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Grace/IL - So, now, hi to Diane, Karla, Parker, Judy (again), KathyB & Sioux
Karla - judy - yes! I can't wait!
sioux - hi grace!
judy3ca - Parker, are you Amy?
Parker - No, I'm not Amy-Parker is my screen name-
judy3ca - Karla, we've had quite a few groups, but the most phenomenal was MOT.
kathyb1stia - Hey, the other Iowa Kathy is starting a MOT book group, too! She just sent me some website on line.
Grace/IL - Amy's a mystery, isn't she. Her hubby left us all wondering.
Karla - Judy - PLEASE....tell me more!
Karla - kathyb - can I have this website...or better yet, Iowa Kathy's email?
Grace/IL - (((Brad Dad)))
Parker - I was an LD teacher for 24 years, have been a reading recovery teacher for 2 years, and was asked to take over a third grade class just six weeks ago.
Karla - hi brad
judy3ca - Karla, in the beginning...the first year...we read one chapter a month and discussed it and tried it on adult text and shared what we'd done--it was just wonderful! How many are in your group?
judy3ca - Hi Brad!!!
brad - hello everyone
sioux - hi brad - been to the sorority house lately?
kathyb1stia - The other Kathy might join us tonight, but I am pretty sure she wouldn't care if I shared it on the ProfReading chatboard. In fact she is thinking that some of the members of the group might ask questions on the ProfReading Chatboard.
sioux - chuckle!
Grace/IL - Hey, I just got slapped on the Primary board for downgrading "cutesy activities."
judy3ca - Parker, is that good? I mean, is it good that you were asked to take over a class?
Karla - there will be 11 people (it will be interesting to see how many stick it out)...I fear some may be there for CPDU's! How sad!!!
sioux - So I am curious - is there a web site for MOT - or something that complements the book?
brad - Well I was shocked and surprised because I had heard it was coming, but never thought my admin would get it together. We are going to have a professional book club in my building
judy3ca - Kathy, thanks, I'd like it if you posted in on the board, too.
brad - You got slapped, Grace? I must read!
Grace/IL - Good for you, Brad!
judy3ca - Brad!!!! Hooray!!!!!! What book?
Grace/IL - Got called a "know it all."
Parker - LOL- I teach in a very small school. There was a need. I've been following MOT and STW for two years and really wanted to get my hands dirty.
Karla - sioux - there is a website for a mosaic group. I will find it, unless someone else has it memorized
kathyb1stia - Grace, by cutesy activities, do you mean Cereal Box Books Reports, or Characters in a Can, or California Mission structures?
brad - The book is Ruby Payne's Framework. I have my copy right here but haven't had a chance to peruse this evening. I'm still reeling
Karla - goodfor you Parker!
sioux - that's cool, parker!
brad - Ooh, Grace. What was the name of the thread?
judy3ca - Our site is at yahoogroups. It's called mosaicteacher
Parker - My county will not be funding the reading recovery position in my school next year, so.... If I want a job...
brad - Jan!
Jan - Hi, everyone!
sioux - The Ruby Payne book is quite good!
Karla - hi Jan
Parker - ... and boy, are my hands dirty!
brad - By the way, my wife came home with a roll of pix yesterday, handed me the CD, and said, "Here, go destroy everyone's Brad Schema."
judy3ca - (((Jan))) Hope you don't mind I called you "my mentor" on the chatboard.
Grace/IL - Nah, a teacher asked for "fun" math activities for a special remedial course. She didn't explain in her first post that it was for summer school.
sioux - Hey Jan!
brad - (judy, i call jan my mentor all the time)
judy3ca - ROFL, Brad, so let's see........
Jan - Hi, brad; Karla, sioux...
Grace/IL - So when are you going to post them, Brad?
Jan - Hi, brad; Karla, sioux...
Grace/IL - (((Jan)))
brad - I planned on doing it before I came here tonight, but wifey had computer tied up
judy3ca - Brad, good thing she is so good at mentoring so many of us at the same time, LOL.
Jan - Judy, I didn't read all the posts, but I'm honored! Which post is that in?
brad - true. LOL
kathyb1stia - Brad, we had people from Ruby Payne's come to my district twice. They were very good. My building did a book study and we learned a LOT! Kim1CA has one of my study books.
judy3ca - Jan, it's called Hooray for Kim or something like that.
brad - Kathy, someone came to our district too about a month ago, but I was unable to go. We had a snow day that day
Jan - There have been a lot of great stuff on the board lately. I need to spend time going through it.
Erin - Hi all!! Can't stay long. Just wantedto say hi
brad - hello erin
judy3ca - Hooray, Erin's here!!!!!!!!!!!
Karla - jan- me too...but when will I find the time!
Grace/IL - (((Erin)))
sioux - hey Erin!
Karla - hi Erin
Jan - Oops, that would be "has" not "have" Wrong tense.
judy3ca - boo hoo, Erin
brad - erin's gracing us with her presence
judy3ca - Erin, any news on your placement?
Erin - I know. I had a stupid "inservice" all day...and that's being generous. My husband and son just got home from motorcycle riding.
Karla - sorry about the face. It looks rather wicked (does that mean it is Friday after a LONG week at school?) LOL
Erin - Yes, brad are you honored?
brad - blessed
Erin - Don't know yet judy. Should find out in April for sure
judy3ca - ;-0
kathyb1stia - Brad, I think you will really like the book study. The book is an easy read. Perhaps someone from Ruby Payne's can come again. $$$
judy3ca -
Erin - Hi cavey!!!!
Grace/IL - (((cavey))) Are you dug out from the snow?
Karla - hi cavey
Jan - Hi, cavey
cavey - Hi Guys!!!!
judy3ca - Erin, that's probably good--I love April so it's got to be good luck, LOL.
judy3ca - (((cavey)))
cavey - had to catch the end of Jerry Maquire again!
brad - long strange week of passing around illness in my household
Erin - I hope so.....I need to start buying books for whatever grade I'm in
brad - Cavey, why him? YOU complete me.
Jan - Great. The "hail Madelines" will get you everywhere! The woman has power.
cavey - No more snow Grace, gonna be 60 tomorrow! Yahhhh!
judy3ca - Jerry Maguire was filmed in my hometown.
brad - Erin, I know exactly what you mean. If I had to go much higher right now, I'd freak over my book collection.
sioux - Hey , Erin - what a great reason to have to buy new books!
Karla - where are you cavey? I want it to be 60 here tomorrow.
Erin - LOL brad and sioux....
Jan - I did it again! Last message is for Brad. But, you all can use the advice.
brad - Speaking of brushes with celebrity, I see Jan's Man will be on TV this weekend
cavey - Oh Brad, Tom's a sweetie, but I'm sure he doesn't hold a candle to you babe!
Karla - wow! That is awesome judy. Did you get to watch any of it being filmed?
judy3ca - sioux and erin, LOL, that's it--I need an excuse to buy more books!
Erin - brad....I can still use the picture books for strategies, but will need books that go with Soc Stud and Science in fifth
judy3ca - (((nan)))
brad - Cavey, we got your 50/60 today. Supposed to get it tomorrow too. But back down to thirties for Sunday
Jan - The "real" Jerry McGuire lives in my hometown and is married to the daugher of a good friend!
sioux - hey nan!
Karla - hi nan
diane - hi everyone...thought i'd be chocolate tonight
Erin - It was about 70 degrees here today
naneb - good evening everyone
cavey - Hi Karla, I'm in VA
Grace/IL - Well, speaking of brushes with celebrities, I had lunch Tuesday with the mother of Robert Zemekis (Back to the Future director)
judy3ca - Karla, nope, it was after we'd moved up here. ;-(
Karla - hi diane
naneb - I had the top down on my car today
Jan - The McGuire story is this week's version of the Batman story.
brad - The snow actually melted enough, cavey, that I'm back in my garage
cavey - Jan, do you know everyone that's famous???
brad - First time since Valentine's Day
judy3ca - Jan, how can there be a real Jerry Maguire? What did he do really?
Erin - Grace...and you're still talking to us. We are honored
Jan - Hi, Nan
diane - jan, your brushes with fame are seemingly endless
Erin - LOL
Grace/IL - (((diane, naneb)))
brad - Really Grace? Interesting.
Karla - cavey - sounds like where I would rather be this time of year, although we almost hit 50 today! That was awesome, except I was inside all day.
