Kelly - Hi folks! Welcome!
Debbie Mc - Kelly, thanks for getting the newbies on the listserve.
Kelly - Debbie Mc - Hey....I try to drag anyone I can into our web! :) No sense in anyone feeling alone!
Christiana - What grade do you guys teach?
Wendy - I am trying to get FTP to organize rooms for assessors in Daytona
Debbie Mc - I teach first
Wendy - <-----pre-k special ed
Christiana - Is this an official meeting or all you all just gabbing?
Kelly - I think the real bottom line for this whole thing is collaboration.....it's so essential in our otherwise isolated profession!
Wendy - Both Christina
Kelly - i Christiana, This is National Board certification for early childhood/generalist....
Debbie Mc - I was hoping NBPTS would allow EC Gen assessing online this year. I'd love to do that but I can't travel very far because of school starting in early August.
Wendy - Kelly that is why teh National Board was started
Christiana - whats it a meeting for?
Christiana - hi bette
bette/tx - hello all
Wendy - Debbie where are you?
bette/tx - hello christiana
Christiana - anyone want some coffee cake
Debbie - I'm here
Wendy - welcome Betty
bette/tx - hello wendy
Christiana - does anyone know the song "when you say nothing at all" -its a country song. I want to get it
Wendy - what state?
Kelly - Wendy - I know....but at first I didn't have a network to collaborate with....but now we certainly do!
bette/tx - christiana i would love some..i have some coffee that would go great with that
Debbie - Florida
Kay - For Entry 1 I am doing a unit on Africa. For the culminating activity we are going to have a parents' night where we will put on an Anansi play, serve food in the pottery we have made, do a dance to the music of the drums we have made and wear out batik
Debbie Mc - Christina, I do. I'm starving, eating salsa and nachos
Wendy - Kelly you are the queen of colaboration
Christiana - Wow kay
Wendy - They are doing some asseessments in Miami too
Christiana - Debbie, id love an almond one
Anne - Sorry if I play around, have never done this before, I teach K
Wendy - Sounds great Kay
bette/tx - hello teresa.
Kelly - Kay - Sounds great! Wendy....thanks....maybe it's my calling instead of ever becoming a real life NBCT! :)
Christiana - Does anyone use Houghton Mifflin for their reading program
Kelly - Anne - don't worry - we're all learning!
Debbie Mc - I'd love to assess! I hope thay allow EC Gen assessing on line. I can't travel because our school starts Aug. 2
bette/tx - debbie..when is the general meeting??
Debbie Mc - Christina, I use Houghton Miffling (principal's insistence.
Kelly - I think they'll have to go with online assessing...it just makes sense. As they iron out the kinks, I think we'll see it implemented for all certification areas.
Kay - Sorry, must have sent that before I was done. Does anyone have a suggestion of an art goal since I am covering soooo much art?
Debbie - Christina I used it for three years and don't use it in K this year
Wendy - Debbie do you have the dates tehy will be doing the assessments?
Anne - I use Houghton Mifflin, too or I'm supposed todistrict says
Teresa - Do you know that they are starting online assessing already?
Debbie Mc - Kelly wouldn't you like to assess too, if we could do it online. Maybe we could meet somewhere between St. Louie and western KY.
Christiana - Debbie-what do you think? What grades did you use it with. Anne, and you? This is our first year with it
Wendy - Teresa, they are piloting the online assessments in some areas
Debbie - Sorry I don't know anything about it
bette/tx - hello ((((((scottie)))))))))))
Kelly - Debbie Mc - I'd LOVE to do it....would we be able to do it from home? That's what I'm hoping for.....
bette/tx - Wendy what areas??
Debbie Mc - Christina, I think they have way too many worksheets, but I just pick and choose what I want to do. I like the literature in the newer series alot better than the old.
Teresa - I wonder how that would work.
Anne - I piloted it, and it was my second choice of the 3...I like the books and stories, but I don't use it for much else
Debbie - Christiana we used 1 mastered skill, 2,developing, 3 area of concern
Debbie Mc - I think so, Kelly.
Christiana - I mean Debbie Mc-did you use the houghton mifflin for what grades
Wendy - Not sure
Teresa - It seems to me that online assessing would take some of the validity away.
Christiana - annie-what was your first choice. and what do you supplement with
Kelly - I think some MC-GEN were scored online last time....
Christiana - i mean anne, sorry
Debbie Mc - First Grade. Our k teachers are using it this year and don't like it. But they are trying to hold off forming opinion till end of year. Their children are reading though
Anne - My first choice was Open Court, because I liked the structure, I supplement HM with Open Court and other games and things I have developed myself
Debbie Mc - Teresa, why do you think validity would be at risk?
Teresa - because there wouldn't be any control over what is being done.
Christiana - Our 1st grade teachers HATE it. But its only our 1st year. In fact they had a district 1st grade meeting about it with the textbook rep, they hated it so much.
Pat - am
Debbie Mc - Christina, We did too at first. But we decided to pick what we wanted and leave out the rest. Add what we like.
Kelly - Teresa - if they brought all of the assessors for an entry together for training, why would it make a dif where they went and actually read the entries?
Christiana - bye all
Teresa - I don't know, I am just not comfortable with my entries being put online and read at someone's home. I am not sure why, though.
Lana - They will be assessing in Las Vegas this summer - first time!
Kelly - Lana.....hmmmm....assessing WHAT? :)
Wendy - Are you in Las VEgas Lana?
Lana - I'll see if I can find my list
Diana - I was so busy working on my community entry, I almost forgot about the chat. Anyone else still typing up this one? I have some questions I'd like to do some "thinking aloud."
Debbie Mc - Kelly, do you travel to go through training and then assess at your home?
Kelly - Lana, are you assessing?
Lana - No, I'm outside of Vegas but our district headquarters is in Vegas. I did teach there for 20 years.
Teresa - I am working on community Diana.
Lana - Kelly, they won't let candidates assess!
Kinderjane - Hey Ya'll!
Debbie - I am as well Diana
Kelly - Debbie Mc - I have no idea how they will set it up. They have been having assessors come to a central point to score. I hope they change that. The assessor has to pay all his/her expenses....hotel, food, transportation, etc....
Diana - Ah, Teresa, how far along are you with community? I am still hung up on describing my classroom. The problem is relating everything to the goals.
Anne - Diana, I'm working on community too
Lana - In Vegas they'll need assessors for EC GEN MC GEN EA Math EA Science EA YA Art Adol and YA Science and Ad and YA SS
Debbie Mc - Kelly, could you assess in a different area than you're working on?
Diana - Hi, Jane.
Kinderjane - Diana- I'm doing community and have questions, too.
Kelly - Lana - I THOUGHT you were a candidate....but wasn't positive! Sorry! We can both do it next year after we've earned the NBCT status! :)
Teresa - I dont' know how far along I am. I thought I had my video done, and then I showed it to someone who had passed and she recommended redoing it. I did this week.
Diana - Mel, okay. What are you working on right now? I'm having a hard time describing the physical layout of the classroom and connecting it to those 2 goals.
Lana - In Vegas the pay is $125 per day meals; three of my friends from my school have signed up. That's the way to do it; be an assessor first. KELLY, Yes!!!! I'll look forward to meeting you next summer! (When we're both NBTs!
Kelly - Debbie Mc - No - the assessor has to be a teacher in the field of the certificate area he/she assesses.....
Diana - I thought I had a good video last week. I'm less happy with it now that I've reviewed it a few time. It is more teacher directed than I'd like.
Kelly - Sorry...I have no idea why that last message posted twice...
Debbie Mc - Kelly, I meant could you assess entry 1 if you're banking and redoing entry 3 for example.
Kelly - Debbie Mc - good point...maybe so. I don't know. We should call nbpts and ask!
Anne - I have a community video, however, there is a small break will it work
Teresa - Diana-the first goal should be pretty easy...the second one might be tougher-but we all have diversity.
Teresa - Anne, does the video turn off?
Kinderjane - In writing about com. video, it says relate to one aspect of one of the goals. My video relates to both. I asked on the ring and the advice I've gotten is relate to both. How have any of ya'll done it?
Debbie Mc - Diana, can you connect how you arrange your room for student interactions. for example do you have tables or desks. Are materials arranged so that students have access or choice?
Diana - My problem with videoing is that I have a very difficult group this year. It is compounded by the fact that I have a new students since Christmas who has major temper tantrums. It's hard to get a video where no one is trying to injure someone else. Trying to get them to listen to each other is secondary. :)
Diana - Debbie,
Pat - what kinds of writing samples are people using for literacy
Diana - Mel, Your last message to me just dropped off my screen before I could read it.
Teresa - that can be tough, but it can also be to your advantage. How do the other children handle the temper tantrums?
Kelly - Diana - could you video when that child is out of the room - or in a different group or something...like maybe it's THAT child's turn at the computer???? :)
Cathy - I'm trying to connect Community Helpers with the idea that when a bunch of people work together they each have to cooperate and that there are some jobs that just ONE person can't do. for the ARTS area I would like to show some kind of video that is the MAKING OF ...... Any ideas of something that would be appropriate for 4 year olds. Then we could make our own video.
Lana - Pat, science journal entry, poems, response to story, autobiography (Virginia really knows the answer to your question; maybe she'll join the chat).
Diana - oops, Debbie, I was typing and my screen disappeared momentarily. I wanted to say that yes, I have tables to encourage group work. I have an art center with labeled tubs, etc. I can explain what I have and why, but those goals keep throwing me off.
Cathy - Pat - use journal pages (maybe 2 from different times of the year, math stories, book reports, etc.
Kelly - Pat - yes, I think Lana is right. Use samples from different types of writing ...
Kinderjane - My class is all caucasion with similar backgrounds. I'm having to s-t-r-e-t-c-h to show diversity.
Debbie Mc - I'm sorry Diana, but are the goals still the same as last year?
Diana - The kid with the tantrums is a good example of diversity. I'd like to show how we deal with him, but it can be messy for a video. Ya know?
Kelly - Kinderjane - but the kids are probably ALL so different....diversity can be in ability levels, etc.....if you don't have different ethnic groups you can't have it held against you!
Debbie - I am having trouble deciding which video to use. In one you can't hear the small group discussion all that great you can hear some specifics. In the other you can see my made up "boom" with a yard stick but only parts of me. Any suggestions?
Diana - The goals are 1) to create a classroom in which children display mutual respect, have the ability to solve conflicts and develop social skills, etc. and 2)to build an appreciation for diversity represented in the classroom and community.
Teresa - I think that in a video, they want to see what your classroom is like-they want a real picture.
Kinderjane - Kelly- That's what I used. Learning styles, personality traits. The differences are there. I just had to really brainstorm on that one.
Debbie Mc - Kelly's right. Diversity could be in wearing glasses, being short,tall, wide, skinny, learning quickly, slowly, etc.
Mel - Goals are the same as last year
Diana - My kids are all white. Our diversity is in ability levels and social skills. I'm also finding it hard to discuss ability levels without sounding like I'm labeling kids as "slow" or "special ed" etc. Suggestions?
