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Kathy/5/IA - Welcome to tonight's focus chat. We are discussing "end of the year activities".
Kathy/5/IA - It is hard to believe it is April already ... almost May. Does anyone have any special activities they do at the end of the year to share?
Barb - Last year, I had my students brainstorm a list of special activities we had done throughout the year. Assigned one activity to each student to write about and illustrate, then made a bulletin board for beginning of year, Third Grade is Fun
Kathy/5/IA - Our last day is June 7th. One activity that we have is a May Festival at the end of the year. A tradition ...
Kathy/5/IA - What a neat idea, Barb!!! We've done something similar where I had my kids write letter for the new fifth graders.
Kathy/5/IA - I like that you have a bulletin board ready for the fall!!!
txaggiemom - hi I teach fifth and sixth grades
Kathy/5/IA - Fun age, isn't it txaggiemom! I have 5th graders!
Barb - There have been a couple of interesting themes on the chatboard about "camp week" They are now in the Lesson Plan Bank http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/1036.html
Kathy/5/IA - For this year's May Festival I'm going to use the YoYo theme.
Barb - Kathy--That theme ought to go over big!!
Kathy/5/IA - We are going to learn the history of YoYos, some scientific principles in science class, and then for our presentation we are going to do a choral reading and some tricks - I think I'm going to use the song "Spinnin' Wheels".
Barb - Just last week, we had a math carnival, where we set up numerous math centers, had parents come in to operate many, it was a great math review for acheivement tests this week
Kathy/5/IA - I also found a book at Amazon that shows how to make your own yoyos - and do experiments.
Kathy/5/IA - Neat, Barb. Are you activities well attended by parents?
Joy - I am a graduate student, need a lesson plan for "sound", elementary school, any great ideas?
Kathy/5/IA - Was the math carnival during school or after?
Kathy/5/IA - I haven't taught sound - have you posted your "need" on the messageboards?
Barb - kathy--It was during school, from one to three in the afternoon, parents came a half hour earlier, and one of our teachers who has a student teacher worked with the parents. Each student had a list of all activities, adults marked off as they did them, then we gave prizes to all, depending on how many centers you finished
linlin - One fun activity we do is make a book of reviews from all the books the kids have read during the year. Each child writes a review of a favorite and we pass the book on to the next year's class, complete with author pages and pics
Kathy/5/IA - You might also try doing a search. There are some great lesson plan sites on the internet. May try "lesson plans" AND "science"
Barb - linlin--I like your book review idea
amy - joy--you might try searching miningco.com they have pretty great lessons
Kathy/5/IA - I've had kids make "memory books" - explaining favorite parts of the year. They've had fun with them.
Kathy/5/IA - Do any of your schools have "summer reading" programs - to encourage the kids to read.
Barb - We also do a hobby day where the kids bring something from their hobby and tell about it. Before they do that, I bring some of my hobbies to share.
linlin - We are planning on doing a summer bridge program this year for the first time
Kathy/5/IA - Debi - there are tons of teacher sites. Many, Many teachers even have their own web pages where they so openly share ideas. I just love the NET!
Kathy/5/IA - That's neat Barb - gives them some ideas of hobbies to start in the summer.
Debi - Really?? Where would I start to look for them???
Barb - linlin--what do you mean, bridge program
linlin - We also have a Jump Start program which is done two weeks before school starts. Teachers plan mini programs around a theme and work 3 hours a day.
Kathy/5/IA - I have a friend who has an excellent site. She has a ring of teacher's sites connected to her's. I'll be right back - I'll get the address.
linlin - Bridge the gap....summer programs to be done indepedently over the summer so skills are not forgotten or to enhance
Kathy/5/IA - Here: http://www.knownet.net/users/Ackley/
Kathy/5/IA - Sounds great linlin, can you explain more.
linlin - the summer bridge can be a reading list with activities, or math, or whatever...studends complete it over the summer and turn it in when they return to school in the fall
Kathy/5/IA - Here is the address of a ring of teacher home pages that was set up by someone at teachers.net: http://ahs.dsd.k12.ut.us/aes/home.html - Teachers.net Webring - list
Kathy/5/IA - Sounds great linlin ... I usually try to send something home, but don't have them return them since my students move on to middle school.
linlin - The jump start program is funded with remediation monies...we have free reign with topics
Kathy/5/IA - That sounds great, linlin! Students sure need programs like that!
anni - My end of the year seems very far away.
