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judy - I've been doing some professional reading today since I was home sick and I'm all fired up.
Brad/3 - good for you. I am all fired up too because today is Fri. and I don't have to go back until Wed.
judy - Your screen okay?
judy - Why the time off?
Brad/3 - Professional Dev. Mon and Tues
judy - What subject?
Brad/3 - something called Baldridge, I think it has to do with school organization.
judy - Organization like classroom management? I've never heard of it.
Brad/3 - my district throws everything to the wall hoping something will stick
Brad/3 - organization, like committee work and such. . . I was given no info prior.
judy - What state are you in? I'm in CA--as is Kim! Hi Kim!
judy - Yuck, Brad, I detest that kind of meeting--I'd much rather be with kids.
Kim/K/SCal - Hi Judy.....sorry I am late.
Brad/3 - what my district doesn't realize is that perhaps if they streamlined what they have rather than add more, maybe we could really "focus" and improve
Kim/K/SCal - What a concept, Brad! LOL
judy - How true, Brad!
Brad/3 - Imagine, Kim.
Brad/3 - call me a dreamer
judy - My district likes to think of itself as "cutting edge" so we "explore" a lot, too.
Brad/3 - district is extremely top heavy as well.
Kim/K/SCal - Mine seems to gravitate towards PROGAMS. Rather than professionals. And what is best for children.
Brad/3 - love those euphemisms, judy
Kim/K/SCal - "top heavy....." sounds familiar. Mind had to add another building......LOL
judy - However, since my district is big on MOT and encouraging my work with Writer's Workshop, I am happy.
Brad/3 - Mine is onto a "literacy czar" who will employ literacy coaches throughout the district.
Kim/K/SCal - Oh yes Judy! LOL! Our curriculum director (who has never actually taught) calls ability groups "achievement grouping."
judy - Brad, we have had Lit Coaches for 2 years--and ours is a treasure!
Brad/3 - our lit coach (from what I hear) will be responsible for several buildings and be replacing people who work directly with children
Kim/K/SCal - ....silly me, but WHAT will happen to the children the people she replaces work with...........?
judy - Oh that sounds awful, Brad. Our Lit Coach supports teachers....and she really does.
Brad/3 - So instead of three Title teachers, my building will have a literacy coach who may stop in twice next year.
Kim/K/SCal - I love the spaghetti analogy Brad. I use it a lot with my grad students. Throwing spaghetti at their SCHEMA.
Brad/3 - and I think i had just convinced one of my title's to push in next year rather than pull out
curious - Just joining in on the conversation, but I would like everyone to know how lucky they are to even have lit coaches. Our district would never consider it.
Kim/K/SCal - No good deed goes unpunished Brad.
Brad/3 - i'm waiting to see where ours is concerned.
judy - hi curious
curious - hi
Brad/3 - so what professional reading has you all fired up judy?
Brad/3 - spaghetti?
Kim/K/SCal - Let me guess.......hmmmmmm.........MOT, Wondrous Words, and Reading with Meaning.
curious - Tell me about Wondrous Words.
Kim/K/SCal - You were talking about throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing if some of it will stick....... or was that JUDY? Yikes.
Brad/3 - i get it now, kim
judy - I'm reading Wondrous Words. Today I read a bit where she describes "envisioning" as a process that runs through the writing process. The actually held kids off drafting for 2 weeks and studied published works in order to find different ways to envision their own work. I've only done Writer's Workshop this year, so I'm very excited about this concept.
Brad/3 - Wondrous Words is excellent, curious. Has anyone seen her latest on amazon?
Kim/K/SCal - har har har, huh, Brad? It's this delayed reaction thing on the computer.
Kim/K/SCal - I just started WW. I LOVE the way the author talks about how WRITERS read differently. You look at the crafting.
curious - Who is the author? What age group is it targeted for?
Brad/3 - I would love to set up my writer's workshop in the style of wondrous words.
judy - I bought her latest, too, Brad, and the little bit I've read is fabulous, but I'm waiting now to read it with my study partner.
Brad/3 - what is the title
judy - Katie Wood Ray--elementary.
Kim/K/SCal - I just started it curious........ I am looking for professional growth in the teaching of writing. I would say that it is targeted for primary..........but applicable all the way up?
judy - Go for it, Brad! I LOVE my WW more than anything I've ever done in teaching!
Kim/K/SCal - JUDY...... she wrote another book? Oh heaven help me.............. title?
Brad/3 - do you have it set up like WW?
Brad/3 - WW is just so truly, well, wondrous. If my workshop were like that, I would have a smile on my face.
curious - Thanks Judy. Would it work for 6th? We are still in the elementary building.
