Join a Mailring at the
Teacher Mailring Center
http://www.teachers.net/mailrings/
Mae - MOT reading /writing chat - let's roll...
Carol - I'm so excited. I've just started reading MOT.
Carol - I can't put it down.
Mae - It's a great book. I had to give mine back to its owner - I guess I'll break down and buy it for myself.
Carol - I feel like I know what is going on from reading the board.
Mae - It's exciting to be at the forefront of the best instructional methods, and really be able to see the results.
Carol - I can't wait to get started next year.
Mae - Do you have Strategies that Work?
Carol - Yes. I bought many of the books you discussed.
Carol - I've just been waiting for summer to have time to read them!
Mae - I haven't been able to get to it yet because I just couldn't hold off of Wondrous Words!
Carol - I'm embarrassed to say that I bought it too!
Mae - I have all of my summer reading books ready to roll. Summer doesn't begin for me until after tommorow - teacher's work day!
Carol - I was at a college for a teacher's conference and found it in the bookstore.
Mae - Don't be embarrassed. Wondrous Words is WONDERFUL!!!
Carol - I finished on Wed.
Carol - Not embarrassed to have it. Embarrassed that I've spent a ton of money this year!
Mae - Today was our last day of school. Yippee! I had a unique bunch this year.
Carol - I'm itching to get Debbie Miller's book, but I'm holding off on it!
Mae - Well, yeah, but don't tell my husband how much.
Carol - What made them unique?
Mae - I plan to get DM's book as well. There is another - Text Forms and Features (I can't think of it now) that I want.
Mae - 7 are ADHD!
Carol - Wow! You had your hands full!
Carol - I'm sure I've asked before, but what grade do you teach?
Mae - They informed me that they were born in the year of the monkey - I believe it!!! LOL!
Mae - 4th
Mae - What grade do you teach?
Carol - LOL!
Carol - I teach 3rd.
Mae - Which state?
Carol - NC.
Carol - You're in Texas, right?
Mae - I won't be able to stay long - I have to report in the morning! Yes, Texas.
Carol - I'm not staying long either. My son is having pictures made early.
Carol - I'm looking forward to getting more involved in the discussions after I read more.
Mae - I finally make it here and the crowd dies out. Where is everyone?
Mae - The discussions really help to solidify your thinking.
Carol - Ask and ye shall recieve!
Brad/3 - Well, it's Friday, let the dishtowels begin!!
Brad/3 - I am starting to think about next year.
Kim/K/SCa - Me too.......been perusing catalogues.............yikes.
Mae - I'm still thinking about this year - I have to WORK tommorow!
Brad/3 - it has been a rough year. I've learned so much and can't wait to try some things on a new bunch
Carol - I can't believe you have to work on Sat.
Kim/K/SCa - Why do you have to work, Mae?
Mae - Teacher work day to finish out the year
Kathy/IA - Dishtowels? Did I miss something???
Brad/3 - Interested in how you all begin the year (baseline assessments, procedures, etc.)
naneb - on Saturday???
Kim/K/SCa - I have spent HOURS and HOURS packing my room. Sigh................. Beth and I are "divorcing." "Did you buy this? Or did I?" "Are these YOUR pom poms?"
Mae - Standards (rules), procedures and routines first.
naneb - I teach special ed so I do lots of assessment at the beginning of the year, I get the new 6th graders so we have little information
Carol - NC gives a pretest.
Kim/K/SCa - Mae! Where have you been? The mother hens have been worried.
naneb - now, we just need Jan and Judy
Carol - We also do DRA's and other assessments
naneb - and alta rose
Mae - Kim- I've been having a pity party. I've been chewed up and spit out in the rumor mill. Decided to come up for air.
Kim/K/SCa - Uh, oh..........sorry Kathy. I thought you were MY Kathy from Iowa.
naneb - Mae, I have been there too, you just have to turn a deaf ear and forget them
Kathy/IA - When I was in the classroom, I did as Mae described: standards, procedures, etc... I would also give the Basic Reading Inventory.
Kim/K/SCa - I worried it sent you into a huge migraine or something.
Mae - It did...
Kathy/IA - I am a Kathy from Iowa ...
Ginny - Hi All, just dropped by to see what is going on!
Mae - We have the STAR test now, so I will give it right away next year.
naneb - I do some informal running recors with leveled readers and then the STAR test for accelerated reader
Ginny - Hi Mae, good to talk to you!
Kim/K/SCa - Well, yes, Kathy, you are..........indeed!
Kathy/IA - I think we chatted once before about your friend from Iowa.
naneb - I don't like it Mae but I have to give it, it tests mostly vocabulary so my kids do poorly on it
Kathy/IA - Isn't she the one that has worked with Emily, also?
Carol - I like the STAR test, but it doesn't always match to the results I get from DRA's
Mae - Ginny - I'll try to remember to grab a copy of the rubric tommorow. I could snail mail it to you.
naneb - we give the STAR three times a year
Kim/K/SCa - Yes.........I was confoozled. Easy to do, Kathy!
Ginny - Okay, Mae, whatever works easiest for you
Rudy - Hi MAE. Sorry you got roasted. I have had the experience myself, numerous times. Not fun.
Kim/K/SCa - Yes Kathy. She should be here...............
Kathy/IA - Does anyone know if Jan is coming tonight?
Ginny - Carol the STAR reading test does have some flaws.
naneb - I have kids who have B in regular 6th grade social studies who test 1.0 GE on the STAR
Mae - The STAR has been updated. The new version is better.
Kim/K/SCa - I hope Jan makes it. She usually tries to pop in on us.
Carol - Good. I'm glad to hear it, Mae.
Kathy/IA - What part of Iowa is she in? What school district?
naneb - we have the newest version but it is not good for LD kids
Ginny - Oh Mae, we've all been there at one time or another.
Rudy - Don't know the STAR??
Mae - I just had my little bubble burst. I thought that I had found heaven at my school, but in reality, people are people, and there are rotten apples on every tree.
Kim/K/SCa - Ottumwa.......
Ginny - Oh, but it would be important to know what version you have.
Ginny - I'll email Jan and try to get her to check in.
naneb - I just updated all of the computers to the newest version
Rudy - I was in Ottuma once!
Kim/K/SCa - Mae, I am stepping into that abyss myself. I was heavily recruited by my new district. They SAY they want me for all the right reasons. But .................... I am not a Polly Anna....................I am hoping for the best.
Mae - I have been tutoring a very, very low reader. The STAR showed two months growth for two months work. It's just the documentation I need for parents that came attached w/a lawyer.
Kathy/IA - Ginny .. are you the gal from KS that is writting writing with Jan?
naneb - I think it is okay if you remeber it is designed to give the independent reading range and not anything more than that
Kathy/IA - sorry about the "double writing"!
Ginny - Yes, Kathy...It is I.
naneb - cannot type tonight
Mae - I have decided to just shut up, stay to myself, and do what is right.
Kim/K/SCa - I think the STAR is a "snapshot."
Ginny - Jan and I are writing a book on classroom management for ASCD
Kim/K/SCa - Don't shut up too much, Mae. What you say is valuable.
naneb - I agree Kim and it does give a range for AR books
Kathy/IA - Question ... but first, are these sessions in the archives?
Ginny - STAR is a vocabulary use test, not a comprehension test.
Kim/K/SCa - Yes........it is one of SEVERAL assessments one might do to get a "picture of literacy."
Mae - If you give the STAR, use the ZPD to help kids select books for indp. reading. They will grow for sure.
naneb - exactly, Ginny
Kim/K/SCa - I think they are Kathy, so you can't swear.
Carol - I agree, Kim.
