Kathy in CT - HI bullfrog, Were we talking about ss today?
bullfrog - Hey, I do not know wasn't around last week
Kathy in CT - Ss is the one that has me a bit baffled as to what to study. I read a third grade textbook and it seemed to be maps, resources, goods and services, native americans, comparing rural, suburb etc
Patrice in KY - how is the studying going???
Kathy in CT - I am reading everything in sight and trying to make this poor old brain sort it all out. I test on June 4th.
bullfrog - I am in a group of 6 people and we are each taking a section to research
Patrice in KY - that sounds like a good plan, bullfrog
Kathy in CT - I am working with a partner and we basically bounce possible topics and ways to answer off each other.
Patrice in KY - I test on June 7
bullfrog - We take ours on June 26th and we have not met with our info yet. Think we are still OK
Patrice in KY - for soc. st. I am just looking into the major components of soc st.
Kathy in CT - Good luck on the 7th. I vascillate between thinking I can't possible do this, to it won't be so bad. I can't wait till June 5th!
Patrice in KY - I have a friend who did the MC Gen and she said it is really doable
Kathy in CT - That is comforting. I just have not taught third grade in a loooong time. Most of my 28 years is in Kindergarten.
Kathy in CT - Are you using the ss files that were recently uploaded to yahoo groups Patrice?
Patrice in KY - I taught 3rd/4th soc. st. for a few years...but that was six years ago....I am in kindergaten now
bullfrog - I also teach K
sherri (ky) - I am going to borrow a 3rd grade ss textbook
Patrice in KY - Kathy, I have downloaded them...not working with them right now. I have worked with our district curriculum mapping the most for now.
Patrice in KY - I also have downloaded our state implementation manual for soc. st.
Kathy in CT - the third grade ss book was a help to me to get a general idea of the topics they cover and at what degree of detail.. I too have the downloaded files .I begin to get confuses when I look at too many sources. I am starting folders and weaning them out as
Patrice in KY - I think my weakest area in soc. st. is economics.
Kathy in CT - Economics is one area that bothers me too.
sherri (ky) - Patrice there is a program on KET called Econ and me, do you think that might help just looking at the materials? I have the written info if you would like it
Patrice in KY - We have one more week of school and then I head to my son's college graduation....then I am going to do nothing but study for a week.
Kathy in CT - What kinds of things do you think they will ask in relation to economics?
Patrice in KY - LOL...Sherri....I just finished showing the series to my sweet kindergarten children!!!
Patrice in KY - It really was above their heads but they loved the invisible character and I learned a great deal.
sherri (ky) - Do you think it will help then? My class of 1st graders watched it earlier in the year
Kathy in CT - Sherri, what is the program about?
Patrice in KY - I think the third grade book is a good idea too.
sherri (ky) - Kathy it deals with a group of children thinking about building a playhouse and everything that's involved, materials, labor etc
Patrice in KY - Kathy, I have no idea how they will approach the question...but the NB way is very much immersed in multiple areas....I feel certain there will be a variety of soc. st. topics intertwined. Of course...that is just my humble opinion.
Kathy in CT - Thanks Sherri, sounds like a good activity. I can see where that might help you in this.
beth - anybody a retaker
Patrice in KY - I am a near CW, Beth...what part are you retaking?
Kathy in CT - Patrice, I was thinking the same thing. They are also probably looking for us to addess different learning styles and children with special needs etc.
Patrice in KY - Hi, Mura...this is KY day.
Myra in KY - Hi everyone from KY. This is my first time in the chat room but I am anxious to learn something
Kathy in CT - I was just thinking that KY seemed well represented!
beth - the science assessment
Patrice in KY - Don't you all think cultures will probably play a big part in the soc. st.?
Kathy in CT - Yes, I am actually hoping I can work some of my ss unit into this. I did a unit on celebrating different cultures in my classroom.
sherri (ky) - Patrice I agree! They probably will address cultures and how to address things in your classroom
Patrice in KY - I really think NB stresses the individual children's backgrounds.
Myra in KY - I think culture will but I also think it will bea a broad range including other areas in Social Studeis
Patrice in KY - I have been reading back over the standards to review best practice.
Myra in KY - I have been reading all the standard and I also got a book from my principal called Best Practices. It has some really good info in it
Kathy in CT - I am rereading the standards many times and also the book yardsticks for age appropriateness. I am ok on my level but need to bone up on the later years.
Patrice in KY - Kathy, isn
Patrice in KY - Isn't Yardsticks wonderful?
Patrice in KY - I keep hitting the wrong key!!! Hope that doesn't happen at the AC
sherri (ky) - Myra we had a PD on Best Practices, I should review my notes then
Myra in KY - Patrice didn't we meet at the meeting with Lynn Hines in Bowling Green when they gve us that awful question for SS example
Patrice in KY - Best Practices IS a good book too.
Patrice in KY - Yes, Myra.`
Patrice in KY - If we can survive that, surely we can make it through the real thing.