Kathy/5/IA - When is your last day? Mine is June 7th. I know some states go a lot longer. June 7th is late for this area.
Barb - My last day is June 3.
linlin - My last day is June 3rd also
anni - We end around the 25th of June
Barb - I always give my students my home address and if they write me a letter during the summer, I will write back.
Sarah/5/TX - Hi all, this is my first time here and I am hoping for some help! I need ideas for end of the year awards...
Sarah/5/TX - I am supposed to give each student (18) at least two awards at their graduation ceremony. This is my 1st year teaching this age and I am not very creative at this point in the year!
Pam/4/5/BD - What kind of end of year activities do guys feel are good for students with behavior disorders
Kathy/5/IA - What type of activity are you looking for, Pam
Barb - Pam--I would suggest keeping your activities structured, not too much freedom
karen - Does anyone have any suggestions for trying to teach both electricity and plants in less than a month? We take the MCAS test ( difficult state tests with many open response ?) We have not done either unit yet and normally it takes over a month for one.
Kathy/5/IA - I know there is an electricity idea where you can generate electricity from a lemon or potato (there both "Plants")
judy - Kathy have you heard of the GEPA test for 8 th graders in NJ
Kathy/5/IA - No, I haven't. Sorry. Iowa Test of Basic Skills here! :0)
karen - I like the lemon idea. Does anyone have any ideas re: plants and electricity?
Rook - First year 5th grade teacher here, about to go crazy with this whole end-of-the-year syndrome.
Rook - My kids are CRAZY, it's very windy here. . . I need to teach about stars and have no ideas . . .HELP! Also need some ideas for investigating heredity.
Kathy/5/IA - We've watch lima bean seed grow - using clear plastic cups. Plant the seeds close to the side. We used cotton filling instead of dirt. The kids kept "journals".
Kathy/5/IA - The end of the year is frustrating! Hang in there!
karen - Does anyone know any good web-sites for teaching science and math? What I'm looking for is somewhere that I can type a specific topic such as geometry and get teaching ideas.
Rook - Kathy, teachers have always told me they "don't have enough time" to finish the book, etc. I was mandated to do so, rushed through both the SS and Science text and now am left hanging to teach . . . I don't know what. A big review of the year? Thinking of having the kids create a Museum of American History to end the year, not sure how to grade it, though.
Rook - no, Karen, sorry. Might try Scott-Foresman/Addison-Wesley site, don't know their address, though.
Syd - Rook - sounds fun! What about using a rubric for grading
Kathy/5/IA - You could set up a rubric for your Museum idea. Setting up what you expect as an excellent project, a good one, an average one, etc...
Rook - Yes, that is what I thought to do. Not sure it would give the kids "enough grades" though. I think the rubric is appropriate.
Syd - I have the opposite sort of problem. Our grades are required to be turned in a week and a half before the last day of school. Then our task is to keep them busy and motivated for 8 more days.
Sarah/5/TX - "Speaking" of grading, we are doing 2 plays right now and I am not sure how to grade. We have spent almost three weeks rehearsing, making scenery and they will be performing over the next two days--any ideas?
Kathy/5/IA - I use rubrics often.
Kathy/5/IA - That is a problem - Syd. Do the kids know the grades are turned in?
Rook - OUCH, Syd. Sarah, I teach Drama one period a day. I set up a rubric based on attitude, effort, enthusiasm, and quality of performance.
Syd - Rook - you could always break down the tasks and then use several grades including the final project.
Kathy/5/IA - Could you set up a rubric for your plays - such as how they worked together, how they followed directions, etc... I've directed high school plays, but haven't had to "grade" them.
Syd - Yes, our students know. We just try to do exciting motivational activities.
Rook - I'd rather NEVER take grades. The kids are SO stuck on them. That's what I thought I'd do, Syd. Thanks. Just need somebody to say it's "ok." I'm new and the ONLY teacher using rubrics now, with little support from others because they "don't believe in them."
Syd - Sometimes it's hard when your the only one doing something.
Kathy/5/IA - Rook - hang in there. You are REALLY on the right track. I'm sorry you don't have the backing. Rubrics are so much better.
Rook - Very discouraging, Syd. . . Ask someone for advice, they tell me this stuff doesn't work. But I believe it does.
