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christiana - hi I am very interested in starting a Junior Great Books program at my school. Does anyone out there have that at their school? If so....how is it set up? When is it held? Who is in charge of it? Who are the leaders of the discussions? Are they paid or volunteers? Feedback and details please!
Jessica - Yes we have Junior Great Books. I don't know too much about it though, as I am a first year teacher. I teach kindergarten adn I had a few children pulled to do it -- we were to select 5 students for this. I know parents were tranined in our school and do it at the upper grades
Jessica - What grade do each of you teach?
christiana - can you put me in touch with that person? What part of the country are you from?
christiana - 3rd
christiana - Jessica, have you been asked to come back next year? Are you being rehired?
Jessica - I'm from Wisconsin - where are you from?
christiana - IL!!!!!!!!
Jessica - Yes, I had a full time contract so I'm good to go (fortunatly!)
Jessica - REALLY? You're from IL? WOW! Where? I'm from Middleton, right by Madison
christiana - Where in WI? Near Kenosha???
Jessica - Near Madison
christiana - I used to teach by the Wisconsin Border, near Pleasant Prairie, WI
Jessica - Wow - where do you live/teach now?
DSAFAS - hello
Jessica - Lily, what grade do you teach? Where are you from?
Jessica - Hello DSAFAS - what grade do you teach?
Lily - I teach kindergarten in Maryland.
christiana - I am very interested in starting a Junior Great Books program at my school. Does anyone out there have that at their school? If so....how is it set up? When is it held? Who is in charge of it? Who are the leaders of the discussions? Are they paid or volunteers? Feedback and details please!
Jessica - Hello Kindergarten Cop
KindergartenCop - Hi, I'm KinderCop from Michigan and I teach....
KindergartenCop - christiana, I've not heard of this program and I've been teaching 23 years - in a VERY rural place
christiana - Does anyone know if Britney and Justin broke up, and if so why? (totally off-topic_
Jessica - From what I know about JGB, it doesn't seem that appealing to me!??! But I don't know enough to say so I shouldn't. Of the kids I had pulled, I had a parent tell me the stories were very strange. The kids were never too thrilled about going to it. Our G&T teacher did the kindergarten portion
christiana - It's really big in my area, a suburban area
KindergartenCop - I think so - I read it in the paper
Jessica - JGB is big Christina?
christiana - YESIREEEEEEEe
KindergartenCop - OOPS, that post was for christian about Britney and Justin
Jessica - Welcome Lisa, what grade do you teach and where are you from?
KindergartenCop - christiana - is JGB a "canned" program?
KindergartenCop - Is everyone ready for the last part of the year? IT always seems to go faster
LIsa - Hi! Iteach kindergarten in GA We are looking in to changing our report card from skills listed and marked mastered --in progress and not evident. It really is not a true indication of the students abilities. Maybe we just need to change the skills evaluated. Tell me about your report cards.
Jessica - YEA, lots of kdgn represented here tonight!
KindergartenCop - I use a skills list with Mastered, developing, beginning, and unable to do at this time
Jacqueline - we write written narratives, also a social tracking tally
KindergartenCop - But it seems like I have to ADD skills every year, cuz they push more stuff on K
Jacqueline - for sure, KC!
Jessica - I don't care for our report card. I don't like the skills listed. We use a S-P-N scale for Satisfactory, Progress shown, and Needs Improvement. I'd like to see ours change. I do a whole additional assessment page with my report card with the things I feel should be assessed. Makes twice as much work for me but I feel it is important in my classroom
KindergartenCop - For my March report card, I checked for 21 "taught" sight words (popcorn words" and half Knew them all - yea! :-)
sotpteacher - hi everyone! our k team is in the process of getting our key changed. It is very negatively worded.
Jessica - Jacqueline, you teach Kdgn? Where do you teach?
KindergartenCop - Jessica, it seems OK now, but t.net has been WEIRD all day
sotpteacher - kindergarten cop, how do you teach your sight words?