Myra in KY - I certainly hope so. I have been meeting with a group in my area and we are each focussing on a question and sharing our thoughts on it with the rest. This has made me feel a little more confident
Patrice in KY - The book Yardsticks has rally helped me focus more on the needs of the different age groups.
Patrice in KY - really...not rally.
Charlotte(AL) - You all make me feel behind. My testing date is June 17th. I have gathered alot of material, but have not read anything. I get out of school next week and am starting then.
Patrice in KY - You are not behind, Charlotte...when do you get out of school?
sherri (ky) - Charlotte I test on June 22 and have not done much reading. I am currently reading Pathways to Play. We get out in 7 days so I plan on doing a lot of reading from then on. I am even sending my younger son to Louisianna for the week before the test
Charlotte(AL) - Friday, May 24th is my last day.
sherri (ky) - hi bruppert
Kathy in CT - Patrice, sorry I did not answer right away but my husband needed the room where the computer is! Yes I love the yardsticks book. It is very helpful.
bruppert - hey girls, I am sorry to be late. have I missed anything?
Patrice in KY - You are fine, Kathy...husbands must come first.
Charlotte(AL) - HI, bruppert!
bruppert - Sherry I am reading Pathways to Play too
Kathy in CT - I am going to take a personal day next week because we close way after the test date. We get out on the 18th. I need one day to get my head organized.
Patrice in KY - Hi bruppert...weave danced around soc. st. a bit.
bruppert - Have you guys talked about SS today yet?
sherri (ky) - I am learning a lot about play!
Kathy in CT - Thanks Patrice. You are right, and boy has he taken a back seat lately!
Patrice in KY - That sounds like a plan, Kathy...a good one.
bruppert - I am not sure where to study for that as in our area they study ancient civ.
Charlotte(AL) - When does everyone else test?
Patrice in KY - I am sooooo ready to read a book where someone kisses somene or something!!!! I have been buying some for fun reading for vacation.
Kathy in CT - Hi Bruppert, Yes we talked a little but I would like to discuss it in more detail.
Patrice in KY - Just a mindless Harlequin would b great.
Myra in KY - I am testing June 20. I wanted a little time after school is out but I didn't want to ruin my whole summer
bruppert - I test June 28 adn I have a plan to study something different each week
Patrice in KY - June 7 here.
Kathy in CT - Patrice, I actually took a day off and did just that. My mind was mush and it cleaned out the cobwebs to just read a good, mindless book!
bullfrog - I test June 26th and have not really gotten started
sherri (ky) - testing the 22nd of June
Myra in KY - I really dread the whole process. I think I got so burned out on thinking and writing during the portfolio that the thoughts of sitting back down at the computer almost makes me sick. I just keep telling myself to plunge in and do my best for three hours.
Patrice in KY - I am testing an hour away so I made hotel reservations for the night before and my husband is driving down to meet me the afternoon after the test for an extra night away.
Patrice in KY - I know what you mean Myra. Jumping back in has been a challenge...I have enjoyed teaching without the stress of writing deadlines.
bruppert - Myra the same for me, to even read the ering it an effort , I burnt myself out for sure
Kathy in CT - the thrid grade book I read for ss seemed to spend a lot of time talking about how an area was "in the olden days" and how it has changed, like california had town spring up to provide goods and services for the gold miners. It talked about the natural re
sherri (ky) - Patrice that sounds wonderful! My husband and I plan on going out that night. I only have to drive across the river and test at UC
bruppert - Kathyin Ct what third grade book did you read?
Myra in KY - Kathy, a lot of the stuff I am reading talks about natural resources as well
Charlotte(AL) - I have borrowed teacher's editions from grades 2 and 3 for science and ss, just to get a feel of different topics in their curriculum. I am also going to look over national standards for each grade level in those areas and just brainstorm ideas of how to teach the different topics.
sherri (ky) - SS topic could be now and then - needs and wants
Patrice in KY - Kathy, our KY core content for the soc. st. focuses on communities (economics, culture, government and history)
Kathy in CT - Hi Bruppert. Wish I could tell you but I teach k and borrowed it! All I remember is what would have struck my 5 year olds. ..It was pink!!
Myra in KY - The third grade book at my school talks about natural resources, economics, and the settling of America
bruppert - social studies is so vague to me that I find it hard to get the real meat out of what they want
Patrice in KY - Goods and services is a big push for that age group.
Kathy in CT - It sounds like goods and services, natural resources, settling of am could definitely be part of the topic
sherri (ky) - one of the 3rd grade teachers in my school said they do a lot of maps
Patrice in KY - Location is also a big part...
sherri (ky) - kathy all those could fit into one big question!
Kathy in CT - There was a section on maps but it was not very detailed. It did connect with the neighborhood concept , mapping your neighborhood. It also talked about landform types and naturnal resources in each type of area.
Patrice in KY - Settlement due to location...population density, transportation.
