Debbie Mc. - Are you guys candidates in waiting or just getting started?
Kathy - I am new. I just got my box this past week.
Debbie Mc. - Kathy, I guess you're feeling overwhelmed right now.
Kathy - I opened it up today and now I'm trying to decide where to begin. I'm from SD. We have only had one other person in the state go for this. I've been in touch with her by e-mail. I know two other teachers from SD are working on it. Not sure if there are any others. I've been reading the e-ring posts to try to get a feel for what goes on. What is your status?
Debbie Mc. - Achieved NBC in '99
Debbie Mc. - I felt all alone when I was going through. I think the feeling of isolation was the worst part. Not having anybody to answer my questions.
Debbie Mc. - Hi Jane! I'm glad you're here. I've been wanting to "chat" with you about your home state.
Kathy - I know I'll have lots of questions. What do you suggest as the best way to get started? That's probably a pretty broad question.
Kinderjane - Hey Debbie! Hey Kathy and jmays! I am a candidate in waiting-waiting-waiting-waiting!!!!
Debbie Mc. - I think a good beginning is to read over the entire portfolio and get a feel for what's there. Then study, study, study, those standards.
Kinderjane - Debbie-What do you want to know about South Carolina?? It is so beautiful right now!! :-)
Debbie Mc. - Nancy! You couldn't stay away from us even in Orlando! Is Kelly with you?
sinetag - hello there
Debbie Mc. - Jane, We're considering a move there. I don't want to tie up the chat with questions though.
sinetag - kelly is not with me at the moment, but I saw her at lunch
Kinderjane - Kathy- You will find the support you need on the ring. There are not NBCT in my district (yet), but I found so much help on ec-gen ring.
Debbie Mc. - Well we know you're having a ball in Orlando. Give Kelly a hug from all of us.
Kathy - I've been reading about Orlando, what all goes on there?
sinetag - i will
Kinderjane - Debbie- e-mail me and let me know where. Hey Nancy!
sinetag - it's the 4th annual NBCT meeting
Debbie Mc. - Okay Jane. We're not sure but I know you can give me news. I may chat with you if you're still around at the end.
DEb - Kathy are you there
Kathy - Yes.
sinetag - a plethora of debs
Debbie Mc. - sinetag, fill us in on the scoop. Is it as great as I feel. I just feel like I'm missing a great experience.
sinetag - it is always great to get together with a lot of nbcts
sinetag - though i must say, no offense to orlando, but this hotel is not my favorite
DEB - Kathy I had trouble getting on. Have you talked to Beth?
sinetag - my room is half a mile from the meeting area
Debbie Mc. - I'm sorry guys, does anyone have any questions? Nancy is THE person if you do.
sinetag - but the meetings and speakers have been very good
Kathy - I'm Kathy from SD. Don't know Beth yet. I'm brand new at this.
sinetag - today Sec Riley spoke
sinetag - susan in sc, why aren't you in orlando?
Debbie Mc. - Did you just want to burst with pride, sinetag. Hi, Susan.
Kinderjane - Kathy- What do you teach? What about you DEB, DEb, deb?
sinetag - yes it's been wonderful
sinetag - there are several people from the ecgen list here
Susan in SC - Hi All. I am a newbie and if I went to Orlando, I would surely feel more overwhelmed than I do now!
sinetag - they had current candidates stand up at lunch yesterday and everyone applauded
Kinderjane - Hey Susan!! I heard it is warm in Charleston today. It must be- it's warm in the mtns.!
sinetag - next year the meeting is in Washington DC - Oct 19-21, 2001
Kathy - I teach a K-2 classroom at a Hutterite Colony. (It's similar to an Amish community.) It is public school. Their first language is an German/Russian/English dialect. I only have 2 students this year. Thought that would help as I do this process.
Kathy - Oops, I have 9 students, but that's good too.
Debbie Mc. - If anyone has any questions, this would be a great time to ask!