Parker - Cavey, where in VA, I'm from the Richmond area, though I don't live there presently
Erin - Yeah, brad's wife had had it with him...OUT to the garage with you
Jan - diane, I'm so glad you noticed!
brad - And how did you arrange that luncheon, Grace?
cavey - Hi Parker, just north of there near Fredericksburg
Karla - brad - are you in the dog house again?
Karla - hi ginny
diane - hi ginny
cavey - ((little d))) didn't see you come in, it's crowded in here tonight
Ginny - Thought I'd lurk for awhile...
Erin - Hi Ginny
Jan - Isn't that the story based on the sports agent?
brad - LOL, I was talking about parking my car in the garage again! (sheesh, you people are a laugh-a-minute)
Grace/IL - RZs mom has the same hairdresser I do. The family had a summer home in our area and Mom lives here permanently now. We went to a funeral and sat together at the luncheon.
judy3ca - Hi Ginny!
brad - Ginny, long time no see
judy3ca - Jan, yes.
sioux - Hey -Cavey and Parker - I went to radford college and UVA and lived in danville, va for about 8 years!- small world!
Grace/IL - (((Ginny)))
Erin - Sure brad, we believe you (snicker, snicker) (wink wink)
diane - hi cavey...it is...lots of new faces!
Ginny - Hi all, came to see what was going on...
judy3ca - Hi diane!
Jan - Judy, based on sport's agent Leigh Steinberg of Newport.
cavey - Hey Sioux, I dated a guy from Radford, and I guess I'll just have to forgive your little UVA indescretion. I'm a Hokie!
Jan - Hi, Ginny!
diane - lol...hi judy...i guess i snuck in tonight!!
Parker - I lived in Charlottesville for seven years, took master's level classes at UVA, my sister and my best friend both lived in Danville for awhile. I live in NC now.
sioux - Wow, Cavey - my husband is a hokie!!!
judy3ca - Got it, thanks, Jan. And I was reading a book today that credited your Barak with a great list--loved it--of what good teachers do.
Ginny - Jan, so good to "run into ya here"...been awhile
Erin - OK told you I couldn't stay long. Give my love to Kim when she comes in. Talk to you soon
Jan - Judy, they filmed it from his office---those gorgeous views out the office window are Newport.
cavey - I'm originally from Martinsville.
brad - bye erin
sioux - when did you graduate - he graduated in '72
Parker - My sis is a Hokie!
cavey - Erin... don't go, I just got here!
brad - Is a Hokie something to be proud of?
Karla - bye Erin
judy3ca - Jan, and Renee Z's house was on a walk street in Manhattan Beach. We're linked!
cavey - Sioux. 85 and 88
Jan - Judy, I love Barak---he really keeps me on my toes about "evidence." Every wild idea I send, he writes back with "what is your evidence?"
sioux - oh - you guys are young things!
cavey - Yes, Brad, it is something to be proud of! Like being a Buckeye
Parker - LOL Brad- a hokie is someone who went to Virginia Tech
Jan - Oooh, I love Renee Z! Love Manhattan Beach, too!
Grace/IL - Is Brad a Buckeye?
sioux - brad - you don't know what a hokie is???
judy3ca - Jan, I'm working up to that (being completely evidenciary). But seriously everyone, I find myself quoting prof lit to people who don't read like you do--and they're listening.
Grace/IL - Well, there's the hokey pokey
Karla - that is exciting judy
Jan - Ginny, we should be in touch next week as our editing project begins. Just noticed it in my calendar.
diane - that's fabulous, judy...
brad - No, I don't know what a Hokie is!! A Buckeye, yes, in the fact that I'm in Ohio. No, in the fact I didn't graduate from OSU
cavey - Yes Grace, and you should see a stadium full of drunk college students doing it at one time
sioux - wrong hokie, grace!
judy3ca - Diane, maybe they're just stunned--and it looks like they're listening, LOL.
Ginny - Jan I have the email taped to my bookshelf so I won't forget the schedule for the editing.
Karla - judy- thanks for the great visualization! LOL
judy3ca - Where is Kim?????????
Ginny - I was curious if this group was really reading any one book. Thought I'd get a copy and join in.
cavey - Judy gives em that deer in the headlights look , then she walks quickly away
judy3ca - Karla, LOL, what I meant was that our talks are actually becoming part of my everyday conversation.
Grace/IL - Kim is basking in the success of her Chapman students.
judy3ca - That's me, cavey!
Jan - Ginny, just hoping she doesn't start to slash!
brad - Haven't heard from Kim since the Kwinzi incident
Karla - ginny - I am WAY behind as I am just tackling MOT for a book club. I have read it once before last spring, but am going through it again
naneb - Ginny, I don't think it is possible for this group to read ONLY ONE book!! LOL
Karla - LOL cavey!
Grace/IL - I'm still reading Kim's Block/Pressley book.
Karla - that is the vision I had!!!!!!!!
diane - kim has a message on the board that she'd be late
cavey - Judy, you're scaring me. These people aren't real til I've seen em with my own eyes
Parker - Judy-ROTFL- my principal just told our faculty we had to do STW study groups, I whoo hooed- the rest were totally silent- you could have heard a pin drop-
diane - ginny, i'm waiting for my revised taxonomy to show up...
judy3ca - Go Parker!
Jan - Ginny, we read about 10 at a time on the board.
brad - On the other hand, Michelle won't be here cause she's gone all Big-Fat-Greek-Wedding on us tonight! Oohmpah!
diane - way to be a pioneer, parker
Ginny - Yes, Jan I'm thinking that we may have a few too many words...but since we have 3 separate topics they may let it ride.
judy3ca - cavey, really, my next door neighbor described me as her 'teaching partner' Progress!
Ginny - Yes, Jan 10 at a time. I need only ONE, ONLY ONE at a time!!!!!!!
brad - (chomping at the bit to see this book collaboration btw. Jan and Ginny)
Jan - Ginny, I hope so!
cavey - Judy--- a voice crying in the wilderness
kathyb1stia - Parker, we HAD to do a book study this year of a book chosen for us. We did Quantum Teaching (I think that is the title... oops). Next week we are to bring suggestions for next year.
diane - well...i have to say, i'm thrilled to be having my national board paid for...
Ginny - Brad, we had fun writing it, but it is TIME, TIME for it to be done!!!
Karla - ginny - that is how I feel most of the time. I have so many books going at the same time, I sometimes forget which author said what.
Karla - hi sadie
cavey - Hi Sadie, I love that color on you honey!
Grace/IL - (((Sadie)))
brad - You are lucky Diane. I'm not quite ready to do it yet, although I considered. I'm going to wait another year or two
Sadie T - Hi Karla, hi cavey, hi Grace, hi Everyone
judy3ca - (((Sadie))) Sadie's here--let the revelry begin!
Parker - So, kathy, what did you think of it? I haven't read it.
Ginny - So how many are actually reading the taxomony book?
Jan - Ginny is right---time to get that book on the shelf!
Sadie T - There's revelry??
brad - Kathy, what did you think of Quantum Teaching?
brad - Have to wait until finances are in better shape to get taxonomy
diane - yeah, brad, that's true...definitely lucky. part of my timing has to do with oregon license requirements
judy3ca - Sadie, LOL, revelry follows you.
judy3ca - not me, Ginny
Karla - since you guys brought up the boards, what is everyone's thought on national certs vs. a phd?
Sadie T - LOL, I must not look behind me often enough!
cavey - Kathy B- are you doing the geriatric version of road rules with Kim this summer and coming to the lake?
Jan - Taxonomy is GREAT! Not an easy read, though!
Sadie T - That sounds like the revelry occurs when I leave...
cavey - LOL Sadie
brad - Karla, the diff to me is being paid. Certs are paid a stipend each year. There's no "step" on the scale for PHD's in the classroom
Ginny - Judy, what are you reading right now?
kathyb1stia - The book contains thoughts that aren't that different from what you have heard from others, but I was wanting something more to go along with Reading First, since THAT is what I will have to be doing next year!
judy3ca - rofl sadie
Jan - Taxonomy...Sadie and I are reading it and others have it in transit.
diane - karla, the diff for me is having it paid for...
Sadie T - Yes, I agree with Jan, Taxonomy is great but not an easy read
judy3ca - Ginny, I'm reading Routman's Reading Essentials still--very slowly because I'm in the middle of an NBPTS Pilot.
Sadie T - Not as difficult as I'd expected though, actually
Karla - brad- tell me more. I have not looked into certs...what is this about being paid? (I smell money!!!!!!!!!!!)
Jan - Hi, Sadie! Missed your entrance.
