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Johnie - I am new at this. Do you want to chat?
Jamie - im new too
Jamie - last night was first ive been on in years
Johnie - I'm from Texas.
Jamie - michigan
Johnie - Are you from Texas, also?
Jamie - central michigan...hot here, you?
Johnie - Oh, I guess have to give you time to respond.
Johnie - I'm in south Texas, near Corpus Christi.
Johnie - What do you teach?
Jamie - i teach thrid grade, you
Johnie - i teach pre-K
Jamie - i obviously cant spell on here
teachfrog - hi, I teach 4th - 6th ELL newcomers in So Cal
Jamie - prek must be fun, been teaching long
teachfrog - My class seems to scare Student Teachers. I have had two that have not survived
Johnie - Is ELL stand for English Limited?
teachfrog - English Language Learners
Jamie - what happened???
teachfrog - Kid s learning English
Johnie - I am going on my 2nd year when school starts
teachfrog - One hated Bilingual Kids, did not want anything to do with them
teachfrog - Too bad in California
Jamie - im starting my fifth, but still feel new sometimes
teachfrog - The other had a too many other things going on in her life
Jamie - it sounds like they were not cutout for it
teachfrog - So I choose to support new teachers in our shcool
Johnie - I am still very nervous and insecure about teaching
Jamie - good idea
Jamie - now that im tenured, the principal tried to get me to take a student teachedr this fall.
teachfrog - Johnie, I have been rereading "First Days" by Wong
Jamie - im sure you're doing fine johnie
Johnie - that's great. a lot of the vetern teachers at my school do the same
teachfrog - Lot's of good stuff even for us old timers
Jamie - i politely declined, since im taking two grad classes
Johnie - how long have you been teaching, Jamie
Jamie - how long ya been teaching frog
Jamie - i'm beginning my fifth year...wow...time flies
teachfrog - 12 years, minus 3 years at District supporting ELL teachers and New teachers and tech stuff
Jamie - what ya nervous about johnie
Jamie - a pro!
Johnie - teachfrog, a lot of people have suggested reading that book. i wll have to give it a try
teachfrog - If you saw me last year you wouldnot say that.
Jamie - its a good book...lots of good tips
teachfrog - First year back after 3 years out, did not get a class until October 31. Oh that was fun
Jamie - why's that
Jamie - i bet
Jamie - does anyone do a writing workshop
Jamie - mine needs some improements
Jamie - so does my typing ha
teachfrog - Yes, but mine looks a lot more like a 2nd grade class due to the English fluency of my kids
Johnie - i don't know, i'm praying this year will be better.
Jamie - what happened last year, johnie
Jamie - i have no experience with ESL students
teachfrog - Jamie, you obviously don't work in so Cal
Johnie - I think the problem was i try to be their friends
Jamie - i'm in a predominately white district
Jamie - someone once gave me the advice to start out tough because you can always lighten up later...thats true
Jamie - check out the book "the first days of school" by harry wong
teachfrog - Jamie, I always thought that was a joke. But after watching new teachers I don't think it is
Jamie - consistency, consistency, consistency!
teachfrog - Harry Wong talks about having a good plan for discipline and procedures and STICK to it.
teachfrog - That is usually what kids think are MEAN
Janet/VA - first days is an EXCELLENT book
Janet/VA - I used it my first year
Jamie - but they love us anyway...kids need to know exactly what you expect
teachfrog - "First Days" is a good book to revisit on occasion
Jamie - leaf, were you the one talking about the crayons lastnight
akaivyleaf - Yes that was me.
Jamie - what did you find out
akaivyleaf - You have to buy the special crayons, I couldn't get regular ones to work
Jamie - what was it you were trying to do
Jamie - what happened to you johnie
akaivyleaf - Transfer crayon drawings to fabric
Jamie - thats right
teachfrog - OH
Jamie - what grade do you teach leaf
akaivyleaf - I read on a number of sites that regular ones would transfer but I couldn't get that to happen. I will go and buy the "expensive" fabric crayons tomorrow
akaivyleaf - I used to teach 1st grade language arts. I now homeschool my daughter and I am an educational consultant.
Jamie - how long have ya'll taught
new to resourceroom - how is everyone tonight? Have you already staarted?
Janet/VA - this will be my third year
garf/sped/ga - This is my fourth year
akaivyleaf - I taught for 5 years before quitting
Jamie - i teach third grade...going on fifth year
new to resourceroom - been teaching but will be first year in resource room. anyone else sp. ed
akaivyleaf - I've been in the educational arena for 12 years now in one form or another
Jamie - i haven't started yet, you guys?
Jamie - another pro!
Janet/VA - kids start sept.4 I go back 15th of aug
new to resourceroom - we start on sept 5
Jamie - anyone use the 4 blocks program
Jamie - or writing workshop
garf/sped/ga - I may use it
Janet/VA - no to 4 blocks....
teachfrog - Jamie, you keep calling us Pro's but I feel like I have to learn more now than when I started
Janet/VA - thought about it
garf/sped/ga - Yes, I am special ed
teachfrog - I used 4 blocks
Jamie - frog, you like it?
Jamie - i guess we're never really pros...always learning!
teachfrog - Jamie, yes. I used the SSP book at the beginning since I have to teach English sounds to my students
Janet/VA - gotta go bye everyone
teachfrog - Then moved to the 3rd and 4th grade WWW words
akaivyleaf - Education is a continual learning process for me.
Jamie - i bet www is good for your students, frog
teachfrog - The rest was similar to the way described in the How to book
teachfrog - Yeah, lots of clues always help
Jamie - johnie, are you out there
teachfrog - You label everything, and have lotsssss of pictures.....
Jamie - im nervous about the guided reading
teachfrog - What part
Jamie - not sure if im doing it "right"
garf/sped/ga - BRB
jill - anyone here teach hs
Johnie - i'm new to this two. i am also new to teaching
akaivyleaf - I am in Atlanta and I have never taught High School
Stanley - Hello, everyone. I'm a Sub in San Diego, almost entirely Elementary, with some MS.
jill - akaivy what are u going to teach
Stanley - Johnie, & where are you from?
akaivyleaf - I have in the past taught language arts in first grade. I taught for 5 years in public school so I'm not new... Just chatting
jill - kk
Johnie - my computer has some kind of delay
Stanley - akaivy, are you still teaching?
akaivyleaf - I now homeschool so I am an new to teaching the whole spectrum of subjects.
Johnie - I am around Corpus Christi and I teach pre-k
Stanley - akaivy, you homeschool your own children?
akaivyleaf - I'm an educational consultant. I'm in some school 3 days of every week during the school year
akaivyleaf - Yes I homeschool my daughter and I will have language arts class for a cluster of homeschool students in my area this fall.
Stanley - What company(s) do you represent, akaivy?
Johnie - how old are your kids
Stanley - Greetings, artemis! Are you a new T?
akaivyleaf - I'm independant. I am on my own. I have a product that is designed to go hand and hand with Georgia's Quality Core Curriculum
artemis - some days I feel like one but no
akaivyleaf - y daughter is 7 and I am going to do Elementary language Arts for K-5th Students
akaivyleaf - My not y
Stanley - I've been subbing 5 yrs, so I know whereof you speak, artemis!
