Month by Month Reading and Writing for Kindergarten |
The Teacher's Guide to the Building Blocks |
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HockeyRabbit - can anyone describe how they do their morning message? do you write it WITH the kids, or the day before?
Becky - Always with the children for me!
HockeyRabbit - I teach K-2 Spec ed..my kids like doing the predictable charts
HockeyRabbit - Becky- can you give me an example of what you might write?
KimTN - HR, at the beginning of the year, I write it ahead of time...but I leave out a lot.
Kteachjnm - Most all of the time WITH occasionally before especially if I am going to have a sub
KTeacher - I write my morning message in the morning, but the kids and I read it.
Becky - Today is Tuesday. We go to Art and Music. ,,just repetetive things that they can read
Dakota Woman - I write with the students as a part of my opening exercises.
HockeyRabbit - Kim-neat approach..I am leaning towards writing it ahead of time the first few weeks, then gradually weaning them into writing it together..is that logical??
KTeacher - that is what I do Becky
KTeacher - I intertwine it with calendar and sharing time, too.
Becky - I am amazed at what they can "unlock"..
KimTN - That's how I do it, HR. It gives them the pattern...they know what to expect as far as greetings, etc.
HockeyRabbit - that's what I am hoping to do too
Kteachjnm - It is pretty important to write it with them so that they can spell words for you that they know
KTeacher - I have a couple of nonverbal students and I use this to teach literacy skills.
Dakota Woman - Becky, I do the same format, but when I write the "news" I use a green marker for capital letters emphasizing beginning of sentences and "names", a red marker for periods, and orange/yellow marker for commas, so they can see proper punctation in the process.
HockeyRabbit - Kteach..mine are very limited, and know no sight words
Becky - I agree KTeacher...
Jericho - Does Thanks, Kim...But WHAT are they discussing
KimTN - Yes...a couple of weeks is plenty of time to set the stage for their help.
KTeacher - Mine are just learning there's.
Kteachjnm - awesome idea Dakota
HockeyRabbit - Dakota..NEAT idea
KimTN - Good idea, DK.
KTeacher - I do a lot with literacy in my class.
Becky - Our follow up is to circle "popcorn words..words with twin letters...words with capitals....they make so many good discoveries in the messages
HockeyRabbit - does anyone use literacy centers in their room?
stac - How do you do the predictable charts so that the kids aren't bored. I have grown to dislike them because the kids are bored.
pez - Mine want to use an exclamation point for every sentence
Dakota Woman - Also, when "we" write, I have the line leader come up and circle the letter we are working on. That way they can see how that letter sound is used in words.
Mary - I do
Kteachjnm - stac I only take about 6 kids at a time, we add to the chart everytime we go over to the carpet
KimTN - Stac, we write about what we're doing in our classroom....so...it's generally not boring at all.
stac - Dakota, do you write the message before the kids come in??
pez - I do 1 or 2 sentences as a group for my pred. chart then I call the kids up 1 at a time during literacy centers. We go over the completed chart later in the day
HockeyRabbit - I do not do predict charts every week
Dakota Woman - No, We write it daily as a class.
Kteachjnm - It usually takes 2 days to let everyone have a turn
Becky - I think that if you do it in small doses it is less boring....
Mary - I don't either It depends on my shared reading if I am going to do a pred. cht
Dakota Woman - Some of the things we write are repetitive, but we do add new things to break up the monotony.
stac - I have been having the kids write the first sentence of the morning message which is Today is .... I have seen so many kids writing that sentence during their free time. It has really given them a lot of freedom and curiousity about words and writing!
HockeyRabbit - this is off topic-but does anyone do a unit on winter with eskimos?
teachK - hi - I finally remembered to come in here
Kteachjnm - How long have you all been doing Building Blocks? teaching Kindergarten?
pez - This is my 2nd full year of doing BB
Becky - Me too...and I see them doing that at the computer later...makes me feel good that they GOT IT!
pez - 22 yrs. teaching K
HockeyRabbit - 2nd year..BB 1st
Dakota Woman - As the year progresses, I will use some basic sight words and have the students "write" on their own and use pictures for words they do not know. Ex. I (picture of slide). or I go (picture of someone swimming.)
