Kelly - So you're all ready to go on Tuesday?
carbag (Dana in MS) - Well, Debbie, Tues. is my big day at the AC! Any last minute advice
Debbie Mc. - Get some rest, Dana. You're going to do fine. You've probably over studied.
Debbie Mc. - Dana, I am serious. You have what you need already. Don't you think so Kelly?
Kelly - Yes......I think Dana is VERY well prepared!
Debbie Mc. - Dana, most of what you write will come from experience. Take those math outlines and that will help you get relaxed.
Kelly - Dana - how did your friend do....the one who you studied with? If you already told me, I've forgotten already!
carbag (Dana in MS) - The math is ready to go and I have a outline for lit. - hope it will help if I need it!
Debbie Mc. - I'm glad I'm not the only one who is forgetful. And I'm getting worse.
Debbie Mc. - Dana, I'm very serious. You're going to do fine.
carbag (Dana in MS) - Lorie felt good about the math - almost ran out of time. She didn't feel as good about the lit. She said it had pages and pages of notes to go through - didn't finish
Debbie Mc. - Literacy was hard for me too. I couldn't get enough notes copied to look at. I spent a lot of time going back and checking the assessments.
carbag (Dana in MS) - Thanks for the confidence in me! I know you will both pray for me on Tuesday and cross everything you can for me too! ha
carbag (Dana in MS) - Everyone seems to have trouble with the literacy. Maybe they give us too much information to evaluate in the alloted time frame?
Debbie Mc. - Maybe that will be better with the new assessments.
Kelly - I think the new assessments will be much more focused....so you'll know much better what they're asking for.....at least I hope so!
alice - hi everyone..can only stay a few minutes. I also had trouble with the literacy.. Kelly did you get my email today?
Kelly - Pam - welcome! Do you have your box yet?
carbag (Dana in MS) - Pam, did you do the literacy assessment and a new candidate?
alice - Everything is fine Debbie.. I am enjoying my summer. It is great to be out of the daily grind. Dana.. Be prepared for any situation in reading..not just Martin.. I hope that is helpful.. I was so ready for martin and got stalled when I saw a totally unique type of child.. Be ready for all the possibilities..
Pam - No My district won't let us do that until Aug or Sept
Pam - However I did just return from assessing the Literacy Entry in Durham
Debbie Mc. - Pam, maybe someone could send you five and six to start working on.
Debbie Mc. - Pam, you are going to be used a lot on this ring.
carbag (Dana in MS) - Thanks Alice - I have tried to think of different senerios and how to handle - hope I am ready!
alice - Pam, did you assess all the literacy in Durham, or just EC?
Kelly - Pam - you're going to be such a valuable resource for candidates! Having assessed should really help you stay focused on your entries!
Debbie Mc. - Dana, I wrote Martin's name in my AC exercise and had to go back and change it. I just happened to catch it before time was up.
alice - Good luck Dana.. Let me know how it goes..I'm sure you will do fine..
Lana - Debbie, I did the same. I think I changed the name but am not sure....
carbag (Dana in MS) - Debbie, several people have said they did that! I bet the assessors see that a lot!
Kelly - I bet they have a lot of people who use Martin's name!
Debbie Mc. - My brain was really fried by then. I didn't give myself but a month between portfolio and AC.
Lana - When I went to lunch during the AC, an acquaintance of mine from our school district joined me. She proceeded to tell me that she knew the AC questions because another teacher had told her. I got up and left the table...
Pam - Just EC/GEN
Debbie Mc. - Good for you Lana! Not to put yourself in a comprimising situation.
Lana - I was stunned, and yes I did report it to NB and my district.
carbag (Dana in MS) - Oh Lana! I bet you felt like choking her!
Kelly - Lana - I'm sure you did just fine on your own!
Pam - I have a copy of the portfolio stuff from last year so I've already srarted thinking things through---------I'm hoping to find some other assessors who did the other portfolio entries-----------It provides so much insight
Debbie Mc. - Lana, I'm curious to know what will happen in that situation.
Lana - I felt really bad because we'd had the problems at home and I had worked so darned hard with my four colored folders just ready for any senario... I don't think she'll pass. I'll let you know if I hear anything. I think the district would love to let her go.
Lana - I felt really good after I left the AC, thanks to the Onelist help!
Debbie Mc. - It's bad enough to get the questions, and then be foolish enough to tell somebody. I'm kind of glad that there was no one near enough to me to find out anything.
carbag (Dana in MS) - She doesn't deserve to pass if she cheated - the prep. is what makes us all "dig" for infromation that will flow over into our classrooms!