Myra in KY - Another book I have which some of you may also have is Building the Primary Classroom. It has a lot of good info
sherri (ky) - Myra I have that also but haven't looked at it
Charlotte(AL) - Myra, I have that book. It is very good. I used it alot when writing the portfolio.
bruppert - would that book, Building the primary class. take long to order?
bruppert - I used the morning meeting book for my portfolio
Charlotte(AL) - No, brupppert, it doesn't. I ordered mine from Responsive Classroom and it was here within the next week.
sherri (ky) - bruppert I ordered mine from amazon.com and it only took about 1 1/2 week to get it.
Kathy in CT - took a week from amazon
Myra in KY - I ordered it from teachingstrategies.com and got it in about 5 days
bruppert - ok, get another book for me, when will I read this, we have big time testing in our area for our kids next week and I teach computer classes too. wish I did not need to sleep
Kathy in CT - ahh bruppert, That is how it is for all of us. I am reading non stop. It is hard to balance everything,
bruppert - I had gotten the book, Constructiing the Classroom for Primary Classroom
Myra in KY - I have also gotten a lot of ss info form socialstudies.org. It has the ten standards of ss and goes into learner expectations, teacher expectations, and school expectations. Puts it all in perspective.
Patrice in KY - Do you think we are going to need to think about bringing in the arts, technology, etc. into the soc. st. question?
bruppert - iI know we are all swamped with teaching and families and NB.
Myra in KY - that should stay school apllications instead of school expectations
sherri (ky) - that's a thought Patrice, since that was part of the portfolio
Charlotte(AL) - Patrice, I think if we could do that, it would be a plus in our favor.
Kathy in CT - Patrice, I was wondering about that too. Definitely technology i think.
Patrice in KY - The standards also really tie them together...I was just glancing over them just now.
Myra in KY - I think that would be pretty easy to add arts to the social studies and technology sort of lends itsself to ss I think
sherri (ky) - I agree
bruppert - I agree, I think they should be included an accomplished teacher would ya know. LOL
Charlotte(AL) - Gotta go ladies, it was nice chatting. I threw my back out Tuesday and can't sit in this chair much longer. Good Luck to you all!!!!!
Myra in KY - that's true and that's what we are supposed to be, aren't we
Kathy in CT - Got to go.. my 18 year old daughter is having 8 friends spend the night for her birthday! It will give me plenty of time to read as I stay away from the action.I will hole up in an upstairs room and read, read, read. Thanks. See you next week.
Patrice in KY - These are areas I have highlighted: literature studies tied to physical geography and environments, maps, rules and rights, government an d it's institutions, economics, democracy, culture, problem solving
Patrice in KY - oops..I skipped national hoidays (our country and others ad chronological thinking
aggieb - Pat it looks like you are ready for ss
aggieb - I have been reading a third grade ss book as well as looking at the National standards
Patrice in KY - not in the least, aggieb....just floundering..
bruppert - Wowie Patrice!! you will be ready for sure,
aggieb - I know the feeling
Patrice in KY - I would be if I just knew all that stuff, bruppert! LOL
bruppert - we don't have ss. books for our teachers, we have standards of learning and we go by that. That is why I asked for a book title,
Myra in KY - That's a lot to have to know for just one question. We still have 5 others to answer. I htink I'm getting nervous again. I go in waves. I will be really anxious and then I relax; then something happens and I get nervous again. Anybody else experiencing that?
aggieb - I am looking at the five themes of geography also
Patrice in KY - I do think the social studies one will be very real wold though.
sherri (ky) - Right now I am just going with the flow and will probably panic once school is out
bruppert - me too MYRA!! I have been so confident and then someone will say something and I get shaking in the knees
aggieb - Myra,, I think I am going to have to waith until the kids get out of school to really focus
Patrice in KY - Don't shake, ladies....WE SURVIVED THE PORTFOLIO!!!!
Patrice in KY - Hi there, Sally.
sherri (ky) - I am with you aggieb I just can't stay focused
Myra in KY - I still think they will combine more that one standard with a theme in ss
bruppert - aggieb, where did you find those themes?
aggieb - Now that I think back,, at least I had a guide to follow and I knew what to look for
Myra in KY - If only we knew we had survived the portfolios for sure
bruppert - I did survive but still find myself second guessing it all
bruppert - So true, Myra!! november will be D day for us
Myra in KY - From the reading I've been doing from those who have taken the test, they say that the questions are very specific much like the portfolio questions
aggieb - I found those themes in a social studies manu
sherri (ky) - But we only get 30 minutes per question!
Patrice in KY - Culture, history, government, economics, movement are the basis of soc. st., I think...I don't have the actual info in front of me...but that is the general idea.
bruppert - I would imagine they would be somewhat similiar to the portfolio,
Patrice in KY - The one person I know who has taken the MC Gen tests says the questions are MUCH clearer than how they are worded for the portfolio.
Myra in KY - Thats the scary part. However some of my study buddies know a couple of people who have already tested and they said 30 minutes was plenty of time
sherri (ky) - I heard that also, I hope they are right
bruppert - wow, that is amazing, they finished in 30 min.
aggieb - I hope I can really focus on the "question" and not freeeze up
bruppert - I have this fear I will just shut down and not beable to think.
