Month by Month Reading and Writing for Kindergarten |
The Teacher's Guide to the Building Blocks |
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Lucy - hi, are you here for the building blocks chat
Hockeyrabbit - yes
milymo - Hi! I finally made it to the building blocks chat!
Hockeyrabbit - ok I wanted to make sure it was BB
Lucy - I teach pre -k 5yr. olds getting ready for k
Hockeyrabbit - I wanted to know if you use the tongue twisters from the month/month book, and if u do, what kind of extension things do u do?
milymo - How long have you been teaching K and how long with BB - everyone?
Hockeyrabbit - this is my FIRST year
Hockeyrabbit - special ed last year
KBiKY - I'm totally new to Building Blocks, but very interested in the concept
KBiKY - this is my 10th year teaching K and I'm ready to revamp my whole program
Hockeyrabbit - can anyone give me an idea of how they run their LA block with BB?
Lucy - I don't use it but went to an inservice and I am very interested in trying some things
Cathy - I have been teaching kindergarten for 31 years for the last 3 years I have used BB. I love it and what a difference it has made in the progress of my students
Lucy - here to learn more
milymo - This is my second non-consecutive year in K. I had three years of 2nd in between where I learned and implemented 4Blocks.
Hockeyrabbit - WOW
KBiKY - my problem right now is with the predictable charts. My kids can't attend long enough to get very many sentences dictated.
Hockeyrabbit - when u are doing a shared reading...how many days do u use/re-read the book?? 5?
milymo - I don't have it fully implemented yet, but I am still seeing more progress than my first year in K.
Hockeyrabbit - YES...KB, good question...I have tried to break it down into 2 days
milymo - How many kids do you have KB?
Hockeyrabbit - anyone here use Orton Gillingham too?
KBiKY - 24; I tried doing 12 one day and 12 the next
Cathy - KBiKY have you tried haveing the first part of the sentence written at the top of the chart and only writing what the students say to finish the sentence
Hockeyrabbit - I'm luck...I have 15
milymo - I only have 14 students and they get squirrly around the fifth sentence. 24, WOW!
KBiKY - that's a great idea! My kids seem to bore easily of repetition. when doing shared reading, a book is usually only good for 3 days
Hockeyrabbit - thanks KB
milymo - The shared reading is the part where I'm lacking this year.
Hockeyrabbit - we will be having a review week and Im using Chicka Chicka
Hockeyrabbit - me too
milymo - I read a lot, but not predictable big books.
Hockeyrabbit - but the other 2 teachers who I work with rarely re-read the same book
Hockeyrabbit - yeah
Cathy - Lot of good ideas for Chicka Chicka on the lesson part of the teachers.net
milymo - We did Chicka Chicka the first week. We have read it over and over since. I loved it!
KBiKY - my big book collection is limited; working in a parochial school is working with a tight budget
Hockeyrabbit - thanks cathy, I will check it out
Cathy - Has anyone used any Dr. Jean tapes? They fit right in with the BB.
milymo - I read a lot of books that are songs - Old McDonald, There Was an Old Lady.
Hockeyrabbit - I wish I could see her...budget is too tight here
milymo - I need some Dr. Jean tapes! I use Greg and Steve tapes for some movement activities.
Hockeyrabbit - I do want to share something the reading recovery teacher just said to our K team today
Cathy - Try kinderkorner.com for ideas with Chicka Chicka. Cute art idea and alphabet recognition idea in one
milymo - Please share!
Hockeyrabbit - she said that even though the kids are able to tell you the sounds, letter that makes that sound etc..they still need time to interact with those letters...focusing on the known
KBiKY - I do have an activity which is similar to predictable charts but more individual. My asst. writes the first part on each child's paper ahead of class and we go to each one and take individual dictation to finish the sentence. This takes about 20 minutes, but loses that exposure factor.
Hockeyrabbit - she suggested that just for like 1 min...on cookie tins take like 3 letters and have the kids put all the same letters together
Hockeyrabbit - just quick
Hockeyrabbit - they need to revisit things they know
Cathy - My kids like the class books we make out of the predictable chart.
Hockeyrabbit - yes mine enjoy the books too..especially ones with pictures of themselves
milymo - Mine too! They seem to choose those first!
KBiKY - We make class books out of our individual pages.
KBiKY - Hockeyrabbit, you mean the kids find the same 3 letters that you displayed?
Hockeyrabbit - oh sorry...there is like 9 letters on the tin..3 of each letter and they match the letters
KBiKY - And this is in a small group setting?
