Kelly - Hi Lynn - How are you?
lynn/sc/3 - hi kelly!
lynn/sc/3 - I have had sweaty palms all day..... I sent in my loan app to SCCTR and my app for EC-Gen.... this is silly to be so apprehensive
Kelly - Nope - not silly at all! But you'll do fine! The sweaty palms come and go for the whole year!
Kelly - Have you been able to read any of the books on the reading list?
lynn/sc/3 - i sure hope not..... I have seen what they are asking for, and except for the aging down to reach kindergarten I think I can do this, but i guess it is the committment..
lynn/sc/3 - i have a few of them, and enough experience that i should be able to do this....i am lagging.... you got your post up before i got in my response
Kelly - It does take a serious commitment! But you'll have lots of help with the Assessment Center preparation......so don't worry about that now!
lynn/sc/3 - i have been doing a lot of the list suggestions this year...
lynn/sc/3 - by the way, is this chat in transcript to the public?
Kelly - Yes. All of the chats we have had here (since something like last January) are archived here at teachers.net. You click on Archives......and scroll down to National Board (I think it then lists EC-GEN). They are listed by dates....
Debbie Mc. - Hi everybody!
lynn/sc/3 - hi debbie mc
Kelly - Hey there Debbie! How are you?
Debbie Mc. - I'm fine Kelly. I guess you're still walking in the clouds!
Kelly - Orlando was really great! I thoroughly enjoyed myself!
lynn/sc/3 - it makes a difference, kelly. you wouldn't want to mention for instance, that you have uninvolved parents or anything if it is in transcript.... so thanks for letting me know..
Debbie Mc. - Good. You deserved a break.
Kelly - Lynn - We don't mention particular names - and you could be anybody, for that matter. I doubt many parents really read the archives! If you ever chat on our homepage's chat.....those are NOT saved on transcript!
Kelly - Debbie - what's new with your job situation?
lynn/sc/3 - thanks for the information...
Debbie Mc. - Interviews have been postponed due to a scheduling conflict. No one has even been able to guess when they will be rescheduled. Too much going on with the top dogs I guess.
Debbie Mc. - Are things just chugging along in your neck of the woods?
Kelly - I'm just as busy as ever - somehow things never seem to change!
Kelly - Lynn - when will you hear about your application for the loan? When do you expect to be able to have your box?
Debbie Mc. - Do we just find things to do or what? I've got to get my responses to the recertification prompts written. I have a rough draft but no final one yet.
Kelly - Debbie - How do you have recertification prompts? Are you part of a pilot?
lynn/sc/3 - the application says that it may take up to 4 weeks to be amiled, but hey have a nov 1 deadline, so they are aware of the NB deadline, and they let me know when they send my app on...... and NB says that it is 4 weeks to get the box, so i am expecting to have it all by 12-1, any sooner and it would be great
sharon - Hi, Everybody!
lynn/sc/3 - hiya sharon!
Debbie Mc. - I'm sorry. No. I'm doing an external review for NBPTS. No I'm not piloting but I've considered it.
lynn/sc/3 - sorry, mailed..... those remnants of the sweaty palms <grin>
lynn/sc/3 - I have enough stuff to get started though.... I have a copy of the standards book
sharon - Debbie, I'm doing the external review, too. I DON'T know why. It's not like I don't have anything to do!
Debbie Mc. - Lynn, with the help on this ring, you have plenty of time.
Debbie Mc. - That's what i just asked Kelly. Do we find things to do or what? Like I needed something else.
Kelly - Which Sharon is this.....Mississippi or New Orleans? :)
lynn/sc/3 - I am working now on coming up with something community..... my goup is one of those tough to gather groups..... they converse well with me as the center of the conversation, but have difficulty dealing in conversation with each other....
Debbie Mc. - Sharon, I was pleased with the prompts. Were you? Without getting into specifics.
Kelly - Debbie - I know. I keep thinking "next" week won't be so busy......HA!
sharon - Mississippi - Hi, Kelly. Did you get your handouts?
Kelly - Sharon - That's why I asked! YES - they just came in the mail about 1/2 hour ago. I have them sitting right here! Thank you SO much!
sharon - Yes, Debbie, I was. I just have to make myself sit down and finish, though. You're welcome, Kelly.