Lana - My opinion on the videos is that it's not so much the quality, as long as you do show the children working towards the goals, but it's the way you write up and reflect on what happened. It's almost better not to have a perfect lesson because it gives you more to reflect upon.
Kinderjane - Diana- Surely he's not having tantrums all the time, is he?
Teresa - I agree with Lana...that is what I have heard from others who have passed anyway.
Kelly - Debbie - could you submit a transcript of the video as the optional artifact - isn't that what it's there for? So that maybe you use it to help the assessor's "see" what was happening in the video?
Debbie Mc - Diana, have they been formally identified as sp. ed. etc.
Cathy - Kinderjane- Can you show diversity in students' interests. some are good at math some are leaders in science etc.
Teresa - I talked about how much on grade level they were.
Debbie Mc - Even playground problems can be caused by differences.
Kinderjane - Debbie. Can you hear them at all? I understand that assessors will be in a booth with headphones. Can you hear the children with the volume turned up?
Diana - Jane, Well, only when you ask him to do something. For example; B, would you please sit criss cross applesauce so D. can see?
Lana - Diana, my video has "criss cross applesauce" on it too (meanwhile I was thinkin' "if you don't sit down, I'll knock your socks off, kid!"
Diana - Lana, That's why I'm thinking of using the video I have even though it is fairly teacher directed. It shows how I'm facilitating them to take more responsibility. They just arent' there yet. I can write about that. What do you think?
Kelly - And don't forget that what you DO about those differences is important....giving opportunities for the "quiet" child to learn to better express himself orally, etc.....all of the things folks are mentioning create diverse populations in all of our classrooms!
Debbie Mc - Diana, maybe you could use the children's learning to accept the difference in this child as your diversity.
Diana - Teresa, I get a little uncomfortable talking about "grade level" for kindergarten. What grade are you in?
Teresa - first and second
Lana - Diana, I think that's a very good idea. I truly believe NB is looking for teachers who can see ways to improve their own teaching.
Teresa - Diana-which video are you talking about?
Diana - Teresa, Yeah, I think "grade level" is a more appropriate for those grades.
Rachel - Lana, I agree!
Debbie - Jane yes you can hear the voices but only some specifics ,like you can go first...maybe 5 or so all together
Kelly - But we need to try to get as much student to student conversation as possible.....I think that's another "key" that they're looking for....
Kinderjane - Diana, I have a child with many behacior problems. I read this great book that has helped me. He needs lots of "excited" attention. I give him all his good attention very excitedly. I "fuss" at him in a monotone without a lot of eye contact. That has really helped him.
Lana - And students interacting with each other...
Diana - Well, the only video I have now is the one that went pretty smoothly but is teacher directed. B. didn't have a tantrum because he got to share his opinion first. :)
Debbie Mc - Rachel, are you "my" Rachel?
Kelly - Debbie Mc - I was thinking she was MY Rachel! :)
Teresa - Is this for the Science or the Comm. entry?.
Kinderjane - Debbie, Is it the whole video? Or just part? When mine are sharing with partners, you can hear snatches, but not whole converasations. That's only a couple of minutes of the video.
Rachel - Kjane, what's the name of that book? YES...I belong to you both,cyberfriends!!!
Debbie Mc - Maybe she's not either of ours?
Diana - What my video is missing is good student-to-student interaction. My kids were in groups. Each group came up to share their picture of their solution to our problem. The group explained the pic and we made a t-chart from the info. There was some interaction with the rest of the class, but it was minimal.
Debbie - Yes it is just a couple of minutes when they come back and share you can hear clearly at all other times
Diana - I'm talking about the comm video. I don't have one for science yet. That's another story!!!
Debbie Mc - Have you tried turning the volume up really loud and taping it with the volume louder?
Kelly - Diana - but it shows that they interacted with each other in their groups, right? So that's GOOD!
Diana - Yes, Jane. What is the name of the book?
Anne - Can this communinity video be sharing among students, then coming back into large group and sharing and writing our suggestions?
Mary Lou - Hi Guys!
Kelly - Hi Mary Lou - glad you could make it!
Pat - i can't get on keep getting hourglass and it won't type
Kinderjane - Rachel- Transforming the Difficult Child-The Nurtured Heart Approach by Glasser and Easley
Cathy - I'm trying to connect Community Helpers with the idea that when a bunch of people work together they each have to cooperate and that there are some jobs that just ONE person can't do. for the ARTS area I would like to show some kind of video that is the MAKING OF ...... Any ideas of something that would be appropriate for 4 year olds. Then we could make our own video.
Debbie Mc - Yes Anne, it can.
Diana - Kelly, well, I'm hoping its good. There were some really good thing to write up about how the groups functioned. I just wish the class discussion part was more interactive.
Anne - me writing and the students telling me what to write?
Kelly - Anne - I THINK that yes, you are right....
Teresa - I have been told many times that in the community video they want to see it child centered. They also don't want a lesson. I had to redo mine because it was too much of a lesson.
Debbie Mc - Cathy, I don't understand what you mean by The Making of?
Diana - Anne, well that's what is on my video. Will it work, I don't know....
Pam - Does anyone have a great suggestion for community?
Lana - Cathy, I did careers for ss and the arts. One artifact is a transcript from a video I made of the kids. They pretended to hold jobs as adults 20 years from now. It went very well; maybe you could modify something like that for younger kids?
Kelly - Welcome Casey...
Kelly - Pam - have you done the "wrinkled heart"?
Pam - No, tell me about it?
Cathy - Like showing the Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller - it is a modern art form and the dansers , makeup artist musician, singers, etc. ALL had to work together. But is R&R good for 4 year lds???
Rachel - KJ, thanks...I'll have to order the book...It will be my 9th or 10th resource book in the last 3 weeks ....I'm gonna HAVE to certify to afford my M/C bill before NBC is over!!!!!
Lana - Pam, how about a class meeting? Books to check on class meetings: Positive Discipline and/or Morning Meetings.
Diana - Besides the tantrum throwin child, I have an EMH student who is very difficult to work with. He was in one of the groups, but happened to leave to get his meds before the video (which was the group presentations to the whole class). One of his group members said on the video, where is J? He was in our group. Though I wish he'd been on the tape, at least it shows that they valued his participation. I can write about that.
Pam - Yes I have heard about those books, just have not found them yet.
Kelly - Lana/Pam - I love the Morning Meeting book! It's available at www.responsiveclassroom.com
Lana - Pam, Amazon.com has both, I believe.
Kinderjane - Rachel- Me, too! I just keep ordering books. Not much time to read now though!
Debbie Mc - Cathy, I guess R&R is okay as long as your goals and assessments are appropriate or appropriately done, I think you can use anything. It's all in the way you write.
Pam - The wrinkled heart sounds really interesting
Lana - Speaking of medication and videos; I took mine when I got home after school and making the videos. They came in the form of a therpist named Paul Mason
Kelly - Pam - I'd use it differently for the video, knowing what I now know about the entry! But it's a GREAT activity. Do you have it?
Pat - I'm writing ss and arts and having difficulty with the question how they build on one another. My unit is on fanilies, how they are the same and different, familiy wants and needs, interdependence etc.
Kinderjane - Diana- That shows appreciation for diversity that they care about this child. :-)
Debbie Mc - Love the Morning Meeting Book. We have begun to incorporate elements into our day. We love greeting each other and our guests are impressed when we greet them.
Diana - I had a great community lesson. It just didn't turn out well on the video. I read a book about valentines day that included the poem frame "roses are red, violets are blue....." We drew names and each made a valentine for a classmate. The valentine said Roses are red, violets are blue, _______ is __________. I'm wild about you. We met in a circle and each child presented his/her valentine to his/her friend and read the poem.
Pam - No I do not, where do I get it?
Pam - Cute idea about the valentine!
Kelly - Pam - email me at lkelly46@cs.com and I'll send it to you - with my suggestions of how to make it work better for this entry
Diana - Jane, yeah, that was the best thing on the video. I'm thinking about using it because my class can't take the stress of many more failed video attempts. I think I can write a lot about it - maybe enough to make up for the fact that it is so teacher-directed.
Pam - Thanks Kelly!
steph - what is the wrinkled heart activity
Kelly - Debbie Mc - my kids are now greeting visitors with "Good morning, Ms. so and so, I like your dress!" and things like that! :)
Teresa - Diana-I was recently at a week long workshop to work on my portfolio. They said that doing a teacher directed lesson like that is not a good idea-for this entry. It sounds like a great lesson but that is not what they are wanting to see. So these people said...
Kinderjane - I love the Morning Meeting book. My community video is a morning meeting. The children are really taking responisbility for solving their own problems even beyond the actual meetings.
Kelly - Steph - it's a great community builder - teaching kids how once they say something hurtful it doesn't go away. If you email me, I'll send it to you! lkelly46@cs.com
Teresa - Kelly, is that in a book?
Debbie Mc - Kelly between four blocks and morning meeting, I'm having problems getting it all in. I hope as I become more adept at using it, I'll love them even more.
Diana - Teresa, which teacher-directed lesson are you talking about? The video I'm thinking of using is the one where the kids share their drawings from their group discussions about solving a problem. The teacher directed part is where I take what they say and make a t-chart.
Debbie Mc - Kelly's right. The wrinkled heart message stays with them.
Kelly - Teresa - are you meaning the wrinkled heart? But what if you did it by starting off together, then having break out groups to come up with hurtful things, then come back together to discuss, then break outs for things that would be kind, and then back together to unfold the heart?
Kinderjane - Diana, if the kids are stressed about the videos, why not just don't make a big deal of it. I left the camera in place even when I wasn't filming, so they usually didn't even know if I was filming.
Debbie Mc - My kids still refer to the heart.
Kelly - Teresa - no - I picked it up at a workshop years ago.....
Kinderjane - Hey Dana!
Dana in MS - HI GIRLS!!!
Lana - Hi Dana!!
JoJo - Hey, are we talking EC-Gen in here?
Diana - My kids are too smart. I tried not telling them when the camera was on, but they knew that it was when the red light was on - and of course, they would announce that in the middle of the discussion. :)
Pat - In ss and arts when they ask how the eperiences were related and built upon each other I'm afraid I';m either brain dead or they just didn't buld upon or relate. Mine is on families. We learned about diffwerent kinds of families, family needs and wants , interdependence of families, and made family portraits using primary colors
Kelly - Hi there, Dana - glad you're here!
Teresa - They said that giving them something to do and then having them talk about it was too teacher directed. I had them watch for others being kind and then the next day they shared what they saw. They said that was not what they wanted. But like they said, you have to do what you feel comfortable with.
Dana in MS - We pledge to our big heart every day with the motto we made up - it is now the cornerstone of classroom community! THANKS to kelly!!!
Lana - Jo Jo: YES!
Kelly - I just keep using two tapes...over and over. So there is always one in and the red light is on and I'm taping. They think I have a zillion tapes of them....but really, it's just two tapes I keep switching! :)
Diana - Teresa, so what did they recommend instead?