Mary - B.B. About 3 years but I had literacy for six
Becky - I am in the third year of BB...teaching about 100 years!!! : )
stac - Has anyone been to the conference with Dorothy Hall?
pez - I haven't
Becky - Sorry for the stutter..my double clicker is on overdrive
Kteachjnm - Wow this is my 1st year at it and I love it! I have been teaching K for 7 yrs
Dakota Woman - 1 yr junior high, last 10 years K
KimTN - Going in February, Stac.
teachK - I would love to do that
Becky - I have been to one with Elaine WIlliams...
KimTN - Smart woman, DK!
stac - Well if you have already been doing the building blocks or read either of the books, I would not reccommend going. She just reads right from the book!!
newKteacher - I am struggling a little bit with B.B. Being that I am new the other teacher does not seem to agree with my style.
pez - I have some very bright students. About twice a week I let them take turns writing the Morning message for the group
Deb - Hi to all! Sorry I'm late. What did I miss?
Lacey - Has anyone heard much about those comprehension cubes for Guided Reading yet?
KimTN - lol Gee...thanks, Stac! lol
teachK - really that doesnot help much does it.............
Kteachjnm - that is good to know stac
KimTN - Well, Deb....Brad Pitt just strolled through in his boxers...other than that...
newKteacher - no, not at all. I feel caught between letter of the week, the new reading series and BB
Becky - I think you have to muddle along New K and develop your own style..I have taught for over 30 years and I say without hesitation that I am doing a better job with the Building Blocks than I have ever done!! The children really do KNOW and do more!
KimTN - Hi, Jess.
Deb - I am in my second year of BB. I have a girl this year who knows all letters and sounds and many sight words. She can't rhyme - any advice on what I can do?
Jess - I just joined in . . . . I'm a first year teacher too and I teach kindergarten and LOVE building blocks - I Wish others in my school did it!
Kteachjnm - no I have not heard of Comprehension Cubes
pez - newK, I learned about BB last year, took it to my school got 2 more to go along with me and by the end of the year the principal was telling the other 2 to switch over
Mary - comprehension cubes? Haven't heard
teachK - White screen
stac - Sorry Kim, but it's true. We were so bored.
Deb - Oh, it that all KimTN? It's a good thing I don't think much of Brad Pitt.
KimTN - lol Well...I was going to say Matthew McConnaughey...but wasn't sure how to spell his name! lol
newKteacher - I started the year out really strong with the BB and I can honestly say that they do know a lot from it. I 've given a bit to the reading series and the pressure from surroundings.
Lacey - I just read about the cubes at the applesandacorns site and wondered if anyone had heard about them at the workshops?
Dakota Woman - I think that rhyming is hard for some students to grasp. Does this child understand patterns?
Jess - I see someone mentioned "Letter of the Week" It's very frustrating to me that people still do this (all the other kindergarten teachers in my school)
KinderCop - Deb - for rhyming you HAVE to keep doing phonemic awareness and rhyming stories
Deb - I man in my 2nd year of BB and 1st in all day K. I assessed all my students last week and am extremely pleased with progress.
pez - I teach ESOL kids and they really struggle with rhyming
teachK - deb try teaching her some of the simple word families........
Jess - I'm assessing now too and so pleased with progress as well
newKteacher - Tell me about it. When I entered my position, I was told that all the kids need to know is the letter and the sound. That's it!
Lacey - The cubes are for K-5 and sounded like they would be good for the Guided because they are open ended phrases and questions that I thought I could use.
Deb - Dakota Woman, yes, she does patterns just fine. She can read words in word families, but can't tell me if two words I say rhyme or give me a rhyming word.
teachK - I do building blocks and letter of the week - I use the letter of the week to choose literature for whole group and predictable charts
Becky - Deb does she like to sing?? Maybe that would help??
Jess - it's crazy coming right out of college, what practices some people use and what we have learned is most effective
stac - Here's a question that doesn't really have to do with building blocks. How often do you guys or gals share ideas with the teachers that teach Kindergarten with you??
