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meeha/ece/tx - H-e-ll-o!
Hockeyrabbit - Hi
meeha/ece/tx - hi, rabbit! how are you doing?
Hockeyrabbit - GREAT..you?
Hockeyrabbit - HI Karen
meeha/ece/tx - Hi, Karen!
meeha/ece/tx - Doing well, thanks! Enjoying being back at work with my "babies"!
Hockeyrabbit - so what grades do you all teach? me Spec Ed. (self contained)
meeha/ece/tx - How was your day, Karen?
Hockeyrabbit - I don't start until the 4th
meeha/ece/tx - rabbit, i work with special needs preschoolers (3 - 5 years of age)
meeha/ece/tx - Today was the 7th day of school ehre!
Hockeyrabbit - meech..AWESOME..ok I am going to pick your brain tonight
Hockeyrabbit - meech-how many kids are in your class?
meeha/ece/tx - you can try --- hopefully I'll be able to access bits and pieces as you pick away! *grin*
meeha/ece/tx - Karen and Cassandra, what age groups of kiddos do you work with?
Karen - my day was awfully hectic, it seems we never get a break!
Hockeyrabbit - meech- can you give me a schedule that you use?
Cassandra - I teach grade two and we start back on the 4th also!
meeha/ece/tx - rabbit -- at present there are 8 enrolled in my a.m. class and 6 in the p.m. -- and I have three AWESOME assistants!
Hockeyrabbit - I have mainly K-1 kids
Karen - I teach first grade
Hockeyrabbit - oh, I have 5 total kids but we are all day
meeha/ece/tx - rabbit -- if you send me your e-mail via pm i'll be happy to share schedule ideas ... it is so hard to do in here. ... and let me peek at my school, may be last year's schedule is posted there!
Hockeyrabbit - meech- my sched looks like this: Morn Prog, Calendar, Centers and story..in the morn..afternoon: Math, Specials, Circle Time, Centers and Play
Hockeyrabbit - oh ok..meech here it is jcst@ny.tds.net
Jackie - I teach kindergarten
meeha/ece/tx - do you have a full day program, rabbit?
Melissa/MI/first - anyone have any good first day ideas?
Karen - I have some really low kids this year
meeha/ece/tx - http://www.arlington.k12.tx.us/wood/hart.html rabbit -- that is my class 'website' from last year ... am working to make it better this year!
Hockeyrabbit - meech- yes..my big beef now is that I am in a K-3 building and technically could get K-3 kids..which would mean 4 diff scheds..totally impossible to do..but that hasn't happened yet
Melissa/MI/first - Karen have you started school yet?
Hockeyrabbit - meech- do you do show/tell?
Karen - I've got 4 that don't know their letters, numbers, or anything! We started last friday
Jackie - I got a child that can't hold his pencil the right way
meeha/ece/tx - i don't traditionally do show and tell ... but if a child has something to share i'll let them do so ... they don't talk overly much (there for language development), so anything we can do to get them talking!
Hockeyrabbit - meech- I will check out your site
Karen - I guess 4 out of 20 isn't bad, but I'm not sure whether to start!
meeha/ece/tx - Karen -- that can be rough! what age/grade are your kiddos?
Melissa/MI/first - Does anyone know any good ideas to help a student with a speech delay learn letters and recongnition?
Hockeyrabbit - Jackie- ask OT person to come in..or better yet send him/her to them
Jackie - Does anyone know what to do to make sure the children don't rush through thier stations
Karen - I mean not sure where to start!
meeha/ece/tx - Jackie --o.t. offered me a great suggestion: have the child hold a quarter (or a checker or somethingn similarly sized) under the ring finger and baby finger of the preferred hand.
Hockeyrabbit - Karen..do you teach K or 1?
Karen - first grade, 6-7 yr olds
Hockeyrabbit - I can give you a TON of idea for letter recognition..I am going to try Building Blocks with my kids this year
meeha/ece/tx - Melissa -- do you ever use the DISCOVERY TOYS tape/cd entitled "Sounds Like Fun"? It has a great phonics song on it.