Ginny - Jan, can your email me the ISBN number?
cavey - B
kathyb1stia - Cavey, yes, Kim is coming here, then it is on to Grace.
Sadie T - Hi Jan! I just got here.
diane - ginny, my taxonomy will be here in a matter of days...
cavey - Brad, our district just cut the cert. stipend from 2000 to 1000
diane - lol...i ordered the taxonomy before my first reduced paycheck showed up...just so i couldn't change my mind
Karla - cavey - so are you saying it is up to each district?
Jan - Ginny, I will. It is a great book---if every teacher had that book memorized, there would be few problems in education. I'm sold on it.
Ginny - Judy, my favorite reading book is Improving Reading by Johns and Lenski...but it has been available for quite some time now. It has so many practical ideas.
cavey - Kathy, have you guys figured distance for all that????
brad - Karla, the stipend in my district for being NBPC (?) is 2500$ a year
diane - karla, my district will pay no more for my national board
brad - Reduced paycheck, di? why?
judy3ca - I don't know that one, Ginny--there are so many!
Ginny - Guess I'll buy a taxonomy book and join into that conversation.
brad - I'm trying to scroll back but is Jan "sold" on the taxonomy book
cavey - Karla, it's up to the districts here
sioux - i'm reading "If you don't feed the teachers, they eat the students" - it's actually right on the mark!
diane - brad...they cut my school year by 6 days (so far...could go up to 18)...got the first reduced on monday... couple hundred bucks
naneb - I get $6000 per year for being NBCT
Ginny - Judy, it was recommended by our state...so I bought it. I don't buy many books...but I did that one.
Sadie T - Yes Ginny, do join the taxonomy conversation!
kathyb1stia - Cavey, Kim was just asking me the same question! No, not yet!
cavey - Oh Nan, all that and Mardi Gras too!!!
Sadie T - Sioux I giggle everytime I see that title in the bookstore... never really looked at it though
nickname - hi
diane - jeez...i thought just getting someone else to pay the fee was good...i'm going to have to move where nan is!!
Karla - i know that certs are NOT recognized by our board
nickname - as anyone taken the rica video assessment?
naneb - it was well worth all of the work
Sadie T - Hi Nick
Jan - Ginny, great! We need all the conversation we can get on the Taxonomy.
Karla - hi nickname
Karla - I was excited, no I am sad
cavey - For 6000 at year, I guess so Nan!
naneb - Mississippi has one of the highest number of NBCTs
brad - wow, Nan, you get 6000??? I thought my 2500 per year was high
Karla - how long did it take you nan?
Ginny - I've decided it's time to for me to tackle some new ideas.
Jan - nickname, you must be from California, asking about the RICA.
sioux - well - i hate to part early, but our school is competing in science olypmiad tomorrow early - so i will say good night!
naneb - I certified the first year, thank goodness!
Karla - bye sioux
Grace/IL - 'night sioux
diane - night sioux
judy3ca - night, sioux, good luck!
Sadie T - Bye Sioux!
Karla - nan or brad or cavey - did someone have to present this information to the school board when they were the first to get certs?
nickname - yes Iam from California
nickname - I just found out that I did not pass today
nickname - ;-(
Karla - i am sorry nickname
naneb - my money comes from the state of Mississippi, my district does not give me anything extra
diane - nickname, what is the rica
brad - Karla I don't have NBPTC. Just know about my options for future
Jan - Nick - do not know anyone who has taken video assessment, but hear lots of stories about RICA. ARe you doing the video.
Life for a sec - sorry....nickname!!
Karla - so I should inquire through the state board?
Sadie T - Nan, so everyone who does it in Mississippi gets that money? No wonder so many people do it there!
Karla - gotcha brad
cavey - I don't know karla, why not check it out with your admin. Maybe you could break some new ground
Parker - So sorry nickname
Jan - Nick, sorry. You are not alone. When will you retake it?
Life for a sec - night..and good luck everyone!!! *is thankful to be retired*
brad - Yes, our "rlelatively high stipend" is the reason we have the highest NBPTC percentage for urban districts in Ohio
judy3ca - What is RICA?
Karla - breaking new ground in my district can be a challenge...rural school district set in their ways
nickname - I think that I will try the Video this time, I am not sure when i will re take it.
Sadie T - Nick, sorry you didn't pass. Did you do video assessment
Sadie T - Oh, you answered that
diane - karla, you probably already said this, but what state are you from?
brad - Karla, I think nan will tell you it's worth the process. I don't want to give you the idea I'm just money minded, I want the prestige and fame as well (LOL)
cavey - Karla, where are you?
Grace/IL - karla, where are you in rural IL?
Karla - diane - IL
judy3ca - rofl brad
naneb - Brad, mostly it will make you a better teacher, more focused and more reflective
Karla - I am from Decatur, IL...but I teach just north in a town called Maroa
cavey - Brad, you're already infamous here!
diane - lol, brad, even if i didn't have the oregon requirement, i'd be doing it for all of the glory as well
Karla - brad - is fame your only game??????
Sadie T - Judy - Reading Instruction Competence Assessment - new elementary teachers in California have to pass it to get credentialled
Jan - RICA is acronym for the reading test that preservice teachers must take for credentialing. Forgot what it stands for.
brad - Judy, are you board certified?
diane - nan, i'm curious about the assessment center...do they give you practice tests to study from?
naneb - my district has 35 NBCT
nickname - does any one know of a good web for the RICA?
judy3ca - Thanks, Sadie and Jan. Nick, maybe we could help you on the Prof Reading board--there are quite a few of us who are decent reading teachers.
judy3ca - nope, brad
Karla - i believe there may be a few (maybe two) teachers within Decatur that have their certs, so the concept is not discussed much in my neck of the woods
Grace/IL - Just found Maroa on the map. Are you going to IRC in Springfield?
brad - any reason, judy?
cavey - My district has 2, and neither one is me. I'm just certifiable
naneb - diane, I hated the AC and no there are no practice tests, I did exceptional needs and it is birth to 21 so it was tough
brad - need to be any more reflective?
diane - wow...nan. were there guidelines to help you prepare in any way?
Karla - grace - when is it?
diane - ((((kim))))
cavey - (((KIM)))
Grace/IL - (((KIM)))
naneb - brad, you will have no problem with the reflection part
Kim/1/Ca - ((((smooches))) Sorry I am late!
Grace/IL - Erin sends her love, Kim. She was here earlier.
brad - exactly nan. LOL
Karla - cavey - aren't we all certifiable?
kathyb1stia - Hey, Kim, Brad's district is doing a book study on Ruby Payne.
judy3ca - Was that 'reflective' remark for me, LOL?
Jan - Nick, do a google search. I know there is a good RICA site and that will turn it up.
cavey - Some of us more than others, Karla
Kim/1/Ca - Oh, I missed Erin?
diane - hi alta
Karla - hi kim
judy3ca - (((Kim)))
Alta Rose - Hi.
Grace/IL - Karla, March 20-22
nickname - thanks jan, i will try that now
naneb - diane, you get a booklet with sample prompts and I had questions that were very similar to the prompts, you just have to be prepared for anything, you do know the areas that will be covered
Sadie T - nickname, I think probably none of us here have done RICA. We discuss a lot about reading and you're very welcome to join us in that! But about the test, you might try asking on the California board - I know people have asked there before
cavey - Hi Alta!
Karla - hi alta rose
judy3ca - Hi Alta!
diane - thanks nan...that seems like it will be the most difficult part for me...
Kim/1/Ca - I have never had a student flunk the RICA.
Grace/IL - (((Alta))), Missed your entrance!
Alta Rose - Just got here, Grace.
Parker - Nick, these folks are good. Even if you find a good site, you should read the prof. reading board.
Sadie T - Nick, a lot of universities have RICA-prep classes - either short workshops or actual classes - have you tried that?
Jan - Hi, Alta, didn't see you come in.
Sadie T - Kim!! I didn't see you come in!
naneb - diane, I thought it was awful but they were some of my highest scores! go figure!!
diane - so...i attended a budget meeting at my district office on monday...things are not looking positive for my school...
Karla - grace - I only have one professional day remaining...I will have to look into it
Sadie T - Alta, I missed you too! Hi!
Kim/1/Ca - Just snuck in Sadie! I FINISHED the dang report cards and reached the bottom layer on my table. Room is SOMEWHAT organized.
brad - No wonder I hadn't heard from you Kim!
Sadie T - LOL Kim, I'm not sure my table HAS a bottom layer.
judy3ca - I'm going to...and I don't mind discussing it privately, but I don't want to jinx myself here.
brad - You all would be so proud. I went through all my piles and cleaned house Thurs.
