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mama k - does your school use AR?
mama k - im in northern indiana
Pogo/MS - We are starting to use it....I can't think of the name of it, but it is something like AR.
Pogo/MS - Library is in the process of being automated and in the process of getting a program like AR.
mama k - we are thinking about getting scholastic's version. just wondered if it its worth it. :-)
Pogo/MS - What's the name of it....I believe that is the program.
mama k - lol i cant think of the name of it right off hand.
Pogo/MS - Mama, are you Catholic?
mama k - yes - cradle catholic. :-)
Pogo/MS - We converted from the Episcopal Church 2 years ago.
mama k - thats interesting pogo. their services are so close, arent they?
Pogo/MS - Yes, very close.
mama k - what about you, disney? what and where do you teach?
Pogo/MS - The Catholic church reminds me of what the Episcopal church was when I was growing up.. it has changed quite a bit.
disney cathy k/pa - I teach kindergarten at a Catholic school in central PA
mama k - i love kindergarteners!! wouldnt want to teach them, but they make me laugh.
Pogo/MS - Do y'all do any special units during Lent?
mama k - it sure has pogo. mostly for the better i think. not soo hooked into guilt and sin now. lol
mama k - we are doing stations on Fridays, special morning prayers, and we are doing a "penny war" collecting for leukemia
Pogo/MS - I can't touch on anything special at my school that would make others feel not right about Lent....but I try to explain to them about it.
mama k - what are you all doing disney?
Barb/2/NE - Mama K, we did the pennies for Leukemia too! We raised alot of money!
Barb/2/NE - Hi Maria, how's everything in Star City?
mama k - i know. i cannot believe how much these kids are bringing in!!
maria433 - fine Barb, how are you?
mama k - hi maria. where are you from?
maria433 - Lincoln, Nebraska, mama
Barb/2/NE - Good, are you all having a good lent at your school? We have different 5 feet paper crosses outside every classroom door.
mama k - ahhh. there is a star city about 20 miles down the road from us here in indiana lol
maria433 - we had to decorate our doors with St. Joseph
disney cathy k/pa - We are having the Stone Garden that will turn into the flower garden
Barb/2/NE - Mama, I hope the "Rice Bowl" will bring in as much, we raised $2500 for Leukemia!
mama k - why?
disney cathy k/pa - I posted the idea at the Private School chatboard
Barb/2/NE - Disney Cathy, loved your stone garden!
disney cathy k/pa - Last year our school brought in 1000 dollars for the rice bowl
maria433 - Our school is St. Joseph and his feast day is Mon.
mama k - thats a neat idea disney.
disney cathy k/pa - Thanks,Barb
disney cathy k/pa - Maria do you get that day off?
Barb/2/NE - Maria, did you do any art project for St Joseph?
mama k - gee barb thats great. it is a lot of fun and i think our teachers are more vicious than the kids lol
maria433 - no, we do get tomorrow off though
Pogo/MS - Way to go Cathy! :-)
maria433 - Barb, each class decorated their doors
Barb/2/NE - We have tomorrow off too, Maria! I'm attending an Adult spirituality course tho!
maria433 - hi rmankus
disney cathy k/pa - Thanks Pogo. We had a contest among the grades and that did the trick!
mama k - this is off the subject but do any of you use a good grading program?
rmankus - hi
carol - hello everyone I just figured out how to do this. I'm a rookie.
maria433 - where is it Barb?
Barb/2/NE - Yes, Maria, each class decorated the wall next to their door with a large cross,ie Jeruselum cross, Irish cross, Easter Cross, etc, than......
rmankus - hi carol, me too, never been here before
disney cathy k/pa - Hi rookie Carol. Glad you stopped by. Where and what do you teach?
Barb/2/NE - we fill a basket in our room with dogwood blossoms of good deeds, and after lent(Easter) we will tape the blossoms on the cross!
maria433 - where is the conference Barb?
carol - I've taught Kindergarten for 10 years and moved up to 3rd this year. I must say I love the change.
disney cathy k/pa - Barb that sound neat! Save that for next year.
