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Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi! Is anyone here?
Paulie - hi meeha
Jeanne/ece/tx - Sorry I"m late -- had to get new "shoes" on my car tonite -- took longer than I expected!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi, Paulie! How are you this evening?
Paulie - cold . . . and we don't even get any snow like the east coast
Jeanne/ece/tx - It is cold here in TX, too! (But no snow where I am!)
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi, Carol! Welcome to tonite's early childhood chat!
Carol/pre K/WI - Hello to all
Carol/pre K/WI - jeanne describe cold it has a different meaning in WI
Jeanne/ece/tx - Well, tonite we have set aside to talk about "December activities" ... I'm ready to leave the turkeys behind!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi ginger -- Welcome to tonite's early childhood chat!
Carol/pre K/WI - hi ginger
Paulie - we had 27 degrees today frost on window panes but no snow
Paulie - hi Ginger
Jeanne/ece/tx - Carol, I understand that completely! It is rumored to go as low as 20 degrees here this evening -- that is REALLY cold for TX ... especially in November!
Jeanne/ece/tx - (I remember -50 one winter while living in MI ... but Texans have "thin blood" ... don't handle "cold" well. I know that "cold" is relative, though!
ginger - ec primary chat
Carol/pre K/WI - I agree our low will be low twenty's tonight but we accept that for Nov
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi, Angela -- welcome to tonite's early childhood chat!
Angela - We are talking about Dec. activities?
Jeanne/ece/tx - yes, Angela.
Paulie - hi Angela
Angela - Oh, I forgot to be polite (rough day)! Hello, everyone!!
ginger - hello yes it got cooler about 50
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tonite we'll talk about December activities ... what do you all have planned?
ginger - my blood is thin in houston
Paulie - {{{{{Angela}}}}} then tomorrow has got to be better . . .
Jeanne/ece/tx - Our theme for December will be "WINTER WONDERLAND" ... we'll do activities with ice, snow, cold ...
ginger - i'm doing the gingerbread boy for the first week
Jeanne/ece/tx - (((Angela))) sorry you had a rough day.
Angela - Paulie, I am doing a long term sub in 3rd...NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!! Yeah!
Jeanne/ece/tx - That will be fun, ginger!
Jeanne/ece/tx - WE're off tomorrow, too!
Paulie - o well that is a nice break then Angela
ginger - kindercorner.com has good ideas i just got
Carol/pre K/WI - The last two days have been rough for me I'm so glad tomorrow is the last day this week
Paulie - well there will be a tomorrow . . .
Jeanne/ece/tx - Have a Penguin and Polar bear unit planned for January, so we probably won't go there yet ... but if we need to, then we'll figure out something new for those two weeks in January.
Jeanne/ece/tx - Carol, what's happening?
Angela - I was thinking of Celebrations Around The World & maybe some penguins.
Paulie - {{{{{Carol}}}}}} it has to be then . . .
Jeanne/ece/tx - Celebrations around the world will be fun, Angela!
Angela - Are we ready for Dec. & crazy kids?
aggie/1/ca - Hi everyone.
Paulie - what kind of celebrations?
Paulie - hi aggie
Jeanne/ece/tx - (((((Aggie)))))
ginger - hi aggie
aggie/1/ca - (((((((Jeanne!))))))))) Nice to see you here!
Jeanne/ece/tx - December yes, crazy kids, no!!!!! We'll keep things pretty low-key in my classroom most of the month!
aggie/1/ca - Same here, meeha.
Angela - I have a book called Celebrate Christmas Around The World. I also want to talk about Hanukkah & maybe Kwanzaa..if there is time!
Jeanne/ece/tx - What is everyone doing for holiday gifts for children to give parents this year?
ginger - do you have good websights for christmas around th world
Paulie - Hannuka already started I thought?
aggie/1/ca - Scholastic News usually has some neat stuff on festivals of light in December......unfortunately.......I can't FIND my Scholastic News!!!
Carol/pre K/WI - the kids have more energy than I have seen all year
Jeanne/ece/tx - Angela, on the Barney Christmas CD there is a song called "Twinkle Time" -- it is a great way to talk about all three of the "major" December holidays!
Angela - Hanukkah is this week..the day after Thanksgiving(??).
Paulie - o
aggie/1/ca - Jeanne----- I'm doing my usual calendars plus I got some cute snowman picture frames for the kiddos to decorate from Oriental Trading. I'm gonna take pics of them w/my new digi camera.
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hmmm ... Paulie, I've not seen the calendar -- it sometimes starts really early and other times it falls really close to Christmas.
Paulie - then it should just be dec holidays around the world?
aggie/1/ca - Let me see if I can find the date for Hannukah......brb!
Jeanne/ece/tx - aggie -- we finished our calendars today ... they have been laminated, trimmed, bound and are ready for wrapping!
Angela - Ginger...I posted on one of the boards (primary???) and someone gave me a long list of sites for the upcoming season!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Paulie --even ... "December, a festival of lights!" Every December holiday has candles or special lights as a part of it!
Carol/pre K/WI - in our programs we are not suppose to celebrate Christmas, Holidays ect .... unless all the parents agree.
ginger - we do finger prints to make a tree with tile then put their picture on the back
Paulie - How sad all the stores get to overplay Christmas and schools can't even mention it
Angela - Since I'm a long term sub, I'm going to have to investigate what holidays are celebrated in Dec..
aggie/1/ca - OK----- according to AskJeeves, Hannukah begins this coming Friday.
Jeanne/ece/tx - Carol, in my classroom we don't "celebrate" the holidays, we explore the concepts -- I do address as many different cultural activities and concepts as we're able --
ginger - thanks angela
aggie/1/ca - I mention it every year, Paulie. It's historically accurate to tell the true meaning of Christmas.
Jeanne/ece/tx - ginger, that will be pretty!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi, sue -- Welcome to tonite's early childhood chat!
aggie/1/ca - Hi sue.
Paulie - see so it is too late to talk about hannuka that should have started last week -- prep for it but gosh that is religious holiday too so why can u do it and not Christmas
aggie/1/ca - Hi Tina.