Kinderjane - 9 sounds better to me than 2.
Susan in SC - Hi Jane - It's very warm here today, back in shorts. thanks for your response today. I get so excited when I think I have a small part of this done, then get discouraged when I have time to think about it!
June - Hi everyone. I'm a newbie waitning to hear from a state grant that I applied for to cover expenses.
Kinderjane - Susan- that thinking is making you grow as a teacher.
Kinderjane - June- do you have enough information about the process to start working- or at least thinking about what you are going to do?
kidsinpearl - hi everyone--i have worked all day trying to get entry one written--i am so confused about the artifacts. i made a class booklet and want to use several pages--would this be ok and would it count as one artifact
Susan in SC - Debbie Mc - I asked a question on the ring this morning about my community video. The children were discussing jobs/responsibilities. They were telling me what they could do in the classroom so the interaction was with me and not with each other. It was also longer than 10 minutes but I think I can get 10 minutes from it if this in on the right track. They're really excited about taking over responsibilities in the room.
Debbie Mc. - kidsinpearl--I think up to 12 pages of artifacts for entry 1.
Kinderjane - Kidsinpearl- Yes- that is considered at multiple page artifact.
Debbie Mc. - Susan, I'm confused. Do you mean that on the videotape the interaction was with you?
Kathy - Susan in SC - What kinds of ideas did they have? I'm having a hard time thinking of what might work for this.
Kathy - Susan-what kind of ideas did they come up with?
Susan in SC - Yes, I was asking them what they could do to help keep our classroom "pretty" and "c;lean" - they suggested things like center monitors, table wipers, art materials moniters, soap and lunch ticket monitor, calendar helper, etc. We were having parents come in and as we looked around at the centers, they weren't looking the way we wanted them to look
Kathy - Susan-What were some of the ideas they had?
Debbie Mc. - Jane and sinetag can jump in here. I think that there needs to be some interaction with each other, but be sure and reflect on the lack of that if you use this tape.
June - Yes, I ordered a book that has the entries in it . I've completed 5 & 6. I'm currently working one #1. I do have some questions.
Kinderjane - Debbie- that
sinetag - I'm not an ecgen so I don't know your community entry well, but I know that in the mcgen community entry the goal is for the students to be interacting with each other, and for the teacher to more or less act as a facilitator of that conversation.. also for us I think it should reflect some of the ongoing community-building strategies which you have written about in the commentary
Susan in SC - Thanks Debbie - I'll try again. this is where I get confused. I learned on the ring that the children needed to be solving a problem. So with that in mind, we worked on how to keep our room looking the way they had already listed that they wanted it to look. Then I started reading that the interaction needed to be with each other. This truly is a learning experience! :)
Susan in SC - June - What book with entries?
Kinderjane - Debbie- Susan and I "talked" thru e-mail this morn, and I suggested that she work on getting the kids talking to each other more to solve problems. That was the advice I got last year in preparing for this entry. Once they got started, i was amazed at what they could do.
Debbie Mc. - Our entry is basically the same sinetag. I mean about building community and interaction with each other or "active participation" with a rich exchange of ideas.
Kathy in SD - I mentioned on the ring that the preacher may not give permission for me to video tape. He wants to know what happens to the tape after I send it in. Anyone know?
Susan in SC - In taping this and the science entry, do I need to make sure that my face is showing alot or just briefly?
Kinderjane - June-did you get the Assessment and Scoring kit? I got that last year when I was trying to decide whether or not to do it. Susan, it is all of the papers in the portfolio in a bound softback book.