Barb/2/NE - Maria, our conference is at Roncalli!
mama k - thats a neat idea barb
maria433 - sounds good Barb, who is the keynote speaker?
disney cathy k/pa - Caol ...Really? I have taught k for 24 yrs.
carol - where are you from rmuankus?
rmankus - I'm from St. Louis. teach 5th grade
Barb/2/NE - Maria, I forgot!
maria433 - that's ok Barb
maria433 - we are having so many Lenten seminars here in Lincoln
mama k - i teach a split 5/6 rmankus
Barb/2/NE - We have a sister school from our town, a school with a lower income, and we help them in anyway we can financially, but we also send cards for special events, their first Communion is April 15th, any ideas on cards or gifts?
rmankus - do you like a split class? how does it work for you?
Pogo/MS - Do any of you videoconference?
maria433 - cards shaped like chalices, Barb
mama k - ive been doing it for 10 years. i like it. takes time to get the hang of it, but its like multi age and looping all wrapped up into one. lol
rmankus - is this a small school?
mama k - with those little lapel pins attached
disney cathy k/pa - Barb, could you make Cross bookmarks as cards? The kids could decorate them and put Jesus Loves you OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT
Barb/2/NE - Maria, That was our first thought too! Great minds think alike!
maria433 - good idea mama
mama k - ours is. we are a small rural town with average enrollment of 50 :-)
maria433 - oooo good idea disney cathy
Barb/2/NE - disney cathy, I love that too, we only have to make 20 and I have 31 kids!
Michelle/1-2/IL - wow - that is small - I work at a school with under 90 K-8.
disney cathy k/pa - First yr. ever ...I have a waiting list for next year! We only take 15 for each session.
carol - what religion series does everyone use?
rmankus - oh wow, and I thought we were small with 167!
maria433 - those bookmarks are soooo pretty
Barb/2/NE - Our school is K-8, 520 students, class size 32 and below
rmankus - we use Benzinger
mama k - is it half day cathy?
maria433 - Our school is preschool through 8th, 500 students
mama k - lol
disney cathy k/pa - mama, no I have two 1/2 day sessions
Barb/2/NE - rmankus, we use Benzinger for the 5th grade "facts of life" talk, my son's going through it now!
disney cathy k/pa - Our school is ps-8 and we have 250 students
carol - we use Benzinger for family life also in 3rd grade
mama k - we went full day 2 years ago - it seems to work well.
disney cathy k/pa - We use Sadlier/Ginn series
rmankus - we use the benzinger family lie as well
rmankus - oops I meant life not lie
Ro - HI all I am in NY and teach gr2 This is the 1st time I have joined a chat.
carol - We are looking at a new series for next year. Any suggestions
disney cathy k/pa - mama, I can see that might happen at my school sometime
mama k - lol this was the first year i had to teach that. was one time i just couldnt bring myself to draw the diagrams on the board lol
maria433 - where in Ny Ro?
maria433 - I am originally from Queens!!!!
mama k - we use sadlier too.
Ro - In a samll upstate town 1/2 way between NYC and Albany
Barb/2/NE - Hey everyone, I've got to log off to make a phone call, I'll try to come back after the call, night for now and God bless! @~~>~~>~~
maria433 - lol@mama
mama k - i think you will like it cathy
disney cathy k/pa - mama, do you like the way the pages are in a tablet form?
mama k - by barb
Ro - We use Sadlier and are looking to change to Benzinger nest year
maria433 - bye bye Barb, have fun tomorr
rmankus - does anyone know where I can find some information that would support grouping 3rd grade with 4th and 5th? We ahve a teacher who is being harassed by a parent because 3rd grade is "too hard"
Ro - One thing I got for my class this year is is the Gospel weeklies from Phlaum. They are very good and the children love them
mama k - hmmm, mine arent disney. lol maybe its not sadlier. its our first year with this series and im not really crazy about it, ....whatever it is.
rmankus - this parent thinks that it should be k,1,2, 3 and then 4 and 5
disney cathy k/pa - mankus,sorry I don't know any sources but 3rd is hard !
