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lynne - I want to create my own lesson plan pages on my computer.....has anyone ever done this?
kinderteacher - Lynne-I have done it in the past
Terri - I've created them before. I used microsoft word and using their feature of tables
kinderteacher - I created my own template in word
kinderteacher - other years I have done the whole thing on the computer.
cathie/NC/2 - microsoft works has a sheet you can use too for lesson plans and schedules.
lynne - kinder.....and Terri, in other words, just start with "blank document" and type it the way you want? I am a fairly new computer user!
kinderteacher - just did the things that never change and then copied them and wrote in the daily lessons that did change
lynne - cathie, what is it called???
cathie/NC/2 - click on teachers I think
lynne - that's kind of what I am thinking of kinder...thanks!
Terri - once you make or find a template, you'll love it. no more writing the stuff that never changes
cathie/NC/2 - Has anyone ever created a powerpoint or hyperstudio presentation for "meet the teacher night"?
kinderteacher - I used the tables feature to create a template and when I saved it, I saved it as a template, then could call it up when I needed more copies.
Terri - that's what I did too, kinder
kinderteacher - cathie-I have done a powerpoint presentation, however, I didn't have the computer hook up to actually do the slide show that night so I had to make overhead transparencies and used them. It made a great presentation.
Rhonda/2nd - Cathie, I would like to use both more this year, but I haven't yet.
Terri - that would make a good summer project ...to make your template
1G - i have just attended a wonderful 1st Grade teacher convention, it was great!!
cathie/NC/2 - what do you have to have on your computer to do powerpoint?
peachy/k/NC - What program do you use for your template, Kinderteach?
kinderteacher - to actually do an effective pp presentation, you need to have the hardware that will project what is on your computer onto a larger screen, then you can run the slide show in power point
JD/MA - Does anyone have any good suggestions for me as a first year teacher as to what i can do in the summer for the first year to go smoothly?
kinderteacher - For my template, I use MS Word, but any word processing program would probably work.
Terri - jd, really decide what your proceedures will be for everything from using the water fountain to turning in work. decide on your behavior system
1st - Terri-great bit of advice!! =)
cathie/NC/2 - Terri, what grade will you be teaching?
JD/MA - terri do you have any suggestions as to what references may help me
Annie - Do you have district benchmarks for kindergarten?
Stacy - JD you can always change just have something consistent
Terri - what grade jd? if kinder, plan on the first week practicing each and every proceedure (even walking in a line takes more time the 1st week)
1st - JD-I'd suggest Mr. Wong's "The First Days of School"..the book is very helpful.
kinderteacher - No benchmarks in my district (I wish we had some guidelines though
Terri - we have district kinder benchmarks
Terri - i was going to suggest that very same book!
Rhonda/2nd - Cathie, this is my first year in 2nd, what do you suggest?
kinderteacher - JD-you also need to find out what district/building policies are on some of the routines like bathroom, lunch, discipline, etc
JD/MA - I am not quite sure either a kindergarten, 2nd or third grade position.
Terri - kinderteacher, our benchmarks aren't all that great. They ask too much for lang arts and stuff not yet taught in math
Terri - jd, i might suggest a easy 1-2 week theme for the beg of school so that you have the time to practice those proceedures
1st - JD-You may also want to ask some other teachers about their procedures...don't assume that they will come tell you..
Cathie/2/NC - jd, I like to start with a theme on manners and citizenship. Then you can incorporate all your rules and procedures.
Terri - great idea cathie
Stacy - JD also might ask others for their schedules and look up on T net
1st - last year was my first year and they expected us (new teachers) to ask about things.
kinderteacher - Carson Dellosa has some great BB sets on manners and responsibility on a easily understood level
Terri - my big plan for summer is completely reworking my daily schedule
Addie /MO - will those of you who are new have a mentor teacher?
kinderteacher - Terri-that is what I would like to do-withing the confines of the building schedule
Cathie/2/NC - yes, jd, ask lots of questions and is this your first year? If so will you have a mentor?
kinderteacher - In NJ you have to have a mentor teacher for the first year
JD/MA - where would i check on the net under for schedules?