Alta Rose - I envy you, Kim. (Just starting report cards.)
diane - judy??
Karla - kim - that is what I am working on...amongst preparing for the start of a MOT book club, and writing two midterm papers for the two courses I am taking! Whew!
Kim/1/Ca - The report cards don't take too much time. It is the PROGRESS reports that do me in.....
naneb - i print report cards next week!! it takes me forever
judy3ca - sorry
Grace/IL - How was Kwinzii this week, Kim?
Kim/1/Ca - I can relate, Karla. I stayed late to get SCHOOL school work done cuz I have a stack of midterms to grade and response logs to read..........
judy3ca - KIm, what a loveley job you're doing with your classes!
Karla - yeah Brad...you could drive my way with that newly garaged car and clean my house!
cavey - I want to be in Kim's class!
brad - I totally agree, Kim. It's those dang midterms that are hellacious
brad - Truth? Ass deep.
Karla - response logs are great, but sometimes they can be a nightmare to keep up with!
Kim/1/Ca - I am SO thrilled! You should see my little LOW SES kids' reading tests!
kathyb1stia - ME, Too (be in Kim's class)
Alta Rose - I'm going to log off for a few minutes. Hubby just got home. Be back in awhile.
Kim/1/Ca - (((Kathy BABY)))
Kim/1/Ca - Guys........I had a rough week. Kwinzi was REMOVED from school by a social worker.
Grace/IL - Oh, I"m sooo sorry about Kwinzi.
kathyb1stia - Hey, Kim, did you see Brad's district is going to do a book study on Ruby Payne's Framework?
judy3ca - (((Kim, oh no!)))
diane - ((((kim)))) so sorry
Kim/1/Ca - Rumor has it social services is relocating him to Ohio.......he's starting in BRAD's class on Monday.
brad - That's all i need, Kim
Karla - LOL Kim
naneb -
Karla - middleton, isn't it?
brad - He'd be right at home in my asylum
Kim/1/Ca - Seriously.......it threw me for a loop. I really love that kid. He may be a poop, but he is MY poop.
kathyb1stia - Hey, kim, I hear you. Mine says he is going soon, but HE SAYS he will be back!
Grace/IL - Jumping straight to second --- to Brad! Kim, you did wonders with that child!
Jan - Kim, how terrible!
Kim/1/Ca - Book study, Brad? Excellent (Mr Burns voice)
naneb - my troubled child is due back next term, he has been at alternative school
Karla - hi eilene
Grace/IL - (((eilene)))
cavey - Poor Kwinzi
Sadie T - (sorry - unintentional user-initiated computer error)
Karla - welcome back sadie
eilene - ((guys!))
Kim/1/Ca - I was making SUCH progress with him, guys. Seriously..............I cried when it finally hit me.
Sadie T - So, uh, did revelry follow when I left?
brad - Yes, Kim, book study. (Thank you, Wife has left!) Now I only have 499 conversations to follow.
diane - hi eilene
Jan - Hi, eilene!
Grace/IL - It's always sad when these kids are yanked from school. Sometimes one can just see that troubled look in their eyes.
judy3ca - good call, cavey, poor Kwinzie
Sadie T - What'd I miss - Kim what happened with Kwinzi??
brad - And I even missed Eilene's entrance. Hello Eilene
Kim/1/Ca - Hi eilene.....
Jan - Sadie what are you doing with this logging off and on?
eilene - that's okay, brad, i'm feeling ill and a little insignificant right now
Sadie T - I'm ADHD Jan
Kim/1/Ca - Sadie....his poor excuse for a mother flunked YET another drug test and still hadn't had the gas turned back on........freezing temps since Dec.
Grace/IL - What's wrong, eilene?
judy3ca - Hi Eilene!
Jan - Hmmmm, Sadie, I might have guessed that!
cavey - Hi Eilene
Sadie T - Wow Kim, that's horrible. And they took him from your class?
Sadie T - Eilene what's wrong?
Jan - eilene, what happened?
eilene - i have a terrible head cold, and am totally exhausted, grace. Can't wait for Spring Break! Oh, and thanks so much guys for the discussion on non-fiction strategies. am using them now, and the GG study is coming along nicely
Sadie T - Jan! It's not supposed to be so EASY for you to believe that!!
Kim/1/Ca - Yes.....I wished I had known cuz I would have at least walked him down and grilled the social worker.....I want to know where he is.
Karla - Kim - that is so sad. My heart goes out to him
brad - Eilene is studying GG? Oh, don't you love that Maurice Chevalier?
Kim/1/Ca - Thank you all. I appreciate it. To top it off, I lost Shoppel too.......mom got evicted. And he was FINALLY reading!
eilene - "Thank God for leeetle girlz"
Jan - Sadie, I saw the way you tackled that Taxonomy. That's ADHD!
diane - kim, it's so hard when you don't have advance notice...sorry
Grace/IL - What social service personnel don't realize is that they uproot kids from the most stable environment they have -- school!
eilene - GG= Gail Gibbons
Sadie T - One of my students was expelled today, not even for anything big, just one to many "small" problems
brad - LOL Jan
Karla - geez Kim, you have had a rough week
Sadie T - Ohhh Jan, the way I tackled the taxonomy was the result of the world around me being ADHD lately, not ME!! LOL
Karla - grace - you are absolutely right!
brad - (eilene, my wife is having us wake up to the Chicago soundtrack here these days)
Grace/IL - Where did Shoppel go?
Kim/1/Ca - But...the rest of the kids made up for it. They are reading beautifully. 13/20 above grade level.
eilene - It must be the week. I had a student steal from a gift shop from a field trip... all he got was a "talking to."
Kim/1/Ca - brb.....phone
brad - Eilene, that's because they need him to be in school for The Test
eilene - (brad, i'm listening to it right now. "Mr. Cellophane" is from my local neighborhood. May have graduated with my brother from hs)
brad - No suspension while The Test is being given
judy3ca - WOW! I don't have any ABOVE grade level!
Jan - Kim, that is remarkable. Congratulations!
Karla - LOL brad - sad but probably true
eilene - well, it's insane, brad. no consequences is what it is!
brad - Kim has too much energy. LOL
eilene - and The Test isn't until the 7th of April, the very day we come back from break.
Sadie T - We just gave our high school exit exam this week
Karla - eilene - what sense does that make? They will be comatose!
eilene - judy, how large is your class size?
Jan - How many conversations are going on at one time here? I seem to be having trouble tracking!
Sadie T - Jan, you must be ADHD
diane - jan...i thought it was just me
kathyb1stia - And, the first week of the TIME CHANGE! April 6th, I think!
eilene - exactly, Karla. every teacher knows that. then there's a week off, and then another standardized test. ridiculous
brad - Jan, you and me both tonight. (and i'm usually quite on top of it. blame the wife)
Karla - too many jan - we've all had way too much caffeine tonight (I am guessing!)
cavey - Me too jan, and I'm not drinking anything!
naneb - men always blame the wife
Jan - Sadie, I think you're right! And, I'm not drinking either, cavey, but I may start!
Karla - you tell him nan
eilene - maybe we should all be drinking something and then it will all make sense!
brad - Kim was bringing the drinks tonight, I believe
Karla - LOL jan!
judy3ca - Eilene, that's great, they'll be relaxed and you can see what they really know.
brad -on the wife
Jan - My thoughts exactly, Nan!
diane - our testing window starts the week before spring break...i'm opting for the 2nd week back
naneb -
Jan - LOL, Brad!
judy3ca - Eilene, that's great, they'll be relaxed and you can see what they really know.
naneb - we don't test until May
Karla - I will have to say that my auditory ability to track and participate in multi conversations is far better then my reading/typing ability
brad - Is Judy advocating serving drinks for testing, so they'll be relaxed and we can see what they really know?
eilene - I think so brad!
Sadie T - Nan, testing in May is such a great idea - more time to learn before the test....
judy3ca - I'm having computer problems--I'll be back....
Karla - hear, hear brad!
cavey - That's what I thought brad
Jan - Karla, I know what you mean!