Rachel - Kelly, I'd like a copy of the wrinkled heart activity,2, pleez!!! rmarley@coastalnet.com
Pam - See Kelly we all like your advice!!!
Kinderjane - Pat, Mine has to do with families, too. I told that first each child examined own family practices, then we compared within oiur class, then we compared to penpal families in other states. Started with what was closest to them and moved out. I've no idea if this is right, but it is what I did!!! Does that help any?
Debbie Mc - Hi, Rachel.
Kelly - Rachel - I'll send it! :)
Teresa - I have a combination class. So they suggested talking about how they feel being in that kind of class. I just opened up the floor and let them talk. I am going to show it to someone to see if it is better.
Kelly - Pam - now if I could just get certified! :)
Pam - Honey, you and me both!
Kelly - Mel - you're back! We keep losing you
Lana - Hi RACHAEL! Are you from NC?
Diana - Pat, I tried to show how activities were related to student response or interest in earlier activities.
Rachel - Yes, Lana, that's ME!!!
Dana in MS - we invite everyone who visits in our class to sign on our big blue heart after they say our pledge with us (visiting parents, principal...) Our pledge (kids made up after he activity "We promise to share, to be nice, and to treat other people like we like to be treated." (left hand thumbs up and right hand on their heart) we do after the pledge to the flag every day
martha - I have finally finished my science video! I am have trouble writing it up. I am confused about the difference between the word "concept" and what I wuld think of as objectives. I have t he major goals stated and I feel it fits the standard and the big idea but, this more specific goals for each learning exp. and the activities concepts are getting me. Any help? Please
Diana - Teresa, Wow, just let them talk. Now why didn't I think of that? It certainly fits with the goals and the directions.
Rachel - Hi, Debbie MC, too!!
Casey - Teacher directed? For the community video...is sitting in a circle and then breaking into small discussion groups( learning buddy pairs) discussing responsible behavior ( the character word for the week) and I only called on the students, they did most of the talking, is this too teacher directed? Help!!
Lana - Dana, that sounds so nice! RACHEL, glad you're here; how's the science going?
Dana in MS - fantastic! i got my tape the first try - (don't mean to brag - really, i as just lucky
Diana - Casey, Yes, HELP!! The more I learn the more confused I get. Is it true you don't have to "pass" every entry as long as your total points add up?
Kelly - Teresa - I'd love for you to tell us more about what they said. I thought that if we started it and then let them talk amongst themselves and then come back to the group to share, that we were on the right track. Are you saying no to that?
Lana - DIANA, very true about not having to pass every entry - you just need 275 total points.
Kelly - Diana - yes, it's true....you just need to have 275 points. You can "not pass" several entries and still have 275 points.
Teresa - Diana-they don't want to see a lesson as much as they want tosee how your children relate to one another.
Rachel - Rec'd some inf oon 'mealworms' via snail maiol today...Don't know if I'm goona feel comfie w/ it...My AIMS magnet unit still h/n arrived...So, I'm still stressing over it!
Debbie Mc - Diana, No you don't have to pass every entry to certify. You just need 275 points. If some entries are strong it makes up for some of thelower scores.
Lana - Rachel, I know what you mean. I've read so many wonderful things about magnets that I'm wondering if I should've done that!
Teresa - Kelly, from what I understand they don't really want to see an activity as much as a discussion.
Kinderjane - Teresa, Please tell us more.
Dana in MS - Diana there are 425 points possible - to certify as Lana said it takes 275
Diana - I have an inclusive class. Many of my students have language delays or difficulties like poor auditory procesing skills. That's why I had them discuss and draw. That way they had something to look at instead of only listening. I don't know if they can handle straight discussion. That is what has caused most of my attempts to go awry.
Rachel - Sorry...I meant SNAIL MAIL....duh!
Kinderjane - Diana, Do you have an assistant?
Lana - Diana, how about an activity that shows cooperation but is nonverbal?
Diana - Teresa, My children DON'T relate to one another in a strictly oral language setting. Help.
Debbie Mc - I don't understand how you can have a lesson without a little teacher interaction.
Diana - I have a fairly unreliable assistant that I share with 3 other teachers. I can't count on her to be in my room at any given time because she gets pulled for other duties.
Teresa - Diana-your situation is certainly different from most-then you would need to explain that this is the only way you can get them to interact...I guess.
Diana - Lana - I'm listening. Can you give me an example of a non-verbal activitiy?
Pat - For documentation in Entries 5 and 6 is one piece of documentation enough for each description even if it's a verification form
Teresa - Debbie-the teacher is the facilitator, but the children are doing most of the talking and interacting.
Debbie Mc - Diana, I think that you must decide as a professional who knows your class and make judgements on what you know. When you write up the entry, you can justify why you conduct your class the way you do.
Lana - Diana, I will in just a sec; I just got a long distance phone call!
Kinderjane - With your inclusive classroom, you need a full time assistant. I'm sure you know that? What grade and how many students?
Diana - This community entry has me worried. I feel good about all the others even though I haven't finished writing. Well, I haven't even taped the science yet...
mel - I think showing children actively doing (like getting up and walking to front, turning to neighbor etc) is active learning
Kelly - The goals for Community begin with "to create a community" and "to build appreciation..." I don't see how that can be shown unless the teacher initially sets the direction of the conversation for the morning meeting or whatever time you build this in....
Diana - Debbie, That is pretty much what I've decided. This group is unusual. Now how do I explain that without sounding judgemental?
Pam - Especially in teaching kindergarten
Rachelr - I just got the white screen!!!
Jacque - Hi Kim!
Dana in MS - Got kicked off ---- ugh
Jacque - Well, I have been to the bank, grocery shopped at two different locations.....
Debbie Mc - Diana, you won't be judgmental. You'll be showing how you know your students and you know, as a professional, how to extend and build upon what they know.
Kelly - Rachel - if that happens again, try hitting the resume or refresh buttons on your screen...see if that helps! :)
Diana - Okay, I have to get a perspective on this. Of course, the grade level and the individual student needs are crucial factors. (Boy am I glad I'm not in pre-k)
Dana in MS - Rachel, we are doing an investigation with mealworms - it is facinating - a pracitically guaranteed discovery and excitement
mel - I am teaching Pre-Kinder.....fun trying to illicite conversation between students!
Debbie Mc - I passed this entry (community) and I agree with Kelly. I think we're getting too stuck on letting the children do it all without some direction. The entry says that you will demonstrate your effort.
Pam - In kindergarten I think that it is hard to show how they build upon one another!
Diana - Mel, You have my sympathies. I'm having enough trouble withkinders.
Cathy - hey, Mel, I'm pre k also
mel - I am teaching Pre-Kinder.....fun trying to illicite conversation between students!
Diana - Debbie, what kind of scenario did you have on your video that passed?
pat - got knocked off
Debbie Mc - Pam, that's why you have to show how YOU'VE helped them to move to the next level.
Diana - Pam, are you talking about the SS/arts lesson or the community?
mel - Cathy! Diana! PK and K! Yea!
Lana - DIANA, sorry (just hung up there) I have the kids take a ball. The person with the ball says their name and passes the ball to someone. They say that person's name. Then the one with the ball tells who gave it to him/her, their name and who they're giving the ball to. Then they have to repeat the senario in silence. It shows cooperation and doesn't call for a lot of talk. You'd have to do more, but it would take a few minutes! Just an idea.
Debbie Mc - Diana, my video was on conflict resolution. The children were role playing instances that had happened on the playground and the children were practicing the steps that we had learned. I WAS directing the lesson and the children were involved.
Pam - Sorry I keep getting booted out! The community
pat - I'm having difficulty answering the SS. and Arts Question "how were the experiences related and built upon each other" My unit is on families and how they are same different, interdependence of families, grow and change, wants and needs, and the art piece they make family portraits using 2 complemtary colors
Dana in MS - Kelly, I got booted off earlier when I clicked the refresh button - weird, huh?
Diana - Lana, thanks. Maybe I can improvise something with that. We do an activity at morning meeting where we pass around an object and give a compliment to the receiver. How will that meet the goals on the community video......I'm thinking here......
Cathy - I'm thinking of reading a book with a conflict, relating it to a similar situation in our classroom and then letting it go from there -What do you guys think??
Rachelr - Dana....me,too!
Kelly - Dana - I just keep clicking on whatever is available - that's my level of technological expertise! :)
Kelly - Cathy - Chrsanthymum (sorry, I butchered the spelling!) is a great book for that....
Diana - Debbie, That sounds like what I had originally envisioned but didn't think it would work. We have a social skills curriculum. I teach specific steps to the skills and the kids role play to practice using them. I thought it would be too teacher directed?
Bettye - If you read a book, should that be on the video?
Debbie Mc - Cathy, maybe you could read the book before you start taping and begin your video by referring to the story. Maybe tape it all and then send in the best part.
mel - Having the children actively involved, working as a group, is great for the Comm. entry
Rachel - Back again!
Lana - I think the activity shows respect, shows the kids functioning and working together... (again, you'd have to do more...)
Debbie Mc - Diana, that's why I used the video that I used. But don't take just my advice. I still think it's all in how you write it up.
Cathy - Pat - can you show some famous family portraits , discuss how they are similar and different from your class families, maybe use similar art styles in creating your classfamily portraits
Pam - Mel, when you have the children working in groups on the video how do you handle that?
Diana - I would waste video space reading a book. I'd do that before and tape the discussion.
Maria - Hi everyone. I'm glad you're still here. I've just come from visiting one of my students in the hospital.
Dana in MS - Kelly, I am so glad we don't breathe down one anothers necks about spelling, typos, etc. unlike the nbpts site! Do you think it is because we are more tolerant than teachers who teach upper grades?
mel - Sorry folks, as you can see, I'm still struggling with double clicking on Send to!!!
Debbie Mc - Diana, I agree with Kelly about keeping that camera on all the time. The kids forget about it and it becomes a piece of furniture.
Pam - Your score depends on who is reading your entries too!
Diana - I meant i wouldn't wast video space reading - 10 minutes goes byfast.
Cathy - I probably will read off camera - depending on the length of the book
Kelly - Maria - we're the "chatty" group! teachers.net doesn't schedule anyone for HOURS after our chat begins! :)
Lana - DANA, I've never typed anything on the NBPTS web site without a type error !!
Dana in MS - Mel, my last message goes for double clicking, too! no need to apologize
Kelly - Maria - Is your student okay?
Lana - Hi MARIA, good reason to be a bit late!
Diana - I think I'm back to using the video I have and just trying to do a good write up that explains the individual needs of my quirky class. :)
Dana in MS - Lana a while back there was an ongoing discussion about how to spell, y'all - ya'll - tivial stuff!
Kelly - Diana - I'd put my energies into doing that write up - I'll bet it will do just fine. They want to see that you're doing what's good for YOUR class! :)
Debbie Mc - Diana, I am helping a candidate here and I have to try to guide and not direct her. Remember this is your entry and you know what's best for your class. Convince the assessor of that. Use those standards.