Stanley - akaivy, do you have a web site?
akaivyleaf - Are you going to be full time this year Stanley or do you prefer subbing
akaivyleaf - It's under major revision in preparation for this coming school year.
akaivyleaf - It will be operational by monday hopefully.
Stanley - akaivy, I've no problems with subbing -- other than the remuneration. I don't THINK I'll have a contracted spot offered, but one never REALLY knows... {G}
akaivyleaf - Well if you enjoy it, that's great. You do get a chance to meet with a lot of students I'm sure and you get a chance to experience a myriad of subjects and activites
Johnie - Subbing is stressfull. i sub after i graduted waiting for a job
akaivyleaf - I never subbed. I thought it too difficult because I felt you never got a chance to prepare well.
Johnie - i did not like it. that's why i try to leave very detailed plans for my subs
Stanley - I get virtually all my jobs at LEAST the day before, so that minimizes the stress, IMO. Plus, in Y2K I was able to work 237 days, thereby getting the $ as high as possible.
panicked - hi--I'm very stressed about planning my curriculum for 9th and 11th!
jill - yes
akaivyleaf - ok stanley...
Stanley - Hello, panicked! Why the name??
panicked - hi--thanks, Johnnie--Stanley because I am so panicked!
akaivyleaf - exactly Johnie. I always left very detailed plans. Seating charts etc. I can remember what my classes were like when I was a student and what we did to subs
jill - johnie, panicked whay do u teacg
akaivyleaf - Why are you panicked.
Johnie - i understand my grade level is rewriting our curriculum
Stanley - I'm elementary, panioked, so I'm afraid I'll not be of much help...
jill - sorry kitten in lap
panicked - Because I just don't know how to get it all in: all teh genres plus grammar plus vocab plus writing assignments!
akaivyleaf - What grade level Johnie?
Johnie - i teach pre-K
akaivyleaf - Language arts?
jill - english then
panicked - Sorry--9th and 11th English, yes
Stanley - Where are you located, panicked?
Dee - I teach bilingual Kinder
panicked - I'm in Los Angeles
Johnie - i'm not much help, either
jill - i teach chem panicked sorry
Dee - I need more hours in the day.
akaivyleaf - Can't help you on the High School level
Johnie - Dee, where are you from
jill - i do remember when i was in english we would do vocab with the books...grammar broke up the reading,,,we always liked the grammar cuz it was an easy grade
Dee - San Antonio, TX
akaivyleaf - You can combine Grammer with writing...
Stanley - panicked, I'm in San Diego. What's your location like -- inner-city? Or, do you even know yet??
jill - johnie what do u teach
Johnie - i agree with you dee on needing more hours
panicked - Uhm--yes, I am most certainly not a math/science person--I'm driving myself insane though becasue math is sort of what I am trying to do
panicked - Stanley, no, I'm in priv. school--conservative religious (though I am not)
jill - lol don't...the first year will work itself out...i got stressed last year and it was all good by the end
Johnie - that's great Dee, i'm in Taft, Tx outside of Corpus
jill - we test in may and i still had days i had to dump
Dee - The School District waited till the last moment to hire and now has filled up 100% of time with inservices. I haven't seen my room or supplies yet
akaivyleaf - What curriculum will you be using Panicked?
Stanley - Dee, I frequently sub bilingually -- my Spanish is at least "reasonable."
garf/sped/ga - wow. The teacher I am replacing left messes
akaivyleaf - When does school start Dee?
garf/sped/ga - so, I will go in the weekend to clean up
Johnie - Jill, i teach pre-K
panicked - technically, this is my 3rd year teaching hs english so why am I like this? because teh first two years I was sort of thrown into the thick of things--yes, one teacher left a huge mess
Dee - Aug 20
jill - kk
garf/sped/ga - This is my fourth year teaching
Dee - I took over once for a teacher who left nothing.
panicked - Akaivyleaf--I'm using scott foresman lit textbooks
akaivyleaf - Where in GA are you garf?
garf/sped/ga - I always leave details
Stanley - panicked, have you tried leaving messages on some of the boards here @ T.Net? Perhaps even the New/Beginning T Board??
Dee - I was given 10 mins notice to teach Kinder a couple of years ago.
panicked - forms of lit for 9th and American lit for 11th
garf/sped/ga - I figure it makes things easier for them.
Dee - I found a small basket with a 6 books in the corner of the room.
garf/sped/ga - the Atlanta metro area
Johnie - hi, garf/sped/ga. i understand last year i got hired 6 days before school started and they had been using my room for storage
akaivyleaf - Stanley- this is my web page address: http://home.earthlink.net/~aka20pearls
akaivyleaf - so am I Garf
garf/sped/ga - and I leave it organized. They can pretty much walk in and their job
panicked - Yes, Stanley--have been on the Yahoo group too--but my cup is runneth over right now and I thought I'd try for immediate feedback--yes--it always seems that everything is at "short notice"
Dee - I quess I shouldn't complain. I will have 2 weekends to prepare the room.
Stanley - Dee, how long did it take them to pony up with supplies for you when they initially placed you in K?
akaivyleaf - That was the most enjoyable time for me. Setting my room up, and changing it frequently. I liked for students and parents alike to "ooh and aah" at my themes
Dee - I remember asking the pricipal what was my budget
panicked - at any rate, I felt far more confident last year when I essentially had no plan at all--now I'm working to come up with a really comprehensive plan and it's wrecking me
Johnie - Dee, beg and borrow
Dee - I come from an administrative background so I'm used to knowing how much money is allocated for things and then spending accordinly.
akaivyleaf - Dee did the principal laugh?
Dee - She told me none.
Dee - I learned later that she would give me anything I requested.
akaivyleaf - I saved all receipts for income tax purposes
akaivyleaf - I never bothered being reimbursed from the school district. They always cried broke...
panicked - Thanks, for the shoulders to cry on--if you make it to the message board for HS English, I'm "polly"--bye and thanks again
Dee - The school I'm at now. (This is my official 1st year teaching) has told me there is no money either but it does seem to have lots of resources.
akaivyleaf - Keep your plan flexible for chage panicked
akaivyleaf - Thats good Dee. I was never so fortunate
Dee - Yes the prinicipal laughed
Stanley - panicked, how was your evaluation last yr? If it was acceptable & you did things on the "fly," then perhaps you're better off NOT overly planning!
Johnie - Jill, i'm new at this. What does "kk" mean? are is that your cat?
Dee - It does seem that way in regards to English language materials but I won't get to seem the stuff in my room til tomorrow. I don't know what the Spanish materials are
garf/sped/ga - I think I am going to have a interesting year
garf/sped/ga - I will have 9 students
Dee - I always save all receipts. And I always ask for a discount. I love garage sales.
akaivyleaf - Interesting... in a good or bad way?
garf/sped/ga - and 7 in wheelchairs
Stanley - garf, severe or non-severe?
garf/sped/ga - I dont know yet
garf/sped/ga - Well, I have two that are very severe
Dee - What age level?
garf/sped/ga - 4 that go into regular ed most of the day
garf/sped/ga - middle school
Stanley - garf, so your credential is in severe?