Debbie Mc. - I really do have to start thinking about letting something go. I've thought about getting a house cleaning person, but that gives me a release. I like getting those frustrations out on the dirt.
lynn/sc/3 - come clean my house then, debbie.... you can release yourself to your hearts content!
lynn/sc/3 - dust bunnies are growing
Kelly - MINE, TOO! Although I'd need about a month to clean before I'd let you in!
sharon - Mine, too, Lynn!;)
Kelly - Debbie - I have a great idea! You come clean all of our houses and we'll pay you for it! That way you'll have the money to go to Washington next October! :)
Debbie Mc. - My partner and I dressed as dust bunnies for halloween last year and won 50 dollars for our classrooms. WE even had a chant.
lynn/sc/3 - how did you dress up?
Debbie Mc. - Sometimes I'd rather be a housecleaner than a teacher.
sharon - Nobody told me that NB was a BEGINNING. I thought it would be the ultimate achievement at the end of a long career. I've got so much going on now I may never get to retire!
lynn/sc/3 - hiya susan
Kelly - Sharon- isn't that the funny part! I think Lee Shulman was exactly right about people like us always seeing something else we "should" be doing!
Susan (NC) - Hi everybody!
Kelly - Hi Susan! Good to see you!
Debbie Mc. - You know the book about Winnie the Pooh's Halloween. There's a page in there where one of the character's is afraid to look under the bed because he's afraid of dust bunnies. One of our students said that's what you and Mrs. Jenkins should come as. So we got black sweat suits, sprayed that Elmer's spray adhesive on them and pulled cotton batting down them. It stuck and we looked like a ball of dust. We put ears on headbands and recited our chant. It was fun.
sharon - Kelly, Didn't you enjoy the keynote speakers?
Susan (NC) - Glad you are back Kelly! I hope you had a ball in Orlando!
lynn/sc/3 - hiya suzieQ and susanNC
suzie-Q?Mo - Are you all second grade Teachers?
suzie-Q?Mo - Hi lynn
lynn/sc/3 - i teach third
Susan (NC) - Wow a lot of "Susan's" today......reminds me of my 2nd grade class - I was one of 5 Susan's!
lynn/sc/3 - that is cute, debbie
Kelly - Hi Suzie Q - we're early childhood people - K-3 mostly! Hi Susan (NC).....I loved Orlando! And yes, Sharon, I did like the speakers (with the exception of the Lt. Gov. - could have easily skipped him!)
suzie-Q?Mo - Not too many kids are named susan anymore. Do you think our names date us?
suzie-Q?Mo - Kelly I teach second grade.
Susan (NC) - Definately, Suzie Q!
susan in SC - I was just thinking it was such an original name! I teach K
Kelly - Suzie Q - where in MO?
suzie-Q?Mo - In the Bowliing Green School District. South of Hannibal
suzie-Q?Mo - When I named my daughter Emily there weren't very many around now theire's emily's everywhere.
Susan (NC) - Don't know what everyone is talking about today.......I'll have to "lurk" for a while to find out
Debbie Mc. - We're talking about everything today Susan. Jump right in.
Susan (NC) - suzie Q, I love the name Emily.....but there is only 1 in my family.
suzie-Q?Mo - To help my students understand the elections we studied they symbols for the democratic and republican party
Kelly - Suzie Q - I teach a first/second split class this year - in a suburb of St. Louis......
suzie-Q?Mo - We had learned that they had originated froom a political cartoon. So they class made their own poltical cartoons.
lynn/sc/3 - I am looking for ideas for community in a third grade classroom...... This group is not a group that has the ability to use their verbal talents to carry discussions..... they respond well to me, but even my lit circles lack the spark of previous years...
Susan (NC) - Debbie, you would be so proud of me.....I actually got some WRITING - I just had to get something on paper!
suzie-Q?Mo - I was surprised at what clever ideas they had. Although their elephants and donkey drawings were funnier than their jokes. LOL
sharon - Lynn, do you begin the day with class meetings?
Debbie Mc. - Susan, I am proud! Don't you feel better since you have something down? Or are you more confused than ever?
suzie-Q?Mo - Kelly I know St. Louis. What suburb?
lynn/sc/3 - i took the list idea and sent out surveys..... got lots of circles around the yes's and the longest comment was that she felt her child was very fortunate to have me, nothing constructive that would help me in a write up..... it was nice to get the pats, but I needed the suggestions to have something to work on and write up....