Karla - do you think this will improve their scores?
diane - drinks to go with those darned peppermints?
naneb - I ran the item analysis on the test my kids took in January and they are not as bad as I thought, I forgot that 75% is mastery for this test so a 50% in January is not too bad
Sadie T - I had not realized how much I was focusing on this week's test, until I realized it actually feels different to be planning for what they're doing now - not having that deadline to try to get certain things "mastered" before the test
brad - nan, what test is it that you actually have an ITEM ANALYSIS? That might actually be helpful
Karla - that sounds great nan
eilene - oh, sadie, i know exactly what you mean! I can't wait for april, when the pressure is off, and I can get back to really teaching!
cavey - Me too Sadie. Got to make sure I cover all the correct terminology for the TEST
naneb - it is Standards Mastery from Rennaissance learning, it tests on our state standards and has a multitude of reports for teachers
naneb - we are going to use it 3 times a year
Jan - An item analysis is wonderful IF you can get one! You can on some standardized tests---if you know the right people!
naneb - I like it because I can really document mastery of objectives
brad - Well, Jan, you have a lot of famous connections, what with Batman, Jerry McGuire and all. Hook us up!
Grace/IL - eilene, in April you'll have the time change and kids will think of nothing but the end of school. At least that was OUR experience.
Karla - lol brad
brad - How long have you had it Nan?
Jan - Nan, a district here is using Standards Mastery.
eilene - sssh! we can't talk about judy now... darn!
naneb - I can get a printout for each question or for each standard tested for individuals or the whole class
Jan - Yep, a real eclectic bunch!
brad - So is Standards Mastery (SM) coordinated with your state testing?
naneb - this is the first year, my school is piloting it
judy3ca - Eilene, lol
Sadie T - Wow, Nan, that would be so nice to have
naneb - yes Brad
Karla - i still maintain that the kids will be comatose the first few days, and then they will move to a state of exhaustion in the latter half of the week due to their glazed eyes from staring at the TEST
brad - Now, THERE is standardized testing maybe even Alfie Kohn wouldn't have a problem with/
naneb - it is really designed to help teachers plan instruction
eilene - that's true, grace, but I will feel less pressure. I am so so SO tired of hearing about "strategies" on how we can improve our test scores. so tired.
Sadie T - We can get information by strand (i.e. a percentage score for word analysis, another for literary analysis, etc) but that's it
brad - eilene, there's been so much less talk about "test scores" this year and I am so so happy.
Karla - oh brad...Alfie can usually debate any issue!
eilene - judy, you know i absolutely adore you!
Jan - Alfie Kohn will not like ANY kind of standized testing. Or standards, for that matter.
naneb - it is done on a scantron and run through a scanner and you have almost instant results, kids can get a personal report too
Grace/IL - We'd go through the test results manually to identify items where kids needed help. It was a big task.
brad - Yes, Sadie, that's what we get, by strand (American History, Geometry) Way too generic to be of use
Karla - you hit that one right jan
eilene - brad, we actually got yelled at this past september about our scores. Yelled at.
Kim/1/Ca - Sorry....old teacher friend on phone.
judy3ca - Eilene, LOL, don't worry, I knew you were kidding!
brad - But are you last in state, eilene?
Grace/IL - Missed you, Kim, what happened to Shoppel?
Sadie T - Who yelled Eilene?
Jan - Nan, personal reports on Standards mastery are given to parents here. Teachers really like the whole process. Very expensive.
naneb - our state test scores are broken down into objectives too, like context clues, main idea etc
Sadie T - (I think Brad is PROUD of the status of "last in state") LOL
eilene - no, not last, brad. The assistant prinicpal yelled at us, Sadie. He doesn't want us to be a "choice" school.
naneb - my district has spent millions on the whole package Jan
brad - Oh Jan, those last two words killed it for most districts.
judy3ca - Brad, you're not gonna be last in state now that you and your teaching partner are instructing strategically!
Sadie T - Nan, can I move to your state?
Grace/IL - Kim, I got called a "know it all" on the primary board. You weren't here earlier when I mentioned it.
brad - (unfortunately Judy, we're the ONLY ones)
Kim/1/Ca - Shoppel's mom was evicted, Grace. She promised me she would bring him and he could stay with HER mother during the week. But.....she flaked. I am bummed.
eilene - oh, der! sorry brad. sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet, and the sick (ie me) cannot process sarcasm
Karla - judy - there is porbably some truth to that since the test designers don't believe in strategies
Kim/1/Ca - REALLY, Grace? WOW!
brad - (eilene, we are last.) (And yes, darn proud, Sadie)
Jan - Grace, you're kidding! I didn't see that post.
naneb - my whole state is not like this district, our new young superintendant is commited to reading improvement
kathyb1stia - Eilene, is a "choice" school connected to Reading First?
judy3ca - Brad, but two is a good start! And that can help whole school scores, right?
cavey - And by golly they know how to write some pretty darn impressive objectives too, Judy
eilene - karla, i was just about to say that! standardized tests are not conducive to strategical thinking
diane - grace! i missed that too!! yikes
Kim/1/Ca - Yeah, Grace, usually JAN gets that kind of flack.
Grace/IL - Yes, a teacher asked for "fun" activities for math and I directed her to the Prof Board.
brad - I really feel like with everyone's help on this board, I am going to really be flying high next year. You can't stop me. THis year was a real testing ground, both for me and in terms of my "challenging class"
Karla - nan- I am jealous
naneb - Brad, when you start at the bottom the only way you can go is up!
judy3ca - cavey, ROFL, there you go!
cavey - Well Grace, on that board, you ARE the know it all
Kim/1/Ca - Good for you, Grace!
eilene - kathy, a "choice" school is a school that performs so poorly, the parents have the choice of transferring the student out of that school into a higher performing school.
naneb - Grace!!! ROFLOL!! I bet she had a shock!!!
Jan - Grace, I read your posts always when I see them---you give some wonderful advice!
diane - lol, grace!! that cracks me up
Sadie T - LOL Eilene, I didn't realize what you meant by "choice school." It almost makes it sound like something GOOD.
judy3ca - like choice meat
Grace/IL - I thought I was being tactful but it backfired.
judy3ca - wait, don't say anything, brad
brad - Honestly, Judy, also, I really do think our new super and new board are making a lot of good changes for our district. A lot of grousing right now, so I hold my tongue. I know it's for the better in long run
cavey - Well Grace, you can sit with Brad in the doghouse for a while
Sadie T - I teach at a "choice school" too then
Kim/1/Ca - Jan, you will be proud. I pulled out my standards tonight and MADE sure I was hitting them. (I am)
kathyb1stia - Give my school three years and that might be my school, too.
Alta Rose - Oh well, Grace, you may have caused them to think about it, even if they won't admit it!
Sadie T - With darts, Kim?
judy3ca - Brad, it really is going to pay off--it really is!
cavey - Jan, I had MY standards out today too
Jan - The primary board isn't always in to "tact." I've seen some ugly posts over there.
Kim/1/Ca - We are "choice" too........trouble is, the surrounding schools are LOWER performing than we are....!
brad - (choice meat?) (and what's Judy saying to me?)
Kim/1/Ca - Yes, Sadie. Sharp ones. With Gray Davis's picture in the center.
judy3ca - (and I'm not even drinking)
brad - LOL, you all will love this.......
judy3ca - We went from a 10-10 to a 10-9.
Sadie T - Kim, the same here!! And some of the lower-scoring schools aren't "underperforming" and we are.
Jan - Hooray for Kim! And, cavey!
Sadie T - LOL Kim
Kim/1/Ca - That's why I steer clear of that board.....too negative and I really don't have the time, energy, or inclination to deal with that cr*p when I can find it in my own staff room. ProfBoard ROCKS!
brad - I was in my "class" to renew cert and the lit coach said that when the district comes around, they're looking to see the standards book ON YOUR DESK.....
Kim/1/Ca - We are a 5-9, Judy.
judy3ca - Go Kim!
brad - It's actually on the checklist.......
naneb - what is 10-9 and 5-9?
Kim/1/Ca - No....a 6-9
eilene - that's as bad as posting the standards on the bulletin boards for a display of student work
brad - (Like that insures coverage, right?)
judy3ca - Wow, Kim, that's great!
Sadie T - Don't even ask what my school is, DON'T EVEN ASK
Alta Rose - Good grief, brad.
Kim/1/Ca - Statistics, Nan........
brad - Now, here's the funny thing...... I ask my lit coach, "What do I do? I DON'T HAVE A DESK!!'
judy3ca - Sadie, would it make you feel better if I told you my old school in LA was a 1-1
cavey - Any board that would put down our Gracie is no place to be!
Jessica - Hi everybody
naneb - must be CA thing!!
Sadie T - Not much better, Judy...
