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Mrs. Alphabet - Tonight we will be addressing if thematic materials should be repeated in pre k, kindergarten, grade one , and two. Please state your opinion and feel free to comment on the opinions of others.
Click - Sorry my apple pie was burning, really! LOL here is a good site for kinder - 1st http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/5059/
Click - Mrs. Griffen's web page.
Mrs. Alphabet - Thanks Click. I think that is Amy's site she has some excellent ideas!
Mrs. Alphabet - As teachers I think the internet has made my themes really expand and become more versatile and fun.
Mrs.R/NC - As Director of a Preschool my teachers are very appreciative of the ideas I print out for them off the internet sites.
Click - We also study bats and spiders in the fall.
Mrs.R/NC - We do alot of nursery rhymes during the fall.
Mrs. Alphabet - Mrs. R that is great that you extend materials to your staff.
Click - Mrs.R/NC - do you have any fall sites bookmarked?
becca - I think it's okay to repeat some themes over 2-3 years if you expand the learning. For example: in first my themes are literature based and so we do shared, guided, and independent reading of books that are theme based.
Michelle - We have been studying zoos--a topic that I usually save for much later in the year. But I had so much interest in the subject, we are doing it now. It has been much better than I expected!
Mrs.R/NC - http://members.tripod.com/~Patricia_F/ is a great site.
Sandy/K/Mo - we are just about apple'd out.. we made apple pizza's, apple brownies, applesauce :-) but the kids actually ate it and LIKED it
Mrs. Alphabet - These are great pumpkin sites. http://www2.lhric.org/kat/pmpks.htm http://www.thepumpkinfarm.com http://www.pumpkinmasters.com http://www.pumpkincircle.com
Michelle - For the first time, we didn't even study apples this fall!
Mrs.R/NC - http://www.bv.net/~stormie/ is another good site.
Mrs. Alphabet - Also please view lessons 202 and 391 at Teachers.net.
chris - At least you have a choice. We are a Core Knowledge School and must follow the Core Knowlege Curriculum. That means maps, ancient man and ancient Egypt.
Kathleen - Hi! I'm sorry, I'll be in and out, but I'm interested in considering whether there might be a better way than to use the same themes every year (pre-k through gr 2 or beyond)..even if they are somewhat revamped for each grade level.
Kathleen - chris, what grade level??
Mrs. Alphabet - Yes, Kat I agree but if teachers meet with other teams this could be nicely worked and arranged so that all could benefit.
chris - I teach first
becca - Anne, I have a lesson based on the book, Pumpkin, Pumpkin, there too but I don't know the #
Kathleen - ancient man, ancient Egypt at age 6-7???
chris - We do not use themes. We are a CORE Knowledge School. We are teaching our world and maps.
Mrs. Alphabet - Not all schools are able to pick themes and must stay focused on a set curriculum.
Kathleen - If teachers met, they could plan to use different themes, then, right?
Sandy/K/Mo - http://www.its.nbs.gov/features/kidscorner/coloring17.html http://members.aol.com/bats4kids/index.htm
Smitty/1/MS - Is that developmentally appropriate?
Mel - How long are you themes and how do you find literature to support these themes??
Sandy/K/Mo - bat sites
Kathleen - chris, how do you feel about the appropriateness of that curric?
chris - No, it is not developmentally appropriate. But we got a grant 4 years ago. There is also very little literature available for 6 and 7.
Smitty/1/MS - My themes last about 1 to 2 weeks depending! You have to really work ahead of time to find activities, books, etc!
Michelle - I have always been very "theme" based and had always organized my topics a year in advance--according to season, events in the community, holidays, etc. This year, I am trying something totally different. I am planning with my children and we are developing units TOTALLY based on their interest areas!
becca - Mel, my themes range from 1-3 weeks depending on my resources and interest. I choose themes based upon the literature I have.
Mel - I agree i was wondering if some of the theme work can be done during literature even though what they read maybe science based kiterature Does that make sense????