Patrice in KY - I was told to watch out for the number of questions per section. I did the tutorial online again just to see how the question parts were numbered.
bruppert - which one did you do Patrice? Iowa or NB?
Patrice in KY - I know a high school person who thought she was finished and then realized there was one more part to answer.
sherri (ky) - I need to do the tutorial
Myra in KY - Along with all this my school is being rebuilt over the next couple of years and I have to have everything boxed up and out of my room by the last day of school. The stress is building!!
Patrice in KY - I redid the NB one, bruppert.
bruppert - I need to do the tutorial too
aggieb - Yeah, the question I think is the key,, did you answer the question
Myra in KY - That sounds similar to the portfolio. I would type my response and then go back and check to see if I had answered all the questions.
Patrice in KY - I did look at the Iowa one though. The NB one has the built in timer, the Iowa one does not.
bruppert - WE have to pack like we are going to a new school every year for cleaning and for the past two years I have moved my room
Patrice in KY - Sherri, when you go to the tutorial you will probably need to reset the resolution on your computer, but the instructions walk you through that. I think that was the biggest thing to throw me for a loop.
bruppert - in my area we have a mentor and she posed some questions for us and we did it for 30 min. and time just flew by for me,
aggieb - I let my kids help to count out and pack up.
Patrice in KY - Sally, are you the one with the very ill friend?
bruppert - Patrice, what did you do to change the resolution?
sherri (ky) - bruppert I had a mentor for my portfolio but haven't heard from him since before I mailed my box.
aggieb - I tried writing my own questions and that was a challenge in itself.
bruppert - yeah I bet aggieb!!
aggieb - Which question ask for mutiple strategies?
Patrice in KY - I followed the directions they have you click on. (You right click on your mouse to get where you need to go. It really is simple...you just need to jot it down to go back to redo it when finished).
sherri (ky) - Social Studies
Myra in KY - I agree aggieb. I went through that thought process and it was almost as bad as doing the portfolio. My mind just would not work in that way right now.
aggieb - I sort of made my own rubric based on the questions to see how well I scored!!
Patrice in KY - I have had several new newbies contact me. I love the new feeling again.
bruppert - are any of you third grade teachers?
Myra in KY - sounds like a good study method
Myra in KY - first grade
sherri (ky) - first grade
Patrice in KY - kindergarten
bruppert - I am first grade too!
sherri (ky) - first grade but will be a one/two next year
aggieb - I teach K
bruppert - no one is in first grade in our group
Patrice in KY - are you looping with the same children, sherri?
bruppert - so I do feel alone in my studies, Mostly everyone is K
Patrice in KY - I did teach soc. st. for a 3/4th multi age group for a few years.
aggieb - SS is the question that ask for multiple strategies so we might want to remember that the rubric might ask : Did you use multiple strategies and not just one strategy.
sherri (ky) - no, I will only have 4 of my students from this year. Right now I will have 11 (2nd) and 7(lst)
Patrice in KY - community is a biggie...
bruppert - so let's talk strategies for a third grade?
aggieb - Patrice,, I am looking very closely at communities,, my third grade and state focuses on community totally
bruppert - give me some ideas for third graders and what they like to do
sherri (ky) - build their own community out of milk cartons
Patrice in KY - History of their own community
aggieb - Compare and contrast their community to another community
sherri (ky) - bring in community leaders to talk about job
Patrice in KY - resources of their own community is a big thing too
aggieb - Make brochures featuring their community
sherri (ky) - field trip to a cemetary
Patrice in KY - a tourism brochure is something we did
aggieb - Our students use large can to make visual displays of our community
bruppert - aggieb, I heard that is a big one - communities and we could relate our own communities to a foriegn one.
Patrice in KY - environment and how it effects movement of people
sherri (ky) - different types of movement (transportation)
aggieb - We are really incorporating the five themes of geogrphy,, great!!
Myra in KY - economics of a community and how it is affected by its geography
zoey - Zoey in NY: Hi, are you talking about the SS/Arts entry of the portfolio? Are is this talk about the assessment center?
sherri (ky) - assessment center
bruppert - When we say environment , what do they mean specifically?
Patrice in KY - Gotta' go friends...a sweetie of mine from last year (he is just 6 years old) lost his foot in a lawn mowing accident. I am going to sit with him while his parents get some rest.
Myra in KY - Gotta run. This has been great. I am usually not at home at this time on Saturdays but I am going to try to be over the next several weeks.
bruppert - Thanks Patrice in KY, you are a big help
aggieb - My guess it has to do with the economy, location, place, etc, and how it effects the people living there- environment
bruppert - Thanks Myra, thanks for sharing, seems like I am going the same path as you,
zoey - My timing is way off here. Sorry. My comments/questions are coming a mile after you've made a statement/question. Whew! I hope this isn't reflective of my Assessment Center performance.