Brad/3 - I actually think it would work best for 4,5,6
judy - Puff, puff...I just ran downstairs for "The Writing Workshop, Working through the hard parts (And they're all hard parts)"
judy - Brad, yes, I do.
curious - Why is that Brad?
Kim/K/SCal - That's the title?
judy - Kim, yup, now do you see why I can never remember the title, LOL?
Brad/3 - Her style and structure is just so, literary, and graceful. It's hard to describe the graciousness I feel her workshops have.
Kim/K/SCal - Hi to Brenda...... LOL, Judy.......
Brad/3 - (as if I've been there) LOL
Brenda - Hi Kim
Brad/3 - once in a while I still dream about living in that rarefied classroom of theory.
judy - curious, sure--her premise is that we need to teach kids to read like writers...so we read tons of good lit as examples. I think it's brilliant and would work for any grade.
Kim/K/SCal - Oh yes......... In the PERFECT world. Sigh...........
Brad/3 - hello alta rose.
Alta Rose / 1 - Hi everyone!
judy - Hi, Alta Rose
Brad/3 - I'm considering ways the theory could be more practical (although WW has some practical suggestions) Is the 2nd book more practical, judy?
Kim/K/SCal - Yes..... this idea that you use GOOD WRITING, in the form of excellent literature, as a FRAME for good writing........ "tis the good reader that makes the good book....."
Kim/K/SCal - It's like the MOT idea of SYNTHESIS. Achieving that SYNTHESIS gets the kids reading books as writers........... getting that affective connection.
Ric - looking for Texas Teachers can one help
Alta Rose / 1 - You guys are way ahead of me! I just got MOT!
Kim/K/SCal - Mae from Texas is expected shortly, right, Judy?
judy - I've only read a little of each book, but she states that the second book is not for WW novices--and it's simply terrific so far!
Brenda - I must finished reading it.
Brad/3 - my kids just are not from that world of literacy and that's why my initial attempts at WW failed.
Kim/K/SCal - Alta........ you like MOT so far?
Brad/3 - it's hard to read like a writer when you don't even read like a reader yet.
Alta Rose / 1 - What do you mean, Brad? L:iteracy isn't promoted at home?
Brad/3 - when i tried to explain some of the different structures in WW, they were like, "Huh?"
Brad/3 - inner city
curious - Our district recently purchased the video series for Strategies That Work (we had to pull teeth to get it). While watching the series, I am motivated, however, I am located in a tiny room, crammed wall to wall with large sixth graders. We can hardly move throughout the room. The videos show gigantic classrooms! I came to the realization that their "meeting" or carpeted area was the size of my entire classroom.
judy - Brad, a lot of the reading I'm talking about is my reading aloud.
Kim/K/SCal - I know what you are saying Brad. HOW to achieve this atmosphere is the challenge because they don't think critically. Yet.
Brad/3 - oh, curious, I know how you feel
kathyb - Hi, everyone -- I have barely started MOT, but I think I would sure like WW. And now you tell me that there is a 2nd book!
Alta Rose / 1 - I just got it in the mail, Kim. I haven't really started to read it yet. But it looks like a "friendly" book to read--not too technical!
Kim/K/SCal - Just WAIT, curious, till you read about Debbie Miller's classroom in MOT. Oh brother............!
Brad/3 - how do you get to yet, kim?
Kim/K/SCal - ((((((KATHY!!!!!!))))))))) my fwend......
Kim/K/SCal - You tell me, Brad. We'
Kim/K/SCal - we will make big bucks, brad.......
Brad/3 - LOL
Kim/K/SCal - YES JUDY....... Read aloud is the biggest component.
judy - curious, the people from my district who have visited those classrooms in Colorado SWEAR they are average size. Our Lit coach says Miller's classroom is just regular--which we all question every time we see the video or pics in her book.
judy - Hi Kathy!
curious - Kim, tell me more about Debbie Miller's classroom.
Brad/3 - I've really started thinking a lot lately about being more explicit, especially in think-alouds. Learned a little this week on a site rogerfarr.com
Alta Rose / 1 - One of my collegues would like me to present MOT at Monday's staff meeting and suggest it for a book study. I know I'll start reading it tomorrow, but won't finish on Monday. I know it has to do with enhancing reading comprehension. Any other important points I could bring up?
Kim/K/SCal - "regular?" judy..........? somebody is yanking a chain here. Not that I begrudge them all their high end demographics and endless budgets for "mind journey" books..........oh no...........
Kim/K/SCal - Oh Alta...... there is SO much in the book. Yes, reading comprehension is the BIG IDEA.