Kathleen - Well, does the curriculum specify "teach about apples" "teach about pumpkins" or are those theme topics used as vehicles for teaching other concepts and skils?
Sandy/K/Mo - my themes can last from 2weeks to a month depending on topic and interest of kids.. I haven't had any problems finding books
Smitty/1/MS - I don't plan a year ahead but usually a month or two anyway!
Kathleen - Yes, Mel, that makes perfect sense.
chris - I envy you who have some choice and can use themes. I try to stick a theme in every once in a while. We are doing apples right now.
Sandy/K/Mo - Mel I integrate all my subjects ...
Smitty/1/MS - Usually if you pick a theme you can find activities and integrate skills in all areas.
Mrs. Alphabet - As teachers differ greatly in time and themes what can we do to integrate what is being taught on a more global level?
becca - The only science I teach is through themes and theme books
Mel - Kathleen that is what our new curriuclum is here are the expectations and you get it across any way you can!
click - Sorry guys I got kicked off trying to go to a posted site. Could you repost your sites please.
Smitty/1/MS - Our teachers in first will not work together. The rest of us just kinda do our thing!
Mrs. Alphabet - Smitty, how do you feeel about that philosophy?
Mel - Sandy I think I always felt that reading shold be a story maybe I need to rethink that idea??
Sandy/K/Mo - my first grade teacher and I work well together I start things and she finishes them just the two of us do that though
chris - Our teachers would work together, but we are not given any time. There are 12 first grade teachers.
Deb PS/IA - In preschool I use themes that are done in 3 mornings. I am tring to give all the child a board base of knowledge that they can draw upon in kindergarten (invoking prior knowledge)
Kathleen - Right, Mel, I think we have that in common. And that's my point, we don't have to stick to the same themes every year at several grade levels..I' afraid it is too narrow, loses the power to interest and stimulate kids by the time they've had apple themes for 3 years.
Mrs. Alphabet - Click, you will be able to review the archives and revisit the information.
Smitty/1/MS - It's bad, I think we do so much better when we work together because each idea leads to another and another, etc. Some are afraid you "take" their ideas!
Mrs. Alphabet - How an we convince teachers to work more as a team?
chris - The one positive concerning Core Knowledge (E. D. Hirsch) What Every First Grader Should Know gives us a common "theme" It is strictly for social studies
Mel - Kathleen I have ahrad realizing that if I do a science lesson or a recipe during reading that as long as they are reading then that is okay!
Sarah - What do you think is the best theme site?
Kathleen - Mel, I believe it is more than ok:-)
Deb PS/IA - chris - at least the Core Knowledge gives you benchmarks to base your curriculum on! I know lots of teachers who "secretly use the core knowledge in their classrooms because thier schools aren't organized to have benchmarks and objectives!
Smitty/1/MS - I try to share and don't mind sharing with anyone, I have an open door policy, I just keep hoping that if I keep suggesting it we will get together!
Mrs. Alphabet - In our school we do address thiese issues and try to cross plan.
Mrs. Alphabet - That' great Smitty!
Kathleen - Everyone: If you did have a situation where you met with k-2 teachers, would you choose to have every grade level using the same themes year after year?
chris - We have objectives but no benchmarks. All that we have is what a group of teachers wrote one summer.
Mel - We only have one of every grade in our school but often we wheel our chairs out into the hall and say what do you think of this?? Its great even though we don't teach the same grade!
Deb PS/IA - It has taken me almost 10 years to be accepted in my school. I was the bubbly new teacher already to share what I could (I worked part time and had the time to research stuff for others) but man did they hate me for it!
Sandy/K/Mo - Smitty.. doesn't principal offer suggestions about working together? There is only one in each grade at our school not use to how "real" world works :-)
Mrs. Alphabet - Mel what advantages do you see working with a core model?
Smitty/1/MS - I have suggested to our principal that we all meet and earmark certain units (like insects ) for certain grades so field trips don't overlap, etc. She is "thinking" about it.
Mel - Kathleen I don't think so but Who wants to be told they can't do a theme after allof the planning its a touchy subject!