Kim/1/Ca - But we are getting our hands slapped because our sub groups have DROPPED.....yikes. We bad.
eilene - you don't have a desk, brad? where's you're space?
brad - Yes, nan, that's why I'm avoiding the numbers talk
Alta Rose - Hi Jessica.
Karla - brad - did you get rid of your desk?
judy3ca - Sadie--well, I was very proud of the job we did there, 1-1 and all.
brad - yes, Karla. Took up too much room
Sadie T - You bad, Kim.
eilene - Hi, jessica
judy3ca - And I think they might have been up to a 3 last year.
cavey - Brad, make sure they're in your cubby
Jan - Judy, that is terrific!
naneb - I have a desk, have to move to a table to work though!! too much stuff on the desk!
brad - LOL, nan
brad - Cavey, they are.
Jan - Sadie, LOL! You and brad could do some collaboration.
judy3ca - Yes, Jan, it is terrific given our population--we are the hardest working staff I know.
Alta Rose - Well, if anyone came to my room, they'd find 4Blocks stuff and RWM on MY desk!
brad - My cubby is my closet, though. I really do use them, but LOL, I know they think I've stuck them in a closet like everyone else
Karla - brad - does it bother them if there is a layer of dust on top?
brad - Why am I collaborating with Sadie?
Sadie T - What are Brad and I collaborating on? I'm lost - must be the ADHD
Kim/1/Ca - We talked about Response on Wed night.....totally cool. I got more out of the Lucy Calkins book than the text.
eilene - on my desk they would see Reading Essentials, MOT, ATR, and all sorts of idea books
Kim/1/Ca - You hafta wipe the dust OFF the standards book every once in awhile, Karla.
brad - I love being desk-less karla
Jan - In the districts I see, the 1-1 schools have the best teaching by far! Unfortunately, many don't believe that, but it is true!
kathyb1stia - Nan,I like working from a table or student desk, as it keeps me closer to the students. I took out my desk, as it was nothing but piles. Now, I find other places for my piles! LOL
Sadie T - I do have standards on my desk
judy3ca - On my desk they would see piles of cr*p.
Karla - me too eilene!
Kim/1/Ca - I need advice........
brad - Good for you Kathy!! Me too.
naneb - I share a room with another teacher, I have no room for anything
Karla - oh, I do Kim...just giving Brad a hard time
brad - Love it Judy, cr-p, cr-p, cr-p
Grace/IL - On what, Kim?
Alta Rose - I have NO other places for my piles!
brad - Is it like 1-10 with 10 being good
judy3ca - My word of the moment, cr*p.
Karla - how big is your room brad and do you have other storage means? You are 2nd, right?
eilene - Alta, "when in doubt, toss it out."
cavey - I like idiot better myself Judy
Kim/1/Ca - I have a little girl in my class who has made remarkable progress. Her name is Dora and she is comprehending and fluent on a 7th grade level.
eilene - hey, i just noticed that nclb is another nasty four letter "word."
brad - 2nd Karla. What do you mean by other storage? I have one 7 foot by 5 foot closet in the back of the room and then bookshelves as windowsills that's all
Sadie T - 10 is good Brad
Kim/1/Ca - She is very motivated. I am giving her lots of picture books to read but trying to also introduce some chapter books.
Alta Rose - Eilene, I'm talking about piles I can't toss out. I toss all the time!
judy3ca - Kim, what are you using to measure that?
Sadie T - 7th grade Kim?? Wow, that's great!
Karla - i wish I could toss it out...I fear that I am a pack-rat!
Sadie T - Wish my students were at that level...LOL
Jan - In California a school gets two scores---one is how the school did, the other is how the school compares to other schools like theirs. Scores are one to ten, 10 being best.
Kim/1/Ca - IRI, Judy....I take it with a grain of salt.
cavey - Go on Kim
brad - At least you're not a pack-et, Karla!
judy3ca - Ah, thanks, Kim.
brad - interesting, jan. so.....I can believe you that good teaching is probably going on in 1-1's
Kim/1/Ca - She is lukewarm about Junie B. Jones and not interested in Nate the Great or Amber Brown.
Jan - It's good to be a 5-10, but NOT a 10-5
eilene - Kim, what about Harry Potter?
brad - Magic Treehouse, Kim?
Karla - please explain brad...it's friday and I am a little slow!
naneb - Kim, how about Magic Treehouse books? Do you think she could read those?
judy3ca - Jan, the uppity school in my district is a 10-4. Ouch.
brad - explain what, Karla?
cavey - Magic Treehouse?
Kim/1/Ca - good suggestion, nan.........i just couldn't THINK of anything.......
kathyb1stia - Kim, what about E.B. White?
naneb - they are easy chapter books
Jan - The finest teachers are in those low SES, ELL schools. The 10-10 schools in my areas are the ones where the kids came smart and this school has not destroyed that.
naneb - my kids love the Magic Treehouse books
brad - Jan, I will consider that a ringing vicarious endorsement. Thank you.
Grace/IL - Magic Treehouse books would be great!
cavey - Never seen a kid that didn't like Jack and Annie
Jan - Yes, Judy, we have a 10-2! Also uppity!
Alta Rose - What level again, Kim?
eilene - my kids too, nan. I love that the boy reinforces the idea of determining importance
brad - (I think many of those schools could improve by working smarter,, not as "harder" as they usually do. I know that's what I see in my building.)
naneb - my kids are fighting over them, trying to read them in order
kathyb1stia - My last gifted girl liked Roald Dahl.
judy3ca - Well, Jan, with the new ratings we could go much lower.
Jan - It IS an endorsement! And, you're welcome!
brad - And you HAVE to read them in order, nan
Sadie T - And those uppity schools are probably so very proud of their 10, right?
brad - Roald Dahl is good
naneb - I love Roald Dahl books too, The Twits, Esio Trot, Magic Finger
Kim/1/Ca - Well, she can read ANY of my storybooks out loud with fluency and comprehension. I was guessing 3rd grade but the Reading Lab gal IRIed her at 7th grade, frustrating at 8th grade.
naneb - we lost the #3 book and everyone was in a panic
brad - Kim, also try Time Warp Trio
Kim/1/Ca - OH yes! I have Matilda.
Sadie T - Yes, thank you Jan (Sadie suspects Jan is trying to make Sadie feel better)
Alta Rose - My son LOVES Time Warp Trio! How about Little House on the Prairie?
cavey - Don't forget Charlotte!
Karla - that is awesome Kim. What genre does she enjoy?
Grace/IL - There are several series in the bookstores. One deals with historic characters and she might like those. Can't remember the series but I saw them at Borders.
judy3ca - Wait a minute, Sadie! We're VERY proud of our 10--we have ELLs and lots of RS and we're working very hard to get that 10!
Jan - Oh, yes---they talk about their 10 all over town.
naneb - last year we did book club groups with Roald Dahl books and studied characters
brad - Kim, my daughter was placed about that level (not sure how) in 2nd. The trick is not what they CAN read (word-call) but what they SHOULD read and enjoy. Watch content.
cavey - Some of my kids like the American Girl series Kim
naneb - My America books are about 3rd grade level
Sadie T - Judy, I didn't mean a 10 was bad, or that you shouldn't be proud, I meant the ones that are low compared to similar schools
brad - And Lemony Snickett, Kim
Kim/1/Ca - I think the size of the chapter books might be intimidating her. She IS only in first grade. She loves picture books like Chicken Little, Cinderella, Piggie Pie, stuff like that!
Jan - No, Sadie, it is true. Our 1-1 schools are going up more than others, but they are still 1-1. The teaching is outstanding.
Karla - i agree brad. I am a little concerned with some of the Dahl books. The content can be risky for a 1st grader
Kim/1/Ca - Okay....American Girls and Magic Treehouse...I will pick a couple up.
Grace/IL - naneb, I think the My America books were what I was looking at.
naneb - I would let her read whatever she wants and try to get her to try an easy chapter book
Kim/1/Ca - I worry about the content, too........Lemony is very satirical.
brad - Kim, what about getting her into "I can Read's?" Like Arthur (the monkey) and Frog/Toad, Amelia Bedelia. They're like very early chapter books.
judy3ca - Right, Sadie--I was proud of our progress when I worked in the 1 school in LA.
eilene - well, kim, she can do a study of different cultural Cinderellas. the books are probably easy for her, but the thought process behing the project might be at her comprehension level
Grace/IL - Also, how about the Beatrix Potter books?
naneb - I am going to read the Civil War books with my 8th graders next week, tie into their history class
Kim/1/Ca - Oh, yes........I have MANY versions of Cinderella.
eilene - oh nan!!! Pink and Say!!! Pink and Say!!! Pink and Say!!!
