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Bluette - hi Stanley!!
Bluette - its Monday and I am actually here early
Stanley - Greetings, Blue! Happy Holidays!!
Stanley - Hello, Lynn! Are you a Sub?
Bluette - classes are over so no more Monday and Tuesdays away from my computer
Bluette - no job today either, rare for me
Bluette - and Stanley, no class for you either??
Stanley - Blue, in Jan & Feb I'll have 6 Mon PM classess.As a result, I'm guessing I'll probably miss a couple of chats. :-(
Bluette - well, I can start them for you again, just like the "old days"
Stanley - Seldom do I have classes during the week!
Bluette - hi ms BTL
Miss BTL - Hi Bluette, Stanley, Lynn, hop
lynn - hi
Stanley - However, the one in Jan/Feb is REQUIRED for my GATE certificate, & it won't be offered again for another yr -- when I anticipate being in Los Angeles rather than San Diego. ;-(
Bluette - house ready for Xmas? not here, we wait til xmas eve
hop - hello all
Miss BTL - We've got the tree and lights up and most of the presents wrapped.
Bluette - not big on rearranging the tiny living room
Stanley - Is everyone here a Sub?[I know Blue & Miss BTL are...]
hop - Subbed today, code blue drill and a new student!
lynn - yes
Miss BTL - Hi hop. I don't recognize you from the chatboard. Have you posted there?
hop - Yes, I am a Sub, past teacher, still hopeful
Bluette - wow, thats a lot to have happen in one day
Miss BTL - What's a code blue, hop?
hop - I post under Candice, just using Hop now, new here
Bluette - we have red for lock up the room and green for evacuate the building
Stanley - Lynn, what grades do you sub, & where? [I'm in San Diego, & I do mainly elementary.]
Miss BTL - Candice, Hi
hop - Code blue is where you lock yourself and the kids in the room in the dark, because
hop - an intruder is walking the halls
Bluette - we don't have intruders, but have lots of fightsd in school should have a code for that
Stanley - hop, by "past T" you mean that you used to be contracted?
lynn - junior high in Oklahoma (near Oklahoma City) I have only been doing this for about a month. That's why I'm nosying around at everyone else's conversations. =)
hop - I taught on an emergency license, which expires in June. With this No Child Left Behind thing...
Bluette - MS is tough but I have learned to love those guys
Bluette - they are fun
Miss BTL - MS is my favorite
Bluette - .....and no teacher left standing?
Stanley - Lynn, well, we ALL started SOMETIME...And, Jr High ain't the EASIEST place to have it happen!
lynn - Who was the intruder? Is everyone OK?
Bluette - I love whatever I am doing at the moment, sped, at risk kids, honors English, Physics, K lol
Miss BTL - I like all grades, but there's something about MS. Maybe it's that they are young enough to not have much of an attitude, yet old enough to get your jokes.
lynn - I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks so. (about junior high)
Bluette - and they want to have fun with you too
Bluette - my first MS experience was 6th grade math.. and a kid tried to kill another kid in my room!!
Miss BTL - I feel the same way, Bluette. The joy of subbing is the diversity.
hop - Well I was told no one is hiring emer. cred. anymore, and it does make sense
Miss BTL - I feel the same way, Bluette. The joy of subbing is the diversity.
Stanley - Blue, I DO agree with your "living in the moment" comment!
Bluette - I love teaching but can't see the end of the road to certification
Bluette - may go to be a T Asst instead for a real full time job with benefits
Stanley - hop, in what part of the country are you trying to use your emer. cred.?
Miss BTL - I was watching a program last night about a perfectionist and the person being interviewed said that perfectionists are just people who can't live in the moment.
Stanley - Blue, how far off are you from certification?
Miss BTL - I've thought of that too, bluette
hop - I have used it last summer, I'm in VA
Miss BTL - but I'd hate to give up teaching
Bluette - well, they keep moving the goal line, took 2 classes this fall, thats 6 credits
hop - I am very very very far from cert
Bluette - and I am aging rapidly, in my 50's
Stanley - Interesting comment re perfectionism, BTL!
hop - oh, it was just a practice drill, lynn
Miss BTL - Gate Ss?
Bluette - hop, you and I are in the same boat
Stanley - Blue, doesn't that drive ya' NUTS when they change the rules like that? However, isn't there a "grandfather" clause to protect you?
hop - well, I bet you have more credits tan me, Blue
hop - sorry about typo, 1 yr. old on lap
Stanley - GATE = Gifted & Talented Ed, Miss BTL -- at least here in CA!