Mel - MRS A> Not sure what you mean by a core model??
aggie/1/ca - I agree, Mel. And-- no two teachers cover the same topic in the same way.
Sandy/K/Mo - guess I am lucky with my first grade partner.. then we grab 2nd and pull along
Mrs. Alphabet - Theme building can be worked on school wide to benefit teachers and children.
Smitty/1/MS - Several years ago, we each took a theme and worked up skills, acrtivities, etc and then gave a copy of ours to each of the teachers. This worked great and I don't really know what happened.
Deb PS/IA - Smitty we met and went over units in science and literature so that we would'nt overlap. We did this when we consolidated two different districts into one. There were some hard feelings in givng up favorite units but it was fun coming up with new ones!
Kathleen - Smitty, that makes sense. I've heard of kids visiting the same place (apple orchard in grades pre-k, 1, 2!
Mrs. Alphabet - I see core model as a program school wide that provides a curriculum base and model.
aggie/1/ca - Ohhhh no, Kathleen! Now that is bad.
chris - Kathleen, no. There are too many topics out there. My kids need to explore. Every year K, 1 and 2 go to the pumpkin farm. It is a nice trip for inner city kids, but there are other places. Each grade should do different topics.
Kathleen - Yes, it is hard to give up familiear themes and create new materials and methods, but do you think kids benefit from that?
chris - Kathleen, no. There are too many topics out there. My kids need to explore. Every year K, 1 and 2 go to the pumpkin farm. It is a nice trip for inner city kids, but there are other places. Each grade should do different themes
Mel - Mrs A. I agree we tried to stay away from the same themes our currriculum now is starting to dictate our themes some what but still have some flexibility. I think we also need to be reminded of what the kids are interested in. EG. everyone use to do dinosaurs now no one does it and I think that is sad!
TBOX - What are some other ideas we can do for fall? Isn't that what our topic is really about tonight?
Deb PS/IA - Kids really benefit from covering different topics! And not doing the same field trip 3 years in a row.
Kathleen - Does anyone believe that the kids should have input about what to study>
Mrs. Alphabet - Kat, good point what is in the best interests of the children.
Sandy/K/Mo - since I have teachers net and the wonderful websites of Anne, Amy, Addie and all the others my "themes" have come alive :-)
aggie/1/ca - I love dinosaurs, Mel! I think I'm the only K, 1, or 2 teacher to do them.
Michelle - My my experience, it was difficult giving up my favorites, but it has been so rewarding to create new topics with the children
Kathleen - TBOX< we are talking about whether Fall Themes (or any themes really) can be carried too far for too long
Smitty/1/MS - A school in a neighboring city works up units shares them among the grade 1 teachers and they have a giant closet where are the manips, games, etc are stored so that when you do that unit you can go to the closet and get everything you need instead of everyone buying everything for their room! Makes the money go farther and helps those who are science people or etc..
Sandy/K/Mo - aggie Dino's are my biggie along with earth day/rainforest
aggie/1/ca - I've never done that, Kat. Have you? What did the kiddos come up with?
Mrs. Alphabet - We use the model KWL what do you know? what do you want to know? What did you learn? Does anyone use this strategy?
Kathleen - aggie, not yet, it's where I want to be, though
Sarah - Fall themes could be: nocturnal aniumals, skeletons, monsters ( great literature ), pumpkins tc.
chris - I would like to have my children give input, but since test scores have continued to fall we are told what to teach. We use Open Court for reading which uses some themes, but they don't match our science and social studies.
aggie/1/ca - Wow, Smitty! That sounds great!
Deb PS/IA - Seasonal themes are inmportant here in the middle of farm country. People live and work based on the seasons.
Smitty/1/MS - I am doing owls and bats this October and looking for others to carry through. Tired of Halloween, harvest, etc.!
aggie/1/ca - I've done that, Mrs. A.
TBOX - Yes, I do in my classroom!