Jeanne/ece/tx - 'evening, TIna! Welcome to tonite's early childhood chat!
Paulie - hi Tina
Paulie - hi Sue
sue - I do a gingerbread unit to get around the christmas issue
Tina - Hello! Sorry I'm late
Carol/pre K/WI - We not even to do the exploring without parent agreement
Tina - First time on , and I'm late...Well that's me
ginger - its the 4 inch tile that you get at home depot
Paulie - Sue do u use ginerbread baby from jan Brett?
aggie/1/ca - I do, Paulie. I've never ever had a problem with it because I present it from an historical viewpoint.
Angela - Since I have older children (age wise...not maturity) I am going to do an idea someone gave on the main board...notecards
Jeanne/ece/tx - Paulie, if the first night of Hanukkah is this Friday, then it won't be over until Dec. 8th or 9th ... you can talk about it next week ... Hanukkah is an 8-day holiday.
sue - paulie- it's a 4 week unit-- traditonal, jan bretts, and cajun gingerbread
Paulie - what kind of note cards?
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina, glad you're here!
ginger - i've planned gingerbread unit too
Angela - Tina, you've never stopped by??
Paulie - I know it is jeanne but you don't wait til Christmas to talk about Christmas so I think fi you are really doing all u should start early with hannuka
Tina - No, first time...I'm excited to get nw ideas
aggie/1/ca - sue---- cajun?????? Gingerbread men w/tabasco sauce????
Paulie - I keep forgettign about the cajun one I got to get that book
aggie/1/ca - where ya from, Tina?
sue - but I also do christmas related activities as well as introducing hannukah and even kwannza
Angela - Paulie, the idea was to use thin black markers and draw a picture, photocopy to make notecards=size 1/2 reg. size paper & tie w/yarn & wrap w/tissue!
Tina - Tx...Chilly Tx tonight
Jeanne/ece/tx - aggie -- do your children do a picture for each month for their calendars ... on one picture and the calendar pages for the year stapled below?
sue - aggie- it's cute, he runs through the bayou
aggie/1/ca - Oh! I saw that, Angela! Cute idea!
Jeanne/ece/tx - How many Texans are here now?
Paulie - oic and they draw anything or have a theme for these notecards?
ginger - i'm in houston
Tina - Me too!
Paulie - WA here
Angela - I'm in chilly Massachusetts...where a snow storm is expected tomorrow for Thanksgiving travel!
sue - ginger- there are some great unit on line, too that I integrated with mine
Jeanne/ece/tx - Last year we worked with the kiddos on patterning and following directions -- we made a hanukkah chain, a kwanzaa chain, and a christmas chain! LOTS of color over our snack area when we were done!
aggie/1/ca - Jeanne----- the pages are from a book of calendars I got YEARS ago from evan-moore---- there is a seasonal pic at the top and the kiddos fill in the numbers. Great number writing practice!
Tina - I would love to hear about the cajun gingerbread man...is it a book or just a story
sue - my first activity is making countdown chains
ginger - you can get it on amazon
Angela - Paulie, I guess you can do anything! I might even have a stencil for some. The boys like action figures w/swords...parents won't be impressed!
aggie/1/ca - I'm in SoCal where it was almost 80 degrees today! I had the a/c on in the room this pm.
Tina - I'm doing a gingerbread man theme the second week in Dec.
sue - tina- it's a book-- do a search on Amazon. I'm horrible with author's names
Angela - Tina, what do you teach?
Tina - Ahhh! I wish it was 80 degrees. I'm not used to this 40 degree weather
aggie/1/ca - Do y'all have a Christmas music program?
sue - tina- don't forget your cinnamom playdoh
Tina - I will! Is it called cajun gingerbread man
aggie/1/ca - Hi Just me!
Paulie - Angela, tell them to make soemthing parrents will like on a certain theme that will not include swords/action figures
Tina - Pre-K
Angela - Hey, Just Me! How are you tonight?
sue - aggie- no we have breakfast with santa instead
Paulie - hi Just me missed you {{{{{{just Me}}}}}}}}
Tina - Yes! I have that down
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi, JM! Welcome to tonite's early childhood chat!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Glad you made it!!!
sue - tina-- I;m Pre-K, too!
Tina - Isn't it the best age
aggie/1/ca - We have a huuuuuuuge Christmas program that goes on for most of a day! The parents are hanging from the ceiling......*sigh*
Angela - I guess I was confused...thought it was a EC-Primary Chat!
Just Me/Mi - Hi everyone, sorry I'm late
Jeanne/ece/tx - Cajun Gingerbread Boy, author Berthe Amoss
Paulie - Angela iit is
aggie/1/ca - Oh gosh! I have near adolescents then! I tech first grade!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Angela -- it is the EC - Primary chat!
aggie/1/ca - make that "teach"
sue - aggie- what are you doing/
Angela - So are my kiddos too old?
Paulie - Angela u r welcome too
Jeanne/ece/tx - Angela -- 3rd graders are at the top end of the spectrum, not too old!
aggie/1/ca - sue----- we are doing "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in sign language.
sue - tina- LOL! not this year. my class thinks they are in high school
Tina - yes...I think all ideas can be used by all aged kids...just adapt
Just Me/Mi - We have our first snow! It's a dandy! Possibly 6-12 inches of "Lake effect"
Paulie - aggie how long does it take to learn it/the songs
Tina - I have a few like that too!
Angela - This will be my 1st "holiday season" in a primary classroom.
sue - aggie= each grade level takes a PTO meeting for the yr. PreK is Feb
Tina - But it seems they are just begging to learn
aggie/1/ca - We practice about 20-30 minutes a day, Paulie.
Paulie - aggie so u have it down and just teach the kids?
sue - tina- they are little sponges. but this group had picked up a lot of bad habits from home-- cursing, hitting, gang signs, seriously bad attitudes
aggie/1/ca - sue----- I have to do some songs then, too. The whole school gathers on the playground on Mondays for what we call "Opening". It's songs, announcements, etc.