Sarah/5/TX - I've been really impressed with my kids and their attitude. My one "do-nothing-gifted-kid" has been so enthusiastic about this play--I wish I could keep him this motivated the rest of the school year! We get out May 26.
linlin - Syd, hand in there, you won't be the only one for long if it is a good program
Rook - Speaking of gifted kids . . . I've got one little guy that is getting a REALLY bad attitude, talking about how DUMB school is, etc. Is he just this way or can I help change this?
Rook - We get out May 21.
Syd - We get out May 21 also.
Sarah/5/TX - Is there a web site for creating rubrics? I have been making my own and it is very time consuming--I would love some help in that area.
Rook - There is a book through Scholastic "101 Rubrics" or something like that.
Kelly - what kind of rubrics are you looking for?
Kathy/5/IA - I did a search for rubrics last year and found many sites.
Sarah/5/TX - My gifted kid is the same way. He is not even self motivated when he is able to plan his own projects, pick topics, etc.
Kelly - some kids do not have that inner motivation
Sarah/5/TX - I would like to have them mainly for writing assignments-as well as history simulations we do. I feel like I am always giving "effort" grades during the simulations.
linlin - Most kids don't until they achieve the love of learning
Rook - YES, Sarah. This kid in my room knows EVERYTHING about American history so, I gave him this independent project on the Civil War (he hates working with others). I was so happy and proud that I was "individualizing learning" for the child. He said, "Ahhhg. ok, " unenthusiastically! :(
linlin - I think they lose it somewhere in all the busywork they are sometimes given
Kelly - simulations as in ??? the interact units?
Rook - Me too, Sarah. What kind of simulations do you do? What do you teach in SS?
Kelly - rook, maybe you could narrow it down for that kid...like find out about the spies in the rev. war and the civil war...or the women who went to war...
Sarah/5/TX - I have a book on American History simulations and I have come up with some of my own based on the interests of my class--such as a unit on law (once again my gifted kids interest but no participation!)
Rook - Sounds good, Kelly. Thanks. Sarah, what's the name of the book?
Kelly - maybe he could look into the conspiracy with Dr. Mudd/John Wilkes Booth
linlin - We do a civil war in the classroom with spies and everything, the kids love it
Rook - How would I grade that, Kelly? Linlin . . .how does that work?!
Kelly - have you ever done any of the interact units? they are fun!
Sarah/5/TX - We are doing a runaway slave activity next week to end our Civil War unit. The kids are the slaves on my plantation and are treated like property all morning. One goal is to escape to freedom but their main goal is to help others escape. All the staff members are either friends or foes. The whole school looks forward to this every year!
Rook - . . .and again, how do you grade these things?
Rook - Kelly, what is an interact unit?
linlin - I don't know that you have to grade everything
Sarah/5/TX - The book is called American History Simulations but I cannot remember to publisher. I found it at the Teacher Supply store I use. The have them for math and science also.
Rook - Sounds FUN, Sarah! Did you get that from a book?
Kelly - ok, grading...if it is an independent project, i would probably set up some guidelines...on what i was looking for in the project..i would encourage info from the internet..
Kelly - loosely speaking, some type of "loose" rubric...
Sarah/5/TX - To grade the slave activity, they have to write an essay about their experiences being a slave, their feelings toward the master and the other slaves
Rook - Kelly, only about 3 of my kids even have a computer . . .from a poor district.
Kathy/5/IA - Someone mentioned it earlier as an end of the year activity. I'm not sure what it is about. May be for younger grades.
Kelly - you might want to go further and have the child do some type of visual presentation of his project...video, u film, etc..
Rook - Got it, Sarah. And are the assessment ideas in this book, too, or did you come up with them?
Kelly - can the media specialist help you with the internet...do you have access in your school?
Sarah/5/TX - The original idea came from the previous 5th grade teacher and has become a school tradition--I have added some things for this year--the kids do not know which staff members are friends and which are foes--if they have more foes on their signature list they are recaptured.
Rook - Our high school has access and the middle school is "not allowed" to use it.
Kelly - sarah, sounds really neat!
Kelly - and where do you teach rook? that is absurd
Kathy/5/IA - Sounds like you are describing a neat idea, Sarah. Is the basis of this in the book you mention? I missed some of the conversation.
Kelly - do you have any resource people who could help out?
Sarah/5/TX - The American History Simulation book did not have a very good assessment with it. That's why I needed ideas for rubrics for those type of things. The kids can only write so many essays without moaning and groaning.
