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Susan(Facilitator) - If there are any fourth grade teachers out there. Are we ready for our chat?
Susan(Facilitator) - There are a lot of fourth grade teachers who are interested in learning new ideas.
Ginny in KY - Are we discussing any interesting ideas or topics?
Ginny in KY - Well, my first day is tomorrow! Any advise? I won't sleep all night!
Ginny in KY - How long has everyone been teaching fourth grade?
Marci in MA - this will be my 3rd year!
Ginny in KY - This is my second. I had a 4/5 class last year.
Marci in MA - i still have so much to learn!!
Susan(Facilitator) - This is my sixth year.
Marci in MA - What is your favorite activity?
Marci in MA - for first day, that is!
Mo/WV - 4th year in 4th - spent 24 in second
Ginny in KY - I went to puzzlemaker.com and made a word search using my class list! I plan to use it first thing in the morn while I'm taking care of paperwork.
Marci in MA - ginny...did you download it to another program, or just print it from puzzlemaker?
Jenn - no class list until the week before school starts
Ginny in KY - I just printed it from puzzlemaker. It was really easy.
Mo/WV - did you do first and last names on the puzzlemaker?
Susan - I understand that. Does anyone else face a state writing test and a state reading test in their state?
Marci in MA - YES!! MCAS testing here...very difficult for 4th graders
Jenn - There is a Narrative writing test for fourth in NJ
Mo/WV - state writing assessment and SAT9
Susan - In Florida, our schools are graded on what our fourth graders score.
Marci in MA - jenn...what have the prompts been for the narrative writing test?
Ginny in KY - Marci, I just printed it from puzzlemaker.
Jenn - It just started this past year
Jenn - My first year there wasnt a test
Susan - We have had prompts like describe your favorite time of year, and things like that
Jenn - it was tell a story about a shoe you find on the side of the street in a box
Jenn - tell how it got there and what you do with it
Jenn - really weird
Susan - We have 2 different types of writing tests, narrative and expository. We don't know what prompt our students get.
Mo/WV - If you could spend time with someone, who would it be.........tell about your favorite gift....
Ginny in KY - Mo/WV, I used first and last names. For example, johnsmith
Susan - Welcome everybody! We have several conversations going on? Just jump in. I know that fourth grade teachers are the best. Don't you?
Jenn - 1 of my students got a 5
Mo/WV - do all of you belong to the 4th grade e-mail ring?
Ginny in KY - In Kentucky, students have to turn in a writing portfolio containing a personal narrative, a transactive piece, a literary piece, and a reflective piece. Then we also have open response questions and what is called on-demand writing.
Susan - Wow, a 5. What did you use to teach writing?
MK - What is the fourthgrade email ring
tj - this is my first year in 4th grade classroom
Susan - tj, what state are you in?
Jenn - 6 is the best though
Jenn - if it exists
MK - This is my third year teaching fourth grade in IN
tj - Missouri
Jenn - i just had them write ALOT
Susan - That's ours too. I think I'm going to use 6 traits writing this year.
Mo/WV - do you all have the problem of doing all the teaching of writing in the 4th grade - not much emphasis put on it in 2nd and 3rd?
Ginny in KY - Susan, could you tell me a little about 6 traits writing.
MK - Susan I would like to hear also
tj - Liz are you in NV?
Marci in MA - do any of you use the John Collins Method of teaching writing?
Mo/WV - there is a 6 trait writing session in the archives -
Ginny in KY - Mo/WV, yes!!! It is very discouraging to have the assessment in fourth grade and no emphasis in the primary. This year our system required every grade level to turn in a mini-writing portfolio in attempt to start placing emphasis in the other grades.
Susan - Our school is better. Every grade works for the grade our school gets. I went to the NWREL website and downloaded a handbook for my students. Talking with kim, I think it targets every aspect of writing.
liz-nv - yes, im in Nevada
Jenn - I was told that it was descriptive and had plenty of sheets until two weeks b4 it was narrative
Mo/WV - mailrings are one of the choices teachers.net offers - it is great -one for each grade level
Susan - We're not allowed to even look at our tests or we face losing our teaching license. Our kids tell us without asking what they write on.
Ginny in KY - Have your schools adopted writing curriculums?
jj - MK, where do you teach in IN? I am from IN also
Mo/WV - I meant before the test, tho
Jenn - before and after
MK - jj I teach in the southern part of IN
Susan - Am I the only teacher from the south?
