wizzlewolf - Randy are you involved with National Board?
Randi - Yep!!!
wizzlewolf - Yeah, sometimes there are slow nights!
Randi - If I could come up with that one earth shattering "question," I'd actually be in pretty good shape!
wizzlewolf - What are you doing? New candidate? Waiting for Scores? NBCT?
ipsy - hey wizzle.....
Randi - New candidate...
wizzlewolf - Randi, Oh boy, now the fun begins!! LOL
wizzlewolf - Have you started your portfolio entries?
Randi - Gee, thanks! I think I'm taking a reprieve this weekend..
Tina - Thanks! I'm a new candidate, haven't even received my box yet, but I'm anxious to get started
wizzlewolf - That's good. Sometimes you need to just take a break and THINK about stuff!
Randi - I've got #2 in pretty good shape, and definitely know where I"m heading for #3. Need to videotape, and I'm fretting over the assessment one.
Tina - We had to take a course here in Georgia before they'd even let us apply
wizzlewolf - Oh Tina, have you started thinking about the process?
Randi - Tina, did you download the portfolio entries?
wizzlewolf - Oh Yes Tina, I know about the "course"!!
Tina - Yes, I did. We had to for the course
Randi - Tina, I'm in GA too, Didn't take Knowlegable Teacher, though
Tina - It kind of gave me a perspective--I'm glad I took it
Tina - is anyone doing an autistic student for any of their entries?
wizzlewolf - Randi, now is the "Knowlegable Teacher" part of the course required for NB in Georgia? Explain
Tina - Still optional, but Georgia won't pay for you up front unless you take it
Randi - No, it's only required if you want the state to prepay for you
wizzlewolf - Tina / Randi Are you members of the Ex. Needs listserv? They have some great mentors in your specific areas.
Randi - You can still get reimbursed after you certify if you lay out your own money
wizzlewolf - Randi, so you had to pay for yourself?
Tina - Yes, just joined tonight
wizzlewolf - Great!
wizzlewolf - Hi Mer! Welcome!
Randi - Yes--I just moved here from FL--everyone there just jumps into Nat'l Board and gets through it on their own, so I guess I"m just in that mindset. Decided to do it, and didn't want to delay. I'm not on listserv--how do I sign up?
wizzlewolf - Randi, what part of Florida?
Randi - Tina, are you attending the wknd academy in Atlanta in 2 weeks?
Tina - I admire you, Randi!
Tina - yes, I am
Tina - are you?
Randi - Thanks, but as I said, I think it's just a mindset. I'm going, also--I hear those academies are wonderful
wizzlewolf - Randi, go to my website and click the "YAHOO GROUPS" link. Then scroll down to Ex. Needs. Here is the URL
riley - Tina..I have 3 autistic students but not sure if i am using them
Mer - How do you get in here?
wizzlewolf - http://www.wizzlewolf.com/nbc.html
Randi - Got it--thanks!
Tina - I think the academy will be a big help. I'm actually looking forward to it.
Randi - Me, too. Where in GA are you?
wizzlewolf - Tina, if you jot down my URL there are a couple of "get started' pages you may be interested in looking at later.
Tina - something on the listserv was a little scary--the passing rate for this on the first try is pretty low
Tina - I'm in Rome, GA. I teach for Rome City Schools
Tina - Thanks, Wizzle. I've got it.
wizzlewolf - Nationally the pass rate for the first year hovers around 45%
riley - Randi..i am also haviing trouble with the assessment question
Randi - I'm in Forsyth County. I teach 8th grade inclusion.
ipsy....... - wizzle.....
ipsy....... - could you make that number a little bigger please....
Randi - Are you? I decided to put that off another few weeks to think about it.
Tina - Riley, what do you teach?
Randi - I'd love to do something with self-determination (or lack of it, in my 8th graders!)
riley - ispy is your computer messed up again?
Tina - Randi, I teach two classes of inclusion a day--one in 5th and one in 6th. the rest are resource classes
ipsy....... - yes i think it is......
ipsy....... - do i make you dizzy...
ipsy....... - or is it the brew
riley - i teach TMH students at a high school in NC
Randi - Are you videotaping in your inclusion or resource classes?
ipsy....... - do you have any snow in nc yet?
riley - i wasn't going to talk about beer or snow
Tina - I think we'll all need a few brews (I may get one now that I see that 45%!!!)
ipsy....... - well too bad.....
ipsy....... - its part of our assesement on keeping our sanity
wizzlewolf - Ipsy...I have NO control over how many pass or need to bank. YOU are in charge of that!!! LOL
ipsy....... - wwelllllllll.....