Hockeyrabbit - we are very lucky to have such a great RR teacher
Hockeyrabbit - yes
milymo - I need to do more repetition, especially with my pm class!
milymo - They can be quite difficult some days.
Hockeyrabbit - I wouldn't know how to teach 1/2 day..we are full
Hockeyrabbit - yah
Hockeyrabbit - do any of you do guided reading groups?
KBiKY - I can see this working with most of my kids. I do have two readers...one's reading on a 3.9 level and one's on a 2.0 (according to AR levels) They are hard to challenge
Cathy - I taught 1/2 day for 25 years and I loved it.
milymo - My am class is a reg. kinder. My pm class has students from my am class and the other teacher's am class.
KBiKY - I want to start guided reading groups. Considering going to a Fountas and Pinnel workshop in April. Worth giving up a day of Springbreak for?
milymo - I don't do guided reading groups. I would like to, but I'm not sure where to begin, especially with half days.
Cathy - I do guided reading. I use books I got from a web site called beginningreading.com. Has word list and simple yes/no test for each book.
Hockeyrabbit - cathy...can you tell me how you begin?
KBiKY - milymo, do you find the pm class harder to keep motivated? I taught 2 1/2-day classes for 7 years. The pm kids weren't ready to be at school. They had had too much play time and daycare time already.
Hockeyrabbit - I have 5 students who are right on the edge and need more challenge, and would love to do GR with them
Hockeyrabbit - oh, and I wanted to know if any of you use the making words from BB?? having the kids hold up the letter cards and spell the word??
Cathy - I do guided reading in small groups. I made word cards to introduce to the students. I have them make the words into sentences and then read the book.
milymo - They are a bit more immature. They complain about doing many things. I also have 2 that display defiant behavior and one that is being tested for Asperger's.
Cathy - I do guided reading in small groups. I made word cards to introduce to the students. I have them make the words into sentences and then read the book.
KBiKY - We have the Letterpeople. I make words with them regularly. The kids love this!
Hockeyrabbit - can you explain the "word cards"
Cathy - atozreading.com also has some free books to download that k kids can read
milymo - Hi kt!
kt - I am new to K What are the best phonemic awareness activities you do?
Cathy - I take the words from the stories and put them on cards and introduce them individually to small group. Then have them put words into sentences from the story.
milymo - I am enjoying the songs B-A-Bay and Williby Wallaby Woo. We change the consonants out to make new verses.
Hockeyrabbit - oh ok
Hockeyrabbit - did u see that activity of making a class book with Williby??
kt - I have 1/2 day with 45 min special each day! I don't know how to put in GR. I can't even get centers in each day!
milymo - With the elephant's foot at the top??
Cathy - Jack Hartmann has tapes to use to teach phonemic awareness with music. My kids love the songs.
Hockeyrabbit - yes
kt - what is the opinion about having kinders print on the linesd paper with the middle dashes
milymo - Yes! We're doing it tomorrowI just printed off the pages this afternoon.
KBiKY - I saw one activity from a website where each child inserted their name and drew a picture of an elephant's foot ready to sit down on them. I loved this. Plan on doing it.
KBiKY - milymo, where did you print from for the Williby book?
kt - where can I get this elephant page? I have the willoughby song by raffi. Where can I get jack Harmtan songs?
Cathy - Jack Hartmann tapes on his website. JackHartmann.com
Cathy - Jack Hartmann tapes on his website. JackHartmann.com
milymo - I just used MS Works and typed it out - copied and pasted so I wouldn't have to type everything 14 times.
KBiKY - kt, the opinion I read the most is lined paper is a no-no for K. BUT I have several kids who do very well with it. The ones that aren't there yet, I tell them don't worry, just try their best.
Cathy - I use lined paper for some activities. Our journals are done on unlined paper.
milymo - The students draw the elephant's foot at the top and their picture underneath.
Hockeyrabbit - kt...I have a journal...its a folder with prongs...I holepunched about 30 sheets per student...they stamp the date on the top of their page (u can buy a date stamper at the $$ store), and start drawing their picture and then writing
milymo - Uh Oh! I think I spelled Williby (Willoughby?) wrong on all those pages!
kt - cathy do you have a favorite jack h cd?
Cathy - Sounds about the same as my journals. I have them draw first and then write about their pictures. Used Kid Writing to learn how to do writing and journals
Hockeyrabbit - yeah
KBiKY - To enhance the Williby song, I found a picture of and elephant looking like he's going to sit down. I laminated it and taped it to a pencil. As we're singing, I place the elephant over the child's head that we're singing about. The kids really enjoy this.