Addie /MO - in MO first and second year teachers have to be assigned a mentor by the school district
Stacy - LOL i don't ever think i'll finish reworking my schedule..I'm always changing :)
Terri - exactly k/teacher. i'm trying to add it and make better use of my center time
1st - mentors..same here, but the term is used loosely
Cathie/2/NC - JD. go to the chatboards. I think the classroom management has some schedules
Terri - addie, we also get mentors for 1-2 yr, but i only saw mine twice
kinderteacher - JD-it would also be a good idea to join one of the teachers.net mailrings for ECE/grade levels-you could ask there for specific schedules too
Addie /MO - but that doesnt mean that the new person shouldn't ask questions, sometimes it is hard to remember everything that a new person might need to know, so it is always important to clarify things you dont understand or ask for help
Stacy - I think on teachers net you can look on the boards and lesson plan area
Rhonda/2nd - That's exactly what I was thinking Addie.
kinderteacher - Terri-do you use Buiilding Blocks?
JD/MA - This is my first year and I am nervous because I don't have much to start off with and I am trying to think of things to make this summer.
Addie /MO - here your mentor has to be someone in your grade level or sub. area at your school. you see the person daily. but it depends on who you get how much the person is going to help you.
Terri - i have used parts of it, and would like to use all of it this year properly
Marg/K2/MA - JD, where are you in MA
kinderteacher - me too-I especially used the Name activities at the beginning and a lot of predictable charts
Addie /MO - when i was a mentor teacher, i usually waited for the person to ask, reinterating often that i was always willing to help with anything, but i didn't want to be too overbearing or make the person think that i thought my way was the only way to do things.
Addie /MO - i used parts of BB too. i really liked it. especially the names and the predictable sentences
Terri - i used the child of the day activities also and some of the predictable charts
Stacy - Jd also ask your administratator if he/she can reccommend someone at you site
Addie /MO - i wasn't crazy about the assessment. it wasn't detailed enough for what i needed to mark their report cards.
kinderteacher - Terri-they are releasing the Teacher's Guide to the Building Blocks this summer
Jen - I will be teaching 1st grade in fall first time, any suggestions for first week??
kinderteacher - Terri-they are releasing the Teacher's Guide to the Building Blocks this summer
1st - Addie-that's understandable..but as a new teacher I saw a fellow new teacher struggle with this...she wanted to ask, but her "mentor" made an issue out of her asking questions. It was somewhat intimidating for her.
Marg/K2/MA - My K class loved the name activities. Each day we drew a picture of a student. Very time consuming but worth it.
Addie /MO - when i was new, i also found another teacher that was kind and accepting to talk to. it wasnt my mentor teacher, who was an excellent teacher, but had her own way of doing things and really couldn't suggest alternatives. we were very different, so how she taught would have never worked for me.
Cathie/2/NC - I was thinking of planning a unit on the Olympics. Does anyone have any ideas for that, so I can work on it now?
Terri - idea to make this summer: put nursery rhymes or very familar poems/songs onto charts for a poem/song box
kinderteacher - they were still talking about the naming activities at the end of the year. Of course I kept the bb with the pics up all year
1st - Jen-I was in that situation last year...I made sure they understood their rules and procedures as well as the new things that were ahead of us.
Jen - A traditional first grade, for my intership I did a project child k,1,2
Addie /MO - 1st, that isnt right. are your mentors compensated? ours are not, but you can count it on "career ladder" which is a plan that you make and carry out and then you get a "bonus"
Rhonda/2nd - Cathie, there was a post on the primary board about Olympics.
Cathie/2/NC - ok, Rhonda, thanks
Addie /MO - cute, kinderteacher! i made a classbook out of their illustrations.
Cathie/2/NC - Addie, I am a mentor and get paid $100 a month.
Terri - i was thinking the same thing about the computer postings
Rhonda/2nd - Cathie, you might also try Newspapers in Education, if it is offered in your area.
Addie /MO - the person chosen as a mentor should want to help out the new teacher, not feel that they are an inconvenience.
