Debbie Mc. - I've been on fall break and had not touched my house, so you know what I've been doing today.
Wendy - Here we are all dressed and nobody to see
Wendy - I cleaned floor today
Debbie Mc. - I'm glad you can't see me. sweats and a teacher's tee.
Wendy - I hate cleaning
Wendy - I just goy out of the shower....hair sticking up
Debbie Mc. - I don't like it either, but after reading Simple Abundance I look at it differently. Glad we don't have cameras. Teehee.
Wendy - Are you going to the convention this week?
Debbie Mc. - No, remember me gripping about my local ed. assoc.?
Wendy - oh yes
Wendy - mine is wonderful
Debbie Mc. - My sister told me you can't be a prophet in your own land, so I needed to stop complaining. Sisters.
Wendy - I may just go to work for them soon
Wendy - prophet is a hard job, but someone needs to do it
Debbie Mc. - They tell you the truth when nobody else will. Even if you don't want to hear it. I have six and dearly love every one of them.
Debbie Mc. - That's great! Can you discuss it?
Wendy - not really
Debbie Mc. - Well good luck and hope you get a raise if you do.
Wendy - It has been illuded to that we are getting to have so man members we may qualify for another staff person
Debbie Mc. - I love having contacts with important people around the U.S. Go for it!
Wendy - I would get more money or I could not do it
sinetag - thought I would just check in - we're going out to lunch in a few minutes
Debbie Mc. - I know about the money situation. Not much--teachers pay!
Wendy - But in FL we can get over 7,000 from being NBCT
Debbie Mc. - Eat enough for me. I've lost five pounds and am trying very hard not to gain it back. Drinking lots of water.
Debbie Mc. - My NBC is worth 53,000 over ten years. I can't complain I guess. But it has opened lots of doors in employment oppt.
Wendy - Which State Nancy?
sinetag - California
sinetag - We get 10,000 from the state for certifying
Debbie Mc. - Nancy, my sister is going for NBC in MC Gen. That's great about the 10,000.
Wendy - does your state recognize ASHA for speech pahts and National Certification for other fields?
sinetag - and another 20,000 over 4 years if we agree to work in a lowperforming school for 4 years
Wendy - Debbie which state?
sinetag - I'm not sure about asha, etc.
Debbie Mc. - Ky.
sinetag - Plus my district gives us a 15% pay raise for certification (if you're at the top of the salary schedule that's about $9,000)
sinetag - where does your sister live?
Wendy - Our social workers and Psychologists want the union to fight for them to get the bonus for their certifications
sinetag - hey kelly - i'm logging off in a second (my relatives just got here) - are we still on for Orlando?
sinetag - wendy, so do ours
Kelly - Hi kids! I see I've landed in NBCT country! :)
Debbie Mc. - Ky. too.
Kelly - Nancy, You got it! :) I'm getting pumped up! When do you get there? (I get there late Wed. night)
Wendy - But most of them are not members of the union
sinetag - me too
Debbie Mc. - Any good tips for MC Gens other than visiting your website and subscribing to egroup?
Wendy - Nancy I will see you Thursday night
sinetag - about 5 pm wednesday
sinetag - lots of mc/gen tips - can you have her email me?
Debbie Mc. - I'm jealous. I'm probably the only person not going. You all send any good info that you get my way.
Wendy - Debbie, we have some great MC Gens in our district
sinetag - we will
Debbie Mc. - Sure will. Thanks a lot. I feel inadequate trying to help her.
sinetag - no problem
Kelly - I won't be at the Coronado until Thurs.....no room on Wed night, so I'm at the "Disney something or other Music resort" :)....
Wendy - You will have time to visit Mickey
Debbie Mc. - Great Wendy! I may be contacting you for help in steering her their way.
Kelly - Debbie - NEXT YEAR you're going to this conference, too!
Debbie Mc. - Okay, I'm really envious now. I'm coveting your abilities to go to Orlando. Pray for me.
sinetag - kelly (and all of you) - there will be some other people at Orlando from my district and some of them are - how do I say this - less than supporters of mine (can you imagine that she says sarcastically) so I will be looking for moral support and/or physical protection
Debbie Mc. - If I get that new job I'm saving enough bucks to go and pay myself.