Kathy in PA - You can find out more about 6 traits at: http://www.nwrel.org/eval/writing/
jj - Oh, I teach in Northwest IN
Ginny in KY - Susan, I'm from KY. That's the south, I think!
Susan - I'm in Florida
Susan - We have the FCAT and writing test to deal with
Jenn - are there any narrative writing sites that anyone knows about
Susan - I found a website with prompts related to six trait writing. Go to that website. You'll find it.
Marci - Do any of you know of any websites for using picture books to teach writing?
Susan - Yes, we are the only grade level that test those 2 things. We have a lot of pressure till February when we give the test.
jj - Marci, I use picture books to prompt writing
TenTen6 - Marci, I don't know of a site for these books, but I have a list at school. I will try to remember to post
Jenn - Susan youre writing test in Feb?
Mo/WV - how many students do you all have, last year I had 27 - this year 22
Marci - ok...thx tenten...will you post on upper elem?
Susan - Yes, our writing test is in Feb.
Jenn - Wow, ours is in Dec.
jj - I had 29 kids last year.
Mo/WV - ours is in march
Alison G - LOL Mo, heard of lots that do that around the WV Pennsylvania area
TenTen6 - I'm in NC and our writing assessment is in March. I am assuming this is what you all are referring to
MK - I had 22 student last year the year before I had 28 with 13 special needs
Alison G - we test in March
Marci - i had 21 kids last year, 20 this year
Lori/OH - Anyone had experience with looping...?
Ginny in KY - We test in April. I feel lucky!
Alison G - Ginny where in KY are you?
Jenn - 19 last year approx 23 so far this year
Susan - I have taught drop out prevention the last 6 years. This is my first year going back to a regular class. I looped the past four years and loved it.
Marci - jj...what is your favorite pic book and activity?
jj - Our test is in September, but the state test is done in 3rd grade
Ginny in KY - Alison, Morehead.
jj - give me a minute to think
Alison G - No looping here, but I taught 2nd gr. two years ago and so I will have most of my same kids again this year
TenTen6 - I had experience with looping and it was the best thing I have ever done. I wish there were others in my school who would agree to do this.
Marci - ok!
Alison G - I have too many fa. picture books.....
Lori/OH - I am going to try to do centers this year along with guided reading...hope it can be a little different for them than last year...
Kathy in PA - I loop with 4-5 graders. In our urban school, it seems to work out great for the kids. It's a stabilizing force for them.
Marci - jj...did you see the lessons in Mailbox about using pic books to teach writing?
Mo/WV - alison, that happened to me when I went from 2nd to 4th - they still are the same neat kids
Alison G - I am going to do spelling centers.
Lori/OH - My principal is very supportive of the idea...
Alison G - Anyone out there teaching Success For All's Reading program?
Susan - I love looping. I think it really makes a difference in our students. It helps when you test in fourth grade to start preparing in third. How do you do spelling centers?.
jj - Marci, The Principals New Clothes, Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, Grandpas Teeth, Double Trouble in Walla Walla
Mo/WV - my kids always ace the spelling tests, but do poorly on spelling on the SAT 9
Alison G - I had a rough class last year, so this will be a nice welcoming experience...I love the group of kids i will have this year.
Ginny in KY - What is looping?
jj - My kids are the same about spelling. I think the subject of spelling is a farce
Lori/OH - I am in a portable with another fourth grade teacher...we are setting up four centers in both rooms and we will take alternating days to teach guided reading groups and then keep Wednesdays for whole group instruction/mini lessons where needed
Alison G - where you travel up a grade level with your group of kids, and have them for 2 years
Susan - Looping is where you stay with the same students for two years and move us with them.
TenTen6 - Several of the books we use in writing came with a list that actually suggests what areas of writing are best taught using the specific book; for ex some are really good for teaching single moment in time or clear beginning, or voice, etc
Alison G - I don't like to "teach" spelling either, so I thought if I did some phonics things in centers for 15 min. a day i could call it spelling
Lori/OH - Anyone done "Making Words"? This is a hands on approach to spelling and will teach multi-level spelling in one lesson
swerky - Does anyone loop from fourth to fifth grade?
TenTen6 - I love making words even for fourth graders
Alison G - Lori, sounds interesting...is there a website to visit to learn more?
jj - We are doing the Making Words progra form the 4 Block methd for spelling this year
Kathy in PA - We use Making Words by Patricia Cunningham (and Making Big Words) as our "spelling" program.