June - O.K. we are looking at entry 1. Artifacts: 2 that relate to learning experiences & 2 that illustrate your assessment practices. I am going to be teaching Indians & Pilgrims. I need advice on the illustration of my assessment practices during the sequence.
sinetag - i have seen MANY ecgen community entry videos, but had never *really* read the entry directions
Debbie Mc. - Susan, I can give you an example of what a colleague of mine did this week. She had some children telling classmates that they were not going to be their friends anymore. They had a class meeting, discussed the problem, brainstormed solutions and even role played. It was an impromptu taping but a real problem.
sinetag - once you send in the videos, they become the property of NBPTS and can be used by them for things like the Scoring Seminar and the Facilitator Training as well as to train assessors
June - Yes, that is the book I ordered from NBPTS. It is 50.00
Kinderjane - Susan- they have to know that is you on the video. You will send an enlarged copy of your driver's liscence so they can verify that it is in fact you.
Debbie Mc. - June, remember that you can assess in a variety of ways. It doesn't have to be paper and pencil tests.
Susan in SC - Thanks everybody. Debbie I'll talk to you later - I hate to leave but my husband has to call someone about the South Carolina Gamecocks - It's been forever since they've have a winning season. He assures me that I can get back on shortly. Bye
sinetag - what would you normally use to assess student learning for that unit?
Kinderjane - June- on assessment on entry #1- how will you know the children achieved your goals?
Debbie Mc. - You might think about assessment that you use during the unit. You will need to discuss how you adjust instruction during the unit to fit your students needs.
Kinderjane - June-it can be anything- a play, interview, class project, KWL chart just to name a few.
sinetag - do you have an end-of-the-unit assessment?::
sinetag - you also want that ongoing formative assessment
June - No. I have several activities planned, as well as a thanksgiving feast w/ parents coming to my room
June - My students are going to present a "little play"called the first thanksgiving.
sinetag - june, it might be helpful if you spent some time articulating your goals for the unit in terms of social studies and the arts (that's what this entry's about right?), and then figure out how you're going to assess students' achievement of those outcomes both on an ongoing basis as well as on a cumulative basis.
Debbie Mc. - sinetag, tell her she better get back. We're falling apart without her. Utter Chaos!
Kinderjane - Nancy- tell Kelly "Hello" from me, too!!! :-)
sinetag - indeed i will
sinetag - you must all come next year to Washington DC
Kinderjane - Carol -what is your status?
Debbie Mc. - I'm going to start saving my money now,sinetag!
Kinderjane - Me, too, Debbie! If I make it, my bonus will help!!
Debbie Mc. - Jane, if I ask you what your degrees, experience, and salary will I offend you? If so, don't answer.
Susan (NC) - Kinderjane, I really appreciated you sending me that journal on PLAY-
Debbie Mc. - I just read it and it even sounds nosy Jane. Don't answer.
Kinderjane - Debbie- I am as wide open, straight forward as they come. YOu can ask me anything!!!!
Debbie Mc. - Susan, Jane and sinetag are great resources. If you have questions, ask now.
Kinderjane - Susan- wasn't that good? I am a firm believer in play in early childhood.
Debbie Mc. - Sorry Carol. You ask questions too!
Susan (NC) - Me, guess my 7 years as a K teacher got me hooked before I started teaching reading.
Debbie Mc. - Hi Bette. Glad you made it back Susan SC.
Kathy in SD - Kinderjane-What is the journal on play you suggest?
bette/tx - hello debbie how are you?
bette/tx - slow today on the net
Kinderjane - Kathy- The Southern Early Childhood Assocs. journal, Dimensions, is all about play in the Oct. issue.
bette/tx - kinderjane play as in learning?
Debbie Mc. - Fine thanks! Fire those questions now ladies. Sinetag and Jane both have lives. They may run off and have fun. Not me, I have no life.
Carol - I have come to know and trust your names and advice. I've been on the ring since June. Lately, I've been readingLOTS about discovery and inquiry in science. I plan to start a magnet unit. I have lots of exploration, etc. planned as well as guided lessons, but can't decide how to bring inquiry into a lesson that includes predicting and testing objects to see if they are attracted to a magnet.
Kinderjane - Susan- I think that is soooooooo funny.