Kim/K/SCa - (((Jan!)))
Mae - Jan and Ginny - when can I get my book?
Kathy/IA - HEY JAN!
Ginny - Yes, STAR has real value, but if you feel that a score is way off base, don't feel like adjustments can't be made.
Kim/K/SCa - Jan and Ginny..........will you autograph OUR books????
naneb - I am going to really be organized in my assessment and records next year
Ginny - Hey Jan did you get my email!
Jan - Kathy! Just got your email...
Ginny - Oh Kim, we will have so much fun pretending to be famous!
Kim/K/SCa - And no steenkin' autograph stamp either. and you better say something like, "to my DEAR friend, Kim,.................."
Jan - I was summoned here by Ginny. I had forgotten---thanks Gin.
Rudy - MAE, I have convinced a few teachers to read and apply professional materials. Keep up with the talking. It's for the kids!
Mae - You will be famous to us!!!
naneb - you can use it to show growth too, just don't expect that the grade equivalent is exact
Kim/K/SCa - Yes, Rudy is right, Mae.
Ginny - Book will be the membership book for ASCD and will be available in September...isn't that right Jan?
Mae - Ginny - my workshops got cancelled :0(
Jan - We'll autograph anything!
Carol - I can't wait to get it, Ginny!
Kim/K/SCa - How did you know ASCD won'tleave me alone. They interviewed me once for an article about Kinder. Now they want me to join.
Ginny - I'm so sorry, Mae. It was about reading! You would have had a great workshop.
Mae - I want a page long autograph!
Kathy/IA - Hi Jan ... glad the email is working!!!
Jan - I think it is Sept--at least, in the fall.
Kathy/IA - Hi Jan ... glad the email is working!!!
Kim/K/SCa - OOOOOOOhhhhh, if MAE gets page then so do I.
Kathy/IA - REALLY ... September???!!!!! Glad I updated my ASCD for the book option this year!
Ginny - Kathy, got your note just now. Email me anytime.
Carol - Me too!
Mae - I think they messed up - we just got the books to sign up last week. Most of the traffic is from other districts.
Ginny - I was telling someone that I guess I'd better pay my membership to ASCD!
Kathy/IA - Thanks, Ginny
Mae - Do I need to join ASCD and get in the book club just to get your book? I will you know!
Kim/K/SCa - The last class meeting for my credential class is next Thurs. I am writing the final this weekend............. I think it went well.
Ginny - No, you will be able to buy the book, Mae.
Kim/K/SCa - What happened to your workshop, Mae?
Mae - I think that I will write a book this summer. Anyone have any ideas?
Rudy - One teacher that has bought in to reading and applying is now thrilled about what her new sense of what being a teacher really means. She says she now really knows some strategies to really make a difference in children's lives.
Ginny - Mae, they told me that the workshops for Six Traits were nearly full...
Mae - It didn't make.
Kim/K/SCa - "The Art of Lunchroom Gossip."
Carol - That's great Rudy. I wish I could convince my colleagues to do more professional reading.
Kathy/IA - That's wonderful, Rudy!!!
Jan - Kim, what a great title for a book. I'll buy one!
Kim/K/SCa - "How to Stuff 1 Ton of $%&! into a Public School Classroom."
Ginny - Oh, Mae, how about applying the theories of reading...saying it in plain language!
Mae - I sent my check in today. I had signed up on the internet. If they send my check back - I'm coming anyway! I'll pass out your handouts and call myself an assitant!
Ginny - Yes, Mae, You'll be my official assistant!!!!
Kim/K/SCa - "How to Talk to your Administrator Without Using Terms Which Might Confuse Him/Her."
Carol - Hi Sadie.
naneb - How about what they don't teach you about being a teacher
Carol - I like that one, naneb
Mae - LOL!
Ginny - I really, really hate books that are full of double talk. I'd much rather read a book that cuts to the chase and Mae I think you could do that with reading.
Kim/K/SCa - "How to Write Memos to the District Office Without Relying Upon the Words 'Silly' and 'Illogical.'"
naneb - I think we could all write that book!!
Jan - Hi, Brad!
Mae - I've thought about it.
Brad/3 - An honest book, no dishtowels or perfectly executed lessons
Kim/K/SCa - "Using CLONES to Give Standardized Tests."
naneb - I would like a really practical nuts and bolts kind of book about reading
Mae - That's the ticket naneb - we will make this the Friday night book writing session!
Brad/3 - hey, jan, finally "here"
Ginny - How about "Cut the Garbage, Trash the Jargon"
Sadie - Love your book titles! LOL
Kim/K/SCa - Oh, you want a READING book title. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...........
Jan - The memos one is good, Kim. Wish I'd had it this afternoon when I wrote to the supt about silly and illogical decisions
Carol - There you go, Ginny!
Rudy - I want to write a book too!
Mae - Jan - I read your post today. Thanks for the advice. I'll take it.
naneb - a book written for a real teacher with real kids not some perfect school somewhere
Kim/K/SCa - ((Brad)) Been reading?
Brad/3 - How about "Accountability: Isn't it Time We Held Administration More Accountable in addition to Teachers?"
Jan - Mae, I just sent you more advice by email
Kim/K/SCa - Naneb..........now WHATEVER do you mean? (wink wink)
Brad/3 - spank me kim, no
naneb - How about How to Treat Your Faculty Like Professionals!!
Sadie - Naneb I agree, a lot of books DO seem to be written for a perfect school
Jan - I'm the Ann Landers of T-Net.
Brad/3 - (1 1/2 days)
Mae - How to Read so that your Kids will Listen
Kim/K/SCa - You dog! Arf arf.......... I RACED to the postal place to mail you that book!
Mae - That you are Jan - but better!
Kim/K/SCa - Jan, you ARE the Ann Landers of Tnet. And well-respected, I might add.
Brad/3 - you know how it is those last few days
naneb - they forget that not every child has a wonderful family, most of my kids don't have books at home
Ginny - Jan or should I say Ann....
Kim/K/SCa - Rub it in...........
Sadie - the Jan Landers of Tnet
Kathy/IA - Probably Ann and Abigal all rolled into one! (Ann and Abby)
Brad/3 - I caught a glimpse of the new Katie Wood Ray online
Ginny - You guys, I have a test to take! At my age, a test to take on STATISTICS!
Rudy - How do you do that MAE?
Mae - I need this chat - everyone is here, but I have to get up and go to SCHOOL on a SATURDAY because it's our teacher WORK DAY! ARRGG!
naneb - Anby!!
Kim/K/SCa - Of course you did, Brad......thought you had NO TIME to read?
Rudy - Terrible news Ginny!!
Mae - Rudy - what did I do?
Sadie - Mae how did you end up with a teacher work day on a SATURDAY??
Kathy/IA - or Janby
Brad/3 - I can read email, KIM!!
Ginny - Hey Mae, It is soooooo good to have you back.
Ginny - Yes Rudy, I don't like tests.
Kim/K/SCa - I am sorry, Ginny. I commiserate.
Mae - Ginny - I just learned that I will be the OLDEST on my team next year!!!
Rudy - How do you read so kids will listen?
naneb - what are you doing at school on your last day, Mae??
Mae - It's either Sat. or Monday. Today was the last day of school.
Ginny - Oh really? Mae, just think young!
Rudy - My last day was today!!
Carol - Animate yourself and the kids pick up on it.
Mae - I have a 5 year old - what else can I do?
Ginny - Yes, I can see Mae how it might be nice to just get done, but when I was teaching I loved my Saturdays!
Kim/K/SCa - Now, Mae........I have you pictured in my head (my MENTAL IMAGE) as being 25.
naneb - I am just hoping that I am teaching reading next year!!!