Susan - Lori, our whole school district is moving to four block reading. I like it. I taught my third graders last year the making words. They could spell all the words that are important on a writing test.
Jenn - Does anyone have a handwriting workbook?
jj - Yes
Lori/OH - I used it last year and really love the word wall...have left it up for them to use this year too.
Ginny in KY - Oh, thanks Alison. I've heard of that, but never heard it called that. It does sound really cool. At the private school where I was in TN, we had the same kids from fifth grade through eighth grade. I taught middle school math there. So we had the same kids for four years!!!
Susan - Yes, we don't use it.
TenTen6 - I also like to use Nifty Thrifty part of the book- Month by Month phonics for upper grades
Alison G - i do not teach handwriting and will not teach it.......
Alison G - i do not expect my kids to write in cursive either
Jenn - I find it hard to teach
jj - I liked the making words as well
swerky - We do not teach handwriting either...we continue practicing though.
Marci - tenten...where did you get that list of picture books to teach specific areas of writing?
Alison G - i want to write so that the state testing people can read it
MO/WV - We do cursive all year - on everything at my insistance
Susan - Has anyone tried the 3 ring reading circus in four blocks book?
Jenn - especially the way it gives examples of letters
jj - I dont expect them to write in cursive either -
Lori/OH - Susan, I really like four blocks...my kids could spell those easy words they miss on State proficiency test. My third graders were prepared for the fourth grade test last year so I think it helped to know where I needed to take them... Taught fourth grade for six years
Ginny in KY - Alison, what is your philosophy of not making your students write cursive?
Alison G - We practice cursive when writing in our journals each day
TenTen6 - How do any of you find time to teach handwriting. I am scrambling for enough time to do what I am already doing. Usually, third grade teaches cursive for us. It's the least of my worry. I guess I need to pay some attention to it.
Susan - We can print on the writing test. It's O.K
Jenn - I expect cursive all year
Lori/OH - I am going to include handwriting practice in my spelling center this year.
Alison G - Because I've heard of kid's not having their state tests graded because it couldn't be read........so I have them practice whatever is best for them
Alison G - so that the state people can grade their tests
Susan - I did handwriting along with my wordwall last year.
TenTen6 - Marci, someone (another teacher in our district) gave it out at a grade level sharing meeting
Jenn - I fit it in at Phonics time
swerky - Our state testing doesn't require cursive...just legibility. What's with cursive when word processing is the "thing".
Marci - thx kathy
jj - the 4 block method says you shouldn't worry about things being done in cursive
Susan - I need more time in my school day. What about you?
TenTen6 - Ours also swerky
KB/pa - what activities does everyone give for spelling homework? My traditional ones are getting boring, even for me!
Lori/OH - I have two students who CANNOT write in cursive...
Marci - i agree susan!
MO/WV - it is in our state's instructional goals
Alison G - Our state testing doesn't require it either so I just ask for mastery in print or cursive whatever the child is comfortable with.....a lot of kids aren't developmentally able to write in cursive in my building
swerky - I do too. They are in OT and can not physically handle cursive.
TenTen6 - I have also read where cursive in spelling is confusing or can be confusing for kids. Ok my screen went blank where is everybody?
jj - How long has everyone been teaching?
Jenn - 3rd year
Lori/OH - We are having so much trouble getting anyone qualified for spec.ed services anymore that you have to work with them to produce their best work,
MO/WV - 29 years here
Alison G - I will be a 3rd year teacher
Marci - this will be my third year
Lori/OH - 13th coming up
tenten6 - This is my 5th year. It doesn't seem like it's been that long.
KB/pa - 11th year here
Ginny in Ky - We word process our portfolios and we tell the kids to write in whatever handwriting is their neatest. But for the rest of the year I encourage cursive.
jj - This is my 10th
swerky - I've been teaching 14 years jj
Kathy in PA - Need good Websites or books on learning centers/stations. Any ideas?
swerky - Ginny, me too. We do some things in cursive but I'm not upset when students can't.
MO/WV - so you teach typing skills to your kids, ginny?
Ginny in Ky - Lori, I wish I had your prob. of qualifying people for spec. ed. It seems like everyone in my school is. I have six currently on my roster!
tenten6 - What other kinds of tests do you all have to administer in 4th grade?