Johnie - you get some great things at garage sales. I always remember "one man's trash is another teacher's treasure"
garf/sped/ga - yes, I am certified in orthopedic and visual impairments
garf/sped/ga - I also am 2 credits shy of MR certification
akaivyleaf - I love yard sales and garage sales
Stanley - garf, talk about being visually impaired: I need more surgery on my [formerly] detached retina which is still basically useless to me.
garf/sped/ga - sorry to hear that
garf/sped/ga - do you have diabetic retinopathy?
akaivyleaf - Oh my stanley. What caused the retina to detach?
Stanley - garf, as a Sub I sometimes do SH, though it seems most of my SPED calls are for LH.
garf/sped/ga - I have had several students over the years who had retinopathy of prematurity
garf/sped/ga - OIC stanley. I do not think I am cut out for mild disabilities
Stanley - Spontaneous detachment... there's a genetic tendency on my Dad's side: He's had 1 in EACH eye, & his youngest bro has had 1.
garf/sped/ga - OIC
garf/sped/ga - the kids I have worked with who håve ROP, all but one were twins
garf/sped/ga - I would usually work with both siblings. One would be higher than the other too
garf/sped/ga - Last year was the first time I di dnot work with both siblings
Stanley - Mom's side of the family is RAMPANT with diabetes, though that's not apparently an issue for me.
garf/sped/ga - I have one student this year with ROP and one with a cortical visual impairment
garf/sped/ga - but they have other stuff, too
akaivyleaf - My hat is off to you garf. You are a teacher's teacher and I could learn a few things from you.
Stanley - I think I told my largest employer that I WASN'T comfortable with the visually impaired. I'm concerned that special training WOULD be recquired to sub there...
garf/sped/ga - not really
akaivyleaf - I wanted to specialize in special Education but I was too weepy for it. My compassion turned to sorrow more often than not
garf/sped/ga - my principal told me all she can do is say hello to my students
akaivyleaf - Didn't think that was a benefit to the students
garf/sped/ga - well, little does she know that will change
garf/sped/ga - my kids will be eating in the cafeteria like the other kids
Stanley - venua [Williams]... you mean you're not out practicing? {G}
garf/sped/ga - it is just going to take time
garf/sped/ga - the previous teacher was not very good about that type of stuff
Stanley - Hmmmmm... I guess Venus found her racquet!
garf/sped/ga - why are you not comfortable with the visually impaired?
akaivyleaf - Thats great garf. I'm suprised the principal would say such a thing
Stanley - I meant with being RESPONSIBLE as their T, garf. I.e., I've no ideas about the modifications, etc. Plus, ø training on my part...
akaivyleaf - I'm comfortable with all people garf... My usual saying is "there but by the Grace of God, go I." I just want so much to help them achieve EVERYTHING and frustrate myself
garf/sped/ga - Stanley, most of th etime you can ask a kid what he or she needs
Stanley - graf, I've PROBABLY screwed up saying I'd not take those classes. I guess I lumped it with deaf/hard of hearing, where I think signing would be almost de rigeur...
Stanley - Well, I guess our host never showed up tonight, huh??
akaivyleaf - I would have to agree Stanley.
garf/sped/ga - maybe so
Stanley - akaivy, you mean about the signing?
akaivyleaf - No- About the host never showing up
akaivyleaf - Do either of you work with leveling books?
garf/sped/ga - a little bit
Stanley - Ah... yes. A yr or so ago they uses to have 1 or 2 ladies as hosts who had a book & web site for new Ts. But, since I can't recollect their names, I'm not sure if this was a different host or not...
akaivyleaf - Is there a comprehensive list on the web that I could go to look up book levels?
Stanley - I worked a bit with that this past yr. Just recently I though I downloaded some URLs which SUPPOSEDLY helped with that process...
akaivyleaf - I'm looking around for one. I am looking at publisher sites for correlations
akaivyleaf - The publisher's themselves seem to be a bit biased.
akaivyleaf - looks as if we are the only ones here...
akaivyleaf - I check akaivyleaf@hotmail.com most frequently
akaivyleaf - Thanks
Stanley - Some of the sites where I helped level were EXTREMELY casual about the whole process, I thought...
akaivyleaf - That's my fear. I want non biased opinions on the level. Nothing is more frustrating to an emergent reader than for the text to be too hard
Stanley - Thanks for the addy. Look for something NO later than this weekend... assuming I can remember what I called the file! {G}
akaivyleaf - Thanks I appreciate it. Are you leaving this chat now?
akaivyleaf - Everybody in my house is asleep so I'll continue chatting if you are going to stick around
Stanley - I never checked the URLs myself. [When I'm downloading strands I just log the info.]
akaivyleaf - I do the same thing. Often times by the time I go back to the URL it isn't functioning
Stanley - Well, in San Diego it's only 7:12, so I'll continue to munch my granola bars while I'm pecking away... {G}
akaivyleaf - Ok. . . It's 10:12 in Georgia.
akaivyleaf - haven't had granola in a long time. . . Makes me wish for some
Stanley - I hear you about URLs... But what I hate MOST is that the strands time-out so quickly on the MainBoard here @ T.Net!!
akaivyleaf - I very rarely go to the message boards here at t.net. I like live action. However I am looking at a board at teacherhelp.com
Stanley - Actually, these are more like PowerBars. Before I arrived I was swimming laps, so they're my "treat" for the PM! {G}
akaivyleaf - I used to use message boards exclusively.
akaivyleaf - My goodness stanley, you're athletic. I'm not inclined.
Stanley - Why did you stop with the message boards? I feel they're SUCH good sources of info for Ts...
akaivyleaf - However if I could get my hubby to put a pool in the back yard...
akaivyleaf - They are good sources for information, but I'm a right now type of person. I like interaction, instant interaction.
akaivyleaf - I do check them occasionally...
Stanley - I've been swimming "reasonably" consistently since the late 70s -- I'm now 54, so if I'm to continue teaching for another 20 yrs or so I need **ALL** the help I can get!!
akaivyleaf - That's wonderful. Keep it up. I'll probably be dead by the time I'm 50 at the rate I'm going
akaivyleaf - I just don't set enough time for myself in the exercise/fitness segment of my life
Stanley - I work in 1 District which is almost entirely multi-tracked year around, so they usually keep me busy about as much as I want to work.
akaivyleaf - That's great. At that rate you can pick and choose what assignments to take and still leave room for yourself
Jamie - where did everybody go
akaivyleaf - The meetings usually end at 10 EST
akaivyleaf - We just stayed on
Jamie - i see you're talking about exercise
Stanley - I started getting lethargic after I was forced to miss a month because of my retina. It's only in the last several weeks that I've gotten back into ROUTINE swimming after work.
Jamie - good
Jamie - im having trouble fitting it into my schedule during the school year. how do you do it?
akaivyleaf - It has to be a routine. I can be organized in all segments except the exercise part.
Jamie - me too
Stanley - Well, but I don't leave room, akaivy. My retinologist had scheduled a 2nd operation for this coming Wed. However, I cancelled rather than lose 7 days of work that I alread had!!
akaivyleaf - Every morning is filled with homeschool, 3 afternoons a week I have meetings or seminars and such, evenings I have to have time to have prep work
Stanley - Jamie, as a Sub I've more time than a contracted T!
akaivyleaf - weekends are busy as my hubby owns a funeral home and saturdays are busy days for him
Jamie - you need to take time for yourself
akaivyleaf - I suppose I could exercise now but... I'd rather chat
Jamie - what grades do you sub
akaivyleaf - Plus its hard to exercise alone
Jamie - me too
Stanley - Jamie, I've been covering my left eye since early Feb. It won't make any difference in the prognosis if I wait until late Dec, & then I might not miss ANY days of work.
