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Grace/IL - Hi judy & nane
judy3ca - ((((nan))))
judy3ca - Hi Grace
Grace/IL - Carol, enjoy the dyslexia conference.
naneb - Hi, Grace i went to the best workshop on teaching multi-syllable decoding and fluency to older readers
judy3ca - nan, I got the cd today, thanks--I'll try it at work tomorrow.
naneb - This one works, I tried every one
judy3ca - LOL that must have been fun!
Grace/IL - nan, how did they suggest teaching multi-syllable decoding?
naneb - Judy,, did you see my news? and sharons we are going to get to meet each other
Grace/IL - Hi Marcia
naneb - Grace, it is a program called Rewards, it has lots of parts, it teaches a strategy,
judy3ca - That's great! I'm jealous! And Patricia Pollaco, too!
Marcia - Nan, I am jealous. What fun for you!
Grace/IL - Who publishes Rewards?
Erin - Hi everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
judy3ca - (((Marcia))) (((cavey)))
judy3ca - ((((erin))))
Grace/IL - Hi Erin
Erin - Judy I'm so excited about Sacramento!!!
judy3ca - Nan, I get to meet Erin next week
Erin - Hi Grace, How are you?
Marcia - Ha! I am not meeting anyone! You guys are still imaginary to me.
judy3ca - Me too, Erin, but I have a confession. I've never planned 2 sub days before--this is hard.
Erin - Hi cavey, Nan and Marcia, too
naneb - you review vowel combinations , teach them to say the sound first then the name, calls everything word parts but does teach meaning of prefixes and suffixes, mainly it teaches through modeling and lots of practice to see the chunks and say them, then see if it is a real word
cavey - Me too Marcia- did I tell you guys I'm really thin in cyber space
Erin - Judy, fortunately I have that third teacher who will jump in and the sub is one who is at the school all the time
judy3ca - ROFL
naneb - I couldn't believe that Polaccos was going to be the keynote speaker, i am so excited
Erin - Did I tell you I'm only 29 in cyberspace?
naneb - me too Cavey
Marcia - My ILT at my school really wants us to go to Denver. I keep tellng her to ask the principal. Heck, I am going to ask the principal before she gets a chance.
Marcia - Cavey, me too. I am wasting away over here in GA
judy3ca - Erin, how lucky! I think I'll do the sub plans tomorrow and then add all the little things I forgot M-W.
Grace/IL - Erin, if you're 29, I'm 16 -- LOL
naneb - I found out this afternoon that I have a meeting Monday morning!! i am scrambling to get things ready for a sub
cavey - Anyb
cavey - Okay, I've moved the mouse away again
Grace/IL - Marcia, what's going on in Denver?
cavey - Anybody ever see Kay Law?
Marcia - MOT training-I want to go!
Erin - Ooohhh Marcia, that would be awesome!!!
Erin - When is it?
judy3ca - nan, I loved seeing Pollaco. She says very kind things about teachers. She used to live not too far from here.
Marcia - Cavey, what does Kay Law espouse?
Erin - Judy, I always forget a ton of things on my lessons...I hate having subs
naneb - Judy, you are going to the Reading Conference next week right? to hear Keene?
cavey - Differentiation
Marcia - Oh, I don't know. I should get some dates and present it to the principal, I suppose. I am getting bolder
Marcia - cavey, that should be good. I would love to know more about that.
judy3ca - Erin, LOL, I can plan the lessons okay, I just forget the major stuff like where things are and who goes where.
judy3ca - nan, YES!!!
Erin - In our school plan (which I wrote) I stated that we would incorporate more reading strategies...MOT training would fit right in...HMMMM
naneb - Judy, we have to have a sub folder with all of that stuff plus a set of emergency plans and material ready at all times
Marcia - Judy, you will take notes, won't you? When you are listening, will you listen for all of us?
judy3ca - nan, I have all that, but this isn't an emergency.
Grace/IL - Judy and Erin, the secret is having a sub who knows how you generally do things. I always asked for a specific retired teacher.
judy3ca - Marcia, no problem (unless I'm too awed to write).
naneb - Well, then just let them teach your usual lesson
Erin - It's always hard to write sub plans for what I do..."Okay...go with the story...have students participate...keep at it with them..."
Grace/IL - She could step in on a moment's notice and I never worried.
Erin - I usually get one of two subs so I'm lucky that way
cavey - I hate sub plans. It really makes you realize all the details you attend to every day!
judy3ca - Erin, right! Planning is hard because some of it has to be so different than the "usual."
naneb - I try to leave way more stuff than they will ever use
Erin - Judy, you have to take good notes the first two hours until I get there...then look for someone with a ton of curly blond hair...with small animals in it probably.
judy3ca - cavey, yes, that's it exactly.
Marcia - My sub plans end up being 5 pages long typed. However, the kids are always really good about telling me the things the sub didn't do.
cavey - Me too guys- nobody can do what we do
Grace/IL - (((Sadie)))
Erin - Hi Sadie!!!!!!!!
judy3ca - (((Sadie)))
Marcia - Hi Sadie!
cavey - Hey Sadie!!!
Sadie T - Hi Everyone!
Marcia - Erin, why will you have small animals in your hair?
Erin - Because I have so much of it.....
Erin - Even the guy who does my hair jokes about it
judy3ca - Erin, LOL, I have straight used-to-be-blonde hair.
Erin - It's naturally curly, which I now view as a blessing...but it is a chore to take care of
cavey - erin you are not a blonde you are definitly a redhead I can tell from here
Erin - Mine is blonde..with a little help. I have a lot of gray for someone who is 35, but well covered
Erin - cavey...I do have some red in there too LOL
cavey - Judy, you are a brunette
judy3ca - Erin, my Lit Coach (who I'm going with) isn't going to Keene's presentation--so I'll be alone there. I'll definitely look for you.
cavey - you guys are ruining my ESIA member schema
judy3ca - cavey, ROFL
Erin - I told my fellow teachers I'm dropping my bag at the hotel and heading over. They can check me in
Sadie T - The presentation is next week?
Erin - Yes, Sadie. I get to meet Judy
judy3ca - yup sadie
brad - Judy is NOT a brunette
cavey - I know that now, I'm trying to adjust
Erin - brad, are you a brunette?
Sadie T - No, Judy is blue.
Erin - cavey...and you?
Grace/IL - Grace's gray -- just letting it do its thing.
brad - natch
judy3ca - ROFLOL
cavey - What do you think Erin?
Erin - Hmmmmmmmmmm, brad, blond?
Erin - Ummm, well, uh, blonde? cavey?
Erin - Thanks everyone for leaving me out here all alone. LOL
brad - Erin's blonde?
Sadie T - Brad is blond??!
Sadie T - LOL
Erin - What did you think?
judy3ca - cavey, I see you as a redhead
cavey - Okay, I'm a brunette with a little help these days from Miss Clariol
naneb - I am grayette
brad - Brown
cavey - I just ac t like a redhead Judy
Erin - Yeah!!! We all need a little help from our friends cavey.
brad - Brown for Erin, I mean, shoulder length
naneb - used to be a redhead!! for about a year
judy3ca - Erin, I'm a lot older than you, but I'll probably leave the cane at home.
cavey - And I have thin thighs, long legs and buns of steel too
Erin - I love that I'm blond and was top of my class. Does away with the dumb blonde image
judy3ca - cavey, I LOVE red hair!
Grace/IL - Nan, I like that -- grayette's a good word.
cavey - (((KIm)))
Erin - O.K. Judy, it tends to make you hunch over anyway. LOL
brad - <-----panting heavy at Cavey's buns of steel
Kim/1/ - Back in Black.......very basic for this time of year, don't you think?
Erin - I have six pack abs in cyberspace
Grace/IL - (((((Kim)))))
cavey - cyber buns of steel brad
brad - LOL, Nan, you're always a redhead to me
Erin - brad, shoulder length, very curly, blonde
Sadie T - Hi Kim!!
Kim/1/ - Quit slobbering, Brad........(((((smooches to all))))
naneb - in the chatroom everyone would say you were nekkid!! Kim!!
judy3ca - (((Kim))) Hi, I didn't see you sneak in!
Erin - smoochies (as my son would say) back at you Kim
brad - Who's nekkid??
Kim/1/ - Hey naneb..........! Hi ((Grace))
naneb - Thanks, Brad!! that was my OMG!! I am getting OLD!! period!! bought my convertible and dyed my hair red!!
Kim/1/ - Is Bradley nekkid again??
Erin - Good for you nan!!!
Erin - No, he's imagining everyone else nekkid!!
brad - Oh, Nan, you're too young to have HAD a "getting old" period!
cavey - with buns of steel
Kim/1/ - LOL @ Erin
naneb - Now, there is no getting to it!! LOL!!
Kim/1/ - Feeling better, Brad?
Erin - forgot that cavey, thanks
judy3ca - Kim I wish you were coming to the conference next week!
brad - I'm on the other side of it, but still feeling kinda lousy
Erin - Me too Kim.