Susan (NC) - Deb, I was a little confused on Monday but every night I kept plugging along and when I went back to it later (the next night) it almost sounded o.k.-
Kelly - Suzie - I teach in Univeristy City
lynn/sc/3 - no, sharon, because we have defined minimum curriculum and that covers 2 more minutes than in my day..... we have no free time available to just work on developing that stuff.....
Debbie Mc. - That's great Susan! Remember, if you need a reader, I'll be glad to.
suzie-Q?Mo - I know that place very well. My husband has a mowing business and mows in that area
sharon - Lynn, I see. You are referring to entry 6 outreach. I thought you meant #3 classroom community.
suzie-Q?Mo - What do you teach Kelly?
lynn/sc/3 - i was referring to everything that i was doing..... 6 and 3.... i don't have the box yet, so I am setting as much groundwork as i can
Kelly - Suzie Q - I have a first/second split class this year.
sharon - Lynn, Have you had a parents' meeting?
lynn/sc/3 - i did have one, and one parent showed
lynn/sc/3 - except for the first parent's night
suzie-Q?Mo - How do you like the first/second grade split? Do you teach in a private school Kelly?
Kelly - Lynn - remember that outreach to parents, etc. needs to be ongoing - not just a one-shot deal. Two way communication is SO important in several entries - literacy, doc. acc, etc.
suzie-Q?Mo - Do you get the same first graders when they go into second grade, Kelly?
sharon - You may have to resort to home visits.
Kelly - Suzie - nope - I teach in the public schools of U. City
Kelly - Suzie- My ten second graders were all in my first grade last year.
Susan (NC) - Debbie, I have read on the list that several people have volunteered to be readers......a dumb ? I know but - do you send the entry as "an attachment" or what? Sometimes I know just enough about computers to be "dangerous!"
lynn/sc/3 - i do weekly folders with personal contact, i call parents to get them to talk about their children, they work on a reading communication to let me know what their children are doing with books....but as for getting them in, it is not an easy accomplishment this year
Debbie Mc. - You can send as an attachment Susan. Or snail mail if you'd rather. It's up to the reader. It doesn't matter to me how you send it, but some people prefer snail mail. The cost of printing them out gets a little expensive but I can't read it well on the computer screen so I print it, read it, send comments, and destroy.
lynn/sc/3 - even on report cards there is a box to check for a teacher's conference and last year that would generate about 5-7 a quarter, this time they are not taking advantage of it.... sounds like I have an answer for everything, but i don't.... just looking for something new besides accidental contact in the food lion
Kelly - Susan - If you look in the files section on our homepage, in the portfolio section there is a list of readers. In the listing it tells how each person would prefer to receive your work - and which entries they would be willing to read.
suzie-Q?Mo - Kelly how do you like teaching a split grade? When I was a kid I was in a split second/third grade class.
Kelly - Suzie - I love it!
Kelly - Hi Cathy!
Debbie Mc. - Kelly are your students grouped in anyway, for example do you have low achieving second graders or do you have a really wide range of abilities.
Cathy - Hi Kelly and all, Just listening
Kelly - Lynn - in your parent folders is their on going two way communication? In other words, do you write something to them and they respond and it goes back and forth?
susan in SC - I guess it won't work for me to send some readers my thoughts and let them put them on paper for me, will it? :)
Debbie Mc. - We won't write Susan, but we'll be glad to read. I did well to write my entries one time. I don't want to play the odds and take a chance of not scoring enough the second time around.
lynn/sc/3 - I have a place where I put comments, and their is a column next to it for them to respond..... i get one or two parents who say "my child loves being in your class, or we will keep working on those math facts..... but nothing substantial is coming out of it.... and i have been doing this form for the last ten years..... it has worked to generate feedback in the past.
Kelly - Debbie - usually we put "independent workers" in split classes (when we have them). But of my 10 second graders, I kept two from my first grade class who just really needed to stay with me.....both have multiple learning problems, and one has HUGE behavior problems. We felt it was to their benefit to not have to get to know a new teacher this year. So they stayed with me!
lynn/sc/3 - there, sorry
Debbie Mc. - I agree Kelly. I wish I had two of my students from last year. They're really having problems adjusting to a different teacher this year. I think everybody's miserable with the situation.
