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Kate - What are your feelings about Halloween activities?
Linda/PA - I know some teachers do not like Halloweeen activities
Jen - We do Halloween. I have had students in the past who did not participate.
Kate - We also do Halloween, and our entire school has a Halloween parade!
Linda/PA - A few teachers have children dress as storybook characters
Linda/PA - we do a parade also.
Kate - that's a great idea...I had a student last year who did not participate
Jen - Hi. We have a Halloween parade too. It's fun.
Kate - Any ideas for Veteran's Day
Jen - I haven't done anything in the past for Veteran's Day. Probably should.
Linda/PA - I'm looking for a connection in your state for a Traveling Buddy project I'm doing with my fourth graders
Jen - Are the leaves turning yet it the east?
Kate - Linda, what do you mean...traveling buddy??
Kate - Yes...the foliage is beautiful!!!
Linda/PA - The students have stuffed animals they are sending to various states.
Kate - sending? you mean they have to buy them, and send them?
Jen - I imagine it is. Our weather isn't cold enough yet. We have seventies today. We haven't had any frost.
Kate - Not too many people in this 4th grade chat anymore...what's going on??!!
Linda/PA - I have an e-mail letter I could send to you to read later and let me know if you would participate. I just need one more state.
Linda/PA - I bought the animals with a grant
Jen - It used to be really busy. I guess people are busy since school began again.
Kate - ok....linda...do you want my email address?
Jen - I know I am, but I try to get on the chat Sunday afternoon at least.
Linda/PA - Jen, I have a CA connection or I would ask yu, too.
Kate - I miss everyone coming to the chat!
Linda/PA - yes, Kate, I need your e-mail address.
Jen - That's ok. We're pen pals with a group here, and SC. So, we're pretty busy.
Kate - I can't commit to anything, but I will definitely consider it... (I would have to consult our 4th grade team first, seeing as how I am new!!)
Jen - Is this your first year Kate?
Linda/PA - I understand
Kate - Yes, it is my first year!!! YIKES!
Jen - Are you both public school?
Linda/PA - Kate, how many years for you?
Jen - How's it going Kate?
Kate - yes, public, how about you?
Linda/PA - I meant to ask that ? to Jen
Kate - I have a great class, they are all soooo motivated to learn!
Jen - Yes. Rural, small, just a little over 400 kids.
Jen - This is my third full year.
Jen - You Linda?
Linda/PA - Public school...around 450
Linda/PA - Believe it or not, this is my 29!
Jen - Wow!!!
Linda/PA - I really don't know where the time went!
Jen - You're a PRO!!!
Linda/PA - I've taught 2, 3 and 4...like 4 the best.
Kate - What novels are you reading as a class?
Jen - Where are you in PA, Linda? Aren't those 4th graders special!! I love 'em.
Linda/PA - I'm still enjoying my job...still working long hours
Kate - We just finished "The War With Grandpa" by Robert Kimmel Smith
Kate - Linda....do you work on the weekends too?
Jen - We're reading Island of the Blue Dolphins. Goes with our Core Lit.
Linda/PA - My favorite chapter book to start out the year is Goblins in the CAstle by Bruce Coville.
Kate - Island of the Blue Dolphins is a tough read, isn't it?
Linda/PA - for 180 days, my life is school
Jen - I think all teachers put in long hours, don't they?
Linda/PA - If you want to have fun, you work those long hours.
Kate - Yes, they do, but I was wondering if it gets less after 29 years!!!
Jen - Linda do you do a lot of paper work at home, or am I still too inexperienced tohave refined it?
Linda/PA - It's so worth it. I'm now teaching children of past students.
Jen - I work with several teachers who are teaching their student's children.
Jen - You sound like a truly dedicated teacher who loves her work. Your kids are lucky.
Linda/PA - It's interesting to hear their memories
Kate - I worked for about 5 hours today...I was wondering if it gets better...seems as though I don't have much of a weekend life!!
Linda/PA - Kate, did your kids like war with grandpa?
Jen - Often the former students come back with those memories, don't they?
Kate - yes, they did, although I think it dragged on...have you read it Linda?
Linda/PA - This grant I got for Social studies has tied up a lot of my time..just trying to find people to participate.
Linda/PA - haven't read it.
Linda/PA - I'm starting Family Under the Bridge tomorrow
Kate - there are some funny parts, and it has a good theme!