Kim/1/ - That Cavey......buys books at Walmart and steals my color
Sadie T - Is any one else going besides Judy and Erin?
brad - right now I'm burning up (prob'ly from thinking about cavey's buns of steel)
Kim/1/ - Me three.......(sigh).....next year fersure.
Erin - Now Judy has to put up with only me. And I tend to be a bit loud and obnoxious. So unlike how I am in the chatroom
cavey - You gotta get here early babe to have the hot tamale color!
judy3ca - Sadie, why aren't you coming?
Kim/1/ - Fever, Brad?
Erin - Cavey, shhh, I bought mine from there too, when you mentioned it
cavey - Another closet Walmart shopper
brad - All through the night, Kim
Sadie T - Going to a different workshop that was planned a long time ago, Judy (district thing)
Kim/1/ - Yeah.....well..........shoooooot...........
Erin - Oh, brad. Sorry. So many people are sick right now.
Kim/1/ - Did you work today?
brad - Read, "Nickel and Dimed." You will never think of Walmart the same again
judy3ca - Oh well Sadie, next time.
Erin - (((Michelle)))
Sadie T - Hi Michelle!!
cavey - Whatcha got Brad?
brad - worked all week
brad - just bad cold
judy3ca - Hi Michelle!
Kim/1/ - ((((Meeeeeshelle, my belle..............)))))))))
judy3ca - Hope you feel much better soon, Brad. I had a cold already this school year and it was hard to shake. Now I just have the day after Halloween exhaustion.
Kim/1/ - Well.......met with my principal and the v.p. from the other school in my district. Talked about Prof Book Group.........!
Michelle - me too, judy
Erin - Where's jan? She makes a comment on the board that she's read half the Results book already. She needs to show her face tonite after a sly comment like that
brad - Am I mean cause I didn't have a Halloween party?
Erin - Judy, I know how you feel I asked the kids if they wanted nap time. They thought it sounded like a good idea.
Michelle - we didn't either, brad.
naneb - I must go to bed, falling asleep at the keyboard
naneb - night all
Erin - No brad, I didn't either
cavey - Bye Nan!
brad - night nan
Erin - Good nite nan
Kim/1/ - I read the first two Graves chapters..................and I am trying to re read Allington, What Really Matters For Struggling Readers. This is the book we are doing at school.
Grace/IL - 'night nan.
Mrs. J - Brad, my kindred spirit. The stomach flu has wiped out my household. Three puking children (and a husband) in the middle of conference week!
Sadie T - Good night, Nan!
judy3ca - Erin, LOL, my kids were sooooo good today--I hardly recognized them. Must be some kind of sugar letdown.
cavey - resource teacher - no party job perk
Kim/1/ - Hi other Kim........
Erin - Oh Kim, I love that Allington book
Mrs. J - I didn't have a Halloween party either, Brad
judy3ca - night nan
Mrs. J - Hi, all
Erin - My kids were great yesterday, pajama day. Today, however...
Michelle - I can't find anyone who has the Graves book to borrow it from. I don't get to join in at all! You will all just have to tell me all the good stuff.
Kim/1/ - I am trying to plan for the school book group. She wants to call it "Literacy Group."
brad - Well, we're all the Halloween party poopers, aren't we??
Erin - I don't like Halloween very much. I don't decorate at home or make a big deal out of it.
Grace/IL - Kim, that sounds IMPORTANT -- Literacy group
judy3ca - Brad, confession: I had a one hour party.
Michelle - we had tons of kids absent today. I was missing 5, another 3rd gr. teacher was missing 8!
cavey - Hey, we're reading"Graves" doesn't that count?
Erin - JUdy, You?????????????
Kim/1/ - I had a parent bring in a bag of candy for each of them. I had pumpkin cookies and juice. They traded candy and then started............writing in their journals and reading boooks!
brad - Naughty Judy! LOL.
Sadie T - Yep, "literacy group" sounds good
judy3ca - Erin, LOL, well.........
Grace/IL - I think lots of schools are reevaluating the observance of Halloween. What a wast of time.
Sadie T - No parties... they are all "cultural experiences"....
Erin - I may need a long time to recover from this shock , Judy.
Mrs. J - Did you bow to peer pressure, Judy?
judy3ca - Kim, what do you think of Graves so far. I haven't started it. Was it a good choice?
brad - Oh, I like the holiday alright. . . it's just, well. . .
Kim/1/ - I had five out today! I asked, "Where's Kwinzi?" the kids said, "He ate too much candy and threw up on the bus." LOL
Michelle - we aren't allowed to have Halloween parties anyway.
Erin - Waahhh!!! I don't have my Graves book yet
Erin - Kim LOL
Sadie T - LOL Kim!
Kim/1/ - So far , so good........ I think.
brad - KIm, your students have such interesting names
cavey - Erin- and you ordered from Walmart?
brad - Not allowed, Michelle? Religion?
Sadie T - Kim makes the names up.
Erin - Well, I didn't order until two days ago. I had to wait for payday.
Michelle - too controversial around here, brad.
Mrs. J - Mine is still in the shrinkwrapping. I have too many books. I don't have time to read them all! When I see a good book, I buy it. No impulse control. No wonder my class is a zoo. They are all like me!
Erin - We're refinancing and I can't charge anything
brad - I think she just lays on the keyboard
judy3ca - Sadie, you just burst my bubble.....I was so jealous that she had a student named Kwinzi--I love it!
Kim/1/ - Look who's talkin' brad! LOL...........yes. Kwinzi, Deshawntania, Essence, Shoppel, Junior...........
Erin - Mrs. J....you are great.. That's what I'll blame it on, my book buying habit and lack of control. I love it
Sadie T - LOL Judy, I was joking
Kim/1/ - Kwinzi is pronounced "quincy."
Erin - We had an Aquanetta last year
Sadie T - Deshawntania?
Mrs. J - Ok, I can beat you all at the name game
judy3ca - Sadie, oops, Now I'm going to keep saying Kwinzi.
brad - I probably would have one in your case, Michelle! LOL
Michelle - someone loves their hair spray, eh Erin?
Kim/1/ - I DO NOT make them up! Sheesh........... I'd of given them good biblical names. Like John, and Daniel, and Elijah, and .................... Luke.
Grace/IL - I have too much to read already -- great stuff like Annals of Dyslexia and Reading Research Quarterly -- ugh!
cavey - Did you go through the De names a few years ago? De Andre, DeAunte, etc
judy3ca - I have a Kajsa.
Erin - Or sniffed too much of it while they were pregnant, Michelle
Michelle - My principal says at staff meeting every year "No Halloween parties allowed!" brad.
Sadie T - Hi Alta!!
Mrs. J - There was a girl with a name pronounced fuh-ma-lee.
Kim/1/ - Yes......De shawn tan nay......it is pronounced without the "a."
Alta Rose - Hi!
Grace/IL - How about DeUncle?
Sadie T - I've had a girl named Dennis and a boy named Sue.
judy3ca - Grace, ROFL, is that for real?
Kim/1/ - next door there is a girl named "Ardaniel."
Michelle - I think I'm going to let my RRQ subscription lapse this next time. I'm not motivated to read it.
Mrs. J - Her mom, when asked about the name, said Yah, I didn't have to name her the hospital did it for me....Female Jones (she thought it was fuh-ma-lee)
Kim/1/ - Good one, Sadie. A boy named Sue......how do you do???
judy3ca - Oh, that's awful, other Kim!
Grace/IL - No, cavey had DeAunte, so thought DeUncle would be good
Erin - Oh my gosh Mrs. J...that beats all
brad - ROFL
cavey - I had Ditanyan ( you know from the three Musketeers) I kid you not- quoted from the Mon
Michelle - oh, no.......roflol
Kim/1/ - LOL Kim.......are you SERIOUS? That sounds like a bad joke.
Sadie T - Sue was an Asian boy.
Mrs. J - Totally serious!
Sadie T - ROFLOL Kim!!
judy3ca - Once I had a Janeth and thought it was a pretty name for a pretty little girl, until I met the mother and she lisped.
Alta Rose - Oops. Cavey, did I steal your colour?
cavey - lol Judy
Alta Rose - Lol, Judy!
Mrs. J - Of course, there was also a @#$% at another school in my district about 10 years ago. Mom thought it sounded pretty and didn't know what it meant
Erin - There was a mom at my friends school All her children had the same first name with the father's first name attached so the mother could remember who's father was who's
Sadie T - LOL Judy. I have student named Yaneth.
brad - ok, you guys are making this up now. (really, Judy)
cavey - I'll share Alta if you want
Kim/1/ - Last year a mom comes in with her child, "This is Clifford." But Clifford had this lovely long honey colored hair and very sweet face. I am thinking, "CLIFFORD for a girl?"
Grace/IL - Well, Mrs. J., I guess we'll never know that name.
Mrs. J - Ooops--it wouldn't let me right it--LOL. It was v a g i n a
brad - Sadie, that's the swedish mom with a lisp
judy3ca - OH NO!
Kim/1/ - It took me a day to internalize the fact that Clifford is, indeed, a boy.
Sadie T - Oh Mrs. J, a friend had a student with the same name!! I'm serious!! They called her Gina for short!!
Michelle - oh no!!!
cavey - OOH it's bad in here tonight!
cavey - I told you I'd share Alta!