Wendy - Nancy are you presenting?
Kelly - Nancy - You got it! Remember? I promised that a long time ago!
Debbie Mc. - Sinetag, you sound as popular as I am.
sinetag - no, not this year
sinetag - i did last year though
sinetag - i'm banking on it, kelly
Wendy - Nancy Kelly and I can be your Goon Squad
Kelly - Debbie and Nancy - I think it's true of many of us!
Kelly - Nancy - banking is my forte! :)
sinetag - debbie: remember - a prophet is never revered in her own land, and a prophet who announces that the emperor has no clothes on is in even worse shape
Debbie Mc. - That's hilarious. Wear black with sunshades and look menacing.
sinetag - I love it! I'll buy you goon squad tshirts
Kelly - Your supt is naked? :)
Debbie Mc. - Nancy, I just told Wendy that I couldn't be a prophet in my own land. Great minds!
sinetag - kelly: re banking - not for long!
sinetag - indeed!
Wendy - Nancy I am originally from Detroit, need I say more?
sinetag - you're hired wendy
Debbie Mc. - Have you had the finger in the face and the yelling sinetag?
sinetag - MANY MANY TIMES
sassinjack - HI wendy. So anbody know where I can go to find asessment questions or curriculum guides for grade 8 social studies in Alberta? The topic is Canadian History.
sinetag - I once told my principal that I *despised* him
sinetag - wendy and kelly, i am buying you both drinks in orlando
Kelly - Debbie - I get the "Back off, Kelly" statement all the time! :)
Debbie Mc. - That's great! Mine is sick.
Kelly - Nancy - we'll keep each other company!....and probably have a better time than most!
Wendy - I announced at a faculty meeting that the next person who shook their finger in my face needs to be finished with it..I will bite it off
Debbie Mc. - Well we have some things in common and one of them seem to be speaking out when others wish we'd just shutup.
sinetag - you don't know much I appreciate that
Kelly - LOL - I knew I liked all you guys! Now I know why!
sinetag - wait - how many people here have been told they are *opinionated*, have a *strong personality*, and are *intimidating*?
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, in our school there will be no shaking the finger and yelling. Add condescending to my list, sinetag.
Wendy - Nancy most of my group is going to be in Orlando. You will love my group
sinetag - ooo, good one debbie, i've been called that many times
Casey - Hello All. I am a lurker. Just waiting for November. I could not do it without all my cyber friends.
Wendy - I was peeling my nails down to the cuticles last year at this time
Debbie Mc. - Me too.
Wendy - I had a little cyber chat with our friend Barb this morning
Kelly M - No nail-biting here - never has been......I guess it helps when each time you know you didn't make it yet! :)
Kelly M - Wendy - Barb as in Kelley?
Wendy - yes Ed is not coming
Kelly - Oh no! I was looking forward to visiting with him!
Wendy - studdering with dislexia now
Wendy - Told he I would have to send my hug with her, but it would not feel the same.
Kelly - Wendy - why is he not coming? I was sure he would - with his brother in Florida.....
Wendy - She said could not afford it
Beth - I've never been here before, just got tired of writing Entry 1 and thought I'd see what this chat is
Kelly - Beth - are you a candidate?
Wendy - Where are you Beth?
Kelly - oops - I see you are!
Kelly - Beth - Wendy and Debbie are both already certified! So ask away with your quesitons!
Beth - Are you guys in waiting or going through the process this year?
Beth - Thanks Kelly! Actually I do have a question about Enry 1. When I was writing about assessment I was confused about whether I could talk about assessment that was not an artifact.
Kelly - Beth - I'm "in waiting"......which seems to be my role in life!
Wendy - Kelly has a Phd in waiting
Debbie Mc. - I don't claim to be an expert Beth. I just have an opinion. You know what they say about those.
Kelly - Hi Cathy - jump in with your questions!