Jamie - oh, i hope you're feeling ok
akaivyleaf - That makes sense. Is the prognosis good that you will recover your sight?
Stanley - Jamie, I'm mostly elementary, including Bilingual & SPED. I'll do some MS, though I try not to make a habit of it! {G}
Jamie - is it difficult to teach with the trouble you're having
Stanley - It's really difficult to say how well I'll recover. But, since Dad has had a detachment in EACH eye, I **HAVE** to at least TRY everything possible...
akaivyleaf - So true. I hope its successful for you.
Jamie - all of that and you manage to exercise regularly...good for you!
Stanley - Jamie, I'm in my 5th yr of subbing, averaging over 210 days/yr. So, experience can make up for not being 100% physically.
akaivyleaf - That's exactly my thought Jamie. Puts me to shame
Jamie - you're a busy sub...what area are you guys from
akaivyleaf - I'm in Atlanta
akaivyleaf - and you?
Stanley - Thank you, BUT it is **SO** easy to get out of the habit! [The weather has been SO beautiful here of recent that it was easier to get back into it...]
Jamie - i'm in central michigan
Stanley - San Diego. What do you teach, Jamie?
akaivyleaf - I'm still working on getting the pool in the back yard. That will be my motivation
Jamie - we have really hot and humid weather now...probably snow next week! ha
Stanley - I MUCH prefer the comraderie [sp?] of a Club, though I pay thru the nose for it! {G}
Jamie - ai teach 3rd grade...i would love to have a pool...we have a pond
akaivyleaf - I hesitate to join a club as I would require a baby sitter and that is too much of a hassle now days
Jamie - we live in the country...12 miles from the nearest gym
Jamie - middle of sticks...scary to walk the roads
Stanley - I'm probably MOST interested in G-3 because it is the OLDEST CA grade which still has the 20:1 ratio. [Otherwise I'd probably prefer 4 or 5 for contracted purposes.]
Jamie - i will have 21 this year, beginning aug. 22
akaivyleaf - But I bet its a beautiful clean air place to live Jamie
akaivyleaf - We have so much smog here. Almost deadly to go out doors
Jamie - middle of sticks...scary to walk the roads
Stanley - Any school where I'm likely to get a contract probably has more than it's fair share of behavior problems, so why deal with 50% MORE of them when you can't even PROPERLY deal with the reduced #s???
Jamie - have either of you been to michigan
Jamie - i don't know how that message appeared twice oops
akaivyleaf - I frequented Detroit as a teenager and young adult. I'm originally from Illinois and had friends in Detriot
Stanley - I've not been East of the MS, though I've spent time in SE Asia & the Philipines.
Jamie - were you in the military
akaivyleaf - Thats true Stanley. Discipline is a growing concern with classroom management
Jamie - oh yeah
Jamie - i think i spend 10% time teaching and 90% counseling/mothering
Stanley - US Navy, '67-'71, Dental Technician, with 3 Westeren Pacific assignments, including '70/'71 on the ground about 10 mi outside of Saigon.
akaivyleaf - Thats unfortunate Jamie. If only you could spend 90% of your time teaching.
akaivyleaf - Iguess a lot of the problems are due to young mothers, disjointed families, improper diet, generally the child receiving little attention. Those were my problems when I was in the classroom.
Jamie - sign of the times
Stanley - This yr I've worked 60 days in a schools which has San Diego's highest % of homeless families. However, I don't think that's generally as tough as foster care kids.
akaivyleaf - Each of my discipline problems could be attributed to one of those causes.
akaivyleaf - Why do you say that Stanley? Are you saying that even though the children were homeless they were still with family and that somehow contributed to a better child? Just asking, interesting thought
Stanley - One of the schools in my major district is reported to have about 40% of its Ss living in foster care!
Jamie - i had four out of 20 in foster care last year
Jamie - wow
akaivyleaf - So foster care children have more on their mind than an education? I can't say as I remember having statistics on the number of students that were in foster care...
Jamie - brb
akaivyleaf - That is a high number stanley
Stanley - I feel even the homeless have tended to have more stability than the foster kids. Go from schools like those to affluent schools, where I also work... **WOW** -- & people don't think it isn't primarily socio-economics???
Stanley - akaivy, that figure was anecdotal, but since it came from 2 different Ts @ the school independently... Let me tell you, I'm not particularly eager to take more work there!!!
Jamie - i have had no experience with homeless families
akaivyleaf - So true Stanley. I did have 2 children my last year of teaching that were homeless. I got to my class room early to provide them with towels and wash clothes and took to taking their clothes home to wash for them so that they would be like the other children in class.
akaivyleaf - Their parents appreciated it, it was the least I could do.
Jamie - that's wonderful, leaf
Jamie - we need more caring teachers like you
Stanley - From what I've seen [VERY generalized]: Wee ones tend to be VERY squirmy, there's LOTS of queing up for attention, & **LOTS** of petty squabbling.
akaivyleaf - It was akward at first but you have to take matters into your own hand sometimes. My principal was not happy with it.
akaivyleaf - Wee ones in foster care or wee ones in homeless situations
Stanley - akaivy, that IS inspiring about the sevices you provided!!
akaivyleaf - or wee ones in general.... I would vote for k-2nd graders being squrimy period
akaivyleaf - I will admit I was selfish in my motivation at first. I couldn't stand the smell as the weeks progressed.
Jamie - i love teaching my third graders
Stanley - My generalizations were re shelter kids. The foster kids I've seen are tougher to predict -- quite possibly because so many have been abused in some form??
Jamie - this is off the topic a bit, but i was wondering how johnie was doing in the chat you guys had earlier
Stanley - akaivy, WHY was your principal unhappy with your "extra" contributions?
akaivyleaf - I hadn't compared that stanley.
akaivyleaf - Well the principal had the feeling of superiority over everyone and everything. Thought that the children shouldn't even be in school really.
akaivyleaf - She thought that all people should have a permanent address. She lived in a bubble of sorts
Jamie - hmm...
akaivyleaf - We had quite a homeless and indigent population of students
Stanley - You mean, the principal didn't want them in HER school, right?
akaivyleaf - I don't know johnie and we didn't discuss health that I can remember Jamie
akaivyleaf - correct stanle. Didn't want them in the district was the feeling I received.
Jamie - johnie seemed to want to talk about something re: teaching, i was just wondering thanks
akaivyleaf - I would say that 80% of the students were quite poor
akaivyleaf - Many of my students wore the same thing to school 3 days in a row
Stanley - Was the johnie the G-9 & 11 private school T??
Jamie - i'm afraid that my school is in a bit of a bubble
akaivyleaf - The principal insisted on dressing to the nines, required that we think of "appearances" in our daily work routine...
akaivyleaf - I thought that was panicked stanley...
Jamie - i do not have much experience with homeless children
Stanley - akaivy, where I commonly work virtually all the children qualify for free lunches...