Hockeyrabbit - yes good book
Hockeyrabbit - cool idea
Cathy - Can't think of the name of the Jack H tape. It has a picture of the gingerbread man on the front.
Cathy - Can't think of the name of the Jack H tape. It has a picture of the gingerbread man on the front.
KBiKY - I did too, then, because I just copied!
milymo - Mine already get crazy with the mention of their name in the song. I can't imagine holding an elephant above their heads! That's so cute though!
KBiKY - excuse my spelling. just notice "and" instead of "an" in my last note
kt - just curious where is everyone from
milymo - Ohio!
KBiKY - Louisville, KY
Cathy - I am from northern panhandle of West Virginia.
kt - chicago
Hockeyrabbit - oh, I just saw this idea from a site...sent. building...using a predict. chart...ex. I see___. laminate and cut apart...kids put sents. back together and instead of having their name...you use their picture. So it would read..I see__. I see __.
Hockeyrabbit - NY
Hockeyrabbit - then maybe they could record their work too??
kt - tonight I just made a poster from the alphabet song that is on www.thevirtualvine.com under literacy connections. Its fomr read sing and spell program.
milymo - I have gathered a bit about Kid Writing from some chats, and I am trying to use it to the best of my understanding.. If I will still be in K next year, I will probably buy the book over the summer.
Cathy - i love that website got a lot of ideas from it.
kt - please share how you all do the morning message
Hockeyrabbit - I haven't done this, but for phonemic awareness, I have seen a teacher find trinkets that begin with the sound they are working on and the students must match the trinket to the sound/letter
KBiKY - In trying this Building Blocks process, I can't get my timing right. I think I spend too much time with shared reading, morning message, calendar. My kids are jumpy before we are finished (about 25 minutes)
milymo - Who was it that said they use Kid Writing?
kt - i have the book kid writing but havent done enough with it yet- as I said I am brand spanking new to k
Hockeyrabbit - KB...mine too...but it could be the group of kids too
Cathy - I use Kid Writing
milymo - What type of journal entries are you getting at this time of year? High? Medium? Low?
KBiKY - We play Mother May I with clapping syllables. I have a grid drawn on a tablecloth for the "lanes". Each round of words is worth 1, 2, 3 steps progressively. I give the word. The child claps and tell number of parts. Moves designated steps if correct.
Hockeyrabbit - oh 2 very good sites are littlegiraffes and mrs. pohlmeyer
kt - why do kinders write so much in capitals even though all my modeling is in lower cases
KBiKY - you're right. Mine are a different bunch this year!!
Cathy - I would say medium entries. Using sentences.
Hockeyrabbit - my high can write about 2 sentences...low still random letters
milymo - Our morning group time is about 25 minutes too. They manage it, but they are certainly ready to get up!
Hockeyrabbit - KT...haha...I just asked the RR teacher that today...she said thats what they are comfortable with
kt - kb please explain this grid more. Do you have cards or pics of the words you say for the syllabes
Cathy - Capital letters are usually easier to make.
KBiKY - All mine are writing sentences, but most just write one. What would this be considered?
Hockeyrabbit - do any of you use a "reading series" such as Houghton Miff?
Cathy - That is what my group is writing and i called it medium. By the end of the year they should be able to write 2 or more sentences.
kt - please explain I have a kids who will write just random letter like fkrirgrorepo then tell me an entire story. She can sound out and nothing like her letter strings. HOw do I get her to the next step. I thnk she can do it.
pacig79 - i use harcourt
Hockeyrabbit - I have a question..why do some kids when they get to the edge of the paper, instead of writing the next line UNDER the first line, they put the letters anywhere?
kt - we have scott foresman
Cathy - I use McGraw Hill.
milymo - After being in kinder this year, I realize what a diservice I did to my first kinder class 4 years ago. My students this year are doing so much more.
Hockeyrabbit - we do not have a basal...just use trade books...I think its difficult but we are LUCKY
pacig79 - i'm a first year teacher, not able to do all i hoped for
KBiKY - the grid is a vinyl tablecloth. I just typed a list of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-syllable words that I give orally. I try to match the word to the level of the student. But each round of words is worth the same # of steps regardless of the # of syllables. I usually have 4 kids playing at a time, with the rest around the perimeter of the cloth.
Hockeyrabbit - yes, we all learn and grow though
kt - cathy please give an exmpale of 2 sentences- like full sentences spelled phonetically
Cathy - Reading series helps introduce high frequency words. I call them popcorn words, because they are words that keep popping up.
pacig79 - is anyone a half day program?
kt - pac I am half day
k28 - Cathy, do you "butter" your popcorn words?
pacig79 - how do you work centers into lesson plans? every day or only certain ones?
milymo - I'm half day too.
kt - k28 what does that mean butter them
Cathy - Most of the sentences are written using phonetic spelling. By the end of the year more conventional spelling.
