Susan (NC) - Is any one here for EC chat?
Susan (NC) - Hi Kathy, I missed you guys last week -
Kathy/SDak - Hi Susan. I'm EC.
Kelly - Hi kids!
Kathy in MS - I'm going to the AC center Monday. I'm really nervous. Anyone there who's already been?
Kathy in MS - Well Kathy, Was it all you expected?
Kathy - I didn't know what to expect. I was just in a daze. The Sylvan process is really interesting.
Bubba™ - HI all((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))
eraggieb46 - I am a newbie and I want to know what can I do to prepare in th fall
Bubba™ - SUSAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kathy in MS - I'm going to Sylvan too. What's interesting?
Kathy in MS - Kathy, where are you from? I've been having problems with the people at Sylvan being really rude.
meeq - Not voluntarily. I was referring to being cut off by the site.
eraggieb46 - I wish eveyone good luck,, I know you have worked hard. Keep up the confidence
Kathy - I think the security procedure. And all the different tests that were going on the same time. It takes little to amuse me.
Kelly - eraggieb46 - welcome to the process! There is a lot you can do this summer. Are you a member of our email ring?
Bubba™ - I havent had any problems lately
eraggieb46 - yes, at yahoo
Susan (NC) - O.K. everything seems to be working........I missed you guys last week-
Bubba™ - Hiya Nets
Kelly - eraggieb46 - we've had a lot of posts lately about things to do at the beginning of the process. Did you see them? Hi nets, how are you?
eraggieb46 - Can you email me to give me a few tips, aggieb@hotmail.com
Susan (NC) - Kathy, I know what you mean......hang in there kiddo - you can do it!
Kelly - Kathy (SD) do you go to the ac on Mon?
SD Kathy - Kathy, I'm from SD as you can tell from the other 5 times I've logged in. It won't let me use my name again when I have to reload.
SD Kathy - SD Kathy took it last Friday.
eraggieb46 - are you talking about ec at Yahoo or are they here
nets - Hi to you too. I'm okay. The waiting has only just begun however I am going nuts. Lana told me to take up knitting. EEEKK!!
Kathy in MS - Kathy in MS is taking it Mon.
Susan (NC) - Kelly, my fingers, toes & eyes are still crossed - you will knock 'em dead on Monday!
SD Kathy - My Sylvan people were very nice. Just interesting the security stuff, and all the other test going on at the same time.
Kathy in MS - Kelly, are you going Mon. too?
nets - What's monday?
Kelly - Kathy MS and Kathy SD - sorry! I can't keep everybody straight! My mind is in a million places, but even if it weren't, I'd have trouble! I go Monday...but just for Math. Everybody send good thoughts our way. When we reach up and touch the screen, we should be able to feel everybody pushing us on!
Susan (NC) - Kathy, I found all the other tests being given very distracting because some used headphones and you could hear it-
SD Kathy - Which part(s) are you doing Kelly?
Bubba™ - SENDING GREAAT VIBES to Kelly>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>kelly
Carol - Go, Kelly, Go! You can do it!!!
nets - Good luck Kelly-you'll be great! VIBES,VIBES,VIBES!
Kelly - eraggie - I don't see you in our membership list. There is an EC-GEN group here at teachers.net and a couple at yahoo. Only one ring has much activity on it. That's the EC_GEN@yahoogroups.com one. Let me know if you are interested. Email me at lkelly46@cs.com
SD Kathy - My only distraction was at the end. There were 2 of us left (out of 9) and the started replacing the toilet in the next room. Concrete drilling no less!!
meeq - Three Cheers for Kelly!
Kathy in MS - I just want to know I've covered all my aces in Science. I've written notes on Magnets, Life Cycles, Soil and rocks, the senses, and matter. Anything else I need tocover?
Kelly - Okay guys, I'm counting on your good thoughts to get the rest of us across the finish line!
nets - The Nets is short for Jeanette, my stepdaughter used to call me that.
Carol - I was offered earplugs and wore them. It seemed to help a bit.
Susan (NC) - Bubba, 2 principals from Craven County called me yesterday.......both were for upper grades 4th & 5th, so I turned them down, hope it wasn't a mistake-
Bubba™ - Susan.which schools??????????????????
SD Kathy - I had earplugs, reading lamp, scratch paper, and pencils given to me. Couldn't even take a Kleenix in.