Kidruler - Lynn, I did the same thing last year and in the beginning got the same responses so I began making comments about their child and then asking questions for them to respond to.
Kelly - Lynn- keep it up! it will help! especially as you decide on a child to focus on for entry 2. Really push the communication with that child's family
Susan (NC) - Having my normal computer problems.....thanks Debbie for being a "reader" when it gets to the point of being there, I'll take you up on your offer!
Kelly - Hi Marily and Sherrilm
Debbie Mc. - That's a good idea Kidruler! I'll bet as the year progressed, parents became more comfortable with responding.
Kelly - Debbie is a WONDERFUL reader (among many other wonderful attributes!)
Debbie Mc. - I never know if I'm doing a good job when I read. I feel really insecure about it. Thanks anyway Kelly. As usual, my ego's bursting with your comments.
lynn/sc/3 - I have chosen two children to focus on for literacy, one reading about grade 2, one reading at 2.5 and I think I will go with the 2.5..... he has been home schooled up to this year and the mom is my most conversant.....
Kidruler - Such as..your child has really expresses themselves well..What activites or experiences do you contribute this sucess to...I also would ask all my parents a question about a certain topic and how they helped their children at home...I then printed it in my monthly newletter.
Susan (NC) - I have a question for anyone........does it matter if you are working on 3 entries at the same time? Sometimes, when I get stuck - I just punch up another entry and try that for a while........ does that sound doable?
Debbie Mc. - It doesn't matter Susan. Work in a way that is best for you.
Kelly - Susan - sounds fine! You have to do what's easiest for you - and most natural!
Kelly - Debbie - we're doing it again! (same thoughts!)
Kidruler - I usually had 2 going at a time...teaching another entry.
Debbie Mc. - I know Kelly! Do you think we'll get senile together too?
Kidruler - But I really began "doing NB" in mid-January. I think you really have to do more than 1 at a time when you wait that long.
Kelly - Debbie - "GET"?????? I already am! :)
lynn/sc/3 - i will try that kidruler... that forces them to write back to me....... they are all pretty helpful parents, i do a read 20 min a night and fill in the form with the response to one of the suggested questions and most of the parents are recording for their kids about what they read, which is what i am after.... they are good parents who do what is expected of them with their kids.
lynn/sc/3 - kidruler, can you give me a couple of suggestions?
Kidruler - One question I want to know about you all who have completed the process is...where you anxious, excited, or really have no major feelings....I am a little worried because I feel...nothing..just if I do, I start a new life of helping others obtain certification and if I don't I keep learning, growing, and redoing...does that make sense or am I depressed????
Debbie Mc. - Kidruler, it will creep up on you slowly. And one day after you certify and you're still "doing" NBC, you'll realize that you're addicted to this process. You keep on growing and changing as a teacher.
Kidruler - I just keep reading of people worried, anxious, etc...about their scores...and I'm waiting and when I get my letter...great either way...I think I just loved being challenged and growing.
Debbie Mc. - I think I got anxious about a week before scores came out when I couldn't get to the NB website.
sharon - I wish I had had that attitude. I was a basket case this time last year!
Kelly - Kidruler - that's great! Keep that thought! I consider this something that has changed my life. Certifying or not doesn't make the difference for me personally. No financial incentive awaits me.......so I'm very happy that I found the process and that it jump-started me back into an eager, curious teacher instead of a stale, count down the days until retirement sort!
Debbie Mc. - Well said Kelly! As usual!:)
Susan (NC) - I have a question about how to get more 2 way communication? I have written notes to parents about my NB projects, but since I'm "borrowing" a K & 1st grade class, I don't feel like the parents know me well enough to communicate. Any suggestions, anyone?
sharon - I felt such pressure because I was such a "lone ranger" . If I had not certified it would have just added fuel to the fire.
Debbie Mc. - Kidruler's folders sound great, Susan. What about home visits? Our Title people do those.
Kelly - Sharon - I'm a lone ranger, too. But when they ask, I just answer with "I'm 93% of the way there....and waiting to see if I'm now done or if I have to do another part".......that's my pat answer when/if people ask!
Susan (NC) - Maybe I missed it about kidruler's folders, could you repeat it Kidruler, please?