Debbie Mc. - Sorry guys. Wendy's studdering is contagious.
Wendy - em to learn
Cathy - Hi, I'm new to this process. I read the mailring faithfully.
Beth - Hi Cathy, I'm new too. How is it going?
Kelly - Beth - are you on our ring?
Beth - Yes. I read it everyday!! I couldn't do this without the ring.
Wendy - Beth assessment is what you do to determine whether or not the students understand what you indended for them to learn
Cathy - At the moment I'm just nervous about the whole project
Debbie Mc. - In my opinion, you could talk about other assessments. My portfolio says to connect your discussion to the artifacts and explain how they illustrate your approach. Am I as clear as mud?
Kelly - Hi Lori! It's so good to see you! I've been meaning to write to you! and hi Carol - can we help you?
Debbie Mc. - Make sure that you go in depth with the artifacts though.
Beth - I got that, but the portfolio directions seem unclear to me. They say to connect my discussion to the artifacts, and i did, but I also did lots and lots of other assessments that I would like to talk about.
Wendy - get used to that feeling
Debbie Mc. - Wendy, teehee again. I'm still there.
Wendy - As long as you answer the questions
Cathy - In my first attempts at the Community video, I have students in a circle and some of their backs are to the camera. Is this okay?
Debbie Mc. - You can discuss them but remember assessment and how you used the info for instructional decisions doesn't need to take more than a couple of pages.
Wendy - Yes Cathy, just so they can see most of the kids and you
Debbie Mc. - I subdivided my entries with the bold topics. I knew that if I did that I wouldn't ramble as much. What do you think Wendy?
Debbie Mc. - I'm sorry I meant the length with the bold topics?
Beth - Right. One of my assessment artifacts was a summative assessment at the end of the unit-sort of a culminating project. I did not change the direction of my instruction based on the results because it was at the end of the unit.
Kelly - Beth - but you can reflect on what you would do differently, can't you?
Debbie Mc. - They want to know that you adjust instruction using your assessments. Thus meeting your students needs.
Cathy - Speaking of bold typing , is it okay in entry 5 to bold face your accomplishments to make it easier on the assessors? We discussed this at a local meeting, but never came to an agreement. What do you think?
Wendy - When they said to title I did, but I put the questions in my computer to make sure I answered them and put how many pages they recommended to keep me focused. Big job
Kelly - Beth - but you can reflect on what you would do differently, can't you?
Diana - Hi! I haven't been here in awhile. I'm a candidate in waiting, but I want to stay tuned in. If I pass, I will be required to mentor.
Wendy - Beth did you notice that any of the children needed more attention on the topic, or did you decide what to change the next time you do that unit?
Diana - And if I don't pass....well, I'll have to bank then. :)
Beth - I can reflect--that's a good idea. Thanks.
Carol - Can I ask a question about Entry 2?
Wendy - Diana even if you bank you can mentor....you have been there already
Wendy - shoot Carol
Carol - I teach 2nd and will choose option B, but how can i discuss the child's reading progress when it asks for mainly writing samples? I have a great running record sample that shows the strategies used. Should I transcribe it? Or just send mostly writing samples.
Diana - Wendy. Of course you are right. I'm doing some of that already. But if I pass, I will actually get PAID to mentor. :)
Debbie Mc. - I think you could use an overall assessment. The first question under assessments asks what methods did you use to determine the overall effectiveness. Just remember to talk about assessments during and tell how they helped you adjust instruction.
Debbie Mc. - Carol, remember that literacy is reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Diana - Carol, You can use running records, but I think you can draw more evidence from the writing samples. They will tell you about oral language as well as how much your student knows about how letters and sounds work, sight vocabulary, story structure, etc..
Beth - Thanks Debbie. That is basically what I have written in my rough draft, but I never know whether I'm doing the right thing!
Wendy - Send what they ask for Carol. You can discuss other means of assessment without sending artifacts
Wendy - Keep a journal about the children you are saving samples from
Diana - For example, if your student has articulation errors or grammatical errors in his oral language, they will also show up in his written language.