Bluette - nooooo, I tried to get it done in a fast track before the new rules, too hard for me
Miss BTL - ah, thanks, stanley
hop - Did you take your state exam, Blue?
Stanley - Blue, so they'd already ANNOUNCED the changes before you'd started?
hop - I am aging 2, almost 32, with teachers nowadays 22
Bluette - I took LAST and CST for English, 2 of the many hoops I am required to jump through
hop - brb, putting toddlar down
Bluette - I had a choice but could not take GRE and 10 credits this fall
Stanley - Ah, hop... ADD those 2 ages together & you wouldn't have reacher yours truly...
Bluette - younger people could do that rough program, not I, too much
Bluette - me either, older than dirt and rocks here
Bluette - could barely do the 6 credits
hop - If I were single and childless, I'd do the teach for America thingy
Stanley - Blue, I'm not gonna like my THREE [quarter!] units in Jan/Feb! ˇˇMy Kudos for your EFFORTS!!
Miss BTL - I had the principal drop in the other day. Does this throw anyone else?
hop - I just pretend they are not there, Miss BTL
Bluette - no I love having Principal, quiets down the rowdy ones
Miss BTL - I'm okay with it, but I do scope out the room with a different eye....is everyone on task, etc.
lynn - Scares me to death. I feel like I've been bad.
hop - hello Melissa
Stanley - BTL, seldom do I have people check on me. But, yes, "throwing" me would be a good descriptor!
lynn - =)
Melissa - hi hop
Melissa - hi all!
Stanley - hop, what does "teach for America" entail? Is it an intern program??
Melissa - I am doing middle school all week this week - woopeee ~!!!
hop - Well, let me begin by saying you
Miss BTL - Last week the principal had us subs wait in the office
hop - 'd better be free to go anywhere at the drop of a hat
Miss BTL - saying that in fifteen minutes there would be a sub meeting in the staff room
Melissa - good or bad miss B?
hop - A person agrees to teach in certain urban cities across the nation, but not before undergoing vigorous (this has been debatable) teacher training workshops. The cities are preselected, but you can put in your
Stanley - Melissa, Blue & BTL are more MS types, though I would not relish your assignment -- PARTICULARLY the week before Christmas!!
hop - . Then, you just follow the alternate route to certification
Miss BTL - This was before school started. We were all a bit put off, as we'd rather be in the classrooms scoping things out, reading the teacher note, etc in those crucial minutes before class starts.
Melissa - well I found out today that I did not get the job at the school where I sub. My question is do I keep subing there and if I do do I say something to the assistant super?
Melissa - actually today was ok, hope tomorrow goes the same
Melissa - especially when I am used to teaching kindergarten
Miss BTL - I'd keep subbing there Melissa.
Miss BTL - What would you say to the assistant super?
Stanley - hop, the alternate route in THAT particular state? Also, you're paid as a 1st yr T in that state?
Melissa - you think miss b? I should't feel put out? I don't know miss. b somehow I 'd like to know why I wasn't selected and if ther was something I could do to improve my chances
hop - yes, in that particular state, with pay equal to that of a first year teacher, www.teachforamerica.org
Miss BTL - Water under the bridge, Melissa. Time to move on.
Melissa - I did a 1st grade subbing and that was my toughtest assignment actually though mostly because vague lesson plans
hop - This program was actually a grad student's thesis!
Melissa - ok, and I guess if they advertise again I will apply
Bluette - early elem is so busy, its like running in place
Melissa - yep as long as the kids behave eighth is actually much easier
Stanley - BTL, IMO that is **BRAINDEAD** for a site administrator to call a meeting for Subs 15 mins **BEFORE** the start of school!!
hop - I have a small idea I made up, just to settle the class. Used it today with 1st graders
Melissa - I do love it blue, however i am starting to like the older kids more and more. I always said I did not want to teach beyond fourth at the moment I would take whatever comes along
Miss BTL - We all agreed, Stanley. I kept waiting for the earthshattering reason for the meeting.
Melissa - what was it miss B
lynn - What was your idea, hop?
Stanley - Melissa, I guess I'm missing something...You were turned down for a contracted Kinder job, but they asked you to sub MS?!?