Alison G - Anyone have an idea for me.....my theme is stars in my room....I have a back of a bookshelf that is plain so I was going to display my cooperative math group team posters ....any good catchy titles having to do with stars out there?
swerky - I do a lot of word processing with my students. That's where the business world is.
Susan - I agree that fourth graders should be able to write in cursive and legibly. But, where is the time. In Florida we are preparing them for two tests. If they do not pass them, they fail.L
Ginny in Ky - tenten6, we assess reading and science also in fourth grade, along with writing.
Lori/OH - We have lots that need it...in an urban district in central ohio...they say we are qualifiying too many....give me a break...very frustrating, especially with tough state standards
Alison G - We assess reading, writing, sciece, citizenship and math
KB/pa - we give the Terra Nova - in October
Jenn - any advice?
Ginny in Ky - Susan, so your kids are held accountable for their scores?
Susan - How do you assess citizenship?
Jenn - KB we have the Terra Nova too
Alison G - Where in Ohio Lori, I am in Hamilton near cincinnati
tenten6 - In NC, we test reading writing math and there is now an open-ended assessment that combines reading and math. How do you assess citizenship?
jj - WE give the Terra Nova as well
marci - we assess reading, writing, math, ss, and sci...2 long weeks in May UGH
Jenn - in March though
swerky - In PA we do a test in fifth grade...the PSSA test. All year we prepare the kids in fourth grade.
Lori/OH - Teach in Springfield City Schools
KB/pa - Where are you, Jenn?
MO/WV - SAT 9 here in April - 4th and 6th grade test scores go to test
Alison G - It's basically state history, with a little citizenship rights and respsponsibilities thrown in there (fair play, etc)
Kathy in PA - In PA we have standards test in Grade 5. Our district has New Content Standards test at the end of fourth grade. State is threatening to take over our district if student scores don't improve in two years! Yikes.
Alison G - Not to far from me........
Lori/OH - Our district is in "academic emergency" at this moment...have never worked harder in my entire life...
marci - what are your favorite read alouds??
KB/pa - swerky - i was a 5th grade teacher for 6 yrs, hated the PSSA!!!!!
Susan - Yes, we are also. Our school missed by one point being an A school to get more money. We are a C school because of that one point.
miflag - In Illinois in 4th we test science and social studies
Alison G - We are too Lori
swerky - I loop KB so every other year I have fifth grade.
MO/WV - one thing that has helped our test scores is daily oral language
jj - Favortie read alouds...Holes, Tales of a 4th grade noting, Skinnybones,
Lori/OH - I love "Indian in the Cupboard" books, "Chocolate Touch",
tenten6 - Our tests are based on our state's standard course of study. These ar also high stakes test that can result in retention for students in 3, 5, 8 grades and possible assistance teams in schools that don't do well.
Ginny in Ky - Susan, our schools are held accountable, but not the kids. And they know it, so they really don't put forth their best. Very frustrating, as well.
Alison G - I really thought the Giraffe, The Pelly and Me was a cute book
Lori/OH - Hope the state works on these tests and the funding problem....could help
Susan - We have Jeb Bush as our govenor. He has pushed this testing. His brother running for president is for this also.
Jenn - Theres a boy in the Girl's Bathroom
KB/pa - I think that would be great - you'd have some control over what happens!
tenten6 - I enjoy reading the Wish Giver aloud as well. I have read Holes aloud and it was a sure hit. At first I didn't think they would like it.
Susan - It makes a difference when they know they can fail. Parents are even worried.
Lori/OH - Our scores are published in our local paper...strange that county schools get much higher scores
marci - Jenn...I've heard of that book, and wasn't sure the content was appropriate, but i guess it is !
jj - My kids loved Harry Potter
MO/WV - running out of time is another favorite of mine
Lori/OH - We joked about having to pave the parking lot so the fourth graders can drive to school
tenten6 - Why is that strange Lori/OH
Jenn - yes it has to do with a new boy in school who just stumbles in
Alison G - Our state has a 4th grade guarantee going into effect where if the kids don't pass they fail 4th grade
Jenn - nothing x rated
marci - do the kids enjoy it?
Ginny in Ky - Susan, wish we could get the kids and parents concerned.
marci - lol
Alison G - if it had been in effect last year...something like 53,000 4th graders would've failed in Ohio
MO/WV - so far, we have to have the parents ok to hold back a child
Jenn - for the past 2 years
Susan - Ours are all over the media. We are very proud of our school and score. We are a title one school. We had no fourth graders retained due to testing last year.