1st - Addie-no they aren't paid for it, which may explain some of what occurred..
Peachy - Jen, do you have Pat Cunningham's book for ist grade?
kinderteacher - I even did my name at the very end-they made pictures of me which I made into a class book
Cathie/2/NC - Rhonda, as a 2nd grade teacher, what do you start the year out with?
Jen - no peachy is it good
Rhonda/2nd - This is my first year in 2nd, so I was wondering what you do? :)
Addie /MO - and, maybe if the mentors arent trained, they really dont know what to do either. other than helping the person out and answering questions, i really didnt know what else to do the first time through. fortunately, she didnt need much help. the second person i mentored i did a better job. we team taught some lessons together and i went over things with her more.
Cathie/2/NC - oh, sorry. I was thinking of an All About Me unit to get to know them and assess them in writing, etc.
Peachy - The one for kindergarten is excellent, so I imagine the one for first grade would be. Anybody used it?
1st - Addie-what grade do you teach?
Rhonda/2nd - That's what I've done in all the grades, so I think I'll most likely start there too.
Jen - well, I will check it out thanks
Addie /MO - i have taught kindergarten for 11 years, but next year i will be assist. principal
Cathie/2/NC - Addie, in NC, teachers have to take an extensive training to become a mentor and then we get paid
Rhonda/2nd - Cathie, have you ever had pen pals for your kids before? I'm planning on trying it this year too.
Jen - rhonda, I would be interesed in penpals, what grade?
Cathie/2/NC - Yes, Rhonda, that is fun. Plus Flat Stanley project is fun also
Rhonda/2nd - Jen, I'm in 2nd.
Addie /MO - the first time through as a mentor, i just did the things i would do as a "grade level colleague" just out of the goodness of my heart. i mean, it seems to me that the experienced teachers should go a little out of their way and help out the newbies, show them the ropes, etc.
Rhonda/2nd - Cathie, is Flat Stanley based on a book?
Addie /MO - cathie, that is good to have that training
rita/3ga. - Yes, Rhonda it is. I did the flat stanely project and it was soo much fun!
cathie/NC/2 - yes, it is based on the book
Jen - rhonda, I would be interesed in penpals, what grade?
Chloe - Does anyone use the Four Blocks Approach? I am reading up on it and want to start using it this year. Any advice on getting started?
kinderteacher - does anyone have a good source for predictable poems to use with the bb approace?
Peachy - Jen, having your poems and fingerplays on charts would be a big help.
JaneAnn - Hi, All! I just won a $970 grant from my school district to create a brain based PreK classroom. Any ideas?
Jen - I started putting them on already....I have first grade so don't think I could do it until october sometime
rita/3ga. - So does anyone have any new creative classroom themes besides apples, stars, bears and baseball. I looking for a theme. I thought about a rainforest theme.
Gina - If you have been to a four blocks training, did they talk about assessment with you?
Terri - kinderteacher, at different holidays i may use the sentence: I see the" or "I love", etc...
cathie/NC/2 - what do you start the year out with(theme,etc.)?
rita/3ga. - Jane ann, are you doing the higher scope curriculum?
rita/3ga. - I teach third and I usually just start out with letting the kids decorate and make the room comfortable for them.
JaneAnn - No, I have heard of High Scope, but I have no training of it.
Jen - where should I begin first grade?
Chloe - I went to one workshope on Four Blocks. I have the book. I like the premise. BUT I need to use it with our new basal. Assesment is a big question mark for me.
1st - becca-you teach first grade?? have you ever done pen pals with them?
Jen - I thought a unit about Me would be good
Gwen - I start with a transportation - we graph how we get to school and one on going home
cathie/NC/2 - Chloe, We just started using DRA's for assessments.
becca1 - I teach first, but have never done penpals
Jen - gwen what grade
Terri - chloe, that was my question, but others assure me that I can simply do the suggested activities based on big books my district dictates me to use
Chloe - I'm wondering what your report cards look like? We still have letter grades.