Jamie - no idea
Stanley - akaivy, you're correct about that being panicked!
akaivyleaf - you're school is in a nice neighborhood Jamie?
akaivyleaf - Two parent homes, stay at home moms?
Jamie - rural part of a wealthy community...we're the out-casts ha
Jamie - not exactly
Stanley - This current yr I've worked 4 days in 1 of our district's most affluent schools. G-1s there were often reading chapter books & knew about contractions/apostrophies, amongst other things!!
Jamie - wow...advanced
akaivyleaf - The biggest problem that I had with my last principal was her lack of caring for her community. I believe that a school and church in the community should be a resource.
Jamie - amen
akaivyleaf - That is advanced Stanley. What do they attribute that to? Parental involvement
Jamie - it couldn't hurt
Stanley - ABSOLUTELY about the community, akaivy!!
burned - are you guys done, cause I have a sticky problem, need advice
Jamie - where ya from, burned
akaivyleaf - She felt that we just did a job for 7 1/2 hours and went home. We couldn't even have a holiday program or anything
burned - California
akaivyleaf - Whats on your mind burned?
Jamie - what's your prob?
burned - here's the story
burned - 2nd year teacher
burned - high school
burned - been at the school for 8 years as a coach
Stanley - Parental involvement, I'd say. Plus that classroom T was an urban vet who busted her _ss just like you'd **HAVE** to do there!!
burned - signed for 3 classes out of five for upcoming year
burned - then...
burned - a teacher retires in my department
burned - A)they don't post the opening
burned - B)don't offer me an interview, everything was done behind my back
burned - and I had really good evaluations this year
Jamie - ouch!
burned - the principal is the one who evaluated me and was very happy with my performance
akaivyleaf - That doesn't seem fair. Legally speaking if they don't post openings
Stanley - Educrats can be a **REALLY** disloyal, trashy lot, burned!!
burned - it is against the union agreement
burned - but it won't help me
burned - but they have filed a grievance
burned - comes down to the dept head wanting her cronies in
Stanley - You can't grieve it, burned??
akaivyleaf - Will that filing make if difficult for you in the school this coming year?
Stanley - Is it too late for you to bid out for another site??
burned - I have never been upset about something for 3 days ever before
Jamie - if it's like my school it will
burned - 2 weeks before school starts, not many openings around
akaivyleaf - That would be my suggestion Stanley
burned - trying to handle it professionally as I do not want to be black balled
akaivyleaf - No topic in particular dan.
Jamie - we're listening to burned tell about a situation
akaivyleaf - That's true too. Did you talk with the principal?
burned - but how to I work with people within the dept where I think I was wronged
burned - oh ya...
Jamie - and...
burned - and the vice principal told me before school was out that if the teacher retired I would get his classes
dan - ok...just wondering
akaivyleaf - Well burned. You teach because you have some calling in education, you go for the children. They should be your primary goal.
akaivyleaf - So now you have all 5 classes?
dan - was looking for the new/student teachers chat
Stanley - Plus, if it's a violation of contract language it shouldn't make any differencce WHO's the culprit. Or isn't your Local backing you on this??
Jamie - true, but we need to vent sometimes
burned - I agree, and I promise you I have some of the intangibles that many do not have
burned - the kids talk to me
burned - I have prevented fights, drug deals, referred suicidal kids
akaivyleaf - That was over at 10 dan but if that is what you would like to discuss...
Jamie - we can talk about anything, dan...what's up?
akaivyleaf - Then you can't let the others affect your positive influence on the students.
dan - I start my student teaching in about 2 weeks...
dan - Special education middle school
Jamie - i'm fairly new...beginning year 5 soon
burned - I have plenty of words of advice for newbies
burned - you are going to have good days and bad
Jamie - where ya from
Stanley - dan, the host the new T chat never made it, plus it "officially" ended an hour ago.
burned - bad days do not make you a bad teacher
dan -
akaivyleaf - Teachers can be back biters, cruel and disrepectful to their peers. You have to rise above the situation and think of the higher goal.
burned - try to stay away from second guessing yourself, it will drive you nuts
Jamie - smile...sometimes that's all you can do
dan - i feel lucky...for the past 2 years I have been working as an special ed aid in k-1
burned - ya, but leaf, we're also taslking about a 17k difference in pay
akaivyleaf - congratulations Dan. Remember your heart in all situations.
burned - and believe me it isn't the money, more principle
akaivyleaf - That's what hurts Dan. I know.
dan - thats what i thought...i messed up on the time difference
Jamie - let's not scare dan...it's the *BEST PROFESSION IN THE WORLD*, in my opinion of course
Stanley - dan, on the SubBoard there's a "regular" named laurap who just finished a yr long assignment in MS SPED. She's been contracted for '01/'02. Leave a message for her there!
dan - both my parents are teachers
Jamie - i truly love what i do, but i do get burned out
dan - so I have seen many of the ups and downs
dan - i still want to do it
burned - do any of you teach in blocks?
akaivyleaf - I love education. It has a special place in my heart. I miss the classroom but I feel that what I am doing now, has just as much of a purpose.
Jamie - i feel like i live, eat and breathe school all during the school year
burned - leaf, what do you do now?
Jamie - but i love it
akaivyleaf - I homeschool my daughter. I quit public school to stay home with my daughter. Still teaching
dan - i started out in education just for the degree...i was going to work in other areas of special education..community stuff....but after the first day in the classroom I was bitten by the bug
Stanley - I'm 54, & my past 5 yrs have been some of the best of my life!!
Jamie - i don't have children yet...not sure whether to leave teaching when i do
akaivyleaf - I'm also an educational consultant
burned - and no one to stab you in the back...nice
Jamie - tomorrow is a new day
akaivyleaf - No burned. I've had my fair share of that being in the educationan arena for 12 years.
dan - after i go back for my masters I would like to do autism consulting for an school district...
akaivyleaf - It wasn't my plan Jamie. I wanted my daughter to go to school with me. She did for Kindergarten and that's when I realized that some teachers taught for the paycheck only
Jamie - true
Stanley - burned, as a Sub I'm eligible to work in close to 200 schools. If I don't like the treatment I don't go back. Perhaps, though contracted, you can soon leave for greener pastures...
Jamie - fortunately, i do not see much of that
dan - i know those types of teachers
burned - most of them are older
Jamie - i teach early el
burned - a lot very bitter
akaivyleaf - Very true statement jamie. Tomorrow is indeed another day, fresh. Some people like to take baggage with them day to day
burned - but I am seeing why now
Jamie - how long have you taught burned
akaivyleaf - Some are young too burned.
Jamie - that's true too
Stanley - dan, I've subbed perhaps 10 days with autistic Kinders. It was an eye-opening experience... particularly when 1 boy spat in his aide's face!
akaivyleaf - Oh my Stanley.