rmankus - why is 3rd hard...what do you mean?
maria433 - 3rd is a real transition
mama k - its one of those transitional years rmankus
disney cathy k/pa - mankus, it's a transiton grade ...from primary to almost intermediate and the work does get harder.
carol - I agree with 3rd grade, but they still love their teacher!!!!
mama k - the set up for the texts are different - its preparing them for upper elementary - they have to start to study more - the social studies and science is more difficult
rmankus - right, wher can I find data to support this teacher. she's going to leave, and she's one of the best teachers we have
maria433 - rmankus, does your principal have the data?
rmankus - I am sooooo tired of PARENTS!
disney cathy k/pa - mankus,tell her to hang in there that the yr. is nearly up
rmankus - our principal is working really hard to blow this parent out of the water...I was just wondering if I could be of some help
carol - Don't you wish we had a parenting class in college????
maria433 - she shouldn't leave because of parents
disney cathy k/pa - mankus, I know What YOU mean about parents, Some are a real pain!!
maria433 - I agree carol!!!!
rmankus - this is the kind of parent who calls all the other parents in the classroom and is ALWAYS stirring up trouble
disney cathy k/pa - Mankus, oh,your principal should be right on her tail for doing this!
Martha - This is neat! Does anyone have a St. Patrick's Day poem to share?
maria433 - rmankus, this parent needs another outlet for her energy
rmankus - i know she shouldn't leave....but this parent is really making her life a living ----. She's only been teaching three years
mama k - there has to be one in every school or it just wouldnt be a good school year lol
maria433 - Martha, I don't, but I bet there would be great links to some on T-Net
mama k - sorry martha. and i just deleted a newsletter with a whole slew of st paddy's sites.
rmankus - well thanks for listening...I've enjoyed sharing with you folks....but report cards are calling
maria433 - lol@ Mama, but it is true
Martha - Thanks Maria. Tomorrow I'm having St. Patrick's Day pie and punch!
disney cathy k/pa - het maria, you are always saying prayers on t.net and I thank you for the ones I have posted.
maria433 - Martha, try surfthekids.com
mama k - i would rather have a parent who is crabbing about me from home than put up with a kid all day in my class that has that attitude
maria433 - you are more than welcome disney cathy, any time
carol - I too have enjoyed all the great ideas on the chatboard. Thanks to everyone for sharing
Martha - The pie is simple. Add 1 tablespoon of pistachio pudding mix, milk and coop whip!
maria433 - mama, I hate attitude
mama k - im glad our report cards are done. do you all ..coop whip???? lol.... have a good grading program you use?
Martha - The punch is 1 can of limeade, 1 liter of 7-up, 1 qt. vanilla ice cream. And I'm on a diet! lol
maria433 - mama, I am back in the old days, I still use a book
mama k - oh so do i maria..and i make sure all of my little lambs know it from the first day of school. :-)
disney cathy k/pa - matha, what grade do you teach? My little ones don't like P istachio pudding
carol - Does anyone have any special activities planned for tomorrow?
Martha - What is everyone doing to celebrate the feast of St. Joseph? Any ideas?
maria433 - ohhh me too mama, from day 1
Martha - I teach second grade
Ro - My Irish friend is coming in and will tell us about Ireland
disney cathy k/pa - Lucky Leprachaun is going to pay a visit to the room and leave some gold!
maria433 - Martha, our school is going all out, because he is our patron saint
Martha - I'm afraid they won't like it so I'm calling it green pie! LOL
Ro - We are also watching RIVERDANCE
mama k - you me too maria and i want to do computers. my calculator buttons have seen better days
maria433 - lol@mama, you should see my calculator!!!!
mama k - cool ro! our big activity is....if you wear green you dont have to wear your uniform. lol
Ro - we are dong a shamrock glyph
maria433 - we have off tomorrow!!!!
Martha - Ro, the one on the Primary Chatboard?
carol - A long weekend..........sounds so good maria
Ro - We are expecting 2-4 " of snow... maybe no school
maria433 - it is Carol, I am looking forward to it
mama k - oh be quiet maria. lol. we only have one more week til spring break!!!! yay!!
maria433 - snow??? where are you Ro?