Dakota Woman - For some reason, she is not making the connection. I know how frustrating that can be
Deb - Oops, I guess I'd better slow down my typing. Sorry for all the typos!
HockeyRabbit - teachK-that's what I do
stac - Deb is your student a Second Language Learner?
newKteacher - NEVER!
pez - We have to do a base line sentence dictation with kids now. Before BB I never had kids score as well as they are scoring now. In fact, 75% of my class already achieved May's goals
Mary - DW May be some Phonemic Awareness Activities would help
teachK - that way I can "fit in" with the other teacher and still do my own thing
Becky - We have 40 minutes of shared planning DAILY and it is a godsend.
Deb - I am the only K teacher in my building. I am also the only all day K teacher in our district. So, I don't really share much.
KimTN - Yeah, Jess...but best practice and most common practice are often very far apart.
Deb - stac - no, she's not a SLL
HockeyRabbit - I am lucky that I work in a great building and people are always sharing ideas
Jess - yes they are KimTN, unfortunately!!!
newKteacher - The teacher next to me has taught 14 years. SHe said if I need anything ask but otherwise I am on my own.
Kteachjnm - we share often the 3 of us have 7 yrs or less under our belts so we are very open to sharing
Dakota Woman - Count your blessings that you have that much time to plan, Becky!
Jess - HockeyRabbitt, you are very lucky to work with people who agree with your philosohpy and do hte same thing sas you
pez - My team has been together for so many years that we know what everyone has so we don't share that much
Becky - Oh I do...we all do Dakota..
teachK - that is good one of the teacher I work with said " what are you going to do for me?" the first time I asked for help
Jeni - does anyone have a coteacher that they have difficulty getting along with and teaching with?
Dakota Woman - The teacher next to me is wonderful. We share many ideas, and I also check into the new kindergarten chat board. Wonderful!
Jess - Yes, Jeni, I do!!!!!
Becky - Not now..we ran her off!! LOL!
newKteacher - That would be me! Unfortunately.
pez - Wow teachK, been there
Jess - wow, teachK, that's awful that a teacher said that to you
Deb - I have introduced all PreK through 3rd grade teachers in our district to BB and 4B last spring, so I share with them. Teachers are always coming to my room for ideas, but I don't get many from anywhere except teachers.net mailrings and site.
KimTN - Amen, Becky! lol Sounds like my approach! lol
Jeni - what do you do...how many tchrs do you teach with?
HockeyRabbit - well I wouldn't say they do the "same" things, but I can see where they are coming from..lots of great ideas though, and NO ONE is "secretive" about them
teachK - now - I have bent over backwards to have a "give and take" relationship with her.. She is a great person - just burned once too many times
Deb - Do you all have other K classes in your building?
Kteachjnm - that is too bad!
newKteacher - Jeni were you asking me that?
Jeni - there are only t k teachers in my bldg.
pez - There are 5 of us in my building. We started out with 6, but lost a unit in Sept.
Jess - There are 3 other teachers on my team - one is totally inappropriate in her teaching. The other two are okay (but they don't teach kindergarten appropriately sometimes either - they do a lot of sight word teaching, letter of ht eweek, writing with lined paper, etc. Stuff I don't feel is appropriate) I try to steer clear nad do what I know is best as much as I can
HockeyRabbit - yes
Kteachjnm - yes I do Deb
HockeyRabbit - i'm in NY and we have all day K 4 teachers
Dakota Woman - I teach with one other teacher. She's wonderful!
Jeni - this is confusing... t=2
HockeyRabbit - should have said, we have 4 K teachers
Deb - Wow, I wonder what it would be like to work with other K teachers.
Jess - (yes, it is a little confusing with so many topics going on)
Jess - There are pros and cons I think to having other sections of kindergarten in your buildnig
newKteacher - If you don't teach with lined paper, what do the childrendo when they get to first grade. I started out with no lined paper but the reading series gives it.
pez - With all that is expected I don't know how the 1/2 day Ks do it, My hat's off to them
Mary - Me too Jess, She is a nice person but has a different philosophy
Kteachjnm - We have 2 all day K's and 2 half day K's this is our 1st year getting to do all day
Jeni - what about your admin? what do they do about tchrs that don't work together
stac - I have recently started having difficulties sharing with my teammate. Ever since I started going on the Kinderkorner group she is always asking for copies of my things but not sharing anything that she has. She said that in my first year, she gave me everything she had.