Jamie - i think burned needs a hug today
burned - taught for one, coached youth for about 18
Jamie - how do we do that online?
akaivyleaf - (((((((((((((burned)))))))))))))
burned - really, I have never been so affected by something like this
burned - I even stopped at a GREEN light today
Jamie - thanks, leaf
Jamie - (((((((((burned))))))))))
Jamie - are you feeling better yet
Stanley - akaivy, if you've never worked with autistic kids it IS "different"...
burned - no, I am going to see the principal tomorrow
Jamie - so what's up sue
burned - why, I don't know
Jamie - we're just encouraging burned
akaivyleaf - Don't let it negatively affect you. If I can think of anything positive in the situation, at least you know where your friends align themselves. Everybody who says they have something good for you, doesn't.
burned - but would just like to know their thought process
akaivyleaf - I have never worked with autistic children.
Sue - Just thought I'd drop in to see what the topic is.
akaivyleaf - a hodge podge of topics Sue. Burned has been burnt, Dan is going to have a first round at student teaching, I am just here...
burned - everything usually works out for me, it's just, I really like this school, like the staff, a new school coming in 2 years, and I've been there 8 years
burned - but how do I take a chance of it happening agian with the same dept head
Stanley - burned, do you have any way to vent physically -- e.g., as I sometimes do with my swimming??
Jamie - everything will work out, have faith
burned - I did a little coaching today, took my mind off of it
Jamie - good
akaivyleaf - It will probably happen again burned. You know that you can't trust your department head. Not everybody is trust worthy. You however, will excel over this situation and just because he/she is department head this year, doesn't mean that they will continue
Jamie - as we were talking about earlier...we don't take time for ourselves. i think that's why things bottle-up sometimes.
dan - it is good to have someone to vent to
Jamie - like us!
Stanley - akaivy, as a Sub I like seeing the FULL spectrum of kids. Having the perspective is *VERY* valuable for ME!!
burned - she is Asst principals favorite, sahe'll be around
akaivyleaf - Venting is always good... Great to get it off your chest and release the burden.
Jamie - i just found this chatroom lastnight...such fun!
burned - and I appreciate that!
Jamie - so what's something positive about your job, burned...focus on that
burned - a new group of freshmen coming in!
akaivyleaf - And the assistant principal is the ASSISTANT principal because he/she can't handle the full reigns I'm sure.
Jamie - or just putting in time
Stanley - burned, when will the NEXT job postings be out -- since it sounds like everything is buttoned up for '01/'02??
burned - uhhhh, he applied for the same job that the current princip[al has
burned - he is not good with people
akaivyleaf - I always go to the top. No need to deal with those in the middle...
burned - it was actually funny seeing him stammer as he lied to me telling me his version
burned - end of this school year I assume
Sue - What was his version?
akaivyleaf - Get job postings from other sources...
burned - actually, him and I had a great relationship till the other day( not that I burnt any bridges)
burned - he said that it all happened while he was away
burned - which I know is not true
burned - plus, he is the one who said I would get those classes if the other guy retired
akaivyleaf - have your conversation tomorrow with the principal. You owe yourself that much.
Sue - So, you didn't get the classes you wanted?
burned - when all of this gets out, there will be a lot of people upset with the dept head and the asst principal
Jamie - dan, where'd ya go
akaivyleaf - Stanley... still here?
Jamie - talk with your principal tomorrow and let us know how it went
akaivyleaf - My computer is slowing down here...
Stanley - The conversation recommendation sounds good to me too, burned. Just don't let YOURSELF become a "bad" guy in this whole ugly scenario... {G}
dan - sorry..doing a bunch of other
Jamie - good point
burned - this is true, I know not to burn bridges
dan - stuff
Jamie - stanley, what does {G} mean, im new to chat slang
burned - it's frustrating seeing a lot of teachers who have been around for a long time...no classroom management, kids hate them, etc
akaivyleaf - Ooh yes. Stay professional. You have a right to voice your concern over the improper procedures
akaivyleaf - My screen just changed from brown to green.. Did that happen to anyone else?
Jamie - don't worry about the other guy, burned, focus on yourself
Stanley - Isn't it important not to let others drag you into THEIR crappy methods/manipulations?!?
Jamie - no
burned - I just don't see much of a future at this particular school at this point, unless I hear something different from the proincipal tomorrow`
Jamie - keep your chin up
Stanley - Not too me, akaivy. But, there again, I didn't try to water my keyboard, either! {G}
burned - my other concern...
akaivyleaf - LOL
burned - the union has filed a grievance
burned - will I be blackballed now
Stanley - {G} = Grin, at least for ME, Jamie! {G}
akaivyleaf - I couldn't answer that burned. I would hope not.
akaivyleaf - You might be treated differently at the school that you at
akaivyleaf - LOL- Laugh out Loud
burned - that's actually a big grins mall grin would be {g}
Stanley - Anybody with CHARACTER won't blackball you, burned. And, how much do the others REALLY matter for you, anyway?
dan - anyone have any good bulletin board resources on the web....thats what i have been looking for
Sue - My experience with teachers having the union intercede, the principals usually leave those teachers alone in fear of further retribution.
Jamie - thanks for the tip
akaivyleaf - Well people, it's late here and I need to get some sleep
akaivyleaf - I've enjoyed chatting with you all.
Jamie - i don't really do bulletin boards, so i'm not much help
burned - thanks for your input
Jamie - same here, leaf...night
akaivyleaf - decorating them Dan?
dan - i've found some....but most are for elementary..not middle school
Stanley - Interesting point about union intercession, Sue. dan, leave a message for laurap on the SubBoard: She's entering her 2nd yr of MS Spec Day.
akaivyleaf - I bought a book by Carson Dellosa Press that had wonderful examples. I used while in elementary school...
Jamie - dan, what topic
akaivyleaf - I say plan a theme and work from there...
dan - well....it would be a begining of the year board.....so inspirational
Jamie - i have 6-7 bulletin boards in my room...fun, fun, fun!
dan - maybe authors? famous people?
Jamie - think of a character that they really like to get them hooked and then go from there
Dee - Hi, I guess I am boring. I love the same board each year. I teach math, and I use Eschers and Optical Illusions. I change the illusions to keep it fresh. the kids love it
akaivyleaf - An author board would be fun. Who is the hottest author of your student level. J.K. Rowlins? Harry Potter?
Jamie - dan, do you teach spec ed?
akaivyleaf - Nothing wrong with the tried and true method Dee.
dan - yeah thats what i was thinking
akaivyleaf - I bet you see a lot of different bulliten boards Stanley
dan - i will be in a special ed room
dan - cognitive diability 7-8
Jamie - that's right, you student teach in the fall?
Dee - also, dan, what about a board of simple logic problems. I don't know what grade you are looking for. But youcould put up a few and keep changing all year.
dan - thats a good idea
burned - ok, I am outta here, thanks for the advicewill report back
Stanley - As a Sub I've done but 1 bulletin board in 5 yrs. However, I've downloaded quite a few strands on the topic.
akaivyleaf - I would love to do a theme board of Harry Potter but he's contraversial
dan - something ongoing
akaivyleaf - Let us know burned.
burned - sure will, you guys on often?
Jamie - how about doing an author's board around author's birthdays
akaivyleaf - I said I was going to be 20 minutes ago and I'm still here.
Stanley - dan, perhaps you could post your request to the SPED Board here @ T.Net??
dan - see ya burned
Dee - you can even make the logic puzzles into a contest. a prize for the first one to solve it.
akaivyleaf - I'm here, usually in room 1
Jamie - bye burned, good luck
burned - ok, cya
dan - thats a good idea too
Dee - Harry Potter is controversial?
akaivyleaf - Thats a great idea dee
akaivyleaf - Some people don't like the notion of witchcraft...
