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Kathy/MD - ok, why don't we start an elem/ms meeting. does anyone have any questions to lead off?
jem - How do we implement the demands and rigours of the new expectations?
Kathy/MD - not sure why Kathy and Kim aren't here, but I am sure that they would want us to get started. Jem, what new expectations are you referring to?
tricia/FL - I am student teaching and I would like to know if you teachers are stressed to the max., like all the elem teachers I have worked with.
jem - Most of the expectations...from the zany, for example, Grade 5 Music...to teach a piece from the Rennaissance Period (example, by Thomas Morely) and students should be able to discuss some of its characteristics (example, polyphonic texture). Should a grade 5 student really need to know these things? and if so, where do we get the resources with which to teach it?
Kathy/5/IA - Teaching can be a stressful job.
Kathy/MD - Kathy, do you do working with words with your class, or any of the activities in MxM for upper grades?
Barb - Yes to the stress question and it keeps getting worse. I don't know how new teachers survive!
mama k - to answer Tricia, yes. lol but thats okay it gets better as it goes along.
Kathy/5/IA - Yes, I do try to do some of the MxM activities, but I haven't been able to fit them in on a scheduled basis.
mama k - jem, where are these expectations from?
pam - jem...i have been teaching for 20 years and no- a grade 5 student does not need to know that...you can find that info on numerous sites..go to the menc site and click on resources for teachers or you can get 'classical music' for dummies which does a nice bit on renaissance music..there are many videos and other resources available
jem - yes, teachers are extremely stressed...We are doing a job that really 2 or 3 people should be doing...Our image in the public eye is one of an easy job, working 9 - 3, getting summers off...however, those of us in the business know that we work most nights and weekends, giving up precious time with our own children, never feeling that everything we give is enough...It is tough...
Kathy/MD - How do you feel about these phonic type activities with kids in the intermediate grades? How are they helpful to them when reading, etc.?
Barb - Some kids need phoncis--some don't. If they need them, use them.
Kathy/5/IA - I've seen the phonics type activities helpful. At times I see the "light bulb" go off. The kids may have been introduced to a concept in the younger grades - but finially put it all together in 5th. I also have several ESL students in my class room whee the phonics activites are helpful.
Barb - Some students do NOT associate letters with sounds. They never learn to do more than learn each word. It's a lot of work, and they usually don't read well. Phonics helps these students.
jem - What does 'ghoti' spell? Answer = fish. 'gh' as in tough, 'o' as in women, 'ti' as in situiation. Phonics is useful, and you can have fun with it, too.
jem - Is there somewhere that we can write to the ministry regarding problems and solutions with the reality of teaching in today's world?
Kathy/MD - Kathy and Barb, do you find the above average kids get turned off with these activities?
CAT - Hello fellow teachers. We were told today that due to the negative climate surrounding Holloween, we will be doing Ancestor/Heritage Day celebrations. Any ideas for first grade activities that replace Holloween stuff?
Kathy/5/IA - All my kids enjoy the making big words. I do keep a word wall. I haven't used all the differnt types of activities yet.
Barb - No--not if you make it fun, with white boards, or chalkboards, and start each lesson easy, and work to hard words where they write down three or 4 sounds per word.
pam - we did a whole day like that last year. we sent out forms to the parents if they wanted to participate by performing or bringing in traditional foods. it was totally awesome
silver - Negative climate?
Kathy/MD - I did brand name phonics and it went well...a lot of the kids really began to see how useful it was to help them decode and spell bigger words..
pam - students were in costumes from all over the world with grandparents in attendance and a performance and wonderful foods. it requires alot of planning and organization though...but it's worth it.
Kathy/5/IA - I can see how that would work, Kathy/MD.
Kathy/5/IA - I know our 4th grade teacher has had success with the brand name phonics.
silver - The program at my school incorporates a little phonics but takes it further
silver - If you ever hear something about the Reading Foundation in Calgary, AB, give it a listen.
Kathy/MD - Barb, do you do making words with chalk//white boards instead of manipulating letters?
silver - It's a great program.
Kathy/5/IA - I use ceramic tiles for my making big words.
CAT - Costumes from around the world sounds fun. What types of costumes did they wear?
jem - Heritage Day...they could dress up as a food that their heritage culture enjoyed/enjoys...or dress up in costume (a highland kilt...), or dress up as a past prime minister, or dress up as a piece of wheat (if living on the prairies) or a big nickel (if living in Sudbury)...anything to do with their heritage...
Kathy/MD - Actually, Kathy, I had a great time doing it! :)
jem - Still, no one knows how to get in touch with the Ministry of Education? To email them or do they have a chat room?
Kathy/MD - Jem, do you have a supervisor that you could contact first?
Kathy/5/IA - Jem, I'm sorry. I don't have that info.
Kathy/MD - How are your lit circles going, Kathy?
jem - No, it doesn't seem so. We have new expecations and no resources with which to teach them. The main problem is doing a 'search and rescue' mission for materials everytime we teach one of the new expectations (of which there are hundreds). We have no supplies, few text books, yet high demands on us to produce. Ugh!!!
Kathy/5/IA - Lit circles are going well. :)
Kathy/MD - Glad to hear that!
jem - Also, are there others out there who are spending a lot of their own money on their classrooms? I am, and I strongly feel this money should be tax deductible as a donation or I should at least get refunded from the government. A nurse is not expected to buy her own bandages... a doctor is not expected to buy his own surgical equipment...why are teachers expected to buy their own materials for the children...????
Kathy/MD - Jem, I too, have spent my own $$ on school related items. However, I can take it off of my income taxes.
Kathy/5/IA - jem - you hit on the "teacher" question that bothers me also - as one who has spent way too much on school stuff!
Mountainette 4/WV - jem - I spend a lot of my own money, but I feel it is my choice, and besides - what I spend money on just makes my job easier
jem - I am a beginning teacher with high debt, and if I want my student to be able to compete with the "Jones'", I feel I must spend money to enrich their learning, yet I am going into even more debt. What kind of job is this? I love the students. I love teaching. I just don't know if my pocket book can take the expense for a good education for my students.
Mountainette 4/WV - what kinds of things are you buying, jem?
jem - Books on 'Structures and Mechanisms' for science, flash cards, dice games for teaching probability, decks of cards for students to learn crib and other counting games, "Math Books" for skill/drill practice, music books ,"how to play recorder".....
jem - Also, bulletin board materials, binders, folders, stamps and stickers...
Mountainette 4/WV - I have found a lot of skill/drill worksheets here on the internet. They are fabulous
Mountainette 4/WV - http://member.aol.com/ggallag958/default.html This site has wonderful worksheets
jem - Technology is such an advantage, yet can be frustrating as well. I have set my students up with 'Mathtrek' in my class, however, I have 34 students, and have assigned a time for each of them to use the one computer I have in my classroom. Now, although there are many other wonderful programs, I cannot use them for my students, because the computer is already booked solid. Oh, what I could do in a few years when each child has their own computer. (This must be the direciton we are heading in.)
Mountainette - jem - where do you teach?
jem - I teach in Sudbury, Ontario.