Jessica - KdgnCop - do you expect kdgners to know sight words in kdgn? I use popcorn words from BB, but I do not use them as expectations for kdgn
KindergartenCop - We have the new HM reading and they introduce them slowly, so I just add more - especially after Christmas
Jacqueline - Yes, I teach K.
KindergartenCop - Yes, I would like them to know 10 to 20, but this years groups seems exceptional
Jessica - Jacqueline - where? what part of the country?
sotpteacher - do you use a word wall?
KindergartenCop - Just for name, I have a "Popcorn" wall for the other words
Jacqueline - California
Jessica - Most of my kids do know them, but it's not an expectation. I use a word wall, only with names on it. I will add environmental print. I have a separate board that has our popcorn words on popcorn pieces
sotpteacher - k-cop could you tell me what the HM reading is?
KindergartenCop - the words are written in different colors, too
Jacqueline - I don't use a word wall.
KindergartenCop - sotpteacher - HM is Hought Mifflin
Jacqueline - I just heard that people remember 70% more if something is in color, than black and white!! Amazing.
sotpteacher - i knew it would turn out to be a stupid question!
Jessica - interesting about the color
Jacqueline - sotp- there is no such thing as a stupid question, truly!
sotpteacher - thank you!
Jessica - does anyone do a young authors day? I'd like to do one and I'm looking for any ideas on how others do it
KindergartenCop - I think the different colors help the less able K's - I can say "it's a red word" or "its a blue word"
Jessica - do the colors have certain catergories? Or just random colors
LIsa - Georgia kindergarteners must know at least 10 of a list of 20 for GKAP testing. They pick them up quickly though all my students knew at least 10.
sotpteacher - i do something similar to colors. my words are written on colored cards in black marker.
KindergartenCop - I haven't done a young author's day, but sometimes my K's want to read their journal, so I let them sit in my chair and read to the others
sotpteacher - so i can say it starts with the letter "i" and it's on the yellow card
KindergartenCop - sotpteacher - that's kinda the same. Gives them another way to find the correct word
ME - Kidwrite authors told us black on white only
Val - Hi everyone!
LIsa - I use them in colors on my wall, I was concerned some of them had memorized the colors but they were able to read them in black/white.
Jessica - I am beginning to publish now iwth my kdgn, and they are LOVING it. I am going to have a day, late May, in which famlies can come and see their published boosk. I think I might have an am and pm session and have each student read aloud one of their books to the audience.
sotpteacher - ME where are you from?
KindergartenCop - I assess with black and white cards - in a different room or the hall
ME - New Jersey
sotpteacher - what kind of sessions does everyone have? i have a morning and an afternoon. is anyone full day?
KindergartenCop - Jessica - good idea - tell me about your publishing
Val - Anyone from GA??
ME - Do you all use Kidwrite?
Jacqueline - a fellow K teacher has her king and queen puppets introduce the sight words written in silver glitter on rocks... adorable and effective...the king asks his subjects to write the magic words...the kids eat it up!
KindergartenCop - I'm all day, alternate day
Val - Are you all half day or full day kindergarten teachers?
sotpteacher - kidwriting has become popular in my district. i have some problems with it.
donnasmom - At my school, we did an author's reading but let the kids sit and read to their parents. The parents loved it as opposed to listening to each child in the class read.
KindergartenCop - ME - is Kidwrite the same as Kid Writing?
Jacqueline - We call our author's days, Author's Teas...kids read, then tea (decaf) and cookies. Parents and kids love them!
sotpteacher - good point kindercop
ME - I am two overlapping 4 hour sessions and yes I was speaking about Kid Writing
Val - What is KidWriting?
LIsa - I just got the book sounds good to me . sotpteacher what kind of problems?