Carol - the child I am thinking of is a reluctant writer. Should I work with him to encourage more writing or choose another student.
Diana - If your child has difficulty with story structure, it will be evident in his writing, but will also affect his reading comprehension.
Debbie Mc. - Use his likes, strengths to encourage his writing.
Diana - Carol, I chose my literacy student because I had good parent contact and support. That is an important part of this entry. My student was also a reluctant writer with many speech and language problems. That gave me a lot to write about.
Debbie Mc. - Let him do other types of writing along with journal. My student loved weather and acting, so I let him write plays about being a weatherman. He loved it. He hated reading and writing until he got to choose what he liked.
Kelly - Wendy - have fun with your company....and I'll see you Thursday!
Carol - Great advice! I am keeping a journal and have good communication with the family. I will probably be able to show an INCREASE in willingness to write over the time period..
Diana - Carol, did you get the answers you needed for your literacy entry?
Debbie Mc. - Carol, remember your students strengths and likes are as important as his weaknesses.
Diana - Carol, also remember that you don't have to show growth. You DO have to show that you have assessed your student and matched your instruction to his needs.
Carol - Yes, thanks! I will look for good opportunities to get him to write--I'll admit, I've looked for samples that show I am doing other parts of our standards, for ex. the child writing about what class job he wants. Is this good or bad? I will focus on HIS interests more. He IS a TALKER! so maybe I can channel that language energy!
Diana - Carol, it is good to show different types of writing samples, particularly as they relate to different areas of the curriculum.
Debbie Mc. - Part of teaching literacy is helping students realize that there is a connection between those four areas. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Carol - Good, I have really been focusing on the standards, and I feel like I am teaching inline with them, but want to make sure it shows in all of my entries.
Nancy in NC - Kelly - I am beginning to get a little nervous! Wish the scores were already sent out.
Debbie Mc. - That's what NBPTS wants.
Kelly - I think we better plan on scores not being here until something like the third week of November at the earliest......seems to be the word so far......
Nancy in NC - I read that as well, Kelly
Diana - I heard from our district contact with NBPTS that scores could be as late as the first week in December. Maybe by then I'll be so busy preparing for holidays that I won't even be thinking about them.
Debbie Mc. - Last year the website for NB was down. I was in a panic. It was terrible.
Diana - I think the NBPTS process is prone to producing panic, don't you?
Nancy in NC - I have already decided what I will teach in SS and Science. But I am afraid that the assessment center was my weakness
Diana - Nancy, are you a candidate in waiting or a newbie?
Debbie Mc. - I think we worry about the AC because we have (or I did) problems remembering what I wrote.
Nancy in NC - In Waiting!!!!!!
Diana - Are you planning SS and Science as possible retakes?
Nancy in NC - That is very true, Debbie.
Nancy in NC - Yes, Diane - just in case
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, a little exasperated?
Diana - Actually, I feel most confident about the AC (perhaps foolishly so). I spent a lot of time preparing and there were no surprises. It seemed pretty easy to me. Of course, I can't discuss it with anyone else, so I haven;t had the opportunity to panic about things others noticed that I might have missed. :)
Nancy in NC - I did implement morning meeting this year. I love it! My classroom community was established almost immediately.
Diana - Nancy - maybej it's just the procrastinator in me, but I have refused to plan for retakes until I get my scores.
Kelly - A few minutes ago I wrote to Kathleen and to Bob Reap - both run teachers.net. I complained about this room - it's been doing this to us for a couple of months now. Kathleen has already responded - that Bob is the one who might be able to fix it. But the point is that he hasn't! I complain frequently.....
Carol - Diana, are you the kind of person that thinks well "on the fly"? I am not sure how I will do under a time limit.
Kelly - Diana - no need to really plan for retakes until you see your scores. Typically, people find they did better on something that they thought they had bombed, and vice versa!
Debbie Mc. - Carol, don't worry about that now. You'll have plenty of time to prepare after you send in the box.