MK in IN - We read the boy in the girls room out loud with each student having a copy of the book
Jenn - Only the beginning is in our reader
Ginny in Ky - Alison, wow!! Does that wake up the state?
Lori/OH - Differences between home lives aside, our schools have just replaced a 12 year old social studies text book for the coming year...we will have PE every other week, art and music once a week alternating quarters...
tenten6 - It was my understanding that our tests were to measure teacher perfrmance as in are we teaching the curriculum. However, the students can be retained if they do not show proficiency. Confusing huh?
Jenn - so I bought the book from Scholastic
Alison G - That's great Susan...what are your tricks???? We are Title One also
MK in IN - We must have the same reading series Jenn
marci - i just love using pic books to teach writing!
MK in IN - What pic books do you use Marci
Jenn - Name is drawing a blank
Alison G - Lori, how can you do that when it is mandated that students get those specials so many minutes a week in Ohio?
Susan - We have the Blast Off books and spent some of Title one money on a Success center lab with computers and a teacher working on writing.
jj - I am really lucky - we have PE twice a week, art, music, and library once a week as well, and computer lab twice a week
marci - Thank you, Mr Falker, Oh, The Places You'll GO, The Paperbag Princess, just to name a few!
MK in IN - Jenn does it have a book a -f
Alison G - all of our title one money goes to the Success For All reading, and math programs
Jenn - I yeah thats it
tenten6 - I feel lucky to jj. We have art pe music computer lab and media once a week
Ginny in Ky - I must be REALLY lucky. We have PE every day, music once a week, and art once a week.
Susan - This year, we had a new school built up the road and now we've lost half our population, teachers and staff. This is tough. Has anyone gone through that?
Jenn - Hopes, Dreams, and Wishes is the first one
marci - i am lucky too...gym twice a week, art, library, music, computer lab,
MK in IN - Do you like it Jenn We do new adoption next year.
miflag - Is anyone doing a theme for the year? If so, what?
Alison G - we have pe 2 x's, music 2x's, art and library once....computer lab 15 min. every day
Susan - Yes, football.
jj - yes, except I was on the other end. I was in a small school that doubled in size
marci - MK...do you use pic books too?
swerky - We have music and pe 2 x's and Lib. computer and health 1 x
jj - My theme is based on the show "Survivor"
Jenn - Hopes, Dreams, and Wishes is the first one
miflag - 6 day block- pe and music 3 xs, art once, library once, computer lab 2xs
MO/WV - 2 PE, 2Music, 2 library
MK in IN - I am really pushing writing this year. I am going to use everything I can think of
Susan - Wow, that's interesting jj. How are you doing that? You too Jenn
Jenn - I dont like the wb though
MO/WV - neat idea jj
marci - MK....do you have any favorite pic books? I am always looking for new ideas!
Alison G - our writing scores are good...it's transferring what they know in reading to everything else
Jenn - thats my reading series lol
Kathy in PA - No themes, but we are going online for Olympics, AustraliaQuest, elections and MayaQuest.
jj - Each of the 4th grades are going to be a "tribe" and I made tags to look like the symbol they use on the show.
tenten6 - MK in IN, I made a new committment to writing this year also. I decided that I needed to include more real world reasons to write and not soley focus on the assessment
jj - Trying to think of an art project ot go with my theme
Jenn - I usually have them write about their dream house, car, etc
Jenn - illustrate it
marci - jj...what kinds of activities willyou do about survivor?
MK in IN - We just read in silently and do vocab on it the first day then read it outloud the second day with a quiz on vocab then listen to it on the third day and do a study guide on it then go over it on Friday and test
Alison G - They could make flags for their tribe
Skyler - In my state....we have 4th grade testing in writing narratives and it is very stressful
miflag - Am I the only one who hasn't been into their classroom yet? School starts in 9 days!!!
Susan - I do football because my AR board is a football board and I take my kids to an FSU football game. One of the FSU players is from our town and I challenge them to read so many books for a reading party. Last year, my 13 at risk third graders read over 2000 points for a reading party.
jj - like that - thanks Alison
tenten6 - Skyler, ours is also narrative but could either be imaginative or personal prompt
Skyler - NC?
Alison G - you could also have them make a paper mache' mask to represent their tribe?
marci - what kind of quizzes, MK, and for what book?
tenten6 - yes
jj - Keep them coming Alison:) :)
Ginny in Ky - Skyler, how many pieces do they have to write?