Tina - probably both--will probably do the social in inclusion
ipsy....... - you are the queen wizzle
wizzlewolf - NB wants it that way so that the process shows that it is rigorous.
ipsy....... - i havent quite figured out all the video taping---
Mer - Randi --I also teach 8th grade
Tina - i feel dumb, wizzle, but I keep seeing this "bank" all over the place. What exactly does that mean?
ipsy....... - trying to adjust the children and myself to being a star......
wizzlewolf - No ipsy, NO QUEEN. Just a little ole NB helper here.
ipsy....... - Queen NB Helper
ipsy....... - hello still..
Tina - Mer, do you teach in inclusion?
Randi - Mer, what do you teach? Pardon me if you said it already--I'm catching on to this chatroom thing slowly
wizzlewolf - TINA!! That is why I am here. "Bank" means if you don't certify the first year, you can take some of your "good" scores and save those so you don't have to do those the next year.
Mer - me, too----hearing impaired
Amy - Oh my goodness, I got logged on
ipsy....... - welcome amy
wizzlewolf - You "bank" your high scores and redo the entries that have lower scores.
Mer - I had planned to video my one class with just them
Amy - Hello!!
Mer - but I hadn't thought about videoing in my inclusion classes
wizzlewolf - Hi Amy!
Randi - I think I have to videotape in my pullout time...
Tina - ok...banking makes sense now...thanks
Randi - I get together with my students in
Randi - Sorry--technical difficulty
riley - i would like to use a visually impaired TMD student for entry 1...hard to find info
Mer - I've only videoed one time. It was horrible.
wizzlewolf - Videotape a lot and often. You probably won't like the first tries.
Randi - Anyway--we have peer support groups that address hw, grades, etc. I think I'll do the social videotaping there
ipsy....... - practice makes almost perfect.....
Tina - What kind of assessment tools are you thinking about, riley?
wizzlewolf -See I told you!! Ha HA
ipsy....... - i think once the children get relaxed around the camera it will be fine..
Mer - Yes, I teach inclusion, too, Tina. I just saw that question
ipsy....... - i am having a hard time trying t
Amy - I had to video my entry #2 video about 10 times and my #3 I taped once and got it.
wizzlewolf - If it is possible, I have always recommended that you set up the camera and LEAVE IT UP for as long as possible. That way the kids get so used to it, it becomes "wallpaper".
Randi - Amy, what level do you teach?
Tina - Did you guys just set up a camera or have someone come in and do it?
ipsy....... - i think that is the stage we are finally getting to....
Amy - Early Childhood (3-5 yr olds)
riley - i'm not sure yet but i know some will be my own informal assessments
Randi - I spent three years in pre-K
wizzlewolf - I don't even want to think about how many videos I did. I teach SED severely emotionally disturbed. My kids acted extra SED with the camera on them.
ipsy....... - they wanted to be stars.....
Amy - Yes, I love my level of children and love to see their progress.
wizzlewolf - Tina, I set the camera up, turned it on amd let it roll! I had nobody to help me!
Randi - Am I crazy to think that my 8th grade inclusion kids my actually be able to be normal with the camera on?? Somehow I think they'll be able to ignore it
ipsy....... - wizzle....
Mer - My did well.
Randi - Amy, I was in FL then (now I'm in GA). I only left pre-K because there were no class caps--I had moderately impaired kids, and got up to 23 in my class the last year
ipsy....... - how good was the audio without someone helping you
Mer - They did forget it was there
Mer - and I did, too, obviously!! It was terrible
Amy - 23 kids!!! WOW that is too much-- in one session?
ipsy....... - now you Mer.......you deserve an award....
Randi - Yes, they were full-time. All I did was crowd control and diapers. It was insane. A shame, too--I loved the age group
Carol - Yeah, the videotaping is quite a challenge. I haven't gotten what I want yet, but there are so many issues to consider--how to set up the camera, etc. --not to mention their behavior when they're being videotaped!
ipsy....... - everyone hoist up a brew in honor or Mer
Mer - anyone started on the assessment question?
Mer - I'll take that!
Tina - Here's to you, Mer!!!!
Randi - Back to the assessment--my one major headache
wizzlewolf - Ipsy, I used a PZM microphone that I strung up to hang in the middle of the room
Tina - That's what the NBCT who taught "Knowledgeable Teacher" said to do. However, our school doesn't have one.
ipsy....... - we were thinking about stringing one up too......
Amy - Randi, I don't blame you for leaving.
Randi - Tina, ask at the academies--I know there are ways they can help you get one
ipsy....... - ok i will be right back.......i think i just saw a snow flake in my house.....need to turn up the heat
Amy - I had to buy a PZM microphone and it was not too expensive and worth it for the Nationals process
Tina - Randi, have you chosen the student yet?
Mer - Has anyone formulated their question? I'm wondering if mine is too broad or unanswerable.
ipsy....... - ***********
Mer - snow??????????
wizzlewolf - PZM mikes aren't THAT expensive. Maybe you can get them to buy one ($60 at Radio Shack).