Jen - penpals sounds good to me for first grade if anyone is interested, in Oct sometime
cathie/NC/2 - Jen, we did penpals and we also chatted with our penpals on the computer over the AOL IM!
becca1 - I'm working on plans for next year using technology for shared reading. Does anyone else do this?
Rhonda/2nd - Does anyone have to teach their own computer class?
Katie - Becca1, that sounds great, I haven't tried that --
PenguinLady - Anyone teaching 4blocks now?
Jen - no, we have a lab but have to star test them
Jen - ca what do you do the first week
Jen - we start school on a wednesday this year
Rhonda/2nd - We have a lab, but we won't have a teacher this year. I don't really know where to start.
Gwen - I just completed my first year and school ended May 30. I can't stop thinking about it. Does anybody have the same problem. Is this normal?
Jen - Florida, and yes...I am anxiuos for the fall to get here but need a good break
Katie - I am the same gwen---ideas just keep going through my head---veteran teachers warned me this would happen
Rhonda/2nd - Gwen, part of being a teacher is that you never stop thinking about it. You never know when you'll get a great idea or find something wonderful for the classroom.
becca1 - Gwen, do you mean that you are thinking of everything that you want to do for next year? That's completely normal
First Grade - Rhonda-a good program to use is Type to Learn Jr. If you can get it on your network then the kids can go through the program and it teaches them the keyboard.
Rhonda/2nd - Thanks First. I do know that we have something like that with Mario.
Jen - are there free resources out there for teachers?
Gwen - Rhonda/Beccas/Katie = yes - I have planned a new room theme, rearranged my room in my mind, thought about a different reward system etc. etc.
Katie - Any suggestions about a reward system Gwen, I'm always looking for new ideas--
Rhonda/2nd - Jen, do you mean information or actual "things"?
bette/tx - jen yes there are free resourcaes check the chatboards and and also local business
bette/tx - jen there are lots out there...
Jen - actual things to use in classroom
pooh - I have gotten lots of ideas from the 4 block and third grade mailrings
Rhonda/2nd - Katie, I used play money when we did money in math. The best part was that I had the kids/parents send in all their old little toys -- all those kids meal things, etc. and then the kids shopped with their money. They loved it!
Katie - gwen---just make sure that you take some time forself---I think it is very important.
pooh - I was able to be with my two kids until they both graduated before I really hit the college hard.
First Grade - Rhonda-another idea I use for my first grade class is to assign a letter of the alphabet and they go into Kid Pix and write their letter (upper and lower case) and then draw a picture of something that starts with that letter and have them sign their name. I make a class alphabet book that they can look at in class. It is nice to have a simple project for them to do and then give them free choice.
bette/tx - jen yes there are sites go to yahoo and type free classroom items or to askjeeves site
Jen - I am not sure what managment system to use for first grade, I have seen many in use
bette/tx - pooh i worked partime till last yr to be there for my children and my youngest has some developmental delays
Gwen - What is everybody doing this summer?
Rhonda/2nd - Thanks First. We have kidpix. I'll be teaching 2nd, but I can use that too.
bette/tx - gwen... i will be doing pre-kindergarten this yr at a private school..
Katie - Yeah, I did something like that too!! What kind of things did you pay the kids for? This year, I only paid them for their jobs
pooh - Gwen, I have been trying to find ways to teach using themes instead of the school text
Rhonda/2nd - I'm trying to remember, I think when they didn't get their cards pulled they would get a dollar -- I can't recall if it was each day or for the week. This was a few years ago.
bette/tx - jen my director likes all teacher made items for the walls...
Cynjit - I am so happy, this will be my first year in 3 years where I will not be teaching a mixed age class.
Cynjit - I cant imagine just have one class all day. My frame of mind is so different.
Gwen - Pooh - where have you looked for art projects?
pooh - being my first year I am a little afraid of not covering everything that needs to be covered
Jen - I have been making lots of things, I have a third grade daughter who is helping add a kids touch to many of my teacher made things
Rhonda/2nd - Jen, you will be surprised what you can get for your classroom if you ask.
bette/tx - gwen mailbox has good ideas
pooh - I haven't really been looking for art. do you know where I can get some
Katie - great idea with the old toys---my friend and I bought lots of things to auction off---got quite exppensive!