Lana - Kelly, the changes in certification are really interesting. A half an hour for answering AC questions. Yikes!
Debbie Mc. - Amen Dana!
Kelly - Lana - you can write to nbpts and tell them what you heard. I'm not sure how they handle it, but they SHOULD know! I mean, she was stupid enough to be broadcasting it! How dumb can she be?
Lana - Kelly, I already did! I haven't heard back and I checked what I sent with Virginia before I sent it.
Kelly - Lana - good for you!
alice - got to go..will see you all next week. When I was at the ac I had to copy a paragraph about not talking about the questions. Did anyone else?
Lana - I just read a private message! Neat. and I didn't even know they existed!!
Kelly - Lana - yes, the changes are interesting. I think they continually look at what they can do to make the process better. I like that.
Debbie Mc. - I just clicked on a screen that I would not disclose prompts.
Lana - Alice, yes - and nearly promise them my firstborn if I spoke a word. That's why the lunch interaction shocked me so much!
Debbie Mc. - Do you have your box yet?
Laura - It just came in the mail. I am very excited about opening it, but I haven't yet. I had a few things to finish before I dive into it.
Lana - Kelly, do you think NEA is getting ready to endorse NB?
Debbie Mc. - Open that thing up and start reading! You'll be glad you did. You can even begin to work on entry. I've read two this week from new candidates.
Debbie Mc. - I meant to say entry 5.
Kelly - Lana - NEA and AFT have long supported nbpts. And even though the RA voted down any "pay for performance" issues presented, they left in the language that supports financial incentives for National Board certification. Bob Chase is a STRONG advocate for nbpts.
carbag (Dana in MS) - Boy, I couldn't wait to open my box!
Lana - Kelly, we ought to do an informal survey to see how the percentage of passers is on the Onelist. I'll bet it's going to be very high.
Lana - Dana, will you be going to the AC alone? Is it near your home?
Debbie Mc. - Can you imagine someone lurking our ring. Who could stand it if they weren't involved in NBC.
carbag (Dana in MS) - Yes, Lana, I am going alone, but TJ, my son has a mobile home dow n there
Lana - Dana, how far away is the AC? Are you going in the day before? Have you checked out the Sylvan?
Laura - OK-I will.
Debbie Mc. - Does anyone have any AC questions that we could help with?
Lana - Debbie, I heard there was a guy named F. Stanley recently lurking... ;)
carbag (Dana in MS) - Yes, I will go alone -
Debbie Mc. - Lana, I hear he has some strange characteristics.
Lana - Dana, you will not be alone! We're all there right behind you!
Debbie Mc. - Be careful Dana. Our prayers are going with you.
Laura - My text box keeps going blank.
Lana - Travels alot.... Always manages to stay slim...
carbag (Dana in MS) - I am going to spend the night with my son who is in college at MSU. He has a nice big mobile home and his roomate is gone for the summmer
Kelly - Laura - when that happens try to click on the "refresh" button on the left of your screen.......see if that helps....
Lana - Laura, look to the left of the screen. See the red "refresh" word in the purple box? Click it. This might help.
carbag (Dana in MS) - The ac is 125 miles away. I plan to meet Smitty (Jan) while I am down there!
Kelly - We all have been together for TOO long! We think exactly alike! :) I love it!
Pam - Does anyone know any assessors for entries 1,3,4,5,6?
Lana - Yes, I know assessors for the parents portfolio. I'll be happy to answer questions or pass them on.
Kelly - Was it Cindy who assessed Science (Entry 4) ?
carbag (Dana in MS) - Lana that is so sweet - you too Debbie. I will carry you all in my heart!
Lana - Pam, what did it take for a "4" in literacy?
Kelly - Dana - you'll know I'm there with you.....you'll hear me whispering in your ear...I'll be singing "Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant"!!!! I can't get that song out of my mind since Kinderjane posted about it!
Pam - Well, I'm not to the point of having questions, but it would be helpful to know e-mail addresses of these people when I get to that point.
carbag (Dana in MS) - Cheryl assessed science I think, Kelly.
Lana - Pam, stick with the Onelist; they will be your connection (lifeline).
carbag (Dana in MS) - LOL Kelly!
Kelly - Pam - in the list of readers that I posted to the Files last night I DID include if someone had been an assessor.....if I knew it....