Diana - Carol, I never really thought about it, but I guess maybe I am. However, I reallllllly studied for the AC.
Nancy in NC - Hope so, Kelly!
Kelly - And you will be able to retake however many entries you wish......and have until April to finish them
Debbie Mc. - Kelly's right. I scored higher on play then anything and thought that would be my lowest score.
Diana - Kelly, Yes, I've heard others say just the same thing.
Nancy in NC - I am concerned about my Science at the AC
Diana - Yes, I didn't really start my portfolio until December. I figure if I could finish 6 entries by April I can finish one or two even easier.
Debbie Mc. - I even left my notes for play at home. I just wrote off the top of my head. I was shocked when I read my scores.
Carol - I am a "stew over things" person and have made lots of notes on several entries. I have incorporated some slightly new stuff into my curriculum and rexamined some old stuff due to this process and all the great professional reading reccommended by you guys. BUT, I have not written a thing! This may be the best for me.
Diana - I hope I will be pleasantly shocked when I get my scores. :)
Diana - Carol, the writing will come easier when you have really digested the standards and the directions.
Debbie Mc. - Hey, I was pleasantly shocked that I even passed.
Diana - My first entry was the hardest to write. However, I wrote most of it BEFORE I discovered the EC_GEN list.
Kelly - Carol - you're still in great shape! Once you get writing it sort of flows through the whole entry. It's the getting started part that's always hard for me!
Debbie Mc. - Yes Kelly, and the more you write the less difficult it becomes. Didn't you think?
Diana - I am still anxious to see if EC_GEN list members have a higher than average passing rate. If I pass, I will give major credit to the list.
Debbie Mc. - Give the credit to Kelly for starting the list. Before any others.
Diana - Carol, it helps to type the questions on your computer screen and just start answering them.
Carol - I've been reading the list since the summer and have told others. I have no one at my shcool, but great mentors from a nearby shcool who are in waiting. They are super!!!
Diana - Yea Kelly!!!!! Thanks for all you've done for us.
Nancy in NC - That's true Debbie. I had forgotten how to write after I finished my Masters. But when I started writing for NB it all came back to me
Kelly - I'm planning on a survey for us. I'm also in the process of gathering my thoughts for an "epistle" about scores - the wait and all.....I'll post it this weekend! :)
Diana - I had no one at my school either. There was only one NBPTS when I started. There were 8 who certified while I was working on it. The organized mentoring got off to a slow start. The list was a lifesaver for me.
Debbie Mc. - At a facilitator's meeting, an rep. from NB was trying to explain to college faculty members that the writing for NBC entries was different then required for college classes.
Kelly - Diana - believe me, I've gotten it all back in kind! Remember, I started it because I knew I needed help! :)
Nancy in NC - My sister took her boards for Dental School and got them back in a month. It was a national exam as well. She can't believe it takes us so long to find out.
Carol - Yes, Diana, that is what my mentors did, and it got them started. I sympathize with your wait, and appreciate all the help in the meantime. I am already a better teacher for having been on the ring--not to mention preparing for NB!
Debbie Mc. - Kelly are you ever out of ideas?
Diana - Kelly, and you've helped so many of us along your own journey!
Debbie Mc. - I just can't believe how the ring has grown in a little over a year. Can you Kelly?
Diana - NBPTS has definitely made me a better teacher. I wasn't so sure of that a few months ago, but now I know it is true.
Diana - Over 600 members now. Wow! I suppose some of the CIWs will drop off after they pass, but I hope some will stay on to mentor.
Debbie Mc. - Diana, even after you get scores back, it's like being thirsty for new methods for improving.
Kelly - Nancy - but most of the Boards like Dental school require a lot of bubbled in answers, etc.....not so much writing to assess.......
Diana - As we were reading nursery rhymes this month, my students developed an interest in spiders (Little Miss Muffet). You should see our spider exploration center ala *Doing What Scientists Do*. I found that book because of the list.
Kelly - We lose people from the ring all the time....but for every one we lose, we seem to gain 2-3! So it has grown by leaps and bounds in the two years of its life!