Patrice in KY - bruppert...you have pulled me through bunches!!! We can pull this off. Happy studies all. bye
sherri (ky) - bruppert I'm thinking what is in the environment of a community, river, lake, ocean, middle of the country etc
Myra in KY - Thanks to all of you for sharing with me. Have good week and GOOD LUCK!!
aggieb - I think that has todo with it also,, the river could have and impact upon the economy, example,
aggieb - Anything that impacts the people would be the environment
sherri (ky) - Where I live in Ky the river had a lot to do with development between Ky and Ohio - also the underground railroad was a big part of this area
bruppert - ok if that is true for environment then the political folks also impact us
aggieb - i have been working on a timeline for history also,, I am looking at books that would help students make a connection
sherri (ky) - that is very true
zoey - I am a retake, but sorry I won't be much help 'cause I don't remember the SS piece from last year. I'm only taking the Children at Play entry at the assessment center.
aggieb - talkking about realworld experiences,, I think this one should be the easiest for us.. My joke, is that how can I not pass SS, I live here in America.
bruppert - aggieb, that is clever to do!!
Karen (KY) - I have been listening for a few minutes to get tuned into what you've been discussing. I think what you're saying about communities is all relevant, but what do think about the diversity within our own communities?
Karen (KY) - Hey bruppert and Sherri!
bruppert - Good idea, Karen, as we had to discuss diversity so much in the portfolio
zoey - Hi Karen. You're right, diversity is key to the discussion.
Karen (KY) - I was thinking about the elderly in our communities and what they could offer us
aggieb - Would you have students to take fieldtrips, bring in historians, etc.
sherri (ky) - agree that diversity will be intertwined
bruppert - we better put in cooperative learning groups to teach whatever we write about
aggieb - demonstrate the contributions of the culture
aggieb - I think I would use tht KWL chart to see what my students already know,, use some type of graphic organizer
Karen (KY) - We have so much diversity within our own communities- yes field trips, but more of visits from community members that connect with our students
aggieb - You are right about the cooperative learning groups!
Karen (KY) - KWL's are great, too! If we can teach inquiry science, we can teach inquiry SS
Karen (KY) - Anything that makes a natural connection for our students
zoey - Timelines are very helpful in enabling students to get a realistic perspective of the period in question. It seems to bring it all together for them, that these events actually happened.
aggieb - I took a field trip to the local POw Wow to see part ot the NA cultures in action
sherri (ky) - I've got to go, happy studying and for those in KY I know the end of school is not far off
bruppert - yes, but we must incorporate the National Standards as the big ideas. Right?
Karen (KY) - Right, bruppert! I agree
bruppert - Bye sherri!
sherri (ky) - one last thought about timelines, have students make their own timeline
aggieb - Great idea
zoey - Bye, Sherrie. When does KY get out of school? New York is not out until 6/27 and our union is thinking of striking. How's that for community and history?
bruppert - I just thinking in order for us to incorporate all of this in 30 min. we will have to bullet these ideas to answer the question, and we could practice doing this.
Karen (KY) - I'm hoping that they will be looking at more of the process of how we answer rather than the content. Hopefully through the process of the portfolio we have expanded on our philosophies and that will come through
sherri (ky) - My last day is 5/30 students last day 5/29, my son is in a different district than I teach in and his last day was yesterday
aggieb - My mentor suggested that we do bullet them
Karen (KY) - we get out of school May 23rd.
zoey - Bulleting is a good idea. That way you get everything listed (increasing your chance for maximum points) and then you can go back as time permits and elaborate. 30 minutes will go so fast and will feel like 5 - 7 minutes!
bruppert - yes, but they are testing the content of the area for us, Karen
aggieb - How children learn is important when we start writing strategies
Karen (KY) - I agree on bulleting answers- we need that to rely on for time limits
Karen (KY) - content is important, I know, but I'm hoping that what we've learned from the portfolio will play a part.
zoey - Karen, I think they will not be looking so much at the process of how you answer, but they will examine the content primarily. I could be wrong, but that's what I think. As the portfolio is where NB was keying on our process.
aggieb - and of course constructing their own knowledge, cooperative groups, and lots of discoure about the subject at hand
bruppert - I would certainly hope so!! But again with this being the NEw Generation no one really knows.
Karen (KY) - zoey, that's what I'm afraid of- but, I'm just hoping that what we've learned will help somewhat on the AC
aggieb - As long as you have the content,, they can lift it, I am like you,, content is the important key.
zoey - As I said, I'm a ReTake, and what I found is that the Assessment Center was very fair. They asked what they said they would, and there were no trick questions, etc.
Karen (KY) - I'm glad to hear that zoey
aggieb - Do you know what children should know about economy, etc.
zoey - Yes, affieb, I think they will lift from what's there. They realize that some candidates may be experiencing difficulty using a computer that is not their own, and have time constraints. They want to see what you get produce in a limited amount of time. The key is to know your stuff and know it.
zoey - The goal is automaticity!
zoey - Sorry, Aggieb, I totally destroyed your name.
aggieb - Hey,, its ok,
bruppert - so what do you guys think children in 3grade should know about economy?