Lana - Yes, Cheryl comes to my mind too when we talk about science.
Pam - I would be happy to help out anyone on Entry #2
Debbie Mc. - Pam, You need to be very careful about your time. You'll have a lot to do this school year.
Lana - So, Dana, are you already to go?
Kelly - Pam - if you'd be willing to read for people please email me and give me your name and which entry you'd read. Also, how you'd like to receive entries (by snail mail, attachments, or regular email). I'll add it to my list! And remind me that you assessed literacy so I can include that. But you'll have to gauge what you do....because you will be VERY busy yourself!
carbag (Dana in MS) - I hope so, Lana. I plan to write up a justification for play so if I go blank and that is about it!
Lana - My notes really helped me because I am sure I would have gone blank without them. Just knowing they were there really helped me. I used my Play notes the most.
Kelly - Pam - you're on the ring, right? Go to www.egroups.com ....it should come up with a thing about what groups you belong to (after you've entered your email address). Click on EC_GEN. Then click on "Files" from the list on the left of the screen. Once there, you will see all the folders that have been uploaded......TONS of info there!
Pam - Thanks for the advice Debbie,,,,,,,,,,I can already see that.......I'm just really talking about general tips
Debbie Mc. - I'm not trying to be bossy Pam. Last year I got really busy reading and didn't get to do much of anything else with teaching. And I wasn't a candidate!
carbag (Dana in MS) - Pam you will be so busy as a candidate this year! Naturally , we all want assessors to read for us - just remember there are A LOT of candidates! You may be covered up with requests!
Lana - Pam, you will be amazed at the amount of time you'll spend with your portfolios.
Debbie Mc. - And I haven't been an assessor! Just imagine the number of requests that you'll get!
Pam - I'm most concerned about my science entry...........will i find some helpful tips for this in kindergarten if I look under FILES?
Debbie Mc. - Yes and buy or borrow the book Doing What Scientists Do.
Lana - Pam, do you have access to AIMS or FOSS kits? Remember use INQUIRY when your children do science.
carbag (Dana in MS) - Pam, I would start with reading Do What Scientists Do
Lana - Pam, a copy of the National Science Standards will be helpful too.
Pam - Does this book contain specific lesson ideas?
Debbie Mc. - Do do do do--Dana. That's the theme from Twilight Zone if you couldn't tell.
Debbie Mc. - Gives information on inquiry science in your classroom. That's what NB wants to see you do in your classroom. The kids love it!
Pam - Guess I'll pay another visit to Amazon.com
Pam - Thanks for the suggestion.........I'm thinking about doing Marvelous Me for the SS/Art entry........any suggestion on that one?
Debbie Mc. - Do you live close enough to borrow them from your district or university library Pam?
Kelly - I'm going to have to go. Have to shower and get out of here......several places I'm supposed to be! :) Take care everybody....talk to you later!
Debbie Mc. - Just connect it to your families and communities. Check your standards for that entry and the national or state social studies standards. Make sure that you fit the requirements for those.
Debbie Mc. - Okay Kelly! I'm jealous. Looks like you've got a life!
Pam - I don't know of a close place to borrow AIMS kits but I will check into that
Lana - Bye, Kelly, I better go too! Good talking to everyone. Have a great week. Dana, I'm rooting for you!
Debbie Mc. - Pam do you have any questions that I might be able to answer?
Pam - Thanks for all of the suggestions.........I can tell this is going to be a big help
Debbie Mc. - This ring is great. Just get yourself a schedule or picture of what you want to accomplish and by what date. I did this and it really helped. Are you a procrastinator?
Pam - Right now I'm just trying to firm up my science and ss topics so I can see how to fit them into my long range plans
Debbie Mc. - That's great! Bye the way, Do you have the Morning Meeting Book. It's great for building community and this might be something that you can do at the beginning of the year.
Debbie Mc. - Dana are you there? Any suggestions?
Pam - No not really I set goals and try to meet them...........I realize I need to make my plans now before school starts
Pam - The Morning Meeting Book.........Is that the title?
Debbie Mc. - yes and the author is Roxann Kriete. It's available at responsiveclassroom.org and maybe Crystal Springs books. I can't remember.
Pam - Thanks that's the kind of help I need just now.........I would love to get the community entry out of the way early
Debbie Mc. - You can start videoing at the beginning of the year. You never know when you'll get a good video to send in.
Pam - I'm afraid that I need to log out.....But believe me I'll be back.......What a help this has been already.