Dee - I love harry potter
Jamie - i can't keep up in room 1
Stanley - I have the same problem, akaivy. Once I get started... {G}
Dee - true, leaf
dan - yeah the whole dark arts things
akaivyleaf - I think there are so many ideas to be gleaned from the stories. My daughter isn't reading him yet but I have read them
Jamie - haven't read em yet
Dee - I just don't think all of the potter books were written by the same person. more like a composium, like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys
akaivyleaf - I would have a quiddich board, a choosing hat, I forgot what it was called...
dan - i think they are super..anything that can get kids to carry around thick hardcover books and read them over and over
Stanley - Jamie, I've been in Rm 1 but a few times, & my sensation is EXACTLY as yours! {G}
Jamie - get the kids involved with the bulletin board...have them think of how to decorate it
akaivyleaf - Yes I felt the writing style changed.
akaivyleaf - It can be busy in room 1
Stanley - akaivy, WHAT is a "quiddich" board???
akaivyleaf - I agree with that notion dan, great to see kids reading.
Jamie - i haven't shatted since, boy, 1995. things have really changed!
Jamie - i mean chatted
akaivyleaf - Quiddich was a game that they play in the harry potter books. I would have a board in my classroom that depicts the game
Stanley - Jamie, ROTFLMAO!!! "Shatted..."
Jamie - some parents in my district would make a big stink out of using harry potter "things"
akaivyleaf - I would have all the children as seekers in the game. Those who read the books would know what I am talking about.
Dee - too bad, anything that catches the kids' interest...
akaivyleaf - aah... that's what I mean about Harry Potter being too contraversial Jamie
Sue - My district has not approved them for the classroom.
Jamie - i teach in a very religious community
Dee - the last big series that the kids loved before that was goosebumps
Stanley - "Big stink" & "shatted," Jamie? What are you trying to tell us? {G}
Dee - jamie, that always poses a problem
Sue - However, if the Potter books are in the classroom library, and a child chooses them, we're not responsible if the parents get upset.
Jamie - i'm just glad they're reading!
akaivyleaf - Oh you will never have the books Jamie...
Dee - sue, we have had parents who complained over the 'Devil's Arithmetic' because of the title (it is a Holocaust book and not about the 'devil')
Jamie - i have goosebumps and etc...but fellow teachers frown upon it
akaivyleaf - It is fad reading but it inspires the children to discuss what they've read and work on comprehension.
Jamie - stanley, you're terrible
akaivyleaf - Goosebumps didn't go over well either.
Sue - Oh yeah, what about the Tom Sawyer controversy?
Dee - if you like goosebumps, try the only adult book he wrote - 'Superstition' or 'Superstitious' very good
akaivyleaf - that too... Many of the books I grew up reading aren't found in libraries any more...
garf/sped/ga - dont you guys know what a bed is??
Jamie - i've never heard of the devil's artithmetic...but i guess i woulodn't in my neighborhood
Dee - try reading the ORIGINAL Nancy Drew ca. 1929
akaivyleaf - I've been trying to go to bed for a while now garf...
dan - i have a hard time with censorship
garf/sped/ga - what is the topic now?
Dee - a bit racist by today's standards, not to mention chauvinist
Stanley - Hey, Jamie, you have to have imagaination to explain the difference between "fowl" & "foul" to G-2 English language learners, as I tried to do today! {G}
Sue - Parental censorship in the school libraries.
Jamie - i'm getting tired...hence, my typing errors!...but this chat stuff is addicting...second night of it
akaivyleaf - I believe that censorship should be left to the parent.
Dee - leaf, and kept to their own home
akaivyleaf - Not libraries bowing to the the will of the parents. Parents should read what their children read and discuss inappropriate behavior.
garf/sped/ga - Well, when I was in high school,I was not allowed to read certain books, i.e. Catcher in the Rye, Scarlet Letter nor Huckleberry Finn
akaivyleaf - My mom read every book I brought home, many times before I got a chance to read it. She gave every book back to me, inappropriate of not and if necessary we discussed why she thought I shouldn't have read it.
Jamie - dan, did you find the answer to your question...or are you getting more than you bargained for?
dan - thats how I would like to raise my kids...not limiting their freedom...but engage them in discussion
Dee - really, Garf? I read all of those in NYC HS back in the 60's
dan - more than i bargained for
akaivyleaf - My imagination was vivid. vocabulary was large and I can attribute that to books that I read
dan - hehehe
Stanley - I bought a class set of Jane Yolen's "The Devil's Arithmetic" when I had a leave replacement contract in G-4/5 in Y2K. I also had some parent fears, those it didn't happen -- quite possibly because most of my parents were Asian or Latino.
Sue - Most of the parents in my school don't know and couldn't care less if or what their child is reading.
garf/sped/ga - yes, I was not allowed to read much of what was on the reading list, and neither were my brothers
akaivyleaf - I read all of those books in Illinois garf.
Dee - sue, sometimes, that is a blessing
dan - i love to read...almost an obsession...but my vocab shows...it has helped me to learn a huge variety of words
Dee - garf, then it was from your folks, the censorship, not the school
akaivyleaf - Then they would have no say so in censorship matters Sue. Just my opinion
garf/sped/ga - I also was not allowed to watch certain videos from the school.
Sue - Not if you saw our reading scores.
Dee - I hurt my back this summer - am reading a book a day - but mostly fluff stuff
akaivyleaf - I love to read too Dee.
garf/sped/ga - my parents censured a lot of hte books we were to read.
dan - summer is my time to read books not in the special ed field
Jamie - i'm sad to say i'm not much of a reader, never was, really
garf/sped/ga - my mom always knew what was on the reading list
dan - i have been going back to the sumer reading table over and over this summer
akaivyleaf - I loathe parents who haven't read a book that get on the bandwagon of censorship for a particular book. That is what prompted me to read Potter anyway
Dee - sue, I just meant that sometimes parents get involved in their child's education in a negative way - actually holding back innovation
Jamie - i enjoy educational reading, but that's about it
akaivyleaf - I read everything I can get my hands on.
garf/sped/ga - My youngest brother was NOT allowed to read Harry Potter
Dee - i am with you leaf
Dee - garf, that is scarey
Jamie - an hour on the road a day=lots of books on tape...gotta love 'em!
akaivyleaf - garf did you go back and read any of the books that your parents didn't want you to read?
Stanley - dan, here are 2 words I encountered while reading to kids this year: "driad" & "motte." I was CLUELESS, let me tell you! [Can you believe the former was in a KINDER read aloud???]
garf/sped/ga - but they let us read the chronicles of narnia
garf/sped/ga - NOPE
Sue - I hear ya.
Dee - I read them and then encouraged my daughter - we fought over who would get the 4th one first
garf/sped/ga - parents feel they should select the books we read
garf/sped/ga - I tend to agree with tbem
Dee - narnia is a classic - a bit on the religious side for my taste, but I still encouraged my kids to read it.
akaivyleaf - I have a required book list for my daughter but then I also want her to read for the love of reading.
akaivyleaf - I read the chronicles of Narnia as well.