Karen (KY) - In Ky. in our program of studies lists our state goals and connects them with national standards and bench marks- it's a great resource if anyone wants to take a look check out Kentucky Department of Education website and search program of studies- teaching to proficiency and beyond.
aggieb - Karen I would love to see it. do you have the web site?
bruppert - Karen could we have the website address, I used to have it,but lost my favorites when the computer crashed
zoey - Karen, do you find that KY's standards are aligned with NB's standards pretty much (in principle at least)?
Karen (KY) - aggie, I can get it for you, but I know that if you search KDE- Teaching to Proficiency and Beyond it's pretty easy to find. Let me know if you can't and I'll send you the address.
Karen (KY) - Yes, zoey, they are aligned with the National Standards and each is listed with it's connections and sample ideas for lessons
Karen (KY) - If any of you want to e-mail later for the address- I'll find it. My e-mail is stillinpreschool@yahoo.com
bruppert - Karen that is so neat!! Your state must be great!!
Karen (KY) - We've gone through so many changes- it's not been easy and so many have fought change, but I really like where we're headed
bruppert - Karen, you did such a nice job relating to us about Childrens Play last week, thanks !
Karen (KY) - I love the program of studies- that's where we get all of our goals and benchmarks for writing IEP's for special needs students, too.
zoey - That will make it easier that they are aligned. In New York, we don't have a direct correlation yet. The format of each is so different, that alignment will be a little awkward. A few of the NBCT's in New York have that task, even though (suprisingly) in NY with over 85,000 teachers, there are only aobut 100 NBCT's. Isn't that unbelievable?
Karen (KY) - thanks, bruppert, I hoped I could help. I know I will rely on many of you for help in other areas.
aggieb - karen is it under core content
sue - hi yall, sorry I;m late, what's the topic-- social studies?
zoey - Hi, Sue. Welcome to the EC/G chat.
bruppert - Your state also has a great site for equity and access for students, I read that when I was doing my portfolios
Karen (KY) - yes, aggie, but it is called the program of studies because all of the correlations are there with standards and other ideas
zoey - Karen, Bruppert said you did a nice job relating about Children/Play last week. Well, I surely wish you'd give a breif review, as I was not here. I'd really appreciate some direction on that piece.
Karen (KY) - Yes, bruppert, I've been involved in our consolidated planning for equity and access, mainly responsible for gender equity
zoey - Can previous chats be read?
sue - zoey- es go to the archives
Karen (KY) - zoey, I would be glad too. Yes, you can read the archives
aggieb - karen is the last number the grade level?
Karen (KY) - I think the most important things to remember about children's play are the following: 3 types of play: independent, parallel, cooperative as well as purpose for play- initiating interaction vs. responding and maintaining interaction
Karen (KY) - aggie, the last number is the level based on our primary school levels
sue - karen- from what source? don't forget functional vs dramatic
aggieb - http://www.kde.state.ky.us/oapd/ttp/ This is the Kentucky site for standards
Karen (KY) - sue, from High Scope and the assessments I use to evaluate delays in social skills- the Batelle Developmental Inventory and from years in preschool
Karen (KY) - thanks, aggie- that's it!
sue - karen- yeah! another High Scope person-- I'm president of the state HighScope Educator's assn
Karen (KY) - I am a believer in High Scope- it just fits my beliefs
zoey - Karen, when you say "initiating interaction", are you talking about from the student's point of view or the teacher/facilitator? Excuse me for asking such an obvious question, but it all just theory to me when I read the texts on the subject as in the schools I work in in New York, there is such pressure on the students for high test acheivement that children's "Play" (social skills ) are treated as a luxury and unneeded skill. This is tragic, but that's the way it is in some of our shcools.
Karen (KY) - I'm not sure if you've been reading what Bush is saying about Headstart and High Scope, but he doesn't agree with us- he thinks we need to be teaching more skills
bruppert - Reading the book, Pathways to Play is great!! for Childrens Play-
sue - karen- I do teach skills within the HS approach- it's a matter of how I do it
Karen (KY) - zoey, I mean whether a child can initiate interaction with other students or other adults or if he/she only repsonds to another's intitiation
zoey - Sue, does being the president of the state
Karen (KY) - I agree sue, I do, too. But he doesn't think we are
bruppert - Tell me what High Scope is?
Karen (KY) - NAEYC has protested his plan to retrain all preschool and Headstart teachers in a plan to get us doing more of what he considers teaching skills
zoey - Sue, does being the president of the state High Scope Educator's Assn assist you in understanding the standards and making them more applicable to the classroom?
sue - it's an approach to EC that believes in active learning and teacher initiated rather than teacher directed activities
Karen (KY) - sue, e-mail privately some time and I will send you an article our principal gave me.
sue - zoey- not really. it helps me train other teachers
zoey - Yes, I have Pathways to Play and thought I had totally internalized it. But something went wrong last year at the AC. I don't know what. I totally adhere to that philosophy, yet lack the opp'y to utilize many of its strategies as my district doesn't promote such.