Erin - Thank God I have the name I do!!!!
judy3ca - And once I had a class with five kids named Carlos.
Sadie T - LOL Kim
Michelle - Kim, I made that mistake when I subbed. I subbed in the same classroom over and over, and finally wrote a note to myself the the girl with the pretty long hair is a boy
Kim/1/ - Grace I have a serious question. Y'all feel free to jump in too.
Alta Rose - That's OK Cavey. Thanks.
Erin - Last year I had four Erics
cavey - I've got three Taylors and 2 Tylers
Michelle - I subbed in a class with 5 boys named Chris
Sadie T - "The girl with the pretty long hair is a boy" LOL
Grace/IL - Yes, Kim?
Alta Rose - Yeah Cavey, I have two Taylors, Tyler and a Travis.
Erin - LOL Sadie!!
Alta Rose - I'm always getting them mixed up.
judy3ca - Sadie, it's starting to sound country, isn't it?
Kim/1/ - I have a little boy new to me from Seattle. He is "young" and very sensitive. His fine motor appears quite delayed and spelling is very difficult........he struggles with medial vowels during dictation and with rimes and ending sounds during Making Words.
Grace/IL - Once I had five little boys with the same blond haircut and big eyes. It took me until Christmas to get them straightened out.
Kim/1/ - He tends to write in mostly CAPS and is very slow with most of his work. YET......he decodes beautifully and knows 144 words from the Dolch list.
Alta Rose - I have a Bennett this year. I thought that was really different.
Michelle - My class did such a great job with T-W connections with today's read aloud, The Red Ribbon! I wish I had a video camera rolling. It was one of those great experiences.
Grace/IL - Kim, that gets to be a problem when they come in mid-year. Your other pokeys are starting to get the hang of things. Sounds like your new one had a good sight vocabulary but may need to stretch the words he already knows so he sorts out the sounds..
Kim/1/ - When he writes in his journal, it is laborious........he loves Zoobooks and tends to take them to his desk and draw the animals........then he copies print from the books, preceeded by "I saw a.........."
Glenda1stTN - Guys, I need some serious professional advice.
Erin - Michelle, that's great.
judy3ca - One more thing about names, one of my students has a little sister named Lucy, but they call her Lulubell--I sure hope I get that kid--it would make my day to call on Lulubell.
Sadie T - I have two students named Nayeli, and one Araceli
cavey - We had Fall Fun Day today. I was in the gym manning a bean bag toss. One of the NON perks of a resource job!
Erin - Go Glenda
Kim/1/ - Where's my screen?
Michelle - I have always liked the name Araceli
judy3ca - Hooray Michelle!
Glenda1stTN - Our system has not offered a contract to the teachers.
Grace/IL - Copying is a good way to start if he's not been in a writing classroom.
Michelle - We still have no contract, either.
Alta Rose - How long have you been without one, Glenda?
Sadie T - Cavey, you teach resource?
judy3ca - Sadie, I had an Araceli last year--I loved her! Do people still use Xochitl--that was popular in my bilingual days?
Mrs. J - None here, either, Glenda
Sadie T - I know two Xochitls, Judy, but both are in their twenties.
Glenda1stTN - The County's Teacher's Association has decided to call for a work to the clock
brad - what do you mean, grace?
cavey - Sadie- TAG teacher
Glenda1stTN - O
Kim/1/ - I don't have a screen guys....only the bottom portion. Strange.......GRACE! It appears that his encoding abilities lag behind his decoding abilities..........is that weird?
Sadie T - Tag, Cavey, you're it!!
Erin - Our contracts are always retroactive...never finalized until January
Glenda1stTN - I'm feeling guilty. I don't want to work to the clock. I can't meet my student's needs if I do.
cavey - Oh yeah, I'm it alright!
Erin - Are they not going to offer one Glenda?
Michelle - I'm looking forward to the eventual retro-active pay.
Sadie T - LOL Cavey
Alta Rose - I understand, Glenda. I think that sometimes just causes extra stress to the teachers.
Grace/IL - Local teachers had a strike, settled and went back to work, and now they're asking the teachers not to sign their new contracts over $1000.00 total
Glenda1stTN - Who knows! They have not even tried to meet with the nego. team
cavey - We sign contracts in May for the next year.
Sadie T - I agree, Alta and Glenda
Michelle - I've never heard of "working to the clock"
Kim/1/ - I don't have a screen guys....only the bottom portion. Strange.......GRACE! It appears that his encoding abilities lag behind his decoding abilities..........is that weird?
Grace/IL - Kim, that's not uncommon at all. There was a time when educators felt children shouldn't do any writing until they had reading well in hand.
Alta Rose - We call it working to rule here.
Glenda1stTN - Most of the teachers are not members of the "REA" our teacher's group, yet it looks like most of them are gong to work to the clock.
Mrs. J - Only putting in the amount of time required by the contract, Michelle. (i.e. 8-4, no more)
Alta Rose - I have one little girl who actually writes better than she reads!
judy3ca - Michelle, they call it "working contract hours" here--elem teachers never threaten this but HS teachers do (sorry Sadie).
Erin - All right, going to go spend time with the family. Judy I will see you next Thursday.
Erin - Good night all!!!
Alta Rose - Don't see that too often.
cavey - We have done it before, but everybody sneaks stuff home anyway
Alta Rose - Good night, Erin.
Mrs. J - Bye, Erin
Sadie T - Hey Kim, your computer is weird....
Grace/IL - Alta Rose, that can happen at the early primary level.
Glenda1stTN - I feel like a scab if I don't work to the clock. But I don't think I'm going to. Do you think I'm making the wrong choice?
judy3ca - Erin, see you Thursday!!! Hooray!
cavey - Bye Blondie!
Grace/IL - 'Night, Erin
Sadie T - ppppptttttt Judy, don't pick on us HS people
Kim/1/ - It's not so much the writing aspect.......it is his difficulties with the encoding process......the phonemic awareness? The disparity with those skills and his ability to read at least pre-primer....
Michelle - I think that's what would happen if we did it here, cavey.
Alta Rose - Yes, but I haven't seen that too often, Grace. Usually reading is better than writing.
Kim/1/ - Don't advertise it, Glenda. I would just do what you have to ......... quietly.
Mrs. J - It's a rough spot to be in Glenda, but I wouldn't feel right shortchanging the kids
judy3ca - Not you, Sadie.
Alta Rose - No, Glenda, not at all.
Michelle - I think I would cause myself more stress than it would cause the admin, if I "worked to the clock" .
Mrs. J - It's not their fault
Glenda1stTN - The TV stations are really bad about popping in.
Mrs. J - We can't strike here. I wonder if that would be considered a kind of strike?
Alta Rose - Well, and then if you come to work, unprepared, it causes extra stress for YOU. Parents don't care.
judy3ca - Glenda, I agree with Michelle--don't you "feel" you have to do your job?
Glenda1stTN - Our principal said he felt we should stand united.
Grace/IL - AR & Kim are describing opposite ends of the spectrum. We just need to start with their strengths and shore up the weak areas. Easier said than done.
Michelle - that wouldn't happen here. Our district is small and not in Portland. It's unlikely TV stations would show up if we went through something like that
Alta Rose - We were on strike for 3 weeks last winter.
Glenda1stTN - judy, we can't strike in TN either. This is how they get around the no strike law
Sadie T - Isn't that the problem though - we can't shortchange the kids... but if teachers supposedly manage to work 8-4 *without* shortchanging kids, isn't that DISproving the point - making it seem as though we can do our job by only working 4 to 8??!
judy3ca - Glenda, I don't think your principal is supposed to tell you what to do during negotiation.
Sadie T - I mean *8 to 4*!!!!
Sadie T - NOT 4 to 8!!! LOL
Kim/1/ - Glenda..........do you notice that some kids have a real discrepancy between reading and writing abilities? They can read but can't discern a medial vowel in dictation?
Glenda1stTN - Yes, Kim. It amazes me. How do you address it in your class.
Grace/IL - Kim, can you get him to "sing" the word -- ma-a-a-a-at?
Kim/1/ - Well.....I don't know yet. i am asking Grace and her years of experience say this is normal.
Glenda1stTN - He is more of a friend at times. I think he was trying to support us more than tell us what to do.
Grace/IL - Sometimes kids need to know the meanings of the terms "beginning, medial, ending." It can be a simple as that.
judy3ca - Glenda, wow, in my district admin has to stay neutral.
Kim/1/ - I just find it strange that a child can decode a word, yet have difficulty writing it out or manipulating letter tiles to form the word....................I thought the two processes developed together.
Mrs. J - I think they are supposed to stay neutral here, but sometimes express sympathy under the radar
Glenda1stTN - I think the advice to just be quiet about what I'm gong to do. I'm afraid we are all to meet at the flag pole and walk in together at 7:30 Monday moring. I'm almost always at school by 6:45.
Alta Rose - I know what you mean, Kim.
Kim/1/ - Grace, when I give him the spelling words he painstakingly writes out a word.......but it can have a different vowel, or ending sound............forget the "rules."