KBiKY - Hockeyrabbit, my kids did that too, but now most of the 24 write from left to right just from my constant modelling whenever I write in front of them or with them.
k28 - Everytime you find one of the popcorn words you color (highlight) with yellow. that's the butter!
Hockeyrabbit - KB...its like I'm blue in the face..sometimes I feel like a broken record
milymo - How cute k28!
KBiKY - k28, where are you finding the words and coloring them?
k28 - I was at the Kidnergarten Teachers' Convention today and learned that one!
Cathy - wow great idea I will use the butter idea. Thanks
Hockeyrabbit - k28...can u share any new ideas u may have learned?
KBiKY - I feel your pain, believe me.......
milymo - I can hope to be in kinder next year to expand on what I've done this year, however that may not happen.
Hockeyrabbit - ha
Hockeyrabbit - where will u go milymo?
k28 - where should i start?!!!! I go back again tomorrow. for more.
Hockeyrabbit - k28...is this the conf in NJ?
k28 - yes
KBiKY - what I mean, is do you highlight directly in a book, or on a chart?
pacig79 - k28 is it a building blks conf?
k28 - I spent most of the day with Peggy Campbell-Rush
Hockeyrabbit - shoot...I had some relatives who went down there and couldnt fin the casino where its held. Where was/is it being held?
kt - i do popcorn words too. ONe idea which i gor form the internt is write them on little popconr shapes and put them into an empty water bottle with salt. Give the kids a paper with a bottle shape and the worda written on it in a popcorn outline. They shake the bottle find the word and color it on the bottle.
milymo - Not sure at this point... Maybe back to second. Our kinder registration is low for the fall, so they may cut my class again. (That's what happened to my 2nd grade position last year.)
k28 - Some of the workshops were building blocks.
kt - The site I got it from is www.warhawks.... hang on I'll get the rest of it.
milymo - Looks like I might be bounced around for the next several years.
Hockeyrabbit - who is Peggy Campbell?
KBiKY - I couldn't imagine investing so much time, energy, and money in K and then being switched! That is one positive about being parochial...
k28 - Has anyone used KinderLit?
Hockeyrabbit - yes
Hockeyrabbit - but my only prob is with the school sets...I would much rather have them right the SIGHT word they are learning than a verb etc.
kt - www.warhawks.k12.mo.us/elem.klenkew
Cathy - I have used KinderLit.
k28 - A Kindergarten teacher from NJ with three books for us K teachers to read. You can get them through Crystal Springs Books. They are very good, especially "I Teach Kindergarten"
kt - i have seen kinder lit but never bought any
Hockeyrabbit - I meant little predictable books..not school
Hockeyrabbit - they have a website
k28 - I am going to buy some tomorrow.
Cathy - Disappointed in KInderLit when I first got it. After using it, I liked it better and the kids enjoyed doing the art.
k28 - Do you all know Kinder Korner.com?
Hockeyrabbit - k28...I have the life cycle of the pumpkin..gingerbread man, and then the predict books
milymo - I better get going. Need to straighten up before I go to bed!
k28 - It's a terrific site for k teachers!
kt - Peggy Campbell was a k teacher who has a book I teach Kidnergarten. She describes pretty well how she does centers with ones that the kids have tot do called I Cares They are ones she expects the kids to do each day
kt - kinderkorner is the best!
Cathy - I love kinkerkorner.com.
Hockeyrabbit - have u any of u order any of the books from Kinderkorner?
k28 - kt, I spend a lot of time with Kinder Korner. I have purchased many of the packets. They are great!
Cathy - I have. They are great.
Hockeyrabbit - which ones would u reccommend first?
KBiKY - I've never ordered online before. Too leary of giving credit card info. Obviously I shouldn't be, right? I do like kinderkorner! and the teacher links you can get from there are fantastic too!
k28 - I buy through the mail with a money order
Cathy - I got the spring one. I really liked it. Used a lot of things from it.
Cathy - I sent a check to pay for my kinderkorner order.
KBiKY - k28, how do you order? do they have a form to print out?
k28 - I have been using the winter books. The kids are reading so much more!
Hockeyrabbit - do u make a big book, and then a little book for them to take home?
k28 - Yes, you can download the order form. I am ordering more for Spring. There is a great sale on now!
k28 - Yes, We do Big Book activities and then the little books go in their "book bags" for home reading as well as indepedent reading time.