Paulie - u already got the snow Just Me? I am soooo jealous we had 29 degrees and frost ont he windows today but no snow coming
Jeanne/ece/tx - I'm not "big" on preschoolers and kinder kiddos doing programs in front of large groups ... really wish we could video-tape their singing for "graduation" or end-of-year "awards" and let them sit in parents' laps!
Angela - Any crafty ideas? I just did turkey writings & what I am thankful for speech bubbles. I'd really like some craft ideas!
Paulie - hi Becky
Paulie - Amber
aggie/1/ca - Yes, Paulie---- I've done both of these songs before. There are 4 first grade classes (out of 8) performing together.
sue - jeane- my kids did a great thanksgiving program
aggie/1/ca - HI Becky and Amber!
Paulie - great aggie
aggie/1/ca - Angela----- have you seen angels made w/feetprints and hand prints? They are adorable!!!!
sue - angela- do a web search and there's tons of ideas
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi, Becky and Amber! Welcome to tonite's early childhood chat - Primary chat!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Aggie -- I've seen that angel! beautiful, isn't it?
sue - we did that as reindeer aggie
BeckyME - Hi!
Paulie - bet they are aggie
aggie/1/ca - Jeanne---- I do them every year! My own mom comes in to help w/the footprints.
Tina - For Christmas presents for parents this year, we are making snowmen handprints on oranments
aggie/1/ca - and you know what???? I've never, ever had a parent comment on them.....
Just Me/Mi - about 3-4" so far but it's really coming down!
sue - angela- we made stationary for the parents by using colored stamp pads and jungle animal stamps
Angela - I know,plan to look on the web the next few days for Dec. ideas! I just found out a few days ago the teacher wasn't coming back until after Christmas vacation!!!
BeckyME - I'm celebrating my National Board Certification. Just made public today. Very Cool!
Paulie - Is that those blue ornaments I hear about I don't understand what u do
aggie/1/ca - Tina------ those sound cuuuuuuute! I'd like to see them!
aggie/1/ca - Cool, Becky! Congrats!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Angela -- the kiddos can draw a snow picture on dark paper using chalk or light crayon, do a 'wash' over with epsom salt water : 3 cups epsom salt: 1 - 2 cups water, boil until dissolved, paint when cool
sue - is that fluffy paint on clear bulbs?
Paulie - congrats Becky
Jeanne/ece/tx - YEA, Becky! congrats!
BeckyME - What's happening?
Tina - Paint the child hand white and place a plastic ornament in their hand, and tell them to squeeze gently, use a paint pen to drw on details
sue - becky-- me, too!!!!!
Angela - Sue, great idea....I have lots of stamps & colored ink pads. I'll have to dig through my supplies! Thanks!!!
Tina - I have the address where you can view them if you like
sue - becky- here's to a new NBCT!!
Paulie - Tina and how does that make snowmen?
aggie/1/ca - You got it, too, sue?? Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!
BeckyME - Thanks!
Paulie - yes Tina please
Angela - Becky...congrats!! Are you expecting snow in ME? We are here in Massachusetts!
Jeanne/ece/tx - JM -- school tomorrow???
aggie/1/ca - I'd love to see them, Tina! Can you post the addy?
sue - aggie- got that and my new job as Pre-K resource teacher!
Angela - Sue, CONGRATS!!!!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Sue -- congrats!
aggie/1/ca - WOOOOO-HOOOOOO, sue! A good week for you, eh?
BeckyME - I guess we are going to get a little. I think they are just predicting flurries.
Paulie - Conn does not have school so why would Mass?
Carol/pre K/WI - way to go Becky
sue - thanks yall-- a great week!
Angela - Double Congrats, Sue!!
BeckyME - Sue, are you NBCT, also?
Tina - www.kinderteacher.com...I think Under Christmas or maybe Winter
Carol/pre K/WI - you too sue
sue - becky-- sure am!
aggie/1/ca - Cool, Tina! I'll brb.
Just Me/Mi - I do snow pictures using Ivory Soap Flakes. The kids draw an outdoor picture, then they add "snow". To make the "Snow" I just add a little water to the soap flakes and whip it with a whisk. It smells great.
Tina - Great Sue! !!!!!!!!
BeckyME - Are you EC_GEN?
pez - Hi everyone
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi, Pez -- Welcome to tonite's early childhood chat - Primary chat!
Tina - I tried that and mine wouldn't stayed fluffy..what did I do wrong
Just Me/Mi - be right back - phone call
Angela - pez, welcome! What's your plan for Dec?
sue - I was amazed. 8 certified in my district. three were at my school. three were good friends at other schools and 2 middle school folks
Tina - Welcome Pez
pez - Just remembered it
Jeanne/ece/tx - Just Me ... we're t hinking about the Ivory Snow sculptures ... I'm just not sure the sculptures would e ver make it home intact!
sue - hey pez-- got any good christmas ideas?
BeckyME - I am the only one in my district. It's an awesome status. I'm the only one to ever try it.
Angela - Anyone make Stars of David out of popsicle sticks?
sue - what about ivory snow soap balls?
BeckyME - I wanted to see if it was doable.
Jeanne/ece/tx - I've made candles from paper-towel or toilet paper rolls -- cover roll with construction paper, add a tissue-paper "flame" in the center ...can be really pretty for holiday decoration.
pez - Angela, we're working on our calendar handprints for the parent gift. I like to take traditional holiday stories and plan activities around them. Especially the Polar Express
BeckyME - I make a star of david with construction paper.
Jeanne/ece/tx - Angela -- that is a GREAT idea! We've got lotsa pop. sticks!
Tina - How about gift giving...Are your kids allowed to exchange gifts?
sue - Here's one I used to do with K-- might work for you angela
aggie/1/ca - http://kinderteacher.com/ Look under December activities!
Angela - So, some of you are already working on holiday gifts for parents???
aggie/1/ca - Those teachers work in my county!
Tina - like it's getting to be more of a hassle every year
aggie/1/ca - ((((((((((((((((((((Pezzzzzzie!))))))))))))))))))))
pez - (((((((((((((((((((((aggie))))))))))))))))))
sue - make a cone shape pattern with scalloped bottom. cut 2 shapes from red felt.