Grace/IL - There's no set way that children learn. Some just get hung up on the strangest details. Be patient but keep plugging away at it.
judy3ca - Good night everyone. I must say I think you are all terrific!
Mrs. J - Well, Kim, I think about adults and words they can read, but have difficulty spelling.
Alta Rose - Good night, Judy!
Glenda1stTN - I think I will park in the back. I usually park out front. I can enter my room through my back door and leave the same way when I get ready to leave. I usually don't leave til around 3:30 or 4:00
Sadie T - Good night Judy!
Grace/IL - Good night, Judy. Everyone seems tired tonight.
Kim/1/ - Good point, other kim............
Alta Rose - Must be the day after Hallowe'en, Grace! Lol.
Kim/1/ - Literacy and professional reading, Clue.
Clue - ah.........we teach Open Court at my school
Mrs. J - I know I'm tired. The kids were crazy today
Grace/IL - He's probably still at the pre-phonetic stage of just writing random letters for a word.
Sadie T - We are talking about spelling, going on strike, weird names, and... what else?
Alta Rose - I got to go to an inservice today! Yes!
Alta Rose - I was sympathetic to my kids and sub though, and planned an easy day for them.
Michelle - how was it, Alta?
Sadie T - What kind of inservice, Alta?
Kim/1/ - Ya THINK so, Kim? We had an EARTHquake drill on top of a stupid Dance Festival.................sheesh...........
Glenda1stTN - Well, we could talk about my birthday.
Mrs. J - A good one, Alta?
Michelle - Today was easy in my room, since I only had 18 kids.
Sadie T - Glenda, when is your birthday?
cavey - Brad- has the Niquil kicked in? You still out there?
Alta Rose - On autism, Sadie. Very informative.
brad - Bow to your partner, Kim
Clue - where is everyone from?
Sadie T - Oooh, Kim, how fun...
Kim/1/ - Happy Birthday Glenda!
Glenda1stTN - Today, I'm 49. For real!
Kim/1/ - Do see do..........
Grace/IL - Glenda, is it your birthday? Happy B
Mrs. J - He's B A C K!
Grace/IL - y
Sadie T - Happy birthday Glenda!!
Kim/1/ - Congrats, Glenda!
Alta Rose - Happy Birthday, Glenda!
Clue - Calif here
Glenda1stTN - Thanks, It was a nice day.
Michelle - Happy, happy birthday Glenda!!
Grace/IL - Well, it was supposed to be B'day
Mrs. J - Happy, Birthday, Glenda, and you're sharing it with us?
Kim/1/ - I offered Luis a Kit Kat but he chickened out. Sigh..............
cavey - Most everyone is from Calif , clue
Sadie T - Glenda, I brought you a cake!
Grace/IL - Glenda's beginning the first day of her 50th year.
Sadie T - I am from California.
Michelle - I brought you a present! here it is, a popcorn ball!
Mrs. J - Michigan, here--and it's COLD!
brad - speaking of kit kat. . . brb, time to raid the stash
Sadie T - Who brought the ice cream?
Alta Rose - I am in Canada, Clue.
Glenda1stTN - Yes, my husband didn't sleep very well last night and he fell asleep in his recliner. I was up late last night helping my son bake bread. We will celebrate Sunday night with the family.
Kim/1/ - Southern Califor n I A.......
Mrs. J - Cold there, Alta?
Clue - i just ate some Halloween chocolate.....yummy
Michelle - I'm in Oregon where it is soo cold. It's been "Montana weather" here. Clear and cold.
Alta Rose - Not too bad, yet, Mrs. J.
Kim/1/ - A l m o n d J o y (Homer drool)
Sadie T - Kim, did your other student (don't remember his name) take the Kit Kat?
Grace/IL - Illinois hit 26 degrees last night. Brrr
Mrs. J - Oh, that's right, Kim--the bowing and curtsies
Glenda1stTN - We will probably have our first freeze tonight.
Alta Rose - -10 degrees C. lately. Don't ask me what that is in F.
Michelle - I got lots of candy from last year's kids. Yum!
Clue - wow Grace...my daughter is going to Iowa next week....heard it's really cold there too
cavey - Had our first freeze in eastern Va last night
Michelle - We were in the 20's last night too.
Clue - 10 degrees C is 40 degrees F I believe
Kim/1/ - No! They did the ol' "cluck cluck" ................ they were in front of the 5th graders..........and they have brothers there.
Grace/IL - Grandsons in CO went trick or treating in a snowstorm last night.
Sadie T - Wow, Clue, I'm impressed
Alta Rose - Minus 10, Clue. Is that what you said.
Mrs. J - Us, too, snow today. Luckily it didn't stick
Mrs. J - The kids ran to the window like they've never seen it before.
brad - Kim, Almond Joy was the FIRST thing I ate the second we got home last night
Kim/1/ - Now that's dedication, Grace.
Alta Rose - If it were plus 10 now, it would be balmy!
Sadie T - Oh, I missed the minus too! I thought that seemed awfully warm for Canada!! LOL
Clue - minus?????????
Michelle - It's weird for us to be clear and cold. We aren't used to chapped lips in October/early Nov. Usually it's 50
cavey - Well guys, I'm off, ...and I'm also leaving
Kim/1/ - Mine would have seizures if it snowed here. WE haven't had a decent snow in several years.......about twice a season.
cavey - Good night!
Michelle - oops....50's and wet, overcast
brad - getting freeze tonight
Sadie T - Cavey, good night!
Glenda1stTN - night Cavey
Alta Rose - Actually, parts of Canada stay warm throughout the winter, and have no snow, like Victoria, where I went to university. (And Vancouver.)
Alta Rose - Goodnight, Cavey.
Glenda1stTN - Kim where are you?
brad - I'm eating Luis's Kit Kat right now, Kim
Kim/1/ - .....and SoCal people can't drive in snow........so with an inch on the ground they close the schools.
Mrs. J - If I could ship you some, I would Kim. I hate snow, but not as much as I hate earthquakes
Alta Rose - Yeah, same with Victoria, Kim. It used to crack me up.
Kim/1/ - The high desert......... about 90 miles north of L.A., Glenda.
brad - I would've curtsied for you
Glenda1stTN - Kim, it is the same in TN.
Kim/1/ - I know you would have, sweetie...........I lived on that today.
Michelle - I would love a good Snow Day, though. We never get one in this district because we are too low in the valley. It hardly snows or ices up in this town, although all the rest of the valley is out of school
Grace/IL - Minus 10, hmmm -- My guess is that's about 14 degrees F.
Glenda1stTN - We have 10 snow days built into our school calendar. Last year we only used 2 days.
Alta Rose - We've had a couple of very mild winters.
Kim/1/ - We have 3 snow days built in and get them at "Spring Break" if we dont' use them.
brad - we have 5 snow days built in
Alta Rose - I never did learn the F. system, as we switched to metric when I was in Gr. 7.
brad - If we don't use them, tough
Kim/1/ - Not only is that cold, Grace....it is DANG cold.
Michelle - we don't have any minimum required days of school. So if we have a snow day, we don't have to make it up.
Glenda1stTN - If we don't use them, we lose them
Sadie T - Alta, I didn't realize you used the F. system that recently
Kim/1/ - They TRIED to switch us to metric, Alta! We were told in middle school it was only a matter of time. BUT........ Americans are real cranky that way. No metric here yet.
Glenda1stTN - Michelle, how many days are in your school year? We have 180
Mrs. J - You're kidding, Michelle. Two years ago, we had so much snow we had to go almost a week extra to make up for the snow days
Alta Rose - Cold, Kim? We ain't seen nothing yet! Now let's talk minus 20! That's cold!
Michelle - I remember when I was a kid having Ash days when Mt. St. Helens would blow.
Michelle - we have 172 in this district this year.
Kim/1/ - Brrrrr........sheeee..............it........THAT is cold too, Alta........
Sadie T - Oh, right, Kim, I was told that in middle school too. Wasn't everyone since the beginning of time?? LOL
Michelle - student-contact days. 190 teacher contract days
Grace/IL - Heck, when I was a kid, we'd go to school at minus 40 (Minnesota winters) and hug that old coal stove in the middle of the room. LOL
Glenda1stTN - Who decides how many days you have each year?
Alta Rose - Yes, Kim, I'm told that's the only reason we switched--Trudeau thought you guys were going to. It's much easier, but very expensive!
brad - That's interesting Michelle. A professor of mine in Pittsburgh had "black days," something about the factories. . .
Kim/1/ - Yeah, Sadie........... I still don't have a good grasp of metric. I am okay with the length but the volume throws me.
Alta Rose - And it was impossible to change everything, like the width of the train tracks, as my hubby would explain.
Mrs. J - Wow, what do you do for the other 18 days, Michelle? Professional development?
Sadie T - LOL, Alta, you Canadians fell for that!
brad - Grace. LOL, you think we young'uns believe you?
Michelle - we in our district are lucky to be able to teach even that many days this year, most of the districts are having to cut teaching days....Portland is cutting up to 20 teaching days because they don't have $$.
Sadie T - Yikes, Michelle, that's sad
Kim/1/ - Yeah, Grace.........and you walked up hill in the snow.............both ways.