Jackie - How can I cut the chatter during group time
Melissa/MI/first - no where can i get it?
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I am going to use The Kissing Hand and activities that go with it for the first day...
meeha/ece/tx - Karen -- you'll need to offer this child LOTS of kinesthetic learning experiences ... sand paper letters, writing letters in sand/jello/salt, pudding, etc.
Hockeyrabbit - Jackie- do you teach K?
Karen - Jackie my kids are chattering a lot too! ahhhh
Jackie - yes I teach K
meeha/ece/tx - You'll need to find a local Discovery Toys dealer -- if you call 1 -800-555-1212 the operator can get you a phone number ... might even look online!
Melissa/MI/first - Hockey...could i e-mail you with ?'s
Jackie - what do you do Karen
Hockeyrabbit - Jakie- do you do cirle time or group time with your kids??
Karen - meeha, how long would you spend on each letter before you give them another one, until they know it?
Hockeyrabbit - Melissa- here's my email jcst@ny.tds.net
Melissa/MI/first - thanks!
Hockeyrabbit - Karen- nope move to the next one, and then review letters
Jackie - I do calendar and story along with language board
meeha/ece/tx - Karen ... they won't be meaningful until attached to something of importance to the child -- offer a word bank (start with child's name, and "high impact" words like 'mommy', 'love', special people/toys ... and help the child identify the letters in these words ...
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - There is a song in the SFA program, Allegators All Around that is cute for letter recognition review...
Hockeyrabbit - I want to do a "circle time" in the afternoon with my kids to discucss the day, and learn other things..anyone have any good books on "circle time" or know of any?
meeha/ece/tx - does anyone here have Mrs. Alphabet's website addy handy?
Melissa/MI/first - yes nanci..good idea
Hockeyrabbit - oh, I do want to mention that the ABCteach website has REALLY COOL center signs
Jackie - How can I get the children to want to come to calendar, most of the children come but I have one child thats a slow stagger
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Thanks, Melissa...
meeha/ece/tx - rabbit -- what kind of circle time are you looking for? we just sing, read a book related to the theme, and let the kids pick out favorite movement activities ... as we discuss what we've been doing.
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - What is the url of the ABCteach website?
Hockeyrabbit - Karen- I start with letters in their name..but we also do the letter ppl, and other letter activities
Melissa/MI/first - Jackie....I play a transisition song
Melissa/MI/first - one they really like....down by the bay
Melissa/MI/first - they all sit right down
Hockeyrabbit - Jackie- my kids LOVE the calendar..I use Math their way..what kinds of things do you do with your calendar routine?
Jackie - Thanks
Melissa/MI/first - thei si my first year teaching first grade
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Yes, a transistion song is good for getting them to circle at about the same time...
Melissa/MI/first - what should i expect as far as reading/writing
Hockeyrabbit - Nanci- I think its www.abcteach.net but it could be com
Melissa/MI/first - i know they will all come on MANY diff level
Melissa/MI/first - but in general
Cassandra - http://abcteach.com/ is the URL
meeha/ece/tx - Jackie -- one thing that may work is to start without the child ... that child has to remain at the circle area when others move on to the next activity until he/she does the activity alone
Hockeyrabbit - meech- I want to do something like play a song, talk about different things..we read stories all throughout the day
Melissa/MI/first - wow
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Thanks Hr, and Cass for the url...
Hockeyrabbit - also incorporate movement things
meeha/ece/tx - Another is to have that child start clean-up and moving toward the calendar area as many minutes early today as he/she was late for group the previous day (discuss it with the child prior to implementing that -- and remind them that they will need to clean-up x minutes early!)
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - We do weather bear in calendar time...
Hockeyrabbit - oh, has anyone tried math centers/tubs?
meeha/ece/tx - rabbit -- can you find a song for your themes throughout the year? easy to learn songs which the kids will enjoy?