Tina - Yeah! I love there site! So many good ideas!
Angela - Thanks aggie! I saw a star of david w/colored glitter...my kids would love to do ANY craft project.
sue - Cut out the middle of one of the shapes, side to side. glue the edges together.
Paulie - I could not find the ornament snowmen on that site
pez - I haven't made a star of David with my kids in years. I had a parent get very upset because she said it was a religious symbol. So...
Tina - Hmmm. let me check
sue - inset a folded paper napkin to create a santa bear in the open space. add eyes
aggie/1/ca - You couldn't, Paulie? I did! Did you look under "Teacher Resources" and then "December activities"??
Angela - What happened to Carol?
Jeanne/ece/tx - I don't know what our campus policy is regarding students exchanging gifts ... we don't in my classroom. The kiddos make stockings (or mittens or hats or ..... d epends on theme), teachers and parents who want to do so contribute small gifts to them. Parents send same item in for all children (((or maybe different for boys and girls, but similar for all children)
sue - pez- i was thinking the same thing. we talk about hannukah and read toby belfer
BeckyME - It was a weird grant through the Maine Math and Science Alliance. Frogs in space. We had to learn about frogs on earth and design a habitat for them to survive at the International Space Station. It was the coolest project I have ever done in my whole teaching career. NB didn't like it. It was my lowest score.
Paulie - it would not open
BeckyME - Oops! That was for Pez
Carol/pre K/WI - I'm back trying to catch up on topic
pez - sue, we talk about hannukah, but i just have the kids make a dreidel
Angela - I guess I need to ask at school about ALOT of things! My school population is VERY LOW socioeconomically!
pez - Becky, go figure
aggie/1/ca - Mine is, too, Angela.
sue - angela- can't be worse than mine- we're 98.6% free lunch.
BeckyME - We do a unit on Celebrations around the world to see why children are excited. Learning about religious diversity isn't the same thing as asking someone to believe as you do.
pez - Our kids have a book exchange instead of gift exchange.
Carol/pre K/WI - we have no exchange I teach head start
Angela - Aggie, the school I'm subbing @ has a 43% free/reduced lunch population!
Tina - Paulie I can e amil you a pic if you want. I have it on file
BeckyME - 98.6%!!!! Is that possible? Where are you?
sue - becky- I agree but I don't think making a star of david is appropriate
Angela - You beat me aggie! Do you ever have children who steal? (Off topic I know!!)
aggie/1/ca - Angela----- ours is more like 75-80% free/reduced.
sue - pez- I love that idea!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Angela -- the other way I've done gift exchanges is to ask families to send in $1 or 2 so we c an buy gifts for kiddos ... some parents nothing, others send extra ... school (or I) make up difference to buy golden book or similar gift for each child.
sue - becky- suburb of new orleans and it is
Tina - A book exchange..That'sa thought
Angela - Oops, sorry aggie...got mixed up w/numbers!
pez - We talk about celebrations also. We read the Legend of the Poinsettia and we'll make poinsettia necklaces and plants etc., we learn about sweden etc
aggie/1/ca - Angela------- I've had that in year's past but I don't have anyone like that now.
sue - we only have 8 kids who pay for lunch- everyone else is free or reduced
Angela - We just had the opportunity to buy books from Troll & Scholastic..one child brought in a 95 cent book order!!!
Tina - I have talked to other teacher who have their kids buy gift for the whole class to use
Angela - sue, what's the school population?
pez - sue, the parents usually go to big lots or the dollar store and they can buy nice books for a reasonable price. We set a 3 dollar limit, usually parents will spend a few dollars more
sue - 565 kids
aggie/1/ca - Oh, I've had that LOTS of times, Angela! And I'll bet it was a whole handful of change, right?
Carol/pre K/WI - Angela what about stealing were you wondering
Angela - Wow! This school has about 850-875.
BeckyME - When we learn about Hannukkah, we explore symbols of their celebration. We do the same with Kwanzaa, La Befana Day and others around the world. The religion piece is sticky, but I find if I keep the focus on geography and traditions I don't get in trouble. Even Jehovah Witnesses don't object.
sue - pez-- I stopped doing that. the only christmas the kids have is from the teachers
Angela - No, it was a buck! I felt bad for her, because she missed the last book order. (The sub before me didn't process her order!!)
Tina - I just receive Jan Brett's New book "Who that knocking on Christmas Eve and was wanting to find some activities to do with it?
aggie/1/ca - OK------- I'm off! G'night y'all.
Jeanne/ece/tx - Becky, that is a great way to handle the "winter holidays" ... kind of a cultural exploration ... and we all need to know what others think and believe ... to enhance world understanding and peace!
sue - it's going to be strange this year because I will do the kids Christmas from me before I leave
Jeanne/ece/tx - 'nite, aggie -- thanks for being here!
aggie/1/ca - Sure, meeha!
Angela - I was wondering if in the low socio. school, they found stealing a problem? My 3rd graders have stolen out of the desk, from on top of my desk, & from each other since I came 2 1/2 weeks ago!
Tina - See ay! Stay warm!
pez - I've had to make a rule in my classroom that no one goes into the backpack area without permission
sue - angela-- not really, just depends on the kids
BeckyME - It works out well and it's a great way to channel that preChristmas energy into learning. The unit is fast-paced and intense.
Angela - I made the rule that if stealing happened again...everyone stays in for recess for a week!! I'm not sure if I'll use it next week, but I should!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Becky -- it sounds like it is intense!
BeckyME - Stealing is my least favorite issue to deal with.
sue - angela- I seldom have problems. Of course I make a very big deal out of it.
sue - We have the DARE officer come visit and talk about stealing
Angela - I know who they are, but they deny it!
Tina - I haven't really had any problems, Of course I have a rule, all backpacks are off limits until the end of the day
Angela - Well, I know we got off topic!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Angela -- the stealing that happens ... money, pens, paper, what?
BeckyME - I really have to check my energy level before I begin that unit. I've decided to do it this week. I will start on Monday and we have just 15 days.
sue - I have had them stuffing playdoh, cars, toys and books into pockets. one stole rice from the rice table by stuffing it in her underwear1
BeckyME - Oh, my!