Diana - I've always been a dedicated learner. I have also participated on other listservs for teachers for many years. However, NBPTS forced me to look at and improve my weakest areas.
Debbie Mc. - Wasn't the first post on Nov. 18, 1998. When I joined in the spring, I think, I read all the archives. That would almost be impossible now.
Diana - ALMOST impossible?????
Debbie Mc. - There was much less activity in the beginning. But good information.
Diana - Where did everyone go? There are only 3 of us now.
Diana - And the files Kelly has set up are full of great stuff. You could get lost for months in there.
Debbie Mc. - Those files are a wealth of info for candidates. Kelly should be paid for all that time and effort.
Kelly - Diana - I AM lost in them! I have more files on this computer than I know what to do with!
Carol - I am still here, just listening. I made notes on all the hints you have me on literacy. And I HAVE used the files and posts . Thanks!!
Kelly - Debbie -LOL - I AM paid.....unfortunately it's not in dollars....but really, I get as much out of all of you as everybody else!
Debbie Mc. - Carol, let us know if you have more questions. We're only too glad to help.
Diana - Kelly, where would we be without all your hard work? How did you manage to keep up all the great stuff on egroups and work on NBPTS at the same time?
Diana - Oh, Carol. I didn't see you. I thought you wandered off.
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, you'll never be paid enough to make up for what you've done. Such insight and foresight (sp?).
Diana - Carol, what are you working on now? Have you started listing accomplishments for #5?
Carol - Ok, wheels are turning while I have you here. I am getting my sci, together so my student teacher can do the taping. Any ideas on Magnets? I have the activities in my head, but havent decided on which to tape. THe exploration of what is attracted to a magnet? Is it ok to give them a prediction and recording sheet? 2nd graders may not be able to make one on the spot.
Kelly - Diana - LOL - perhaps that's why I seem to have permanent banking status!
Diana - Kelly, this will be the magic year!
Diana - Carol, prediction and recording sheets are good. What will you do in the beginning to assess student interests and background knowledge? It is important to get them asking their own questions. This was hard for me.
Diana - Science is the area where NBPTS change me the most. I am learning to get kids to ask their own questions and look for answers.
Debbie Mc. - Carol, my students always have fun discovering that and experimenting with the poles attracting and repeling. They are so excited!
Carol - I got some good advice on the ring. They suggested a magnet scavengar hunt around the room or at home. Would you do this BEFORE the taped act. so they would have more accurate predictions, or AFTER? Any ideas on getting kids thinking aobut magnets?
Diana - Carol, I would tape as much as possible and chose which one to use later.
Diana - Be VERY careful about magnets near computers.
Debbie Mc. - After experimenting they cut out a car and tape a magnet to the inside to watch it push or pull other vehicles. It's so fun to watch them.
Diana - There is an AIMS unit on magnets.
Carol - Please excuse my typos--I do that when i type fast. I also talk very fast, as my friends would tell you! The AIMs magnet book has a NO magnets here sign that you can run off and put on your computer.
Diana - Right! I guess you are ahead of me.
Debbie Mc. - Set up a camera and let it run while you do science. Your best lesson may be one that you didn't plan to tape.
Carol - My science centers are set up so that 5 or 6 children come to center each day. I was going to tape each day and pick the best. Do you think it will spoil it by kids telling each other what they discovered? I don't think it will lessen the excitement but it might make them for predictions.
Diana - Carol, be sure that YOU are on the tape too. Can you get to more than one group in a day? Four days seems like a long time.
Carol - Thanks, Debbie, Mc. I will plan to tape the other lessons in the sequence. It may be harder for me to get a camera person. Good idea!
Kelly - Carol - can you do it all in one afternoon? Let one group be at the center while others are doing something else....and then rotate? OR - and I know this sounds like TOO much, but I considered it - what about having a couple of moms come in with a couple of camcorders and tape several groups simultaneously???
Kelly - If you do more than one group at a time, you have to be sure that you appear clearly in each tape....so you have to bounce around (which is what I do with small groups anyway....)