Susan (NC) - Bubba, it was Ben D. Quinn and Brinson Elem. know anyone there?
nets - I had earplugs too, my friends used them, but I found I didn't need to. It was very quiet, and the people were very relaxing(the workers I mean).
Bubba™ - OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! both are good schools........especially Brinson............wonderful principal.....but i can understand you want the younger grades......i would not have done it either
Carol - Is anyone else still going over and over your answers in your head? I am trying to make myself give it a rest.
Kathy in MS - I teach 3rd grade so I don't know much about 1st grade curriculum.
Bubba™ - I am scared of the older youngins.....LOL they are talller than me...LOL heehehehehehehe
SD Kathy - Kathy, I don't feel that I can mention topics since I've already taken it. Look over posts in the messages or files to see if you feel you have all the areas covered.
Kelly - Carol - last time I went to the ac I came out and could barely remember what I had written! It all went by SO fast!
Susan (NC) - Carol, I think that is part of my problem, I have rewritten the AC more times than I care to remember ( in my head I mean)-
Carol - Kathy, does your state have science standards. I would look at 1st and 2nd grade.
Kelly - Anybody here going to the NEA Representative Assembly in LA a week from now?
nets - Yes, I am going over and over mine. I know I did the best I could , and there really were no major surprises, but the clock ticking away is what bothered me most. Oh well, time will tell. I've never wanted time to go fast. Now I do, I want to know now. (I need some cheese to go with this whine) hee, hee.
Kathy in MS - Has anyone taken the Iowa tutorial and was it helpful? I did look at the standards. That's where I decided on what notes to take but everyone seems to have something different.
SD Kathy - Carol, are you finished? When?
Kelly - Hi Karen - how are you?
Carol - I took my test last Monday. I have read 2 Nora Roberts novels and been to the beach twice!
karen - I feel so much more relaxed this Saturday
Susan (NC) - Some days I feel very confident and others.......wow, will this ever end? How do you hold everything together until the results are ready in December?
Kelly - Hi there Tracy!
karen - Susan, I have neglected so many things in my life that I don't have a free moment to think about it!
TracyH(OK) - Hi!!! I see you got "in" the chat, Kelly.
Kelly - Turn your energies back on to your classroom - planning for the new year, etc.....that helps!
karen - I watched a movie while I sorted through files etc...
nets - Nora Roberts-ME TOO! I've read two as well.
SD Kathy - I couldn't get on the Iowa site before the test, but I did look at it afterward. I think it would help you. It takes a day or so to register I think.
Carol - I am taking a course on Integrated Curriculum and doing a lot of reading to prepare for the next school year. NB has whet my appetite to learn more!! It all goes with the concepts NB supports.
Kathy in MS - SD Kathy, did you take the Iowa Tutorial?
Kelly - Tracy - LOL - I'm just here until I get booted again! I think several of us are on a tentative schedule today!...
Bubba™ - Last summer...I painted my whole house on the inside....moved my mother out of her house and moved my stuff into her old house......to pass the time...heehehehe
karen - Kelly, that is a good idea... I will have a new principal and 80% new staff members.
Kathy in MS - Oops, sorry SD Kathy. You answered my question.
nets - 're right Kelly, I will have to get some plannind done for next fall. I know theres plenty to work on. Also soon I will be teaching summer school.
meeq - the notice at the Iowa site now says 2 business days because of so much traffic.
TracyH(OK) - I've been assessing EC Gen SCI portfolios in Tulsa the past few weeks!
karen - I have trouble sitting still now
Kelly - Tracy - still loving it????
Kathy in MS - Hey TracyH - how do they look?
meeq - I also watched the April video on the Iowa site which gives tips for the AC
TracyH(OK) - Yes....it is SOO interesting...I'm getting lots of good ideas!
SD Kathy - I've tried to clean things up too. My original thought was "it's all going to go!" Now I keep thinking, I may need this if I redo this part next year.
karen - Tracy, it must be interesting reading how others approached this entry!
nets - Do you recommend doing the assessing Tracy? Hi marianthy!
Kelly - You know that phrase everyone keeps saying??? about wanting it to be over? If you think about it, you guys are all still here, right? None of us really wants it to be "over"...because we really have enjoyed the learning and stuff that we've gone through! I hope it's NEVER over because of that!
TracyH(OK) - I've seen some good ones.
karen - Kelly, I am not ready to let go... maybe never because of the profound affect this has had on my teaching!
