Debbie Mc. - MJ are you an NBC candidate?
MJ - i'm a lurker..trying to decide whether to go for cert. next year or not
Debbie Mc. - It was one of the most satisfying professional experiences I've had. It's still great!
MJ - my school is def NOT dep app so I'm worried
Debbie Mc. - MJ you can still do what's necessary for your classroom. My school is not that far advanced either.
Dana (carbag) - MJ new things have to start with someone! You can be a pioneer at your school!
Debbie Mc. - MJ you may be the one who begins a whole new change. Just think what an impact you could have on students.
MJ - I wish I was that positive!
Debbie Mc. - MJ I'm the only NBC in a huge area in Kentucky. But I'm helping to spread the word and you can have such an impact. It really gives you great satisfaction knowing that you're making a difference.
Wendy - Debbie I have a friend in Louiville who is special ed
Wendy - her husband is going for it this year
Sharon - Dana, Where are you in MS?
Wendy - She's doing it next year
Debbie Mc. - I mentored an exceptional needs candidate at my school this year. What school does your friend teach at Wendy?
Dana (carbag) - Yes, where are you from?
Debbie Mc. - My colleague could be a great help to her.
Wendy - Not sure, I met her in teh NEA room
Dana (carbag) - I am from Booneville - I teach in Saltillo
Debbie Mc. - If you have her address Wendy, I'll pass it on to my friend.
Dana (carbag) - Where are you from Sharon?
Debbie Mc. - Wendy is a great resource guys, so if you have any questions for her now is the time.
Sharon - I'm in Pontotoc. I did staff dev. at Anderson Elem. in Booneville during this school year.
Dana (carbag) - Wow! What was your topic Sharon?
Wendy - kyanatchr@aol.com
Dana (carbag) - Sharon are you NBCT?
Debbie Mc. - Thanks Wendy. I'll pass this on.
Wendy - Her name is LInda
Sharon - We worked on assessment throughout the year. (rubrics, etc.) I also did some classroom demonstrations. Yes I certified in November.
Wendy - We started our sessions for our second group of wannabee candidates this weeek
Debbie Mc. - Sharon, I apologize. I thought you were another Sharon. We have two great resources.
Dana (carbag) - Congratulations Sharon! Sounds interesting. Do you know if any of the teachers at Anderson are candidates?
Wendy - Fl will be taking over NC in the # of NBCTs soon
MJ - wendy.....where does a wannabee start even? i've sent for my application...
Wendy - In Largo FL
Sharon - No, but two are very interested...both first grade teachers. Do you know many of the teachers at Anderson?
Debbie Mc. - Wendy, I'm trying to get something started in western Ky for candidates that enable them to get help during the summer.
Wendy - Fll has put together some good workshops
Wendy - to help candidates get a head start in the summer
Debbie Mc. - We do have lots of help available today. I'm sure Kelly would thank all of you NBCTs for showing up.
Dana (carbag) - Yes I know a lot of them - but just don't get to see them to talk! I taught first grade here back in 1974 - 78. Then I stayed home for several years when we had our family! Who are the teachers?
Debbie Mc. - Wendy, could I get some info from you off the list. Things Fl does to help?
Wendy - FL legislature pays 90% of the fee so we have to wait until the paperwork
Sharon - Debbie, Do you get support from any of the universities in your mentoring efforts?
Dana (carbag) - Is Tammy Martin one of them by any chance?
Sharon - Dana, there is a Jean Martin.
Melody - Hello everyone! I had a little trouble logging on today! In fact, I never got any email between May 12-18; then I got 265 all at once!!
Debbie Mc. - Not is western KY. I'm speaking with the Dean of Ed. at WEstern KY now. UK and Northern KY do help canidates in central and eastern parts of the state.
Nancy in NC - Hi everyone! Anyone working on math for the ac
Dana (carbag) - I know her, too!
Melody - Now I have to catch up with your conversation!
Debbie Mc. - Sorry Melody but we're glad you're here.
Wendy - Deb email me and I will share what we are doing
Dana (carbag) - Melody, 265 e-mails will take a long time to sort through! Ugh!
Debbie Mc. - Nancy are you a candidate? Thanks Wendy. I'll do that.
Melody - I'm doing Science and Literacy at AC
Wendy - Deb email me and I will share what we are doing
Sharon - Jean visited my classroom in March. She seems like a real "go getter"!
Dana (carbag) - Nancy, I am working on the AC
Melody - I barely caught up with reading messages at 1:30 this morning!
Dana (carbag) - Nancy, when is your AC date? Mine is July 11th.
Sharon - Dana, When do you go to the AC?
Wendy - There is a web site an NBCT in FL started to help FL teachers
Nancy in NC - Yes! I am using the outline from the list.
Nancy in NC - My date is June 9
Melody - My AC date is June 14, Flag Day--yahoo!
Dana (carbag) - I am going to Starkville to take the AC, Sharon. Where did you take it?