Sadie T - We have 180 student days, I think it's 185 days for teachers but I'm not sure about the teachers
Michelle - We have some inservice days, some days for Teacher Workdays, and I can't think all what right now.
Grace/IL - Brad, you don't have to believe it. Took my firstborn to MN on the train to see his Grandpa. Dad said, don't unwrap him. It's minus 40 F.
Sadie T - Yeah, Grace had to walk to school in the snow, too, uphill BOTH WAYS
Glenda1stTN - We are about the same as Sadie. Sorry to hear about the cuts in your area Michelle. It must make it tough to try and get everything in.
brad - 178 days this year
Grace/IL - No, Kim, the mules pulled the cutter -- a boxed in sled -- and Mom put hot blankets around us.
brad - student days
Kim/1/ - Aw,,,,,, the warm memories, huh, Grace?
brad - And I have a popsicle stick for each day on the calendar to prove it
Kim/1/ - New or used, Brad?
Glenda1stTN - I use straws to count our days. The kids love it.
brad - I said, Popsicle sticks, NOT ho ho wrappers
Grace/IL - Hey, I'm OLD!!!!! Had to wear long underwear and stockings with you know what to hold them up. Swore I'd never wear long underwear again.
Kim/1/ - I use stir sticks..........we call 'em straws. They get very excited when we make a bundle.
Glenda1stTN - Grace, you are not OLD!!! You are experienced.
Kim/1/ - I have long underwear on right now. It is about 65 degrees in my house.
Grace/IL - Some years ago one of my school parents came in for a conference. He told his kids to pay attention because these were their olden days.
Michelle - I am bundled up right now too. I hate cold weather!
Grace/IL - No long underwear for me! Will wear stirrup pants with jeans over them LOL
Kim/1/ - I am starting to notice some very COOL stuff with their writing. They are starting to apply CHUNKS. YEs...........sssssssss...........!
Alta Rose - brb...
brad - My kids wore long underwear last night under costume. Better than wearing coat over it! And it was quite unnaturally cold and misty here for Halloween (although a few years back we did have a dusting of snow)
Grace/IL - See, Kim, you ARE going to make a difference for these kiddos.
Mrs. J - My kids wore footy pajamas, Brad
brad - This bunch is so funny. They laugh when I say Chunks
Glenda1stTN - Kim, I'm starting to see some neat stuff with my student's writing too. They are beginning to write "real" sentences.
Kim/1/ - Baby steps.......but that's okay.
Sadie T - Baby steps are great, Kim!!
Grace/IL - brb
Michelle - we went to a Halloween Carnival. No long underwear necessary!
Kim/1/ - Oh, Glenda..........how neat!
Sadie T - Brad, how did you know I laugh when you say Chunks?
Mrs. J - No door to door begging Michelle?
Glenda1stTN - Now, if I can move them to write more than one.
Kim/1/ - I did my first "on the back" activity........I don't know if it sunk in. We shall SEE..........(see was the word)
Kim/1/ -Glenda!
Michelle - Nope. My son hates talking to strangers anyway, so this was perfect.
Glenda1stTN - Have you ever had your students write their own addition or subtraction story problem?
brad - Well, Grace, my partner and I are diving headlong into Trunks next wsek.
Michelle - We've been doing multiplication and division story problems, but some of them can't seem to get out of the addition story rut.
Kim/1/ - Not yet, Glenda........I have a sheet all run off and ready.........but haven't gotten to it yet.
Glenda1stTN - I tried it last week. It took us about 3 days, but 7 out of the 15 finished a "published" product.
Grace/IL - Glenda, you must have strong first graders -- write their own story problems at this stage?????
Kim/1/ - YES! Brad you will love it!
brad - Michelle, I had trouble with that in third
Grace/IL - Brad, it's going to be sink or swim?
Glenda1stTN - They are alot stronger than the groups I've had for the last few years. I only have 1 real Non-reader.
brad - We still haven't worked out the "grading" issue, but we've thought of several different ways we're going to try and whichever one comes out in the kids' favor, . . .
Grace/IL - Brad, I think your kids are going to love it. Second graders said, "Thanks for playing this game with us." when it wasn't a game at all.
Kim/1/ - Did you like the posters, Brad?
Michelle - All my ELL's were retested on the Wood@#$%-Munoz, and all but 3 are ready to be reclassified as Fluent English speakers. Yay!
brad - It was just a number poster right?
Sadie T - Michelle, that's great!!
Glenda1stTN - Great news Michelle
Mrs. J - LOL, Michelle. It wouldn't let you write Wood c oc k
Michelle - In a class of > 50% non-native English speakers, this is very surprising.
Sadie T - LOL at Wood@#$%-Munoz.....
Grace/IL - Just one, Brad? There were five.
Michelle - silly censort
brad - Five?? I need to re-look. I only remember the one that had the numbers spelled out on it
Kim/1/ - Silly BRAD!!!! Don't you remember the best word you ever learned? L O O K
Alta Rose - brb..My tummy is reminding me that I didn't have supper...
Grace/IL - Bob R. put something on the net that translates ALL off-key words to symbols.
Sadie T - Yeah, the censor is funny. (So I was trying to @#%ess my students with an @#%ignment I gave them....)
Kim/1/ - They are ever so clever and cool, Brad.........
brad - Okay, here they are. Um, I was pretty hopped up the day the posters arrived.
Kim/1/ - Check out the ordinal number one....................
brad - I just saw the first and second ones and thought they were all just numbers, I think
Grace/IL - That makes me feel better. I do some mighty strange things sometimes but thought I was right on that one. LOL
brad - Kim, do you do a word wall with the program
Grace/IL - Brad, if you have a laminator available, the posters come out really nice.
Sadie T - Michelle, that is very surprising, that's great!!
Kim/1/ - YUP......sure do. Sight words and useful words.........
brad - That's what I planned to do with them Grace. I want to hang them above the math wall/calendar area
brad - How do you "add" words to word wall? Or do you?
Kim/1/ - That's where I put them............but the alphabet one is off to the side of the word wall.
Grace/IL - You put the words on little cards and just hang them in columns.
brad - Grace, how did you determine words to use on pre-assessments
Kim/1/ - I have to add 5 a week from our L.A. program.......I tend to pick the ones they ask about during writing time or ones that show up a lot in shared reading.
brad - Okay, that's what I do. Now how do you incorporate those with Grace's program?
Kim/1/ - The trick is to determine what words they don't need up there anymore..........like if they can all spell "the" and "on" etc. I can take them down.
Michelle - so, now I can feel even less guilty about not doing my Into English like I'm supposed to.
Sadie T - Good night everyone, I have to get going....
Sadie T - LOL Michelle
Grace/IL - I looked at all the patterns, then made sure I had words to include most of the letters of the alphabet -- except where I couldn't find any words with certain letters. That way you can consistently assess all sounds and evaluate printing.
Kim/1/ - I brought the Into English Manual home with me......
Alta Rose - Take Care, Sadie.
Kim/1/ - (((Sadie baby))))))
Sadie T - okay if you're gonna talk about ELL I might not leave yet
Michelle - quick...think of more to say about ELL!!!
Kim/1/ - I tend to pester them with printing when they write the words from Making Words. They re right in front of me so I can nag beatifullly and well.
brad - ELL is good?
Sadie T - LOL Michelle! I didn't mean it that way....
Kim/1/ - I get a whopping 10 minutes in the morning from the E.L.L. aide............what do I have her do, Sadie?
Sadie T - Brad, it's what I teach (English Language Learners)
Sadie T - Kim, how much English do your ELLs know?
Sadie T - minutes??
Sadie T - I mean, 10 minutes??
brad - My partner and I are just having a time figuring out how to incorporate our word wall words with Trunks. We selected the word wall words next week that fall in with the pattern we'll be teaching, but they are not necessarily present in the assessments
Michelle - wow, how can they do anything effectively in 10 minutes?
Kim/1/ - I have 5. I know 2 are level 4 and possibly the others are 3. They get along good........but there are reading comprehension issues.
Grace/IL - Brad, they'll just get a double dose of the patterns. Point that out to them.
brad - Adding in the 5 word wall words with the 24 others Grace has. . . .well that's quite a achore
Mrs. J - Grace, you're our resident spelling expert right?
Kim/1/ - Yes.......cuz she can't service more than 6 at a time. So I can't have her with the kids from next door so they get at least 20 minutes...........grrrrrrrr...........they are meeting the letter of the law.
Sadie T - Wow Kim, ten minutes for that level is hard. If it were lower kids I'd say the aide should explain to them the material you'll be covering....
Sadie T - She can't service more than six at a time? Why...?
Grace/IL - Expert??? I just got really interested in it when I discovered teaching spelling helps kids learn to read.
Kim/1/ - No, Brad.......I don't put the spelling words on the word wall. YOU are teaching the spelling PATTERNS. You are looking for pattern mastery.
Alta Rose - Grace, I found it interesting on your site when you explain why kids like to start at the bottom when they print.
Kim/1/ - She says it is the LAW.
Sadie T - Grace is definitely our resident spelling expert!!