Karen (KY) - Pathways to play is a great resource- High Scope also has many great resources
sue - zoey- if you don't observe children's play on a daily basis, it's hard to analyze it
bruppert - so where can I read about this High scope online?
sue - karen- which ones- want to make sure I have all bases covered
sue - www.highscope.org
sue - I think that's right isn't it karen?
Karen (KY) - sue, I think the best is Developmentally Appropriate Practices
sue - so is todays talk about play or social studies?
bruppert - thanks girls, I love this !! I continue to learn!!
Karen (KY) - Yes, that's it.
bruppert - I have that book, karen! just got it out today to get started on
Karen (KY) - sue, I can't think of the titles of all of the others right now- my brain is overworked- I'll get a list
aggieb - Sue you will find some great conversation about play in our archieves for today.. I think I may have copied and pasted some,, will send to you by email
sue - that book has been totally internalized LOL!
Karen (KY) - it's terrific, bruppert!
aggieb - I meant social studies today!!
Karen (KY) - Yes, it's like Best Practices- a must
bruppert - yeaH I have my eyes ready
sue - aggie- thanks! that's the area I don't like
zoey - Sue, thanks. I'm feeling you're absolutely right. So, this year when I get off, I go visit a nearby pre-school and observe the students and record their interactions. I'm hoping just doing this for a period each day will equipt me with more understanding of how young children relate to each other. What exactly should I be looking for as I observe the students and look over my transciptions?
Karen (KY) - One resource is Interacting with Young Children
bruppert - is Best Practices another book we should read?
sue - brupprt- I have a copy. I scanned it for the social studies, science and la
zoey - I'm sorry. Are we all trying to talk about Social Studies today? !!
Karen (KY) - Best Practices is a great resource, but if you've been through this process you probably already do most of what it suggests
aggieb - I think I am going to the preschool and observe also,, I teach K and seeing preschoolers may help me a bit
Karen (KY) - Best Practices takes you through what you should be doing and what you should not be doing- like a continuum
Karen (KY) - Please go observe preschoolers at play- it is the best advice I can give and you will enjoy it soooo much- they are so much fun! I love my job!!!
sue - zoey- it's hard to say. It really depends on what was happening- who is playing with whome, who started the play, the physical surrounding, materials used, how used
sue - karen- the funniest one was when one of my kids dressed us in wild clothes and the scarves.
sue - karen- she said she wanted to be a " party girl" like her mom who as a hooker!!!!!
zoey - I do know this that when we're talking about Kg. and Pre-K's, there's a big difference (socially). Only at first glance, they look similar.
Karen (KY) - I know, it is so much fun. We had field day this past week and didn't get to have centers and one student exclaimed to her mother when she came, "Oh my goodness, no princess today!"
sue - aggie- K kids play an entirely different way. There play is more complex.
aggieb - Zoey,, I am looking a t how play develops the whole child.
Karen (KY) - That's too funny! I did have one student tell me mom got a new job and when I asked where- she said she was a table dancer!
sue - zoo and aggie- do you want to try and analyze a play situation from my classroom?
aggieb - Sure, great idea.
Karen (KY) - Some of my kids have to be taught to play- they don't even know how to play independently or interact with a toy or activity
bruppert - `I do if they do, Sue
sue - karen- you analyze and see what you come up with, too'
sue - ready?
Karen (KY) - sounds good
sue - three boys- jonathan, lawrence and cody
aggieb - Yes,
bruppert - yes,
sue - jonathan dumps all dinos on the floor
zoey - That's funny -- the table dancer reference. Did you see in the news where the school was asking the mother to remove her child because her mom was a table/exotic dancer?
sue - cody comes along and picks up the dinos and starts to count them
Karen (KY) - I missed that one zoey
sue - jonathan-no! let's build a house.
zoey - Yes, I'd love to try and analyze. Thanks!
sue - jonathan and cody build a house with dinos and carboard blocks
sue - lawrence comes along and knocks it over and says" Dinos don't live in no house" and then all 3 build a dino cave
Karen (KY) - great, sue- both are interacting- math skills comes in- do they maintain interaction? who initiated? what was the purpose?
aggieb - coty is learning to count, jonathan wants todo dramatic play, they are socially involved in dramatic play,
aggieb - I think I described, instead of analyzing!!
Karen (KY) - purpose was different for each child- what do you think for each?
sue - aggie- you did describe
sue - more details- jonathan and cody side by side for 10-15 mins
Karen (KY) - aggie, you are describing- but that is the first step- now think about why each is doing what they did
zoey - Can I say that Jonathan is the aggressive one in the group, and initiates the action twice so far: dumping the dinos on the floor and "Let's build a dino house"?