Carol - It will NEVER be over for me. I am taking 3 classes this summer. My husband thinks I am nuts!
Kathy in MS - TracyH - as you look at the portfolios, does the 40% pass rule still pretty much stand?
TracyH(OK) - Yes...I'd say absolutely assess if you ever get the chance to do it....we have to drive 2 hours one way to get there every day, and it's worth it....pay is great and they feed you 2 great meals per day plus snacks...I'm eating too much! LOL
karen - I am excited about helping the EC candidates in my county for next year. I was the only one this year!
SD Kathy - I definitely want to continue the sharing. Like most "students" I don't like to do the assessments!
nets - Have any of you gone to the NB conference. This fall it is in D.C. I asked to go, haven't heard yet.
eraggieb46 - ok, i want one good suggestion from everyone ,, I am new what can I do to prepare for the fall
karen - I live 60 miles from DC... I am trying to decide about going.
Kelly - I actually began this process because I was getting dangerously close to that old, boring teacher level....where I could have just coasted to retirement. I hated it, found this, and have been rejuvenated ever since! That's the reason I got in to it, so it's already done for me what I wanted! There is no financial reward awaiting us here.... so the actual NBCT doesn't mean anything here (except to the few of us who know what it is!).
Carol - Mine is to read Building the Primary Classroom
Kathy in MS - Hi Sharon - what part of MS?
TracyH(OK) - I think the 40% pass rule would be accurate, based on what I've scored...which is statistically following the "norm," they told me the other day...seems like there have been few fours, mostly 2's and 3's, and probably more 1's than 4's, to be truthful...
Bubba™ - Susan...pm incoming
Kelly - nets and Karen - GO! I'll be there! We have a great time! This will be my third one!
SD Kathy - One book that was highly reccommended was Pathways to Play. I ordered it a month ago and it's just being shipped. The Morning Meeting book was very good for me too. The EC_Gen group has files with addresses and other suggestions.
Bubba™ - Susan....did you get it?????
Kelly - eraggie - my suggestion is to join our group! There is SO much information there that you can work on this summer!
nets - Kelly, did you pay yourself, or did your district help? I am hoping... We had a little grant money left over and that is one option.
Susan (NC) - Had to feed the dog, I'll try to stay more focused.......didn't see the PM - Bubba.
Bubba™ - (((((((((((((((((((NANCY))))))))))))))))))))))))))) welocme
Bubba™ - oppppppps welcome
Kelly - Hi Myra - how are you?
SD Kathy - For Newbies - learn about Inquiry Based Science!!!
nancy/k/ar - hi guys....considering the Natl boards this year...
nets - HI Red. HOw are you?
nancy/k/ar - ((bubba)))
Bubba™ - Okay Susan will resend it
Kelly - Hi Nancy - how are you?
Sharon (MS) - Hi, Kathy, I'm in NE MS. I haven't been here for awhile. Looks busy today! Hi, Kelly.
Kelly - and red - how are you? This is going faster than I can keep up with!
nancy/k/ar - kelly I am fine.....where is everyone in this process???
Kathy in MS - Sharon, have you bee to the AC yet?
nancy/k/ar - I really have not gotten very far...will attend an orientation session in august
karen - I am getting ready to go out to dinner. Our 22nd wedding anniversary! We served the process!
Myra S. - Hi all. I've just sent in application with the $300. Any words of wisdom?
TracyH(OK) - If you are a bit unfamiliar with true inquiry science, brush up on that!!! That is so important for the SCI entry. That's something I needed help with before I began this process...we found a university professor who agreed to meet with us and explain it in simple terms, and that really helped us!
Kelly - Hi Sharon! haven't seen you for a while!
Carol - since last mon. I am officially a candidate in waiting!
karen - I can't spell...survived was the word!
nets - Happy Anniversary Karen!
Sharon (MS) - Yes, Kathy, I certified in '99.
SD Kathy - Karen, I thought you "served it up"!!! I had 21 this past week.
Kelly - nets - one year my district helped a little bit. Last year someone else paid. That will be this year, too! My district doesn't "approve" of sending teachers to out of the region conferences! (Does that tell you something about my district?)
nancy/k/ar - mississippi certainly makes it worth getting the natl boards...
Carol - I attended a week long science institute last week. It was great, we have Foss Kits and they also presented using Science Notebooks with kids. But it was not what I think NB considers true INQUIRY.