Miss BTL - There wasn't one. The principal just wanted to be sure we all knew to hang out in the halls at the bells and to call if we needed any assistance.
hop - Actually, with 2nd graders. Put consonant blends on strips of paper, give each child a strip, go around room having each student give a word beginning with that consonant blend. Only student to talk is one giving his or her blend. I found this
hop - to be a great way to quiet class before transitioning
Bluette - I did 2 days in K last week, including a trip to the city to see a performance of Rudolph
Melissa - no, the job was for basic skills math, I used to teach kindergarten but resigned in June
Melissa - dah, like you didn't know that
Melissa - what fun blue
Bluette - I have been on a field trip to a big supermarket, and to a nature center in the spring where we learned about bugs and seeds
lynn - great idea! I wonder if there's a way to apply that to different classes in junior high
Stanley - Melissa, K wasn't your cup of formula, er, tea?
Melissa - I will never look at another field trip the same way again after working the other side as an educational tour guide
hop - Sure. You could put capitals on strips and have them name the states, capitals of countries, etc., anything related to current unit or standards
Melissa - loved k but hated commuting
Stanley - Melissa, how far was your commute? Also, did you have full or 1/2 day Kinder, & how many Ss?
Bluette - usually I stay behind with kids whose parents wouldn't sign permission slips or they have detention for bad behavior
hop - hello Miss Beautiful
Melissa - I taught full day k - only way to go, I left my house at 6:15 to get a 6:30 train to be at school by about 8:00 it was private so between 13 and 20 depending on the year
Miss Beautiful - It's me, Miss BTL in disguise. Got booted and had to pick a new name.
Stanley - BTL = Beautiful, right? [Never let it be said I don't know acronyms!! ROTFLMAO!!
Bluette - I hate early mornings, hard to be cheerful befor 6 am when live sub finder calls
Melissa - yep, ours don't call till after six most mornings
Stanley - Melissa, you rode a train 3 hrs/day?!?!? Arrrrrrrrrrgh...
hop - The Subfinder here never calls before 6:30
Bluette - even more fun is the call when school begins..how fast can you get here and you haven't showered yet!!
Bluette - I like night before calls, or even booking way ahead
Miss Beautiful - I don't mind the early morning calls, but it's sooooo nice to know where you'll be ahead of time.
hop - right, like calling at 8 to be there by 8:15!
Stanley - Hey, aren't you ladies able to get jobs PRIOR to the "day of," or are jobs too scarce where you are?
Melissa - I'm with you blue
Miss Beautiful - Stanley, almost all of my jobs this year have been "day of" jobs.
hop - Stanley, most of my jobs are prior to the day, maybe even a week in advance. I just feel so much more comfortable
Melissa - hi ken
hop - Hi Ken
Melissa - people still get sick late night before or morning of
lynn - I spend a good part of my day on the subfinder line trying to book ahead before everyone else takes the jobs.
Stanley - I guess everyone here will hate me, but I've not had a "morning of" call since I don't remember when -- perhaps last Spring?!?
hop - Thought I was the only one doing that, LOL! I even dreamed of the SubFinder one night!
Ken - Greetings, all...just peeking while printing stuff
hop - The teacher I subbed for today said she doesn't even know if she will be in the rest of the week, YEEEES!
Miss Beautiful - Welcome, Ken.
hop - Assuming the school will remember me
Ken - Getting ready for 3 days of 1st grade...right before holiday break.
Melissa - off topic question - 3:00 pacific is what time eastern?
Stanley - I often feel what *I* do [i.e., getting the jobs ahead] isn't "real" subbing -- &, there's a sense in which it's NOT...
Miss Beautiful - Stanley, you seem knowledgeable....
lynn - No luck so far this week, except for a call at 10:00 after I had already left the house (saw it on the caller id)
Bluette - live sub finders are nicer, they will book ahaead if they can, I took lots of jobs in Elem for meetings right through to april, 2 days each week
Melissa - how does this sub finder work they just list the jobs and they are up to anyone who want them on a first come basis?
Miss Beautiful - ....is there a way for teachers to request a particular sub using subfinder?
lynn - Yes, and you push a button on the menu to accept or reject.
Stanley - Ken, whereabouts are you subbing? Also, didn't the classroom T leave plans for you?!?
Melissa - wow so you get to pick instead of the school picking you
hop - the SubFinder will say "You have been requested for this job"
lynn - I think they do make requests, because I only ever hear junior high on the line. I guess the high schools and elementaries already have people they like.
hop - I absolutely love those calls!