Randi - For the literacy or the social skills?
riley - randi..what are you thinking about entry1
Mer - I'm in shorts!
wizzlewolf - Mer, where are you?
Randi - I'm thinking I want to drink another bottle of wine before I get started on it..
Carol - I'm not sure if a PZM microphone is the same as a "boundary microphone," but I purchased one last night at Radio Shack for $49.99.
Mer - Louisiana
Mer - and you?
Amy - Although you have to find out if the camera you are using has a place to plug in an external microphone first
wizzlewolf - No PZM and boundary are a bit different, but both work great.
ipsy....... - ok back......the frost is thawing from the monitor now
Randi - Seriously, I want to do something with self-determination or advocacy or responsiblity with my 8th graders...
Tina - Good thought, Randi. Bring some to the academy!
riley - i'm going to use a garden hose to make snow as soon as the temp. gets to freezing
wizzlewolf - PZM is like an omnidirectional mike and picks up sound from all directions.
ipsy....... - garden hose?
Randi - Tina, red or white?
ipsy....... - how will you do that?
ipsy....... - is that on the exam?
Mer - I like the self determination, Randi. I want to get into the social issues with mine.
Tina - I'll get the school to buy one. We probably need one anyway
Amy - Good idea Tina
wizzlewolf - Tina, tell them they need one so all the teachers can become NB certified!!
Randi - I guess I have to start making up a self-determination assessment, though, huh?
riley - it really doesn't work..just creates ice but i tried
ipsy....... - and they will get their money back many times over
ipsy....... - bet it is pretty tho...
ipsy....... - well if you have ice you can always use that for something.....
Mer - Do your students participate in the Accelerated Reader program?
Tina - Beringer's White Zinfandel sounds good. Here's a question-- how important do you guys think written expression skills are for a 3rd grade Asperger's child who is making GREAT progress on his social, reading and math, but terrible progress on his written?
Randi - Well, we have it at the school, but my kids don't read willingly
Tina - Mine are in AR--each one has a goal to meet to attend the end-of-the -year picnic
Mer - I wanted to investigate why my one student can't pass a single test. Is that too broad?
Amy - LOL, Mer, what kinds of tests?
Randi - I think Asperger's kids always have a problem with creative writing. How about a more informational or instructional writing?
Mer - I truly don't understand how he can be an h onor roll student and read in the content areas but cannot pass a single AR test.
Amy - OH
Mer - The computerized AR tests...
Randi - Mer, how were his reading scores on his last reevaluation, and what AR level is he?
Tina - I was thinking of forming my question around that. However, i wonder if the assessors will think it's important enough. And I would most likely focus on informational writing
Mer - good point...
Mer - He is reading on about a 5th grade level for the books
Randi - well--I think it's a place to start if he's a really low writer
Tina - Do you read the test out loud to him, Mer?
Mer - He's re-eval is due this year so it is old
Mer - read and sign it
Tina - Sorry.....forgot he was hearing impaired!
Randi - And the whole aspergers/autistic thing puts a really interesting slant on his writing. It would be interesting to see if his informational writing is better than creative
Mer - one NB teacher said, "well have you ever seen those tests?"
Randi - Mer, how did you determine his AR level--Star assessment?
Mer - no, I don't know about that
Mer - I'm just going by the book levels that he has had most success on
Randi - Could it be that the level is just too high? Can he pass 4th grade level AR tests?
Mer - good question... Just don't have the books available at my junior high
Mer - could go get some from the elementary school, huh?
Tina - Mer, you could use an in-depth reading assessment, like the Wood@#$%, Johnson to get more accurate levels
Mer - True--WJ-R
Randi - Our AR is done district wide, so we can access any level--can you do that? You can get the books from the public library if you can get the test
Mer - Ya'll scare me!!! I have so much to do!!!
Randi - They just renormed the WJ--now it's the WJ III, and the reading is harder
Mer - I don't know... I'll check that out.
ipsy....... - dont be scared Mer----i stared at my box for a month........
Randi - There is a new timed reading test, though, "reading fluency" that is really interesting
ipsy....... - finally got the courage to open it
Mer - Oh really? I haven't tested in several years
Mer - LOL---
Randi - We test
Tina - You could even use an informal reading inventory--even the Brigance
Mer - Who makes it? Name? Reading test...
Tina - We have to assess every 9 weeks
Randi - Sorry again--we test them to death here in GA
ipsy....... - testing is good......
Randi - There's the wood@#$% reading mastery test, too
Tina - Yes, we do Randi....I agree
Randi - I found a good on-line reading assessment the other day, too
Mer - I miss it. And our standards say "testing informs instruction."
Mer - I just read that....
Randi - Pretty funny what the computer does to our test name...