Jess - It's difficult sometimes, isn't it Mary - but I know I must do what I know is best
Deb - Not only am I the only class, but our district has 10 half day classes and one all day class - ME!
pez - Deb, is it a small district?
Mary - Me too I try to explain but ........ So I just do my own thing
Maggiebear - Hello everyone
Deb - I use lined paper with those who are ready.
Dakota Woman - Deb, I hope there is a place for you in heaven for all you are doing. UGH!
KimTN - newK...don't worry about it.I teach first...believe me...I'd rather them come to me with a great background than writing on lined paper. :)
Deb - No, actually it's a very large district. Low socioeconomic.
HockeyRabbit - in about a month I will be switching to lined paper cuz I feel they are ready
newKteacher - Deb, do you have a scheduled writing time?
Becky - We have six kindergarten teachers...we meet daily...we have an agenda and discuss everything...we have developed common criteria for assessment and pretty much stay on the same schedule though we all have different teaching styles .l.we do not have any "hot dogs" that want to be best...this has developed in the past three years and we have learned so much from each other...the ages range from 23 to 57 and there are both male and female members of the team.
Jeni - re: paper, i have all kinds of paper available...they pick what they want. the other tchrs say "on Jan 5th, i will start using lined paper"...yikes!
newKteacher - Thanks, Kim. I worry that I am not getting it all in because I am so worried about getting it all in.
Deb - Thanks, Dakota Woman, I like to believe that I am doing all this for my students and when I am done with them, my place in heaven.
KimTN - Sounds like a great mix of teachers, Becky.
Jess - I think using lined paper, especially 1st semester, is not developmentally appropriate. We dont' want kids to worry about staying on the lines, etc. We want them to worry about their writing, not staying on the lines (I don't think it's really important in kindergarten to drill on exact letter formation -- we talk about it during our interactive writing, etc.) Anyways, I give them blank paper to use in their writing. I think lined paper comes later in the year (like HockeyRabbitt said) We have to keep kdgn as kdgn and not make it first grade (somethignI feel strongly about)
Jeni - becky...sounds nice
KimTN - Stop worrying, newK. Enjoy yourself....they'll remember that more.
Maggiebear - Hi I'm from NC and currently teach 1st grade. I am in a K-1 looping school and this is my second year with the same kiddos.
Deb - My kids write 4 days a week beginning in Jan.
Becky - I agree Jess
pez - One of my parents works for a large grocery chain and brought in 4 boxes of the composition books. I use them for journals, but don't really pay attention to the lines. Saved me from having to make journals
newKteacher - Jess, I agree totally with you.
KimTN - Regarding lined paper....when kids are ready, they'll use the lines. Don't force it. How many kids have you seen draw on lined paper and totally disregard the lines?
Maggiebear - At my school we use Write From the Beginning to teach Writing.
Deb - We use spiral notebooks for writing, but ignore the lines.
Jess - thanks Becky!
newKteacher - Do you all follow the month by month book?
stac - Wow Becky! How did you all get to that point?
Jess - and new K teacher!!!
Jeni - i do daily journal from day one in K
Deb - My kids who are ready, notice the lines, and use them.
Becky - I had one mother who was so warped about lines that she would come and get her daughters journal and draw lines monthly...how anal can one be..I just let her do it!!
KimTN - I agree, Deb.
Kteachjnm - What is Write From the Beginning?
HockeyRabbit - at my school we use a writing program called Begin Write..not sure if it really is doing that much
KimTN - And I have first graders who aren't ready for lines.
Mary - I make monthly journals that the kids do daily and I do Writer's Workshop 3 days a week
Jeni - we have a special time each day...in the yrs past it has been better, i am getting bored now...any ideas for journal wtg?
Becky - Stac it took a long time!