Jen - But that's the thing, everyone I ask keeps saying not me.....
Cynjit - I havent decided how to set up my reading groups. This year I had 5. It was so difficult and hectic.
bette/tx - rhonda i had a bad group of parents this yr did not get any help or items for classroom...
Katie - Pooh---I think from my experience--it was practically impossible to cover EVERYTHING the first year
bette/tx - i am hoping in pre-kindergarten they are better than my kindergarten parents
Jen - Katie, one teacher I observed sold privleages, like sit in teacher desk, by friend and so forth...cheap
Rhonda/2nd - Jen, keep asking. Also, when you think of things during the year let the parents know. First grade parents LOVE to help out and give.
Katie - I teach 2/3 multiage and also had 5 reading groups---there has to be an easier way
Rhonda/2nd - You're right Bette. It's probably not always that easy. I guess you just keep asking Jen.
Cathie/NC - does anyone have a clever discipline plan? I have been using colors cards.
pooh - I want to add cooking into my teaching and involving parents.
bette/tx - rhonda i taugth kindergarten at a private school and i would have thought i would have gotten alot of parent help..no and on the other hand i am the room mom for my own child's room
Katie - It was a rough year---much harder than I had expected
bette/tx - pooh that is great if you get the items you need to cook with...
Jen - I made up a wish list of things and the other teachers at this school say the parents help so I am hoping
Katie - Not too far---do you think the multi-age thing works?
Cynjit - Are you going to be mixed age next year too?
Gwen - Cathie - this year I am giving out "moo Money" . They get money for completed homework and coming to school. They lose money for talking, not working, etc. etc.
bette/tx - jen i hope you get better than i did...
bette/tx - i even had to plan the parties...
Jen - Do your students share school supplies?
Katie - Yes-- no relief in sight---I only hope it gets easier
Cynjit - Well, The way my school runs, mixed age does not work. I think it could work with the right kind of planning.
Katie - rt---second year isn't going to be much easier because still all new curriculum
Jen - This is another little thing I am concerned about sharing versus using their own supplies
Gwen - Bette - did you have a title class?
Cynjit - How many kids did you have Katie.
Cathie/NC - gwen, I would like to teach them self control, without material rewards. do you think that is possible these days?
Katie - I like that idea gwen---how do you handle the money?
bette/tx - rhonda my room mom was in a terrible car accident in the hospital and not one took over.and i had parents that did not work...
Jen - We are a title one
Katie - When do you give out the money?
Cynjit - Same here Katie. Since the grades will be split next year, I have to rewrite the second grade curriculum.
bette/tx - gwen no i had a kindergarten class at a private schoool...were they pay to send their child..
Katie - I have 20 kids---9 gr. 2 and 11 gr. 3
bette/tx - gwen i am hoping this yr in pre-kindergarten i have a better group
Gwen - I plan to hand it out at the beginning of the day, but towards the middle I hope my student of the day will play banker. I want them to be able to exchange money - 5 ones for a five dollar bill etc.
Jen - I will have 26 in my class
Cynjit - I only had 14. But about half my class is ESL.
Katie - I try to save some time on fridays---and they need to tell me how they would like it---it was always hectic though
Cynjit - Are you in a private school Katie?
Jen - ouch, bette...just think things can only get better
bette/tx - rhonda thanks....like i said i work and did all the things for my own child..i could not go to the parties but my college age daughter help with them
Katie - No--public
Cathie/NC - I was thinking of giving them each ten points and see who can keep their ten points by the end of the week and later decrease it to 5 points. I do a treasure chest prize on Fridays for those who keep their points.
Rhonda/2nd - My son will be in K at my school this year. It will be really hard for me not to be a room parent, since I have had some wonderful parents.
Katie - What kind of prizes, Cathie?
Cynjit - How is your classroom set up?
Jen - Rhonda, just transfered my daughter to my school...