Kidruler - Last year I sent home weekly communication folders...I asked parents specifically things they did to help their child. something it was the same question for all...then I put it in a monthly newletter...under a column.."Paren'ts Share"
Susan (NC) - That sounds like a great idea, Kidruler - Thanks for sharing....I have never done a newsletter before, but because of this process - I'm trying a lot of new things!
Kidruler - This year I do the same...but it is a daily folder...with behavior, comment from t and p and a place for them to sign...it also has homework assignments..a family project that is assigned on Mon and due Fri, and then homework often hands-on things with materials around the house t-th.
Kidruler - My childrens' families became my family...I'm going to a birthday party of one of mine from last year....last week I helped her mom make party decorations.
sharon - Susan, that's the whole point of NB t - to grow professionally and try new things. You'll never look back!
Kidruler - When you bank how many points do you think is reasonable to obtain if you just do one entry?
Debbie Mc. - I think it depends on how low your first score was and the weight of the entry. What do you think Kelly/Sharon.
lynn/sc/3 - kidruler, how do you manage a daily folder? I don't have the time unless i take it away from teaching...
lynn/sc/3 - do you have a free lunch where you do this?
Kelly - Kidruler - it totally depends on what the original score was and the weight of the one retake. For example, if your original score on Entry 2 was 1.5 and you only needed 12 more points, you would need to get a 2.5 on it the second time around. (our first 4 entries are all weighted 12 points each - so you take your score and multiply it by 12 to see how many total points you earn for that entry)....clear as mud?
Kidruler - I do them during my 30 minute music type break...or lunch
sharon - Kidruler, I would cross that bridge IF I came to it! I need to go . I have 3 entries from my Ole Miss mentees waiting to be read. Good luck with the Review, Debbie. Goodby ,everyone.
Debbie Mc. - There we go again. We're twins split at birth.
Kidruler - yes...thanks Kelly.
Debbie Mc. - Bye Sharon. I'm going to finish mine tonight!
Kelly - Debbie - :) You're my inspiration! It tickles me pink to think like you!
lynn/sc/3 - my break is at 9 am, so that won't work and i don't have a duty free lunch....... but i DO like the idea of finding questions to ask..... i had to logoff (phone and i have a daughter who is about to have a baby anyday) and i missed your response.... any specific quesitons to give me an idea of what to ask?
Debbie Mc. - Well, I'm green with envy that you went to Orlando and I didn't. Pink and green are complimentary colors you know.
Kidruler - I ask them all sorts of things...how they teach their children values, how they help their children learn math concepts, language concepts, what activities did they do with their children before they came to school ( I teach K), what learning themes they would like their children to experience...etc...
lynn/sc/3 - can you give me a specific "value" question?
Kidruler - I also would write the big ?s on the weekend if it was the one question I asked everyone. That way I could just copy the form for all rather than writing individually.
Kidruler - I would ask them point blank...what values do you wish your child to learn? and how they teach their children this value at home, etc
Kidruler - I would also tie it into the word of the week
Susan (NC) - This might sound dumb, kidruler but - - - I assume you write the question up in the child's folder, then leave room for the parents to communicate back their response, right?
lynn/sc/3 - i am trying to figure out how to adapt this.... what economic strata do you teach? I am over 40% free lunch....and am trying to see how I can use this without intimidation....
lynn/sc/3 - also, do you have a computer generated form that you use for this? something we could see?
Kidruler - yes...last year it was just a column for the date, teacher response, and parent response.
lynn/sc/3 - this sounds like my weekly folder, teacher comments with a blank, parent comments with a blank
Susan (NC) - My school is 59% free or reduced lunch, which tells you what kind of an area my school is-
Kidruler - My school is across from federal housing projects...my class 5 black, 5 caucasian, 4 vietnamese, 1 lao, and 5 mexican
Kidruler - 100% free lunch...the school is 97%.
Kidruler - My letters were translated for some of my parents.
lynn/sc/3 - we are coming from the same starting place then, so it must have a chance to work....
Susan (NC) - Wow....talk about diversity!
Kidruler - My #3 entry...better be a good one.
lynn/sc/3 - my mind is rattling on figuring this out..... do you get regular responses from most of your parents?
