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Margie/AR - Good evening, everyone.
smiles - Has anyone read the book disclipline with dignity
Kathleen - smiles, do you recommend discipline with dignity?
smiles - wondering if anyone had read it and if it was worth it
smiles - always looking for disclipline ideas for my classroom
irish lady - does anyone have any ideas for first day inservice icebreaker activies?
bette/tx(headstart) - irish lady how many attending?
Kathleen - Why not list what your greatest concerns are related to discipline. Is it avoiding the need for disciplinary measures, or the methods used when things get out of hand?
pam/res/sc/k-5 - I know this is going to sound a bit strange, but how many of you notice your students seem to be unruly with any kind of pattern?
Kathleen - irish lady, I'll bet you can gather some ideas if you post that question at http://teachers.net/chatboard
bette/tx(headstart) - pam not sure what you mean?
Kathleen - bette, that includes you and everyone starting something new, or here to advise those who are. You can do both ;-)
smiles - Pam Mondays anf Fridays are the worst
jodi - I'm needing help with teaching 7th grade students
Kathleen - pam, would you explain what you mean?
pam/res/sc/k-5 - I noticed that I tended to send students out of the classroom more frequently on a monthly schedule.....maybe it wasn't their behavior that was so "bad" but my perception at that particular time of the month
Margie/AR - Jodi-I loved my 7th graders and will miss them terribly this year. I student taught that group last year.
jodi - I'm new at middle school. any advice?
Kathleen - After the meeting be sure to read all of Harry Wong's suggestions in the current and past issues of the the Teachers.Net Gazette, available at http://teachers.net/gazette
smiles - Jodi I am also new to the middle school level
jodi - how can I manage my room effectively
bette/tx(headstart) - pam were do you send them? i know with daughters resource teacher she tries to work with the problem children
pam/res/sc/k-5 - so I guess what I'm trying to say, especially to new teachers is to try and be aware of what we expect from our students
Kathleen - jodi, do you have The Survival Kit for New Teachers and Harry Wong's First Days of School?
Margie/AR - Middle schoolers are testers. They want to know where the boundries are for everything. But, at the same time this is a needy bunch. They aren't little kids anymore and they aren't teens yet.
smiles - 6th,7th and 8th SBH, LD and DD
Stanley - 7/21 I finished a 4/5 leave replacement position. Now I'm in limbo... PROBABLY no contract, but in SoCA we've still a few wks left!
bette/tx(headstart) - pam but there should not be expectations ..every student is different ..especially resourcd
photomel - I'm new to teaching and to middle school
bette/tx(headstart) - margie caught in the middle yrs
pam/res/sc/k-5 - sometimes to another teachers room until "they get their act together"
bette/tx(headstart) - stanley most Texas public school are starting right now..my own children go back monday
Stanley - Kathleen, I have both of those. They're TOPS, IMHO!! :-)
jodi - I'm worried about getting started
bette/tx(headstart) - pam our resource teachers try to keep them in the room as long as possible before sending them out
Kathleen - First Days of School-How to be an Effective Teacher is available from http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0962936022/o/teachersnet/
pam/res/sc/k-5 - I do too, but even a saint needs a break once in a while
bette/tx(headstart) - pam each child is different..like mine with developmental delays that follow no know disorder...so expectations are not there
bette/tx(headstart) - pam how many do you have and helpsers?
Stanley - jodi, I think EVERYONE is worried about getting started!
photomel - I saw my room for the first time and I don't know where to begin
pam/res/sc/k-5 - there are 20 on my case load.....no helpers
bette/tx(headstart) - sue are you sue in headstart too?
jodi - is there any reading material about wong on the net
Stanley - bette, That's Ts today with kids on Mon?
sue - no bette, i teach 3rd
bette/tx(headstart) - pam okay that is the difference..my child goes to a class for reading and math maybe 8 students with helper and college studetns
smiles - Photo I start with my bulletin boards
bette/tx(headstart) - stanley sorry not sure what you mean?
pam/res/sc/k-5 - I'd love to have a helper
Kathleen - jodi, there is a link from Harry's article to information at his site
pam/res/sc/k-5 - t I usually try to keep my groups to under 8 if possible
Stanley - Marci, I ALMOST perceived as you did. However, when you read it carefully & compare it to some of the other meeting announcements...
Kathleen - Survival Kit for New Teachers: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0966714504/teachersnet
bette/tx(headstart) - pam kinda of hard as we are not sure what to expect..similar to PDD but not PDD is the best way to tell you her disabitiles
photomel - I'm doing 6th grade math and science...they are at that age that doesn't want it too childish yet they are still young...any suggestions?