Kim/K/SCal - well, the picture in MY mind of her classroom is this HUGE place. But it has rugs, lamps, rocking chairs, cozy reading spots, and lots and lots of STICKY NOTES.
judy - Kim, LOL, okay, our rooms are about 25' square (I think). Does that sound about right for a CA school built in 1950?
Brad/3 - brb
curious - Judy -They must come up with good camera angles then. My room is approximately 20 ft. x 40 ft. We are sardines.
Kim/K/SCal - Alta, it is a friendly read........ the "connections" are important. The book is based upon the work of J. David Pearson. Premier reading researcher.
judy - Alta, go for it--none of you will be sorry. Last year (our second year of MOT) we had teacher-led seminars for each strategy and they were wonderful!
Kim/K/SCal - where is Kathy......... is somebody sitting on her?
Alta Rose / 1 - I'm really looking forward to reading it.
kathyb - Judy, I am so jealous. I'd love any book study.
Kim/K/SCal - Me too, Kathy.......... you know how I feel about it.
Kim/K/SCal - did brad go for snacks...?
Brad/3 - back
judy - curious, I don't think the rooms have a full complement of student desks. And they must have somewhere to store all their books.
kathyb - No, Kim, no one is sitting on me, except because of my hand I'm no typing very good.
Alta Rose / 1 - Connections are like "Text to Self" "Text to the World" etc?
Brad/3 - i see now we're mooning over large rooms with cozy reading corners.
Kim/K/SCal - YES, Alta. Text to text, text to self, text to world......... think aloud, synthesis.........
kathyb - Next year they are talking about a book study, but on Guskey's book on Assessments.
Brad/3 - put kids to bed, kim, but snacks sound good now. mmmm.... donut
curious - kathyb - I'm with you. I would love to have ANY book study. Noone in my building would be receptive to that one!
Kim/K/SCal - We can MOON Brad. Remember the perfect world.
Brad/3 - me too curious.
Brad/3 - mmmm..... moon pie
judy - Brad, I wanted to comment on your "explicit" remark--my Lit Coach swears by explicit teaching--and gradual release of responsibility. I tease her that these are just new-fangled words for good teaching.
Kim/K/SCal - brad you're not drooling like Homer now, are you?
Alta Rose / 1 - What's a Lit coach? (Pardon my ignorance.)
Brad/3 - true, judy, but I think somewhere along the way we've forgotten. Sometimes we assign instead of teach. I've been trying to improve on this in recent weeks.
Alta Rose / 1 - Hi, naneb!
naneb - Hi, everyone
Brad/3 - mmmmmmm....large classrooms
kathyb - I have two cozy corners in my hexagon open space room -- the fishing corner complete with a tackle basket and the butterfly garden complete with a garden bench.
Kim/K/SCal - Alta........gradual release of responsibility too,another big idea. you see, the whole point of ANY balanced literacy program is to TEACH the kids to employ the meaningful strategies themselves. MOT and WW and Debbie's book try to show us how to do it. we are limited because we are not THERE.
curious - Judy - I agree. With the desks and the large students that I have, we have zero available space for a "cozy corner." It is difficult to implement MOT, STW, etc.
Brad/3 - hey naneb
judy - Kathy and Kim, book studies are the BEST. Ours are optional and on our own time. Last year some of us read In the Company of Children together. This year my study partner and I read Calkins book on standardized testing (her pick) and next we're reading Ray's WW book.
judy - Hi Nan!!!!!
kathyb - Alta Rose, we don't have lit coach, either.
curious - kathyb - are you serious??????????????????
Kim/K/SCal - judy have you read any other calkins?
naneb - Hi, Brad, Alta rose, Judy
Brad/3 - a hexagon room, kathyb? cool.
Kim/K/SCal - hi to naneb............
Brad/3 - "That's tight," as my students would say
naneb - Hi, kim
judy - Hexagon! That's fabulous!
Brad/3 - Calkins "Art of teaching reading" is excellent, kim
Kim/K/SCal - yes, brad......have that one. lots of good insights........also her "art of teaching writing"
judy - Kim, do you use Fountas and Pinnell with your students?
Alta Rose / 1 - Lit coach--Is that a consultant for teaching reading and writing?
Brad/3 - I actually did a paper on this in college, and the "ideal" classroom is a Fat L
curious - I know that Debbie Miller's new book is geared for primary. Does anyone know if the material would be adaptable to 6th?
kathyb - Brad, not cool, as I am loud. With open space you can rarely use a CD without bothering your neighbors! I did make room for the two corners and put shower curtains up in the windows.