Mel - Mrs A Our new curriuclum incorporates that and also stresses real life situations..how does this relate to your life!
Kathleen - Anne, KWL is used after the topic is selected, I mean let the kids select the topic. Has anyone done that?
Mrs. Alphabet - Chris, many schools are mandated programs? Does that hamper your style?
aggie/1/ca - Right now I am so stressed by a new reading series that about all I'm doing is reading and math! I really haven't done much "theme" stuff at all!
chris - At this time I feel very hampered.
Mel - Deb I agree I think the things we take for granted that we think they know!
Mrs. Alphabet - No, Kat our team and school pick the themes.
Smitty/1/MS - Kathleen I do KWL the kids came up with bats and owls and are full of ideas! SOmetimes its easier to talk to the kids than the other teachers.
Sandy/K/Mo - Smitty.. add spiders.. great things out there for that too
Kathleen - DEB, that's a good point, what is relevant to the child...will be different depending upon environment, climate
Michelle - Kat, I am currently letting the children in my classes select our topics.
Smitty/1/MS - THanks Sandy will do!
Kathleen - LOL! Smitty, :-)
Deb PS/IA - I haven't let the preschoolers pick any of our subjects simply because I am limited in time.
Kathleen - Michelle, tell us about how that is working, letting the kids choose the topics.
Mel - aggie we have 12 new curriculums and all need to be implemented..There are some good ideas tomorrow I finally in reading not goingt o take out a reader but do a recipe and then a fall directed activity!! I hope it works!!
aggie/1/ca - good luck, Mel. Sounds like fun!
Michelle - I have been so pleased! It was hard to let go (for me) but the interest of the children and consequently their learning level has raised so much!
Deb PS/IA - Don't High/Scope and multiage groupings promote topic choosing?
Mel - Michlle are they pretty realsitic with their ideas?? What grade??
aggie/1/ca - I think so, Deb.
Mrs. Alphabet - I would love to be able to have my students pick their tpoics.
Kathleen - Michelle, that is very interesting and important testimony to the effectiveness of allowing children to choose topics. It makes sense.
Mel - Does anyone do year long themes ..like a tree study or animal study??
Kathleen - Anne, what are some of the themes that are mandated for your level?
Michelle - In the morning, we are doing zoo, in the afternoon, we are learning about fire safety--even though I kept hearing that is an October subject. The interest was there right now, so we are doing it!
Smitty/1/MS - My children have done some brainstorming and they want to learn about big trucks, hubby drives one so he will come by and do a sit in with the kids, then I added other transportation units so I could satisfy distrcit requirements>
Sandy/K/Mo - We have a tree that we watch through out the seasons and this year we are doing an internet project "out our window"
Kathleen - oh, Mel, that sounds interesting. We have to get a session on Reggio Emilia approach, the Project Approach.
Kathleen - It would be a shame to sqelch an interest because the calendar says "it's not time to study that yet".
Deb PS/IA - Michelle - the volunteer firefighters come up to school with the fire trucks and explain stuff and then they ride on the trucks! THis is part of fire safety week (the kids do a poster contest and practice fire drills and stop drop and roll)
Michelle - Sorry Mel, snoozing here. LOL I teach for a public school preschool
Mel - Has anyone used Nuttin But Kids themes for Grade One???
Mrs. Alphabet - How can we spark more interest in picking themes by student interest?
Deb PS/IA - ME too Michelle!
Mrs. Alphabet - No Mel tell us more.
Smitty/1/MS - You would think it would spark interest that kids in some rooms are having a ball and learning and not in others. You would think the other teachers would want to try it to. After all if school isn't fun I want to go home too!
Mel - Mrs A. do you mean about Nuttin But Kids??
Mrs. Alphabet - Sandy tell us about our project sound interesting.
Mel - Smitty well put!!
Kathleen - Good point, Smitty, teachers get bored with the same things repeated, lose our enthusiasm.
Deb PS/IA - Exactly Smitty! If you compare my room to the other preschool teacher in the other town we are like night and day! My principal telss me my room is too stimulating!