MK in IN - For our reading series. we do that sort of schedule
Alison G - LOL JJ I'm thinking
MO/WV - or even a paper mask stressing symmetry
Skyler - for the test or do I assign throughout the year?
Alison G - Did anyone send me star ideas? I must've missed them?
Susan - I'm not familiar with survivor. What are the tribes?
MK in IN - What do you mean star ideas
MO/WV - thinking alison
marci - is mae from Tx here?
jj - Is your opening theme stars alison?
tenten6 - Alison G- have you ever heard of Wish Giver, by Bill Brittain? It would be a good read aloud and kind of has the theme of be careful what you wish for
Ginny in KY - For the test.
Alison G - I have a bookshelf where the back is exposed so i thought i would have my kids make cooperative posters to represent their math teams...looking for a title to put on it .....continuing with my star theme
jj - One of the things I so with stars is called H"all" Stars. The class gets stars for hall behavior
Alison G - I can't do Wish Giver because our 5th grade uses it intently the following year..love the book though
Jenn - Skyler where do you get any info on narrative writing from?
Alison G - Oooh I like that JJ
Susan - jj, how do you do that? I don't know how long. They just told me we could start at 8.
MO/WV - All Star Math
Ginny in KY - Skyler,how many pieces for the test?
jj - Hey Now Your A "Math" Star - like Smashmouth
Ally - does anyone have advice for new 4th teacher
Skyler - one....it will either be a personal narrative or imaginary
MK in IN - There is a book called Laura's Star that is good
Alison G - JJ You are good!! and they would knw that song
Ginny in KY - We have four pieces!
tenten6 - Skyler I am in NC. are u?
jj - The class gets stars if they get complimentsfrom hall behavior - 10 stars =a small treat
Skyler - yowsers
Ginny in KY - Lots of good ideas here! Wish I were this creative!
Susan - jj, where do you come up with your ideas. They are great. So creative. Thanks for sharing.
MO/WV - read Harry Wong's book and Parents on your Side Ally
Alison G - Ally, go in strong!!!
Ginny in KY - Sklyer, plus they have a piece to write during the testing. The four pieces are a portfolio which we work on all year.
Skyler - yes...I'm in NC
Ally - sounds good, i read harry, got some good ideas from him
chloe/TX - JJ, who came up with the hall stars idea?
marci - How did you like Harry Wong's book, MO?
Ginny in KY - Ally, be consistent with their behavior.
MO/WV - It was great - worked on my procedures today
Kathy in PA - For bibliography, go to Sandra O'Barry's website: http://geocities.com/oberry1790/narrativebibliography.htm
jj - I got the survivor idea from the upper elementary chatboard and the H"all" star idea from a student teacher
Alison G - I LOVED Harry Wong...
Jenn - I dont like the part about putting up all those posters
Jenn - but in general it was good
tenten6 - Ginny- I wish I could have a portfolio instead of a one day test that decides whether or not my students are proficient writers. I keep a portfolio for them anyway but they are judged pretty much on a one day test.
Skyler - We keep writing portfolios for the year in my school, but writing is part of NC's accountability program for 4th and 7th
Ally - do you do much teaching the first week?
MO/WV - parents on your side has a great homework policy to draw from, also good open house ideas, and discipline plans
Skyler - the writing test is not a true measure of what the kids can do!!
tenten6 - Skyler, how are you all doing in your part of NC with writing. We have had a roller coaster ride of scores. Last year, we mad a 30 point gain.
Alison G - I start teaching the FIRST day....I just incorporate my rules/procedure expectations right along with it
Susan - I've done where if they get a compliment from me they get one point. If they get a compliment from someone else, they get two. I roll the dice and that is the number of points they have to have in hall behavior to get a treat. I call them slam dunk points.
marci - the first couple of days for me consist of getting to know you activities, and teaching procedures
Alison G - I start teaching the FIRST day....I just incorporate my rules/procedure expectations right along with it
marci - the first couple of days for me consist of getting to know you activities, and teaching procedures
marci - we begin units on the third day...we use the Responsive Classroom model
jj - I like yur idea of rolling the dice Susan
MO/WV - found this site yesterday - it was great! http://www.newmanagement.com/
MK in IN - I start teaching the first day but I incude fun things to do and I take no grades the first week
Jenn - The first three days are usually activites
Jenn - I will start SS on the Fri
jo - What is the responsive classroom?