Jackie - thanks meeha
meeha/ece/tx - i just have SO MUCH music (probably 75 cd's now) in my room ... the kids tell me which songs and dances they want! occasionally i get to introduce a new song/activity.
Hockeyrabbit - meech- I was thinking I would do different things..such as Hokey Poky etc..not necessarily related to what theme we are doing
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I went to an Essentials of Learing workshop this summer and got some good cd s of transition and calendar songs.
Hockeyrabbit - Nanci please share
meeha/ece/tx - http://www.mrsalphabet.com is a good website for teaching alphabet -- she has lots of ideas for every lesson!
Jackie - How can I get the children to not rush through stations
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I will have to check it at school and email you...my email is niki@surge.net I will send you info about the CDs, and how to get them.
Melissa/MI/first - Jackie what grade do you teach?
meeha/ece/tx - Jackie -- set a timer, all children spend x minutes at each station ... everyone goes to free choice centers at the same time?
Jackie - melissa i teach K
Hockeyrabbit - Jackie- can you have parents come in to help with your stations?
Melissa/MI/first - jackie in first i am going to create a check off list
Melissa/MI/first - that may be to much for k
meeha/ece/tx - when we did learning stations (when i taught K) we rotated all children at the same time from one station to the next -- the timer just helped keep ME on track!
Cassandra - I really like using a timer...it keeps me on time and the students have a greater awareness of just how much time it takes to complete an activity!
Melissa/MI/first - jackie...if they produce products at the centers that would be a very easy way to tell
Jackie - Today I put a sheet out on the each table which was a class list of the students so after they finished they could cross off thier name but they really didn't get the hang of it
meeha/ece/tx - the timer has been a BIG help in transitions in my classroom, too ... it is no longer me (or an assistant) telling them to change, but the timer!
Melissa/MI/first - LOL...yeah sometimes they are like little robots
meeha/ece/tx - Jackie -- are there set jobs that each child needs to accomplish each day? are most activities 'independent' in nature? put the kids in groups and have them rotate to each table (red, yellow, blue, green) and you are stationed at one table -- kind of like 'tubbing' if you've ever done that.
Melissa/MI/first - new teacher orientation is draining!
meeha/ece/tx - hi, Jeannie and Linda!
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - There are always some who do not like to switch gears and the bell helps them get going...
Melissa/MI/first - this is my 3rd day
Hockeyrabbit - in the morning, I have 3 centers, each with one activity..I sit at one, and my other aides sit at the other 2 and help the kids out..they rotate to the next center when they complete the activity..but I only have 5 kids so that makes it easier to monitor
meeha/ece/tx - Melissa -- the first year is draining! but worth it!
Hockeyrabbit - but I can see how the timer would help my kids who have a hard time getting their work done..I think I might try that
Cassandra - Has anyone seen this? Strategies for Instruction in Math? It's quite interesting...lots of info, lessons, blackline masters! - http://www.learnnc.org/dpi/instserv.nsf/Category7?OpenView&Start=1&Count=30&Expand=2#2
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I can't get my lesson plan book the way I want it this year with the split...LOTS of prep...
Hockeyrabbit - meech- do you have any REALLY good playdough recipes..like for the scented kind?
Jackie - melissa did you just graduate from college
Melissa/MI/first - i graduated in dec 99
meeha/ece/tx - rabbit -- do you have the cooked playdough recipe? just add a pkt of unsweetened koolaid to it for color and scent!
Melissa/MI/first - i have taught for one year....different district
meeha/ece/tx - hi, Sarah and Meg!
Melissa/MI/first - but it's like starting all over again
LindaCa - HockeyRabbit: I have a good one for gingerbread playdough. I could look it up and send it to you.
Hockeyrabbit - meech- yep and thanks!
Jackie - hi sarah and meg
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Nice site, Cassandra...I bookmarked it and will check it out later...