Ken - Stanley, small school in Wisconsin, I've sub'd for this teacher before; the kids think I'm Santa...
Stanley - BTL, I've worked with 2 different vendors for computerized sub assignment. One allows the Ts to specify you, the other only the Secretaries.
Bluette - after a while people get to know you and will ask you to cover for them
Miss Beautiful - Is that because you've a white beard, Ken?
Melissa - hi mass and sondra
Bluette - often I think I didn't do a good job but Teacher asks for me, hummnn, does that mean everyone else was a worse sub??
Massimo - Our sub contact works as a custodian by day
hop - I was requested for all my assignments last week
Melissa - do you look like him?
Miss Beautiful - Thanks, Stanley, I knew you'd know the answer!
Massimo - Hi all
Miss Beautiful - Hi, Massimo
hop - hello Massimo
Stanley - Ken, now HOW many times have I told ya' **NOT** to wear that red suit ALL the time?!?
Ken - Yup, I'll post a link to my webpages on the Sub. Teacher forum...
Stanley - Still, Ken, are you augmenting the T's lessons, or did she leave you short?!?
Ken - Red suit out for cleaning...but have a new cap!
hop - Now what kid would want to misbehave with Santa in the classroom? Hmmmm.
Ken - I'll follow T's plans; I'm familiar with what she has...
Ken - she also trusts me to modify as needed. Wonderful teacher to sub. for.
Stanley - Blue, I think you MAY have a reasonable explanation. Also, some of us MAY be harder on OURSELVES than are others...
Bluette - Mass, you are a sub too, i didn't know that
Bluette - I do believe you are right, kids in Charge, high risk group told me nobody does a better job
hop - Have any of you received sub training in 4-Blocks?
Stanley - Ken, what was that about web pages?
Sondra - Subs-Working much this week?
Ken - I have some web pages with pics of our dog, started one on myself, etc. Nothing elegant.
Stanley - hop, I've had bits & pieces of 4-Blocks.
Miss Beautiful - No training, but I've read up on 4-Blocks here at teachers.net, hop.
Bluette - last few weeks, 4 days only, was finishing papers for grad classes
hop - Going day by day so far Sondra
hop - do you prefer to sub in classes with ability groups or ones using 4-Blocks?
lynn - 4 blocks?
hop - me too lynn
Miss Beautiful - Either, hop. I'll take what I get.
Miss Beautiful - tah, hop
Stanley - hop, are ability groups & 4-Blocks mutually exclusive?
Miss Beautiful - Time for me to go, too. Nice chatting with you all.
lynn - What does 4-blocks mean?
Stanley - Sondra, UNLESS one works for a district with **LOTS** of in-services, this will probably be a LESS than "robust" week...
Sondra - Our inservices were last week I think.
Stanley - Lynn, I don't feel certain enough of 4-Blocks to attempt an explanation. However, go to the T.Net archives &/or lesson plans & you'll see **LOTS** of info!
Sondra - I'm wondering about 4 blocks too
Sondra - I turned down a job to work as a volunteer in my son's school tomorrow
Stanley - Sondra, you mean you turned down a NON-paying job in hopes of getting a subbing assignment?
lynn - In hopes of getting a call?
Stanley - Sondra, my main district has had as many as 1,100 or 1,200 Ts out in a day -- MOST of them for District-mandated training! Several Ts @ my favorite site asked me to work for them tomorrow. However, I'd already agreed to work elsewhere... ;-(
lynn - Huh? Do they have this many subs?
Stanley - San Diego City Schools is the nation's 8th largest district. Supposedly there are 2,000 Subs on the "books," though there HAVE been shortages -- as high as 186 positions one day last yr!
Stanley - Check the following link for 4-Blocks info http://teachers.net/cgi-bin/library/ searchindex/query.pl?swishindex=%2Flesson_index.swish&keywords= 4+Blocks&maxresults=80
Bluette - time to say goodnight, its been fun taking
Bluette - talking
Bluette - good night
Stanley - TAKE care, Blue! &, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
lynn - Good night. Think I'll go too.
Stanley - lynn, in what state do you sub?
Stanley - ENJOYED the chat! Have TERRIFIC Holidays!!
Stanley - Going, going...
Stanley - {{{{ p o o f ! ! }}}}