Mrs. J - I had a book recommended to me, Diane Snowball's Spelling K-8. Any thoughts?
Grace/IL - Alta, that's my personal theory -- dates back to Psych 101
Alta Rose - So my question, and maybe I'm showing my ignorance here, but why have we always told them to start at the top? Is there a valid reason for this?
Sadie T - Well, I haven't ever heard that...
Glenda1stTN - Yes, Grace. We all look to you for spelling advice.
Kim/1/ - Between Tom and I we have 9 kids.........3s and 4s. I think they should be with her for our combined 20 minutes. But NOOOOOOO............
Sadie T - About only 6 at a time, I mean.
Grace/IL - Diane Snowball comes out of the whole language movement. She has some good things to say but I prefer the University of Virginia group. That meshes better with the Orton-Gillingham sequence.
Kim/1/ - It flows better, Alta......flowing writing leads write into cursive........easier to put thoughts down on paper. Starting at the bottom too cumbersome.
Sadie T - That could be true... I don't know.... To me it definitely would make more sense for her to work with them for 20 minutes
Mrs. J - Like who, Grace? If I wanted to read something, what would you recommend?
Alta Rose - But don't most letters in cursive start at the bottom?
Sadie T - But I guess it would depend on what she was doing....
Kim/1/ - What grade are you Kim?
Grace/IL - Thanks, Kim, that's what I was going to write.
Mrs. J - 3rd, other Kim
Kim/1/ - True.........(I hate it when I pontificate and end up loooking like a doofus)
Mrs. J - But I work with K-5 teachers. I'm a literacy coach half the day
Alta Rose - Not at all, Kim!
Kim/1/ - Hmmmm........ Grace doesn't have a 3rd grade program. What does Venezky recommend for 3rd grade Grace?
Michelle - how do you teach 3rd grade half a day? do you job share with someone else?
Alta Rose - I'm just not sure why I nag kids to start at the top, other than I always have!
Mrs. J - No, the kids just don't come until after lunch
Grace/IL - Mrs. J., read anything by Edmund Henderson (now deceased), Donald Bear (although he departs from the main stream), Shane Templeton, Darrell Morris, Frank Vellutino
Michelle - well, I think the printing usually looks better when it's started from the top.
Michelle - They only go to school for half a day?
Mrs. J - Just kidding! Someone teaches the math and science in the morning and I do language arts and social studies in the pm
Kim/1/ - I think in my guts that starting at the top is instructionally sound. I think it is less "bulky."
Kim/1/ - How about Words Their Way, Kim J?
Grace/IL - Venezky doesn't recommend grade levels. Henderson would continue within word patterns and move toward affixing.
Mrs. J - Does that get into older grades, Kim?
Sadie T - Well, it's 9 o'clock now, I really am going to go this time
Michelle - I would love that arrangement, Kim. To only teach literacy and social studies would be great.
Sadie T - Marcia, don't take it personally - I already tried to leave once a few minutes ago before you showed up
Grace/IL - 'Night Sadie
Kim/1/ - Quite a good resource.........should meet all the grade level's spelling and word study needs. BUT I highly recommend Grace's programs for 1st and 2nd grade.
Mrs. J - It is, Michelle, but it is hard to juggle the two roles
Marcia - Yeah, Sadie, you will give a girl a complex!
Alta Rose - Good night, Sadie!
Kim/1/ - Yes other Kim............ just the right size for you.
Michelle - but, i think I, and the rest of the staff, would be more receptive to our Literacy Coordinator if she actually taught in the classroom too.
Glenda1stTN - Kim, who is the "other Kim" you keep referring to?
Kim/1/ - HI Marcia!
Marcia - Grace, is your spelling programon your website or does it have to be ordered?
Mrs. J - We have a literacy coach in every building and it is a requirement that we teach language arts
Kim/1/ - Glenda.......Mrs. J is also named Kim. She allows me to use OUR name while she uses Mrs. J. But........ Mrs. J seems so formal......
Grace/IL - Think I'm going to head out too. I have Delta Kappa Gamma in the morning and have to be there by eight to set up a craft sale, then am the featured program. No, not on spelling -- Elderhostel programs.
Alta Rose - Take Care, Grace.
Kim/1/ - A CRAFT sale..........oooooooo..........
Mrs. J - Kim was here first so she has dibs!
brad - nite grace thanks
Grace/IL - Marcia, there are sample lessons on the site -- and an order form..
Glenda1stTN - I see. Nice solution. Kim and other Kim.
Michelle - we have a full-time Literacy Coordinator (same thing) in every building too. Ours is hard to deal with, though. She talks like she is the authority and if she hasn't approved it, it's probably not Educationally Sound
Marcia - Ok, good night Grace
brad - A craft sale? I have coffee cans
brad - did you happen to mention the ESIA, Michelle?
Marcia - Brad, do you use Grace's spelling and word study program?
Mrs. J - Ah, we have some of those, unfortunately. I learn just as much from the teachers I work with.
Mrs. J - Draft book nazis they are called (the know-it-alls)
brad - I'm jumping in next week with it, Marcia
Michelle - I have to other staff members, but my Lit. Coordinator blinked, and then called my bluff, Brad.
Marcia - So you ordered the program?
brad - yes
Mrs. J - Is it expensive, Brad/Kim?
brad - Twenty five
Kim/1/ - $25...........that's it, Kim. All you need is paper and pencils.
Marcia - $25 . Is that all?
Mrs. J - Per grade level?
Marcia - no worksheets to run off?
Mrs. J - How long have you been using it, Kim?
Kim/1/ - The best deal in town........really. No worksheets, no mess no fuss. YOu can have the kids cut up their words for sorting or you can copy off Grace's list. I do both.
Marcia - Does it follow the CVC pattern or does it deal with rime and onsets?
brad - There are blacklines, Marcia, but they aren't necessary
Mrs. J - Can I do it without doing a word wall?
brad - so Kim, you just use the resource list? I was going to have them hunt in their reading basals
Mrs. J - Or is that part of it?
Marcia - What is available for first? Roots?
Kim/1/ - both, marcia......very developmental. I am USING it for the first time this year and am pleased, 10 weeks in, with results so far.
brad - how'd she call your bluff?
Marcia - Sounds good,Kim. Did Grace develop this?
Kim/1/ - YES.........we do word walls cuz we teach primary.
Michelle - she said, "Is that something you made up?"
Michelle - or something like that
brad - OMG what did you say?
Michelle - she IS well-read.
Mrs. J - But can a primary teacher do the program without a word wall? Is it part of her program for first or part of your school's expectations?
Marcia - ooh, Michelle, I would have denied it!
Kim/1/ - Yes, part of her thesis......she really researched it. I read it over, asked lots of questions, and then read it over again. It just makes sense with everything else I know about how children learn to read and write. I also do Making Words.
Kim/1/ - yes, of coursse.............personal preference in my case. Grace doesn't advocate a word wall one way or the other. Roots is for first grade, Trunks for 2nd.
Marcia - I have looked at it online and wasn' sure how to implement it. I'll have to look again at it.
Alta Rose - Can you use it with the rest of the 4Blocks program? Or is it better than 4Blocks?
Michelle - I said it was a group of professionals who read and practice educational research and determine whether it's sound practice.
brad - Lol, I wish I could've been a fly on the wall
Marcia - I really like the word wall. Is there a sight word component with Roots?
Michelle - And then she said, "is it those internet people you're always talking about?" and I admitted that, yes, it is.
Kim/1/ - I would think so, Alta. It is PART of the whole balanced literacy program I would put it with your word block. I do ROOTS lessons 3x week. Making Words 2x, plus word wall stuff. I hammer word study right now.
Mrs. J - Hmm, I've been to her site a couple of times. Haven't seen enough to make a decision about buying. My kids are weak spellers. Could I use 2nd?
brad - Alta, I think it would mesh perfectly with Word Block. I didn't care as much for Month by Month in Second Grade as I did for Third
Kim/1/ - She has a few sight words in her lessons, Marcia.
Alta Rose - I am very interested in it.
Kim/1/ - YUP........you sure could, Kim!
Marcia - Are the lessons pretty scripted or do you have to pick and choose? You must follow a sequence...
Alta Rose - No, I don't use Month by Month either. I bought it, and then decided I liked my McCracken Phonics better.
brad - I felt Month by Month in Third was a complete package, and was well laid out with lots of suggestions and appropriately sequenced. Month by Month in Second just wasn't doing me.
Michelle - I like Month-by -Month for 3rd grade, but in 1st grade only used the first month's worth. Then I used McCracken.
Marcia - Kim doyou do month by month for first?
Kim/1/ - No script, really. Each lesson covers a skill...........a pattern. You say the word, use it in a sentence (which she gives, but you can choose your own)..........and the kids do their best Night of the Living Dead immitations, sounding them out and writing them down.
reshma - hi iam gr 1 teacher from toronto
reshma - hi iam gr 1 teacher from toronto
brad - I like the sequence, Marcia, and she gives you plenty of options for variety
Alta Rose - Hi reshma.
Marcia - Hi, reshma
Mrs. J - A lesson a day, Kim?