Brad/3 - Commiserate? Kim's pulling out the big guns tonight
Jan - Mae, you don't know what old is!
Ginny - Yes, Mae, are you going to tell us your age?
Kim/K/SCa - Or is it commisurate..............?
naneb - Rudy, pick a book that will hold them spellbound!!
Sadie - I haven't read ANY of the books you guys have been reading. What should I start with?
Sadie - Now that I have will have time after next week to read them...
Kim/K/SCa - Mosaic of Thought or Wondrous Words.
Ginny - Kim, I thank you for your sympathy.
Brad/3 - Holding Them Spellbound: The Art of Reading Aloud by Mae
naneb - Sadie, read Mosaic of Thought and Strategies That Work
Jan - Hey, Rudy and naneb are talking about reading! Is that why we are here? LOL
Carol - What grade do you teach, Sadie?
Mae - I'm only 35. Can't you see my pain? My team is already calling me Granny!
Kathy/IA - MOT will give you a good solid background for the rest.
Ginny - Hey, I'm ready for Wondrous Words...
Rudy - I'm confused, I think. I thought MAE was talking about a book she'd like to write on reading to kids.
Kim/K/SCa - Hi Mir....!
naneb - I am staying on task!!0
Sadie - I teach high school ESL
Carol - I hope not Mae. I'm feeling older by the minute!
Mae - Rudy - that is just ONE of the books I would like to write!
Jan - That is quite a fete, naneb!
naneb - oops! it didn't work!!
Brad/3 - Ginny, just write stanines and standard deviation, that should pull you through, LOL
Kim/K/SCa - Being in here is kinda like having an A.D.D. experience, Rudy.............
Mae - Ginny - read WW before you come. It's really good.
Jan - Wondrous words arrived today!
naneb - it is darn near impossible, Jan!! LOL!!
Sadie - grades 9-12, reading levels k-7!!
Kim/K/SCa - Yeah Ginny......."mode," "mean," and "median."
Ginny - Brad, how cute, can I tell my teacher you told me to?
Carol - Wow!
Rudy - LOL, Kim!
Brad/3 - Commiserate? Fete? We're all pullin' out the Funk-n-Wagnall's tonight
naneb - Mae, if you are old at 35 then, I am ancient!!!
Mae - I can keep up Kim - I had SEVEN, yes, count them, SEVEN, severely ADHD kids this year!
Kim/K/SCa - ....and when you think of standard deviation, just think of Brad. Kinda like a memory trick.........
Jan - Brad, this is a literate community we have here!
naneb - Sadie, I teach LD middle school, reading levels 1-5
Rudy - I've got to get that Wonderous Words!
Ginny - Mae, we are not going to confess our ages...at least I'm not. I'm probably one of the oldest here.
Kim/K/SCa - You had seven, Mae. I had CARL.
Brad/3 - go right ahead Ginny, throw in something about norm-referenced for good measure
Ginny - I'm starting reading it. I think I'm open to some new ideas.
Mae - I had MAX. He is moving. 5th grade is celebrating tonight.
naneb - I had a whole roomful of kids who could not sit down or stop talking!!
Carol - You all are making my kids sound better by the minute!
Kim/K/SCa - I just LOVE Wondrous Words.
Sadie - Naneb have you used MOT (etc.) with your students?
Ginny - Okay, Brad, I fee bette all ready...Thanks Kim I'll use those words too.
Jan - I need a tranquilizer to keep up with this chat
Brad/3 - moi aussi naneb
Kim/K/SCa - I heard about Max. Condolences, Mae.
Mae - I think that WW fits beautifully with 6 traits.
Rudy - LOL, MAE!
naneb - I started some this year, I was amazed at how well they did
Brad/3 - sorry, jan, you can always count on me and kim to keep 5 conversations going on at once LOL
Kim/K/SCa - I need a 6 traits workshop this summer, know of any here in CA Jan? Ann?
Jan - Thanks, Kim---are you speaking of Ginny;s and my "wondrous words?"
Rudy - I'll get it Kim. Really sounds good!
naneb - they started the year hating reading and ended up fighting over books and asking to read during free time!!!
Kim/K/SCa - HE started it, Jan!
Mae - Hey Kim - come to Texas - Ginny is!
Ginny - This is a serious comment. I've been researching (that's what college does for you) and one of the biggest errors writing teachers make is lack of feed back.
Kim/K/SCa - feedback?
Jan - I don't hear much about 6 traits out here.
Carol - Hi Alta Rose!
Ginny - And the feedback missing is in Ideas and Content and Organization.
Alta Rose / 1 - Hi, everyone!
Mae - Jan - it's just now getting a little buzz in Tx.
Ginny - Then on top of that conventions improve greatly because that is the common feedback.
Kim/K/SCa - ((Alta Rose!)) ........... tell us more, Ginny
Brad/3 - can you go further with this, ginny (be quiet everyone!! LOL)
naneb - Ginny, I think you are right and I think kids need to share with each other, my kids would write so that they could read their story to the class
Ginny - My research has shown that the most common feedback of content is clarify.
Kathy/IA - To many times I see teachers just giving "fluff" comments - like "good job", "Nice writing" - instead of feedback that will help develop the student's writing skills.
Jan - "Feedback is the breakfast of champions?" Always ready with a quote....
Ginny - We teach editing, but not revision.
Kim/K/SCa - I used WW a LOT when I covered writing in the credential class................ it was so helpful. But I am curious about this feedback..........from who?
Mae - Speaking of feedback...I picked up on something really good at a reading conference. The teacher made feedback cards to give to audience members who listen specifically for what was on the cards and give feedback to the writer/reader.
Kathy/IA - Good point, Ginny
Brad/3 - give an example, please, Ginny
naneb - I really saw growth in my student's writing by using writers workshop and conferences
Jan - Specific feedback has one of the highest effect sizes of any teaching strategy
Ginny - Well, a teacher might say, "what did you mean here"
Ginny - That's clarify and it is on content, but it is the lowest level of content
Sadie - If the feedback isn't specific they don't know how to improve their writing...
Brad/3 - and that's a good thing, right?
Kim/K/SCa - feedback...student-student, teacher-student..............?
Kathy/IA - Could you give an example, Mae ... that sounds like a great presentation strategy to add to my bag of tricks!!!!
Sadie - knowing SOMETHING is wrong with it doesn't help because if they knew WHAT was wrong, they wouldn't have written it that way in the first place!
Ginny - So, what we are not doing is saying is how student could improve the action information in the writing piece.
Rudy - When I have kids edit I always have them read for meaning the 1st time and then read to make their writing better with the 2nd read.
naneb - I have found at the middle school where I teach that most reg ed language teachers are stuck on grammar and punctuation
Mae - Actually, I didn't get her cards (bummer), but it occurred to me that I could do the same thing with specific attributes of the 6 traits.
Kim/K/SCa - okay.......so doesn't the idea of using 'read aloud' to constantly model good writing help with setting the student up for feedback?
Brad/3 - I think I understand you Ginny. Could you give us an example of this more "specific" praise?
Jan - Think about this. Bruce Joyce says a writer only revises at the sentence or paragraph level. That does not get at focus and organization. To reach those two, you have to teach the new skill and then have students write a new piece incorporating it.
Rudy - We talk together on the better part according to a thought evident in their writing. Is that what you mean about feedback?
Mae - Kim - if we point out and NOTICE specifics about the read aloud, especially if it's something we want our kids to do - that would be feedback. Right?
Brad/3 - We have a lot of good ideas here (Ginny, Mae, Jan) and I'd like to keep them all straight.