Sadie T - at our last staff meeting an administrator announced that the reason we went down was not that we are doing worse, but that we have more hispanics than we had. I was so mad.
brad - Frances books by Hoban
cavey - Kim, how about Chris Van Allsburg if she still wants picture books
Jan - Judy, progess is the thing
brad - Sadie, she didn't say it like that, did she?
Karla - How about Nate the Great, Frog and Toad, etc.?
naneb - I am saving Polacco for the end of April, we are having an enormous Reading Rally on May 9 and I think she will be there
Kim/1/Ca - She has finished a lot of those, Brad. Good point about Amelia Bedelia, though.
naneb - Poppleton
Sadie T - She said that our scores went down because our demographics changed - more hispanics and fewer whites
Jan - My granddaughter LOVES Amelia Bedelia. She just informed me she has two more to bring down this week.
judy3ca - You know how when people yawn, you need to yawn? And when people talk about food, you get hungry? Well, you're talking about books, and I NEED to read. Good night, dear friends!
Kim/1/Ca - Thanks, Brad.......you guys the best.'
Kim/1/Ca - Thanks, Brad.......you guys the best.
Kim/1/Ca - (darn that clone)
Karla - I second eilene's Pink and Say!
naneb - Mrs. Bush may be coming and we will be on CNN
Grace/IL - Heading out, too.
eilene - oh, nan, if she comes I will be so jealous of you!
Alta Rose - 'Night, Judy!
Kim/1/Ca - Sorry, nan..........
naneb - night Judy and Grace!!
Sadie T - good night judy and grace
Grace/IL - 'Night all!
Alta Rose - Me too, Nan!
eilene - night judy! night Grace!!!
brad - What about those ones by (oh-can't-think-of-the-name) Mr. Putter and Tabby, Poppleton, Henry/Mudge..... what's her name?.......High Rise Private Eyes??.....what IS her name?.....
naneb - Kim, sorry?
cavey - Night Judy!
Jan - night Judy and Grace
Kim/1/Ca - You KNOCK IT OFF, BRAD!
naneb - Oh, Brad, ask Judy I think she knows!!!
Kim/1/Ca - About Mrs. Bush coming for a photo op.
naneb - oh OK
Alta Rose - Brad....Be nice...
kathyb1stia - Goodnight all... past my bedtime! LOL!
naneb - education secretary may be coming too
Kim/1/Ca - No, Kathy!
eilene - my third graders absolutely love Pink and Say
Alta Rose - Hey, Kathy, it was great to see you here again!
brad - LOL, to quote my kids this week....."Dang, she writes a LOT of books.."
Kim/1/Ca - Yes! I have that, eilene!
Karla - bye kathy
naneb - everyschool will have a tent with activities, the district is giving away 500 bikes to kids
Kim/1/Ca - What did you guys do to deserve THAT, nan?'
Karla - i want to know too nan
Kim/1/Ca - BIKES? How about BOOKS? BOOKS!
Jan - Nan, I'm impressed!
Alta Rose - One of my kids made an AWESOME t-t connection with Polacco's books yesterday. Totally unexpected.
naneb - I love Pink and Say too! I may read it to my 8th graders, that will probably shock them to silence!!! mmmmm! may need to do that everyday!
cavey - Brad, one of mine said, " Gee just look at this, Polacco, Polacco, Polacco, is that all you're reading?
eilene - to quote my kids at the aquarium "That's one big honking snake." in reference to the anaconda
brad - LOL, I love it Kim. (Promises...promises....education president, my a-s-s)
Kim/1/Ca - (Impressed, Jan?)
naneb - it is my superintendant , he is the best!
Karla - nan- in light of your spec. ed students, have you ever read Thank you Mr. Falker to them?
Karla - LOL eilene
Kim/1/Ca - I would be IMPRESSED if Allington, Pearson, Cunningham, STanovich, Mandel Morrow, Calkins, Wood Ray, et al showed up to read to my kids.
naneb - Yes, I have almost every Polacco book, I usually read it at the beginning of the year
brad - LOL, I'm working on being the Bruce Joyce of my building Jan, walking up to kids who are reading......you're insiduous I tell ya'
Alta Rose - My kids just watched the video of Polacco reading "Thank you Mr. Falker."
Sadie T - she/'
Karla - nan- I almost cry everytime I read it...it is so touching
Sadie T - oops
Kim/1/Ca - But some windbag politician who is looking to LOOK GOOD on T.V.? (snort)
naneb - we will do an author study with her books at the end of April, I have her video too
brad - I like Polacco, and would do more, but I leave that for the Third Grade because she is in the reading series there, so I shy away and just refer, maybe read one of them.
eilene - i cry everytime i read My Ol' Man.
Karla - when I read it to my 6th grade class this year, and I ended with the line that says...that reader was me...the room was dead silent and one student said, "WOW! That was REALLY you?"
naneb - I hope they get Polacco to come, it will be great to have just read all of her books and then to see her in person!
cavey - Now Kim, someday one of those kids can say "this is the hand that touched the hand that touched President Bush
brad - lol, Karla. That sounds like mine.
naneb - I love Chicken Sunday
Kim/1/Ca - what connection, alta?
Jan - Alta, where did you get that video? Sounds good!
brad - Chicken Sunday is the one in our series nan
Kim/1/Ca - I would PAY that kid to BITE the hand that cuts education funding.
Alta Rose - We were doing "questioning" with Appelmendo's Dreams. One of the questions the kids asked was "Why was the town so drab?"
naneb - the video I have she talks about bullying and different things and reads The Keeping Quilt
eilene - my students just love picking up the russian or yiddish from the books. I had kids saying "babushka" for weeks!
brad - hopefully they'll say that cavey for it's obscurity quotient as a president who's a footnote in history. (mmm....must keep political feelings to self)
Jan - Karla, LOL
Kim/1/Ca - DRAB? wow.........
naneb - My kids last year loved Babushka Baba Yaga
Alta Rose - I wasn't looking for answers yet, but Tasana piped up: I know why. They're just like the people in "Just Plain Fancy" who didn't like fancy things! I couldn't believe it!
eilene - (stands behind brad and his political feelings..... very far behind)
Karla - the student was very serious and the kids were surprised that the person was Polacco...and not me.
cavey - I'm afraid most all of them will be footnotes of late Brad
brad - ooh, Alta. Very good.
Jan - Alta, that is GOOD!
Kim/1/Ca - Awesome, Alta!
Alta Rose - I could have kissed her! Many of the other kids didn't even remember the book at first, but did after we talked about it a bit.
brad - I love it. I didn't even teach connections this year, and one of my students the other day, said, "That's just like Amazing Grace, Mr. Johnson" Loved it.
Karla - moments like that are when you want to jump up and holler, "Yes!"
Karla - way to go Alta!
Jan - Another favorite of my granddaughter---Babushka
Kim/1/Ca - Erin is coming to my class on WED night. we are covering the stategies..........I want to bring books that exemplify certain strategies. Any strong feelings?
brad - Kim, I have always liked "Angel for solomon Singer for questionign
naneb - I like An Angel for solomon singer for questioning
brad - or "All I see"
naneb - Brad, GMTA!!
Alta Rose - But you see, Tasana and Taylor are only 2 of 26 kids who can make awesome connections like that. But I guess they're good models for the other ones who will get it eventually!
Karla - what age Alta?
brad - We also used Van Gogh Cafe for questioning last year (Love that one, it's by that,.....oh, what's her name again?.....)
Alta Rose - Grade 2, Karla.
naneb - Brad, I am using that for inferrance and predictiong next week
Kim/1/Ca - (kicking brad)
naneb - oops!!
brad - nan, it's good for predicting, I bet, because of how each chapter ends.....
brad - I'm unsure why I love that book so much, but I do
naneb - that's what I thought, should be good and may do cause and effect too
naneb - I like to too, it is almost a mystery
eilene - grrr! our school library is sorely lacking in books by ... whatshername
naneb - I got Van Gogh's Cafe at the thrift store for 25 cents
brad - Our school library is sorely lacking in books. (period)
Karla - eilene - at least you HAVE a school library...rural school you know
brad - Jealous of Nan
Alta Rose - We did Angel for Solomon Singer last week, Nan. It was neat when one of the questions was: "Is the Angel Solomon's father?" I never even thought of that possibilty!