Ro - I have not been to the primary chatboard. The glyph I have comes from a seasonal book of g's
carol - So, anyone have big plans for spring break?
maria433 - mama, we don't get Spring Break till close to Easter
Ro - I am in Millbrook NY
mama k - yes. i do. i do. we are going to myrtle beach.
Ro - Onlyuy to ragain my sanity
mama k - maria, we started school aug. 18 and get out may 25. we are do for a good week
maria433 - that is what I thought ro, I didn't hear about snow for NY my parents are there
Ro - 5ths disease has benn running around the school
maria433 - you are right mama!!!!
maria433 - oh no ro!!!
mama k - what is that ro?
disney cathy k/pa - Here too Ro and our ps teacher just found out she's pregnant!
carol - Same with 5th disease at our school. We've had a pregnant teacher quite upset
Ro - 5ths is a strange rash and fever. The K teacher got it wqas was out for 3 weeks
maria433 - it is a very strange disease
Ro - It hits adults very hard.
mama k - hmm that does sound bad. okay.. i wont complain about the head lice which has been rampant this winter
maria433 - do you guys do anything really interesting for Catholic Schools Week?
maria433 - we always seem to get into a rut there
mama k - bingo...it is a very catholic game. lol
carol - All I remember is how exhausting it all was.....SIGH
Nancy - sorry to arrive so late (it's only 6:45 in Calif! and I just got home.) Any exciting topics I missed? :)
disney cathy k/pa - maria, we haven't had our CSW yet! We have it in May!!!
maria433 - lol@mama
maria433 - wow disney cathy
mama k - we are having a spaghetti dinner with a talent show afterwards, an invention convention and a vocations day
disney cathy k/pa - Bingo ...would you believe that a person emailed me and asked if there was bingo at DISNEY WORLD
maria433 - ours is always in january
mama k - ...and bingo
Ro - We read for 2000 minutes, made an igloo out of milk jugs NS DID SAINT REPORTS for CSW
mama k - lol cathy
disney cathy k/pa - i know we will have a talent show
maria433 - lol@cathy
mama k - we postpone ours til april because of the weather
maria433 - we have a talent show too
carol - Do teachers participate in your talent shows?
mama k - oh we are having guest readers come in
disney cathy k/pa - same with us mamak
maria433 - carol, no
Nancy - one year we asked parents, friends, etc. to send in a paragraph or two about their own Catholic education and what it has meant to them...hung them in the halls
mama k - our teachers and priest...but we are arguing about our music. lol
maria433 - we have a volleyball game against the 8th grade though
Nancy - the paragraphs, not the parents. I'm tired.
mama k - thats a good idea nancy
Ro - May I ask if you think your school is always nickol and diming the families? We have had 3 fundraisers this week alone
carol - We lip synced Sister Act one year......a hoot
disney cathy k/pa - carol, one teacher has always wanted to do the Nun song that they sing in Sister Act
maria433 - lol@nancy!!!
maria433 - hi cathy
mama k - we did used to do that ro, but have backed off and gone to a schedule
carol - We did and dressed the part.
disney cathy k/pa - Ro, that is what Catholic school are for! LOL
maria433 - we used to also Ro, but we have gone to a program called scrip
mama k - so did we carol! i want to do grease, but we are thinking about writing our own words to mambo #5
disney cathy k/pa - I had a parent tell me that his child would be a great saleman someday!
Ro - I think I got kicked off
carol - mama isn't it great for the kids to see you out of character!!!!!!
maria433 - I love it carol
Nancy - we also use scrip. it's been a great fundraiser, but we are worried about its future.
maria433 - sometimes they don't think we can laugh
mama k - yes, and for them to see father d. out of character lol
carol - script here too
maria433 - it has been good to us Nancy
ro - What is scrip
maria433 - lol@mama
mama k - well kids, i have social studies tests to grade. :-(
maria433 - ro, it is a program where if you shop in certain stores or restaurants, the schools get a certain percentage
mama k - this has been fun though, thank you
maria433 - nice to talk to you mama!!!!