Debbie Mc. - It was very helpful for me to have some lesson ideas prepared for math and science. Math was my first entry and this helped me to relax right off.
Sharon - Two teachers from my school went to AC yesterday. One came out elated and the other was really down! Both were glad it was over. I took mine at the Sylvan in Tupelo.
Dana (carbag) - Serafin's outlines are terrific, aren't they?
Debbie Mc. - I was also exhausted and very down when I came out. I was up and down all summer over how I thought I did. It turned out my AC scores were higher than the portfolio scores.
Nancy in NC - I am having trouble just choosing two actvities and a major understanding to be devloped.
Melody - I have not filled in any outlines yet---are they to do ahead of time, or to use as note-taking during the exam?
Mary Lou - Hey Debbie Mc. How goes i?
Debbie Mc. - Melody, try to have some prepared notes. It will help you relax and may help to jog your memory.
Wendy - Nancy does you state have a list of grade level expectations for each subject?
Dana (carbag) - I wish I could take mine at Tupelo! They changed it this year, though. Robin, from Columbus took the AC yesterday and she said there were no surprises.
Mary Lou - Woops! Meant to say "How goes IT?!
Debbie Mc. - Fine Mary Lou.
Sharon - Debbie, I don't know if you agree with this but I've told candidates to take extra time (up to 30 min. if necessary) to study the scenario, student samples, etc. and take notes. Then when you begin typing there is less scroll time.
Wendy - Mary Lou you in Maine?
Melody - Hello, Mary Lou, Good-bye heart, Sweet Mary Lou.....(are any of you old enough to remember Ricky Nelson's hit song>??)
Nancy in NC - yes, Wendy. I am using those.
Dana (carbag) - Melody, I think the play outlines are to be filled in at the AC to refer back to, but the others are to be filled in ahead of time.
Mary Lou - I am in Maine, Have been my whole life!
Mary Lou - My dad used to sing it to me!
Debbie Mc. - I said the same thing Sharon. I spent way too much time scrolling. It's worth the effort because you can keep your ideas fresh as you type and you don't have to stop and scroll.
Wendy - Have you heard from Ed Kelley?
Nancy in NC - I am finding myself gathering alot of info/actvities that I am not sure I need.
Debbie Mc. - Melody I remember Ricky Nelson.
Mary Lou - Not yet.
Melody - Oh, I'm not redoing play. But I remember the dialogues there
Wendy - Nancy, put it together in a concice list so you don't get lost searching for what you want
Debbie Mc. - Nancy, remember you begin the exercise with what your students come to you knowing. Choose activities or lessons that build on those abilities.
Wendy - After meeting Barb in DC I sent him soem things
Wendy - He asked for your email address to get help geting to the onelist.
Debbie Mc. - Nancy think about what you do with your children to start each strand and what you want them to understand about each strand.
Melody - For some notes, I'm leaving detailed ones at the bottom of my pile, then putting a shortened version, like an outlines, then on top a one-pager REALLY BRIEF list of ideas/buzz words
Wendy - I think I gave him Kelly's too
Mary Lou - Kelly said she had invited him to join the onelist.
Dana (carbag) - Debbie, is it just the math we begin with what our students know? We can have that typed up ahead of time.
Nancy in NC - I made a spreadsheet for science where I listed the strand, activity, and assessment.
Melody - Nancy, that spreadsheet sounds wonderful!
NY Teacher - Hi guys! I was here last weekend but had to run out for a 50th anniversary thingy (and to explain to my husband that I might not be 'available' next year heh heh heh) Glad to be back here
Debbie Mc. - Without checking my AC book, I'm afraid to say Dana. If I remember from last year, Math was the only one.
Wendy - Nancy that will be hlepful. Set it up so you can find the info related to the topic given to you
Debbie Mc. - I typed up everything I could ahead of time. It really relaxed me during the exercises.
Melody - I'm feeling so ingrained in this process, I don't think I'll ever be able to stop studying!
Mary Lou - Guess what? When I go to take the AC , the Sylvan Learning Center is right up the street!
Wendy - Math is your grade level...other questions are assigned age
NY Teacher - I called up NBPTS and requested an application form. Since I teach 2nd grade (2 years) and have taught 4th grade (7 years) I was looking for advice about which to go w/ EC-Gen or MC-Gen. Well, the person at the other end couldn't tell me a thing...she said this was just a basic application. Who do I need to speak with regarding which area I want to pursue?
Melody - I think typing/drawing/making notes helps us study too
Debbie Mc. - Melody, you notice that most NBCTs don't stop after achieving certification. We can't get this out of our systems.
Wendy - Mary Lou, then you can crawl home
Melody - I guess it would be great to continue to help out here, and possible at a support group.
Nancy in NC - With math, I have prepared actvities for seven areas. They are measurement, patterns and relationships, geometry and spatial relationships, estimation, number concepts and operations, probability and statistics. Will these cover all the bases?