Tina - Becky-That's a lot to cover in a short time...Hats off to you!
Angela - I've had the classroom teacher's candy stash stolen, a new sharpened pencil, a pencil sharpener disappeared for a day & 1/2 (came back broken) & lost an answer key to a spelling paper!
BeckyME - That's discouraging!
Angela - Becky, what grade do you teach?
sue - the other PK teacher had a child steal the ball out of the mouse
BeckyME - second
pez - need to go, Sorry so short, bye all
Jeanne/ece/tx - Our December unit will be Winter Wonderland ... we'll do "ice skating" with plastic bags on kids' feet ... practice walking on "snowflakes" (laminated snowflakes on floor) to "Walking in a winter wonderland", we'll make snow crafts, talk about the winter holidays (lights, candles, scents, sights, sounds, etc.)
Angela - I figure they must of needed these things more than I did!
Tina - I went to a seminar once, and the woman giving it had a great idea about stealing from class. She said she tells her kids that if there is something in the class, that they absolutley cannot live without, (She said such as teddy bear counters) Then to come to her and she would find a job for the child to do to work for them
BeckyME - Sue, this is starting to sound comical. It's really bizarre!
Angela - Becky, second is such a great age.They are still young enough to be impressionable, but yet can be independent!
sue - becky- this group is really a wild bunch. truly street kids.
BeckyME - Bye, Pez! Good luck!
Tina - Oh , I lve the ice skating idea! I have to do that!
Jeanne/ece/tx - sue, it is sad that children that young are already so street-wise
BeckyME - Sue, have you found something to love about them?
sue - this year was the first year we offered bus transportation and as a result 90% of our kids are coming from the local projects
Just Me/Mi - I'm back
BeckyME - They have some big issues.
sue - becky- I love them, warts and all LOL!
Angela - Well, thanks all for the great ideas! I have lots to think about over the Thanksgiving break!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina -- one of my teaching assistants shared that with me ... said when her kids at home watch figure-skating they always buzz around the room w ith grocery bags tied around their ankles!
BeckyME - Sue, bless you!
Tina - I thought maybe we would use packing peanut and have a snowstorm in our room
Tina - A big mess I know...But fun!
BeckyME - Kids are so amazing! I've never met one I didn't like.
Jeanne/ece/tx - Angela -- ideas shared here this evening will be available in the archive here at t.net ...as well as ideas from previous meetings ... http://www.teachers.net/archive
BeckyME - Tina, that sounds great!
Tina - I agree with you Becky...They might get on your nerves abit, but you love them
sue - they are fiercely loyal, rowdy bunch. they playact being arrested by the police and have more street smarts than me!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina, I'm thinking about going for kids bringing in white socks and we can have "snowball fights"
BeckyME - I have to go. My daughter wants to call her boyfriend and she's getting mad at me. Take care. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Tina - Oh, that would be fun too. Maybe not as messy!
sue - night all
Jeanne/ece/tx - considering putting up a small "fort" using milk jugs, maybe 2 or 3 rows. Can't see putting in an igloo -- as it would be tough to supervise kiddos and some of mine get pretty rowdy!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi, eim! Welcome to tonite's early childhood chat - Primary chat!
Tina - YEP! I am doing that! Starting saving milk jugs two weeks ago...Am up to 30 now
Just Me/Mi - Jeanne - check with your gym teacher. I borrowed "fleece balls' from ours. They look like big snowballs.
Tina - Hi EIM
Jeanne/ece/tx - I'll check, JM -- hadn't heard of those!
eim - i made "snowballs" with yarn, big pompoms
Tina - I tried that but all my yarn fell out
Just Me/Mi - Paulie has directions for making an igloo, have you seen hers?
Jeanne/ece/tx - well, eim -- we've got white yarn a-plenty!
Jeanne/ece/tx - not sure, JM
Tina - I saw one on a website...I just can't wait...And if they destroy it oh well
Carol/pre K/WI - eim, what a cool idea pom pom balls as snowballs
eim - they are really easy to catch!
Carol/pre K/WI - For snow I so use fiber fill
Tina - How do you get it tight so the yarn dosen't fall out
Jeanne/ece/tx - I"m fully expecting the snow "fort" walls to be a problem ... not sure I'd even want to pretend to make the igloo ...
eim - I used packing chips and made a BIG mess!
eim - We did have fun but the janitors did not
Carol/pre K/WI - With packing peanuts you will have snow in the classroom for weeks
Tina - My supplier now uses those wiggles thing that dissolve in water...so I guess I can just throw them in the sink when I'm done
Jeanne/ece/tx - eim ... i dare say you weren't the most popular teacher with the custodial staff when that mess appeared!
eim - they stick to you!
eim - we had an international day and my class was sweden so we needed lots of snow!
Jeanne/ece/tx - when you're done with them Carol let the kids pick them up ...use DROPS of water and let the kiddos make snow sculptures with them!
Jeanne/ece/tx - (they will stick together!)
eim - we are expecting real snow tomorrow morning
Tina - Really! I didn't know that!
Just Me/Mi - where eim?
Tina - Do you ever use real snow in your water or sand center?
Carol/pre K/WI - The kids do pick them up but there are always some that are hiding
Jeanne/ece/tx - Try them, Tina ... for Sep 11 we bought red/white/blue peanuts, used dots of water and made "flags"
eim - New Jersey!
Tina - I might ddo that
eim - Tina, I do use snow in my water table and we spray food coloring on the snow for rainbow snow. it's very pretty!
Tina - Oh, I wish we could do that! The kids would love it
Just Me/Mi - Ah, yes - saw the forecast, eim It's heading your way. We are getting "Lake Effect" snow in the thumb of Michigan.
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina -- real snow is fun! you can also use ice - salt - food color (science lesson) ... kids use water and salt to stick ice pieces together ... watch how salt / water changes ice and reactions by dropping on colors and seeing how the color moves through the ice
eim - I have gone outside of my classroom when there is a snow cover and write messages to the kids with food coloring! They get really excited about that!
eim - you can freeze color pops and then paint with them, too.