Kathleen - too stimulating?? hmmmmmmm
Smitty/1/MS - Deb perhaps your principal doesn't get enough stimulation him or herself!
Mel - Does everyone have just a centre block for themes or is it throughout the day ...especially for grade 1
Smitty/1/MS - If children are learning they are active in other words actively learning!
Michelle - I can honestly say I have never been more excited about teaching than I am right now. It is like my first year again--only I feel better about what I am doing. Planning with the children and hearing their ideas makes it so worthwhile, I think!
Mrs. Alphabet - My theme spreads across the day.
Ellen - logged on.
Deb PS/IA - My principal is a former preschool teacher (in her home) and related too and best friends with the other preschool teacher!
Mel - Sorry Mrs. A. I'm tires!! I think that is the website .I can get it if no one has it bookmarked!Who needs it??
Smitty/1/MS - Mel my themes run throughout the day and even in centers, at luch and onthe playground.
Kathleen - Wow, Michelle! You're inspiring me! I'm groping for something better than has existed in my experience and practices.
Michelle - Yes, Deb, I sure am. I am from Kansas. My email address is michad@cjnetworks.com
Mel - Smiity I feel I'm cheating the students if I don't have acertain amunt of time for a subject I have a hard time integrating!! HELP!!
Mrs. Alphabet - Me too Kathleen!
Deb PS/IA - I'm tired of fighting my principal. I am ready to take on Jr. High if the chance arises this spring. I love sharing on here and on the ring. I have gotten my self respect back fro working with all of you guys!
Smitty/1/MS - Mel while we are writing on large group chart about bats we are talking about where capitals and punctuation should be if a word begins with ? or ? and how it ends, we comment on oh look this word has our short a sound in it, etc. Does that make sense?
Michelle - And it is easier, too! Instead of spending hours planning and creating--the children and their creative little spirits do the leg work!
Kathleen - And, I don't mean pushing down the curriculum, but making the program more child-centered
Kathleen - Deb, I'm glad you found that support here :-)!
Mel - Yes Smitty I think I am becoming more comfortable about the idea..I think that if a principal walks in that I should have areader in my hand!!
Kathleen - Smitty, that makes perfect sense!
Mrs. Alphabet - Yes, Kathleen and of course we need childrn's input to do that successfully!
gk - Michelle, what are some of the october themes the children have come up with?
Sandy/K/Mo - Mel when we are in computer lab they write stories, do the Stellaluna book..
Smitty/1/MS - Sometimes I even tell the children subject areas ( in first grade) and they look for books in the library during activity time and then tell me about them. Saves some looking andfor me!
Smitty/1/MS - Mel you have to remember YOU are the professional and and the expert on the children in your room. My principal finally came around!
Mel - Smity can an experience chart be your reading??/
Kathleen - You know, we all agree that children learn by doing, maybe we need to let them start "doing" earlier in the planning process.
Deb PS/IA - By having a full hour of work time ( child self selects most of the work he/she does) my principal feels I do not have high expectations for my preschoolers!
Mel - Kathleen I agree what little boy went home and told his mom I talk too much!!LOL
Kathleen - Excuse me, I have to insert some information here:
Mrs. Alphabet - How can we convince adminstration that children need to be a part of the planning process?
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Deb PS/IA - I can't image what my principal would do if I asked the kids to plan units!
Smitty/1/MS - Well, MINE is, and we read chorally, individually, and we get to put our initials by our contribution to the story or whatever, or we get to illustrate the word we named when charting short a words etc. Ownership means a great deal to 1st graders! They love it and when the charts are complete we take turns taking them home to read to parents.
meeha/ece/tx - Deb, by offering a full hour of work time you are encouraging your students to complete projects and explore them fully! If students do not learn to do this, they will be incomplete learners!
Kathleen - meeha, that makes sense.
Mel - Smitty how do you get your first graders to become more involved so you are not "talking all the time" LOL
Michelle - Actually, this will probably sound crazy, but we haven't selected "October" themes. We have an interest area chart and we continue on one topic until the interest dwendles!
