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Eric Bentley - I teach 4th grade in Michigan
Eric Bentley - I will be starting a 3rd / 4th multiage this fall.
wizzlewolf - Hi Eric! My summer is almost all over. I start school on the 30th of July. Where in Michigan?
Eric Bentley - I'm looking for ideas for centers. any ideas?
Eric Bentley - egad...july 30th?!...I'm in the Lansing area
wizzlewolf - Oh in last nights chat they were talking about centers! (Primary Ed Chat) Have you used centers before?
Eric Bentley - uhhh...no.
wizzlewolf - I am originally from Detroit.
Eric Bentley - but if I'm to incorporate the multiage concept..I'll need to.
wizzlewolf - Well, do you have any ideas as to how many centers and the topics of the centers you want to use?
Eric Bentley - I'll be team teaching...and the two of us will have 55 kids between us in the two adjoining rooms (separated by a doorway)...
Eric Bentley - We are heading the the nat'l conf on multiage classes in cleveland this sunday looking for help
wizzlewolf - Oh boy, that is a group!!!
wizzlewolf - That is a great idea (the conference)
Eric Bentley - the short answer is no, I don't know how many centers to have.
wizzlewolf - Well, that can be based on the amount of space you have to spare....
Eric Bentley - with doing reader's and writer's workshop, I would think that the majority of the centers would focus on the remaining content, but only thinking out loud here.
wizzlewolf - You probably would want to include various subjects writing/reading center, math center, creative center, science center, etc.
Eric Bentley - what might a creative center look like?
wizzlewolf - Have you searched the internet for ideas? I can think of zillions of things to have in various centers, but what you decide to include should balance and compliment your curriculum.
Eric Bentley - yes, you're right. The internet has always been a solution looking for a problem.
wizzlewolf - Creative center???? That is my specialty. You could include anything that sparks the imagination! Paint, modeling clay, legos, scrap wood, drawing supplies. You don't have to have all these things at the same time. You could rotate your center ideas.
Eric Bentley - Forgive me, but...
Eric Bentley - what benchmarks/objectives are satisfied by these activities?
Eric Bentley - I know, I know...
Eric Bentley - I probably know the answer, but am too inexperienced w/ such things to support the need for such centers.
wizzlewolf - Oh my gosh!!! You mean to tell me that Michigan standards don't require the students to achieve the ability to think using high level thinking skills and problem solving in all subject areas????
Eric Bentley - lol
Eric Bentley - ok, here comes the cynic...
Eric Bentley - don't believe such things are tested on the MEAP
wizzlewolf - The ARTS do that. You need to brush up on this kind of stuff. Maybe that is why you are having problems thinking of center ideas. Maybe you needed more creativity within your own educational background(??)
Eric Bentley - (MI's state test for 4th, 7th and 10th graders)
wizzlewolf - Oh Eric, you are so short sighted.
AndieAZ - Hi everyone! I am going to be teaching fifth grade for the first time in my teaching career. WHat are must haves on a supply list??
Eric Bentley - Hi Andie
wizzlewolf - When kids take MEAP or in our case FCAT, if you don't have creative and problem solving skills, you are very handicapped.
Eric Bentley - Now I'm feeling like I have split personalities.
Eric Bentley - Part of me is with you 100%
wizzlewolf - If you don't think creative activity helps your students achieve on a high level, I really feel sad for your students.
Eric Bentley - the other part reminds me that the establishment puts value on certain outcomes, many of which are not high in my priority list.
wizzlewolf - That is just the point. If your kids have the opportunity to explore and challenge their imagination, they gain higher level thinking skills AND they are happier students. Then, in turn, they are more apt to grasp other concepts you are teaching them.
Eric Bentley - The very difficult challenge I have (and I imagine all educators have) is to find the balance...
Eric Bentley - between enhancing the lives of young people...
Eric Bentley - preparing them for the expectations of the "powers that be"
AndieAZ - Wizzlewolf- I am with you. My class this last year were the low to average I was told. I spent the year challenging them with creative, enriching activities that were standards based and my kids soared on the state tests (As a whole, my class did better than those giften classes.)
Eric Bentley - Wizzle, I am with you.
Eric Bentley - I've been on your side of the conversation to many times.
wizzlewolf - So in other words, you just want them to get through the test, pass the test, that's it. It doesn't matter if you instill the love of learning or to build rich skills that will make them whole. NO Just pass the test.
Segovia - Has anyone heard of a book called Essential 55?
BT - This is my first year teaching fourth grade after many years in third. What materials do you recommend for fourth?
AndieAZ - Any must haves for a fifth grade supply list?
wizzlewolf - Thank you so much Andie.
AndieAZ - BT, I am moving to 5th from many years in third and wondering the same but have yet to get an answer!!
Eric Bentley - However, I still struggle with the reality that my students will be expected to perform tasks that I feel are ill-suited for the purpose that they were intended...to judge the proficiency of my students' learning.
wizzlewolf - OK, materials lists. You are putting the cart before the horse. What are you going to teach this year and what kinds of things will the kids need to do those activities/projects/assignments???? That will be the basis of your materials lists.
Eric Bentley - No, my first interest to to empower them...however, I want them to succeed at the test as well.