Hockeyrabbit - what kind of literacy centers do you do?
Hockeyrabbit - I need to make book baskets next year
kt - are you part of the KK message board. I have learned so much from that
k28 - I use ziplock bags with the readers instead of book baskets
KBiKY - Thanks, everyone for sharing. I've got to logoff. My alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m. Still have a few things to do before bed.
kt - i have the spring has sprung packet and the good morning songs
k28 - I have book baskets in the Reading Center but the individual readers/books are in the zuplock bags. That way I can and they can custom the reading choices.
kt - bye kbi
teacha - Anyone teach middle school
Cathy - Thanks enjoyed talking.
kt - I have a few literacy centers with abc magnetic letters popcorn words
kt - another awesome site is learningleap.com
teacha - I used to teach kinder. What are you discussing?
kt - time for me to go. nice chatting with you all
teacha - I am new to the chat. What do you teach?
jen - I teach K
teacha - You are brave. How many?
jen - 20 got a new girl today, a sweetie
teacha - Half day kinder or all day kinder?
jen - all day what is everybodydiscussing tonight
teacha - summer vacation!!!!!!!!!!
jen - can't wait, what a tough year of TESTING & paperwork
jen - what grades to all of you teach
teacha - Got to love that paperwork. It doesn't leave you with much time or energy for the students does it?
teacha - I teach gr. 6. I have previously taught grades 1,2,3,4
jen - you are so right, teacha. it's really getting me down
jen - boy, you are well-rounded teacha
teacha - How long have you been teaching jen?
jen - this is my 13th year
teacha - Where?
jen - 12 in 1st & now, I'm kinder.
teacha - Jump in Hockeyrabbit and sadan. What do you think about all the paperwork?
jen - Hockey, sada, are you there
teacha - Kinder was the hardest level for me to teach. However, I am a better gr. 6 teacher because I taught kinder. You really learn how to give directions well when you teach K.
jen - how could you go from from K to 6? What a change!
teacha - I was willing to move, when many other staff members were not. I just wanted the experience. It worked out. I really like gr. 6.
jen - You can really appreciate K teachers then, huh? You know we do more than play!
teacha - There are HUGE responsibilities in K. The kids come in at a multitude of level.
jen - How are your readers in 6th
teacha - I find that most of the students are well prepared. There are always a few that do not have the proper skills. I do not blame that on the primary teachers. There are so many factors that contribute to poor reading skills.
jen - What do you like most about this age group
teacha - I can have a sense of humor with them and at the same time demand high expectations.
jen - Are you working on lesson plans all the time? I feel like I am!
teacha - I do a little lesson planning each night for the following week. It works for me.
jen - I am getting observed next week. My grade level decided to do a farm unit that week. That doesn't excite me, but guess I'll pull it together this weekend.
teacha - What do you have planned for the farm unit?
jen - Some big books, music & movement, maybe a farm shaped book in the writing center, not a whole lot yet. Have lots of resources & books tho
teacha - Your ideas sound good. Any science lessons about what it would take to make a seed grow? I am just thinking about things that would grow on a farm.
teacha - How about a spelling list with names of animals found on a farm?
jen - I've heard radishes grow real fast. Last year, we had green beans & tomatoes
teacha - You could have the kids plant seeds in cups on the window sill. All you would need are seeds, soil and cups.
jen - I'm thinking about the animal names for their farm book in writing. Believe it or not, my kids love the dicitionaries this year in the writing center. I have quite a few. I have the cups. Also, have lima beans. Could use what I already have & save myself some trouble. Just would need some soil. Thanks, good idea. I was thinking of tractor painting in the art center, then have them write about it when it's dry.
teacha - What do you mean by "tractor painting"?
jen - I have minature tractors. They kids put them in paint, then drive across paper. Cute, huh? They love it!
jen - I mean miniature
teacha - Awesome idea!!!! Perhaps they could write about where the tractor goes next?
teacha - And stand up and share their story with the class.
jen - Good idea. They amaze me with their writing now. They are all in so many stages.
jen - We always share center work. My kids love to ham it up.
teacha - Kinders vary soooo much. Are you being observed by an administrator?
jen - Yes, my principal. This is her first year as principal, too.
teacha - I wouldn't worry. Do a lesson that meets a variety of student learning styles. Administrators really love it when you do that.
jen - She will observe me doing guided reading while the rest of the kids are in centers. I'll probably do 3 groups while she's there.
jen - My kids are supposed to be engaged in multi-level centers. Hopefully, they won't be running around with the pointers playing swords!