Jessica - During journals, we can now "publish" any story that has at least 5 sentences. When they have this they can publish. When they publish, I type it up for them, just as they have it spelled (invented spelling). I put two spaces between each word. I have blank books previously made up. They take a book, and glue a sentence on to each page. They illustrate with 4 or more colors, and then they get to read it to the class. We will save them for our Young Authors Celebration. Each day at journals, they can continue to work on a story they already started or begin a new story. They are LOVING publishing books SO much! It's so fun for me to see this as well.
KindergartenCop - I am the moderator (and new teacher) of Kid Writing on yahoo.groups
sotpteacher - the majority of kidwriting is just basic good teaching.
ME - A wonderful writing program -book available from the Wright group
Jessica - I'm a full day kdgn teacher
Jacqueline - sounds great, Jessica.
ME - You are write it is just basic good teaching- the hat ideas really help my students
Jessica - thanks for that idea donnsamom about just reading to parents. That might work better!?!?
sotpteacher - i don't like the cute sayings for things. like meatball spaces, king of ing, etc. i like to give it straight to my kids.
Jacqueline - I think having the students read to all parents has some merit also, building a writing community, also helps parents realize the range of K writers...
Jessica - Is Kidwriting just allowing kids to sound words out and use their invented spelling? I hear this book of Wright Groups is great, but like sotpteacher said, I wondered if it was just basic good teaching of writing!?!?
Jessica - what's taht kdgn cop (your group on yahoo?)
KindergartenCop - sotpteacher - I didn't use the meatballs and spaghetti, either but I love the hats and they're working!
Jessica - good point Jacqueline
Jessica - what are the hats?
Jacqueline - KC- What do you think is the best thing about Kid Writing?
KindergartenCop - Jessica - are you a member of kinderkorner on yahoo?
Val - I'm hoping for a job in public K--any advice?(I've taught half day K for 2yrs.)
Jessica - no, what is that!?!?!?
ME - There was a link on the website for new hat ideas for Kid Write-
sotpteacher - i love kinderkorner!!! it also has some great links to other sites!!!
Jessica - What are hat ideas? can someone tell me!? Thanks in advance
Jessica - What's the website for kinderkorner. I'll check it out
Val - Where can I buy Kid Writing? Is it just for Kinders?
sotpteacher - www.kinderkorner.com
Jessica - thanks sotpteacher
Jacqueline - thanks sotp!
Jacqueline - I think you can order the book from Wright Publishing...
Jessica - Yes, I see the book Kidwriting in Wright Group catalogs
Val - Thanks!
LIsa - I ordered the book online wrightgroup.com
Jessica - So, is this book worth the money, or it's basically what we are doing alredy!?!?
Jacqueline - Val- I think it's pre-K through 2nd, from what I saw.
Val - Thanks! It sure sounds interesting!
KindergartenCop - I think, what it does, is give lots of good ways to teach using authentic writing
Jacqueline - Jessica- that's what I've been trying to find out myself. Lisa, do you have your copy already? Was it worth it?
Jacqueline - Hi kinderkub!
Val - Have a question-- do you K teachers make a lot of your "stuff" for your students? Like file folders games, etc?
Jacqueline - hi JMGUNC!
LIsa - It also validates some oof the things I do alresdy but with some new ideas like starting to write independently on day 1
JMGUNC - Hi all!
KindergartenCop - My the improvement in my K's writing , which was my weak spot, I would say it's one of my best investments in a long tim
Jacqueline - Val- no, I don't.
kinderkub - hi, all! Am just taking in all your ideas....i was wondering about the kidwriting book too.
KindergartenCop - P.S. I don't get paid by them either
Jacqueline - thanks KindegartenCop, I'll look into it again.
Jessica - Here, I found it in the catalog (working on my budget) Kidwriting is for grades PK-2 and it costs $24.95. Who can help us to know if it's worth it
Jessica - So you think it might be worth buying then
Jacqueline - I know this sounds like a picky question, but do you create any kind of special journal or journals for the students to use for their regular writing?
ME - I keep getting bumped off- sorry
Riley - Hi everyone!