Rook - Arizona, Kelly. It's very unfair. My 5th graders get to go to an Apple IIe lab once a week . . . yea.
Kelly - that is awful...can you apply for some type of technology grant?
Sarah/5/TX - The book had an Underground Railroad activity but it wasn't as fun as our slave activity. My class asked the first day of school when they would get to do this activity! They have had to wait all this time. :-)
Rook - One teacher did this year . . .we'll see. It certainly doesn't include the internet, though! It would be for old rebuiltcomputers.
Kelly - sarah, suppose they were to do something besides write an essay...how about some visual presentations? or drama? art?
Ann/LA - I wrote an Arts Council grant last year, and my kids are finishing their biography boards this week for Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. I have ONE computer hooked to the Internet in my room because I am a Challenge Grant teacher. :)
Rook - We rewrote the events of the American Revolution. The kids LOVED IT. I video taped it and we showed it to the whole 5th grade.
Sarah/5/TX - That's where my creativity runs out! I have had them do all kinds of novel projects, but I get all the ideas from various websites. With graduation coming up, my creative juices are running low!
Ann/LA - My kids had to do a dozen vocabulary words dealing with the Civil War period. They also wrote acrostic poetry that turned out terrific!
Kelly - my son is reading a book (gr 7)and it is about a boy whose family are loyalists during the rev. war...it does present another side of the coin..good book...not sure of title...
Rook - My Brother Sam is Dead? Is that the book?
Kelly - it might be called the Red Badge
Rook - Red Badge of Courage?
Kelly - no, he read that also...
Kelly - give me some time and i will go look for it...
Sarah/5/TX - One group of kids in my room read "Johnny Tremain" and created a game and a newspaper to go with the book. They loved the story and the projects to go with it. It is a great book
Rook - My principal just declared "Johnny Tremain" as inappropriate for 5th grade.
me - OK. I HAVE TO MAKE SOME SORT OF EDUCATIONAL GAME FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE SEVERE MENTAL DISABILITIES, AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO! ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Ann/LA - me - what subject?
Kelly - ok, I am back..."The Scarlet Badge" by Wilma Pitchford Hays
Rook - When you say a "group" read this book, does that mean you teach different books at a time to different reading groups?
Sarah/5/TX - My 5th graders loved it...what was the reasoning for it being inappropriate?
Kelly - me, please go to lower case letters...thanks
Rook - Hmmmm, never heard of it, Kelly.
Kelly - i didn't either until he brought it home..it is pretty good...not on the level of Johnny T. but it is not bad
Rook - I heard that she thought the reading level was too difficult.
me - It can be anything really. It can have something to do with colors, shapes, or something very simple.
Kathy/5/IA - Wish I could help, me. I teach 5th grade, so I'm not sure of a game idea for you.
Kelly - that is where literature circles come in..rook
Rook - me, how about a matching game or a memory game with colors?
Kelly - me, can you do some type of matching game for them?
Kathy/5/IA - Can it be a matching game with colors - like concentration - with very few cards?
Sarah/5/TX - I have several groups reading different novels at a time. They hold discussion sessions twice a week about their novel, which keeps everyone on their toes! Then each person works on their own project for the book as a culminating activity. I give them a list of projects to choose from.
Kelly - gee rook, great minds think alike...lol
Kathy/5/IA - Literature Circles are Great!!!!
Rook - AGGGGGGHHHH, I've done lit circles and the kids love them but HOW DO YOU GRADE THEM?! I go crazy!!!
Ann/LA - me - How about fluffy balls of different colors with velcro on them - a bingo-type card with square that have the same colors or shapes within the squares (these need velcro also) Then you could play a matching game :)
Kelly - read the book "Literature Circles" by Harvey Daniels
Kathy/5/IA - I use rubrics again - to grade lit. circles.
Kathy/5/IA - Great book, Kelly!
Rook - How on earth do you keep up with all those different novels? Also, how do you know the kids are reading the material?
Kelly - how about matching an occupation with the person...for example: teacher /book??
Rook - I just need to get this book already and stop piecing together what I learn over the internet, I guess.
Kathy/5/IA - Sometimes the whole class reads the same book in groups, other times we've had up to 3 different books going.
Kelly - or matching dog to puppy?
Kelly - or do something with functional signs...