teacha - What exactly will you be reading. I have a good suggestion for centers if you need one.
jen - I have Mrs. Wishy-washy, Click Clack Moo, & Who's in the Barn big books. What are your suggestions?
teacha - I used to have a center sign up when I taught Kindergarten. Each center was labeled on a piece of oaktag that I layed flat on a table. Next to each center's name was a cup. There was a bucket of small blocks nearby. Each center had a limit as to how many students could attend. Students would drop blocks into the cups(very concrete method for this age).
jen - great idea
teacha - As for the reading, do lots of choral reading where the group reads aloud together. Anytime that you can get them all engaged is good.
jen - Yes, I have a chart with ABC Farm that is kind of like a rap. The kids learn it real fast. Even have a cow pointer! Choral reading is low risk, too!
teacha - Administrators love it when all the kids are engaged in some way. I have been observed many times.
jen - Me, too. I've always gotten good evaluations, but it doesn't stop me from feeling nervous every time!
jen - What are you doing in the classroom that's exciting you & your kids?
teacha - Do you have a program that your grade level uses to teach beginning reading skills?
teacha - I teach ancient history and civics. I always have a project of some kind going on.
jen - Yes, it's Harcout Trophies & it stinks! The kids hate it!
teacha - Why do they hate it?
jen - That must be nice to concentrate on certain areas that way!
teacha - As a teacher you have the power to make anything and everything exciting.
jen - Because it is boring & mostly over their heads.
jen - It's like teaching from a script & it stifles my creativity
teacha - Spice it up, supplement it with things you know work.
teacha - Does this program focus on a letter each week?
jen - That's what I do, but we're not supposed to.
teacha - Shut your door.
jen - Sometimes, we do 2 letters per week
jen - Yeh, I learned that door trick early on.
teacha - That a' girl. What are the kinds of things you do with the letters?
jen - I have an abc center. I have a container for each letter of the alphabet. This week was W & we were studying about George Washington & Abe Lincoln as well. In the abc center, we had white paper to draw, color, & label w words from my Shredded Wheat box. It's my favorite cereal.
teacha - Do you have a circle time with your students? Have them brainstorm words that begin with the letter of the week. You write them down on the board or easel paper and have the students attempt to copy them into some sort of journal.
jen - Yes, we do that. They also have a center called Write around the Room where they find W words. This week it was on a white shape of G. Washington's head!
teacha - Find poems that start with the letter of focus. I can help you if you want to keep in touch. Have the kids chant the poems.
teacha - You sound like you are doing excellent things in your classroom.
jen - Yeh, we have AWFUL poems with our Harcourt stuff. Thank goodness, I have my own. Thanks!
jen - My kids keep me on my toes. They demand an excellent environment!
teacha - Do you do anything tactile with the letters. Such as using glue to write the letters, letting the glue dry and having the kids trace the letter with their fingers over the dried glue.
teacha - I am from a small district. The parents are highly involved with their children's education and the kids expect a lot.
jen - I would like to throw out the Harcourt stuff & do Balanced Literacy like I always did. It works & the kids are immersed in meaningful reading & writing. Yes, we did more tactile things at the beginning. I need to dye some glue to spice things up a little.
jen - I have a couple of low babies that need some extra support, so I'll keep the tactile ideas in mind. Have conferences with the parents next week. It would be great to make an abc book with glue letters. Thanks for a good idea. I'm taking notes as you post things.
teacha - You seem like a very good teacher who cares about student learning. Hats off to you.
jen - thanks, don't we all need that
jen - hi k28, You're back!
teacha - Hello K28.
k28 - i was talking to my 2nd grade teacher friend
jen - are you 2nd grade
k28 - Not me, I'm K for life!
jen - I hope I am 2
jen - what states, teacha & k28
teacha - Since you have another to talk with, I am going to leave to get a little sleep before another day of teaching gr. 6. I will visit again.. I enjoyed our discussion. By the way k28, I taught grade 2. What can I help you with?
teacha - Since you have another to talk with, I am going to leave to get a little sleep before another day of teaching gr. 6. I will visit again.. I enjoyed our discussion. By the way k28, I taught grade 2. What can I help you with?
teacha - I am NH.
k28 - nj
jen - Wow, a state with real seasons!
jen - I am TX
teacha - Yeah, winter seems like the longest one.
jen - Hate to see you go teacha. Thanks for the good ear. You are a great support!
k28 - Teacha, did you get much snow?
teacha - A foot. We still had school. We do not cancel school unless it is over 2 feet.
jen - And, did you miss a lot of school?