Jackie - what grade do you teach sarah and meg
meeha/ece/tx - Melissa -- I"m impressed that you got a job in MI ... i tried for 7 years -- could sub for 3 districts every day of the week, but couldn't get a single job interview
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I would like that recipe for the gingerbread playdough too, if you don't mind...niki@surge.net
Hockeyrabbit - Linda yes please; my email is jcst@ny.tds.net
Melissa/MI/first - yeah i lucked out big time
meeha/ece/tx - Cass -- i'm checking it out -- thanks!
Melissa/MI/first - i got into an awesome district
Melissa/MI/first - meeha where did you sub?
meeha/ece/tx - what district, Melissa?
Sarah - kindergarten and first combo
Melissa/MI/first - Royal Oak
Cassandra - It is in adobe and it is a long document but it begins at Kindergarten and I found some good reproducibles for my grade! Anything helps!
meeha/ece/tx - port huron, st. clair, marysville, some other small districts in the area
meeha/ece/tx - i came to TX ... got interview the day i arrived and was hired the next ... not the glut of teachers here.
Melissa/MI/first - ah those are far away from me
Sarah - Cassandra I'd like to hear more about whatever you're talking about!
Melissa/MI/first - wow...so that's where the teacher shortage is
Melissa/MI/first - always wondered what they were talkin about
meeha/ece/tx - Cassandra -- maybe you could post the website again -- somemay want to capture it now!
Melissa/MI/first - Mich here
Cassandra - That's the math site for those new here
NicoleD - Went to school in Mich
meeha/ece/tx - thank you, Cassandra! it does look like an interesting site to explore
Melissa/MI/first - where at nicole?
Sarah - Does anyone teach Saxon Math?
meg - I teach 3rd grade in a very small school. The kids come for a half hour tomorrow.
NicoleD - U of M- Ann Arbor
Cassandra - How small meg?
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Nicole I got my Masters from Spring Arbor College...
Melissa/MI/first - why did you move out of beautiful michigan nicole...if you dont mind me asking
NicoleD - I'm a native New Yorker and I came home to go to law school.
Melissa/MI/first - ohhh
meeha/ece/tx - $$$ -- couldn't support myself on the wages of a substitute teacher ... and only 9 mo/yr income!
Melissa/MI/first - lol@meeha
NicoleD - I am an attorney who just decided to switch careers and become a teacher.
Melissa/MI/first - Nicole..for the money right?
NicoleD - um, yeah, that's it.
NicoleD - Child of a teacher, so I guess it stuck
LindaCa - Is everyone here back at school. i still have a week and a half left.
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - We go back the 27th...
Cassandra - Me too Linda!
meeha/ece/tx - Linda -- today was day 7 for me
akaivyleaf - Wow school started here last week
Sarah - We start the 29th
LindaCa - Meecha: You must finish early then me. I go right to the end of June.
meeha/ece/tx - i even get to return to university one week from tonight ... no more ece teacher meetings until christmas break for me.
Owlman - Thank You Nanci. I teach in Ohio also!
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - What reading program does everyone use? We are using SFA this year... 4-Blocks starting next year...
meeha/ece/tx - Linda -- we'll be done by may 25th
Cassandra - Where do you teach Linda? I'm in Ontario, Canada. That may be why we are later here...
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - We will miss you meecha...best of luck with your studies...
Cassandra - I'm just starting Four Blocks this year! I'm really excited but kinda nervous too!
LindaCa - I teach in Ontario too. In Markham. I guess that's why we are later.
meeha/ece/tx - Cass -- what part of ontario?
Sarah - We got out June 15 and we start a week earlier this year. It makes no sense because here in WA, it's sunny in Sept. and rainy in June. It'd be nice to start later and get out later.
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Where do you get all the SSR books for 4-Block, Cassandra?
LindaCa - I've been doing a lot of the building blocks ideas in Kindergarten the past 2 or 3 years. I'm excited about doing more next year.
meeha/ece/tx - where is Markham? I've heard of it but can't place it ...
LindaCa - Markham is just north of Toronto. Fairly close.