Debbie Mc. - How true Wendy.
Lori In Mn. - Hi All, I'm the lucky one waiting for Kelly to arrive!!
Dana (carbag) - I think we look at the information given us and formulate our questions, etc. similar to our literacy portfolio entry for the reading. In science we are given three science drawings to evaluate what misconceptions the students have about the given topic, and two lessons on how to teach it.In play, we are given two scenerios -
Sharon - Also, type up reading/writing/oral lang. strategies that you use all the time in your classroom. Then when you get your child in the literacy you can refer to your strategies which will also help you derive questions you might have about the student.
Wendy - NY you have to do the age you are teaching when you go throug the process
Debbie Mc. - You are lucky Lori. I have so much respect for Kelly.
Melody - Hi Lori, so you're waiting for Kelly!
NY Teacher - Wendy...so does that mean EC-Gen???
Wendy - Lori give her a hug from us
Lori In Mn. - Me too! She is actually dropping in on my kindergarten room!! I hope I can think of a great plan by then!
Sharon - NY Teacher, it will be EC if that is what you will be teaching the year you go through NB.
Mary Lou - Hey Lori, Kelly told me she was going to see you !
Dana (carbag) - I'm jealous Lori! Give Kelly a big hug for me, too!
Lori In Mn. - I also thought she would like to read my e-mail from the ring while she is in my classroom
Debbie Mc. - Lori, Kelly will love you for being you no matter what you're doing.
Melody - Yes, Lori, give Kelly a big hug from all of us here online!
Dana (carbag) - NY teacher, I would go with EC_Gen
Lori In Mn. - Oh my, the pressure is on-I will have lots of hugs for her from all of you!
Melody - Lori, can't you free yourself up a bit on Monday so you two could spend lots of time talking?
Debbie Mc. - Think carefully NY teacher. If you think you may go to higher grades again, MC Gen may be the best for you. It's a very personal decision. Consider all of the factors. We just love EC Gen.
NY Teacher - How soon after I send in my application do I receive the infamous 'red box'? Can I start working on the professional component of my portfolio now? The one that wants to know about your professional life for the past 4 years? Is there a specific format that needs to be followed for that? Am I limited to a certain number of pages? Do they require transcripts or notices of attendance? Any input for that part of the portfolio at this point would be GREATLY appreciated
Melody - I've been spending so much time reading all the really great books (recommended here) and highlighting ideas, so now I guess I'd better buckle down and start writing notes.
Lori In Mn. - We are doing lunch together- in our cafeteria. We will have to talk a mile a minute. Maybe a video for the kids? Did I say that? This is for a very special occassion. Maybe I can ask my principal to fill in for me for a bit. She has been very supportive-this would be a test of her support-enough about me- back to the topic!
Debbie Mc. - Start listing things that you've done professionally that has impacted students and teachers. And think of ways that you communicate with parents.
Mary Lou - Ny Teacher, Yes, indeed, you may start Portfolios # 5 and # 6. Start saving or digging for documention of all accomplishments.
Debbie Mc. - You might also list your science and social studies units and start thinking about which of those you want to do for those entries.
Debbie Mc. - Also, if you don't have the Morning Meeting book, buy that and begin studying it. Great for the community entry.
Mary Lou - Lori, I say a video AND the principal takes over. You deserve this!
Debbie Mc. - Nancy are you still with us?
Lori In Mn. - I also set up a goal sheet of what month I wanted to work on what entry-I came very close to sticking to it
NY Teacher - My best science units are done in the Spring -- butterflies, dinosaurs, frogs, and plants. The preliminary info states that your portfolio has to be turned in by April. What's a teacher to do?
Sharon - Think of these 4 components for #5 and #6. What was the accomplishment? What was your role? Why was the accomplishment significant? How did it impact students'learning?
Melody - Can you guys imagine if NY teacher gets #5 and #6 knocked out this summer, doing SS in the fall? She'll be "sailing" won't she?
Debbie Mc. - I agree. It may be a long time before you get to see Kelly again.
NY Teacher - Who's the Morning Meeting book by? I'm going to a teacher store on Tuesday and am thinking of stocking up. I live about 1-1/2 hours away from any decent book store/teacher's store.
Mary Lou - Hey Lori, Can you send me your goal sheet? That would be helpful.
Debbie Mc. - I wouldn't cut it too close and remember it's not the unit you teach but the evidence that you've used the standards.
Mary Lou - That's what I'm going to do. Work on #5 and 6 this summer.
Debbie Mc. - NY teacher go to www.responsiveclassroom.org You can order it from them.
Debbie Mc. - Hi Sinetag.
Melody - The Morning Meeting Book by Roxann Kriete, ISBN 1-892989-00-X,
Debbie Mc. - Wow Melody. You're fast on the draw.
Melody - Guten Tag, Sine Tag!