TracyH(OK) - Wow!! It's my 22nd anniversary today, too!
nets - Wow, I kinda feel like a pup, we'll be married 13 years in July.
karen - The most important books for me were on science... Pathways to the Science Standards and Doing What Scientists Do. Also, get a hold of standards for math, science, and social studies.
Susan (NC) - Bubba, got it - did you get my reply?
Kathy in MS - Carol - you can't beat FOSS.
Bubba™ - Yep and sent one back
Carol - In 2nd grade we get 3 FOSS kits a year.
Kelly - Happy Anniversary Karen! That's great! And Tracy - WOW! Good going you guys! You have more stamina that it turned out I had!
karen - What a small world Tracy!
Kathy in MS - Nancy - Ms. has to do something for us teachers since they don't want to pay us a salary.
Carol - It may be unfortunate for me that I did not use a FOSS kit for my entry.
Myra S. - Carol, do you teach second grade?
Kelly - I think that Building a Primary Classroom is the best "general" book. It has parts that help with all sorts of things for this process!
nets - I am going to try to go no matter what, but I thought I'd try the district level first, I'd love to go, it sounds like some great topics.
TracyH(OK) - You don't HAVE to use FOSS to do well on SCI!!!!
Carol - Yes, Myra. I teach 2nd and love it. I have also taught 13 years of 1st grade.
TracyH(OK) - But I have seen several passing entries from candidates who used FOSS.
karen - My state and county offer incentives, but I can't imagine doing this just for the money... I didn't even know that I would get more money! I get credits too!
nancy/k/ar - Kathy...I think we trade places yearly for last place in salaries...my oringional certification was in Mississippi...went to Belhaven..taught in Rolling Fork
Carol - Thanks , Tracy! I actually liked my sci. video.
SD Kathy - Myra, Building a Primary Classroom was good and be sure to join the EC_GEN group. Kelly can help you (she's the queen mother of the group) or find it at yahoogroups.com
Susan (NC) - I hope you are right Tracy, because I used something from AIMS - some days I think it was great and other days......stinko!
nancy/k/ar - karen...doing this for me is like getting my masters...I did it for personal satisfaction!
Myra S. - I teach 2nd also. I wasn't sure if Ec/Gen was right for me.
Kathy in MS - Nancy - you must be from Alabama.
SD Kathy - Sorry folks, I think SDak is last in the nation for salaries!!
karen - Tracy... I did my own thing using what I heard about the Foss kits and other resources like the Pathways book.
nancy/k/ar - Kathy...arkansas
Kelly - Anyone who wants to join our email group just needs to contact me at lkelly46@cs.com - I can register them from there. It really does have wonderful files and support - from all of you guys!
Carol - I had no trouble with EC but I also have the 1st grade background ;and a master's in Early Childhood. You will do fine.
Sharon (MS) - Nancy, you are so right! That's the first thing I tell potential candidates...don't do it just for the money.
nets - Wisconsin pays $2500 a year for the duration of the certification. When I think of the time and efforts the money is nice but not the reason for doing this. I already have seen my students reap the benefits of this process.
Kathy in MS - Nancy - I didn't realize ya'll were at the bottom of the barrell like us.
karen - Actually, that is how Debbie in Duluth and I became cyber friends... She sent me info on the Foss kits!
Bubba™ - Nancy....join the egroup...EC_GEN that Kelly suggested....it helped me soooooooooooooooooooooo very MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Susan (NC) - Kelly, have we lost a lot of members on our ring now that the process is almost over for every one? I can't let go, want to help others if I certify!
Myra S. - I've taught 1st and K, and my masters is in Early childhood.
nancy/k/ar - Kathy....bill clinton only SAID he did things for education in arkansas...sorry....i have ISSUES with him
Kathy in MS - Nets - Mississippi pays $6,000/yr.
TracyH(OK) - If you tied a strong SCI content topic to an AIMS lesson or unit, you'd probably be okay.
eraggieb46 - This is great information,, I am cutting and pasting it,, willl be in the book store tomorrow
karen - I hear ya, Susan
nancy/k/ar - bubba..I will
Carol - And I thought SC was at the bottom for salaries! Our state offers 7500 a year, which is supposed to be the difference between our state ave. salary and the national average.
Myra S. - People at a conference told me I should do Middle generalist since I teach second
Carol - Myra, you sound like Early Childhood to me!