Jen - Kinda hesitant on that though
Rhonda/2nd - Jen, what grade will she be in this year?
bette/tx - katie..in my daughters it is like stickers.. and free ice cream at lunch time
Cynjit - Do you use centers? I am considering how to use them next year?
Katie - I basically teach them all the same, and try to cahallenge the 3rd and stay at level with the 2nd
Jen - 3rd, 2 doors down from me in a 2/3 multiage class
Jen - I used centers and really love them...I like to intergrate curriculum
Katie - I tried at one point this year---but it didn't go very well
Cynjit - Yah, thats what I did. I actually taught my 2nd graders 3rd grade language arts.
Gwen - I work in the same district as my children. They are really great about letting a aide sub for me so I can go to my children's school functions - I usually miss parties since they are at the same time as my room parties.
Rhonda/2nd - That sounds like our floor plan. We're a very small school. There will be lots of advantages, but other things to deal with too.
Katie - I have seen centers used so well at a first grade level---but I want to go to a workshop on using centers in a 2.3 class
bette/tx - gwen now i am moving down to pre-k and an aide i will be able to attend more of my daughters school things
Cynjit - What kind of centers did you have Jen?
bette/tx - katie sounds like a good idea..
Jen - I am sure...all in all I did what would be good for me and my first year teaching and the convience of her at same school helped
Katie - Yeah, Jen, I 'd love to hear about them
Cynjit - Have you seen the book "Teaching in a Multi-Age Classroom"? IT has some good suggestions for setting up a mixed age room?
bette/tx - katie i think folks think centers take away from teaching time
Gwen - Bette - that is great!
cathie/NC/2 - I order a treasure chest from Oriental Trading Company. It lasted all year last year.
Katie - who wrote the book, I haven't read it yet?
Jen - technology, textbook, listening, wordstudy, and book center....sorta the project child approach
bette/tx - i think folks think centers are just for playing
Gwen - Do any second grade teachers use centers? If so, what kind?
Katie - Oh, are there prizes included, cathie?
Cynjit - I think I got it from Addison Wesley, Katie. IT was a great resource.
cathie/NC/2 - yes, that's what is in it
bette/tx - gwen not at my private school ..teacher before me in kindergarten had no centers but toys and none in 1st or second grade..
Cynjit - Im not sure of the author. I let another teacher use it.
bette/tx - gwen our new director wants starting at 3 grade not to be selfcontained..
Rhonda/2nd - Gwen, I want to. What do you think?
Jen - Gwen, second grade teadher next door used same centers
Gwen - What do you do for those early finishers?
Cynjit - I want to too Gwen. I am looking for center ideas
Katie - Jen, where id you find--or what kind of activities were at the word study center?
Cynjit - I ve heard of writing/publisher centers, which sound like a great idea at 2nd grade.
Jen - either catch up work or reading time but usually rang a bell and if they weren't done it could be taking home for homework or finished at the end of week
Katie - good question gwen--I found that to be a problem
Gwen - Jen , I am hope to have a listening center, computer center, and a spelling center. I hope do use them for the children that finish early and as a part of reading tututorial time.
Jen - dictionary skills, phonics, language arts things...but then I would use the science and ss to intergrate
Katie - HOw ling did it take your kids to get used to the center set- up?
Cynjit - Thats how I plan to use them Gwen, as I work with individual reading groups.
Jen - They had a passport to keep any thing they needed to finish up....and my centers lasted only 20-25 minutes
Katie - did the noise level ever get too loud? How did you control it?
Jen - that way I could meet with a group a day and I explained centers every monday and from then on students ran them
Katie - Do you do guided reading groups?
Cynjit - Good idea Jen. Great suggestions.
Katie - What is a passport--like a folder?
Jen - at times they did, but during centers...I aloud for inside voices and if I could hear you at a certain part of room, warning then time out if needed
Gwen - Center time is basically individual work so I don't have problems with talking.
Jen - katie, yes passport was folder where they checked if they completed a center
Katie - HOw do you hold your students accountable for what they complete---my colleagues and I were having trouble with this
Jen - with the passport system
Katie - true--but what if they rushed and it was done sloppy---or....