Jess - With the lined paper, I see other classrooms doing that and giving them prescribed things to write. Those kids are so worried about keeping their letters on the lines, etc. My kids have blank paper and write what they want -- it's so cool to see what they are doing now!!
Dakota Woman - Later on in the year, I use paper that has lines on the bottom half and an open area for illustrations on top. Students who are ready will write and draw in the area they are most comfortable.
newKteacher - I am also having trouble handling my centers. What centers do you all have and how do you send your children to them?
pez - I started journals in October. My kids go straight to the writing center when given the choice
KimTN - lol My favorite new quote: Is anal retentive hyphenated?
HockeyRabbit - I will say though, for my spec ed kids, it does give them some idea of how to "form" the letter..it uses start dots
Jess - newK, I follow month by month somewhat (but I am a bit ahead of where it is)
Becky - I do Kid Writing and LOVE it!
Deb - I am a firm believer in exposing children to things and if they are ready, they will get it. I have several who know about kn at the beginning of words. Most of my class knows the digraphs.
Mary - That's funny Becky I can only imagine I hardly ever see parents
Maggiebear - It is a program designed to teach children to write in an organized fashion.
HockeyRabbit - newK- I want to know the answer to that question too
Becky - LOL Kim!! May I quote you??
newKteacher - Jess, have you been to a seminar on BB or did you read up on it yourself?
KimTN - Absolutely, Becky....but it's not mine!
Deb - I have many activities (that's what we call centers). All are in plastic tubs for portability.
Jess - newK, I use the work board format from Pinnell and Fountas's GUIDED READING for our time when they need to go to certain centers (When I do my small group work) We also have choice time where they choose what centers. This I monitor with a choice board (a certain number can bea t a center at a time)
Jess - newK -- no I have not been to a seminar (I'd like to) I did it in my student teaching and I've read A LOT on it becuase I think it is so great!
stac - NewK, I went to k crew. It is a group of teachers in TX. They have a great way of doing centers. I just started them and the kids are so on task. It's wonderful. There are about 12 cetners and they can go to any of them and then check them off of hte list!
Jess - I LOVE KID WRITING OR INVENTED SPELLING TOO (although I have a few parents who have a hard time getting it!!)
Dakota Woman - I have to leave. It was nice meeting you and learning new ideas. Happy teaching. Til next week, Bye
Jeni - i like most of M by M, but i disagree with some things
Jess - newK, where are you located? (what state)
newKteacher - I just want you to know that I did not student teach in a kindergarten classroom. My county is a little different in the job areas. I just hope you all don't think I am too clueless.
KimTN - Bye, DK.
newKteacher - I am in West Virginia.
Becky - Good Night Dakota Woman
Jess - (How often do you guys meet for these chats? It's my first and I'm loving it -- I just joined the "ring" too)
Mary - I used Gay Su Pinnel/Irene Fountas Guided Reading suggestions
Deb - Jeni, what part of M by M do you disagree with - just curious.
HockeyRabbit - Hey I do want to share something..I was at Ames ad bought this Dr. Seuss game (on sale..cool)..I've never seen it in a catalog before..its a letter matching game..thought I would share..my kids like it, and even if they do not know the letters, they can m
Jeni - stac...k crew the website?
KimTN - newK....we're teachers....we don't think that.
Jess - I don't think you are clueless at all - I know how tough first year is since I'm there right now too!!
Jess - Isn't it great Mary
newKteacher - Thanks. If you knew where I worked you would understand my concern.
Jeni - its hard to know right now...its not in front of me...but i seem to think it is a little slow
stac - Yes Jeni!
Mary - Yes I have been doing this for about six years I wouldn't trade it for the world
KimTN - Hi, Teachbab...I'm first, too....just getting to know the BB program to share with kinder teachers.
stac - How do all of you do word walls, or do you do them?
Cindy - West-central Illinois
Teachbab - I try to use 4-blocks with my 1st gr.
KimTN - Is Harrisburg in the southeast part of Illinois? Friends there.