Susan in SC - I found that out - I was trying to type in the name of the South Carolina team and it bleeped out the last part.
Debbie Mc. - sinetag, you're going to be like one of our children and tattle on us for using bad language but not tell on yourself.
Kinderjane - Yes bette- Children learn thru their play.
Susan (NC) - Sorry Kinderjane - I meant to write you that I asked about your husband's friend........this place I live is so small; several people at my lunch table including my principal said, "I know him-" it is a small world
sinetag - debbie i'm going to pinpoint you as the instigtor
sinetag - English Language Development - my students are all English Language Learners
Debbie Mc. - sinetag, you know I have a history of getting into trouble. Is this ring three strikes and you're out?
Kinderjane - Susan-NC- also- he is a real charachter! People who meet him remember him. The unusual last name helps, too.
bette/tx - singtag so english is not thier first language??
sinetag - carol: what do you mean about not knowing how to bring inquiry into the study of magnets?
sinetag - debbie, if we only got 3 strikes i'd have been of the web long ago
sinetag - their first language is spanish
Susan (NC) - Maybe someone could suggest a good unit to do with K/1 - thought about doing the 5 senses; would that work?
Kinderjane - Gotta go, girls! Debbie- e-mail me with your questions about SC. I will help all I can!! :-)
Susan (NC) - Sorry, I meant to say "science unit"
Debbie Mc. - Thanks Jane. Bye.
sinetag - what do you want them to use the 5 senses to learn?
Debbie Mc. - Susan, it's not really the unit you do, but how you do it!
Carol - Is anyone still here? I'm getting nothing.
sinetag - carol, did you get my question to you?
Debbie Mc. - Carol, if you can read this, reload the screen. Maybe that will help.
Susan in SC - Okay - how does this sound. It still isn't a problem that the children have, but we have big boxes that we want to make into something to do with farms. Can they discuss that and come up with how to use the boxes. This is something they are very excited about, but as I said, it isn't a problem concerning behavior. See how confused I am - I sound like a new teacher, not one with 23 years experience!
sinetag - what do you mean when you say you do not know how to incorporate scientific inquiry in to a study of magnetism?
sinetag - your community video does not have to be about a bevavior problem
Kathy in SD - Can the verification materials be folded when they are sent in or do they have to be sent in large envelopes?
Carol - My magnet question is: If I video a lesson that shows the children predicting and testing objects I have provided and then recording it, I am afraid they WON'T be asking each other questions about magnents. Is this activity too scripted?
sinetag - it needs to be an issue that they can discuss and express what they think and listen to each other
Debbie Mc. - Carol, I really think that your kids will experiment with those and do inquiry science on their own, if you turn them loose. After an introductory lessons of course. Did I tell you how excited my kids get when we learn about poles.
sinetag - carol: how can you redesign that lesson so that it is less *directed*?
sinetag - the california challenge standards for k2 for science list the following as an appropriate inquiry-based activity:
Debbie Mc. - Carol, are you getting the science and the community entries confused or have we confused you?
sinetag - "In learning centers, students will explore the properties of magnets using various objects. They see which objects move when a magnet is placed near them and classify the objects into magnetic and non-magnetic groups. By using small items students can sort magnetic and non-magnetic items and tape them to a sheet of paper."
Debbie Mc. - Kathy, I sent mine in in large envelopes.
Susan - What my problem of science is .....I can't seem to focus on 1 particular theme, so many sound good. I'm Mrs. Wishy- Washy for sure when it comes to making decisions!
sinetag - i am going to have to go in a few minutes as it is almost time for dinner here
Susan in SC - Debbie and sinetag - Are you both already certified? sinetag, where are you?
Debbie Mc. - Yea right,sinetag. Enjoy yourself while I slave over a hot stove.
Carol - I may have brain overload from doing too much reading about Science inquiry. I want the children to be truly exploring the magnets together, not just doing what I tell them to do.