Lana - i remembir thyat! ;)
Diana - Can't keep up with this pace and be typo free!
Rachel - Dumb ?......Can the hospital visit sorta be like a "home visit"? Could it be used as doc.?
Maria - Kelly- Thanks for asking. He had to have emergency surgery. He had an infected lymph gland in his neck that had to be drained. It's a testament to the strength of children he was in great spirits and looked great considering.
Dana in MS - Maria, I know your student and parents appreciate your visit!
Kelly - Rachel - absolutely list it if it can fit in somewhere!
Dana in MS - Couldn't it be in the parent contact log?
Diana - Kelly and Debbie, Thanks. That does help.
Debbie Mc - Family Connections!
Kinderjane - Gotta go, friends. See ya'll next week! :-)
Bettye - I've never done a home visit. Tell me what ya'll have experienced. What do you talk to the parents about?
Dana in MS - It would look GREAT there (in my humble opinion!)
Debbie Mc - Maybe you could use that hospital visit and illness in individualizing and adapting instruction.
mel - How can we get each others personal e-mail to correspond?
Debbie Mc - Mel, it's always listed at the top of the posting on the ring.
pat - Cathy, Actually I crerated interest by bringing my own family portrait to school and hanging it up in the classroom. I then just answered questions for a few days about the picture before i told them what i wanted them to do Is that building and relating? What I'm rerally confused about is that I think they are looking to see that the sequence was scaffolded like what they learned in lesson 1 enabled them to learn in lesson 2 etc. In lesson 1 we learned about all different kinds of families and in lesson 2 we learned about family wants and needs. How do those 2 lessons for instance relate and build on each other. Am I making this more difficult than it is?
Rachel - I'm asking because I visited a student in hosp. in Jan. (Took him his schoolwork & "friendly letters" the class had written him...& I'm planning on using it...
Kelly M - Mel - are you on our ring (Sorry guys, my server kicked me off a minute ago!)
Dana in MS - I had a adhd student who needed a letter to the dr. the next day (having med. problems) I delivered to the home after I completed it after school - in this case i was surprised how well off this family was!! mom really appreciated and so did my student! he is visiting at his dad's last night and he called to tell me his dad really liked me! (long distance!d)
Cathy - Bettye- Take a small activity to do there and if possible leave it. Or take a book to leave. Ask the child's favorite pastimes, talk about pets, etc anything to be personal and individual. If it is not at the beginning of the year you can take student work and have a regular par/teacher conference
Lana - I've heard that NB really likes anything to do with home visits!
Diana - Pat, Idon't think it has to be that complicated. I just tried to show that my progression was logical and took into consideration the responses I was getting from students.
Dana in MS - Debbie Mc sounds like a great idea - rachel great for your log too!
Bettye - I guess I'm a little hesitant because the area where I teach is not REAL safe.
Rachel - Lana, yeah, I've read that tons of places!
Cathy - Lana - as a past assessor- yes they do , but be sure to include something that the parent told you - be 2 way - do'nt just give info - get it also
Lana - Cathy, as an assessor, do you have any suggestions for us newbies? What area did you assess? Did you do it before certification?
Maria - I was wondering if any of you knew of an assessment for multiple intelligences. I have a child who might be a kinesthetic learner and was wondering if you knew of anything like that.
Cathy - Some teachers in my area set up at a local restaurant for areas that they do not feel comfortabel in visiting
Diana - Cathy, What entry did you assess?
Debbie Mc - Cathy, tell more about assessing. I want to do that next summer.
Rachel - Cathy, thanx for the "2-way" tip!
pat - thanks Cathy I tend to make things complicated
Cathy - Literacy with virginia - last summer - now I am a candidate
Bettye - The student I'm using for the literacy entry has been e-mailing me from her grandmother's computer. She got my address from my web page. Is this usable?
mel - By "on your ring" do you mean did I enter my e-mail before joining chat?
Lana - Cathy, are you from Idaho too?
Dana in MS - I have a book on Mult. intell and some assess. in it (i think) from Scholastic
Kelly M - mel - no - I mean are you on our EC-GEN email ring at onelist?
Debbie Mc - Bettye, letters are communication for a real audience with a real purpose.
Dana in MS - Maria, send me your email
Debbie Mc - Howard Gardner books would be great for multiple intelligences.
Cathy - Do it!!!! It has been great for my teaching - plus you get paid- it is for a short period of time - and you can even get graduate credit - which helps me get a pay raise in my state
Rachel - Cathy, do you read literacy entries?
Bettye - Debbie, I agree, I just thought I read something in the directions about artifacts needing to be generated in class.
Debbie Mc - Cathy, I already have a masters and rank 1 pay with NBC. How do think assessing online would be?
Rachel - Drat!!! Bumped off again!
Cathy - Rachel- yes i will and Bettye no they do not have to be genrated in class
Kelly M - Mel - are you there?
Dana in MS - i HAVE given my email to my kids to email me and i send a card back the first time! I hope to use it as a part of the literacy
Diana - Got 2 go work on that community write up. Thanks for helping me think it through.
Debbie Mc - Bettye, the child I used for my entry loved to write plays about weathermen because he loved maps, plays, and weather. He wrote a couple of his entries at home.
Kelly M - Diana - I'm writing mine, too
Cathy - I am from NC - literacy is assessed in Greensboro - Virginia came here on a grant
mel - Kelly-yes I'm here. No, I'm not on your list. How can I sign up?
pat - Now about the literacy entry again. When it asks " what is one instructional stradegy you will use during the coming weeks to support child's literacy. Do they really only what one. My child needs to learn medial short vowel sounds among other things. Any ideas?
Debbie Mc - Good luck, Diana. Remember to use those standards in your writing.
Kelly M - Mel - easy! Put up your email and I'll send you the invitation ....it's THE place to be if you're involved in EC-GEN!
Lana - Cathy, are you glad you assessed before being a candidate? (Was that what you did?)
Rachel - Cathy, I am from NC, too! (Where are you...Greensboro?)
Bettye - Debbie Mc, I teach K so the e-mails I'm getting from this student are very short, just a few words, maybe a short sentence or phrase. But, I see progress!
Dana in MS - my literacy child is using inventive spelling since my last parent workshop on Emergent writing and reading! I always email back even if just a short message
Cathy - I am from NC - literacy is assessed in Greensboro - Virginia came here on a grant
Debbie Mc - That's to be expected from K child. Sounds like good communication for a K student.
Debbie Mc - Pat, how do you intend to teach those short vowels?
Lana - Whew! Gotta run. Didn't notice the time; thanks for a nice weekly chat everyone - and good luck with those portfolios!!
Cathy - Pat- just write about One strategy that you will do next. make it specific to the child NOT a small group or for the whole class!!!
Kelly M - Mel - you'll find that all of these kind folks are on the ring....and many more. You'll get lots of answers to any question you post....plus the side benefit of super support and encouragement!
mel - Bye, Lana, and thanks!
Cathy - Rachel I'm in monroe
Rachel - Cathy, I mean where are you in NC? (City?)
mel - Kelly M--I appreciate your tip! Thanks!
Debbie Mc - Mel, listen to Kelly. She knows her stuff.
Dana in MS - Maria, i can't private message you - not in my choices in the box for private messages! If i copied your email wrong email me at carbag@network-one.com
Kelly M - Mel - no problem - that's what we're here for ..... pardon me while I break into song...."no man is an island".....:)
Maria - Kelly, are you going to get the chat again to mail or will they post it to the archive this week? I feel like I missed a lot.
Dana in MS - Kelly - or woman! ha
Sally - DebbieMc, I picked your brain last week on ideas for my community member unit for ss/arts. I was going to e-mail you with my 15 plus ideas. Is that okay?
Melinda - Dana did you get my news about the other "fish" laday
mel - Debbie Mc--what grade level are you?
Kelly M - Maria - Kathleen (from teachers.net) and I haven't talked about it yet. I"ll email her after the chat and offer to do it again through me. I'll post to the ring whichever way it will be available. Should know tonight or tomorrow.
Sally - DebbieMc, I was sedberg last week because they wouldn't let me be sally.
Debbie Mc - Sally, I didn't recognize you with a new name. No pseudonym this week? Of course it's okay. Can't guarantee the quality of the help though. I'll try my best.
Rachel - Kelly, how long does it take the chat to get to "archives'?
Dana in MS - MELINDA! YES YES YES
Debbie Mc - I teach first grade, like Kelly. We decided that they would have to forcibly remove us from that age.
Kelly M - Rachel - it depends. Teachers.net is having some difficulties with the archives or people to edit or something. That's why I did it last week. I suppose they'll let me do it again this week. If so, I'll have them ready to go by Sunday night, probably.
Debbie Mc - I want to know about the fish and how to get it. Sounds like the perfect pet to me.
mel - Debbie-which state are you in?
Maria - Dana, I don
Debbie Mc - I live in Kentucky.
Kelly M - I want a fish, too! Sounds like a pet and a plant that I can't kill!
Bettye - I taught first grade for 10 years and moved to K because the school system required too much from first graders that was not developmentally appropriate. In K I could use my professional judgment more.ment
Sally - Would any of you like to be pen pals with my 'K' class? I'm thinking of a letter and picture of my community and we can compare your community to mine. I teach in suburbia 99% white class. Looking for someone quite different.
Debbie Mc - Kelly, I could never imagine that we have so much in common. I think I could love to teach next door to you. Of course there would have to be a door.
Dana in MS - Sally email me we will do a flat stanley with you - send me your address
Melinda - Kelly, I sent Dana directions to make one, but I found a new "fish" lady who is going to the "fish farm" Monday and is going to check on shipping them.
Debbie Mc - Bettye, why do they always think that first graders are ready for everything and we don't have a say in what we teach them? Is it that way everywhere?
Kelly M - Debbie - I presented at a workshop this morning with some other EC-GEN folks...trying to drum up interest .... and we decided we were going to open our own charter school for folks like us! Want to join us? :)
Maria - Dana, Oops! Ihit the wrong button. I was going to say I didn't include my email when I signed on. I'm technologically illiterate. Duh!
Debbie Mc - Sure, but it'd be a long commute every morning and night.
Kelly M - Melinda - will you post the information on the ring? Thanks!
Dana in MS - I am so excited! I have a betta already but I can add it to our class farm HA not in the same bowl!
Sally - Dana, thanks my e-mail is sedberg@Juno.com. What is your comm. like?
Kelly M - Debbie - we'll find someplace half way in between! :)
Debbie Mc - I know I'm dense but what's a flat stanley?
Dana in MS - Marie, we all have to learn!
Bettye - Debbie, Thanks--I was wondering the same thing!
Mikie - Hi, Sally. I think pen pals is a great idea. My class is second grade is that too old for you? We are rural desert dwellers. .
Debbie Mc - And I thought I wouldn't be for charter schools.
Dana in MS - Sally we are rural - country folks ha
Kelly M - THIS charter school will be a hoot! Full of developmentally appropriate practioners!