Wendy - Sorry son picked up the phone
NY Teacher - Is there a bibliography of books that are good to preapre for the NBPTS? Is it in the onelist archives? Does anyone have a copy of it?
Lori In Mn. - My goal sheet was simply an empty computer generated calendar. I put all the important school dates on it like confereces, workshops etc. and then I layed out the month that made the most sense for the Soc. Studies, science etc. I also planned out exactly when I would do my parent involvement activities. That way this that took a lot of time did not bunch up at a report card time etc- It was great. I even finished on the same day I had predicted that I would the summer before!
Melody - Pshaw! Just happen to have a book shelf about the computer monitor!!
Wendy - Mary Lou you can do research and think of what you wnat to do for SS too
Debbie Mc. - There have been a few posting of lists of good books. I'm sure that someone has saved it.
Mary Lou - Yes, I'm going to do China, but I need to research the Art aspect of it. Not sure about science, but thinking of Sky Lights.
Melody - Yes, there is an excellent list of books, somewhere. Anyone know who has it?
Wendy - Post a requsto n the list. Somewone will have it
Dana (carbag) - Hi Nancy! How is sunny California?
Debbie Mc. - Mary Lou, remember your science unit must have opportunities for the children to discover on their own.
Dana (carbag) - I bet Kelly has the list! We can ask her later.
NY Teacher - Mary Lou -- how about calligraphy? a colleague was studying China (grade 3) and brought in a parent who studied the arts of China and they did a watercolor activity in the class, grinding up the inks, how to hold the brush, etc. Even I stopped in during my break it was so fascinating.
Wendy - Post a requsto n the list. Somewone will have it
Mary Lou - That's true. It's not like we can do a "space shuttle field trip"!
Melody - Sunny southern California is HOT, isn't it Sinetag?
Lori In Mn. - Yes, Mary Lou, wait unti you have a full understanding of what Big Ideas in scince are.
Debbie Mc. - Make sure that they get lots of hands on science Mary Lou.
Dana (carbag) - Thank goodness for airconditioning!
SineTAG - actually it's quite muggy this morning.. are you in Socal?
Mary Lou - NYteacher, Yes, that sounds good. Where would I find something like that if I don't have a parent? I'm in Maine.
Debbie Mc. - Right Lori, that's something else you can do over the summer. And study those standards.
Melody - I am in south Orange County.....
Dana (carbag) - I am in muggy Mississippi!
SineTAG - whereabouts?
Mary Lou - I've been reading those "big ideas" and they're tough!
Melody - By Mission Viejo......teach with Los Angeles, though
Debbie Mc. - We have an expert here with us today Mary Lou. Fire away with your questions.
Dana (carbag) - SineTAG has a handle on the Big Ideas - it took me forever, and I am still learning!
NY Teacher - Mary Lou check out a nearby college/university Do a search on the web, there's gotta be info out there on the arts of China. Have you checked out the Core Knowledge web site? By the way, if any of you have checked out COre Knowledge recently can someone please tell me why they've gotten rid of all their past units? The only ones listed are current ones like from 1999.
SineTAG - nice commute - which school?
Wendy - Melody go to actually teacher's manuals for info on teaching diffenrent Science ideas
Mary Lou - What about the 4 stages of the butterfly? I do that every year and the kids observe the caterpillar and chrysalis.
Melody - In East L.A....the barrio......Harrison School
Wendy - not all the big ideas relate to first grade
NY Teacher - Let's keep the sun out of this meeting...I'm in upstate New York where it is damp, cold, rainy, and just plain miserable.
SineTAG - i know harrison - who's your principal? is it mike bennett?
Wendy - Mary Lou what you have to show in yoru video is 20 minutes of the kids doing discovery learning
Lori In Mn. - But Mary Lou-you said it, the kids OBSERVE they need to DO something
Debbie Mc. - Mary Lou I think it's a good unit but think about how muc hands on they get during this unit.
Dana (carbag) - A teacher at my school did her NB unit on China - they made kites and made a dragon for a Chinese New Years parade!
Wendy - NY send us the rain we are frying in fL
Melody - Mike Jeffers!! He is vacationing in Sanabel, FL this week, lucky dog!!
Mary Lou - Then that's not going to work either! Hmmm.......
Lori In Mn. - Wow, so many of us with the same answer!
Debbie Mc. - I did a simple unit on rocks sand and soil and they got to do lots of hands on. It doesn't have to be showy.
SineTAG - You are a LEARN Phase I school
Sharon - Mary Lou, What about earthworms? Lots of good hands on stuff there!
Mary Lou - O.K. Kindergarten teachers,What is a good topic for discovery science
Melody - Wendy, I intend to get my hands on some FOSS science kits teacher manuals and take notes.
NY Teacher - O.K. guys. Here's one I just experienced at a Faculty Meeting on Friday. We had a presentation from someone wanting to sell us a new science series. Not that impressed, but LOVED the one experiement HEY WHERE DID MY SCREEN JUST GO????