Alta Rose / 1 - naneb, it's the same here. And we've learned from collegues who mark provincial exams that content and punctuation weighs very little when they mark the writing!
Ginny - Well, if I really wanted to help a student improve content, I might say...Is this order the most effective way to present this material (change wording to grade level).
Jan - Give it up, Brad! No one can keep the ideas straight!
Brad/3 - I'm interested in what you're saying Joyce says, Jan. Can you elaborate too
Ginny - If I see they have good ideas but need development, I might write, This is interesting, can you give me more detail?
Kim/K/SCa - yes Mae, I think so......but I think Ginny is talking about the actual student writing...........I am trying to hop aboard a fast-moving train.
Brad/3 - OK, (whew!) then I'm okay, Ginny. LOL
naneb - Ginny, I tried all year to get my students to the point where they could do this with each other but it never happened, do they just need more practice or is this asking to much?
Jan - In my own writing, I do find that if I really need to refocus or organize, I do have to start over completely. I can't do it with revision. I am too stuck in the old mode.
Ginny - Yes, but what many teacher do is correct spelling, etc. and call it a done deal. Students don't improve in conventions or in content.
Mae - What if we combine student writing w/pro. writing? What if we see a need in Ss writing and then point out how a pro. writer gives one more detail...etc.?
Sadie - That's interesting, Jan. When I ask my students to revise large sections, they do only make changes at the sentence level.
Alta Rose / 1 - How much editing would you expect first graders to do?
naneb - we don't correct spelling in my class, they use the word wall and the dictionary
Ginny - Naneb, it depends on how old they are. Many can. Also, this is something for Teacher/Student too. Modeling will help.
Sadie - YIKES the new messages scrolled off while I was writing that last part. Really is an ADHD chat! LOL
Jan - Sadie, yes they will. You can't reorganize the OLD piece. You have to begin again
naneb - I had 6th grade LD students and some of them were terrific writers
Kim/K/SCa - I commiserate, Kathy/IA! Hello, Iranian Man.
Alta Rose / 1 - I'm going to change my colour! brb!
naneb - my students hated to rewrite, next year I will try having them begin a new piece
Mae - What about the idea of feedback for just one focused area at a time?
Sadie - Mine too, Naneb, and I'll do the same!
Kim/K/SCa - When I think about feedback, I think on a more holistic level...........the whole piece of writing.
Brad/3 - Something like that came up in the chat last week, Mae, about schools who focus on a trait at each grade level beginning in second
Ginny - The first thing I said to my 8th graders was...You hate writing, get over it. (they laughed and did get over it--mostly!)
Sadie - Kim I also score essays holistically.
Carol - That's a good idea, Brad.
naneb - we also did quite a bit of group writing as a preface to independent writing, I used the overhead and we would all write together and share ideas and sentences and edit and revise on the fly
Brad/3 - Well, Carol, apparently there was some disagreement about it on here
Ginny - Brad, i don't recommend focusing on one trait exclusively.
Kim/K/SCa - I heard about that too, Brad.........one trait per year or something?
Sadie - But if they can only revise at the sentence level, that feedback wouldn't help them much at all. This is interesting...
Jan - Being into Madeline Hunter, I think feedback can only be given on the objective you have taught. That is part of teaching to the objective. Called a congruent response!
Mae - One of my teammates (and dear friend) had NINE fours on her kids writing tests. Four is the best and hard to get. I was talking to her and discovered that she could have written Wondrous Words. I can't get her to read it though! LOL!
Brad/3 - What do you think about highlighting a trait, but still presenting all six?
Ginny - The reason, Brad, is that Word Choice is related to Voice, and Word Choice is related to sentence fluency...etc. They are so inter-related.
Jan - Brad, that's called scaffolding!
Rudy - I'm going to log off because my eyes are really tired. Don't want to leave, however! You folks are such a stimulating bunch!!! I will talk again next week. All rested I hope. God Bless.
Kim/K/SCa - I think WW is an extremely powerful book.............I hope she reconsiders Mae. Bye Rudy!
Ginny - If the traits highlighted are Ideas/Content and Organization--and the other four pulled in at appropriate times.
Brad/3 - Jan, I was thinking the same thing (but not necessarily Hunter). It's sort've like what MOT and Miller talk about by remaining with one strategy for weeks and weeks at a time instead of jumping around so much. Any feedback on this from the rest of you? Should we focus intensively or spiral? It's a question I"ve had when planning for next year?
Mae - I think that word choice is the meatiest trait.
Alta Rose / 1 - I'm a Canadian.
Rudy - Bye all!
Kathy's Hope - Ok ALTA ROSE
Mae - Red, white and blue and Texan!
Jan - I ALWAYS think Hunter! It's an old habit that I'm NOT trying to break!
Brad/3 - Ginny, I will (probably) be at the 2nd grade level next year. I was planning to highlight Ideas/content and Organization, but pull in other traits occasionally but as far as working for some sort of "mastery", highlighting those two traits (I know I know we can never master, thus the quotes, I'm hoping you catch my drift)
Kim/K/SCa - I like the idea of spiraling, Brad. You introduce something new, practice it, and then go back and weave in what you have already done.
naneb - Mae, I did a lesson on good beginning sentencesand we read first sentences and decided if they made you want to read the book. Then they read their own peice to see of they needed to cahnge their first sentence I had a boy write this sentence after the lesson ,"You're out!" the umpire shouted.
Mae - Geesh! It's 10:30. I really do have to work tommorow. I love talking about writing.
Ginny - I think I have missed a handful of comments, I can't read and write and keep up!
Jan - Hi, Debbie!
Alta Rose / 1 - That's goo, naneb! Have you seen any of the new 4Blocks writing books?
Kathy's Hope - there are so many Iranians in Canada,please take care of yourselves lol
Kim/K/SCa - ((Mae)) g'night........
Alta Rose / 1 - Oops! I meant good, not goo!
Brad/3 - alta, just bought 2nd grade today
naneb - no, I am waiting for at least the third grade book
Ginny - Brad, at that level, Conventions are a natural too. If your students write about wonderful ideas...they will have better essays.
Debbie - HI Jan and everyone, just checkign in to see what I am missing. I just got back from the movies
naneb - good night Mae, glad you are back!!
Sadie - Mae, it's 8:30 here, just go late and tell them you're on California time! LOL
Mae - Kathy's Hope - are you here to talk about reading and writing?
Brad/3 - I also saw a book called "Writing Whizardry" that looked really good, but was geared for upper elem, naneb
Kim/K/SCa - Sadie.........where in CA?
Alta Rose / 1 - Does it look good, Brad? I'll be teaching 2nd next year. Goodnight, Mae!
naneb - I think I am going to buy a book from Stenhouse about struggling readers
Jan - This place is a zoo! Talk about an ADD experience!
Brad/3 - so you approve ginny, (cause it means everything to me, LOL)
Kim/K/SCa - no kidding Jan........Some good ideas here, too..........
naneb - I may not be teaching writing only reading, I don't know yet
Ginny - Yea, Brad, I'm sure!!!!!! But yes I agree with that plan.
naneb - Jan, it just takes practice
Kim/K/SCa - naneb......."What Really Matters To Struggling Readers."
Sadie - Kim, all of CA is in the same time zone! LOL but seriously... central CA
Brad/3 - awfully thin, naneb, not what i thought it would be, but does give some basics and some "scripts" that would be good for someone not strong in the area. I bought it to see what was grade level appropriate. I'm going to mix it with some of Fletcher's craft lessons
Mae - The zoo keeper is going nighty night...
naneb - I think that is it and there is another one I Read it but I don't get it
Kim/K/SCa - I am in Southern California........are you off the 99?