Kathy in SD - I'm signing off too so I can start reading my standards and directions. How long do the chats go each week?
Debbie Mc. - Susan, we are. And very grateful.
sinetag - very funny debbie
sinetag - i am an mcgen and i am in orlando at the moment
Debbie Mc. - No set time kathy. If you have questions that we didn't answer clearly you can e-mail off list. We love to help candidates.
Susan - I'm going to go to our library and just see if something jumps out at me. I know I want the video to show an "ah ha-" discovery. A scientist, I'm not!
Carol - I may give them many choices to choose from. Other exploration centers will be set up that week also--toys with magnets, making a refrigerator magnet, and I will do guided lessons about poles and strength of different magnets. Am I on the right track?
Debbie Mc. - Susan, don't worry so much over the unit. It's the way you teach the unit that matters.
Susan in SC - I'm so jealous! I only heard about this last year. I am so grateful for all the help and advice on this ring. I have read my standards and the portfolio, but know that I have to reread and study them again and again. I didn't understand this when I read that people were doing that, but now I do!
Debbie Mc. - Susan, don't worry so much over the unit. It's the way you teach the unit that matters.
Susan - Sinetag, I'm assuming you are at the conference - what fun things are you doing?
Debbie Mc. - Sorry guys. I'm stuttering. Hi Sam, may we help you?
sinetag - lots of meetings, sec Riley spoke today as did betty castor, yesterday it was Lee Shulman
sinetag - in about 20 min I am meeting some people from the mcgen ring
Susan - sinetag, has anything been said at any of the meetings how "education" may change by whom is elected President?
Susan in SC - Gotta go - Debbie, I look forward to hearing from you. thanks for all your help. See you Monday, Carol.
sinetag - well, not directly..
Debbie Mc. - Bye Susan. I have lots of questions.
sinetag - i think there is a certain amount of political tip-toeing going on as this is a Republican state.
sinetag - Riley talked in general about where we need to go federally in terms of education, in particular about teacher salaries, but he also said in 4 months someone else will have his job
Debbie Mc. - Susan, did we make everything as clear as mud.
sinetag - so WHO that someone works for will be important, was the implication there I believe
Debbie Mc. - Is he retiring?
sinetag - no but he goes out with the clinton administration
sinetag - Gore or Bush (heaven help us) will pick a new sec of ed
Susan - I hear you.....I lived in Florida before moving to NC. We have a wonderful govenor (in my opinion) but that will change at the election.
Debbie Mc. - Well Duh! I should have known that!
Debbie Mc. - sinetag, I told my sister that just MAYBE, if we paid you big bucks you would read a couple of her entires. Do you think you'd have time?
sinetag - hey dana
sinetag - is this the mcgen candidate sister?
Debbie Mc. - See, sinetag. I really want you too. Yes the mcgen sister.
sinetag - have her email me.. and there are no big bucks involved! yikes-don't even kid about that
Dana in AL - I still can't decide what to focus on for my Community video. Should I just turn on the video camera and let it run through a discussion about maybe pushing, passing in line, or some other problems we have regularly?
Susan - Dana, I'm in the same boat as you about what to do for community video? I think I'll just follow the advice of so many others......just tape, tape, tape and see what happens!
Susan - I do have a ? about the community video - the instructions say 10 minutes, has anyone passed on less?
Debbie Mc. - Sounds like a good idea to me Dana.
sinetag - i'm just hypersensitive because i have actually had candidates offer to pay me for reading their work
Dana in AL - Also, I have one that can't be in the video. Mom said NO. I hate to remove him on a regular basis to tape, tape, tape. Any suggestions?
sinetag - 10 mins maximum
Debbie Mc. - I can't believe that sinetag! I must be a cheapskate.
Debbie Mc. - Would putting him out of camera range work?
Susan (NC) - I just went to another NB workshop this morning. I joined a support group about an hours drive from me that will meet 1 Saturday a month from now until April.