Dana (carbag) - Mary Lou, you could do life cycles and allow the children to observe the butterflies, but do the hands-on aspect of lifecycles in insects using mealworms.
Debbie Mc. - Mary Lou, do you have state standards to go by? You might want to choose something from those.
Melody - Poor, NY teacher! Don't want to do computer tech experiments for science, do you!
Mary Lou - Lots of good ideas, thanks. Yes we have "The Learning Results" as state standards.
Melody - These crazy computers can drive us nuts at times!
SineTAG - Melody are you one of The Support Network's candidates?
Debbie Mc. - Mary Lou remember hands on and discovery. Very important.
Dana (carbag) - Foss has a unit on mealworms and there is a site at the Universtiy of AZ that has good hands on experiments, too
Melody - For science, I think it is important to remember those Inquiry Methods (observe, communicate, compare, etc) and apply those
Dana (carbag) - You are right, Melody!
Melody - I swear by FOSS. I think they have excellent rationale for the teachers.
Debbie Mc. - The science entry does have the scientific processes Mary Lou.
NYTeacher - Hold on guys (Very funny Melody :-) Here is the experiment in a nutshell -- Do we go off-line at 5 p.m. Aaarrggghhh the pressures of a deadline. Group was given two black film canisters w/ objects in it. We were told to come up with questions and possible answers/observations. Under no circumstances were we to open the canisters. There was a ruler and a scale on the table. After 5 minutes we generated questions & possibly answers. We were convinced that there were 2 different objects in the canisters. In reality...stay tuned
Melody - Sinetag, no, I'm not one of those teachers. Are they NB already? I'm a banker this year.
SineTAG - No, The Support Network works with current and retaking candidates - did you go through the process on your own?
Dana (carbag) - NYTeacher and....
Melody - Who is the Support Network through, LAUSD?
NYTeacher - Then we thought that perhaps it was the same objects but different amounts. Imagine our shock when we opened the canisters to discover that BOTH contained EXACTLY 10 pennies. What explained their difference in weight? The fact that pennies before a certain year (I forgot what year it was) were made up of different materials and therefore weighed more than other pennies. It was a totally mind-blowing affair and lots of fun and full of potential. He said we could graph the pennies, etc. etc. etc.
Lori In Mn. - Yes, I am in the middle of my FOSS science unit Animals 2x2. I currently have a dozen goldfish, a dozen guppies, 6 baby guppies, 2 doz. land snails from California (thank you very much) a dozen water snails, two types of worms, meal worms, sow bugs, pil bugs and 6 baby chicks! Now that takes a lot to clean up for the weekend!
Wendy - Nice to see youall...have to go get ready for retirement party
SineTAG - yes, it is a collaborative of LAUSD, UTLA, and LAEP
Dana (carbag) - Bye Wendy! Have fun! Who is retiring? Not you!?
Debbie Mc. - Ny Teacher, are you planning on using something like this for your science portfolio?
Bonnie - I finally got my children all setlled and now I need to get on the assessment
Wendy - no way...guidance counselor taht servedboth my kids in elementary
Melody - Lori, I did the FOSS goldfish lessons for my video tape and portfolio.......3.5 in science!!
NYTeacher - Debbie -- I might. What do you think? It shows kids doing, and thinking, and predicting, and , and, and.. But I have to do it all in 20 minutes! aaarrrggghhhh
Melody - Sinetag, I didn
ML - Said my name was "taken". Now what do you do about that?
Lori In Mn. - I wanted to use this unit, but we always get the critters delivered for us in May too late for NBPTS
Dana (carbag) - Melody, I hope I do that well!
Sharon - Dana, Did you go through a local mentoring group?
Melody - Sinetag, I did'nt go to UTLA meeting; went down here in O.C. instead. Heard they had good stuff though. Can we talk on the phone later?
Debbie Mc. - NY Teacher make sure those kids get their hands on whatever you're doing. This is not really hands on. It's predicting. You can use predicting but it must be with discovery or hands on science. The children are not actively engaged with some kind of concrete materials in their hands. They are not observing, questioning, communicating their findings. They are just predicting and observing. They need to touch and feel and see.
Dana (carbag) - Yes - World Class Teaching Program at MSU - had a mentor, Kathy Jamison up here. (we met at ICC)
SineTAG - sure - give me a call whenever (562) 208-1939 - that's my cell phone, if you don't get me leave a message and it will page me
Debbie Mc. - The twenty minute video is only one aspect of the science entry. You will do a complete unit but highlight three of the activities and videotape a section of one activity.
Debbie Mc. - By NY Teacher. When you get your portfolio you'll understand the entries more.
Dana (carbag) - Sharon, were you with a mentoring group?
Melody - Wow, what a great thing to have this line BEFORE starting the process!!!
Debbie Mc. - Did anyone else get a letter about the Rockefeller Foundation grant for NBCTs?