Mrs. Alphabet - Great idea, Smitty children like to see their name next to their accomplishment.
Deb PS/IA - meeha - I know that and have stood my ground for 12 years and 5 principals! But I am tired of defending my program! Besides our numbers are down and somebody will get cut starting at preschool this coming spring!
meeha/ece/tx - Are any (many) of you familiar with the High Scope project and methods of teaching? Much of their program is based on child initiated learning -- classroom staff is actually supposed to plan DAILY based on demonstrated interests of the students!
Mrs. Alphabet - Actually Michelle I think that makes a lot of sense.
Smitty/1/MS - Mel I "play" a lot. I pretend not to know how to spell a word or I intentionally don't use the capital or I write a sentence out of order. They love to catch me in a mistake and I make a big deal out of it. They really get into it.
meeha/ece/tx - Michelle -- i do about the same thing!
Kathleen - meeha, we will be rescheduling the High Scope session that was on the schedule for tonight.
Mel - I think I feel there is sooo much they need to know that I don't realize that I'm the only one talking!!!
Mrs. Alphabet - meecha, tells us how your child centered program works?
meeha/ece/tx - I taught in a 'high scope' project for two years, agree with some of the program, don't care for other parts!
Smitty/1/MS - I write a sentence wrong and then let them tell me how to fix it or let them come and show me how!
meeha/ece/tx - Mrs. A -- I no longer use High Scope, but the research behind the overall project -- and the basic concepts are phenomenal. Administrator and teaching teams attending the trainings would come out believers!
Deb PS/IA - I have taken almost all of the High/scope stuff! I am not a wholistic teacher so I just borrowed some of their ideas!
Mel - meeha do you do centers all day long??
Smitty/1/MS - For a center I put a whole pile of books down for them and let them find the ones that need to go in to our present theme basket. They have to look at the book maybe even read a little to find this out. They love it.
Mrs. Alphabet - Are eacher selected themes here to stay or is there a movement toward children centered themes? Any comments?
meeha/ece/tx - As I recall, the teaching team (teacher and team members) meet after the children leave and discuss observations, make plans for the next day based on children's interests. That is still kind of how I run things!
Kathleen - A reminder: if your students choose to learn about fire trucks, fire safety, check out http://teachers.net/childwood for their "Fire!" set of story magnets:-)
Smitty/1/MS - I think in my room I will always let the children have a say so after all if not for them I wouldn't be needed.
Kathleen - There is certainly a movement toward child selected themes.
julie/2/ia - we have district concepts that have to be taught, but, how I teach them is up to me (and the kids)
meeha/ece/tx - Mel --in my a.m. (3 y.o. class, dev. delayed) yes -- that is where they are! In my p.m. class there is a 'under' theme which we work on until the kiddos demonstrate they're ready to move on, then we do!
julie/2/ia - for instance, "changing seasons" is an overall concepts, but we will do a web and from that, I get my direction
Mrs. Alphabet - Children centered themes may solve the problems of what themes should be taught over and over again.
meeha/ece/tx - My plans are written weekly (turned in on Friday) because it is a campus requirement. I use them about 15% of the time!
Kathleen - julie, good point, there are many ways to "teach" (facilitate the learning) of the skills and concepts in the curricula.
Mel - meeha I think i so stuck on skillls that i forget to incorporate and have fun!!
Deb PS/IA - Since I base my preschool on trying to give a vast amount of knowledge on a lot of things that preschoolers will have more of a teacher selected theme approach. Preschoolers have limited knowledge and limited experiences that the teacher approach is probably going to be around a bit!
Smitty/1/MS - I am amazed sometimes at what my children want to learn. They have better ideas than the district for the most part.
Deb PS/IA - I turn in plans every Friday!
Smitty/1/MS - It is getting easier for me to do what the children want and integrate district requirements in to their choices.
julie/2/ia - we just had a wonderful community study, they wanted to know about things I had never thought of, water towers, pool, playgrounds, statues, etc
Smitty/1/MS - We have to leave our plan books on our desks every Friday afternon.