Jan - Have another marguerita, Kim!
Sadie - yes Kim
Mae - I'll be on the boards next week w/a vengence
Ginny - I love teaching reading.
Brad/3 - zoo keeper?
Mae - I'm feeling better already
Kim/K/SCa - I drive up the 99 to Sac all the time. Sis up there.......
naneb - I got a software program called Easy Books Deluxe which publishes books with illustrations, title page etc my students loved it
Brad/3 - yes, now that summer is approaching, are we going to make our talks more formal. Chapter by chapter? Or would you all like to keep them like this?
Mae - Brad - Kim and Jan said it's a zoo, and since I started the zoo, I figured that makes me the zoo keeper...
Ginny - Mae, If you're leaving us for the night...have a good rest. and KNOW, really KNOW...it is good to have you back.
naneb - Ginny, I love teaching reading too
Carol - I need to get to bed! I'll see you all later.
Debbie - I am reading WOndrous Words and it is a slow go. I find I have to re adn reread as I go. Anyone else ??
Jan - See you next week, Carol
Kim/K/SCa - g'night Carol.....
Sadie - Good night Mae & Carol
Alta Rose / 1 - Brad-Chapter by Chapter might be a neat idea. Are you thinking of any book in particular?
Brad/3 - debbie, i hope ou're not finding the reading of it difficult, just so packed with good ideas you're taking time to digest. Am I right?
Ginny - It is such a challenge to figure out what exactly will help a child overcome their reading problems.
Kim/K/SCa - Debbie......I FLEW through that book. I think because I was ready for it, interested, and searching for something just like it...........I NEED to learn more about teaching writing.
Mae - GOOD NIGHT - go to bed Mae, go to bed Mae, go to bed Mae...
Alta Rose / 1 - NIght, Carol!
Ginny - Night to those signing off!
Brad/3 - Well, let's get a general opinion
Jan - If I had my career to do over again, I would be a literacy coach! What fun that would be!
Brad/3 - ((Mae))
Debbie - Yes, Brad. I think it is so much to digest.
Kim/K/SCa - Brad....I will discuss the books in any way shape or form that the OTHERS wish to discuss them.
naneb - Ginny, I had a student who told me he would rather quit school than read a book, guess what he asked his grandmother to get him for Christmas??
Kim/K/SCa - A chapter at a time, Debbie. Make copious notes in the margins.
Jan - I haven't begun Wondrous Words, yet.
Brad/3 - copious, whew, the pages are flipping
Alta Rose / 1 - It doesn't matter to me. I just bought MOT, but I'm planning to buy STW and Reading with Meaning and W. Words too. So I'd be happy with any of those books.
Ginny - Naneb, I've had students like that. What book did he get?
naneb - what book are we going to discuss?
Brad/3 - I had a professor who always joked about us taking "copious notes."
Ginny - Jan, I have it by my bed--think that will help.
Kim/K/SCa - We have to expand your meager vocabulary somehow, Brad..............
Jan - Now, I'm intrigued about WW. I will begin it tonight.
naneb - I don't remember, but he brought it to school and asked if he could read it, I was thrilled
Brad/3 - I'm just laughing because wifey said that some movie was inane at her work this week, and no one knew what it meant.
Debbie - I have it by my bed, too. It isn't good though, I try to read and take it all in when I am tired.
Kim/K/SCa - Jan, you will LOVE WW!
naneb - I haven't bought Wondrous Words, I wish I knew what I will be teaching
Jan - Maybe WW will be the antidote to my insomnia!
Sadie - Naneb that's great!
Ginny - But Debbie, my best time is night. I never go to bed before 1, usually 2.
Alta Rose / 1 - When will you know, naneb
Kim/K/SCa - naneb, WW works at so many levels, really.........the big ideas are just very powerful
Debbie - Really Ginny!!!
Ginny - Well, if I HAD to read it, it would put me to sleep. But since I CHOOSE to read it, it won't.
naneb - whenever my principal decides
Sadie - Naneb I didn't mean it's great that you don't know what you'll be teaching... meant it's great about your student. LOL
naneb - I have read MOT, STW and Reading With Meaning
Kim/K/SCa - Dr. Mel Levine is putting me to sleep. But I am slugging away. Proud of me, Jan?
Jan - Brad, that's funny. Is she a teacher, I hope not!
Brad/3 - I have to re-read WW. I'm thinking about ordering her new one. Comes out in the next week or so. (No jokes about wet screens or chickens, KIM)
Ginny - Oh yes and then I complain if anyone calls my house before 9.
Kim/K/SCa - Did you like RWM, naneb?
naneb - I have Levine's book too
Debbie - ANother problem is that I want to go out an buy all the book suggestionsshe makes! ( in WW) I am spending a lot of money!!
Brad/3 - no, she works in a medical office. She also said "construed" or something like that and again had to explain herself. Now they make fun of her and her vocab
Brad/3 - what did you think of Levine's book, naneb
Kim/K/SCa - DEBBIE ! LOL! It has cost me at least $220 so far! I kid you not!!!
naneb - Yes, I think it had some good ideas, maybe not many for my age group though, I love STW and used lots of them this year especially the underground railroad study using questioning
naneb - put me to sleep too!
Brad/3 - I recommended she buy her workplace a "'Word a Day" calendar
Ginny - Debbie, I got some of my books through interlibrary loan as I'm overloaded with books right now.
Jan - I buy ALL these books and I'm not even teaching!
Kim/K/SCa - I even bought the Workshop Series...................hee hee hee............but why do they stop at 1996?
Jan - This group is a very bad influence on me.
Debbie - naneb I absolutely loved Strategies. I have had a great deal of success with my fourth /fifth graders using the ideas.
naneb - I am trying hard not to buy any more books for a while
Brad/3 - I found Levine's book too short on practical application. I'm suspecting he wants school systems to "join" his little program before he reveals any practical methods he's researched. (Or maybe I'm giving him too much credit and he has none)
Brad/3 - jan, what do you do?
Kim/K/SCa - LOL just doesn't cut it Jan.........visualize a huge "snorting" kinda "guffaw" type laughing going on here............
Ginny - Brad, that's what I mean by cutting to the chase!
Jan - I'm a staff development consultant
Debbie - Jan you are amazing!!
naneb - me too Debbie, my kids loved making notes and discussing , We did an author study of Patricia Polacco and focused on theme and connections, for LD kids it was a natural
Brad/3 - okay
naneb - which Levine book are you talking about? I have his book Educational Care and it has lots of practical strategies for teachers and parents
Kim/K/SCa - Is this the book you read at Barnes and Noble, Brad? Being careful not to break the binding? (cheep cheep cheep)
Brad/3 - Totally Ginny, I'm to the point where I am sick and tired of all this theory, I want some practical everyday real classroom ADHD intercom interrupting standardized test pressured warts and all practical implementations
Ginny - I got kicked off there
Brad/3 - I'm talking Mind at a Time, Naneb. The one you're talking about sounds like the one I need to get.
Debbie - I really think that my the writing my students have done after using the MOT strategies in READING, has improved too. Almost like an osmosis type of thing
Jan - Brad, the theory is the BEST part! I love it!
Kim/K/SCa - Brad..........how, after a year of teaching, can you possibly be SICK of theory? You haven't BEGUN to experience theory. You QUACK me up (oh, wait....that's a duck....)