Jen - they had to turn in what ever needed to be but each center had a captain that was responsible to keep everyone on task...at end of week,they did self assessment on their center time
Katie - Wow Jen, that sounds great---and this was your first year??
Jen - it worked for me and I plan to keep using them
Katie - What grade was this again?
Jen - I took over in the middle of year
Jen - first
Katie - super job!
Katie - follow the previous teachers plan or did you start these yourself?
Rhonda/2nd - Jen, I'm truly impressed. Can you tell me how you did the self assessment at the end of the week?
Jen - That is why I am anxiuos now, I know what first graders look like in middle but not sure thier abilities beginning of year
Rhonda/2nd - Well Jen, I think you just see how this group is and then decide when to start the centers. Every class is so different.
Katie - Well, I am sure you have seen some of the lower first graders, and that is probably what most are like in the beginning---but you wil need to instate all of the expectations--which I am sure you wil do fine--after such a great experience
Jen - thanks, a little bit of both she had centers but didn't have accountability or managment down....end of week was great to some extent because we talked about what they liked and didn't what worked and didn't
Gwen - Rhonda - what reading series do you do?
Katie - How long did you have center time each day?
Rhonda/2nd - We have Treasury of Literature, by...I can't think of it right now.
Katie - Were they always the same five with different activities?
ddteacher - I teach developmentally delayed kindergarteners which means that they have a wide range of delays and physical disabilities. I teach in Mississippi
Jen - 30 minutes but actual, 20-25 minutes of engaged learning
Katie - so 30 minutes a day--meaning 1 center a day?
Jen - yes, I wanted to rotate students to mix groups but this was working well and I didn't need any more stress amoung
Jen - yes, each group went to one center daily and at end of week they would have gone to all five
Rhonda/2nd - Gwen, what reading series do you use?
Katie - Hmmmm...things to think about---I was trying for about 1- 1.15 hours---too much time, three times a week
Gwen - We are going to Harcort - new adoption this year.
Cynjit - dd, do have any experience with children with other delays or disablilities? I have a question about an adhd child.
Gwen - Does anyone use the Saxon Math program?
Rhonda/2nd - We adopt next year. I'm glad, since I'll have a year in 2nd by then to help make the decisions.
ddteacher - Yes Cynjit. I have been teaching dd for the last 7 years and love it more than the other grades that I have taught.
Rhonda/2nd - Gwen, I had to go check since the book is on the dining room table, which is never a dr table, but an extension of my classroom. Ours is Harcourt Brace too.
Jen - thanks, borrowed ideas are the best
Katie - Yeah---he was my most frustrating and most loved student this year
Cynjit - can you give me some advice on adhd children integrated into the classroom
Gwen - Did you teach from it last year?
ddteacher - Do you have an example of a situation?
Rhonda/2nd - No, I taught 6, 7 & 8 Lang. Arts.
Cynjit - I am not teaching her next year and am very worried about her? What can I implement next year or suggest to the next teacher to keep her on task?
Gwen - Rhonda is this your first time in the "lower" grades
Rhonda/2nd - Gwen, I taught 1st before moving to middle.
Cynjit - She worked for me becasue she is attached to me..Ive been teaching her for 2 years. Now she is going into 4th gra de.
Katie - oh---I am sure you will miss her---will she be nearby?
Katie - I wil have mine for one more year!
Cynjit - Yes, but I am not sure if the teacher coming in will have patience with her.
Katie - Patience is such a necessity for these adhd children--maybe tell her some of the things you did that were successful----
Katie - Maybe even arrange a lunch/ special time together nexxt year to see how thhings are going for her
Cynjit - I cant think of really practical things....All I can think of is, love her:)
Cynjit - Good idea Katie.
ddteacher - To keep the adhd child on task, the new teacher to create an office for the child where her supplies and work are kept, and so that other non-ADHD students are not "jealous" other offices should be made as well for independent study. Vary the activities (sort of like centers) for the nonADHD stu
Cynjit - Good idea dd. Thanks. Maybe we'll chat again. I look forward to it.