Jamie - so far my district has let me read whatever i want to. i try to have a good balance...with a little of the controversial books thrown in for good measure
akaivyleaf - I don't like books on tape. It's just not the same as reading the book for myself.
Dee - I use my ninth grader to test out sci fi books that I might be able to use in math class - she tells me if they are worth the effort
garf/sped/ga - parents do not have a required book list, they want use to read as much as possible, but they do limit our choices
akaivyleaf - And that is a parents right garf.
Dee - I almost never limit the choices - as long as it is age appropriate. Obviously porn is not appropriate for my ninth grader - but my college daughter is free to read whatever she wants
Jamie - i feel like i don't have time to exercise, let alone reading for hours, but look at me here! I SHOULD go...but i won't.
garf/sped/ga - my folks feel that it makes us well rounded
Jamie - mine too
garf/sped/ga - you are excercising your fingers
akaivyleaf - I limit the movies my daughter sees, the tv that she watches
Dee - garf, but how can it make you well rounded if they limit the choices
Dee - me too, leaf. that concerns me more
Jamie - thanks garf
akaivyleaf - Did your parents read the books themselves before banning the children from reading them?
garf/sped/ga - nope
Jamie - so what ya gonna do for a b.b., dan.
akaivyleaf - Nothing against your parents... but how did they know the books weren't "appropriate" if they didn't judge them for themselves?
dan - gotta go...talk to y'all later
Jamie -
Dee - yeah, leaf, that was the help he wanted
garf/sped/ga - topics
Stanley - Got to be calling it a night -- 5:30 subbing wake-up call tomorrow! Take care, everyone!!
garf/sped/ga - they feel certain topics need to be discussed in the h ome and NOT in books
Sue - Bye Dan, and I have to go too. Bye all and thanks for the chat.
Jamie - i'm going too..midnight here
akaivyleaf - like...
akaivyleaf - Bye Jamie and Sue
Dee - garf, true, but they are NOT discussed in most homes
garf/sped/ga - adultery, that can be discussed in bible devotional time
akaivyleaf - I guess my mom felt that the book was a catalyst for those types of conversations.
Dee - garf, but is it, really?
garf/sped/ga - we did that
Dee - I never had formal religious training - just ethnicity - I am Jewish
Stanley - {{{ poof!! }}}
Dee - I studied my religion as an adult and my children were educated in religion
garf/sped/ga - I went to church school all my years
akaivyleaf - I grew up in a strict home. My grandfather was a minister so we talked about everything in a biblical sense. When reading the scarlet letter for instance, it was likened to the woman in the bible who committed adultry. However Jesus' response was for those who hadn't committed a sin to cast the first stone.
akaivyleaf - That wasn't the approach the scarlet letter took.
akaivyleaf - It was a catalyst of discussion for adultry
garf/sped/ga - I grew up in a strict home too
Dee - people don't truly live religious lives
garf/sped/ga - We only watched TBN that was it
Dee - my home was strict and over-protective, but never limited in ideas and discussion
Dee - I am older than you - there was nothing on in the daytime - we played outside and in the summer read comic books
akaivyleaf - Oh sure, some people are religious in their actions and do live in religious homes. Not all people live in Christian or Jewish or other denominational homes.
Dee - and most people don't stop and ask wwjd
Dee - that's what I meant. They don't relate everyday occurences to the bible
akaivyleaf - I can remember watching sesame street, mr. rogers etc. When I was too old for those programs I watched little house, highway to heaven etc.
Dee - they just live
Dee - leaf, I love those shows - but I was in college when Sesame Street came on
akaivyleaf - I didn't go to the movies until I was grown.
Dee - movies I saw, but we didn't have to worry about Doris Day and we didn't know Rock Hudson was gay
akaivyleaf - My mom thought that Movies were a den of iniquity. Granted she never went to a movie and she died last year having never been to a movie. She was influenced by other's beliefs in that area
garf/sped/ga - we were allowed to watch Mr. Rogers he was our minister
garf/sped/ga - I never went to movies til I was grown either
akaivyleaf - really? Your actual minister?
Dee - it's late - after midnight and hubby is home. nite
garf/sped/ga - yes
akaivyleaf - Wow that's interesting.
garf/sped/ga - he is a preacher by trade
akaivyleaf - I know. Presbyterian right?
garf/sped/ga - we could not do anything on Sunday either
akaivyleaf - I wouldn't call preaching a trade
garf/sped/ga - yes
akaivyleaf - oh no. I couldn't do anything on sunday but go to church, and read.
garf/sped/ga - we were allowed to watch the Muppets when we got older
akaivyleaf - Mom cooked dinner on saturday night so as not to do anything like work on "the Lord's day"
garf/sped/ga - could not read on Sunday, only church and family time
garf/sped/ga - same here
garf/sped/ga - I never went trick or treating
akaivyleaf - No, I was taught that that was devil worship, we come from the same sort of background I see
garf/sped/ga - When I taught preschool and K we never celebrated halloween
garf/sped/ga - very much so
Jamie - i just found this site last night
garf/sped/ga - my parents were born in South Africa and a very religious( calvinist) background
akaivyleaf - I do let my daughter dress up in costume, not covering her face, and her costume cannot be anything of the dark arts. Our church particpates in activites on Halloween to keep our children off the streets
akaivyleaf - So glad you like it Jamie
Jamie - i did not attend church until 11
Jamie - husband very much like your background
Jamie - turned him off though
Jamie - he said it was too much
akaivyleaf - She asked yesterday, while we were in Joannes why some children don't participate in Halloween and I told her just like we discussed that some feel that it is a holiday for the devil. She said that she no longer wanted to participate in Halloween. I provided her the opportunity to experience it and ask for herself.
akaivyleaf - I rebelled against it a lot Jamie, but I found that I don't stray far from my roots
garf/sped/ga - wow
akaivyleaf - experience it in a safe environment.
Jamie - now i want to go to church, but don't want to go alone
garf/sped/ga - you wont
akaivyleaf - Just go Jamie... You're committment to going could inspire your husband to attend again.
Jamie - maybe i should
Jamie - i don't know where to go
akaivyleaf - At least that is what I am hoping for, when I attend church and my husband won't
akaivyleaf - I want my daughter to have the same foundations that I had, part of it was attending and participating in church
Jamie - i "checked out" a few while in college...the Lord kept putting me with Christian roommates...funny how that kept happening!
Jamie - garf? dan? you out there?
Jamie - hmmm...and now i'm on here talking to you...
akaivyleaf - For me, it wasn't the church so much as it was their fundamental beliefs
akaivyleaf - Thats how I chose a church
akaivyleaf - I see and I still haven't gone to bed
Jamie - see, and that's it, how do i find out about their beliefs? none of the churches i visited in college were "right" for me
Jamie - maybe it's an excuse
akaivyleaf - go to different ones. I went to a church once where the people were so friendly, so kind considerate and when the pastor got up to deliver the sermon, he used a book of prayers not the bible so I knew that wasn't where I needed to be. These friendly people bowed down, literally to this man, scared me.
Jamie - yeah, saw one of those myself while in college...yikes
akaivyleaf - I just kept seeking until the "right " church was found
Jamie - thanks, leaf, that's probably why you're not in bed
akaivyleaf - talk to you later...
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