Jacqueline - One teacher had a different colored section for each month. And began with no lines, and went to lines over the course of the year. What do you do?
JMGUNC - My prek's use a spiral notebook
Riley - Anyone use the Gesell screening???
KindergartenCop - 20 of my 30 are writing 2 independent sentences a day in their journals. And MOST I can read without their help
LIsa - Tell me about the best guided reading books. Where should I start in building leveled reader library?
ME - Have you been following any discussions about writing before K in Kindergarten actually being harmful in the long run? I am doing Gesell now.
kinderkub - I put together pages of story paper with construction paper covers.
Jacqueline - KCop- WOW!!!
Val - Jacqueline, if you did make your own stuff for the kinders to use, would you consider it your property or the school's? I ran into this problem with old supervisor.
Jessica - I do not use lined journals - I don't want them worryinga bout lines so I make my own with blank paper. Next year I am ordering bindings and nice covers to make nicer ones. Extra money, but I'd prefer no lines so they concentrate on what they are writing rather than staying on a certain line, etc
Riley - ME, do you have a "young fives/dev. K" program?
Jacqueline - ME- No, but I have wondered...why in K?
Jessica - ME, I attended a seminar on developmental handwiring and how we are putting pencils into children's hands too early. Is this what you mean?
ME - I have regular K - we test all 90 of our K kids in March and April
Jacqueline - Val- I think if the school payed for supplies, it would own them. Sometimes, I will pay for supplies if I think it's something I'll want to keep if I left the school.
sotpteacher - can someone give a brief description of Gesell?
KindergartenCop - ME - I have some K's who it is NOT developmentally correct for, but what do you do about state and local expectations??
Jacqueline - Jessica- thanks
ME - I am very interested in hearing about the developmental handwriting do you have a website?
Riley - So, K...how do you use results of screening? Recommend to wait a year?
recess - We use the Gesell at the end of the year. We only do it on possible retainees.
Jessica - With the journals being school property, I never thought of this. It seems the same as buying construction paper, art supplies, etc that end up going home, isn't it!?!?
Jacqueline - Me too! Also, what specific activities help to develop fine motor and HOW?
Riley - OH. Gesell at the end of the year! We use it for "incoming" students in the Spring.
Jacqueline - gotta go, nice chatting!
Jessica - The website we got at the seminar doesn't work apparently. There are some people on the Building Blocks ring who want it as well. If I ever get it, I will share it!!!
Jessica - (My OT doesn't seem to have one if this didn't work!?!?!)
Jacqueline - I've been searching for a while on the Net for an OT/dev. handwriting site, can't find one...
recess - There is no reason for us to do it at the beginning of the year. Every child is entitled to K.
KindergartenCop - for all the info you need to know about Kid Writing, go to: www.kidwriting.homestead.com
Jessica - I wish there was more out there about Dev. App practice with handwriting!
KindergartenCop - Now, I'll get off the writing bandwagon.
Jacqueline - Me too! Maybe we should write a book/develop a site...it seems key...
Jacqueline - Does NAEYC have anything?
recess - Our AP is VERY DAP. We are not to use lined paper or tracing pages.
Jessica - You would think NAEYC would!?!?
Riley - recess...we have the option of a Young Five placement...so it does serve a purpose for us.
Jessica - Yes, I agree Jacqueline. I will talk to my OT again sfor more info
ME - I am concerned about doing long lasting damage- that scares me about encouraging writing. One question on the Gesell is to pick their favorite thing to do in the classroom and we have had many children choose journal writing time as their favorite. That amazes me- I'm up for investigaging DAP writing- we don't use lines either.
Jacqueline - recess- tell us more, what do you do/what frequency?
KindergartenCop - But isn't DAP different for each child?
Jacqueline - Yes, but what is the continuum, when is the approp. time?