Karla - jealous of all those with a library
Kim/1/Ca - eilene! The ESIA Charter specifically forbids any disrespect for the best and most prolific children's author of all time.
naneb - I go all of the time and plunder through the books!
naneb - I read that on the ring and wondered how did they come up with that, Alta what a neat question
brad - (mumble, mumble,....must change charter....mumble)
cavey - Me too nan, got Missing May for 25 cents
Alta Rose - It was one clue, Nan. The waiter's voice was like Indiana Pines....
eilene - ack!!! kim, i was just honoring brad. as the token male, i deemed it necessary to follow his lead to make him feel loved
Kim/1/Ca - I DO hope that all of you changed your flowers on the classroom ALTARs for Rylant this week..........?
eilene - *he's the token male, not me....
Karla - i need to hit all the grarge sales and thrift stores this spring
naneb - now that Mardi Gras is over I can go again, we had parades every weekend so it made getting around difficult
brad - Oh, crap, I must remember to dust off the charter on Monday
Kim/1/Ca - You make him feel loved by pinching his.......uh........leg. (Yeah, that's it!)
naneb - Alta, I will have to read it again, I don't even remember that line
brad - nan, i heard mardi gras not a strong turnout this year
eilene - not his lower congo, kim?
Alta Rose - So it turned into a neat discussion. Some said Yes, because of that clue. Others said no, as they felt that the waiter would have identified himself as Solomon's father and said, "How are you doing, son?' LOL.
Kim/1/Ca - Alright, eilene.......but as a NEW member, I must warn you that disprespect for the most talented and creative of children's authors simply cannot be tolerated.
naneb - in New Orleans? I have never gone to it in NO we go to Biloxi and surrounding towns
cavey - It is very late - gotta go!
Kim/1/Ca - (Yes....the Lower Congo. That's it!)
brad - nite cavey
cavey - Goodnight Friends!
Karla - bye cavey...me too
Alta Rose - 'night, Cavey!
naneb - night, Cavey
brad - (Jan must be cleaning out closets again)
Alta Rose - 'night, Karla.
brad - nite karla
Karla - bye everyone!
Kim/1/Ca - What else.....for other strategies?
naneb - we are using Going Home for visualization
Alta Rose - Not familiar with that one, nan.
naneb - it is by Bunting about going home to Mexico for Christmas
naneb - very descriptive
naneb - my student teacher is going to do this for her unit
eilene - and huge t-s connections for my kids... every year they go home for Christmas
Alta Rose - Oh, I'll have to look into that...Bunting is great!
brad - kim, there's a very good list on mosaicteachers
naneb - using going home for fiction and a dinosaur book for nonfiction
eilene - but some of those books are hard to get, kim.
Alta Rose - brb
Kim/1/Ca - THANKs, Brad.....
naneb - she is going to read and have them draw and then compare pictures to each other and then to the illustrations
brad - And there's the list at the end of every chapter of RWM
Kim/1/Ca - OH YEAH
naneb - the artwork is fantastic too
Kim/1/Ca - (smacking head)
brad - The list on Mosaicteachers includes all the ones used in MOT and STW and RWM plus others people have suggested
Jan - Phone call taking linger than anticipated. Signing off, old friends. See you on the board.
naneb - the list on mosaic teachers is 48 pages, with some lesson ideas included
brad - Every few months I run off the list again. As far as I know it gets updated, correct?
naneb - I update it but that hasn't happened for several months, I will send an email when I have a new list
brad - (giggle) Isn't it amazing how quickly we HAVE become old friends?
naneb - I love that about this group
brad - (giggle) AND how I just giggled like a schoolgirl?
Kim/1/Ca - I just started "Learning to Read" by Allington. I finished Sea Glass and will find another Anita Shreve tomorrow.
brad - GMAO
naneb - love that too!!
eilene - i was wondring about that , brad.
Kim/1/Ca - Brad........did you just giggle?
brad - GOL
Kim/1/Ca - Blowing my BRAD schema!
naneb - ROFLMAO!!!!
brad - Brad Schema is being blown everywhere now thanks to no-good-nik wife
naneb - no giggling here!!
Kim/1/Ca - Brad........you DO NOT giggle.
Alta Rose - Plus there's this data base, Kim: http://www.u46teachers.org/mosaic/strategies.htm
Kim/1/Ca - Or chortle.
brad - I have been guilty of chortling, but giggling??? Naaah.
brad - Mostly I'm very prolific at sneering and guffawing
Kim/1/Ca - You guffaw.
eilene - alright. i'm out of here. temperature is running high, concentration at an all time low. bye
naneb - next year if I say that they want me to have another student teacher remind me to say NO!!!
Kim/1/Ca - You might even cackle....in a manly way.
Kim/1/Ca - Thanks, Alta.
Kim/1/Ca - Where are those pics, anyway?
Alta Rose - You're welcome. I've found it very helpful.
brad - I was uncontrollably laughing at my ESL girl today.
brad - Turns out she CAN drink water
brad - pauvre nan and her student teachers
naneb - why is that funny?
brad - It wasn't what I was laughing at Nan.
Kim/1/Ca - "Teacher, I can drink water?"
Kim/1/Ca - Who has the Brad PICS?
naneb - There are Brad pics?
brad - I had asked her to come up and get her paper and she just did the funniest walk and I asked her why she was doing that, and she must've been feeling really silly, cause she said, "That's the way I walk at home." I just couldn't hold it in any longer because her answer was so funny and the walk was so funny, and then she proceeded to walk like that for the rest of the hour.
Alta Rose - Today was nuts. The end of a week of inside recesses ;-/ and Beach Day to boot! But I got to intend an inservice. Using Music to Develop Literacy Skills. Very good.
brad - Jan has brad pics
Kim/1/Ca - LOL....We were doing math yesterday.
Alta Rose - That should have been ;-/
naneb - she needs to send them to me!! I will post!
brad - I wish I had tape on it
Alta Rose - Try again. I'll get it. :-/
Kim/1/Ca - And one of the problems was filling in the numbers to complete the pattern: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500.......
Kim/1/Ca - So we do that together then the next problem is to complete this pattern: 49, 48, 47, 46, .........
Kim/1/Ca - some of them don't get it so I go over it again and they start calling out the answers.
Kim/1/Ca - And I ask them....."How are we counting, UP or DOWN?"
Kim/1/Ca - No answer.....so I ask again, pointing to the number line. "Are we going UP the number line or DOWN the number line?"
Kim/1/Ca - Finally one of them says, "Down."
Kim/1/Ca - And I ask......."Okay, we are counting DOWN by.........?"
Kim/1/Ca - "We are counting DOWN by...........?"
Kim/1/Ca - (I want them to say, "by ones." I am getting blank stares.)
Kim/1/Ca - So I ask again: "We are counting DOWN by......." and Deshawntania calls out....
Kim/1/Ca - ".........THE BAY!"
Alta Rose - LOLOLOL!!
naneb - LOL
brad - Did you giggle or guffaw?
naneb - gotta go
naneb - night all
brad - nite nan
Alta Rose - 'Night, Nan!
Kim/1/Ca - I hit my head against the wall. And then I started laughing.....quietly. But they all knew and pretty soon I was laughing out loud.
brad - I had to ask who passed gas today
Kim/1/Ca - and they told you........?
brad - LOLOL, so funny, ROFLMAO......hold on....
brad - Okay, well whoever it was had been doing it ALL DAY, and I mean, ALL DAY........
Kim/1/Ca - (I can relate.)
Alta Rose - LOL!
brad - Well, at the very end of the day, while waiting for buses, some kids were "discussing it"......
brad - And I walked right by them and BOOM!
Kim/1/Ca - I bet...........!
brad - walked straight into a "cloud of fumes"
Kim/1/Ca - BOOM?
Kim/1/Ca - Oh man...........
brad - I was trying to be kind........
Kim/1/Ca - An SBD? (silent but deadly)
Alta Rose -
brad - And said, "I don't know who that is, but it's been all day, LET'S just say someone really needs to watch their diet...."
Kim/1/Ca - i can't stop laughing........sides hurt
Kim/1/Ca - ouch
Alta Rose - LOLOLOL!
brad - ROFLMAO
Kim/1/Ca - Kwinzi could clear a room.......I am not kidding.
brad - giggling, guffawing, chortling......
Kim/1/Ca - So can Luis.........on command. One of his better qualities.
Kim/1/Ca - ROFLMAO.......seriously.....
Kim/1/Ca - GGC
brad - And I had a psychologists meeting with a parent this week......her breath was like a rotting potato that had smoked a pack a day for thirty years.
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