k28 - We had 21 and we missed a day this week
teacha - Maybe I will stick around for a few. I will regret it tomorrow but this is fun.
k28 - 21 inches, not feet!!!!
jen - i thought 21 feet, LOL
teacha - Glad you cleared that up K28.
k28 - I love snow but 21 feet would be tooooooo much
jen - You guys are so lucky to enjoy snow. My kids have never seen it!
teacha - We have had snow in NH in the past where I could not open my front door.
teacha - And we still had school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jen - I grew up in Illinois, but married a San Antonio boy, so I had to leave REAL weather!
k28 - This last torm was a good one. It snowed for three days, off and on
k28 - I must be tired, sorry. torm=storm
jen - How do your kids do when they can't get out for recess?
teacha - Jen, you have kids? How many? How old? I have 2 kids. One is 5 years old. The other is 14 months.
teacha - My gr. 6 students do not have recess.
jen - I am OLD. My oldest is 26 & my baby is 23. I have a granddaughter, Katy, who is the apple of my eye!
jen - That stinks teacha
k28 - we haven't been out for so very long. The kids are fine with it. We do a lot of moving inside
teacha - Why does it stink? And how old are you?
jen - I need movement activities. We do Limbo Rock a lot on rain days.
k28 - Jen, I have a 23 and 21
jen - What stinks is that your 6th graders don't get out for recess.
teacha - You're right. However, they do get P.E. every other day.
jen - Are they close to marriage, k28. As I used to tell my first graders, think place value, I'm five groups of ten and one one.
teacha - Great math lesson jen.
jen - thanks
k28 - I am there with you!
jen - I admire teachers with little ones. Don't know how you do it with a toddler.
teacha - Am I the baby here? I have 10 years experience in the classroom. I feel 50. Does that count?
k28 - Wait till you are 50!!!
jen - Yes, it counts!
teacha - Oh No!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can wait. Thank you.
k28 - I don't feel that old. The K kids do keep you young!
teacha - I am only 31.
jen - When you are 50, you think...50's not old. 90 is old.
k28 - You are so right!
jen - What kind of rewards to you two use in the classroom?
teacha - I teach with another grade 6 teacher who is 55. She is awesome and can run circles around me. I respect her.
k28 - She must take vitamins, too!
jen - That's great, teacha
teacha - I use a stamp system. A certain number of stamps equals a certain privilege.
k28 - I have a treasure chest with lots of stuff
teacha - I have a goody drawer.
k28 - We are the Care Bears and have bear charts that must be completed to shop at the treasure chest
jen - I have stickers & a sticker book made from wallpaper. Care Bears...that's sweet.
k28 - It's a positive incentive program
k28 - The bear charts get heart stickers, "kind hearts"
teacha - Care Bears are cool. My son has a video of the Care Bears. I love it. Most kids today do not even know what a Care Bear is.
jen - I think the Care Bears are making a comeback. I still have my son's Grumpy Bear.
teacha - Any way that positive behavior is recognized and reinforced is good.
k28 - The stickers are for caring, kindness,etc.... I have a tough bunch of kids so it works
teacha - I also believe in assertive discipline as well.
jen - I agree, teacha. Have to keep on my toes to make sure I'm concentrating on positive behavior. It's so easy to go the other direction & it's the bad way to go.
jen - How to you use assertive discipline
teacha - I have a one rule classroom: Students will be respectful and responsible .
jen - Yes, those 2 cover everything.
teacha - If students do not adhere to the rule there are consequences.
k28 - Do you use a peace talbe?
jen - Consequences like ...........
k28 - table?
teacha - What do you mean?
teacha - I have a code in which they are given a verbal warning, then their name is on the board, a check is added which equals a behavorial detention, a second check can be added in which the student is sent to the office.
teacha - This code has been very effective.
k28 - We have made many strategy charts together that eliminates most behavior issues
teacha - Students learn very quickly that I mean business. However, I am very generous with my stamp system and am constantly finding kids doing the right things.
jen - uTell us about the strategy charts
k28 - You brainstorm with the kids about a particular activity and how it should done. Then you create a chart together and hang it in the room. Behavior expectations are incorparted. If someone does not use the correct behavior for an activity, the kids actually take each other to read the chart. It puts the responsibility on them. It is great for me to have them monitoring each other. Every knows the strategies. For K, I use pictures with the words to illustrate what should happen in the many areas of our room.
jen - Wow, k28!
k28 - It is really good. You develop it together. They are harder on what should be than me!
teacha - Excellent
jen - What do you do about boys who don't lift the seat in the bathroom? It has been a real problem.