Margie - And to add insult to injury, the cat just ate my ice cream that my husband brought me.
bette/tx(headstart) - margie sorry
photomel - bulletin boards that is
Stanley - bette, But the teachers started today -- i.e., 2 days of meetings, prep, etc.?
pam/res/sc/k-5 - south carolina
Mainer - Lots of hands on, photo. esp. in science
bette/tx(headstart) - photomel sorry i offer no help as we use children's art work for bullentin boards
bette/tx(headstart) - stanley yes we started last tuesday
smiles - i think i am going to do a general crossword puzzle with their names.
pam/res/sc/k-5 - for math...real world problems, photomel
bette/tx(headstart) - stanely and some districts this week
marci - photomel...did you go to the messageboards? there are lots of ideas there
vicki - I am into science hands on I did with my second graders a unit on the rainforest and changed my whole room into the rainforest
photomel - no I haven't ...I'll check it out
Mainer - sorry photo, I thought you meant curriculum...Pop band photos from Teen magazine work great.
Stanley - smiles, What grades will you have? The crossword puzzle sounds good!
marci - you definitely should...you'll be hooked on the messageboards, I'm sure! such a great reasource!
smiles - Middle School LD< SBH and DD
marci - do you all know the puzzle maker website? - http://www.puzzlemaker.com/
Stanley - smiles, I'd think that would work JUST fine! :-)
Kathy - What is the puzzle maker website?
vicki - looks like this person is not going to show up
Margie - Bette-it's a good site---puzzles, mazes, and stuff
smiles - thanks I hope so. Looking foward to getting the class list tomorrow to work on it
bette/tx(headstart) - margie my kiddos are too young for puzzles
Margie - I don't know when I'll get my class list. Hopefully, next week.
smiles - Stanley, it was on black background paper with white and red for the blocks and letters
bear - hey everyone. I teach 10th and 11th grade social studies, and I've got this idea I'd like to swing past you.
Margie - Bette- check it out anyway, there might be some simple mazes.
bear - i was thinking of having students re-create flying machines of the past, without benefit of plans...
bear - have them work in groups and think of possible designs...
smiles - sounds like fun. wll they be able to use the internet and pcitures
Margie - sounds like fun, bear
Kathleen - bear, that sounds like an exciting and motivating project. When the kids are actively engaged, discipline and classroom management take care of themselves.
bear - i was thinking of having them in the same position as the pioneers of flight - no blueprints or plans
Stanley - bear, How would they re-create them: Just plans, or actual construction?
bear - just their imaginations
Kathleen - What other kinds of projects and activities could teachers use at the beginning of the year?
bear - they would actually build the machines using balsa wood, glue, string, cloth, rubber bands, etc.
Margie - Bear--is that for Am. History?
marci - Have you all searched the message boards here at Teachers.Net for ideas?
Kathy - Bear, I think your ideas sound wonderful. I have a friend who teaches social studies who is very complacent. It's wonderful to see a really innovative teacher.
marci - ideas for anything...teachers.net offers message boards for anything under the sun...there is a plethora of ideas
Stanley - I saw a terrific idea today for managing your classroom library. I was subbing in Kinder, but I feel the idea would work at LEAST thru Intermediate!
Kathleen - All Teachers.Net chatboards (message boards) are linked from http://teachers.net/mentors
bear - the idea about inventions was for both 10th and 11th grade history, but i have another idea just for 11th grade American History
smiles - Stanley...Please share the idea for the library
bear - we will be studying, according to the curriculum, the space age.
Kathleen - There are also e-mail discussion groups for everyone, including beginning and student teachers at http://teachers.net/mailrings
Christy/2/PA - Tiff.......... will you be self contained or departmentalized?
bear - i figured the kids would get a kick out of making some model rockets - the generic kind in modeler's magazines, and shooting them off.
Tiff - self-contained
Stanley - smiles, It's fairly detailed, so I'll post it later. I think I'll put it on the new T board so it stays up longer. Search using my name over the weekend...
bear - what's the best way to determine how fast you need to go to cover the necessary material in class. I haven't even seen my curriculum guide. I just got a xeroxed sheet that helped students select classes last year that told them a little about what the class was covering.
Christy/2/PA - Tiff..... hopefully you will get a mentor who is in the same grade as you! Mine was WONDERFUL!
bear - i've been making my own plans based upon what I've seen in the textbook.
Christy/2/PA - Start the year off being organized.......buy lots of those 2 pocket folders
Tiff - Actually, I have 4th grade, but have a 5th grade teacher that will be my resource teacher.
Kathleen - Tiff, start out with a lot of structure
marci - I am so fortunate to have discovered T.Net...I have found so many great ideas...such a great resource
Christy/2/PA - Use each folder per chapter for hand outs.... over heads.... worksheets
Stanley - Christy, Was your mentor @ your site? And how much time/wk did you spend with him or her?
Kathleen - marci, what a nice endorsement :-)
marci - Kathleen....how many people work at T.Net?