Diana - I didn't have a camera person. I just used a tripod.
Diana - Well, I DID have a camera person one day, and she zoomed in on all the wrong things (like quiet kids) making the tape unusable.
Debbie Mc. - I couldn't get the tripod to work so I just set mine on a shelf and turned it on. The kids forgot about it. They were so natural.
Kelly - someone recently suggested somewhere that you ask your high school or a local college for kids who are in some sort of camera class to come in and tape for you....
Carol - I was going to tell in my write up about my group time with my 2nd graders. I developed this system where the kids are split into 5 groups and rotate through math, sci, literacy, computer, and library centers in a weeks time. IT is for 30 minutes in the afternoon and they LOVE it. We have a pull out teacher (extra teacher points, no classroom space) so she takes 2 groups each day. It turns out that I have 2 groups in the room-one teacher directed and one independent.
Debbie Mc. - Our sixth grade students do the news so they're pretty handy with a camera.
Diana - Carol, you can probably make that work. Can you caution your kids not to talk too much about the experience until everyone has had a turn? Have you done this before. If so, how did it affect predictions?
Debbie Mc. - Carol, your centers sound similar to Kelly's and mine.
Susan (NC) - I have really missed the chat for the past 2 weeks! This time I have a question on the "contextual info " page? Maybe someone can help me understand it -
Carol - You have me thinking about better ways to do this. I was just trying to justify having only a limited # of kids in the room. This is what I really do each week. I would state that throughout the week this activity built interest in the topic, then the next week we would do sequential activities in a whole class setting. What do you think?
Kelly - Susan - it's not something to really dwell on - they just want a quick picture of your situation.....factual stuff....
Diana - Carol, I think it will work.
Diana - Susan, what is your question?
Debbie Mc. - I think they just want an explanation of why you do things the way you do and how the children have input and benefit from your way.
Carol - Diana , another great point! Maybe I should experiment with some other type of predicition, to see how it goes. What do you think of the scavenger hunt, before or after the taping lesson?
Diana - The scavenger hunt sounds like a good introductory activity. You could do this first and follow up with a group discussion about magnets - what they know - what they want to know
Susan (NC) - My question is: How much info. did you guys write? I scanned it in so that the page "sort of " looks like the original; but they don't give you much room.........maybe I'm reading more into it that what I should?
Debbie Mc. - Susan, I was told at a facilitator's meeting to put information in there that will help assessors understand why you teach the way you do and help them understand why you teach WHAT you do. They don't care if you have 50% male or female unless it helps to explain your teching strategies.
Diana - Susan, this page is just to provide background for your entry. I've heard assessors say they don't even look at it unless a question about your circumstances arises while reading the entry. It is not scored at all.
Susan (NC) - Okay, I'll try writing that up and see how it fits.
Kelly - Debbie - is it helpful to put in the contextual info sheet things about the learning styles of your kids - like special needs, etc....that influence how you present things?
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, if those factors influence you as a teacher by all means include them.
Diana - I'm off to work on report cards. Thanks for the chat.
Susan (NC) - Another ? I am supposed to make copies of the contextual page for every entry, right? But if I use 2 classes, K & 1st - it will be different, right?
Debbie Mc. - He was making a point about teachers in high socio-economic areas not having an advantage over teachers in lower areas. They do not have an advantage. You must show that you teach to YOUR students.
Kelly - Susan - yes - you need one for each entry - so you'd write up the class you used for that entry...
Debbie Mc. - I don't know if you necessarily have to write a different contextual sheet. You could include more specific info in your entry.
Kelly - Debbie - but if she's using two separate classes, wouldn't that info change somewhat?
Debbie Mc. - Your Ks and 1s probably have more in common than you think. Read the paragraph carefully before you write your statement.
Debbie Mc. - Is this the contextual sheet where you're asked to write a brief paragraph containing info about your teaching context? It gives you an example of details to include.
Susan (NC) - Sorry guys - didn't mean to ask hard questions.......leave it to me to upset the apple cart!