Sally - Mikie, sounds cool. What is your e-mail?
Rachel - Debbie Mc..I was wondering the same thing...flat stanley????
Kelly M - that was pratitioners....maybe I'll get out of the inventive spelling stage next year!
mel - Diana, are you gone?
Kelly M - Flat Stanley is a book - and there are several things going on on the net with him. You send "him" to another class and they describe what he did there and you send it on. Several different activities like that that you can sign up and join....goes all around the country
Debbie Mc - Kelly, I read what you meant to say, not what you wrote
mel - Maria, don't feel bad about technology! I'm still messing around with sending/receiving these messages!!
pat - Is one documentation per description ok for entries 5 and 6 even if its a verivication form?
Debbie Mc - So I guess I need to get in on the Flat Stanley book. My kids refuse to be left out of anything.
Dana in MS - Flat Stanley is a book about a little boy who a bulletin board falls on (a short chap. book) You mail a Stanley for the other class to dress and take around and tour your school etc I used the school's digital camera and print. pics on my printer
Kelly M - In the book Stanley gets squished when his bookshelf above his bed falls on him one night.....the book is about what happens to him while he's flat....
mel - Will this chat line be open next Sat. same time?
Kelly M - Dana - you beat me to it!
Nancy - On entry 1 - can you put more than one artifact on a page?
Kelly M - mel - yes - we're scheduled for every saturday (probably forever!)
Melinda - Dana, you threw me for a loop with the private message at the same time as the chat. You have to be ADD to keep up!
Dana in MS - Sorry i was typling madly and trying to read at the same time!
Kelly M - Everyone with ADD please stand up and take a bow! :) (yes, I'm standing!)
Debbie Mc - Yes, I'm standing too.
Cathy - Pat - I'm not sure, but if you do not have 15 things to write about why not try to get other info and use all 15 pages. Some of mine have 1 verification form and others have 2 letters or articles.
Maria - I guess this is good practice for the ac. Do they expaect perfect spelling?
Rachel - DITTO!!!
Dana in MS - I am ADD seriously - it awful when it comes concentrating on writing entries -
Debbie Mc - Does anyone else's husband tell them that they are hyperactive. He says I look like a jack-in-the box and I need to learn how to relax. (He's not a teacher, much less an elementary one.)
Melinda - Travel bear is fun as well. Put envelops, stamps and paper for people to send back to your classroom who receive him. You send him off on a plane!
Kelly M - Maria - no - they know you're typing a marathon - they expect it to not be perfect!
Mikie - Sally. Did you get my E-mail address?
Rachel - How can you teach --processing 265 things @ the same time--& not be ADD???
Sally - Mikie, I messed up and left the room, did I get your e-mail?
Dana in MS - Travel bear sounds fun!k
Melinda - Kelly I can't stand I'm too busy trying to type as quick as you guys
Kelly M - Melinda - LOL
Debbie Mc - Maria, I think the booklet addresses that question. No they want to be able to read it but you're not counted off for spelling and typos.
Cathy - Entry 1 - if both are about the same activity, maybe 2 student samples of the same activitie - but you do have a 12 page limit don't you??
Dana in MS - Rachel you are right - try telling my husband that! He is always making suggestions on how i can be more effiecient - i tell him i want a demonstration and he get off my case!
Mikie - Hi Dana in Ms. I am dyslexic. Shall we start a club? Teachers with learning disabilities!er
Nancy - Yes - 12 pages
Dana in MS - He "get' off my case???!!! whoaaaaa
pat - Cathy thanks, That's what i was planning. Just need someone to hold my hand. This has been a bad week I have a severe behavioral disorder child (nor officially i'm still trying to Prove it) He's consuming all my energy lately and I'm beginning to resent it because it's interferring with NB and administrators are not much help. They say they have to follow the process. The documentation is 5 inches thick beginning in K. I'm soooooooo frustrated.
Debbie Mc - Sally, is the writing going okay?
Dana in MS - Mikie, I'm game! it helps me understand my kids who go in circles!
Bettye - Gotta go work on ss/art and look for Stanley!
Melinda - Dana do you still have the email I sent you about the fish to put on the ring so I don't have to think about the directions again!
Debbie Mc - Don't you love that line "We've got to have so much documentation before we can do anything"?
Sally - Debbie, I just finished my 1st and 2nd draft of science and I feel WONDERFUL! something clicked and I understand things better now
Mikie - Sally, sent my E-mail again. Did you get it?
Kelly M - Mikie - I always say that I see myself in these kids! That's why they're so easily identifiable! Both of my birth kids have tested out, too!
Debbie Mc - Good luck, Bettye.
Debbie Mc - Congratulations Sally. After you get that first one written, the others do seem easier.
Sally - Mikie, wow, how did you do that?
Kelly M - Debbie - and they tell you to try this intervention and that one...as if you haven't already done each sixteen times BEFORE you got to them!
Nancy - Entry 1 has been the most difficult for me to write
Kelly M - Nancy - I thought Entry 1 was the most difficult, too. It seemed SO broad to me.....
Sally - Nancy, oh great, I haven't gotten to that one yet. Science was hard enough.
Kelly M - Sally - congratulations! what's next?
Melinda - Dana did you gent that about putting the email of the directions on the ring. I don't know where I sent it!!!
Debbie Mc - I had an autistic child once who ran from room to room, bit himself, slapped the counselor and the principal told the director of sp. ed. for the district that I was handling him "just fine". One of the school aide's happened to pass the director in the hall and was telling him about the child. The child was removed soon after.
Nancy - Yes!! I have had a hard time bringing it all together but the light bulb finally came on
Debbie Mc - Entry 1 was my first and my hardest to write
Sally - KellyM, I'm working on SS/arts and I have 15 ideas so far. Field trip to our town, fieldtrip to firestation, making a quilt, bringing in an artist, policeman, using real artist's prints like Van Gogh
Kelly M - Hey Dana - we could be Dumb and Dumber! :) Welcome back!
Nancy - I have heard others say that science was not as hard to write. I am getting ready to teach my unit. This is my last entry
Maria - Well, Unfortunately, I have to go my husband has roasted a turkey breast for dinner and its ready. Darn :) Talk to you soon!
Dumb Dana in MS - Did it again! sounds great kelly! remind me NOT to click refresh!
pat - The bad thing is this year he's not the only difficult child I have. I get this crazy advice to document all these behaviors while I',m trying to teach. The advice always comes from people who are not teaching in a first grade classroom with 26 other students or teaching at all for that matter!
Mel - Dear Dumb Dana--did your screen suddenly turn gray? Mine did!
Sally - Nancy, it probably won't be so hard because you have already figured out the writing in entry 1
Dumb Dana in MS - Melinda, i will be gald to post your letter to the ring!
Kelly M - Maria - yummy! enjoy!
Debbie Mc - Sally, these sound good.
clp1 - hi all
Rachel - Dana (not dumb!) in MS...Will you email me some info /ideas abt the mealworms? I've got to nail down what I'm gonna do! rmarley@coastalnet.com
Melinda - What is the deal about not taking pictures for artifacts? I don't know how else in K to show some of our 3-d art.
Nancy - I hope so!
Dumb Dana in MS - Mel, it goes so I can read but not talk to you guys! weird!
Kelly M - clp1 - hi! are you working on EC-GEN
Nancy - Can't you use photographs?
Sally - DebbieMc, I am going to send you some other ideas to see what you think.
clp1 - what is EC-GEN
Dumb Dana in MS - Sure Rachel - do you have a fax #? I can do it from home if you wnat me to!
Debbie Mc - Okay Sally
Nancy - I teach k and used alot of pictures because work samples were large
Kelly M - Why can't you use photographs? I know many who did - and passed....
Melinda - I heard it wasn't the "best" aftifacts
Cathy - melinda - for which entry?? pictures are okay and you can write a SHORT entry about each at the bottom of the page
Debbie Mc - I used photos for entry 1.
pat - Debbie, so the aide had more influence than anything you said. It figures. Do any of you think i should remove him when I'm videotaping. That's the advice I get from my pricipal
Kelly M - clp1 - we're candidates for (or already certified in) Early Childhood for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards...
Sally - KellyM the portfolio suggest not photos
Melinda - I want to use it for entry 1 and 4 possibly
Debbie Mc - Pat, do you remove him at other times.
Debbie Mc - Sally, I don't remember last year's portfolio suggesting no phots.
Rachel - Sure, Dana, my home fax# is 252-523-0434....Thanx!
Mikie - I'm loggin off. I hope I hear from you Sally and Dana. bye.
Dumb Dana in MS - In the artifacts FAQ at the nb site they say you can mount several photos on a pg.
Sally - DebbieMc, just happen to have paper here, says "it will be an unusual case for which a photograh is helpful, just what the book says.
Nancy - You don't send originals do you? I made color copies
Dumb Dana in MS - Rachel that will be great - i can do that faster
Cathy - try a local copy shop that makes color copies then print the text onto the bottom of the paper
Kelly M - Nancy - I believe you're right
Mel - Yes, better to send copies
Dumb Dana in MS - Sally it does say that, but it isn't totally forbidden according to the FAQ
Sally - DebbieMc, actually, that are talking about kids working on art projects, they suggest sending in a work sample. Of course it would make sense to send a photo of a large project.
Debbie Mc - Look in the supporting artifacts section. By a bullit, it says Do not send in three-dimensional artifacts or original artwork. photograph such objects and submit the photos. My portfolio says that on page 7 (1998-99)
Dumb Dana in MS - Debbie is correct
Melinda - For assessment in k I use a lot of building of models, so I don't know another way, do you?
Sally - DebbieMc--alrighty, I understand!
Sally - Melinda, building of models of what?
Debbie Mc - Good Sally. If you think the artwork that you want to submit is the best artifact, by all means send it in.
Dumb Dana in MS - Girls, I hate to go but my hubby is patient about no cooking during the week - maybe I better keep up at least one burnt offering a week so he won't think I don't worship him! HA (men and their egos you know!)
Debbie Mc - Dana, that was spoken like a true teacher.
pat - Debbie, I have removed him when he has become so disruptive that other students can't learn and i can't teach. I don't like to do this but it's unfair that our entire class is affected this way. One student has all the rights, What about the rest of the Class? I shouldn't be venting here but I'm beyond frustration especially with administrators who empathize but do nothing constructive to solve the problem
Nancy - We did a play in my ss unit. Can I use a copy of the invitation sent to parents and a letter from a parent who attended as an artifact rather than a transcript of the play?
Dumb Dana in MS - Debbie, which part?
Mel - Dana, you're a doll! Hit the kitchen!
Kelly M - Dana - talk to you later.....tell Lara hi!
Melinda - What ever we are talking about. We have made trees insides and out. Our bodies, etc.
Debbie Mc - I agree Pat. We all have these students. Do what you have to do.
Sally - Melinda, what kind of assessment would you do for community?
Debbie Mc - Dana, Debbie is correct.
Rachel - bye, dana!!!