Sarah/5/TX - They drive me crazy too! Once again, effort grades and I give them a fact check test. Each person in the group fills out an evaluation about their group: participation, preparedness, etc.
Rook - Is that ALL you use to grade them, Kathy? Principal is really pushing using comprehension worksheets, etc. I just don't get it.
Kathy/5/IA - The books helps a lot, Rook.
Ann/LA - me - or different kinds of balls for different sports
Kelly - i ordered it i think thru apples n acorns, it is not that expensive
Kathy/5/IA - I give some comprehension quizes along the way also.
Kelly - stance questions rook...go with them
me - Those are all very good ideas! Thank you very much!
Rook - You do this daily during reading, Sarah? All kids are in Lit circles at the same time?
Rook - stance questions, Kelly? What are those?
Ann/LA - I give entrance and exit sheets when we're reading a book together.
Kathy/5/IA - Glad the ideas helped, me! It is so frustrating being 'stuck'. That is what's great about collaborating like this!
Sarah/5/TX - I usually have 4 groups going at a time, but I use books that I already have comprehension tests for! I got really tired of making up tests! I have them meet two times a week and they read silently the rest of the time or we work on some kind of skills lesson one day.
Rook - I would just love to come observe some of you guys do this reading thing. NOBODY at my school does reading groups or lit circles or anything. The read a book aloud round robin and do worksheets and activities.
Kelly - I have a gazillion of them...for example: authors have a purpose or a message in mind for their writing. What might be the message that the author of this article is trying to get across to the reader?
Ann/LA - Rook - I scan the chapter we covered the day before and pick two or three questions to type on little slips of paper - the kids answer the slips and later in the period after I've collected them for a grade, we go over them orally.
Kathy/5/IA - How do you choose your "skills". Do all the groups work on the same skill?
Rook - How long is your reading block, Sarah?
Ann/LA - We are major Accelerated Reader at my school
Rook - Daily, Ann?
Rook - ah, that explains it, Ann.
Kelly - or : From this article, the reader can get a sense of the kind of person___________ was. What charater traits did _____ display? Support your response with specific examples from the text.
Ann/LA - They say do an hour, but I only do 30 minutes - I like to teach too much :)
Kathy/5/IA - Love all this Lit. Circle chat! :0)
Kelly - round robin is not a good idea
Rook - Only 30 mins of reading?!
Sarah/5/TX - My reading block alone is an hour a day. Somedays it goes over a little--The skills focus I pull from our basal that I despise! We are thinking of going to AR next year. Any comments about it, Ann?
Ann/LA - Rook - no - that would take from it I think - the exit slip works the same way but is usually more effective because of the current reading of the book
Kelly - is anyone doing anything from cunningham?
Rook - I don't like round robin and it is SO boring! I tried it ONCE and swore I'd NEVER do it again. I could hardly stay awake.
Kathy/5/IA - I'm trying to use cunningham - working with words, etc...
Ann/LA - Rook - heavens NO! I just don't do AR all the time - it consumes your class time
Rook - never heard of it, Kelly.
Kelly - there is a lot of pros and cons with reading incentives...accelerated reading can get $$ you need a lot of books.
Sarah/5/TX - I also have parents come in occasionally and help with the discussion groups. The parents love having to read the book their kids are reading! Sometimes I put them in a different group than their own child and they talked their kids into reading their book also!
Rook - Got it, Ann. Misunderstanding.
Kathy/5/IA - Glad you are steering away from Round Robin, Rook!
Kelly - She is out of NC and does reading using the 4 block method with gr. 1 & 2,
Rook - Do you guys assign nightly reading from the books you study in class?
Kathy/5/IA - I like that = Sarah - the parent thing.
Ann/LA - I think AR is one of the best programs I've ever been associated with - In fact, I gave a presentation at our Steering Committee meeting this afternoon on the AR Math program they've just come out with
j22 - Can someone explain round robin in 15 words or less for me, please?
Sarah/5/TX - Ann, is it possible to start small with AR? We are a very small school with only 1 class per grade.
Rook - Ah, Cunningham. Heard of her.
Kelly - in our district the upper grades are doing 3 block...
Kelly - rook, kids should be reading and writing constantly
Kathy/5/IA - 3 block - what's that.
Sarah/5/TX - I give the kids a deadline to finish the book and they get together as a group and figure out how many pages they need to read per day to meet the deadline.'
Rook - j22, read a paragraph-go the next kid, read a paragraph-go to the next kid . . .