Nancy - scrip is like selling gift certificates. School gets them at discounted rate sells them at face value.
carol - hope to chat again with you mama
Nancy - at least that's how it used to be. now things are getting electronic. anyone else use schoolpop?
ro - That sounds like a good idea. Where can I get info about this
mama k - you too. you take care. good night
disney cathy k/pa - My husband just said it's 10:00 ...time for bed. Have a great day tomorrow!! It was nice chatting with everyone. Take care now.
maria433 - take care mama
maria433 - bye disney cathy, take care
maria433 - ro, your chancery should have info
maria433 - if not, e-mail me, and I will tell you my address
ro - Will check it out
carol - We have a lot of the big chain stores on our scrip list so it's quite profitable. (like Red Lobster, Menard, Wallmart, Bath and Body works, etc.)
maria433 - it is a good program
maria433 - we do too carol
carol - It was hard to get our program started. I think it takes awile for it to catch on. We also let parents use their profit to pay tuition
ro - Time to go... Thanks for all the info. HAve a good week and Happy St. Ptrick's day
Nancy - scrip has been very profitable for us. but our big grocery chains were the biggest part and they are changing their rules
maria433 - Happy St Pat's Day ro
Nancy - so we anticipate less income now
maria433 - oh, Nancy, I hope ours don't change their mind
carol - Does anyone use Accelerated Reader. WE are just starting this at our school?
maria433 - it has been soooo profitable for us
Nancy - the big stores have put caps on how much scrip we can buy and have reduced the percentage given back to us reduced the profit
maria433 - I don't carol, sorry
Nancy - we are also now using schoolpop and i'm curious to see how that will go. I alone should raise quite a bit for my school with my amazon.com purchases!
ro - We don't use AR but I do 4 Blocks. Does anyone else?
Nancy - Yes!!! 4 blocks!!!
Nancy - ro, where are you? what grade?
carol - Please explain 4 blocks
ro - I am the only one and I feel like I am in the closet!
ro - I am in upstate NY, Nancy
Nancy - 4 blocks is a framework for organizing the literacy instruction.
ro - No one here does it. and I love it. and my cherubs love it
carol - I've heard of it but wonder more specifially how it works for you
Nancy - Each day there are four "periods": guided reading, independent reading, working with words, independent writing
ro - There is a ring and tons of materials for it.
carol - I'll have to check it out. I often feel so overwhelmed trying to fit it all in
ro - Right here on teachers.net
Nancy - I teach first. 4 blocks "does it all" for my kids: helps me teach in a multilevel way...
Nancy - organizes my planning, lets all my students move as fast as they can...
ro - I will never go back to groups. When I see what thee children are reading and writing it amazes me
ro - NAncy where are you located
Nancy - Yes!!! me too!!!
Nancy - Ro, I am in San Jose, CA. Grade 1-3 use 4blocks in my school. Three other schools in our Diocese use it too. We are all nuts about it.
ro - NAncy too bad you are so far away
Nancy - I need to leave, but Ro, or anyone esle interested in further 4 blocks ideas, etc. please email me at NancyD9047@aol.com
Sandy/K/MO - what are you all doing for a Lenten project?
ro - I am using the phlaum Gospel weeklies
ro - I also have stations book for the cherubs
maria433 - we are doing Stations, prayers that each class is leading in the mornings, private adoration during the day
maria433 - the students each made their own station books
Sandy/K/MO - We are doing Stations and collecting things for the Ronald McDonald house
ro - I like that Maria
maria433 - they came out very well ro
Sandy/K/MO - I do too the sta. books would be a neat idea for the older kids
ro - MAria do they draw their own interpretation of the station, you collect then at the end assemble?
maria433 - yes they do
maria433 - and then we assemble them
ro - My class would love that. Thanks
maria433 - they write their own prayers too
maria433 - they really come out very nice
ro - I am enjoying the chat but I have to go. I hope we can get together again
ro - HAve a great week and Happy st. Patrick's day
maria433 - me too this has been great
maria433 - have a great week
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