teacha - Lol!!!!!!!
jen - The teacher that shares the bathroom with my class is getting mad at ME all the time.
k28 - I only use the girls room! No problem for me
teacha - Bring them through the code.
k28 - Mayb you can make a stragtegy chart for the boys room
teacha - Boys will be boys.
jen - The boys and girls use the same restroom. There is one toilet. Our rooms are connected by the restroom. Boys will be dribblers!
teacha - My son is 5 years old. I am having this problem at home. I am going to try your strategy chart idea.
k28 - On the strategy chart, you could be sure to include 1. check the seat 2. wipe any drips!
teacha - Roger.
k28 - Don't forget, 3. Wash hands!
jen - I've been thinking about taking a picture of a smiling boy lifting the seat & putting it in the restroom where they see it over the toilet.
teacha - Of course. Sanitation is important.
k28 - You will end up having the girls doing it too!
jen - Do you use interactive writing to make the charts?
k28 - We have a male principal so his first job in September is to train my boys in school bathroom use.
teacha - It couldn't hurt, right?
jen - And, how will he train those boys, LOL?
k28 - yes. The more that they are involved the more ownership they will have to the strategy.
teacha - Definately not a "hands on" lesson.
k28 - I think he uses the modeling technique! I wouldn't know for sure.
jen - I agree with ownership. I will be better next year. This is my first year in K, but I have learned a lot.
teacha - Got to love those 5 year olds.
jen - Hands on.....modeling...you guys are killing me. I needed some grins tonight!
k28 - Don;t wait for next year., Jump in right now! You will be surprised and pleased.
jen - O.k., I will jump in. The bathroom chart will be first.
teacha - It is the little successes that keep all of us trying right?
k28 - I would love to see your chart with the illustrations!
k28 - every day there is something new to do
teacha - You would need illustrations to get to all those "visual learners".
jen - Yes & never enough time.
k28 - don't forget those tactile guys!
jen - Yes, we illustrate everything!
teacha - Oh No!!! please do not go there.
k28 - Get them to do the illustrations. They remember even more!
jen - Yes, I am very proud of my kids' illustrations.
teacha - I prefer the abstract, thank you very much.
k28 - I just got a digatal comera and am very anxious to start using that with my k kids
teacha - Digital cameras are cool.
jen - Do you know how to use it? I am anxious to get onw.
k28 - i am learning
teacha - It works exactly like a regualr camera.
jen - Do you have any suggestions for what to buy
teacha - No. I use our school camera.
k28 - I just completed a valelntine's project at school with the help of one of the younger teachers. We took a staff picture and put it on a postcard. We mailed it to our families with messages written my the kids.
teacha - Neat idea.
k28 - That was my first digital experience
jen - What a great Valentine! Kids love mail!
k28 - They also learned addresses, Writing a letter, all that stuff. We did grades k-8
teacha - Do each of you have internet access in your classrooms?
k28 - yes
k28 - I don't have much time to use the internet at school. The computer that I have at school is really slow
teacha - Do you have a converter box or projector from which you can transmit images or text from the computer screen to a t.v. or screen for the entire class to view?
k28 - Not in K, but in other classes
teacha - This technology is extremely important. It has made a tremendous enhancement to my curriculum
jen - Sorry, just ran out of the room for chocolate. Remembered I had Valentine candy. Yes, I have the internet. Don't know about the converter box though. The library has a huge screen that things are projected on. Is that the same things?
teacha - Yes. It is the same.
teacha - I am having wine. Better than chocolate.
k28 - I use the interent for me but I have not incorporated it in my K room. I do use microsoft word with them to make their books
k28 - do you tow need to get up early tomorrow
jen - We built a monster on the internet with our 3rd grade rdg buddies. It was my 5th year to participate in the project. My bother is a teacher in Illinois & he managers the project which was started by a KINDER teacher in Fla.
k28 - tow=two And I am Not drinking wine or eating chocolate!
teacha - Yes. I am getting tired. When can we talk again. I have enjoyed this discuussion.
jen - I must have choc. Can take or leave wine. Yes, I am tired too. I have a workshop tomorrow. Let's all hit the sack.
k28 - I check in often to see what is happening
k28 - I go to a workshop tomorrow too.
k28 - am feeling very unstressed!
jen - k28, do you ever go to the kinder board.
k28 - no, i haven't
k28 - should i?
teacha - I will do the same. Good night . Happy teaching tomorrow.
jen - I love it. Come visit sometime.
k28 - ok. Good night. Enjoy
jen - Good night, K28