Tiff - I have about 30 or more of them...yes, the kids need structure..
marci - I find myself looking forward to coming home and looking for new postings on the messageboards!
marci - I'm hooked!
Kathy - My advice to first years is this: don't try to do it all. Don't listen to everything the veterans will tell you to do. listen and make up your own mind. I had teachers tell me" just kick em out if they act up. come with a stack of detention slips" It didn't work. It wasn't my style. You'll make mistakes-it's ok. Learn from them and ask questions to someone you feel you can trust.
Stanley - Kathleen, *LOTS* of us feel that way! :-) T.Ed classes are a joke compared to what one can pick up here!
Kathleen - Tiff, with a class that large, you will want to provide lots of structure in the beginning, let them know your expectations, don't try to do all the fun projects the first week!
bear - the problem is not knowing what to teach, but teaching it in such a way that it doesn't come directly out of the book. That seems like the fastest way I know to get a first-year non-renew.
Kathy - T-net is awesome. I don't find myself getting much done lately because I love to read the boards.
marci - same with me Kathy
Tiff - Thanks, I am getting a lot of advice and I want to try some things my way, if they don't work, oh well....
Kathleen - Kathy makes a good point, to thine own self be true, do what works for you, but of course consider what the veterans and mentors advise
Mainer - Set up the rules and the schedule...most omportantly, follow through and keep parents informed of any problems...
marci - When was T.Net created? does anyone know?
Kathleen - Hi Lisa, are you a new teacher?
Mainer - What are the boards everyone's talking about?
Kathy - Bear, you need to get a variety of resources to draw upon for interesting lessons with a different approach. A cheap way to do this is to get a lot of those textbooks schools preview for purchase but don't end up buying.
Lisa - Well, I'm going my student teaching in a few weeks. Can I still stay in the group?
Kathleen - Mainer, the chatboards, listed and linked at http://teachers.net/mentors
Kathy - Glad to have you here Lisa.
Kathleen - Lisa, Yes! This is really the student and beginning teachers' group.
Stanley - Lisa, Are you a beginning T?
marci - You must check out the boards Mainer
Mainer - Thanks Kathleen
marci - Kathleen....when was T.net developed?
Kathleen - marci, Teachers.Net opened in March 1996
Stanley - Lisa, I wish I had known of places like this before I began my student teaching!
Kathy - My best piece of wisdom is to be open-minded. I've known student teachers, even, who had it all figured out. They were what I call a dinosaur.
Mainer - Me.too. Stanley...
bear - what i was thinking of doing was providing the students with massive study guides and use them to teach the class and make the tests and quizzes, but structure the guides in such a way that the students have to listen and write the answers down as I teach them.
Kathleen - I agree again with Kathy. As soon as you think you know it all, it's time for you to leave.
Stanley - Kathy, I was just the opposite from that S/T! I knew nothing & had NO confidence!
Kathleen - The other thing, when you think you know THE right way, or latch onto a theory as THE ONLY ONE, it's time for you to go
Kathy - Bear, remember a golden rule of teaching: do a lot of work, but never in a disproportionate amount to the amount your students do.
Mainer - I outlined the chapters, had them take notes as they read the material and I could review quickly to see who had done the reading. Then we'd discuss the material, do a worksheet or two, a hands-on activity, and then review and test. This was for 6-8 science
bear - mainer, did you have them read aloud in class or as homework?
Stanley - bear, I'm thinking like Kathy, though that's, gulp, NOT what I tend to do myself. Your plan sounds like it will be *VERY* time intensive for you!
Try again Lisa - Today was an observation day with a teacher and school different from my student teaching . . . well, I can know be called the Queen of Lamination. What a boring day it was to be there at the school. Yuck!
bear - i expect that it will be initially, but the investment should pay off.
Kathy - Try again Lisa, unfortunately, to become a teacher, you have to jump through a LOT of hoops.
Try again Lisa - 1st. However, I'll be teaching gifted and talented 4th graders. YIKES!
bear - and i plan to have students do a lot of work too. i will become the homework king!!
Try again Lisa - Kathy . . . NO KIDDING!!!! The hoops begin in your senior year at the university of "I don't know" and seem to never end.
bear - but not because i lack a plan, but because i think that homework is the foundation for all learning
Stanley - Lisa, I had a 4/5 leave replacement contract which ended 7/21. Most of my G-4s were GATE, & they were wuuuuuunderful!! :-)
bear - mainer, just started a regular job this year. subbed some last year.
Try again Lisa - Stanley, what's GATE?
teacher2be - i am in my senior year and start my first internship
Kathy - Bear, could you elaborate on your plan for homework?
bear - i want to create a variety of assignments that will make the students think about the material. initially i expect i'll have to use the sections and chapter reviews out of the textbook, but eventually I'd like to start making my own to supplement what the book says and what i say in class.