Ann/LA - Sarah - I don't see why not - the problem is going to be - the kids get sooooo excited about being able to read neat books on their level that you will run out of books at certain levels for them to read
j22 - Oh ok ,thanks
Kelly - well, it is guided reading, guided writing, and then either self selected reading or self selected writing
Ann/LA - I do popcorn reading - it keeps the kids awake better :)
Rook - Yes, Kelly. We have an actual period for everything, though. Kids go to other rooms, have one teacher for this, one for that.
Kathy/5/IA - So, they don't do the working with words block?
Kelly - if you go to the 4 block chat board you will find lots of info on her..
Rook - Do they read at home, these books, Sarah?
Sarah/5/TX - We do "popcorn" reading instead of round robin. The kids seem to stay interested longer. I have one child that reads out loud so strangely, he adds syllables to words, hard to describe. I have found that if he reads aloud frequently it helps his problem.
Kelly - well, working with words is "supposed" to be incorporated into your reading or other content areas...
Sarah/5/TX - They are given time in class to read, but if a discussion day is coming up, they usually have to read at home as well.
Kelly - rook, you might want to also look at some of her stuff such as working with words...your kids might like it
Rook - What do you do if they DON'T read at home, Sarah?
Rook - Yeah, Kelly. Need to go to a teaching supply store pronto amigo!
Kelly - yes, that is what i would call it rook, that really s****
Kathy/5/IA - You you guys on any of the email rings at teachers.net? I'd love to chat more about literature circles some time!
Kelly - but be careful, some of this stuff can get $$
Kelly - i am on the 4 block net ring...i taught upper elem and now i am a reading teacher and work more with primary
Rook - I hear you, Kelly. Kathy-I got on those mail rings and received over 100 emails one night!!! Couldn't handle it.
Sarah/5/TX - If they are not ready for the discussion, their group will give them a zero on their evaluation grade and they have to sit out one discussion period and read to catch up. I usually make up some kind of quick quiz on the chapters they are supposed to be on. It doesn't happen often with my group. Next year may be different!
Ann/LA - I teach 6th grade and don't really utilize literature circles - My kids are inner city, and their skills are so non existent, I tend to read one book and go from there with the activities
Kelly - the net ring is good, but boy, at times you can have up to 50 messages...and some of it is unnecessary
Sarah/5/TX - Kathy, any suggestions for getting on the ring? I have tried several times with no luck...
Rook - Don't have time to sort through email.
Rook - Still there j22?
Kelly - this summer, several of my friends and i are going to do a book talk on literature circles.
Kelly - sarah, you need to talk to someone named bob
Rook - Kelly, what do you mean?
Kathy/5/IA - After you check which rings you want to be on, then they send you an email that you need to send back. Have you done all that, Sarah?
j22 - I teach grade 5 in rural Quebec, my kids speak only French. I challenged the group to pull together to read 100 novels before the 100th day of school. We did't make it but we have currently read more than 80 novels.
Kathy/5/IA - Tell us more about your book talk, Kelly. :0)
Kelly - we all have the book, so we are going to read a few chapters and then discuss them until we finish the book. it isn't a long book. this way, we will all be on the same page with literature circles..
Sarah/5/TX - I really came here tonight for ideas for awards, and this turned out to be so interesting! Do ya'll (sorry, Texas talk) have any unusual awards you give at the end of the year?
Rook - WOW, j22! What a goal and what an accomplishment!!!!!
Kathy/5/IA - What a wonderful Idea - Kelly! :0)
Ann/LA - I've been posting a review on Oprah's book club :) The Pilot's Wife was VERY good :)
Kelly - from our book talk, we are then going to write up an inservice that we can all use to inservice the rest of the teachers..
Sarah/5/TX - Each child has read more than 80 novels? WOW!!
Rook - Sarah, last year I gave "most outstanding . . ." most improved, kindest, neatest, most creative, etc. It was SO FUN!
Kelly - just call me oprah
Kathy/5/IA - Kelly - where are you from ....
Ann/LA - Sarah - I have certificates, and I'm also giving pins this week with "Reading is Radical" on them :)
Sarah/5/TX - Did I misread that? A class goal is WOW too at over 80 novels! :-)
Ann/LA - year, not week :)
Kelly - haven't heard about that one..i am reading the ya ya sisterhood...great book
Kelly - maryland and you..is that iowa?