Jessica - YEA for you recess
recess - Many K kids really don't have the muscle tone/development for structured handwriting practice
ME - Yes, DAP is individual- but I don't have a good background in DAP in regard to K for writing- I keep hearing such varying opinions
sotpteacher - you don't do damage by encouraging writing but by enforcing conventional writing
Jessica - There definatly needs to be more info and education on it, because I know it my school, the other kdgn teachers are not DAP (in my mind!?!?)
recess - We do a lot to build fine motor skills
ME - what about holding pencils too early?
KindergartenCop - I agree, sotpteacher, and with Kid writing, some of my K's are still drawing and labeling
sotpteacher - ME you have to take all those opinions and decide what you feel is apprpriate
Jacqueline - recess- what activities?
recess - Writing on an easel with chalk is great. It puts the wrist at the correct angle and provides resistance
Jessica - Yes, I agree recess - that's what they stressed at this seminar I went to. Their hands aren't ready to hold a pencil properly and we are ruining their grip. Instead, they can do letters, writing, etc in shaving cream, painting, playdough, etc.
Jacqueline - I heard knitting was shown to have great effect on fine motor
Jacqueline - recess- I read that.
ME - Don't knitting needles scare you in K?
recess - As for letter formation...I do talk through it every day
sotpteacher - what kind of damage are we talking about?
KindergartenCop - Here's a laugh about fine motor, my new 2nd year principal (who never taught below 4th) came in one day before Christmas and wanted to know if I had puzzles, beads, lacing cards, any fine motor skills
Jacqueline - Yes! I haven't done it, my students had enough trouble with weaving...
Jessica - They said at this seminar by the OT's, that they head this nationall acclaimed speaker on handwriting speak and she said pencils should not even be introduced until second semester of kdgn
KindergartenCop - Seems she JUST heard about fine motor!!
recess - My son's OT had us get an easel and we made a slanted writing board as well.
LIsa - My county evaluates handwriting I really hate this-- give me some research to present in arguement.
ME - Recess, that's the kind of info I would like to know more about-encouraging correct for them
Jessica - with their pencil grip, etc sotpteacher
Jacqueline - Jessica- reason?
Jessica - Yes, they also said writing on a slant or vertical surface is great. Or have them lay down on the floor and use a clipboard. This will give their arm the support and feedback it needs
Jacqueline - i know they develop control from trunk to extremities over time
Jessica - that stinks Lisa!
Jessica - Jacqueline, reason for what? (I get lost in all fo this sometimes)
KindergartenCop - I heard someone say that giving K's big pencils is like adults using something the size of a paper towel tube to write with. Makes sense to me
Jacqueline - sorry, reason for no pencils before 2nd semester?
recess - When I do the special person ala Building Blocks I give visual and verbal instructions. The kid write in the air, on the palm of their hand, on a buddies back...
sotpteacher - i think we worry too much about form and pencil grip. if you think about it does your handwriitng look anything like what you wer taught? i find it ishereditary and unique. kids love to experiment. as long as i can read it i am happy
ME - Lisa, if you can have acess to Gesell- it is all about what is developmentally expected at certain ages- that developmental ages not chronological age
Jessica - I agree sotpteacher
Riley - KInderCop...l always associated it with us trying to write with a tree trunk!
sotpteacher - my opinion ion handwriting is based mostly on my personal experiences as a kid
KindergartenCop - sotpteacher, I agree about letter formation. I instruct in the air and with those who ask, but I leave much of it to the 1s grade teachers
Jessica - good point kdgn cop
Jessica - but our OT said big pencils, crayons, etc and grips really help their hands to hold the pencils
Jacqueline - all i know is incorrect pencil grips very hard to correct later on
Jessica - Me too kdgn cop and sotpteacher. I leave that for first!
sotpteacher - from what i have read jessica there is no evidence in research of the big pencil thing
Jessica - Yes, that's what they are saying - it's a bad grip now and it won't be corrected and there are studies showing it can lead to arthritis
KindergartenCop - Many of mine come to school with an incorrect grip
Jessica - sotpteacher, taht they are helpful?