Mel - Pat, yes, do whatever you must to get a good group for your entry
Debbie Mc - Pat, if you need to remove him, then do it.
Cathy - nancy, I think a transcript would be better. I feel you need to show student work, not just verify that you did the activity
Kelly M - Dana - so much for hubby's dinner.....
Sally - Dana, I thought you had to make dinner!
Nancy - Do you use a transcript of the entire play?
Melinda - Dana "Should I stay or should I go now!" What was that song?
Debbie Mc - Melinda, I didn't have to have an artifact for community.
Mel - How long does this chat line go on?
dana in ms - I was trying to say bye girls!! I am on my way!!! byeeeeee
Cathy - yes - or if it is olng pick out the parts that show the kids meeting your goals
Melinda - I didn't mean community! I meant science and SS. I don't know the numbers like you all!!!
Nancy - Thanks Cathy!
Rachel - or "someone's in the kitchen w/ DANA..."
pat - Just for the record. It's not the child I'm upset with. It's the fact that his needs are not being met by the powers that be who say they are working on the problem.. but nothing changes. I've done all I can do to help him
Debbie Mc - Someone's in the kitchen I kn ooooow
Kelly M - Mel - we have the room until it's taken over at 9 p.m. Eastern time!!....if we want it....
Mel - Sympathize with you, Pat. Hang in there! Keep on keepin' on!
Debbie Mc - We understand, Pat. We've all been there. Don't beat yourself up for being frustrated. I'll pray for you.
Sally - Someones in the kitchen with Dana, waiting for his food to cook
Kelly M - Pat - just keep doing what you can - and then step back and remember the serenity prayer! That's all you can do....
Melinda - Got to go ladies! Back to reality. The truth is this is my once a week social time!! I live on the edge huh?
Cathy - Melinda - I'm 4-K and I plan on using some anecdoctal notes for SS assessment and sample of a concluding activity
Sally - DebbieMc, speaking of praying, I know that is what got me through writing science last week.
Debbie Mc - Melinda, it's mine too. I live a very exciting life.
Melinda - Thanks for the input!
Debbie Mc - Sally, that's what got me through the whole thing.
Kelly M - Melinda - you mean this isn't a normal social life? I thought it was.....
Sally - Cathy, what were your anecdotal notes about?
Debbie Mc - My husband has golf. I have NBC
Melinda - It beats the husband, 3 year old and laundry that await me upstairs
pat - gotta go thanks everyone
Kelly M - Pat - see you later!
Debbie Mc - Melinda, I have one child (21) who brings his laundry home on weekends (he's also waitng for the computer) and I do laundry all day on Saturday.
Melinda - Got to go for real. Hear ya on the ring!!!!
Debbie Mc - Bye Pat.
Kelly M - Okay - so who's going to finish my community entry for me? (just thought I'd ask to see if I got any takers!) :)
Debbie Mc - Mel, did you get my address?
Debbie Mc - Kelly, do you need a typist?
Rachel - Pat...I know exactly what you are dealing with...Had a wild class like that 3 yrs. ago..no administrative help (Principal was a joke!) Repeatededly asked for help..fell on deaf ears...or his way of dealing w/ it waw to lock my student in his bathroom for 2 hours and blanantly ADMIT it!!! I ultimately went over his head to superintendent, did a lot of PRAYING, filed a grievance against principal for that (& 9 other things I had doc. on over the yrs.) & 2 months late he resigned....Our school is a MUCH better place for it --even w/ all the stress it put me thru...Our kids are now better off...
Mel - As a first-time visitor here, I have really appreciated joining in. Gotcha Debbie, thanks.
Debbie Mc - See ya Mel. Good luck.
Debbie Mc - Rachel, that took a lot of guts.
Kelly M - Mel - I'll be in touch!
Mel - Whew, Rachel, you've had your hands full!
Mel - Bye Debbie, bye Kelly!
Kelly M - Debbie - no - I was just kidding! I just need to quit procrastinating and doing umpteen million other things rather than writing it! :)
Rachel - You have NO idea....There were many days I cried on the way TO work & on the way HOME!!!
Kelly M - Ken - hi! Welcome! Are you working on EC-GEN?
Debbie Mc - Kelly, whatever you need, I'll do.
Kelly M - Rachel - I'm hoping with our new Supt. things might get better....I'm an optimist....our principal is nuts! I admire you for going through all of that!
Rachel - What REALLY compounded things was that his wife was on our faculty.....We had to walk on eggshells...
Kelly M - Debbie - you know I'm counting on you to read it for me - and tear it apart. I really want to make it this time (not that I didn't want to the other times!)
Debbie Mc - Kelly, aren't they all nuts. I need to send you the e-mail that I got. Ten things a teacher would never say.
Kelly M - Wow - Rachel - that must have been VERY difficult. Did she stay?
Kelly M - Debbie - do send it! I'd love to see it! lkelly46@cs.com is where I'm found, you know!
Debbie Mc - Kelly, I'll do my best but I'm not very experienced at this.
Kelly M - Debbie - we were talking today about how nbpts has at least gotten us all into the technological world that we might never have found otherwise! :)
Rachel - If I should die tomorrow...I'll always feel that that was my mission at this school...Nobody else had the guts (Nerve?) to do it ...My best teacher/friend(OUTSTANDING teacher--loved by all!) requested a transfer the yr. before b/c of him!
Kelly M - Sally - are you on our email ring? I'm sorry - I just don't recognize your name....
Debbie Mc - Did I ever tell you that my computer crashed last March with all of my entries on it?
Rachel - He resigned..They moved to another state....I now SMILE when I drive thru that state!!!!! :)
Kelly M - Debbie - OH MY LAND! I thought I was bad....my crashed the night I was packing!....had to run over to my brother's to print out some last minute thing!
Debbie Mc - Kelly, I meant I'd do my best at reading your entry and you know I'm not experienced at that.
Debbie Mc - Rachel, did he move to KY?
Kelly M - Debbie - I'll trust your experience any day! Truthfully, I have a short list of people who I'm asking to read mine....and you are on it!
Debbie Mc - A humble thank you for your trust.
Kelly M - Debbie - it's well placed, I'm sure!
Kelly M - Sally - are you still with us?
Sally - kelly m yes i'm on the ring, but I don't write much I'm not NBC yet.
Rachel - Debbie Mc..You can relax.....It's further south!!! (You're a NUT!!!)
Debbie Mc - Sally, you don't have to be NBC to be a good teacher. We still value your ideas.
Kelly M - Sally - neither am I! But you might have noticed it doesn't shut me up! You know your contributions are just as important as anyone else's!
Rachel - I'll get off my soapbox now...
Kay - Hi, you guys! I can't believe you're still here!
Sally - Principals can make or break a school. My children go to the school where I teach and the other day my 9 year old says, I saw Mrs. **** smile. Now what does that tell you
Debbie Mc - I hope that I'm not the type to classify people by their titles. I certainly would not laud the fact that I am certified (and certifiable).
Kelly M - Kay - as I always say....we're a chatty bunch!
Debbie Mc - Sally, sounds like he/she needs to transfer to the central office.
Kay - I think I've finally got an entry in the almost-finished stage!!! I've got science almost ready for a final draft. WHEW
Debbie Mc - Congratulations, Kay.
Rachel - My husband & I have a "Valentine" date tonight...Dinner & a movie...Gottta run...Thanx for all the info and fun!!!
Sally - DebbieMc, actually I think that is the problem, she does want to be at C.O. and didn't get the job.
Kelly M - Sally - ours is maniac depressive.....she's either laughing hysterically or shaking her finger in my face and yelling at me! (and to others....)
Sally - Kay, doesn't it feel good!
Kelly M - Rachel - have fun! see you later
Debbie Mc - Have fun Rachel. We're watching rented movies. Romantic huh. We just enjoy our son being home.
Debbie Mc - Kelly, you've had the shaking finger, too.
Rachel - I made a rhyme!!!! (I've been a K-3 teacher TOO long!!!)
Sally - KellyM, I think it's menopause (did I spell that right?)
Debbie Mc - Sally, I've been there. It's an ego thing for our prin.
Rachel - Yeah, and don't forget A.D.D.!
Sally - Speaking of movies, were we? Go see Galaxy Quest great stress reliever! Funny and entertaining.
Kelly M - Debbie - oh my , yes! She gets furious with me because I'm not a "yes" person. I question things that I have a differing view on....what she doesn't understand is that THAT is the way I learn....sometimes I change my view because of what I learn from others...but if I can't ask, how will I learn?
Debbie Mc - My principal stopped shaking his finger in my face when I got an offer to move to the middle school. Now my husband's best friend is asst. super. So he tells the friend to make sure he visits my class when he's at my school. Guess what? No more yelling at me.
Rachel - I'm really leaving this time!!!!BYEeeeeee, cyberfriends!!!!
Kay - It feels WONDERFUL!!!! Can I get some input on Entry 1? I am covering a lot of art and am having trouble reflecting that in an art goal. We are doing pottery, batiking, making drums, dancing, singing, putting on a play-I think that's it:-)
Debbie Mc - Yes, they don't like to think that their teachers are actually smart enough to question them? I mean really, a teacher who knows how to teach. Who could imagine?
Kelly M - Kay - you're doing the unit on Africa, right?
Sally - Kay, try getting the goals from your art teacher. They may fit
Kay - Yes, Kelly. I have a LOT of parent help-this is the most excited they've been all year!
Kelly M - Oh, Sally - that's a great idea. You know, I've never thought of that! Good going! SEE! You DO have something to contribute! I'm not at all surprised!
Debbie Mc - Kay, sounds like a great unit. Good idea, Sally. Duh. Collaborate with the art teacher?
Sally - KellyM, thanks, that made me smile.
Kelly M - Kay - I like that idea of using your art teacher. He/she should be able to tell you about some artistic goals....
Debbie Mc - I certainly didn't think of that last year when I was a candidate. Thank you Sally. I'll tell my mentees that.
Debbie Mc - Kay, don't forget to write up that parent help.
Kelly M - Sally - that's why this ring is SO valuable! I learn from everyone all the time! It's always amazed me how much I DON"T know! :)
Kay - I'm actually working very closely with our art teacher (who is FANTASTIC) and we have gone over many of the goals, but I guess I am trying to stuff too much into one goal, huh?
Debbie Mc - Sometimes, simpler is better. You can still describe what you do. Just keep the goals simple.
Kelly M - Kay - can you single out one thing to really put as a goal? Maybe the other stuff was just a part...but not really a specified, pre-determined goal? Would that work?
Debbie Mc - Kelly's right Kay. Maybe students will "identify" (maybe not a good verb) different art or works of art or categories, etc.
Kay - I guess what I am trying to do is have the students experience and appreciate the various art forms that reflect the culture in Africa. But can that be the goal? That would be very hard to assess.
Debbie Mc - Just choose a verb that you can measure so that your assessment ties with your goal.
Sally - Kay, can you have them name the art forms? You can assess that
Kelly M - Kay - do you have that list of words to use when writing objectives? If not, I can send it to you if you give me your email....