Kathy/5/IA - Yes, Iowa - I guess I can't join your discussion group. Darn!
Sarah/5/TX - We have a formal graduation ceremony and breakfast afterwards. The parents expect a lot and some of these kids are hard to find an award for :-)
j22 - Well, for their novel to count they have a reading sheet ( kind of like a synopsis ) to fill out. They record the book in a central binder. I reward 20$ play money for each reading sheet filled. They also get a sticker to put on their chart on the wall
j22 - I'M reading yaya sisterhood too. loving it
Sarah/5/TX - How do you find time for pleasure reading? I am feeling guilty being on this chat line and not grading papers!
Kelly - isn't it great, j22..i just love it
Rook - Sarah, I came up with some GOOD ones last year. Had this kid that did NOTHING but get into other people's business and tattle! Gave him the "Most Concerned About Others" award.
Kelly - now, i didn't say how long i have been reading this book...lol...
Rook - ME TOO, Sarah. My lesson plans are due tomorrow and I'm not done yet!
Ann/LA - I started a Parent/Student Bookclub this year to get more parental involvement - our meetings are about every six weeks on Saturday afternoon - I have really enjoyed them
Kelly - rook...LOL
Sarah/5/TX - I love that one, Rook! Can I borrow it? :-)
j22 - Had trouble getting into it...but I'm enjoying it now
Kathy/5/IA - Neat idea - Ann!
Rook - Sure! Got a REAL nose picker this year. Got any ideas for him? LOL
Kathy/5/IA - Do you discuss a certain book during the parent/student meetings?
Sarah/5/TX - So I'm not the only one who has taken over 9 months to read a book?
Kelly - heck no, sarah...
Rook - Nine months? That's not very long for me!
Kelly - i read the new one from james patterson , didn't like it a lot..very different from his other books..
Ann/LA - Kathy - I choose the book we read for these - I have to buy enough copies to send home - I pick different things - The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 was the first one and for the group meeting, I showed a video that had actual Civil Rights footage - really good meeting
Kathy/5/IA - Is there any specific topics you'd like to see discussed next month?
Kelly - i was going to retype something..you guys are a bad influence ...and it is almost 11 est.
Rook - Kathy, how about keeping kids organized or just GRADING, that seemed to come up alot tonite.
Kelly - can i get on a reminder list..usually i go to the other chat room and i wanted to see what was going on here..this is a great group...
Rook - Kelly, this has been great! I was looking for another job last night! You guys have refreshed me, THANKS!
Kathy/5/IA - We meet every third Wednesday of the month.
Sarah/5/TX - Grading would be great. I would love to have organizational ideas for some of mine to prepare for the big bad world of 6th grade! ;-)
Ann/LA - I don't think a kid is ever really ready for 6th grade LOL
Kelly - even though, working with primary has been great...my heart is still with the upper elementary folks...want to hear a neat idea?
Rook - I have a great color coding system that I could share, Kathy.
Kathy/5/IA - Great ideas....I've written them down.
Rook - . . . for keeping organized (incomplete thought)
Ann/LA - Fortunately for mine I get, I don't believe in giving homework :)
Sarah/5/TX - I've gotta go too--I really enjoyed this, being the only 5th grade teacher at my school is a little isolating! These kids have been in the same class together since they were 4 years old. 6th grade really is the big bad world for them.
Rook - Ann, NO homework?
Ann/LA - Rook - no homework :)
Rook - Sarah, hope to chat with you again! Have a great end of the school year! :0)
Kathy/5/IA - Color coding - sounds wonderful!
Kelly - I should get going also...you guys have been great...hope to see you all soon! let's trade some ideas!!
Ann/LA - Kathy - Thanks - I had a great time! :)
Rook - Ann, do all teachers do that? I could see my kids going to 6th grade and being overwhelemed completely. The give LOTS of homework. Kathy, that would be a great topic, too.
Kelly - ciao
Rook - Bye, Kelly. Thanks for all the great ideas!
Rook - It's a DREAM, Kathy.
Kathy/5/IA - Thanks everyone! Great chat! Hope to meet up with all of you again. YOu all have great ideas!!!!!
Ann/LA - Rook - I have raised an ADD child, and I have had to deal with so much useless homework, I decided when I graduated from college at the age of 45, I would never give any - I don't do lines either.
Kathy/5/IA - Good night. Say an extra prayer for the community of Littleton tonight!