Lois - I wish I had been to lucky
Sharon - World Class at Ole Miss... Then, this past year I worked with them as a mentor. (Cathy Stewart)
Bonnie - Debbie Mc, Do you have time to chat after this as I really would ove to talk to you.
SineTAG - that grant is only for certain geographic areas
Melody - People in my support group are so frustrated.....this time of year is demanding at school and they are "burnt"
SineTAG - hey is that Bonnie Taft?
Debbie Mc. - Yes Bonnie. Sinetag, I'm in Kentucky and we're one of those areas.
Sharon - Debbie, Tell us mor about the Rockefeller Grant.
Dana (carbag) - I have heard great things about Cathy. Two of my co kindergarten teachers are bankers from Saltillo. Annette Mize and Lorie Wigginton. Do you know them?
SineTAG - melody - who did you go through to get support?
Bonnie - No, Bonnie Iseman in SC
Debbie Mc. - Lois, do you have a questions?
Melody - Sinetag, Orange County Department of Education in Costa Mesa
SineTAG - what is their model like?
Lois - what about this grant??
Dana (carbag) - Lois when are you taking the AC?
Sharon - I think I met Annette and maybe read her science entry. Does Lori have a real southern accent? I think they were at the Assessment W/shop at Ole Miss.
SineTAG - that grant is for NBCTs to work with the NBPTS is certain geographic areas learning how to do public outreach on NB issues
Debbie Mc. - Sharon, as Sinetag mentioned, certain geographic areas are included. They want NBCTs to work on getting out the word about NBC and work with the Nat. Co. on Teaching and America's Future.
Sharon - How do you find out if you are in that geographic area?
SineTAG - Letters were sent out to NBCTs and other support people in those areas last week
Debbie Mc. - Sharon, I got a letter because I live in Kentucky.
Debbie Mc. - Bonnie, do you have AOL instant messenger?
Dana (carbag) - Sharon, Lorie does have a real southern drawl! Wonderful teacher, too!
Bonnie - Debbie, I do but Iam slow - I will call you if that's ok
Debbie Mc. - Melody, it seems that different people have these problems on different days.
Dana (carbag) - Sharon, Annette did her science on Tree Homes
Debbie Mc. - Sure Bonnie, but I don't mind waiting and you won't have to pay for the phone call.
Sharon - Tell them both I said "hello". I read Annette's science at the 11th hour. Talked to her on the phone...so she'll probably remember me. I loved her unit!
Dana (carbag) - I sure will tell them "hi" for you! They are both terrific to work with - they are the ones who "lured" me into NB! LOL
Holly - Hello! I have a question about List Serves. Did I read that there is a list serve for NBPTS EC Generalist?
SineTAG - you don't know the half of it
SineTAG - yes there is
Debbie Mc. - Yes you did Holly. Are you a candidate?
Melody - Oh, Sinetag, do WE ever have things to talk aboutK!! :-)
SineTAG - There is a link to sign up for it on The Support Network's web page: http://www.thesupportnetwork.net ....go to Tools for Candidates
Holly - Yes, I go to the Assessment center in a few weeks.
Dana (carbag) - Yes Holly, this is it, at an odd momment! do you have any questions or a topic you would like to discuss?
SineTAG - Melody, that would be my youth and tempestuous past you're referring to
Debbie Mc. - Holly, we have some great resource teachers here. Ask questions away?
Holly - I'm trying to figure out the best way to prepare for the test. I"m a bit overwhelmed.
Melody - Holly, THIS could be the place you are looking for!
Dana (carbag) - is the best place to be!
Holly - I guess you can take in typed notes. What are the limitations there?
Bonnie - Holly, the list serve is the BEST resource for EC. I am addicted to it.
Melody - Holly, we are just a little bit "punchy" after computer problems, etc....
Holly - I understand that. I've been on the NCTM site most of the afternoon. Checking out their standards.
permax - Hello, I just stumbled in here. Could you please tell me about the Meeting Room? I just came from another chat room, and thoroughly enjoyed myself!
Debbie Mc. - Holly, you can take in typed or handwritten notes.
Dana (carbag) - Holly, are you a member of our mailring? There are excellent tips on it every day!
Melody - Yes, Holly, typed or handwritten notes, just no copies out of books...so they say
Dana (carbag) - No Nancy - leaning!
Holly - How does the mailring work?
Debbie Mc. - Permax this meeting is for Early Childhood Candidates for National Board Certification.
Holly - Do they send the notes you take in with you to the NBPTS?
SineTAG - you sign up for, go through a hazing process, learn a secret handshake, and then receive all the answers to the EC/GEN certification
Debbie Mc. - Holly, you must generate these on your own.
permax - OOPS wrong place...I teach fifth grade. I apologize!
Melody - Holly, taking notes in with you to the AC will give you some peace of mind, but they must be concise and easy to read quickly, because you have very little time there.