Kidruler - talking about mutual respect....
susan in SC - Kidruler - talk about diversity in a classroom. I worry about this in mine - 8 blacks and 7white, pretty much the same values all around.
lynn/sc/3 - my assumption is that NB realizes that we can only try. put the opportunities out there for the parents.... but i would think that getting something that works and you can write on would make it successful...
Kidruler - I usually received half to 3/4..they like their ideas in the newsletter!
susan in SC - I'm sure your entry 3 must have been wonderful. what an opportunity for the children to learn from each other.
lynn/sc/3 - so you print up their responses in the newsletter? do you share names? do they have to sign a release?
Susan (NC) - I have one black child, but have 9 Native American children to the 10 white....
Kelly - Susan SC - but there are ALWAYS differences - ability levels, athletic abilities, etc. Sizes vary, etc........kids need to learn to be respectful of any/all of our differences
Kidruler - Why knew that the topic for all would appear...and yes...I asked if I could use their names....somethings I wrote they knew would be kept between us...some parents asked to ask other parents questions.
Debbie Mc. - Kelly's right Susan. You class is diverse in a lot of ways. You just have to think about the differences.
susan in SC - Thanks Kelly. I guess I tend to just see the similarities. This also includes family situations, right?
Kelly - Hi Alice! How are you?
lynn/sc/3 - so i might go about this by asking a Q in the newsletter.... and if i get responses i can contact that parent and ask if they mind if i print their response? would this work?
Kidruler - Susan are you now going through the process or waiting for scores???
Debbie Mc. - Right Susan.
Kelly - Susan SC - yes - some live in apts, some in houses, some with grandparents or aunts/uncles in the household, some with two parents, etc. Some are only children, some have to help with younger siblings.......etc.
alice - hi kelly...i'm fine.. trying to get ready for a halloween party for the kids that are in my building. i tried to make craft dough so they can paint..hmmhmm
susan in SC - I'm just going through the process. Like I said, I have lots of thoughts and love accumulating data, but haven't gotten around to writing much yet.
alice - debbie, do you still need a reference. i will be happy to write it for you. i hope it isn't too late.
Kidruler - yes...Susan...my parents knew that "the question of the week" I called it would be the one shared to all...one parent didn't want her name given...so I wrote, "one parent said...."
Debbie Mc. - No thanks Alice. I've got plenty. I appreciate you asking though.
Kelly - Alice - have fun with that Halloween party! We are DONE with ours! We no longer celebrate "Halloween"....but have a fall festival. It's EXACTLY what we always did for Halloween, but we just don't call it that anymore! But it was yesterday.......thank goodness!
Kidruler - Susan, I will try to post a song...about respect that helped me see "mutual respect" in many different lights.
Debbie Mc. - I have a church party tonight that I'm supposed to be getting ready for.
Kidruler - (on the mailring later this week)
susan in SC - When I'm on this chat, I get so excited about getting to the writing, but don't want to leave the chat:)
Debbie Mc. - Kelly, my student teacher is using lots of your songs with my class and they love them. She feels like she's hit the jackpot having a supervising teacher who's on this ring.
Kidruler - I only came to this chat once or twice last year...the mailring was enough for me to read and gain ideas!
alice - kelly, this is just a small affair. some crafts, some games, pizza and candy, of course and make your own cupcake desert, just something to add to apartment living.
Debbie Mc. - Susan SC, don't go. You may get more good ideas.
Kidruler - Cyas later...
lynn/sc/3 - take care kidruler, thank you!
Debbie Mc. - Bye.
Susan (NC) - Bye Kidruler, thanks for your ideas!
Kelly - Debbie - have fun at the party! I'm going to have to get going, too......As always, it's great to chat with you guys! Be good, kids! :) Debbie - I'm glad she likes the songs! I got a new student teacher this week and she just sits there laughing! She LOVES being in our class!
susan in SC - Debbie - I thought maybe you were upset when I asked if I could send my thoughts to someone to write - I was only kidding!
alice - I heard the convention was fantastic. maybe when i am certified i will feel like attending.
Debbie Mc. - I know Susan. Of course I'm not upset. I'm one of 10 siblings. I'm used to being teased.
Kelly - Hey - Alice - you don't have to be certified to attend! At one point they had all the NBCT's stand to be recognized......and then had all the candidates in waiting stand! There were quite a few of us!