Mer - Where online?
Randi - The first time I thought it was Tina being funny
Tina - I use the WJRMT all the time. It's pretty accurate. I onlyl give it once a year, though. The kids remember it.
Randi - Let me see if I stuck it in my favorites...hold on
Mer - LOL....
Tina - That is funny!
Randi - I think it's www.readwritesite.com
Tina - ipsy, do you have to assess alot?
Mer - thanks!
Randi - hope it helps
Randi - maybe ipsy is adjusting her heat again
Mer - Ya'll I'm going to poop out tonight! I'll be back next week RESTED so I can hang in here! Thanks for your ideas.
Randi - Good luck, Mer...
Tina - oh, that's right......glad it's not snowing here!
Mer - Thanks!
Tina - bye, Mer
Randi - no, it feels like it could though...after 12 years in S Florida, this feels like the tundra to me
Tina - Randi, do we get our own hotel rooms at the academy, or are we getting roomies?
Tina - With all the work they're giving us to do, I hope they're giving us private rooms
Carol - Wizzle, are you still with us?
Randi - Good question--I have no idea. I got those first emails from Bill Landers at Kennesaw, did the initial online inventory, and never heard another word
Randi - Tina, do you have a laptop to bring?
Tina - Same here. I paid my $30, but they haven't sent the check through yet
Randi - I got my principal to pay the $30
Tina - yes, I do. I had to get one for the Knowledgeable Teacher course
Tina - My husband is also doing NB, so we invested in one.
Randi - They give them to us in Forsyth, but they are old and slow
Carol - For your social entry, did you videotape an actual social skills lesson with your students?
Randi - What does your husband teach? Mine's a science teacher, but has a master's in spec ed--that's where we met.
Tina - That was smart--I didn't even ask my principal--Rome City always tells us we don't have any money
Tina - I'm not that far, Carol!!!!
Tina - My husband's a science teacher--chemistry
Randi - Carol, I haven't videotaped yet, but plan to videotape a "peer support" session--where they discuss their strengths and weaknesses and what they need to improve upon.
Randi - Too funny! Mine prefers physical science. Sounds like we have alot in common!
Carol - Randi, that sounds like a great idea!
Tina - Well, I think I'll go finish paying bills, but Randi--keep in touch so we can meet at the academy. I'll look for you on here next week!
Randi - Paying the bills the day after payday! I personally like to enjoy the feel of money in my acct for at least a week... Good night Tina! Keep in touch!
Randi - Carol, where are you in all this?
Tina - Goodnight, all. Talk to you next week.
Carol - Randi, I've been trying to write on my entries 2 and 3 (some). But, I've only begun to do some videotaping. I find myself doing a lot of thinking, and not enough writing. What about you?
Randi - Yeah, I'm thinking way too much. I started writing entry 1, but decided it lent itself more to entry 2, so changed it all...
Randi - I haven't videotaped at all yet. I'm thinking 3 should be an easy video, because my kids are now used to these peer support groups
Carol - Yeah, it seems that once you get something figured out, you have another million questions!
Randi - I would like to have 2 and 3 done before Christmas, but have to really put my nose to the grindstone. I try to work 2-3 hrs a night during the week and leave the weekends free for my husband and kids....
Randi - What part of the country are you in?
Carol - In the peer support groups, do you do much instruction or do you act more as the facilitator? You are smart to work during the week. I have found that my weekends have been more productive so far. I live in Mississippi--what about you?
Randi - I'm in Georgia. I TRY to mainly facilitate in the groups. They are each paired up with a friend, and I bring 2 or 3 pairs together. First they discuss their progress with their partner, then we all come together, brainstorm, discuss, set goals, etc. They make notes and set goals, and a copy goes home for a signature. I have progress rpts from all teachers attached, so it keeps the parents informed, too. Killing 2 birds with one stone. I get with each group about every 2-3 weeks, depending on the kids
Randi - Sounds like a good deal for entry 3, right?
Carol - I think that sounds wonderful! You are definitely on the right track!
Randi - Something I was doing, anyway, so it was easy. I was just so sick of chasing kids around over homework all the time--this kind of puts it on them
Carol - I know what you mean about the h/w. So, is h/w completion a goal for some? Or part of many goals?
Randi - A little of both. When they look at their progress reports and have to get them signed, it's more motivation for them to keep up with it.
Carol - I'm excited because I'm coming to Atlanta for the Dyslexia conference in about a week.
Randi - Alot of their goals come down to studying and doing hw regularly, or coming to me for help if they don't catch on to something. I see alot of learned helplessness in some of them, and they have to start advocating for themselves--no one is going to chase them around in high school. Who is sponsoring the conference? Is it through Council for Exceptional Students?
Carol - It's the International Dyslexia Association. It's being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It's supposed to be wonderful.