Kathleen - Do you think a plan should be 'cast in stone' or should the teacher depart from it whenever the children lead in a different direction?
Michelle - Mrs. A, I think you are exactly right, it may eliminate repeating themes!
Mel - julie IWANT your community study I can't find one anywhere!!
Mrs. Alphabet - Julia, how exciting! Those topics are unique.
julie/2/ia - we don't do that any more deb and I'm glad
julie/2/ia - and they were sooooo engaged!
Smitty/1/MS - My plans are written for the principal the substitute and it kinda keeps me on task but for the most part I try to stay child-centered.
Deb PS/IA - I depart from our plans all the time! Like we had hearing tests on Monday and it screwed up the schedule so some stuff just didn't get done! No big deal! Unless principal is observing@!
Smitty/1/MS - julie I would love to have your community study to go by!
meeha/ece/tx - I think the children are there to be guided toward learning -- that means they lead and my job is to help them use the available tools to master the skills needed at each child's level!
Mel - Smitty how do incorporate the things that you have to do like phonics printing,journals etc..???
Mrs. Alphabet - Julie, who was responsible for initiating the community study?
Kathleen - Deb, the principal should observe how much interferes with the flow in classrooms! :-)
julie/2/ia - we started with a KWL chart, otherwise, we never would have gone that way at all
Michelle - Kat, I believe that we have to be flexible enough to change the schedule to accomodate the needs and interests of the children!
Mel - Does anyone have a good website for community studies???
Smitty/1/MS - Mel, we journal alot, driting in some cases, for handwriting, phonics we do invented spellings and use word wall, it just comes together. Wish you could come spend the day with us!
meeha/ece/tx - My plans are left in my box every Friday p.m. -- I keep sub plans in my 'mailbox' -- with an open invitation for subs who so desire to 'do their own thing' as best the kiddos can tolerate change!
julie/2/ia - the community study is part of a social studies goal like become aware of themselves and how they relate to home school and community...
Deb PS/IA - I had a pool of leaves in the room last week for Fall Fun and we extended our play time to explore the bugs taht came with the leaves!
Mel - Me too! I thought I had a good program until I listen to everyone else!!Boo Hoo!!!
Kathleen - Deb, that sounds great!
julie/2/ia - that sounds like fun! although I hate bugs
Smitty/1/MS - Oh Deb!! How neat, I can't wait to try that one.
Mrs. Alphabet - KWL is an important learning tool that is becoming more widely spread in classrooms>
Mel - What is KWL???
Smitty/1/MS - What usually amazes me about KWL is how much they already know, sometimes I really have to dig to find what they want to know!
Deb PS/IA - KWL is a learning strategy we were taught for special education. All ESU's and AEA's should have that model as well as others!
Mrs. Alphabet - Deb, you would love my classrooms wall to wall ants.
julie/2/ia - What do you Know, What do you WANT to learn, What did you LEARN..
Smitty/1/MS - I usually have three sheets of chart paper on one we tell what we know about a subject, on the next what we want to know and on the last we tell what we learned.
Deb PS/IA - I have ants, millipedes and spiders since I have a basement classroom!
julie/2/ia - lots of misconceptions come out in the what do you KNOW part
Kathleen - Deb, a very stimulating environment indeed!!:-)
meeha/ece/tx - Do you think some of the behavior problems some of us have are because we don't take time to find out what kids know first -- and what they want to know -- and are simply teaching things they already know (a.k.a. the kiddos are bored?)
Mrs. Alphabet - I use post its diffrerent colors for my KWL chart.
Kathleen - julie, that's interesting, discovering what they think it fact.
Smitty/1/MS - I am going to steal your idea MRs. A. love those color ideas! Really makes the kids take notice!
Mrs. Alphabet - Thanks everyone for all the great ideas!
Smitty/1/MS - Good night all!
Kathleen - bye, all, thanks!