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Everyone that I have heard speak of 4-Block reall likes using it.
meeha/ece/tx - i have friends in Whitby!
Cassandra - I teach in Belleville....just an hour and a half east of Toronto!
Melissa/MI/first - ok the letters are blurring...time to go to bed
Melissa/MI/first - nice chatting with all of you
Melissa/MI/first - Happy new school year!
Cassandra - I friends in Whitby too! Teachers?
LindaCa - Whitby is failry close to Markham.
meeha/ece/tx - i sense a Canada t.net party coming up! Belle lives not-so-far from you all, too!
meeha/ece/tx - no, not teachers ... just friends for the past 35 years!
LindaCa - That would be fun!
Cassandra - I am still working on that SSR block Nanci...it takes alot to get all those books!
meeha/ece/tx - i think there is a canada chatboard, too! do you know how to check?
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I wondered if the company made them available or what, yes LOTS of books...
Cassandra - no I think for SSR you have to buy grade level books or use wahtever you have available
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I have a teacher friend that scars the Salvation Army stores, Goodwill, and such places and has purchased some fab children's books for very little.
Cassandra - yardsales are excellent too!
meeha/ece/tx - we've found some GREAT children's books (BARNEY, Disney, etc) at the DOLLAR TREE stores near me!
Sarah - I got some great deals on hardcover books at a bookstore in an outlet mall, plus they give a teacher discount.
meeha/ece/tx - did we all fall asleep?
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Dollar Store is a teacher's dream come true...
meg - That would be a large school for me. I really like the small schools. You get to know the parents and leaders of the community.
meeha/ece/tx - meg -- that would be nice, too! I LIKE getting to know my children and their families!
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I am not getting messages and I know we are talking...
meeha/ece/tx - math ideas -- centers, lesson plans, stations, etc. ..... any ideas out there?
meeha/ece/tx - what different means do you use to teach 'patterns'?
Sarah - I'm looking for centers for my K/1 class.
meeha/ece/tx - Sarah -- center ideas? specific areas?
meeha/ece/tx - new activities for centers?
Cassandra - see you all later...sleepy time
Sarah - I found a pattening set that you can either string beads or use the dowels and enclosed pattern card to make patterns with the beads, My kids are going to love it.
meeha/ece/tx - Would you like to talk about 'centers' in general -- new ideas ... how to dress them up ... refresh them Nanci/Oh/1-2 - One thing I do for patterns is give them a zip lock bag containing some brightly colored shapes, say 5 stars, 5 circles, 5 triangles...they make patterns on the table top with this, easy assessment at a glance...
Sarah - math centers--any area
meeha/ece/tx - Sarah -- i've seen them ... they look like fun!
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Yes, the beads are a great idea , Sara...
meeha/ece/tx - anyone use rubber stamps or stickers on paper strips for patterns?
meeha/ece/tx - i'm sure everyone uses the calendar for teaching patterns ...
meeha/ece/tx - lining up kiddos -- boy, girl, boy, girl (won't work in my class- 13 boys, 1 girl!)
Sarah - Great idea. I would like to get stamps, but they seem to be expensive, unless you get the ones backed on foam. Do they last long?
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - Yes, mecha...I have a basket of rubber stamps and the kids make their own patterns...I also have them do some patterns that I give them...like make an ABB pattern or a BABABA pattern...things like that...
Sarah - Sounds like my class--2 girls!
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - That poor little girl! Couldn't they do anything to get her a "sister" classmate, Meeha?
meeha/ece/tx - sarah -- mine have lasted well. you could also use shapes you cut from sponges ... or use hot glue on the end of little wooden blocks ... watch dollar stores, big lots, etc -- a lot of seasonal stamps aren't really that expensive!
meeha/ece/tx - she hasn't ever had another girl in class ... except when my assistant brings in her little one ... she just doesn't know any different!
Sarah - are you in a private school?
meeha/ece/tx - if you have tie and velcro shoes or shoes and sandals, that can be another pattern to set up!
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I got a nice set of little stamps, year round variety...15 sturdy little stamps.