AndieAZ - Wizzlewolf, right but are there any must haves that I don't know about?
Eric Bentley - Of course. The simplest response is usually the most accurate.
BonBon - I am a new teacher. I want to do standardis-based lesson plans for all of my lessons everyday. Any easier ways to go about doing this?
wizzlewolf - Eric, yeah whatever. I am not going to say anymore about it. I am not going to keep pleading for you to see what I find to be a priority of paramount importance. You do what you have to do.
AndieAZ - BOn Bon, easier than what?
AndieAZ - Segovia, Yes I have heard of that book. Have you read it?
Eric Bentley - wiz, I think you misunderstood my statement.
BonBon - Than the "old fashioned way" - perhaps there are programs now that help on this?
Eric Bentley - I know what should be done. I just need that validation to do it.
AndieAZ - Eric, you confuse me. WHo do you need validation from?
Eric Bentley - I will go back to the curriculum and see how I can create centers from the outcomes.
wizzlewolf - Bon Bon, what is the state in which you teach?
BonBon - I student taught under teachers that did not make lesson plans. I know how to write them, I am just wondering how others do this on a weekly/daily basis?
Eric Bentley - learned peers
BonBon - I teach in Florida.
wizzlewolf - Have you gone to your state Department of Education website and looked to see if they have any helper databases or lesson plans?
wizzlewolf - WHERE in Florida???
BonBon - Palm Beach County.
BonBon - I have not done that wizzle. Thank you for that idea.
wizzlewolf - I was just at a site the other day that had all kinds of standards based lesson plans for Florida. Hold on, let me think where did I see it......
AndieAZ - Bon Bon, I write in my plan book each week what I am going to do. I also keep a copy of the standards and mark them off as I go, make notes on things I need to return to, maybe kids that need remediation, etc. I also add in things that I do that maybe I wasn't originally planning. I find once I have thought it through and written it down, i don't actually go back to it until the end of the week.
Eric Bentley - I'm signin' off...thanks for the talk Wizzlewolf.
wizzlewolf - Bon Bon, here is a great resource...
wizzlewolf - http://www.fldoe.org/teacher/resources.asp
wizzlewolf - Scroll down to CURRICULUM
wizzlewolf - Bon Bon, are you still here?
BonBon - Thank you for the website, wizzle and Andie for the advice.
wizzlewolf - No Problema!
BonBon - Do you tend to plan on Fridays for the next week and how long does it usually take you?
AndieAZ - I have always done my planning Sunday b/c I am fresher than Friday. My first few years I took all day but then I started to take less and less time.
wizzlewolf - Bon Bon, that it the type of question that is so loaded. Every teacher (person) is different. I plan whenever I feel like it or I know we have to move on, but I am certainly not a good or bad example.
BT - I find planning on Wed. or Thurs. helps so that I have time to be sure materials are ready fot the next week. It helps to be ready ahead. I may plan Wed. for one subject and Thurs. for another and then finish up on Friday.
wizzlewolf - Also, it depends on your personality, your teaching style, what you need to plan, and how long you have taught.
wizzlewolf - We all have our idiosyncrasies. I know I hate starting anything new on Monday. If we are starting a new activity, theme, or project, it has to be on a Tuesday! :-0
BonBon - Like the idea of staggering it, BT.
AndieAZ - Bon Bon, are you a very organized structured person? Will you not be able to enjoy a weekend if you haven't finished planning? Me, I am pretty relaxed, unorganized.
wizzlewolf - Good question Andie!
BonBon - I am like you, Andie. But I know I would feel better if it were all done already, especially if I need copies and such.
wizzlewolf - I am very organized and have to have all my ducks in a row, but I have taught for such a long time, I could come in that morning and know what needed to be done that day. This is simply because I have done it so many times. EVERYBODY is different.
BonBon - I don't know if my principal wants to see all lesson plans by Monday, either.
AndieAZ - I once had a principal who expected plans on Thursday. That was tough for me and my brain!
BT - In my school we have to turn plans in one week out of the month. They are to be on our desk every day. The plans are not so much for me as for a sub if they had to be called in.
wizzlewolf - My principal asks for lesson plans whenever. It is not consistant, but he does tell you in advance that he wants to see them.
AndieAZ - BT, where will you be teaching?
wizzlewolf - Usually we have to turn our plan books more often at the beginning of the year, then it drops off toward the end of the year.
BT - Grenville, SC__ I have been teaching third for the past 20 years in the same school.
BT - I am sort of excited about the change.
AndieAZ - I have to run and make some dinner. Nice chating with you.
BonBon - This will be my 2nd year teaching fourth after a 3 year break to have children. I feel like it's my first year again!
wizzlewolf - Oh BT that is a scary thought. WOW! But it is great that you have the chance for new experiences
BonBon - Bye, Andie. Thank you!
wizzlewolf - Bye Andie, Good Luck this year!
BT - I stayed out 10 with my family. My principal said to remember it took 3 years to get started and 3 to return. Not to expect everything to come at once. He was right. I don't know what his advice would be this time.__IMany principals have changed since then.
BT - It is late here. Have a good year.
BonBon - I have been busy reading Wong's "First Days" book!
BonBon - Thank you & you, too!
BonBon - Good night and good luck, all. Until next time....