Stanley - Lisa, GATE = Gifted & Talented Ed. Isn't that what you said your G-4 would be?
Try again Lisa - Ohhhhhh! Yes, it's the same thing. Sorry, all the "teacher lingo" still has to be absorbed.
Kathy - Excellent goals, Bear. I made a mistake long ago, that a lot of homework equals more learning. Not necessarily. Quality homework will achieve your goals and won't alienate your students.
Mainer - Yes...peanuts, especially with an eppie pen in the office for them...
Stanley - Lisa, I had a G-4, Rachael, who was probably the most exciting S I've yet to have! I had her when I subbed in her G-3 class, & I was *THRILLED* to have her more extensively this yr!
bear - excellent point, and one i was thinking about, but the how still escapes me.
Kathy - Bear, what do you mean?
Try again Lisa - Stanley: what made her so great?
bear - i was looking at the textbook and i have 31 chapters to cover in 33 weeks.
Mainer - Consistant homework is good for them as well...gives them a routine and structure to learning at home
Stanley - Lisa, I'll be starting my 5th yr of subbing -- & that's 200 days/yr. However, I had from Feb thru July of this yr on contract.
Chela - What do you teach bear?
Try again Lisa - Mainer: What is the "structure at home" is crumbling?
bear - so how do i cover everything in such a way that i am seen as effective in my job without trying to kill myself in the process.
Kathy - Bear, I would talk to a veteran who has taught the course. You'll need to find out what is crucial, and what can be quickly looked at.
bear - btw - i will be teaching 10th grade world history and 11th grade american history
Melissa - shouldn't she look at her curriculum and see what is stressed the most
Try again Lisa - Stanley, sounds like you really enjoy subbing. I've only done it for a year or so and was so tired at the end of the day. How you keep your energy up? Do you specialize in anything . . . i.e. math, science.
bear - kathy, i wish that i could. i am the only upper level history teacher in the district. it only has 1400 students, with 7-12 at the high school.
Chela - Wow! I'm going on my second year teaching history! I'll be teaching world and u.s.also.
Stanley - Lisa, Rachael was the most EVEN disposition child one can imagine! I loved the way she was ALWAYS trying to put things together, & the way she would ASK if something didn't fit the schema she'd constructed. She was also EXTRAORDINARILY kind!!
Try again Lisa - Stanley, did you ever meet her parents?
Kathy - I'm in a very similar situation, bear. I'm the only math teacher at my high school. So, I take that as an advantage. I know they'll get me next year so I make adjustments as necessary.
Stanley - NO specialties, Lisa. And I think that helps to keep everything exciting. I guess I really enjoy kids, & meeting new ones is fun more me! :-)
Try again Lisa - Mainer, what do you do whent he home environment is not setup for success?
Kathy - Also, a note to all new teachers, your effectiveness will be judged as how well you work with students, how well you teach the material, and how well you manage your class.
Chela - Bear- Are you teaching regular or basic?
Kathy - Meaning, if you don't cover everything, it's ok.
Stanley - Lisa, I've seen her mom & sibs. I need to talk to Mom or Dad about something regarding the upcoming yr, but as I've returned to subbing, I've not yet found the time...
bear - chela, i'm teaching regular history
Try again Lisa - Stanley, true. I could not hang in jr. high. Gosh, they are huge, physcially. And forget high school. I think I enjoy the 2'-3' height much better.
Chela - During my first year of teaching the principal said,"quality not quantity"..
bear - TA lisa - i did my student teaching in an inner city high school and loved it. the kids enjoy meeting someone who genuinely wants to be there.
3 times a charm Lisa - Bear, great for you. We have inner city on the west side of town. But I find the kids no different. Actually I prefer them to the snobs, and their parents especially, of the south side.
Mainer - Work with the kid before/after/or during school. I use a weekly homework sheet, have them write down the assignments nightly, check it, stamp it, check their books and expect that they do the work. It's not the parent's homework, the students need to establish a routine for their success. When they don't do the nightly work, I call in the parents and we confernce with the student. I send lots of notices home to parents on a frequent basis letting them know what we are studying, etc. Not too many problems
Susan - Do any of you face State testing like in Florida?
bear - discipline wasn't a problem either, of course i'm 6 feet tall and weigh 260 lbs and my co-op at the time was similar in size and was the head football coach.
3 times a charm Lisa - Susan, I in TX and we have a state exam to pass.
Kathy - Bear, is this your first year of teaching in your own class?
Susan - Fourth grade students scores in Florida determine our school's grade whether we are a F school or a A school?
bear - the players really liked us, especially since we would pad up from time to time and take them on the field - no holds. of course they outnumbered us 11 to 1
bear - kathy, yes this is my first year of having my own class.
Kathy - I must be going everyone. Have a good night!
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