Debbie Mc. - No that's why we're here. We need to give more than one viewpoint in instances like this.
Debbie Mc. - Key words are "that may shape your teaching, the backgrounds of your students, their educational history and special needs, and the type of local community in which the teaching occurs.
Susan (NC) - I guess because when I read the description of the sheet - it doesn't really explain itself. Like question #1 Type of school/program and grade/subject configuration( single grade, departmentalized, interdisciplinary teams, etc.) - - - that sounds so general.........
Debbie Mc. - For instance, do you teach in an area that contains no museums, cultural events, etc. that would give students opportunities for rich experiences? I don't so this influences where my students are ready to begin science and social studies.
Debbie Mc. - I teach multi-age primary. Mostly first. But I had to include those five year olds with six and sevens. That helped assessors know that I had to have a broad range of experiences for my children.
Debbie Mc. - Susan, again it comes back to knowing why and what you teach. Your students.
Kelly - Debbie is giving you great advice........(as always!)
Debbie Mc. - You're too kind Kelly. Your opinion is very much needed. That's what's so good about our ring. Hearing all the differing viewpoints and behaving as professionals.
Debbie Mc. - There is not one or two right ways. Just justify what you do.
Debbie Mc. - I think that we all would like to have a cookie cutter recipe for NB. But it wouldn't work for teachers all over the US is it did. Those college professors would have been right--there would be an advantage to teaching in rich districts. I've always said anybody can teach smart kids with two parent homes and good sleep, food, and experiences.
Debbie Mc. - I hope I haven't confused you more. Sometimes I ramble and am not clear, concise, and convincing!
Susan (NC) - I think now that I just reread the directions - I could combine K & 1st because of so many things each has in common; thanks guys! I thought this site just hated ME......see, told you I was paranoid?
Kelly - Susan - you're not paranoid - just normal!
Debbie Mc. - Well, I'm getting hungry so I think I'll log off is I've done enough confusing for the day.
Susan (NC) - I just was at another NB workshop and one of the papers we got was titled, "Getting Certified without becoming Certifiable!"
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, have a good week and have fun in Orlando!
Susan (NC) - Thanks Debbie, you always make sense to me!
Debbie Mc. - I was certifiable before NB.
Kelly - Debbie - It's good to hear you talking! You always have such a wise grasp of things! I'll talk to you later..........have to hear about your application process! Hope it's going well!
Debbie Mc. - Haven't heard anything yet. But interviews are scheduled for Oct. 26th and 27th. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Susan (NC) - My fingers & TOES will all be crossed!
Debbie Mc. - You too are kind. You may be the only two in the US able to understand me.
Debbie Mc. - Sorry should have been two are kind.
Debbie Mc. - See ya!
Kelly - Bye Debbie!
Susan (NC) - Kelly, have fun in Orlando and bring us all back lots of info.! Maybe next year I can go, but I won't find out my scores until November, are candidates in waiting allowed?
Kelly - So Susan....is the writing coming along?
Susan (NC) - So far I have just got my feet wet by reading everything.....maybe that's why I'm confused? anyway I have started a couple of entries by just typing in the questions and answering a couple of things - not much!
Kelly - that's the way to do it, though. Type in those prompts....and add in what you can. At least then you feel like you've got a start on things!
Susan (NC) - There wasn't a chat line the last 2 Saturdays, right?
Susan (NC) - I tried both Saturdays (late I may add) and couldn't connect?
Kelly - teachers.net is having some problems with this room. I've written to them, but they haven't figured out a way to fix it yet. For now we just have to put up with it....
Kelly - we need to start taking better advantage of the chatroom on our homepage......
Susan (NC) - If I knew when to try it, I would!
Kelly - I think I'll suggest it again when I write my long ditty to the ring tonight!
Kelly - I guess I'll go.....this chat is SO slow today - when it isn't booting me off it is just plain old SLOW! :)
Kelly - Have a good week!
Susan (NC) - Sounds good to me! Think I'd better start dinner; hope to hear from you next week- bye!
Kelly - bye bye!