Brad/3 - (just let me at her, just once, frickin' frackin' rab snabber. . .)
naneb - It is kindof like a textbook but there is good information about disabilities and interventions for various problems and symptoms
Ginny - Theory is necessary. Explain it...and then APPLY it. I
Brad/3 - expense? (quiet KIMberly ann)
Ginny - Watch your back Kim
Debbie - LOL Brad, you are outnumbered
Brad/3 - Theory is necessary, but I want the nitty gritty to go with it. I feel like I'm "up" on the latest, I just want to see some "action"
Jan - The application does not fascinate me,though. I just like to THINK about stuff, not DO it!
Alta Rose / 1 - Now children....Lol! 8-)
Brad/3 - that's because you're not teaching, jan, LOL
Ginny - Oh, Jan, how different we are...
Alta Rose / 1 - My little smiley didn;t work.
Sadie - Seriously Jan?? I'm surprised!
Kim/K/SCa - That's because you are a guy. That is such a GUY thing.....................(rooster struttin') .......all impatient and wanting the MEAT before you eat your vegetables.
naneb - Brad and I are two of a kind, I want the nitty gritty too, don't tell me about it let me do it!!
Sadie - Seems like you are always DOING stuff *AND* thinking
Jan - I know, Ginny. Our book will be a mess! LOL
Ginny - I love trying out what I think will work. I love working out the exact puzzle of strategies to apply and when.
Kim/K/SCa - I totally HEAR you Jan. But I like it when the APPLICATION comes together.
Brad/3 - For your information, I"ve had salad three nights in a row) so there (imagine tongue sticking out)
naneb - oops!! I am not a guy, so, what does that mean??
Debbie - the problem is theory and practical application to not ALWAYS match.
Jan - Sadie, the thinking is the fun part but it doesn't pay well!
Kim/K/SCa - hmmmmm, naneb.......you must have brothers?
Alta Rose / 1 - I think the answer is having a balance between the two, isn't it?
Brad/3 - Wouldn't it be interesting to write a book in the style of two-column notes with one column being the theory and the other being the application
Debbie - The "theory" is tested through the application
Ginny - I think so Alta Rose.
naneb - LOL@Kim
Kim/K/SCa - What I am liking about the Levine book is the discussion about how brains are wired. Very interesting stuff. Brad illustrates this well.
Jan - Someone said (Kurt Lewin?) "There is nothing so practical as good theory." That is my mantra
Sadie - Thinking pays well, just not in $ so you can't LIVE on it...
naneb - I like best when it works, when the application fulfills the theory and I can say yes!!! that is it!
Ginny - In our book Jan wrote about managing a classroom and I wrote about managing strategies. Doesn't that fit us well?
Kim/K/SCa - The IDEAS are the most important. Without the IDEA of freedom, it wouldn't exist. Without the IDEA of equality, it wouldn't exist.
Brad/3 - I agree. Without the application and results, what good is the theory. I can say 6 traits till the cows come home, but if the kids aren't improving with their writing, it's no good (just an example, don't shoot me)
Jan - Can't buy cheesecake from thinking!
Ginny - bang
Alta Rose / 1 - Tell us about your book, Ginny.
Sadie - Hey Jan and Ginny, did you use different colors in your book, like this chat?
Jan - Yes, Ginny, and I had to struggle with every word to keep the theory under control!
Kim/K/SCa - You can't PRACTICE freedom without KNOWING about it first.
naneb - I teach a program called Feuersteins Instrumental Enrichment, it teaches cognitive skills and improves thinking, this is pure theory with wonderful application, you can actually see students become logical thinkers
Brad/3 - haven't started wth six trait yet ginny (grin)
Ginny - Sadie you are funny
Ginny - Get Creating Writers Brad
Kim/K/SCa - age, naneb?
Debbie - Oh but Jan , you can visualize the cheesecake and if you are really good at it-- the flavor too!! LOL
Brad/3 - lol, sadie, like a Sark book
Kim/K/SCa - Get
Kim/K/SCa - Get
Ginny - Book is about managing time and space (Joyce), Managing kids (Jan), managing strategies (Ginny)
naneb - or,, they could do a double entry journal Ginny on one side Jan on the other
Brad/3 - saving money, ginny. is it practical?? LOL
Alta Rose / 1 - What's your book called?
naneb - middle school, the program is designed for 10 and up
Ginny - I think so. Name isn't on it yet.
Brad/3 - Get back JO JO
Brad/3 - LOL KIM
Kim/K/SCa - A DUOLOG format, Ginny
naneb - go to http://www.icelp.org for more information
Debbie - In theory , I want to save money-- but the application of THAT theory is another story
Brad/3 - managing strategies, Ginny
Ginny - duolog I love
Brad/3 - ???
Kim/K/SCa - (((quit kicking me BRAD)
Ginny - Yes, whole group, small group, pairs, individual
Kim/K/SCa - I am interested in the stuff you can do to build neural pathways in "at risk" kids.
Brad/3 - Managing strategies, Ginny? What exactly do you mean?
Brad/3 - (ow quit it)
naneb - Kim, go to the website and read about IE and mediated learning
Ginny - What to do to implement a strategy with the least amount of trouble.
Alta Rose / 1 - Yes, Kim, I hear you.
Alta Rose / 1 - Yes, Kim, I hear you.
Brad/3 - of course you would be, Kim, your kids carousing all night and all
Kim/K/SCa - My new principal is quite proud of something she calls "think tank." At risk kids come in and do things, like puzzles, spatial activities, to build pathways. To helpwith reading. I asked her about the research and she alluded to it and got cut off...................
Brad/3 - explain, please, ginny (mr. practicality here, very visual person)
Jan - See how Ginny cuts to the chase? I would give you a disertation!
Alta Rose / 1 - Is that like Brain Gym, Kim?
Brad/3 - honestly, so you don't know the research she refers to, Kim?
Ginny - If you wanted to do cooperative learning how would that be different than planning for collaborative learning. What pre-planning would you ned to do...etc.
Kim/K/SCa - Maybe, Alta Rose. She said there was research. But I have come to find out SHE didn't read the research. Anotehr principal did. So.................I search.
Jan - Kim, her neural pathways must not be open
Brad/3 - Are there tips on which strategies are best for which lessons?
Ginny - Opps, excuse spelling...fingers did the walking..
naneb - IE has proven research and has been proven to raise IQ scores and improve thinking
Kim/K/SCa - LOL Jan.......her aural pathways. I keep getting ignored! My friend tells me it is because I have put her on the spot!
Sadie - Naneb, I left for a minute... what's IE?
Kim/K/SCa - I will check that out, Naneb
Alta Rose / 1 - That sounds interesting, naneb!
Brad/3 - naneb, this is the website you inserted earlier?
naneb - Kim, go to the brain based chat board here on teacher's net
naneb - http://www.icelp.org
Ginny - No, Brad, the tips are for the strategy with some examples of application. I might say you need these materials ready, you need to choose your group based on this format, etc.
Kim/K/SCa - thanks, naneb! I thought it was discontinued.........didn't find it last time I looked.
naneb - Instrumental Enrichment, teaches cognitive skills and thinking skills using a process called mediated learning
Brad/3 - i think i understand you. So if I wanted to do cooperative learning, here's how I set it up, and choose my groups and implement the lesson.
Sadie - thank naneb
Ginny - Yes, and there are warnings for possible problems
naneb - Israeli psychologist, Reuven Feuerstein developed it, he worked with Piaget
Brad/3 - so ginny, Creating Writers is practical?
Ginny - Like in cooperative learning over used the top/bottom students really complain.
Ginny - Creating Writers cuts to the chase.
Brad/3 - speaking of warnings for possible problems, does anyone know of any websites where I can get info on "possible errors" students may make in mathematics?