Debbie Mc. - That's quite alright Permax. Check out Middle Childhood Generalist. Nat. Bo. Cert. is great!
Melody - Sinetag, you are a riot! I feel like I've already been thru the hazing process!!
Holly - Does the assessment offer a choice of topics or do they only give one topic?
Dana (carbag) - Holly, go to eGroups and we under EC_GEN. You can sign for the indiviual emails or the newsletter (can't think of the right term at the momment!)
SineTAG - or Early Adolescence/Generalist
Debbie Mc. - Sinetag, are you yourself today or are we seeing a different side?
permax - Thanks, Debbie...is Middle Childhood Generalist on the Tnet site?
SineTAG - i'm myself i'm afraid
Melody - Whatever we're seeing, I'm getting a kick out of it!! =o}
Holly - I what is the Web address for EC_GEN? Is that from this site?
SineTAG - you can signup for the MC/GEN list at http://www.thesupportnetwork.net under Tools for Candidates
Dana (carbag) - We are seeing the other side of our science guru! She's a comedian - and a good one at that!
permax - Thank you SineTAG
Melody - Alternative Careers for Teachers!!
Debbie Mc. - And all this time I thought you were a prim and proper lady.
Melody - Dana, how much studying have you done for the AC?
SineTAG - me?
Dana (carbag) - SineTAG, is the MC_GEN group through onelist or egroups, too?
Debbie Mc. - I have to say I love the other side of you!
SineTAG - yes it is
Dana (carbag) - Hi Robin! Are you addicted to this stuff?!
Debbie Mc. - Holly, are you okay with the info that we've given or do you have more questions?
Robin - girlfriend,,you know i am
Debbie Mc. - NBC is addictive and this listserve is too. My husband thinks I'm addicted to the internet.
Debbie Mc. - Bonnie, are you still there?
permax - I'm going to check out the site right now. Thanks again all you Early Childhood experts. You are truly admirable people!!
Robin - is easy to do both
Melody - It's a good thing we don't need a doctor's prescription to get on here!
Melody - Permax, teaching the very young affects our brains!
SineTAG - I think you need a doctor's prescription to get out
Bonnie - Yes, I am just chilling out, laughing at how punchy everyone is
Debbie Mc. - Oh and you just got here Robin.
Debbie Mc. - Bonnie, my husband was trying to talk to me and I couldn't hear him for laughing at the comments. He left the room.
Dana (carbag) - Robin took the AC yesterday - was so relieved when I talked to her!
Bonnie - I have realyy not started studying yet.-too much going on at school!
Melody - Did we scare permax away?
SineTAG - time for a virtual Prozac salt lick
Dana (carbag) - I need one Sinetag!
Debbie Mc. - The end of the year is hard Bonnie. When are you scheduled for the AC?
Melody - Where's that SALT?
Dana (carbag) - Permax is a MC candidate
Melody - Dana, what did Robin have to say about the AC?
Debbie Mc. - Boy is this chat going to have to be edited? Melody, asked like a true city girl!
Dana (carbag) - Melody, she said there were no surprises at all - very doable!
Bonnie - I am going July 3, but I am teaching summer school for the month of Ji=une.
Melody - I heard to MC scoring guide had a science prompt that could be of some insight to us.
Dana (carbag) - She had worked up extensive notes and felt she had everything she was given to write about covered!
Debbie Mc. - Bonnie, I took mine on May 22 last year before school was out. Prepared in the evenings and on weekends.
Bonnie - Did you all write out plans for all the science topics?
SineTAG - When I left the AC I thought that I had either a/ aced it, or b/ been seriously confused.
Debbie Mc. - I used the ones in my science textbook Bonnie.
Dana (carbag) - She eased my mind! She graduated for getting her Masters last Saturday! She did both at the same time! Super Woman!
SineTAG - melody - you are correct about that
Debbie Mc. - But it is doable and they will not give you an off the wall topic.
Bonnie - I think I just want to have a real conversation with somebody certifed!
Holly - What do you think might be a good source for finding appropriate science topics. Our curriuculum is pretty slack.
Melody - Good, I'm glad to hear news of the AC......I guess if we really study, take those notes as Security Blankets, (and don't forget your lick of salt as you enter the Sylvan Learning Center), hopefully we will all do alright!!
Debbie Mc. - That's fine Bonnie. Holly, they have been listed on the listserve. Does anybody here still have them to send to Holly?
Dana (carbag) - Holly, Sinetag has a site with a list of the topics.
SineTAG - There is a list of science content areas to prepare for at: http://www.thesupportnetwork.net under Tools for Candidates, Assessment Center Prep for EC/GEN, Analyzing Students' Work Samples
SineTAG - or more specifically: http://www.thesupportnetwork.net/Media/strands.jpg
Debbie Mc. - Sinetag, would this site help my exceptional needs candidate?