Tina - I saw that somewhere... Another new Idea...OK...I am going to be real busy tonight
Tina - Filling in my planner
Jeanne/ece/tx - I've read about that one, eim ...
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina -- remember you can review what we've discussed by going to http://www.teachers.net/archive in a day or two -- the transcript of this meeting will be posted soon.
Tina - Ok...I "m going to have to. I can't write all this stuff down
eim - have you colored ice cubes with food coloring and then let two different cubes melt together and make a new color.
Tina - I didthat for yello red make orange...theykids love it
Tina - OOOOPS! Bad typing
Jeanne/ece/tx - At some point over the next three weeks we'll be handing our kiddos beads, sequins, glitter, markers, glue, a variety of papers, and let them "create" ... will have to see what else we have in the room that they want to use. It will be a "multi-media art activity" ... what they get will be the expereince!
Tina - I did that at the beginning of the year...Most of my kids had never been allowed to use paint, glue , or other art items...They did some great pictures
eim - we were messy today. we made napkin rings for the families for Thanksgiving. Lots of drippy glue!
Jeanne/ece/tx - We've done it a time or two this year -- my assistants have been so "into" craft projects (getting holiday gifts done!) that the free-art really hasn't been much experienced in awhile.
Tina - I have one mom who WILL NOT let her child use a pencil...says he'll stick himself with it
Just Me/Mi - We do a science experiment with two equal size containers of snow- I use the buckets from the balance. We weigh them in the balance to show they are equal then put one back outside our window and keep the other one inside. We write predictions about what we think will happen and then watch both containers all day. At the end of the day we bring the one that's ooutside back in and compare the two.
Tina - I use watercolor paintbrushes for gluing...It's a lot neater.
eim - not as much fun!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Today we did the popcorn thing where you take the top off the hot-air popper and let it go! popcorn all over about a 10x10 square in the room! Kids lalughed and carried on! When all was popped we glued the popcorn onto poster board pieces cut out in the shape of corn cobs ... for "ears of popcorn"!
Tina - LOL I guess!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina -- that is why we TEACH THEM HOW to use pencils!
Tina - Yes! I love that!!!!!! Our letter P unit is coming up! I can't wait to fdo it again
Just Me/Mi - That sounds like fun Jeanne
Tina - That's what I said, but she will not give in
Tina - I still let him use it though
Jeanne/ece/tx - JM -- I just wish we'd had a camera set up!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina -- marker? crayon?
Tina - I told her she needs to let him write at home
Just Me/Mi - How old is this child? Does she allow scissors?
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina, can mom write? read?
Tina - Yes...She will let him use a crayon...haven't asked about a marker
eim - good night everyone. i have a busy day tomorrow. we cooked stone soup. The parents are coming for lunch. I better be perky.
Tina - Yes...the mom is very literate....but she babies him
Jeanne/ece/tx - 'nite, eim ... take care!
Tina - Scissor...surely you jest..NO way! I haven't even mentioned those to her
Carol/pre K/WI - I missed how old the child is
Just Me/Mi - How will he ever learn to use a pencil if he isn't allowed to touch them?
Tina - night
Just Me/Mi - bye eim, enjoy your snow!
Tina - I'm sorry 4
Paulie - well I never got that site to open . . . sigh
Carol/pre K/WI - bye to those calling it anight
Paulie - and now everyone is gone and I will never get to see it
Tina - I'll send you the pic...Tina2Barr@aol.com
Jeanne/ece/tx - I am a big proponent of parental supervision until children are VERY competent with marking and cutting tools! I think mom could learn to sit down and "do homework" or "practice" with the child ... using pencil ... using scissors ... to help her child be ready and to help her child develop the finger skills he will need to be successful in Kindergarten!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Paulie -- what site? I couldn't get kindercorner to open either!
Tina - Send me a email
Paulie - o ok thanks Tina I will write now
Carol/pre K/WI - Tina I have been researching preschool writing if he using a crayon or marker he can be on track
Tina - That's what I am trying to get her to do
Paulie - ok I wrote u aan email thanks
Tina - She is worried because he doesn'tt recognize or write his letters
Paulie - Jeanne I wanted to see the snowman ornament
Tina - He uses a pencil quite well, in class...but she is scared he will poke himself with it
Paulie - Tina, so did the Mom read to her child?
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina, children learn the names of letters and numerals at different times ... but not until they are developmentally ready. In the meantime, reading to him, offering him lots and lots of experiences, and occasionally pointing out a letter of interest is a great way to prepare him for letter and numeral recognition. Does he know the difference between letters and numerals?
Carol/pre K/WI - in other words the mom needs to relax a little bit
Paulie - he won't be the first kid that pokes himself with a pencila nd survived
Jeanne/ece/tx - He wouldn't be the first ... and he won't be the last to poke self with a pencil!
Just Me/Mi - Could she come to observe him at school? Has he ever tried to poke himself at home? Why does she think he will poke himself?
Jeanne/ece/tx - he's an only child, right?
Paulie - and mom could point out environmental print that sign says STOP it begines with letter S
Jeanne/ece/tx - Paulie -- GMTA!
Paulie - McDonald's golden arches do u see the M?
Tina - Yes....mom needs to relax
Tina - An only child
Tina - That's what I have tried to tell her...To do a letter search on the way home every night
Paulie - she coudl supervise him picking up colored rice with a tweezer and using playdo that strengthen's sm muscles
Tina - I think she thinks it's my job to teach him , not hers
Carol/pre K/WI - I have started having children sign in and it is remarkable how printing their name has progressed
Paulie - yes I ahd a boy in K who never held scissors or pencil His parents thought he should learn that in school
Paulie - Carol that is grreat
Jeanne/ece/tx - Carol, I bet that has made a difference!
Tina - Mine have increased writing skill immensely since offering a writing center
Paulie - and cutting playdo with scissors helps learn hwo to hold the scissor and move blades
Tina - Paulie di you get it?