Debbie Mc - Or identify the art form, such as pottery, dancing, songs, etc.
Debbie Mc - Good idea, Sally
Sally - Kay, name and experience...
Debbie Mc - What age is this for?
Kay - I've got the list stuck to my work table (that my husband built me this week) just above my workspace!
Kelly M - be careful with "experience" as a part of your goal....you can't really assess it....
Debbie Mc - Nice husband.
Sally - Kay, create three works of art relating to....
Kay - I teach 2nd graders. I guess because of that I was making things harder than they needed to be.
Kelly M - Oh my (again!)....Sally - that's right! What a great way to state it!
Debbie Mc - I'll bet 2nd graders love this. I have a nephew this age and he loves different cultures.
Sally - Kay, use color, form, design to create 3 works of art related to....
Debbie Mc - Sally, and you didn't think you had anything to offer.
Sally - I am on a roll tonight LOL
Kay - Thank you SOOOOO much you guys!! This is incredibly helpful. I have been so bogged down on this one.
Debbie Mc - Good verbs and good ideas, Sally.
Debbie Mc - That's why we're here.
Kelly M - Sally - YOU GO GIRL! :) I love it!
Debbie Mc - Sally, sometimes there's so much info on the ring that we don't feel that we can contribute any more than is already there. You're great!
Kelly M - Kay - it makes me feel SO good when someone gets REAL help here! That's why we started this!
Kay - I love the color, form, design one. I think that will work for what I'm trying to do.
Debbie Mc - Kelly, that's why YOU started this!
Sally - Boy, you guys really boost my morale, I'll have to visit more often
Debbie Mc - Sally, you're blooming before our eyes.
Kelly M - Debbie - yes....but it wouldn't be anything without everyone's contributions! :)
Kelly M - Okay now, Sally - we expect to see your name on the ring!
Sally - DebbieMc, it only took 6 months to figure it out
Debbie Mc - Don't you all just love Kelly
Kay - I hope that next year WHEN I am certified (and certifiable) that I can't help others.
Kay - That was supposed to be CAN (oops).
Debbie Mc - Sally, little by little you'll realize that you're voicing your ideas at school and you DO know what you're talking about.
Kelly M - Someday after we've all joined Debbie with NBCT after our names, we're going to ALL meet at an nbpts conference and have a HUGE slumber party! :)
Kay - I'll be there with my bunny slippers on:-)
Sally - KellyM, I didn't realize there was a conference. Anything happen with meeting in Chicago this summer?
Debbie Mc - I'm ready guys. I'm trying to talk my best friend into doing this. She's going for it next year.
Nancy - The support from the ring has been wonderful. Sometimes this whole process Vague.
Kelly M - LOL - I'm writing the invitations now! It will have to be the October conference in 2001 - we won't have our scores this October!
Debbie Mc - Kelly, I have to get more money before I can travel anywhere.
Debbie Mc - Yes Kelly in October of 2001. I should have enough money saved by then.
Kelly M - Sally - I'm going to NEA conference in Chicago this summer - are you? We'll all meet there! Wendy from Florida will be there, too!
Debbie Mc - Nancy, I felt the same way last year. I didn't know which direction to turn and didn't know about this ring. Imagine how lost I felt!
Kelly M - Debbie - I'm putting my pennies in a can together and hoping they'll reproduce.........
Sally - DebbieMc, becare with "talking someone into this" My friend did me and until right this moment I had regretted it. What is do-able for one isn't necessarily okay for another.
Debbie Mc - She started with me the first time and her daughter developed heart problems. She had to quit.
Kelly M - Sally - does that mean that you no longer regret it? :)
Nancy - Last year we had five teachers at our school go for it and only two made it. Everyone thought they would pass because they were so organized and on the ball. I don't think that matters at all.
Debbie Mc - Kelly, just like dirty underwear.
Kelly M - Debbie LOL
Debbie Mc - Organization doesn't have anything to do with certifying.
Sally - KellyM, I'm not going to conference, but live a mer (sp?) 6 hours away.
Kelly M - Nancy - 13 of us did this my first year...we were the first in St. Louis and NOBODY had a clue what we were doing......only 2 passed!
Debbie Mc - Neither does being on the ball. Unless it's the right ball and you're playing the game correctly.
Kelly M - Sally - where? I'm in St. Louis
Nancy - Unfortunately, those that made aren'y very willing to help the others now.
Debbie Mc - Nancy, they're missing the point of the whole process. Collaboration is the backbone of NBCT
Sally - KellyM. right this moment I feel great and I think the whole process will end on a positive note even if it takes two years
Kelly M - Nancy - phooey on them. I REALLY dislike those who become stuck up over this (or anything else)
Nancy - There seems to be a misconception that you have to be smart - we think you have to be tough!
Sally - KellyM, I'm in central ohio
Kelly M - Sally - I'm in my third year working on it.....some of us just take longer for whatever reasons!
Nancy - Collaboration is right!!!!
Kelly M - Sally - meet us in Chicago!
Debbie Mc - Nancy where are you from?
Nancy - NC
Kay - I have a good friend who just certified in November MC-GEN who is reading everything for me. Isn't this the way it should be?
Kay - Where in NC, Nancy? I'm in Durham.
Kelly M - Kay - absolutely! Look at all the NBCT's on the ring....how much they offer us in terms of keeping on track, encouragement, etc....not to mention great advice!
Sally - I think NBCT must be told to be careful about how much they help. My friend at school will read my papers, but is very careful about not saying anything about her work last year.
Debbie Mc - Yes, I feel more responsibility to my peers now than before I certified. It is now my responsibility to help mentor other teachers to become better through this process.
Nancy - Screen went black - I'm from Goldsboro
Debbie Mc - Sally, I don't say anything about my work, but I try to help them by referring them to sources (books, articles, etc.) that help them understand and use the standards more.
Sally - KellyM, let me know when you'll be there. I don't mind travelling. Maybe even talk my hubby into taking me there for a long weekend.
Sally - DebbieMc, yes, that is what my friend does.
Debbie Mc - Now, I'm jealous and feel left out. A little classroom community is needed here.
Kelly M - Debbie - come on and join us! You could make it to St. Louis and then drive with me!
Sally - DebbieMC, class community at your school?
Kelly M - Sally - I'll post the dates on the ring when I get them!
Nancy - Why would NBCT suggest that?
Kay - That's what is helping me the most. I don't want anyone to tell me exactly what to do, but where to find the answers for myself. That's why my friend is so helpful.
Debbie Mc - When this summer? I'm only five or six hours away.
Nancy - Yes - lead me in the right direction and I might find my way
Kelly M - Nancy - I'm lost - suggest what?
Sally - Nancy, I've heard they are trying to keep the process from becoming textbookish, pat answers, etc. (I think)
Kelly M - Debbie - it's usually right around the 4th of July.
Nancy - Kelly - Share your work-
Kelly M - Hi Miss G - are you working on EC-GEN
Kelly M - Nancy - I think it is NOT a good idea to have someone copy your portfolio, of course....but giving guidance, etc....that's what it's all about! Great teachers collaborating with one another.....sharing ideas, etc.....
Debbie Mc - My husband and I may have to take a trip then. He's off in the summer just like me.
Nancy - Yes - I agree. It seems to me that it would be impossible to copy - no work samples
Sally - Actually, I'm kind of tired of people saying relate to the standards. I didn't know what that meant until the other day.
Debbie Mc - I agree with Kelly. I wouldn't try to choose her entries or tell her what to write. But I would ask questions about her teaching, help her to clarify her answers, refer her to resource books, etc.
Debbie Mc - Sally, when you read and study them so much they become apparent in your teaching and you don't realize that your doing it until you stop to reflect.
Nancy - One resource that has been invaluable to me is the book - Constructing Curriculum
Debbie Mc - That's the one I don't have. I need that book.
Kelly M - There is no cookie cutter recipe for this. It's showing what you do, analyzing it, and reflecting about what you could/would do better....
Kelly M - Nancy - I'm glad you said that. I'm still waiting for mine to be delivered. I ordered it something like 2 weeks ago!
Kay - I've just gotten that book- I love it so far!
Nancy - With regards to standards - I have found the standards are there without having to look for them.
Debbie Mc - Kelly's right again. Everybody doesn't teach the same way and doesn't need to be better at the same things.
Kelly M - Debbie - I do hear that you can download chapters of it from that teachingstrategies site.....someone said Chapters 2 and 3 are especially helpful for community
Debbie Mc - Thanks Kelly. I'll try it.
Debbie Mc - See Nancy. It just comes out doesn't it?
Sally - Our local support group is offering a credit course to see if people want to begin the process next year. I think it is a good idea to let people know, as much as you can, what to expect.
Sally - The course is offered through the university and they have to videotape and keep a journal
Kelly M - Sally - I presented at a workshop this a.m. - a local district (not mine!) is wanting to encourage people to try it!
Nancy - Yes - those of us doing this year are constantly encouraging others to go for it. Everyone is reluctant because they don't know what to expect.
Debbie Mc - Kentucky is beginning to offer more incentives. Next year they may pay 75% of the cost and actually pay ME for what I'm doing.
Debbie Mc - Kelly, that's why I'm going to Seattle. So I can present about this and help people and be "official".
Sally - DebbieMc, I can't believe you aren't paid now. Do you mentor a group of teachers? How did you gather them?
Kay - It is also helpful for newbies to know the resources out there. Maybe even the list of suggested books for reading the summer before doing the portfolio.
Nancy - We have very few EC-GEN in our county.
Debbie Mc - One candidate at my school and a couple more in different areas and some over the internet. My address is posted on the state ed. assoc. website. They just contact me.
Sally - We have two groups (or more) in Ohio affiliated with the universities. We get grad. credit
Debbie Mc - No I don't get paid, but it has been great.
Debbie Mc - My bestest friend in the whole world says this is going to turn into a full time job for me. I don't know if that would make me happy or sad.
Kay - We have very few as well (as far as we know). There are a lot of Special Ed this year.
Kelly M - I don't get paid, either....today I had to PAY for my box lunch! :)
Sally - DebbieMc, hats off to you, thanks for your time and help
Debbie Mc - I am helping an ex. needs candidate. I don't feel very good about the extent of my help.
Kelly M - Debbie - you ARE my twin! I think that the only thing that would take me out of the classroom would be to work with nbpts or something that promoted it.....
Debbie Mc - So, they pulled out all the stops, huh Kel?
Sally - You two should petition your state reps to give more money to the process.
Kelly M - Sally - after I presented, several of us sat down to plan our presentation to our state senate education committee - we're going there in March!
Sally - KellyM that
Debbie Mc - Kelly, I can't believe that I have seven sisters and none of them have as much in common as we do? And Sally, I have written a letter to my governor. Now he wants to get on the NBPTS bandwagon and make this THE thing for teachers in Kentucky. I told him that I didn't hear or read a word about this from him before or during the process before or during.
Debbie Mc - Good luck presenting to the senate committee. Maybe that's what I should organize. A meeting with out state legislators.