Kate - I am also doing Family Under the Bridge soon!
Jen - Do you both have Core Literature lists you work from?
Kate - Do you do lit circles?
Linda/PA - We just finished Cricket in Times Square
Kate - Yes, we do!
Linda/PA - Have either of you read that to your class?
Jen - I have done lit circles, but not this year.
Kate - How many novels have you done so far, linda?
Kate - I did that as a read aloud.
Jen - No Linda, but it sounds good. Is it?
Linda/PA - I'll be starting Lit circles in Dec
Linda/PA - The kids loved Cricket...
Jen - Have either of you red One Hundred Dresses?
Kate - NO, but I've heard great things about it...many activities to go along with that book!
Jen - It's good. A good character building book.
Kate - How do you run lit circles?
Linda/PA - One of the chapters is the Chinese Dinner Party...I brought in chop sticks, fried rice, chinese noodles and fortune cookies. We ate after the chapter was read.
Kate - THAT IS SUPER!!!
Jen - Do you do drug education? We're starting that this week for Red Ribbon week.
Linda/PA - Lit Circles...
Kate - Fifth grade does drug education in our district...thank gosh!!!
Jen - Great idea Linda. Food always makes an impression on everyone!!
Jen - We hit it lightly. But during Red Rib. Wk. the whole school participates. It isn't my favorite.
Linda/PA - I don't do Lit circles the "formal" way. I just pair kids to read the same book and then move around to them and start a discussion.
Linda/PA - sometimes I have 2-4 reading in a group
Linda/PA - how do you do them?
Kate - What kinds of activities do you all do with your novels? How often do you do comprehension questions?
Jen - We do comprehension with every reading story.
Kate - every chapter?
Linda/PA - I have a read aloud that I just read after lunch without questions, etc. Just for the enjoyment of reading.
Kate - Same here, Linda!
Jen - Every story. Our basil is broken down into stories, and themes. It's weekly.
Kate - Jen...do you do comprehension questions for each chapter?
Jen - For each story. I test comp and vocab with every story.
mandy - Can anyone Help me with my questions on bilingual children
Susan - I have a spanish speaking student, Mandy.
mandy - I'm currently studying secondary ed. and I have to interview a teacher
Jen - We have bilingual children in our school.
Linda/PA - Then I have multiple copies of a Chapter book that the students are required to read 1 chapter a day. After 2 days we discuss it, do activities and then I read a chapter aloud before the cycle starts again
Susan - Does that help, Mandy?
Jen - Mine are all ESL however.
mandy - Susan that would be helpful would you be willing to answer 11 questions for me
Kate - I often wonder if I am teaching "reading" correctly with 4th graders....being my first year!!
mandy - Jen thats even better could you answer 11 of my questions please It would help
mandy - Susan sorry
Jen - Sure Mandy. Which state are youj Mandy?
Linda/PA - Kate, just remember to make readers, they must enjoy reading and read , read, read!
mandy - Okay I appreciate it. Number 1 What is your Philosophy of bilingual education?
Susan - That's O.K. I just finished my ESL training. My student has only been in the United States for one year. He knows a little English but is at the lowest proficient level of any student I have.
mandy - Jen the question is for you sorry
Kate - Yes, that is so true, Linda....Answering comprehension ques for each chapter does not help the kids enjoy reading!!!
Linda/PA - make sure your students are reading material at their ability level.
Kate - Yes, that is the key,!
Jen - My philosophy, all here on the chat line? LOL That is a loaded question. Imight run out of room. Are you in CA? Makes a difference.
Kate - I just ordered some novels that are on the grade 1-2 reading level for 3 of my students.
mandy - Jen How effective do you think the bilingual is at Mariposa? Can you give specific examples of its effectiveness?
Susan - Linda, does that mean that you don't let your students read books below their level.
Jen - Mariposa CA?
Kate - the war with grandpa was tough for them...they needed to read the chapter 2 times and have it read to them before they could understand.
Linda/PA - Actually, Kate, the Babysitters club is good for low readers..girls
mandy - Jen take your time make it short if you need to and I'm in N>C>
Kate - oh yes, that is a good series for low readers... I forgot about that !
mandy - Jen Mariposa is a definition I do not know what it means
Jen - In CA we have bilingual programs, but we aren't allowed to use languages in the classroom, except English.