Carol/pre K/WI - It is simply amazing and even the young 3's are developing their own signitures
Paulie - o I thought u meant later Tina gee thanks I will look
Jeanne/ece/tx - Carol -- maybe I"ll start having my kiddos "sign in" in my classroom, too!
Tina - My three year old daughter who has a VERY long name...is beginning to write her name, simply because I put it on her door.
Tina - Goota go! See ya next time
Jeanne/ece/tx - Tina, glad you joined us tonite! Come again soon!
Just Me/Mi - Good night, Tina.
Carol/pre K/WI - I think what has made it so sucessful is that I accept their own writing and then say here is how I write
Just Me/Mi - I have used sign in sheets and also have had them sign in on the chalkboard. The only problem is it takes so long for everyone to have a turn. How do you get it done quickly?
Paulie too - it threw me off
Paulie too - darn and now she is gone
Paulie too - well Thanks for trying
Paulie too - there was no translator to open it it said
Jeanne/ece/tx - Paulie -- does your local library have computers? Maybe you could swing by and try to pick it up and read it there ...???
Paulie too - I am ahving a terrible no good very bad night so am going to say bye
Paulie too - read what?
Paulie too - it was a photo
Carol/pre K/WI - I have done individual sheets so everybody sign in at the same time
Jeanne/ece/tx - JM -- how about sheets of paper (or even sentence strips) and markers or pencils ... magnet to chalkboard when finished
Paulie too - bye Happy Turkey Day
Jeanne/ece/tx - "read" the photo
Jeanne/ece/tx - she needs to resend it as a jpg most likely ... but I don't know how to tell her how to do it!
Just Me/Mi - Carol - each child has their own sheet every day? Do they use the same sheet more than once? How do you orfganize it?
Jeanne/ece/tx - Did we all fall asleep at the same time?
Just Me/Mi - organize, not orfganize
Carol/pre K/WI - Actually it a third sheet of paper and have them set on the table and I keep them and file them in a coupon organizer
Jeanne/ece/tx - Carol, how often do you save the writing samples?
Carol/pre K/WI - A third of a sheet of paper set out on the table and then collected and filed in a coupon organizer
Just Me/Mi - I'll try that, I like having them sign in but it takes so long on the board or one the same sheet.
Carol/pre K/WI - Sorry my computer is having issues
Jeanne/ece/tx - I think it is scrolling really slowly right now ... but of course, we're talking pretty slow, too!
Carol/pre K/WI - I save all week and them pick the one that week that is most representative
Jeanne/ece/tx - So you pretty much keep a weekly "handwriting sample" -- good idea! We keep samples of work, but not necessarily weekly.
Carol/pre K/WI - I know I tried the same sheet last year and after a week needed to develop a new method
Carol/pre K/WI - I the writing weekly because it can change rapidly for some children
Jeanne/ece/tx - Well, each of my students has an IEP, we keep them in 1" notebooks ... we hole-punch and file cutting, writing, and drawing samples -- at least 1 of each per month.
Jeanne/ece/tx - the writing can change VERY quickly!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Seems like once things begin to "click" all the fine-motor skills change quickly!
Carol/pre K/WI - I am also doing it as my research project for my masters degree
Jeanne/ece/tx - (((I was REALLY glad I didn't have to write a thesis or do a big research project for may masters' degree!)))
Just Me/Mi - You just gave me an idea. I have a question posted each day in the pocket chart. The first thing we do is figure out what it says and then as they put away coats and settle in for the day they must find their name card and put it in the chart to indicate their answer. From now on they can pick a piece of sentence strip paper, write their name, and then answer the question. Thanks for the idea.
Carol/pre K/WI - Mine is actually action reasearch and is finalized in a journal article
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi lucy! Welcome to tonite's early childhood chat - Primary chat!
Just Me/Mi - Hi lucy!
lucy - hello
Carol/pre K/WI - It will give purpose for them writing their names and motivation
Carol/pre K/WI - hi lucy
Jeanne/ece/tx - Well, I need to excuse myself for the evening ... have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone! Take care and God Bless.
Just Me/Mi - It will also keep me from having to make another set of name cards because I want to put their namecards in the writing area so them can use them to write each others names in journals, etc.
Jeanne/ece/tx - Remember to check for the transcript at http://www.teachers.net/archive in a day or two ... all the ideas we shared will be here!
Carol/pre K/WI - I need to go also need to go it been along day
Just Me/Mi - Ugh, my typing is awful tonight! It should be "so they can use them"
Jeanne/ece/tx - JM ... early childhood teacher here ... I read for ideas, not spelling!
Just Me/Mi - bye Carol! Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Hi lucy -- you're quiet!
lucy - what is the topic of tonights chat
Jeanne/ece/tx - December arctivities
Jeanne/ece/tx - ... or activities ... depending on how you look at it!
lucy - I have not done this in a long time and when I last did I did not say much
lucy - does anyone have school tomorrow
Jeanne/ece/tx - Well, Lucy, tonite we talked about ideas for the coming month and some classroom management issues ... and ..... I'll be back in just a moment -- gotta hit the kitchen real quick!
Just Me/Mi - I'm here Lucy. What do you want to talk about?
Jeanne/ece/tx - I'm back ... what do we talk about now???
Just Me/Mi - I just got an update from the 11:00 news. The snow we are getting could be more that 12 inches by morning. I'm supposed to have school but I might be starting my Thanksgiving Break early.
Jeanne/ece/tx - lake-effect snows always hit the western part of the state when I was there, JM! We never got those "BIG" snows like the Lake Michigan peoples!
Just Me/Mi - This one is coming off Lake Huron. The thumb is covered with snow.
Jeanne/ece/tx - I miss the "pretty" snow ... fresh fall ...
lucy - Are there usually more people at the 9:00 chat?
Just Me/Mi - One thing about Michigan. If you don't like the weather, stick around, it'll change!
Jeanne/ece/tx - Lucy, recently I've seen more people at the early chat than the later one ...
Jeanne/ece/tx - What age group do you work with, lucy? I work with a preschool population, special needs.