Jessica - kdgn cop - this is due to them getting pencils too soon, don't you thinK!?
recess - We have a gap in our curriculum. K isn't responsible for teaching "handwriting" but 1st expects them to know how when they get there. I am giving the kids what they need in a dev. appropriate way.
sotpteacher - yes, there is no research to support that big writing utensils are beneficial over regular sized utensils
Jessica - good for your recess
KindergartenCop - (THIS is the devil's advocate) do you want them to be EXCITED to write and them make them wait?
sotpteacher - i offer my children both and most prefer regular sized utensils.
Jacqueline - sopt- very interesting
sotpteacher - great point kindercop!
Jessica - This goes against the theory of not using larger devices, but at this seminar they said allowt hem to use the fat ones to begin writing if they are anxious.
Jessica - I offer mine both too. Interestingly, I'd say half of mine reach for a fat pencil or one with a grip
recess - My kids are excited about writing and they do write
sotpteacher - so how do we feel about erasers?
Jessica - I agree recess!!!!
KindergartenCop - AND for my parting shot - we are all dedicated to doing the best for our kids. We can probably find research to back up anything. So do what you do best - help little ones learn to LOVE learning!
Jacqueline - sotp- I try to minimize the use of erasers...but I won't refuse to lend one if a child requests one.
ME - I think the daily pictures to go in journals with markers has really helped the fine motor skills
Jessica - I allow my kids to erase, but I'd like to hear more about what others feel. I haven't thought about it much
KindergartenCop - TOTALLY AGREE RECESS!!!!
LIsa - We make mistakes why not erase.
sotpteacher - kindercop - you took the words right out of my mouth!
Jessica - Thanks for all your ideas and for sharing. Nice talking with you all!
Jacqueline - KC and sopt- Yup! we all agree with that!
recess - By the way...I had some kids drawing lines to write on just before Spring Break. That's when I put some "1st grade" writing paper in my center.
Jessica - ME TOO - I AGREE
Jacqueline - recess- great following of their lead!
sotpteacher - my kids use their erasers when writing on their own in their free-writing journals. but i model using "boo-boo" stickers as quick and easy]
Jacqueline - What are boo-boo stickers?!!
sotpteacher - i use white labels and when we make a mistake (i always do!) we cover it up and rewrite on the label. it's a cleaner form of white-out.
LIsa - If you get a sticker for it my students would have many boo boos
Jacqueline - I love it! Thanks!
sotpteacher - they sell it in a tape form but folder labels out of my school's supply closet is cheaper
recess - They have writing "stuff" all over the room. They make signs in the block area and take orders in housekeeping. It great to just watch them go!
Jacqueline - how do you document their growth in this area? anyone using Windows on Learning approach?
sotpteacher - i like to stress that it is okay to make a mistake and easy to fix so we don't have to worry about them
ME - Nice sharing ideas with you! Bye
KinderCop - Now I'm here as two people!!
Jacqueline - bye ME
recess - I keep writing samples in a portfolio...sometimes I run a sign written on a dry erase board down to the copier
Famugirl - hi my name is Candace and I need a 1st grade teacher to help me with somthing
LIsa - What type of guided reading books do you use?
Jacqueline - recess- that's sweet
sotpteacher - i often photocopy journal pages
Famugirl - are there any 1st grade teachers in here?
sotpteacher - i also have some recording sheets adulat use during our instructional writing times
Jacqueline - K here...
recess - What's your question? I did teach 1st.
LIsa - K but i'll try to help
Jacqueline - sopt- what's on the recording sheets?
recess - Our guided reading series is Literacy Tree. I don't use it.
river rat - Any good guided reading sites?