Debbie Mc. - I was being truthful about the odds being against me next time though.
lynn/sc/3 - I have a general question to those who work with NB a little more closely..... why is math not a strong focus on this assessment? or am i missing something here?
susan in SC - Maybe i could just tape them and play them back to myself to get motivated to write!
Susan (NC) - Debbie, remember the old saying, Nobody teases you unless they like you.....
Debbie Mc. - Math is an assessment center prompt. One whole prompt.
susan in SC - From what I've learned about you and others on the ring, I'd take my chances on you any day. I'm very impressed with all of you.
lynn/sc/3 - great! that is my strong suit.. maybe it is well placed for me since I am not a Kinder teacher and had to get my class specially arranged to go for ec_gen....... I had to give up my nine year olds to get the 8 year old requirement
Debbie Mc. - Thank you Susan. But this process should leave every one who certifies humble. I hope I don't come across as a know it all. I'm far from that. I continue to find plenty of things that I don't know.
Debbie Mc. - In the past, you've had to design curriculum for the age you presently teach up to 8 years old.
alice - i know kelly. maybe next year. i am trying to keep myself busy while i wait for the scores. my husband and i have been going through the process of becoming foster parents. what a great deal of paperwork.
susan in SC - Debbie - you come across as an experienced teacher and I feel like I am the student teacher (with 23 years experience) but as I keep telling my husband, I am so excited about doing things differently, so it's okay to feel like a beginning teacher.
lynn/sc/3 - hahaha, debbie.... I helped write (one of a team of three) the third grade math curriculum for our district to align with the NCTM standards.... this one i should be able to do allright......
Debbie Mc. - Susan, you've got more experience than me. I've only taught 17 years. Don't underestimate yourself.
Kelly - Alice - what a wonderful thing for you and your husband to do! Congratulations!
Debbie Mc. - Alice that's great!
Debbie Mc. - I'm sure that you'll do fine Lynn.
alice - thanks. it is so funny because they are worried about me keeping all the papers together. they don't know about the national board paperwork.. after doing the nb. i feel like i can do anything..
lynn/sc/3 - at least in one area..... it is the "play" one that has me a bit worried..... seeing a video and figuring out where the kinder child is?
Kelly - Lynn - you'll have lots of time to prepare for the AC after the portfolio is in! Don't worry about it now! There are a couple of great books for you to read to learn about stages of play, etc.
lynn/sc/3 - i have made arrangements to go into the pre-kinder class with my cooperating teacher (i was her student teacher 11 years ago) and learn from her during my breaks.... i am hoping that will strengthen me in that area
alice - got to go make more cupcakes for tomorrow. will be in touch. have a great week everyone.
lynn/sc/3 - take care alice
alice - bye
lynn/sc/3 - you keep saying that kelly..... why can't I just listen to you??????
Kelly - Lynn - trust me! I've been around for a while!
Susan (NC) - This chat has worked so much better today......don't know why but I hope it continues!
lynn/sc/3 - i have nightmares that I will go into the assessment center and type everything in lower case.....
Susan (NC) - Since I started thinking about the NB process, I don't dream anymore; at least I don't remember them - - - thank goodness I don't have nightmares either, at least not yet!
susan in SC - Gotta go. Thanks again all.
Susan (NC) - Bye Susan!
lynn/sc/3 - take care susanNC
Debbie Mc. - Bye Susan SC. Susan NC, I lost sleep when I was doing this.
Susan (NC) - Debbie, I know about that.......I can't tell you how many mornings I woken up at 3 am! Normally, I don't get up until 6:00 then my day at school is so hard because I never really get back to sleep until 5 minutes before the alarm goes off!!!
lynn/sc/3 - take care everyone..... i am going to logoff and think some more....... seems I am getting good at thinking and gathering, but the writing isn't coming yet....
Debbie Mc. - I remember those nights Susan. This too shall pass.
Debbie Mc. - Bye Lynn.
Debbie Mc. - I need to go too. Got to get food ready for the party.
Susan (NC) - Bye Debbie, have fun at the party!
Debbie Mc. - Susan, hope you had a good week at school and this one is too. If you have questions you can e-mail me.
Debbie Mc. - You have my address, right?
Susan (NC) - Ok Deb, I will!
Susan (NC) - Yes, I do!
Debbie Mc. - Bye!