Karen (KY) - side by side as in parallel play or each giving ideas as in cooperative play
sue - questions to answer- what type of play? what was the function? who initiated the interaction
Karen (KY) - level of cooperative play?- is one a leader and one a follower?
zoey - Cody seems to not be an initiator yet, only responding to Jonathan's actions.
sue - karen- side by side for jonathan and cody, then cooperatively after lawrence came along
Karen (KY) - possibly, zoey- I would have to see to better analyze
zoey - Is Lawrence's behavior (knocking over the house) due to the fact that he is copying Jonathan's behavior? Or does he not know another way to enter the group of Lawrence and Cody who are already playing together?
Karen (KY) - Jonathan definitely made the first step to interaction here
sue - zoey- not aggressive, he was the initator
Karen (KY) - How did they handle conflict?
sue - LOL! they both just looked at him. this is one of my more active kids
Karen (KY) - ability to communicate wants and needs?
zoey - Karen, when you say "Purpose was different for each child", do you mean the child's purpose of playing?
sue - cody- joined in with jonathan,
Karen (KY) - they learn to deal with each student differently based on each students' needs, don't they? It's amazing- in some ways they are much more inept than we
sue - jonathan's play was simple use, dump and count
Karen (KY) - purpose of interaction
sue - cody's was more complex- 2 step play build a house, out dinos in it
Karen (KY) - one student's purpose was to play with the blocks
sue - cody and jon's play was more creative play
Karen (KY) - rather than to interact with the other student- sometimes purpose is attention or help with a problem, sometimes it is simply to get what he/she wants
zoey - Sue, so to say "aggressive" is the wrong term because it implies personality/negative attribute?
Karen (KY) - sometimes the purpose would be a creative outlet or need for companionship or conversation
sue - zoey- aggressive is a subjective term. what is aggrezzive to you may be normal behavior to another
Karen (KY) - some kids are aggressive, but I would not consider this aggressive
sue - zoey- you can't make a judgement about the play scenario- just describe and analyze
Karen (KY) - remember, at this age they sometimes do not know how to communicate what they want or need
sue - I guess it's easier becuase I take anecdotal notes daily on 20 kids
sue - associative rather than parallel play
Karen (KY) - right, sue, I usually just describe on my anecdotals and analyze in my assessment and planning
zoey - Ok thanks, so the key is not to use subjective language, but more objective and free language (non-judgemental) and based on what we actually see, huh?
sue - zoey- that's it!!
Karen (KY) - You got it!
bruppert - This is so interesting, thanks for doing this, I am learning!!
sue - bruppert- no problem- what grade are you?
aggieb - This did help a lot
sue - associative vs parallel play
bruppert - first
sue - parallel students playing side by side, may or may not be wroking on the same thing
Karen (KY) - I have to go edit my preschool end of the year power show, but please e-mail if you need more examples or have questions. I have a lot of practice examples I had to analyze in training I would be glad to share.
sue - associatuve working together but not necassarily sharing roles
sue - brb
bruppert - thanks Karen for sharing of yourself!!
zoey - Anecdotals every day. Wow! I wish I had that "luxury". I know it isn't a luxury, but I'm in a school distict that doesn't value this kind of thing. Consequently, our students do well on tests (where they emphasize) but are pitifully delayed in social skills. Well, we know (unfortunatly) where this will lead when these kids are in middle school and high school.
Karen (KY) - These are at school, but they start with simple observations and move into more difficult situations to analyze with behavior issues, etc.
sue - zoey- luxury! it's what I use for my assessment! I write a ton and really know my kids
zoey - Thanks again, Sue and all you guys. I'm learning because I'm finding out how much I don't know and beginning to lay some foundational blocks. Old blockhead here is waking up. ; )
sue - you're welcome
zoey - I teach "at-risk" 1st graders.
bruppert - thanks Karen for sharing of yourself!!
sue - aggie- will do!
aggieb - Ihave to take my 83 year old day shopping,, he still does his own..
sue - want another quick scenario?
aggieb - 83 year old day shopping,, gosh I am tired
aggieb - dad shopping
sue - aggie- the scary thing is I understood you LOL!
bruppert - sure
zoey - Thanks again, Karen!
Karen (KY) - No problem - I do enjoy talking about my job! Talk to you next week!
sue - s#1 is playing in house area with a helment. I'm a police! student 2- Arrest me! S#1 ties student 2's hands with ribbon from art center. says" You bad! you going to jail ~!!
zoey - Well, I better go and read Children and Play and anything else on the topic I can get my hands on. I think it will be more meaningful for me after this conversation. Does anyone have any logistic question for me before I leave as I was at the AC last year.
sue - karen- please send me the article
sue - zoey- it;s changed from last year
zoey - I will try my best to make sure I'm here next week.. Yes, I know the format changed, but I think it's more alike than different.
sue - gotta go
sue - see ya next week
bruppert - good lluck , zoey!! Iw ill keep you in my prayers.
zoey - Just know that the time will go faster than you can imagine. I wish all here the best, including myself. ; ) See you next week.
bruppert - so aggieb, did you graduate and start teaching in 1974?
bruppert - oh yeah you went to the grocery store, gotta go too!