Mrs. J - A few times a week?
reshma - iam interested in roots
Alta Rose - So it doesn't sound like it's too late to order for this year.
reshma - can i have grace,s site
Kim/1/ - Then the kids sort the words by rimes...............I do it a variety of ways. I always write the word on the board once they have "given it a go." Their are assessments also.
brad - I think you need word study daily in third, mrs. j
Marcia - well, i don't mean scripted, but sequenced, I guess. 4 blocks is kind of hard to follow for me because it's just a framework,not a program.
Kim/1/ - She recommends a lesson a day but I started with a HALF lesson, 2-3 times a week. WE are up to 3 lessons a week now.
Marcia - WE have Open Court Phonics and I just can't bring myself to do those lessons. They are meaningless to me. We work the phonics during our shared reading and writing lessons.
Michelle - I only do word study 3 days a week, although we do some word wall review daily.
brad - I don't know about roots, Marcia, but I the sequence that is presented in trunks coordinates with a lot of research I've read
Alta Rose - brb
Mrs. J - Is it too soon to say whether or not it is having an effect on their reading too, Kim?
Mrs. J - That's part of the idea, right?
Kim/1/ - Marcia, me too! I do the basic skill it calls for in O.C. and it blends nicely with Grace's spelling. I am finding that this works for me.
Marcia - I shouldn't say meaningless, but i just can't do them. I will have the card out to do the lesson and look at it and think it would be a lot more engaging to read this chart over here.
Marcia - Kim, do you have the program with the laminated cards with lessons?
brad - I don't understand why Open court is so boring
Kim/1/ - Well......I see improvement for sure in reading and writing.......but can I say for certain it is Grace's spelling? No. I run a very balanced literacy program. I feel in my heart this is good for the kids. As the words show up in their wriiting, I will know it is working.
Glenda1stTN - I'm going to turn in for the night. Good night all.
Marcia - if so, which part do you? See, I am not even familiar with the cards enough to remember their components.
Kim/1/ - yes, the TOOL CARDS. yuck
Alta Rose - Good night, Glenda. Good luck with the contract!
Mrs. J - I know what you mean, Kim. So you see this as a really good fit with a balanced literacy program?
brad - nite glenda
Michelle - good night, glenda.
Marcia - It's the Open Court phonics program. There is also an Open Court anthology with stories. That was great.
Marcia - Does dictation play a part in Grace's program?
brad - so what makes it so boring
Mrs. J - What's a lesson like, Marcia?
Kim/1/ - truthfully........i look at the sound being introduced. I look at the words to be blended. I do a quick blending activity on the white board. I review the sound card and point the patterns out in EVERYTHING we read. They notice EVERYTHING and do most of the work. ar, ir, ur, er, th, and sh, oo, are HOT topics right now.
Mrs. J - I've never seen the program, Marcia, but have heard lots of stories like yours
Kim/1/ - Because there is little meaning embedded into it, Brad.
Mrs. J - And they are handling r controlled vowels ok at this point in first grade?
Kim/1/ - Yes, marcia.......so I don't do the O.C. dictation. Just Grace's.........the kids respond well.
Marcia - There is no connection to what you are doing the rest of the day for one thing brad. Remember I told you about the short a card has a lamb on it, the short e a hen
Marcia - Kim, yours sound like mine. Some of my kids who can read at 2nd grade level, tho, I let them do AR for a few minutes while we are doing the basic phonics lesson.
Kim/1/ - Too soon to say, Kim. Some are (ar ar ar !) and some haven't masterd. Grace hasn't intro it yet........just O.C. Grace intro'd 'ck' and double consonants after a short vowel. They get it, for the most aprt.
Mrs. J - Kim. I have a really wide range of spellers in my room. Some are really low. Would trunks be able to address the lowest kids' needs too?
Marcia - My question is this: Why is dictation important?
Kim/1/ - because they have to HEAR the sound and then ENCODE it onto paper........kinesthetic and aural. supplements decoding which is visual and somewhat aural.
brad - Dictation?
Marcia - I think the OC sequence is a littly bit funky too. I am sure that I can imagine what Graces' is. I used to teach Orton Gillingham everything when I taught LD resource
Mrs. J - Or will it be too hard and maybe I should start with Roots since they haven't done much word study up to now?
brad - Mrs. J. Trunks starts with short vowel sounds. I think third graders would be insulted if you went back any lower than this no matter how low they are
Marcia - Kim, do you do writing workshop? If so, arent' the kids hearing the sounds and encoding them when they are doing their own writing? I guess, I just wnat to make sure I am not duplicating something when I don't have much time in my day.
Kim/1/ - I think Grace would recommend that you give them an assessment first, Kim. Please eMail her and ask advice. She will tell you what to do.
Mrs. J - Is her e-mail on the site?
Kim/1/ - Yes............i don't think it is duplicating. I think it is supplementing. You are controlling the action when you dicate, ensuring they practice what skill you are focusing upon. THEY then practice during WW..........right?
Mrs. J - I guess, Brad, I'm thinking of the two second graders I have. Do you still think Trunks would be the best bet for them?
Marcia - Kim, good point. When we present dictation, the skills are being sequenced allowing them support in their practice. Yes, anothr thing to fit into the day....
brad - I think you would be fine, mrs. j
Mrs. J - How long do you spend on a lesson, Kim?
brad - speaking of something else to fit into the day. . . I just hate the fact I have to grade content areas. UGH
Kim/1/ - I think of the spelling and making words as "word work." The WW is "writing." A different component. I do understand the time crunch, believe me. WW usually suffers in my case.
Kim/1/ - Right now......about 40 minutes if I have them cut and sort. If I have them color code the rimes........20-30 minutes?
Marcia - I'm going to havve to go. It's 12:30 here! Thanks for all of your help! Talk to you later.
brad - when do the rest of you all fit in content areas and how long do you spend?
Mrs. J - I don't know how I would fit 40 minutes in every day
Alta Rose - Clarify content areas, please.
Kim/1/ - The dictation takes about 20 minutes or so. I have a couple kids who need more time. I give them a copy of the words written out and let them trace.
Alta Rose - science, social?
brad - science, social studies, health
Michelle - I don't teach Social Studies. I think I'm going to have to do what I did last year...make up a grade for it. maybe call social skills "social studies". I do teach Science because we integrate classes for it.
Alta Rose - We have to give science and social at least 160 minutes per week.
Kim/1/ - I try to integrate science and social into reading, writing..........lots of non fiction during read aloud. I have a science journal.
brad - everyone says integrate, but then am i not doing a disservice to reading strategies???
Michelle - The PE teacher teaches Health at our school. It's called PE/Wellness
Alta Rose - Hi eilene.
Mrs. J - Brad, my other half, teaches math and science in the morning from 8:20 to 11:55 with a 45 minute special 4 days a week. I get from 12:35 to 3:21 with two 45 minute specials during the week for language arts and social studies
eilene - Hi, guys.
Michelle - No, no...."integrate" means half my class goes next door, and I get half my neighbor's kids.
Alta Rose - PE and Health get 4 40 min periods.
Kim/1/ - no......don't think so.......i model lots of strtegies during shared reading.
Mrs. J - Hi, Eilene
Mrs. J - Welcome
Michelle - hello eilene!
brad - a week, alta? PE four times a week??
eilene - thanks, mrs. j, alta, and michelle.... and brad
brad - how often do you integrate it kim
Kim/1/ - Hi eilene...long time no see......
Alta Rose - It's very difficult to integrate our science units into L.A. There are very specific concepts that must be taught that can only be covered by hands-on experiments.
Alta Rose - 3 PE and 1 health per week.
reshma - hi eilene
Kim/1/ - not enough, brad...........i am always sacrificing something.
brad - do you have a recess, alta?
Michelle - We can't integrate science with L.A. because half my kids are taught L.A. in Spanish, so I have to use Sheltered English techniques for science
Mrs. J - Our science and math can't really be integrated. We have a pacing guide for our Investigations units and we have a science kit each quarter
Alta Rose - Yes, 3 per day.
eilene - 3 recesses per day???
Alta Rose - That's why, no matter what the 4Blocks police say, I cannot do every block every day!
Mrs. J - What are your school hours, Alta?
Kim/1/ - but i won't sacrifice literacy.....so i read aloud a LOT of science books
Alta Rose - am-15 min, lunch 20 min, pm-15 min.
Alta Rose - Start at 9:40. End at 3:20.
brad - that is a tad excessive in my opinion altta
Kim/1/ - 9:40??????????????????
Michelle - wow! our kids only get 2 10-min. recesses, one in the morning and one at lunch.
eilene - that's a late start, alta?
Alta Rose - I meant 8:40! Sorry!
Mrs. J - Wow, you start an hour and 20 minutes later than me. How do you fit everything in?
brad - We start at 9:25 Kim
eilene - oops! shouldn't have been a question
Michelle - our students are in school for 6.5 ours and our union is trying to negotiate in another 15 minutes
Mrs. J - Our kids only get 20 minutes with lunch
Alta Rose - What's excessive? Recess or length of day?
Mrs. J - Oh, that makes more sense, Alta
Kim/1/ - Sheesh. We start at 8:30 although they arrive by 8:15 so I use the time. We end at 2:40. 45 min lunch/recess, 15 min recess in a.m.