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - That was at the Dollar Store, I forgot to add, sorry.
meeha/ece/tx - no, i work with special needs preschoolers ... just seems little boys have more difficulty than girls.
Nanci/Oh/1-2 - I need to get going now...thank you for the great information!
Sarah - How do you manage centers? This will be the first time I've used them.
meeha/ece/tx - a lot of those foam-backed stamps work and hold up quite well
meeha/ece/tx - Sarah -- I just teach the kids how to clean up, encourage 'gentle' play, and let them pick where they go.
meeha/ece/tx - we have long center blocks and try to help the kids learn to communicate through their play times ... some teachers tell children which centers they get to use each day --
Sarah - Last year I had one boy and 3 girls (brand new private school). He had all the girls tied aound his little finger!
meeha/ece/tx - the BIG thing is to introduce centers slowly and to be SURE the children understand your expectations where clean-up is concerned. Classroom behavioral expectations should be enforced in the center time ... exsecially where safety is concerned!
meeha/ece/tx - (i DO know how to spell especially!)
Sarah - Would you recommend starting with 2 or 3 and adding more each day or week?
meeha/ece/tx - that is a GREAT idea -- especially if you have a small group!
Sarah - I head there's a great book about centers, but I haven't been able to find it.
naomi - need help with theme for preschoolers first time teaching could any of you help me?
meeha/ece/tx - add a new center at a time (maybe every other day) and make sure they tknow what happens there before adding the next.
meeha/ece/tx - hi, naomi!
meeha/ece/tx - naomi -- theme for the room, beginning of the year, theme at what level?
naomi - meeha/ece/tx begining of the year preschool level
meeha/ece/tx - Sarah -- every teacher has to make centers "fit" their personality ... be sure you know what you want the kids to gain (what are your objectives) in the centers you offer.
meeha/ece/tx - naomi -- Spot goes to school is a good book for preschoolers at the start of the year -- introduces school activities, simple text and pictures, if you have the stuffed animal that's even better!
meeha/ece/tx - a lot of teachers like THE KISSING HAND, but I've found it to be pretty wordy for a lot of preschoolers
meeha/ece/tx - Dave -- do you ever use interactive bulletin boards? (Velcro on the backs of words -- the hook part -- and a carpet or headliner fabric on the board becomes a place to 'create' poetry or practice sentence construction .....
naomi - thank you i will go check them out tomorrow
meeha/ece/tx - naomi -- just have fun ... one teacher (great teacher) said that being a good teacher was kind of like planning a birthday party every day of the week! keep it fun and have extra plans ready to go!
naomi - im very nervous and cant seem to come up with lesson plans
meeha/ece/tx - naomi -- check out the lesson plans page here -- there are lots of great ideas!
naomi - but you are right i will keep it fun
naomi - thanks for the info you are very helpful
meeha/ece/tx - you may also want to ask questions at the early childhood chatboard or on the mailring ... both are great sources of information!
meeha/ece/tx - you can also check out http://www.perpetualpreschool.com
meeha/ece/tx - and http://www.enchantedlearning.com
naomi - thanks alot will do that
meeha/ece/tx - nursery rhymes is another good idea for preschoolers ... i'm hoping for one a week this year ... too many kids today don't have a clue about this rich treasure of word play!
naomi - that is true from that you can do little books
meeha/ece/tx - naomi -- scholastic has a collection of nursery rhyme booklets (reproducible) that you can buy! http://www.scholastic.com
naomi - were would i go to purchase them
meeha/ece/tx - naomi -- you can check a local teacher store ... or try scholastic on oine!
meeha/ece/tx - time for me to 'exit stage left', my son needs to send a message to Finland. 'nite all. Be sure to check the transcript of the meeting at http://www.teachers.net/archive soon (naomi -- that address will take you to some good information, too!)
naomi - well see you guys later and thanks for the info
Sarah - oh, a little old for my kids, but I always like to put things in my files, just in case I get moved!
