)
Nee Nee - wow Meeha, that's quite an accomplishment!
Tigger1 - how much time do you acually get to spend teahing in a typical day?
Terri F. - attendance- 5 min., grading is part of teaching time (not sure of time spent)
meeha/ece/tx - Year after next I hope to embark upon the journey toward my Ph.D. ... pursuing Early Childhood ... I want to train future teachers to do what I love so much now! ;-_
meeha/ece/tx - oops!
Paulie - Good luck Meeha!
meeha/ece/tx - thanks, Paulie!
Paulie - †
Nee Nee - Meeha, we need lots of wonderful teacher educators.
niki/pk - meeha, what is your bachelors in?
Terri F. - about 195 minutes. We start at 8:20 and end at 1:05. I teach every minute in the classroom. After class, there are meetings and such
meeha/ece/tx - NeeNee -- ECE educators ... esp. sped ... are few and far between!
meeha/ece/tx - niki ... home economics/teacher of young children
Paulie - and then there are the hours of preparation for thigns you want to do -- YOUR homework
Terri F. - be right back, need to find a child that is waaaayyyy too quiet
Nee Nee - Well, I'm glad I came in tonight. Nice chatting with everyone. Goodnight all.
Tigger1 - how much time do you spend teaching an individual? group? whole class?
meeha/ece/tx - I also have 8 years experience as a respiratory technician ... primarily experience in neonatal and pediatric intensive care.
niki/pk - meeha, how did you get into Sped with preschoolers?
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, NeeNee -- come back again soon!
Nee Nee -
meeha/ece/tx - niki -- I ONLY wanted to work with preschool/early elementary aged kiddos ... after I passed the 'generic sped' test in Texas I interviewed for my classroom and got the job -- now I can't imagine doing anything else!
meeha/ece/tx - (actually I slid over from a P-K class!)
Paulie - How much time you spend depends on the level of the student(s) and the topic and the individual states standards/curriculum -- Teach using Multiple Intelligences so vary small and whole groups
Terri F. - ok, child is fine. I'm not sure I can tell you exact minutes for that tigger. Each assignment is different. One day math may be a whole group hands on activity, the next day independant so I can do one on one for those who just didn't get it from the day before.
niki/pk - this is my first year with prek & I LOVE IT. But I also have one child who is sped & am wondering how I could get into sped PK, anything you think I should consider (for the future)
meeha/ece/tx - well, it is time for me to excuse myself ... almost bedtime
Paulie - bye Meeha
Tigger1 - how about duties (hall, lavatory, lunch, etc)
niki/pk - i am sticking with my class for now, but would like to keep my options open
Terri F. - great chatting with you meecha
niki/pk - bye meeha
Paulie - at our schools we had no out of class duties all aides did it
meeha/ece/tx - niki -- I went and talked with the peron who coordinated sped, who referred me to the program coordinator who had openings ... check with your sped director's office for openings, find out what your state's certification regs are, go for it -- a great job!
Paulie - Union fought for that
Terri F. - our k teachers have everyday recess duty for morning recess (20 minutes). We don't have to do yard duty for lunchtime however (yea)
meeha/ece/tx - bye all.
niki/pk - thanks meeha, have a great night!
niki/pk - night all, time for bed
Tigger1 - thats it, thank you for your help
Terri F. - sure tigger, anytime
Terri F. - well, guess I'm gonna go too. sure nice talking with you paulie
Later in the evening
PS - are u from the west coast?
chilllly - no...Ohio
PS - o then u r up late glad you dropped by
chilllly - you?
PS - what gr do u teach?
chilllly - I teach a 1/2 multi-age
PS - do u like that?
PS - I am not teaching this year -- moved from CA to WA and hoep to get a position here in K
chilllly - this is my 3 year doing it. i am getting tired
PS - Please excuse my typos
chilllly - of teaching the combined
PS - o any chance of getting single gr next yer?
PS - is the hardest part of multi-level?
chilllly - how does is look for you. No, I will be doing the same next year
PS - o well with that much experience, it should go well
PS - 't know I am on the curriculum committee for it so HOPE HOPE
chilllly - challlenging the students without frustrating them
PS - How many students do u have?
chilllly - 18...7 in 1 and 11 in 2
PS - understand I don't think I would want to/could teach multilevel
PS - did theey give u high first graders?
chilllly - I just had a student teacher. she came in thinking the same thing and finished loving it. NO, I have all levels...students learn from one another...my highs take care of the lows...they do not like to see classmates struggle
PS - great attitude wow u had a student teacher too!
chilllly - the planning just about killed her...staying at school 'til 8 or 9 a couples days each week
chilllly - that was her idea not mine... I left when my work was done
PS - wow
chilllly - this was my first day without her
PS - why didn't she take it home?
PS - o Did it seem strange?
PS - I taught 2nd grade one year and first also one year I loved 2nd!
chilllly - by my model... I do not take a lot of my work home. It is easier to do it at school. but, I can get all my work done in a lot less time
PS - oic
PS - so did she do well?
chilllly - I stay late on friday because of lesson planning for the next week
PS - good idea
chilllly - her university supervisor said that of all his st. teachers she came the furtherest
chilllly - I was very proud of her
Ei - Good evening!
PS - That is wonderful Chilly -- u were a good teacher for her
Ei - Don't want to interrupt your dialogue so just keep going.
chilllly - quiet meeting so far
PS - Where u from Ei? WA state here
Ei - California
chilllly - what do you teach?
PS - There were lots for the earlier one Think people aren't used to us getting this later time
chilllly - me... Ohio...first and second multi
Ei - There were only 2 of us last week.
PS - (kids)
Ei - It's late in Ohio!
chilllly - cute
PS - I had a meetign last week
PS - r at the beginning Boo was here too but left
Ei - I was enjoying your conversation about multi level.
PS - (I might teach a certain gr level -- but actually I teach kids)
chilllly - very late...I better go...take care
PS - bye Chilly Have good wek
Ei - Bye Chillly
Ei - I actually have lots to do so can't really stay. Hope to catch someone next week.
PS - So what exciting things are you doing in your classroom?
PS - Bye Ei