Jess - Unfortunately, I need to get going soon. How often do you have these chats? (And how long do they go each night? Maybe I'll be back on)
Jess - I have a word wall but JUST WITH THEIR NAMES
KimTN - I NEED to get to the gym....but I think I won't! lol
Teachbab - I do word walls with sight words and also with one of each word family word
Deb - Yes, I do word walls. I start with their names and then colors and then some sight words from our reading.
Jeni - love the word wall...but i could improve it. we have a key word for every letter and the names and "Star" words (High...) are on there
Becky - Robinson is the town Deb
newKteacher - I started out using just a name wall but my kids were really getting the sight words presented by the book so I put the alphabet with the words underneath. I also do a word worm.
Jeni - oh yea...i have color words and names up there too
Cindy - I am the 4-block coordinator for our district
Jess - I will do a separate bulletin board wtih "popcorn words" but they aren't expected to knwo them -- I was under the understanding in kdgn the only appropriate words for a word wall were their names
Deb - My students love the word wall and I think it improves their reading and writing greatly.
pez - My word wall has their names on it as well as environmental print and a few sight words
Mary - After I introduce their names, I put them on my word wall then when I introduce another word and about 75% know it I put that one on the word wall
paws - NewK, what's a word worm
Jeni - jess...just a name wall or just one of your word walls has names only
KimTN - Us? Tired? lol (Yep!)
Becky - Hey pez...am coming to Tampa next week...presenting at the national title conf...anything I need to see
Teachbab - can't get my kids to look at the wall even though it is big and bright and the center of our room...they are not interested in the activities and I even have special glasses for it and a special pointer
Jess - My word wall is JUST names. I have a different board I will soon start for popcorn words as we talk about them
Deb - I disagree with the word wall being only their names. I am a believer in exposure. I send the words home to practice also, but they don't have to know them. They are there to help with reading and writing.
pez - Becky, I'm just west of Tampa on the gulf beaches. Hopefully you'll have some nice weather
Jess - Deb, just my novice opinion, but to me that seems like first grade stuff
Jeni - should there be separate walls for high freq words, colors, environmental print, names, etc?
newKteacher - I cut out circles with the sight words on them as I introduce them. I made a face on the first circle to look like a worm. The words just go up but not in alphabetical order. I think I got it out of the teacher's guide to BB.
Deb - My words have magnets and are on a magnetic chalkboard and we take them down and manipulate them on a magnetic whiteb
Peg - "I have a color coated word wall. Green for the children's names, yellow for the word families, red for the letter people names, white with color words in their colors.
KimTN - Hi, Recess! lol
pez - In my district we have to expose the kids to 24 sight words. Those words are or will be on my word wall
Deb - Oops, whiteboard, sorry.
Jess - I have environmental print and words all over the room -- and a theme board I rotate at my writing center, corresponding with the theme
Mary - Can I disagree politely Most of my kids know I, is, a When we do writers' workshop they use these all the time
Jess - pez, do they have to know theses (recognize or spell them) before 1st?
Deb - Jess, which part seems like first g
newKteacher - Jess, is this your first year teaching K or your first year teaching?
teachK - pez just 30 I am aiming for 30
pez - My kids can spot "ing" a mile away thanks to morning message
Peg - I have been adding environmental print on the wall too, but all over the room easy enough for the kids to point and read.
Deb - Sorry again! Jess, which part seems like first grade?
Jess - Mary, I agree and many of mine will know them too just from exposure -- but it doesn't seem developmentally appropriate to EXPECT them to know those in kindergarten and drill them on it -- but again, just my opinion, what do i know!!!
HockeyRabbit - good nite everyone..have a great Wednesday
pez - Jess, they have to recognize 9 out of 24 by May. I try to use them in my morning message so they are easily recognized. I don't teach them
KimTN - Goodnight, HR.
Jess - my first year of teaching and my first year of kindergarten (obviously if it's my first year of teaching
teachK - sorry pez
Jeni - how do you get your kids to read the room...i have tried lots of stuff, but it doesn't seem effective
Jess - Deb - it seems 1st grade, drilling them on words and expecting them to know them in kindergarten
KimTN - Does anyone else have to comply with the fire code that limits the amount of "paper" you can have on your walls? My walls have been covered for 18 years....and now I can't have more than 50% covered. ?
newKteacher - Where did you go to school?