Susan (NC) - Myra, I would do what I felt most comfortable with....
karen - Myra, I teach 2nd and I did EC
nancy/k/ar - EC covers birth to third grade....wide range
karen - I have a passion for EC. I will not fair as well with the Middle Childhood area
TracyH(OK) - Kind of depends on what kind of classroom you have....if it is a very traditional 2nd grade, then MC might be a good fit...lots of 2nd grade teachers do EC, though....even some third grade teachers do EC.
meeq - Middle Generalist will go up to junior high school level. A second grade is more appropriate for the ECGEN
Kelly - Susan - we have lost some - but we have really started gaining a lot of the brand NEW "newbies"...so our numbers are still increasing.
Myra S. - I feel better now that I know other second teachers have done EC.
eraggieb46 - I am really excited about applying in the fall. Looks like you folks have it all together, I know it took lots of hard work
Carol - Newbies, expect a lot of somewhat conflict advice locally. You will have to make many decisions for yourself. Always ask on the ring, because you can consider all viewpoints, then.
Kelly - Myra - we actually have some who teach 3rd! I think it has more to do with your innermost philosophy!
nancy/k/ar - oops...i lost that link to join the mailring...please give it again
eraggieb46 - No saturday afternoon shopping for me
SD Kathy - I don't have any other support in my area, and the EC_Gen group is the only way I was able to muddle through the process.
karen - I am off to go to dinner
Kelly - Nancy - email me at lkelly46@cs.com - I can subscribe you.
Carol - Bye, Karen!
Susan (NC) - Bye Karen, have a good week-
nets - I'm not sure where Wi. salaries lie in the spectrum, I've taught 13 years and make about $51,000.00 a year. I don't know where that fits in. I'm glad there are so many newbies, they are fortunate to have found this so early. For me, it was not until Oct. My friend who teaches 3rd grade did EC too. She loved it, and it fit her style better.
karen - Bye!
Kelly - eraggieb46 - you mean people actually GO somewhere on Saturday afternoon? I thought everyone stayed home and attended this chat!
meeq - Nancy, go to yahoogroups.com then join EC_GEN (the one with the underscore in the middle
nancy/k/ar - Thanks Kelly..email already sent!
TracyH(OK) - The mail ring is WONDERFUL. As I went through assessor's training, it became even more clear to me how "right on" so much of the info. on the ring has been!
eraggieb46 - For the next year, I will be here!!
Myra S. - Thanks for the info folks.Unfortunately I have a fussy 15 month old. I'll definitely join the mailring.
nancy/k/ar - I might not be here every Saturday...busy life....but I plan to be here alot...I have been a tnetter for five years now
Myra S. - Talk to ya soon!
SD Kathy - Someone this past week suggested that a good way to prepare was to do all of the Christmas and birthday shopping you need for the school year NOW!
Kelly - This is great - I love getting newbies! They are SO fortunate to have support so early in the process!
Carol - Right, Tracy! without the ring, I am not sure I would have worked as hard at figuring out what Inquiry Sci. was going to look like in my classroom. Thanks, again Kelly for setting us up and keeping it going.
Bubba™ - Cool nancy
nancy/k/ar - lol kathy.....that sounds reasonable..
Susan (NC) - Bubba, thanks for the info! It is so hard to think about leaving a place that you like to work and the people too.......
eraggieb46 - I know that I can only get through this with the support of this group. we have little or no suport in our district
sharonky - what is this ring?
nancy/k/ar - heyyyy bubba....nancy IS cool.....lol
Kelly - Hi Sharon - are you a new candidate for EC-GEN?
nets - Sharonky, I remember asking the same thing, then I got hold of Kelly and the rest is history.
sharonky - no, I don't think so. I am doing a project on school assessment
nancy/k/ar - eraggie....most teachers in arkansas have never heard of this process
sharonky - just trying to find as much info as possible
Susan (NC) - I honestly didn't have a clue to what this NB thing was all about until I joined the ring and Saturday chat.....
Bubba™ - heeheehe
Kelly - Sharon - if you need information about the process, you might try www.nbpts.org .
sharonky - thanks.
eraggieb46 - susan where in NC are you from
Bubba™ - LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Nancy....okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nancy/k/ar - my school board has promised to support me in any way they can....I will be the first candidate from our county
Kelly - Susan - neither did I! Unfortunately I had been involved in the process for almost a year when I started the ring!
Susan (NC) - That is what this whole process is all about......sharing & caring!
Bubba™ - REALLY NANCY!!!!!!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