Just Me/Mi - I have AM and PM kdg.
lucy - So do I, 5 year olds.
lucy - I am getting mine ready for kindergarten
Jeanne/ece/tx - I have 3's, 4's, 5's ... and a few 6's ... all are kindergarten bound ... but a few will wind up in a "skills" type setting.
Jeanne/ece/tx - We REALLY push language, development of communication systems for each child, learning to follow instructions and social skills.
lucy - do you have all day or half day
Jeanne/ece/tx - I have 5 morning kiddos, 5 afternoon kiddos, and 5 full-day kiddos ... so "yes" to both halves of your question!
Jeanne/ece/tx - children who are "5 on or before September 1" are eligible for full-day service (as kinder-age kiddos), so they get full-day PPCD offered to them. This year all 5 of my kids who are that age are full-day.
lucy - We have 2 sessions, I do not have the same kids. Our sessions are only 2 and a half hours, not enough time.
Jeanne/ece/tx - We have 3 hours for half-days ... IEP says 6 hours for full-day kiddos, but they're in my care a minimum of 7 hours! (1 hour between sessions plus waiting for the bus time!)
lucy - how do you run your day having some kids twice.
Just Me/Mi - I have two 3 hour sessions and it is still not enough time to do it all.
lucy - are you reading in K
Jeanne/ece/tx - Well, projects are done FIRST with a.m. kiddos, then full-day kiddos ... we finish up full-day kiddos with p.m. kiddos in the afternoon. Morning is (overall) a younger ... skills level ... group, so we do considerably more advanced work in the afternoons.
Jeanne/ece/tx - We're not kinder ... kids aren't reading, but are learning a lot of pre-reading skills/concepts. Several already know letters/sounds ... emerging rhyming skill ... prediction ... recall ... comprehension is building!
lucy - sorry that was for Just ME
lucy - hi Ginger
Just Me/Mi - We are doing "alphabet groups" at this time. We do shared reading, etc. and will do leveled books 2nd semester.
Jeanne/ece/tx - Welcome back, ginger!
Just Me/Mi - hi Ginger!
ginger - i teach pre k
Just Me/Mi - What are you doing, Lucy?
ginger - we do basics lang exp stuff
Jeanne/ece/tx - Lucy -- what will you be doing during December? (((Ginger, too!)))
lucy - We work on language, letter/sounds, numbers, basic skills for kindergarten readiness.
lucy - I have not thought out December yet. Christmas will be our theme. We just had a thankful for our family day today.
Just Me/Mi - We are doing a lot with rhymes, too
lucy - This is my first year with pre-k so I am going along as well as I can.
ginger - i divide the kids into 3 groups
Jeanne/ece/tx - Our calendar is our big math-class each day. Pattern of the month will be "AABBAABB" -- we've just done "AABAAB" through 2 months ... I was surprised at how quickly this group caught on to the pattern concept!
ginger - we have breakfast every morning we have a grant the whole school eats
lucy - We do patterning with our calendar too
lucy - Ginger do you have all day or half
Jeanne/ece/tx - Well, ladies, I've got to excuse myself and hit the bed. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Hope to see you next week!
ginger - this week and last we had the kids pattern ab ab to sit in a circle . they had to think and figgure it out
Just Me/Mi - Bye Jeanne
ginger - i have half day
lucy - Not enough time is it
lucy - Not enough time is it
ginger - no, but i have a fiesty class i'm ready for it to be over
ginger - one boy got expelled today in pre k
lucy - my afternoon is like that some days
lucy - I have sp. needs I don't think they would get expelled for anything.
ginger - i am on a team who doesn't really like to do things creative so i do my own thing after we plan
lucy - At our center we discuss themes for like 3 months then we do our own thing with the theme.
ginger - this boy stole stole things, and if he couldn't put in his pocket he hid it in his mouth for 2 days today he cut someones hair
ginger - what state are you in?
lucy - we had a boy steal a coat. it was gone for at least a month and he wore it to school yesterday. he didn't get expelled.
lucy - ohio
Just Me/Mi - We made countdown chains. I posted the idea on the Kdg chatboard under "Holiday Math" I put one by our calendar and each day we remove a link. I have number cards 25-1 by the chain. On the other side of the calendar we put the links that were removed to count the days in December with number cards 1-25. Each day we write the math problem (25-1=24) on the board then 24>1 or 1<24. Not everyone catches on but by the end of the month most do.
ginger - i'm in houston, texas its a bilingual pre k
ginger - just me what grade are you and what state plus thats a good calendar idea
lucy - that sounds like a neat idea just me
lucy - we only have 12 days to do Christmas stuff.
lucy - We only have school Mon.-Thurs.
ginger - i'm doing gingerbread to start
ginger - we are half day am
lucy - I thought about doing the five senses of Christmas one week. Any ideas?
ginger - gingerbread, spices, put it in your sand table
Just Me/Mi - Thanks ginger, I'm in Michigan. I teach two sections of Kdg., AM and PM
ginger - kinder is my fav i like it when they start to catch on
Just Me/Mi - The countdown chains are attached to a bell with a poem on it about counting the days to Christmas.
ginger - in texas k is all day pre k is half day
ginger - what's the poem
ginger - hey hot chocolate
ginger - do you know the poem bate bate chocolate?
Just Me/Mi - We have so many standards to teach and assess that we need a full day.
ginger - uno dos tres CHO uno dos tres CO uno dos tres LA unop dos tres TE BATE BATE CHOCOLATE
ginger - unop is uno sorry about the typo
ginger - kinder is getting that way in texas but its all day and they still test
lucy - I need to go. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
ginger - gotta go too
ginger - happy thanksgiving too yall
Just Me/Mi - December 1 to Christmas is the longest time of year. It seems as though old Santa never will appear. How many days to Christmas? It's mighty hard to count, but this little paper chain will tell the exact amount. Tear off a chain link every night when the sandman casts his spell. And Christmas day will be here by the time you reach the bell. (I think this is it,, my bell is at school)
Just Me/Mi - I better go too. I think we are having a snow day tomorrow. But if we don't I'm going to have to be awake to drive over the river and through the woods... bye, Happy Thanksgiving!