Kim/K/SCa - very practical, brad............1. get out a pencil. 2. get out paper. 3. tell them to write something.
naneb - he says there are only retarded performers and he tests learning potential not IQ
Ginny - Vicki says, you've got students doing this wrong...here's how to get them back on track.
Sadie - Brad - what level of mathematics?
Ginny - Way to go KIm
Brad/3 - primary
Alta Rose / 1 - Ginny and Jan, the book sounds very helpful!
Jan - Brad, just ask me. When I do math, I make ALL possible errors! Didn't know there was a market for them.
naneb - his assessment is a pretest then instruction then a post test so that you are testing the ability to learn
Jan - Alta, we hope so! Thanks.
Sadie - oh yeah that's why it says /3 after your name... I'm a bit slow today and it's not even that late in CA
Ginny - Brad, the Write Traits kits has a year's writing activities for 3rd grade. It is done and on the market. You can see a sample lesson on my iUniverse.com site.
Sadie - LOL Jan, now you can spend most of your time thinking, and sell your mistakes to earn money in your free time
naneb - I have to go, see y'all next week I hope
Sadie - bye naneb!
Ginny - http://communities.iuniverse.com/bin/cs_one.asp?cid=11&circleid=11
Brad/3 - Theoretical Kim--In theory, if I walked into the kitchen, I could obtain the margarita, provided I had the proper schema to make a margarita, while connecting it to my honeymoon in Mexico, and determining the importance of which tequila to buy, BUT YOU STILL DON'T HAVE THE D### DRINK!!
Kim/K/SCa - (((bye naneb, take care)))
Alta Rose / 1 - Good night, naneb!
Jan - You're right, Sadie. I've got a lot of mistakes I can sell!
Kim/K/SCa - But you have experienced Margarita and you can appreciate Margarita. Otherwise you walk into the kitchen and don't KNOW what to fix.
Ginny - Hey you guys...there's a book beside my bed calling to me. I think I'll go read. You all take care
Sadie - Maybe not that many, Jan, so they'd sell for a lot - "limited editions"
Kim/K/SCa - ((night, ginny!))
Jan - I can autograph them!
Brad/3 - Kim, we chased Ginny away with our scrabbling. LOL
Alta Rose / 1 - Goodnight, Ginny, Thanks!
Kim/K/SCa - naw.........she wants to go read.
Brad/3 - chicken/egg, eh Kim?
Kim/K/SCa - yup, brad.......
Kim/K/SCa - Your name came up Jan, when I talked to my superintendent.
Jan - I have about 50 emails that came in during this chat. Off to delete! See you next week!
Alta Rose / 1 - You guys are hilarious!
Brad/3 - Jan, are you that famous?
Alta Rose / 1 - Goodnight, Jan!
Kim/K/SCa - Jan is the Queen of Spam.
Jan - My name came up? What did I do now?
Kim/K/SCa - Either that or she is really famous.
Jan - You're right about the SPAM!
Kim/K/SCa - Sorry Jan, I know you want to go.........I was talking with him about staff development problems.......
Brad/3 - Jan's my Schmoker friend
Brad/3 - She finds those staff development problems and "Schmokes" them out
Jan - I'm good at staff development problems! See you all later.
Jan - Creating them, not solving them
Kim/K/SCa - he called to see me cuz he heard I was leaving............he said he talked to the asst. superintendent and she admitted dropping the ball re my staff dev proposal. I told him "My friend JAN, a staff developer in the south bay area, says this idea will FLY!"
Jan - THAT should do it Kim!
Kim/K/SCa - he was duly impressed.
Jan - Good night and this time I mean it.
Kim/K/SCa - seriously, he doesn't want me to leave ....... toolittle too late
Alta Rose / 1 - Did we ever decide on a book to discuss this summer?
Brad/3 - LOL AR
Kim/K/SCa - Let's do Wondrous Words
Alta Rose / 1 - That would be fine by me!
Brad/3 - That would mean I have to re-read it. . . <----whining
Kim/K/SCa - It connects well to MOT
Kim/K/SCa - Yeah, you 'd have to go back to Barnes and Noble.
Brad/3 - i'll see if i can get her new one and throw in two cents about that one too
Alta Rose / 1 - When would we start? Your summer in the US begins sooner than mine does, so I'd have to order it quick!
Kim/K/SCa - But you could wear Clifford underwear!
Brad/3 - it's like asking an alcoholic to walk back into the bar
Sadie - They get suspicious when they find bookmarks in the books at Barnes & Noble...
Kim/K/SCa - Alta Rose........i am off as of June 21.
Alta Rose / 1 - My school is discussing MOT next year, so WW is good for me.
Kim/K/SCa - LOL Sadie!
Alta Rose / 1 - I'm only a week after you, Kim. Thought you'd be off earlier.
Brad/3 - it's not my fault they have big comfy chairs
Brad/3 - and cofffee MMM..... coffee
Kim/K/SCa - Yeah, well.......(grumble, grumble,) I am NOT out earlier. SOME people here are out earlier.
Brad/3 - 1 1/2 days!!
Kim/K/SCa - (((homer drool))) cawfeeee.........
Sadie - Brad you keep saying that... that's what you have left?
Alta Rose / 1 - Would you like to post that suggestion on the Prof. Reading Board? (About WW.) And suggest a time that we start?
Brad/3 - my cousin and I are making plans for converting the B and N into our home
Kim/K/SCa - Yes Sadie, the dirty dog only has 1.5 days left. And he keeps RUBBING IT IN.
Alta Rose / 1 - That's how I feel about Chapters, Brad!
Brad/3 - there's a nice little living room set up next to the coffee bar (which could function as the kitchen). . .
Kim/K/SCa - Alta...I think lots of folks have read the book and are up for a chat anytime. Yes, I will post something...........
Brad/3 - what a good name for a bookstore AR
Sadie - I've gotta go, guys, se ya... It's been fun!
Alta Rose / 1 - Thanks, Kim. I haven't got the book yet, so I'll get right on it!
Kim/K/SCa - Brad do you have a book by Mem Fox called "Tough Boris?"
Kim/K/SCa - Bye Sadie!
Alta Rose / 1 - When it first came to our town, my little boy groaned. "You mean they only have Chapter books?"
Brad/3 - hey i heard pa-lenty of people tonight say today was their last day and you weren't grumbling at them, Kimberly Ann
Alta Rose / 1 - Bye Sadie!
Brad/3 - no tough boris
Brad/3 - and then there were three (hey same 3 as last week)
Kim/K/SCa - It is Kimberli DENISE, Brad........and I was being polite. But YOU have run your chicken feet all over my last button.
Kim/K/SCa - Tough Boris is about a pirate......AR
Brad/3 - my drink needs freshened up. I shall be back momentarily to commiserate
Alta Rose / 1 - We must all live near the west coast, eh?
Kim/K/SCa - I do.........SoCal..Brad is in Ohio. but he is a night owl
Kim/K/SCa - I want to finish the Levine book........then re-read WW
Brad/3 - I also found some Dorito crumbs which needed disposed of in a gastrointestinal manner (now who has the dictionary, huh?)
Alta Rose / 1 - brb
Brad/3 - which levine do you have Kim
Kim/K/SCa - you are sizzling tonight..........zzzzzzssssssssst
Kim/K/SCa - A mind at a time
Brad/3 - i hadn't heard of the one naneb had, but sounds like one i want to get
Brad/3 - have you got to that @#$%pit thing
Brad/3 - I forgot I was saying "male rooster" pit. lOLOLOLOL Roflmao
Kim/K/SCa - what @#$%pit thing?
Brad/3 - there's like a "male rooster" pit thing that is like regulating your intake or something or other.
Kim/K/SCa - intake here? food? huh?