Kate - the war with grandpa was too advanced for them...I have purchased books that will help improve their fluency!
Linda/PA - Susan, they read any level they want, but if it is too hard, what do they get out of it?
Kate - I agree Linda...they need to build confidence AND fluency so they need to read on their ability level!
Linda/PA - Harder books are good for teacher read-alouds
Kate - so true, linda.
Jen - I have never heard of Mariposa Mandy. That name to me is a place, about 65 miles from my home. Sorry.
mandy - Jen what grade do you teach and subject?
mandy - That's okay!
Susan - I agree. I do a reading circus and my students are allowed to read anything they want when reading alone. When they buddy read, I chose something a little lower, and when they read with me, they are reading grade level.
Jen - Mandy. I teach 4th grade, all subjects.
Kate - I just finished reading " There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom" ...the kids LOVED it!
Susan - Kate, that's one of the trade books that comes with our reading basal. Was easy enough for them to read alone?
Linda/PA - I hate to say good night, but my husband is patiently waiting for me to join him for dinner....
Kate - no...i did that one as a read aloud!!
Kate - Bye Linda!
Jen - Night Linda. It has been nice chatting with you. Have a good week.
Susan - Kate, do you have alot of low readers?
Kate - Next read aloud is Running Out of Time
Linda/PA - I came across this by accident...I hope we all meet again!
Kate - I have about 3
Kate - Yes...Bookmark this site Linda!!!!!!!!
Jen - We will look for you Linda.
mandy - Jen Q#4 In what ways are effectively implementing the bilingual proposal and the district guidelines regarding the bilingual program?
Susan - You think my students could read that with buddies. That was what I wanted them to do.
Kate - Mandy...is this an interview??
Linda/PA - Kate...do you want me to send you the grant project info?
mandy - Jen I type slow or my sentenced is long. sorry!
Kate - Oh.....Yes!
Kate - Here's my email address happy_is_yellow@yahoo.com
mandy - Kate yes!
Kate - Has anyone read Running Out of Time?
Linda/PA - Thanks, Kate.
Kate - thanks LInda!! See you next Sunday, I hope!
Jen - Our district guide lines follow state guidelines re bilingual ed. Our bilingual ed. people are paid from state and fed. monies.
Kate - Has anyone read Running Out Of Time?
Kate - I am about to begin that mystery this week!
Kate - I haven't read it yet, but someone highly recommened it to me!
mandy - Jen Q#5 What has this school district mandated to do to identify and provide services to LEP students?
Jen - Mandy, our bilingual ed. head person has a specific test she gives yearly to our students. Their status does change as they become more English proficient.
mandy - Jen Q#6 How do you think these mandates impact your teaching?
Jen - They help, because they guide my target teaching as far as their English skill levels.
Jen - Our school is 56% Hispanic, so we have a relatively high number of LEP and Non-English students.
mandy - Jen Q#7 How helpful was the LASS testing in identifying and assessing student needs?
Jen - Not familiar with LASS.
mandy - Jen What special training have you received to meet the needs of LEP students?
Jen - We have had workshops both inhouse, and through the Migrant program.
mandy - Jen Q#9 What do you do to suopport the work of bilingual and ESL teachers?
mandy - Jen Q#10 What methods of instruction do you use to meet the needs of LEP students?
Jen - I work with the bilingual ed teachers as far as curriculum and assessments to meet the needs of my children.
mandy - Jen Q#11 Do you have any closing comments about bilingual education in general or the program here at Mariposa?
Jen - Only that I think it is necessary to give the kids what they need to meet the demands of English only classrooms. I support the programs.
mandy - Jen Q#10 What methods of instruction do you use to meet the needs of LEP studentss?
Jen - Most of our textbooks have support materials and methods. I use and follow those, and also do a lot of visual work with them.
mandy - Jen how many years have you taught 4th grade?
Jen - Kate, have you done any writing lessons with the Halloween theme?
Jen - This is my third year, Mandy.
Jen - The beautiful state of Kentuky. Do you have a large class?
mandy - Jen thank you so much!!! By the way I have 2 semsters to go, and I will be teaching secondary ed. Teachers are a high demand here
mandy - Jen my son is in the 4th grade and he is 9yrs.
mandy - Jen Bye!!!
Jen - That's cool Mandy. I love kids that age. They are so neat.
Jen - Night all. Have a good one.