Mrs. J - Do you get out at 3:20, Brad?
eilene - my kids get a 35 minute lunch period. Whatever time they don't use for eating they can use for recess
brad - Recess that's 50 minutes of recess
brad - Basically Mrs. J.
Alta Rose - Forgot to explain--We lengthened our day to get 1 extra Friday per month off.
Mrs. J - That's how ours works too, Eilene
brad - The official time is 3:40, but buses start getting called at 3L15
Alta Rose - How much recess do you get?
Mrs. J - Wow, that must be hard, Brad. We already feel like we can't fit it all in and we have an hour more than you.
brad - tell me about it. that's why I have so much trouble fitting in content areas
Michelle - our students are at school 7:55-2:25
Mrs. J - No wonder you asked about content areas
eilene - my kids end up with terrible stomach aches during the spring because they scarf down that pathetic cafeteria lunch food and then go run around. yuck
brad - eilene, I take my kids out right before lunch to alleviate that problem
Michelle - we actually have the same lunch thing as your kids, eilene.
Kim/1/ - Lengthened the day? That doesn't seem lengthened to me. Must be a Canada thing.
Mrs. J - LOL, eilene. Mine too. I have a tummy ache epidemic after lunch in the spring.
eilene - I have to take mine directly into the lunch room, because other classes are waiting outside for my class to finish, so that they can eat. I would hate to be administration just dealing with that alone!
Alta Rose - We lengthened the day by shortening the lunch recess. It used to be 40 minute recess at lunch.
Michelle - we are going on a field trip to the Oregon Symphony on Tuesday.
Kim/1/ - I want an extra Friday off per month. I can use it.
eilene - oh, cool! Michelle
Mrs. J - What grade Michelle?
Michelle - 3rd grade.
Mrs. J - Our second graders usually go to the symphony here every year. Don't really appreciate it though.
Michelle - the symphony thingy is geared especially for elementary kids
Kim/1/ - I have to correct Final Exams tomorrow.
Mrs. J - How do the third graders do? Have you taken them before?
Mrs. J - Final exams in first grade?
brad - ;luvky you kim
eilene - I have report cards to do, kim... my hand is killing me!
Michelle - they are excited. I went in 2nd grade. Was a bit disappointed, but i remember really being in awe of the whole experience
Kim/1/ - But then I get 10 weeks off from the University class..........so, a good thing.
brad - LOL, wrong placement on keyboard
Kim/1/ - No the credential class.
Mrs. J - Oh, I get it Kim--college
Mrs. J - LOL, silly me!
Michelle - This is my first time taking them. I guess the 3rd gr. went a few years ago and did well.
brad - This was our last time to do report cards by bubbling in, supposedly. New district online grading system is up for next quarter.
Kim/1/ - I teach a college class 1st grade. Like I needed MORE to do. Now I get to do a staff dev thing too..........book club.
Mrs. J - Well. It's going on one. I'm going to crawl into bed
Mrs. J - You sound like me, Kim. Don't know when enough is enough do you?
brad - I don't trust it, though. Technology never works
Kim/1/ - me too, kim.....quite tired. another long week.
brad - yes, I should go too
Kim/1/ - yeah i have to practice. "no." "no." no
eilene - I wish we would put our report cards on the computer... those carbonless things are murder
Mrs. J - Haven't gone the college route yet. How many years have you been teaching?
Kim/1/ - brad you need to get some sleep.
Kim/1/ - 8 years.............not as long as some.
Kim/1/ - sleep will heal you
brad - kim's just a baby
Mrs. J - college or first grade?
Kim/1/ - sorry mrs j........8 years teaching kids.........1 yr teaching college
Mrs. J - This is my seventh year
Mrs. J - What about you Brad?
Kim/1/ - I am practicing: No. No. No. Heck No.
brad - You're all such tender young shoots, sticking above the weeds
Kim/1/ - spoken by the seedling...........
Mrs. J - Are you a weed, Brad?
eilene - okay, I give up... I
Mrs. J - There you go again, Eilene
Michelle - you're so funny, brad
brad - LOL, a weed
eilene - I'm having such problems maneuvering on this board tonight
Alta Rose - Yes, I should go to. I've been sitting for too long now. All those hours on uncomfortable chairs at my session.
Mrs. J - How many years, Brad?
Michelle - brad is trying to hide his 6 million dollar man action figure as he's speaking....
Kim/1/ - must crawl into bed with cozy blankie.........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
brad - I have to tell you I've been digging this new desk chair we bought. It's very comfy
brad - the one with the eye, michelle?
Kim/1/ - Mrs. j......come to the board tomorrow. Saturdays need livening up
Michelle - that's the one...gotta love the eye
brad - If you all must know, I am an OOOOLLLLd man
Kim/1/ - ((good night all))))) don't sleep in that chair brad
Mrs. J - I'll try, Kim. Don't have much to add intellectually there. I feel inadequate with Jan and Judy!
Michelle - lol, you're not fooling anyone, brad.
Mrs. J - Night, Kim
Alta Rose - Goodnight, Kim.
brad - L:ast Sunday was my birthday
Michelle - I've never met an old man named "brad". You'll need to change your name.
eilene - Night Kim
Kim/1/ - yeah right.........OLD man.........(snort) He's like 32
Mrs. J - I guess 35
Michelle - I wonder which day was diane's birthday?
Alta Rose - Happy Belated!
Michelle - it was recently too?
brad - That's true. Do all Brad's die young?
Michelle - oops..no question mark was supposed to be there.
Michelle - happy late birthday, brad.
Alta Rose - I'd say a bit closer to 40....
Kim/1/ - most brads get hammered or stapled
brad - or pendaflexed?
Michelle - oh yea, brad's like a month older than I am.
Mrs. J - Ok, Brad, don't keep us in suspense
brad - I'm a tender young shoot
eilene - for he's a jolly good fellow...
Kim/1/ - for he's a jolly good fellow............
brad - I turned the big 3-0
eilene - for he's a jolly good fellow... which nobody can deny
eilene - 30?!?!?!?!?!?!
Michelle - oh, man....I was wrong. oh, well.
Alta Rose - When, Brad?
Kim/1/ - i was close...............
Mrs. J - You're joshing us, right?
Michelle - At least I'm still younger than eilene.
brad - my carefree twenties are now behind me
Kim/1/ - which nobody can deny......................
Michelle - hehe
eilene - but I'm not that old, really, and you're only younger by months
Kim/1/ - You will choke when you find out how long he has been teaching............
Mrs. J - How many years in a row have you turned 30?
brad - why choke?
Mrs. J - Don't you dare say less than five
Kim/1/ - Because you are so knowledgable, sweetie............we have been through this before.
Michelle - oh, yeah. she'll choke
Mrs. J - Are you really 30?
Kim/1/ - way less than five
brad - This is my second year
Alta Rose - I dunno Brad..You remember a lot from the 70's!
Mrs. J - No way! Has to be at least 2
eilene - He has that enthusiasm and excitement and thirst of a new teacher... Me, I was jaded and cynical the second day of my first year....It suits me better
Mrs. J - Now, can we believe this? He fibs so often
brad - LOL< yeah that's me, I'm so crispy right now
Michelle - crispy and salty?
Kim/1/ - He reads constantly ....... is up on the research. He has the heart, drive, and motivation. PLUS he is just ornery enough to not let the buzzards get him down. Good combo..........huh?
brad - LOL, Michelle
Michelle - is crispy anything like salty?
Michelle - brad's a Frito
eilene - gumbo? Oh, Combo!!
brad - I don't know how long I'll last in this @#$%ed urban environment though, but I'll soldier through
Mrs. J - crusty?
eilene - I hear you brad
Kim/1/ - He reads sections of texts sitting at B&N............loooks up articles, asks a lot of questions..........he is an exception.
brad - True, true, all true, thirty and second year teaching
Mrs. J - Amen, Brad
Michelle - you're not reading every piece of writing anymore, are you brad?
Kim/1/ - Don't you wish MORE teachers wre like our Brad?
Mrs. J - I'm impressed, Brad. Now I feel inferior to Judy, Jan AND Brad
brad - I just can't believe, even STILL that you can sit there and read ENTIRE BOOKS and no one SAYS A WORD!!
Kim/1/ - Plus he is a workhorse.......who needs to GO TO BED NOW.
brad - Michelle, I wasn't ever doing that, thank God. But I felt like maybe I should've been, I guess?
Michelle - how do you find time to do all that reading, brad?
Michelle - I can't!
Kim/1/ -
brad - I read very quickly
Kim/1/ - If we all log off he wil have to crawl into bed and cure that cold.
eilene - and you can absorb it all? I have to highlight, which means I end up buying the books
Mrs. J - OK, I will lead the retreat. Night all
Kim/1/ - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ((good night for realsies this time))))))))))))))
brad - I usually end up re-reading a lot too
Michelle - I should've taken a speed-reading course, I guess. I need time to reflect.
eilene - night, guys!
Alta Rose - Yes, goodnight everyone!
brad - ok, here we go
Michelle - ok, good night, everyone!
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