Brad/3 - maybe AR's making coffee ((Homer drool)) mmm coffee. . .
Brad/3 - forget it. obviously you haven't come to it
Alta Rose / 1 - No, Brad, just trying to comprehend. I'm confused, too. (Doesn't take much!)
Kim/K/SCa - OH in the Levine book?
Brad/3 - kim, have you ever heard of fred jones
Kim/K/SCa - no
Brad/3 - supposed to be a classroom managemt thing, looked interesting, thought about ordering.
Brad/3 - yes, in the levine book, geez
Kim/K/SCa - sorry, wasn't using my context cues
Kim/K/SCa - one second you are talking about dorito crumbs.......the @#$%pits.
Alta Rose / 1 - Lol!
Brad/3 - it's like a freight train, always moving, always moving, alwaysmoving, alwaysmoving. . . . . .
Kim/K/SCa - rolling rolling rollin' keep them dawgies rollin'
Brad/3 - alta rose, what are entering 2nd graders like
Alta Rose / 1 - Well, to me they were BRILLIANT after 11 years of teaching first grade! Lol!
Brad/3 - i mean can i put some geometric equations on the board first day and get them going or what?
Kim/K/SCa - put an algorithm on the board........
Brad/3 - as far as independence, what can they handle?
Kim/K/SCa - my dog is having a seizure.......gotta run catch you soon take care
Alta Rose / 1 - I've never taught 3rd, and it's harder to go down than up. I know my friend who taught 3rd found it a bit frustrating to come down to 2nd, but it depends on what you like. They can handle about 10-15 minutes of silent reading...Got any specifics you're wondering about?
Brad/3 - um, what is their writing like
Brad/3 - where'd kim go?
Brad/3 - oh, i caught up
Alta Rose / 1 - I like to play at the prk.
Brad/3 - can they handle more than a sentence coming in
Alta Rose / 1 - They don't have a handle on the "ar" "ir" etc. yet. They're not really proficient at punctuation and caps.
Alta Rose / 1 - Do you mean reading?
Brad/3 - no, writing
Brad/3 - you do 4b right
Alta Rose / 1 - Or writing? Most can write more than a sentence.
Alta Rose / 1 - Yes, this is my first year at it.
Brad/3 - i've been in schools where writer's workshops were done early and the kids were very fluent
Brad/3 - and then there's my school where they whine if they have to write more than half a page. They think they're "done."
Alta Rose / 1 - It really various. I have lots that can write a whole page in their journal, but a couple that hate writing and I'm lucky to get one sentence out of them. I'm also doing 4Square Writing to help with that.
Brad/3 - i'm thinking not a whole lot of writing was emphasized in the years previous
Alta Rose / 1 - Is it your choice to go down to second?
Brad/3 - yes
Brad/3 - teacher on that level who is on same wavelength
Brad/3 - also perhaps future looping scheme
Alta Rose / 1 - ?
Alta Rose / 1 - I like looping. I'm looping with my firsts to second next year.
Brad/3 - okay, so you and i will be 2 next year
Alta Rose / 1 - Yup.
Brad/3 - that'll be good, we can share ideas
Alta Rose / 1 - Sure.
Brad/3 - where are you at on west coast?
Brad/3 - i really have to work on my pacing. i go too fast; i think i expect too much too
Alta Rose / 1 - I'm in Alberta, Canada. Right by British Columbia.
Brad/3 - how do you do the content areas?
Alta Rose / 1 - How do we do on tests, you mean??
Brad/3 - no, like how do you plan and schedule in the room for social studies, science, health. That was really a factor for me this year. I just couldn't get to it all
Alta Rose / 1 - I don't teach s.s. and science at the same time. I do a science unit, then a ss unit, etc. I have time for that, but I don't have time for all the 4Block stuff. I had to share a writing and SSr period this year.
Alta Rose / 1 - Most people do 4 40 min periods of both ss and science unit per week. Plus one period of health.
Brad/3 - so basically you had the same problems i did
Alta Rose / 1 - Yeah, it's really hard to fit it all in.
Brad/3 - i did do a ss unit, then sci unit, but came up "short" at grade time all the time because, blah, blah, blah. . .
Brad/3 - long story short, i'm looking for a different way of organizing that next year
Brad/3 - i'm thinking of doing one sci, one ss mini lesson a week and then having content centers.
Alta Rose / 1 - My collegue and I learned to cut things down a bit by looking specifically at science goals that need to be taught, and making sure we didn't wander. We choose only 1 or 2 activities for each goal.
Brad/3 - especially in primary, reading and math are the most important
Alta Rose / 1 - I agree.
Brad/3 - that's a good idea, our goals are short on content, so it's up to me to decide "crucial concepts for each topic. I'm trying to find a website or book which could help
Alta Rose / 1 - In first grade it's really easy to integrate your ss and science into your L.A. In Gr. 2 it's harder.
Alta Rose / 1 - At least here it is, based on our ss and science concepts.
Brad/3 - For example, solar system, I decided as long as they knew why seasons occur and the moon goes through phases, I was happy
Brad/3 - Our sci and ss standards are being rewritten to be published next year, so hopefully that will change and they will be a little more content friendly
Alta Rose / 1 - That's right. In Gr. 2, we have to do Hot and Cold Temperatures. ONe of the goals was to explain , in general terms, how a house and a large building is heated. Yikes! Talk about confusing! We really watered that one down.
Brad/3 - do you have to do grades
Alta Rose / 1 - My husband would teach me, and I'd teach the kids.
Alta Rose / 1 - Lol!
Brad/3 - they just ask too much, how a house is heated? even i don't know that
Alta Rose / 1 - Not letter grades. We give E, VG, G, SS (Sucess with support) and AC, (Area of concern.)
Brad/3 - we give letter grades. it's awful
Alta Rose / 1 - That would be really hard!
Brad/3 - I'm redesigning that for myself for next year too.
Alta Rose / 1 - Letter grades are too tied to percentages, in my mind.
Brad/3 - That and re-organizing my writer's workshp are my 3 goals for next year. And go slow
Alta Rose / 1 - Our report card seems to change every year!
Brad/3 - Content areas/writer's/ and grades
Brad/3 - I found it very difficult to come up with a fair and accurate grade for each subject once a week
Brad/3 - do you have any advice on the subject?
Alta Rose / 1 - Once a week--That's a lot!
Brad/3 - A grade a week in each subject only comes up to 9 grades a quarter
Alta Rose / 1 - I don't know--It's too hard for me to think in terms of letter grades, as that to me = percentages.
Brad/3 - i try to think of them more as a rubric
Alta Rose / 1 - Then do you look at all 9 grades to get a report card mark?
Brad/3 - yes
Brad/3 - what do you do
Alta Rose / 1 - At least that way your evaluation would be on-going. That was one of my goals this year.
Alta Rose / 1 - We just have to have 1 grade for each area for each report card. I do rubrics, daily work, quizes, testing, etc.
Brad/3 - i better get off here. i have a few more things i need to do before bed
Alta Rose / 1 - One thing we did this year that was helpful for writing. One of our collegues had marked the Gr. 3 provincial tests during the summer, and she knew what they look for when they mark the tests. So she helped us develop a writing rubric, scaled down to Gr. 1, based on what they look for in writing.
Alta Rose / 1 - Goodnight. It's been fun chatting!
Brad/3 - you too, nite
Chatboards Lesson Plans K12 Projects Teacher Blogs Mailrings Classified Ads Teacher Jobs Live Chat Live Meetings Articles Harry Wong Printables
Other Chatboards in this Category...
The Language Arts Chatboards are for educators who teach Language Arts or have an interest in the English curriculum.