Deb - I agree that they should not be expected to know them in K, but why not give them the exposure.
Jess - thanks pez
Mary - I never drill them The word wall is used only for a reference.
teachK - I taught first last year and am teaching a K-! this year so I am pushing my high group to know the sight words
paws - do you think BB is a fad or here to stay? The buzz is Cunningham and the 4 blocks is sta
Becky - Pez...Kid Writing suggests using the term "the king of ing" tohelp the children remember this...today when I began my Dr King lessons they almost shouted king of ing!!
recess - Hello
Peg - pez, I can't believe what my kids can write after just two months of morning messages!
paws - is starting to go out (so I've heard)
Jess - My kids LOVE to read the room - I have reading the room wands ( a dowel rod decorated and with a pom pom on top) that they love to use!
pez - Becky, I know the king of ing quite well. LOL
paws - what is king of ing
Jess - Oh no, BB and 4B are going out!?!?!
Peg - Becky, that King of Ing is very cute....tomorrow
pez - Peg, my kids have started writing the MM on their own. I give them the marker and they go with it.
Mary - My boys even use the princess pointer to read around the room lol
newKteacher - My pointer is a gardening glove stuffed with the pointer finger out and the other fingers down on a dowel rod. I think it's rather cute.
Deb - KimTN, I have hear of that happening, but thank goodness, I have not had to deal with it. My walls are covered 100% (well, maybe not quite).
paws - Don't know for sure, but we've been told that the 4 block is only a fad like whole language????
Jess - newK, if that ? was at me, I went to school at the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse -- where are you from? Where did you go to school?
KimTN - Don't worry about things "going out." Good teachers have...and will always....use what they find works best.
recess - I don't think BB is a fad at all. It has too many elements of just plain good teaching!
KimTN - Yeah, Deb...I feel "nekkid" lately!
Becky - Don't stress Jess..there will be someone else to sell something and it will be a "better mouse trap"..just use your good instincts and persevere!!
KimTN - Whole language isn't a fad.
newKteacher - I am from Weirton, WV and went to Mount Vernon Nazarene College in Ohio
pez - BB might be a fad, but it's staying in my classroom.
Peg - great! We are writing it (creating) together, and then they copy it. I think some could create it too. What do you about spelling?
Deb - Pez, it's staying in my room too.
Jess - I think BB is a good organizational tool for getting in all the important parts of reading/writing - so like you said, it won't go out
teachK - Jess - I have been told by more than one seasoned teacher " nod to the principal and the close your door and teach the way you think is best
Jess - Those of you who have your kids write the MM, do they do it the night before?
Deb - Well, I guess I'd b
newKteacher - Jess, are you on the mailring? I would like to hear more of the ideas you use in your classroom.
KimTN - It will be called something else several times in your career...but it will be around.
teachK - that is close
Peg - You all know that BB is actually a nice way to put together what we all have been doing for years!
Becky - Believe it or not our 1 and 2 grades do SAXON PHONICS and four blocks and are doing it successfully!
Jeni - how do you go about the kids wtg the MM
Deb - teachK, that is a motto in our district of ever changing methods also.
KimTN - I don't agree! SHOW the principal that it works...then you'll have the support you want.
newKteacher - How do you all utilize your aide if you have one?
Jess - Yes I am newK - I'd like to e-mail with you more too (a fellow new teaher) I'm new to the ring. Should we swap e-mail?
Jeni - right on peg
Deb - DOes anyone do K Saxon Phonics?
pez - My kids do it that morning. It's too funny. The first child that attempted it started out with "Okay, how do you spell Good Morning?" LOL
recess - Have you ever looked at how much "whole language" is used in a good K classroom. It didn't "go out." You just might call it something else.
newKteacher - Sure.
KimTN - Our kinders have done it for the past two years, Deb. No comment.