Susan - I do an ice breaker. This year, I'm doing large puzzle pieces and letting them piece them together. If you have a large ellison machine. They have them.
Jenn - textbook is TOO big to wait any longer
Alison G - We spend our first two weeks doing an intense Getting Along program also...
Susan - I do an ice breaker. This year, I'm doing large puzzle pieces and letting them piece them together. If you have a large ellison machine. They have them.
Susan - I don't know what a responsive classroom is either
MO/WV - I'm doing a bingo type set up where they write the answer to their favorites and then find a buddy that matches
marci - responsive classroom is a model for community building, morning meeting, etc. here is their website http://www.responsiveclassroom.org
Ginny in KY - We are starting the curriculum on day 2.
marci - Susan...I am doing that activity too
Kathy in PA - We use Boys Town throughout school, so first days are spent reviewing procedures, building community, etc.
MO/WV - we start on a tuesday, therefore we will start in with everything on wed
Susan - Bye Jenn. What is Boys Town?
Alison G - which mailring are most of you on? I am only on the fourth grade one, should i be on another?
marci - There's a lot of info about responsive classroom....i have their handbook, and morning meeting book
marci - does anyone do morning meeting each day?
Alison G - I don't have time in the mornings so I have Class Council at the end of everyday
jo - i don't yet, but am interested in starting it up this year.
marci - it is a lot of fun....our morn mtg consist of greeting, sharing, activity, and newsboard
marci - maybe next week we can share specific ideas
jo - are your activites from responsive classroom?
marci - some are from the responsive classroom...some are from other teachers
Susan - Does anyone have a good idea for teaching reading comprehension.
marci - ok...you can do "telephone" a short message whispered to the person sitting next to you, I'm sure you're familiar with this one!
MO/WV - on worksheets, highlight answers to questions in the text
Alison G - in our reading program we have listening comp. everyday....I read aloud teaching a particular skill for 20 min. every day
jo - i use graphic organizers, charts, and discussions
MO/WV - KWL charts
Alison G - We cross out unnecessary information within text
marci - i only use 3 graphic organizers throughout the year for writing..too many really confuses my kids
Alison G - I agree marci..what do you use?
marci - four squares, t-charts, and KWL
jo - i just use graphic organizers for setting, plot, and character
marci - i use a lot of t-charts as venn diagrams
MO/WV - have any of you used the Kelly Wingate books on grammar, paragraph writing, reading comprehension
marci - yes, i almost forgot...i use a story map for teaching story elements
Alison G - not familiar with four squares?
Alison G - I LOVE tcharts
Susan - What are tcharts?
marci - four squares is basically a sheet of paper, folded into four boxes...
Alison G - two headings underlined with a line through the middle...good for comparing
marci - and it can be used for teaching the kids to write four paragraphs
Alison G - I use them for descriptive writing....what does something Look Like or Sounds like
marci - in the beginning of the year, i also use the hamburger model for teaching paragraph writing
MO/WV - we start off with a chart where we put the title, what do you thing the story will be about (after looking at pictures and title), prediction( after reading the first page), purpose for reading, change prediction(after reading more), visualize a part of the story, and finally summarize in a couple of sentences
Marci - can you elaborate on the descriptive writing alison?
Marci - great idea mo
Susan - Fourth grade teachers need alot of good books to teach writing and reading. Media specialist are important.
MO/WV - we share predictions and it is good for some of the poorer students to see that the smarter ones don't always get their prediction right
jo - has anyone heard of Lincoln Baldridge framework?
Susan - No, who or what is Lincoln Baldridge framework?
jo - I went to this seminar over the summer, it is a system to use in the classroom, like setting mission statements, goals
Susan - Same as me. I just got my class list. Do you have yours?
MO/WV - did you learn anything jo?
jo - I am going to use a lot of the info. They have the children use these data folders to keep track of their progrss by using graphs. I really liked the idea about making goals, and setting measure for them.
Susan - My problem is we are losing students everyday to the new school up the road. It is a K-8 school and students are leaving because they siblings are moving to middle school. I have 22 students on my list right now. But if we loose more teachers., I'll have 30 something. I teach in Panama City, Florida.
MO/WV - what part of florida susan? and what part of mass jo?
Susan - The northern panhandle. We have the famous white beaches.
jo - Last year was my first year. I was sooo amazed to see the things my children endured and overcame
jo - have you read love and logic?
Susan - I understand jo, I taught drop out prevention till this year. I love working with those kids. They are special to the heart.