Famugirl - well im doing a project and it requires a letter by a 1st grade teacher if you give me your email address I'll let you know what i mean
sotpteacher - the child tells us what they want to writieand i writie it sown on the recording sheet then they sound out what they can and i fill in letters they can't hear or i don't expect them to know. i record what they can hear on the sheet
LIsa - Do you use something else? for guided reading
recess - Is "not Another Inservice" still around? It was a great GR site.
Jacqueline - sopt- sounds good. Do you track whether child is initiating writing at times other than writing,,,signs in the block corner, etc.?
sotpteacher - i have a small classroom so i can, but i am ususally busy doing a small group activity at that time.
recess - I use a lot of blacklines (some self made). I want the kids to be able to take it home and read it.
Famugirl - well thanks for all your help
Jacqueline - well, I was going to leave an hour ago. I really appreciated everyone's thoughts...
Jacqueline - maybe I'll see you here in the coming weeks...
sotpteacher - e journals they use when they enter the classroom every day for about a half hour. i make no corrections and just talk to the children about their writing but i have a good idea of who likes to write
recess - Bye Jacqueline
sotpteacher - bye jacqueline
sotpteacher - well i have to go myself. it is late here on the east coast! it was good to talk to everyone!
recess - The GR books we have just weren't right for my kids. I also had trouble getting them back.
recess - later sotp
LIsa - GOODNIGHT THANKS FOR ALL YOUR INFO.
recess - Oh well...I guess I'll go too
riverrat - hello!!!!!!!!
KinderFred - What are we discussing River?
river rat - I accidently logged on twice ooops!
KinderFred - No problem. Is this a meeting for Kinder chat?
river rat - I was discussing GR and left for another room on this site
KinderFred - I assume GR is Guided Reading.
river rat - yes
KinderFred - Just working with my crew to get them doing it better today.
river rat - I am open to any dicussion
river rat - what is your job or what grade do you teach
KinderFred - GR is always a good discussion. My crew was trying to work with 10 students at a time.
KinderFred - I teach K in Sac.(Natomas)
river rat - I teach kindergarten in Iowa
KinderFred - Do you do guided reading groups?
river rat - Yes-we did a study group using the fontas and pinnel book 2 years ago and our district wants us all to be headed that way
KinderFred - I have been reading recovery trained.
KinderFred - How long do you run your groups?
KinderFred - Hi Ellie
river rat - that is an excellent program our son was in it last year and did a very good job but lost a lot this past summer but he was just dignosed with adhd so I think thats why
KinderFred - It still shouldn't matter if he was taught the strategies well.
river rat - hello Ellie that my daughters name we spellit Elli she'e 5
KinderFred - What level did you son get to? and where is he at now River?
river rat - I know I think he's getting a little of it back
KinderFred - Is his writing or reading stronger than the other River?
river rat - He left at the level he's suppose to be in and I'm not sure where he is at now in the 2nd grade we have conferences next week
KinderFred - Feel free to join in at anytime Ellie, You can talk about whatever you want.
KinderFred - OK, Does the second grade class still have GR groups?
river rat - He was hit by a car at age 2 and they think this is the case of the adhd because he has the 2 most common characteristics memory loss and impulsiveness I think he's reading is a little better but both are very immature and he's also in Spec ed to get he caught up
river rat - No there is no GR for 2nd
KinderFred - I had a add girl last year. I wasn't sure if she was until I saw her struggle. She would try to focus so hard on the story that she would bring the book to her face at points of difficulties. I knew she didn't have an eyesight problem.
KinderFred - That's to bad that they don't continue with GR in 2nd
river rat - yes that's what he did I never even thought about that
river rat - do you have GR in 2nd
KinderFred - I am not if she ever got a DR to say she was |ADD, since I moved schools, but I told the teacher I thought she was at the end of the year.
KinderFred - Unfortunately, in my new dist, we have Open Court
river rat - oops!! they have GR not reading recoery in 2nd
KinderFred - You can only do RR in 1st grade.
river rat - what's open court
KinderFred - It a reading program. It is famous in Texas.
river rat - don't you like it?
meeha/ece/tx - hi Fred & river rat!