Dana (carbag) - Bonnie you have some of the best NBCT here to talk to - I am a candidate in waiting!
Melody - Holly...listen and take note of what Sinetag says!!
Holly - Great! Thanks!
SineTAG - we do not have prep material up yet for Exceptional Needs; in fact, one of my jobs this week is to help design a preparation Saturday on that topic
Debbie Mc. - Will that be going on the website Sinetag?
Dana (carbag) - Where do you find the time to do all you do Nancy?
Bonnie - Dana, I know! I appreciate the help so much!
Melody - Sinetag, are you a classroom teacher?
Dana (carbag) - Bonnie, if you like it here, you will love the mailring, too!
SineTAG - yes, I think those materials will go up after that Saturday, which is June 3rd
SineTAG - Yes, I teach 3rd grade
Melody - Do you give lectures or lead groups studying this stuff?
Debbie Mc. - Bonnie, I was a lot like you last year. I didn't have a real person to talk to either. It's kind of like going in blindly. But you really won't get any curve balls at the AC. The prompts are close to the examples in the aC booklet. The topics are just different.
SineTAG - Dana, it's the big bucks they pay me that help me find the time
Debbie Mc. - Thank you Sinetag. I'll give the address to my friend. And tell her she use the saltlick too.
Dana (carbag) - Smart girl!
Melody - Sinetag, what is going on Sat, June 3?
SineTAG - The Support Network supports nearly 300 candidates this year - I am one of the four Lead Presenters
Debbie Mc. - Sinetag, it's great to be in such good company. Do you give your candidates a glimpse of the other side of you?
Bonnie - Debbie, Thanks! My district has no certified teachers, but many candidates. SC has a 20% pass rate so I am a little paranoid!
Melody - Sinetag, was that like the one on play that Serafin went to about 3 weeks ago?
Dana (carbag) - Wow, Nancy, they should be paying you megabucks!
SineTAG - which side would that be
Dana (carbag) - THE COMEDIAN!
Melody - Bonnie, stick right here, Kiddo! Great help here!
Debbie Mc. - Bonnie, I'll be glad to chat with you. Don't worry.
SineTAG - Yes, Serafin is one of our Facilitators and we had an Assessment Center prep Saturday on April 29th and she was there
Melody - Is June 3 the next one? Can I go?
Debbie Mc. - Sinetag, you're one of our leaders too.
Dana (carbag) - When Kelly reads this, she is going to think, "Oh boy! I should have been there to keep the kids on the ball!"
Holly - Thanks for the tips, folks. I've got to run. I'll check out the web sites soon!
Debbie Mc. - What do you do at your AC preps Sinetag.
SineTAG - Dana, I am totally clueless about what you mean, but I guess some of our candidates do agree with you because I get comments on my evaluations about being 'humorous' - I'm never sure what they mean
Debbie Mc. - Bye Holly. Let me know if you need addresses.
Dana (carbag) - Yes, any tips for the AC, Nancy?
Dana (carbag) - I think you a natural at humor!
SineTAG - For EC/GEN, the AC prep consisted of 4 presenters who were knowledgable in the areas of Play, Math, Reading, and Science - they worked with candidates to help them create a framework for their own preparation. There was also a panel of NBCTs who spoke an
Dana (carbag) - are a natural
SineTAG - who spoke and answered questions about the AC experience
Melody - Sinetag, which topics were covered at April 29 and which are coming up?
Debbie Mc. - Sinetag did they work with these people individually or as a group.
Dana (carbag) - I would have loved to have been there!
SineTAG - I have all of the materials that were handed out to the EC/GEN candidates, and I am going to scan some of it and put it up on the website this weekend
Bonnie - Me too!
Melody - I can imagine there are a lot of people there!
Debbie Mc. - That will really be helpful.
SineTAG - They worked with all of the EC/GEN candidates as a group (there are about 70 EC/GEN candidates)
Dana (carbag) - THANKS A MILLION, SINETAG! I can hardly wait to see it!
Melody - Great! Thanks!! That will be a big help!
SineTAG - no problem, just need to set aside the time to do it - I am going to a Festival tomorrow so I will probably do it tomorrow night
Dana (carbag) - Have fun at the festival!
Melody - No sweat! Just thanks a million for sharing!!
SineTAG - I hope so, it will no doubt be mobbed
Melody - We have a rodeo in town this weekend.....kinda wanted to go.....I'm so use to just cancelling everything, except studying!
SineTAG - I am only going because I promised to take the daughter of my mentor
Dana (carbag) - Ladies, we are going on 2 hours here and I need to go. Lara graduated last night and out of town company! My last bird has left the nest!
Bonnie - Melody, we have one in town here ,too! I feel like I am in a rodeo each day!
Melody - Congrats to the grad!! Yes, it has been an experience!
Debbie Mc. - Well congratulations Dana!
Melody - Dana, we'll be in touch.....home stretch time here!
Debbie Mc. - Bye guys!