MO/WV - read love and logic
Susan - Have you read the new book about Winn Dixie? That is a heartwarming book. Great read aloud.
jo - my school is starting to implement l L and L. Love DAHL!!
jo - does your school offer these novels, or do you buy them? L & L abv for love and logic, sorry!
Susan - Does anyone else have books picked by their state to read to children? We have Sunshine State books. They were great last year. Has anyone read Bug Boy,or Fire in the Sky?
Susan - What about 101 ways to bug your parents?
jo - that's awesome that your school has them. We just have basal which i can't stand. Have to get novels ourselves
marci - haven't heard of that one susan...is it good?
Susan - No, they are levelized by middle, beginning or intermediate levels.
MO/WV - our school has harcourt brace which I hate so use the old silver burdette a lot
Susan - We did a writing assignment. They had to come up with 101 ways to bug your students.
MO/WV - I am not allowed to use trade books for teaching reading
marci - we use harcourt brace for math, along with Terc Investigations
marci - really mo? wow!
Susan - You have to be kidding, MO?
MO/WV - I can read to them tho
Susan - What is wrong! Is it your principal or school district?
MO/WV - principal, but she does everything by the book
marci - we don't even own a basal in fourth grade
MO/WV - I read to them and we do worksheets on the chapters
jo - does anyone use centers?
jo - that's great marci
MO/WV - do the kids have to buy the novels or does the school supply them?
Susan - I would like too. Can't find the time. Do you have any good ideas?
marci - i sometimes wish we had a basal, just to refer to for the sequence of teaching skills
marci - the school supplies the novels
Susan - I like having a basal and supplemental books. Our reading series comes with trade books.
MO/WV - our old silver burdette was great - hopefully we will adopt that one again next year
jo - my principal wants us to use centers, i dont know much about them
MO/WV - we adopt new books every 6 years
marci - What is the silver burdette series called?
Susan - We have that now. We adopt reading books next year. We adopt every 5 years.
marci - what novels do you do?
MO/WV - Silver Secrets
MO/WV - Tales of a 4th grade nothing, running out of time, georges marvelous medicine
jo - zeely, trumpet of the swans, esio trot, how to eat fried worms
Susan - I don't know the name. I know we have 6 books to read through. The nice thing is that for every basal book, there are 2 trade books. I do a reading circus. I have one group with me. I group reading with a buddy a trade book and 1 group reading AR books. I don't have to have any worksheets or papers to grade.
MO/WV - have done fried worms in the past, ramona books
marci - have any of you read ella enchanted? if so, did you like it
MO/WV - haven't read it
Susan - No, does anyone use the Harry Potter books. I'm afraid of them.
jo - me either, looks hard
MO/WV - I can't get interested in them
marci - do you all read novels yourself before you read them to your kids?
jo - i haven't used harry potter. i leave it for the kids to enjoy by themselves
MO/WV - I do
Susan - I'm afraid they'll offend parents with religious view about witchcraft and wizardry.
jo - sometimes i do, if i don't i know it is a good sorce from other teachers
MO/WV - no sense in taking the chance when there are so many good books out there
marci - there are so many new novels i want to read this year, but i don't think i will get to reading them all beforehand...I just hate reading them for the first time when I read them aloud
jo - check to see if they are on tape, listen to them in the car.
marci - i totally agree MO
MO/WV - read some cute frog prince type stories this summer - can't remember their names tho
marci - good idea jo
Susan - I don't read the books beforehand. I like to be as surprised as the students at endings. If I come to something students shouldn't hear, I leave it out.
marci - good idea susan!
jo - do you have a lot of testing in your districts?
MO/WV - toooooo much jo
Susan - Most of the books in our libraries are safe. Yes we have alot of testing. ALOT!
jo - me too. it's horrible. everyone teaches the test to make our scores high, it sad.
MO/WV - our 4th grade has always been in the top three in the county - lot of pressure to keep it up
Susan - Our fourth graders are so scared they are going to fail. Some of them freeze up on tests Some students are not good test takers.
MO/WV - I tell them it is a time to show off what they have learned all year
MO/WV - we have IGO's we have to master - must be what is on the test, altho teachers are not allowed to look at the test
jo - we have district tests for each subj, plus state testing
MO/WV - this has been great tonight - I dont much care for the regular chatrooms
marci - Have a good night!
Susan - Goodnight. See you next Sunday.