KinderFred - The program in first is very much Phonic based. My daughter is having trouble with fluency since all she does is try to sound out the words
river rat - Hello, meeha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
KinderFred - hi Meecha
KinderFred - Parts of it. The phonemic awareness part is very good
river rat - thats so true there needs to be other approaches
meeha/ece/tx - Fred -- the child you were talking about who was hit by a car at 2 years ... ADD or TBA? Symptoms of traumatic brain injury can be very similar to add when frontal lobes are effected.
KinderFred - I let River answer. It's River's son
meeha/ece/tx - ..... so that would be TBI (not TBA!) sorry!
river rat - its my child I gues I dont really know- he was dignosed at the University of Iowa any sights I can go to to find out more
KinderFred - I guess I use Open Court as a springboard to other things, but I was brought up on Zoo Phonics
meeha/ece/tx - rr -- let me pull my notebook and I'll let you know ...
river rat - sites oops! I am not a good typist as you can see
KinderFred - I am kinder teacher, We can guess what you mean River.
river rat - whats zoo phonics
KinderFred - A phonic based program used to teach sounds using animals character and motion to teach it to them. Web site is www.zoo-phonics.com
river rat - do you like it?
KinderFred - I love it. I taught the kids all the sounds in the first month. It would be ingrained into the program that we used it for reading and writing.
meeha/ece/tx - river rat -- I guess the best direction toward info I can give you is to go to http://www.google.com and "plug in" "traumatic brain injury".
river rat - thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!
KinderFred - any new student that came into my class must have thought we were nuts because we would be waving our arms and making sounds
meeha/ece/tx - Injury to the frontal lobes of the brain impairs "executive function" ... injury to different parts of the brain impacts different pieces of learning -- the class I took on TBI last summer was REALLY fascinating!
meeha/ece/tx - sounds like a fun class to me, Fred!
KinderFred - Thanks Meecha. What do you teach?
meeha/ece/tx - One of the books I read for the class was: JOURNEY THROUGH BRAIN TRAUMA by Louise Ray Morningstar ... mother kind of journals her daughter's injury and recovery -- easy read.
meeha/ece/tx - Good info on brain injury.
river rat - I beter go I made the mistake 3 weeks ago to start walking every morning 2 miles and I cant back out of it now!!!!!!!
KinderFred - Sounds like your into Brain theory stuff Meecha
meeha/ece/tx - I work with special needs preschoolers -- am completing my masters in sped ... behavioral d isorders.
KinderFred - Night River Rat. Have fun walking
meeha/ece/tx - have a good rest, rat! 'nite
KinderFred - I could use some work in that. I was talking with the state preschool teacher at my site and she was telling me about some of the students we can expect next year.
meeha/ece/tx - Fred -- I just always try to look for the "source" of a problem or complication along the way ... too often ADD/ADHD or some other "choice disorder" are selected because they are "popular" today ... or are readily diagnosed.
KinderFred - I know. I am reluctant to tell parents that there child is ADD because quite possibily is becuase they have little of no structure at home.
KinderFred - or
meeha/ece/tx - or ... pervasive developmental disorder ... or ... sensory integration disorder ... or ... tbi ... or ... learning disability ...or ...
KinderFred - When no one at home tell them that they have to sit still and listen, it is hard for them to do that and it could take awhile before it happens.
meeha/ece/tx - ... a very bright child who is bored ... or ..........
KinderFred - what about Parent is too busy disorder?
meeha/ece/tx - ... or ... a hearing impairment ... or ... a visual impairment ...
meeha/ece/tx - ... or day care syndrome!
KinderFred - true. LOL
KinderFred - Well, I have to go take care of the baby. Nice talking with you.
meeha/ece/tx - ... and then what Sesame Street has donen to our kiddos!
meeha/ece/tx - have a nice night, Fred -- good talking with you!
KinderFred - LOL
KinderFred - Night