Jess - Pez, you have extra time before school then that they can read it? How do you choose who does it? Do they do it in pairs?
paws - I read the correct new term for whole lang is balanced literacy
Jess - Okay newK -- do we do that on here!?!? (I'm a rookie to this!!
Jeni - i have heard bad things about saxon phonics
teachK - yeah but - I already see in my district that once someone hooks into something that does NOT work - it is impossible to change their minds ask aggie about results
newKteacher - i don't know. That's why I threw the ball back to you
KimTN - Whole language has always been balanced....but when people are forced to "do" whole language...it just doesn't work. You have to believe it....and you have to know what you're doing.
Deb - KimTN, ok. I was given a free kit (or whatever the 3 crates are called). I wasn't given a manual though, so I tore the kit apart because I wanted the crates for storage.
pez - Jess, I do morning message as part of my opening. The special person of the day is given the privelege of writing part of the message. Usuall it's the Dear Class, Good morning sentece. Something they see everyday. I take over after that.
Peg - Paws, Balanced literacy is what every good classroom should have. Take what is good in all programs and make your program better.
KimTN - lol @ Deb! lol
Jess - Pez, they do that during your opening, in front of everyone then?
Deb - They give you 3 very nice crates with covers and wheels. That was worth something to me! LOL
newKteacher - I guess it can't hurt anything. They are all on the mailring too probably and will see the email addresses there. Mine is mcmills@access.k12.wv.us
pez - Jess, yes. They write and everyone helps "spell" the words.
KimTN - Deb, no question....many of the kinders came to me knowing soft "c" and other things...but they didn't THINK about stories. I'd rather them come in filled with great language than drilled on phonics.
Jess - mine is jessicab@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
newKteacher - Jess, I have no idea how you did that. But I sent my message out before I got it.
Becky - YES KIM!!
teachK - right now I have no program = I am building it from scratch..... really irritating but california only has TWO programs on their short list of approved programs open court and houten mifflin that it is
Deb - Most of my kids come to me knowing nothing. There are no books in most of the homes. Most don't know a single nursery rhyme or story.
KimTN - Becky, tell us where else you're presenting. Not all of us can make it to Florida this year!
paws - how much time do you usually allot for the MM
KimTN - Yes, Deb...that's how it is here, too.
recess - Deb...your kids sound like mine. 13 of my 17 are also ESOL.
Deb - A shame isn't it?
Jess - Thanks everyone, this was great but I have to go!!!
Peg - Kim, you are very fortunate to have children knowing the soft 'c' sound. Some of my kinders don't know how to hold a pencil when they come to me let alone letters and sounds.
teachK - I found building blocks this summer I LOVE IT!!!!
newKteacher - Jess, how did you send me that message?
Peg - me too Deb....
KimTN - Sorry, Peg...I don't agree! I never said mine know how to hold a pencil. All of the work hanging on the halls has their names written on it....in the teachers' handwriting.
Becky - This is just a one time thing...the boss needed an OLD person to talk...I am not a presenter..."just a teacher"-I am good at BS and he needed the mix!!
Peg - same with my children.
pez - 6 of my 22 are ESOL
Jess - newK, there is an area on the left of where I type the message that says "send to:room" I scroleld down and did "send to: newK" and it must ahve worked!
Peg - by jes
Jess - bye peg - thanks
teachK - everyone have a great night
KimTN - My point, Peg....is that they know ridiculous things....like soft c....but don't know what "kids" should know. They don't have the experiences that they need because they're too busy drilling on sounds.
Deb - Our school got a new principal 5 years ago and he required all teachers to send a supply list home of items the kids should bring in. These parents had never been expected to send in anything. It has taken 5 years, but about 90% of them send in everything on the list.
pez - I need to go too. Good night all
KimTN - lol Old person?! I much prefer someone who is "just a teacher!"
recess - Building Blocks works really well with my student population! I've been very happy with it.
Becky - You are so right Kim....
newKteacher - Bye everyone! Thanks for your ideas and support!
Jess - BYE!
Peg - sorry Deb, I misunderstood...
Becky - This has been good ladies....thanks for the chat !
KimTN - I enjoyed meeting ya'll and learning more about your work in K! Thank you for everything you do!