Sally - Kelly, sorry I hit enter. That is great work Kelly and Debbie. I think you may have found yourselves new jobs.
Nancy - Our governor has been very supportive but will be out of office next year.
Kelly M - Sally - I just need to finally get certified! Third time's a charm, I'm hoping!
Debbie Mc - Our gov. and all of the other powers that be, right down to local school board, don't have a clue about what children or teachers need to be doing.
Nancy - Amen!
Debbie Mc - Kelly, we'll form a midwest alliance for nbpts.
Kay - You're right, Nancy. That's one reason why I went for it this year. Who knows what will happen.
Debbie Mc - All of you will make it in the Lord's time. Pray for patience.
Nancy - Me too, Kay!
Kay - I do--but rather impatiently!
Nancy - And pray my family doesn't boot me out!
Nancy - My son just told me that I have been on the computer for 17 years - he's four
Debbie Mc - Kay, I was there last year. When I got my scores, I made myself stop and say a prayer before I opened them. I said "Lord I know if you intended for me to pass that I will. If not, give me the grace and the perseverance to handle another year if I didn't.
Sally - Nancy, LOL!!!
Debbie Mc - Nancy, My son has been waiting since 4:30. He just keeps walking in here and shaking his head.
Kay - I just hope my 2-year-old will still recognize me when I'm no longer behind the 'puter :-)
Debbie Mc - I hope he's not missing some hot babe.
Sally - Debbie, I wish I could print that out. I keep wondering what I will do when the scores come.
Debbie Mc - 21 year olds are not much more understanding than two years old. They just have a larger vocabulary.
Nancy - My son wants a sister but don't think he'll get one for awhile!
Kelly M - Sally - you'll tremble, shake...and you'll cry, no matter WHAT the letter says!
Kay - Yes, Debbie. Can you post that on the ring around November 14th or so?
Debbie Mc - Sally, you can say your own. But you'll make it through. I told myself for months that I wasn't going to rip them open. I was going to take a deep breath, say a prayer, and be alone.
Kelly M - See - I waited to begin this until my youngest went off to college. I certainly never had time to have an empty nest!
Sally - What will I feel like when I mail the box? What will I feel like after the AC tests?
Nancy - If I don't make it I am closer than I was
Kay - We have known all along that you're a smart lady, Kelly!
Kelly M - Sally - it's not describable (is that a word?).....when you sent off THE BOX you feel as if you're sending a part of your body.....
Kelly M - Nancy - that's EXACTLY what I say. I'm 93% of the way there....that's my answer when people ask if I "passed"....
Debbie Mc - You'll feel like part of you is gone. That you're forgetting something when you're not carrying around all of that stuff anymore. You'll worry that you left something out, that it won't get there. You are closer than you were this time last year.
Nancy - My son sits down with me at night and tells his dad that he is working on his national boards too!
Sally - KellyM. are you able to feel relaxed until Nov?
Debbie Mc - After the AC, I slept from 4:00 till the next morning.
Nancy - I can't think about AC until the box is gone
Sally - Kelly, I like that answer, 93% done.
Debbie Mc - Well, my son is very frustrated. If you all need anything that I can give, let me know. (I'll check back when my son is through with the computer to see if you're still here). Bye
Sally - Nancy, I can't think of AC either. Someone asked me about it the other day and I said I'll get back to you after Easter.
Kelly M - Sally - the first time I counted down the days. The second time I did not....I knew they'd get here in their own time....so I just went on. I'm involved in so many other things that I'm always busy (I'm pres. of our local this year)....keeps me busy!
Nancy - Fellow teachers ask me if I think I will pass - I tell them some part I will
Kelly M - 93% means I have 256 points...only 19 to go! :)
Kelly M - That's 256 points more than any of my colleagues in my district have! :)
Kay - I KNOW I will pass- if not this year than maybe the next.
Nancy - Kelly - what grade do you teach?
Sally - KellyM, I may need you home telephone number next fall. I know you will beable to give me strength.
Nancy - That's right, Kay!!!!
Sally - Kay, I tell myself next year won't be half as difficult as this because we've already know what to expect.
Kelly M - I teach first grade....home phone is 314 - 469 - 8580! Call me anytime!
Sally - Sorry, my typing is the pits.
Kelly M - Hi Mary! Are you working on EC-GEN?
Nancy - I have taught K for thirteen years and love it!
Kay - How long have you taught, Sally?
mary - Wow! You gals are still on--And now I have white screen. Good evening to you all
Sally - I'm in my 16th or 17th year. Can never remember. 4th year at 'K'
Sally - Kay, Celebrated the big 4-0 this week, ugh!
Nancy - You can't remember Sally because time flys when you are having fun
Kay - I'm in year 4--up for tenure this year.
Kelly M - I'm 53 - have been teaching since 1969 - have taught Pre-K through 7th grade in 5 districts in 4 states! Talk about an education! It's been one!
Sally - Nancy,probably can't remember because I'm 4-0!
Kay - Happy Birthday, Sally! I bet your kids had a great time with that this week!!
Nancy - I'm not far from the big 4-0 and have a four year old
Kelly M - Sally - you're just getting better and better!
mary - That's better-now I can still see. Yes, EC-GEN
Sally - Kay, my 12 year old says he, he, yes we did. (He's reading over my shoulder)
Sally - KellyM, shouldn't you be retiring?
mary - I'm almost same age and I'm certainly NOT going through this to retire.
Kelly M - Sally - are you kidding? I left my ex when the kids were 2 and 7 - raised them alone....son now 2 years out of Master's program....daughter now a jr. in college.....I'll have to teach until I'm 105 to have enough saved to retire! :)
Kay - Sally, tell your son I have a very cute step-daughter who is 12 that I can fix him up with!!
Sally - Kelly and Mary, as long as you still love your jobs!!!
Nancy - Good for you, Kelly!
shay - did anyone have a kid before they got tenure? did it effect the decision?
Kay - Kelly- the more I learn about you the more impressed I am.
Nancy - No - was too busy!
shay - don't mean to be so blunt... but i've been wondering.
Sally - Kay, He is so not into girls( yet)!
Sally - Shay, why would children effect tenure? Just wondering
Nancy - Kelly - I worked with a lady who taught 45 years. She loved her job and the kids.
shay - sally - having a kid means taking time off if it's not planned just right...
Kay - Shay- I have an 8 yr old and a 2 yr old. I had my youngest the first full year I taught. I have wonderful observations from the last three years and am a leader in my school. I don't think there will be a problem with tenure because of having had a chi
shay - ...and tenure decisions seem to be based on performance in a certain amount of time...
shay - thanks kay... how did you handle the timing? or did you worry about it? i'm all obsessed about planning it for the end of may...
Sally - Shay, I don't see why they wouldn't count your maternity leave as days worked. You are on a paid leave, right
shay - sally - i'm not even there yet. trying to paln it all out before the fact.
Kay - My daughter was born April 22nd--took advantage of Spring Break to do all the planning, hired my own sub and returned before the end of the year (last 7 days).
Kelly M - Kay - lots of blemishes don't show up on the screen! :)
Sally - Great, my son just informed me he has a temperature of 101.6. Great,
Nancy - I taught 9 years before I had my son which in retrospect was too long. I did feel secure in my ability as a teacher and in leaving my class in someone elses hands. I also have a great assistant - been with her the entire 13 years
Kay - Ahhh, but that's what makes you more tolerant and understanding of others' shortcomings. o
mary - Shay, Hopefully you will bve through with this before babies,
Kelly M - My hats are off to those of you doing this with kids.....it is really time-consuming. You're to be applauded for extra effort!
mary - It sure is hard to see what I'm typing sometimes.
shay - mary - are you saying it's hard to make plans after the babies? i've heard that :-)
Nancy - Do finish this process before the baby - you don't want to miss a thing with that precious new arrival
Nancy - My son has become much more independent since I started this
shay - nancy - but i'm getting so old... i went through tenure once, then switched jobs and just got married 2 years ago... i'm sorta late starting already
Kelly M - Shay - sure you can still make plans - LOTS of them.....Plan A, Plan B, Plan C! :)
Sally - I have to go eat. It has been very uplifing to talk to you lovely ladies this evening. Have a good one. Talk to you next week.
mary - Right now I'm teaching with someone who hard twins in June and a three year old. Fortunately she's only half time. They share parenting duties. I try to hlpe her as I can because babies are # 1 priotiry.
shay - by sally
Kelly M - Okay Sally - now remember, I expect to see you on the ring! :)
shay - haha kelly :-)
Sally - KellyM, I'll try!
Nancy - I got a late start as well - but I sometimes feel guilty about the time I sopent on this versus with my son
Kelly M - Nancy - can you set aside a certain time each day that is only for you and your son? Even if it's only 1/2 hour....you can still have it...and not feel like you're missing so much.....
mary - Understandedy--makes it a little easier if they're older-Just other things to worry about with them then
Kay - shay- There is never a 'perfect' time to have a baby. Just follow your heart. What are your priorities? NB will be here.
Nancy - I did want to start and hopefully complete this before he started school - which is next year
shay - kay - i think you're right... i'm coming to that conclusion myself.
Nancy - Kelly, that is exactly what I have done. We have from the time we get home till bedtime. Then I hit the books!
Kay - Nancy-how many other things do you do for yourself? And remember that you are also setting a wonderful example for your son about working hard for something you really want.
Nancy - My husband is a night owl so we have quality time sometimes late at night. Mant times I come last but that's ok
Kay - I have also seen my children become closer to their father throughout this process--and he loves it!
shay - Nancy - are you working on a degree now? i didn't catch it earlier...
mary - Kelly-you're a saint for being on here for sooo long. Are these chat's usually this long?
Nancy - Kay, I have too!
shay - ok, i just figured i may have walked into a scheduled chat wiothout realizing it... if so, i apologize...
Kelly M - Mary - I think the shortest one was 2 1/2 hours! Longest one was 4 hours, which we're quickly approaching! :)
Nancy - No - have a undergarduate and masters degree in education. Just trying to become nationally certified
Kelly M - Teachers.net schedules chats for one hour usually. I wanted us to not have anyone following us so that we could stay. We HAVE to be out after 5 hours, because another chat will be scheduled to begin!
Kelly M - Shay - it's okay! We're candidates for Early Childhood certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards....
Nancy - I finished my masters degree when I was nine months pregnant. Barely fit behind the desk to take the comps
mary - Shay, are you going for NAtional Boards?
mary - Why dii my screen go white?
Kay - Well, ladies, I am going to work on these goals for entry 1. I want them sketched out TONIGHT!! Thanks for all your help. Have a great week!!!
Kelly M - Mary - I have no idea why that happens....but it does...LOTS!
Kelly M - Kay - good luck! see you on the ring!
shay - mary - no, i didn't realize this was from the earlier chat...
Kelly M - When the screen goes blank, hit the "refresh" button to your left
Nancy - Gotta go too - it's bath time for my buddy. Thanks for the great support!
Kelly M - Nancy - see you later