Kim/K/SCal - judy........ i don't have much opportunity with kinder....... and the remedial kids are difficult to manage in ANY size group.
judy - Alta Rose, for our district...each school has a full time Lit Coach to help teachers with their reading and writing programs--programs we are trusted to implement in the best possible manner in the way we, as professionals, see fit. She is truly a saint.
Brad/3 - alta, in my school it remains to be seen what the "lit coach" will be. My district is not real big on communicating what the position will actually be.
Kim/K/SCal - but I have the F&P book as well as Cunningham's guided reading...............
curious - Judy - I have recently dipped into F & P after attending their conference in November.
Alta Rose / 1 - What happens if you and the Lit coach don't agree? Just curious.
Kim/K/SCal - I will have an opportunity though, to start using the methods. I am changing districts and my NEW job may be a K-1 combo.
judy - curious, I went to see them, too. I love that book.
kathyb - I thought Wondrous Words included picture books to introduce writing. Is that so? How about in her new book?
Kim/K/SCal - i think so kathyb..........
judy - Alta Rose, it's up to the teacher. The Lit Coach tries to guide us (and she has wonderful vision), but we are free to say no (so far).
Brad/3 - i think my earlier question got lost. Judy, is the 2nd book more practical (Ray)
Kim/K/SCal - good question brad and good observation.
curious - I do too. I would love to hear more on Guided Reading. Our conference was a one day and they ran out of time when they reached that point. I also saw Nancie Atwell the following day at her conference (why not go for broke?). She was equally as awesome! It was almost overwhelming!
judy - Brad, I think I answered you vaguely. It's not for teachers new to WW, she says, and it's not "structured." If you ask me, it's perfect, but I've got one year of WW under my belt.
kathyb - I am so excited, I had better get the books soon, while I am still on medical leave.
Brad/3 - which would you recommend, judy
Kim/K/SCal - curious..... i have nancie atwell's book. ........... i like it.
curious - kathyb- I LOVE using picture books with my 6th graders to introduce strategies, be they reading or writing.
judy - Nancie Atwell is my GUIDING LIGHT!!!! I would love to see/hear her. When I was researching how to do WW last summer, I kept reading references to her, so I bought a used copy of In the Middle. It was my true guidebook for WW. Lucky you, curious!
Kim/K/SCal - using pic books goes back to that idea that you can teach kids to write by having them inspired by GOOD READING
kathyb - Curious, you are so right. Picture books work with all ages -- even adults.
judy - Brad, I have 2 children and they're both favorites.
Kim/K/SCal - i want to come see JUDY teach...............
Kim/K/SCal - brad.......you could try nancie atwell's "in the middle"
Brad/3 - that equal, huh?
kathyb - My daughter stopped by for supper tonight and I had to read to her one of my new purchases... THE MAGIC HAT by Mem Fox. (She is 24.)
Brad/3 - I have read Atwell's book and it is Excellent, but. . . a little too independent for my level 2/3
Kim/K/SCal - LOL Kathy........... i love "tough boris"
judy - Kim, wow, what a compliment! And I agree, picture books are the way to teach! My poor husband hates our Amazon bill. Thanks, Kim!
curious - judy - Nancie was great! You walked away inspired and ready to go. I have been interjecting bits and pieces into my program. I hope to take the time this summer to reorganize my program and implement more of hers.
judy - Ooooh, I love Mem Fox, too!
Kim/K/SCal - OOH...brad....... i misunderstood. duh.
Kim/K/SCal - raise your hand if CYNTHIA RYLANT is the all time queen of children
Kim/K/SCal - literature
Brad/3 - hand raised.
Alta Rose / 1 - OK!
curious - I have too many favorites to pick just one.
Brad/3 - there is no book of hers that doesn't lend itself to some aspect of good writing or MOT or the strategies or just plain relevance to children's lives.
kathyb - I will raise my hand, too.
judy - Okay, story: My teenage daughter works at Baskin Robbins. One day the UPS guy stopped in for ice cream and was flirting with her and tried to show off his memory. He asked her address and when she replied, he gasped, "Oh, the BOOKS!"
Kim/K/SCal - mem fox too, of course.......but i would give a body part to meet cynthia rylant...........
judy - Hand raised!!!
Kim/K/SCal - lolololol judy............ the office staff at school calls me the "Amazon Queen." even made me a certificate.
judy - Kim, soulmate.
Kim/K/SCal - hee hee hee.......... so many books. so little time.
kathyb - I have the school librarian coming to me to "borrow" books to read aloud.
curious - judy and kim - I have a coworker that is our Amazon Queen. On our salary, I think she had to take a loan to continue her addiction!
Kim/K/SCal - i make my credential students listen to a whole lecture on cynthia rylant. and i bring in a shrine.. they better worship or they lose points.
Brad/3 - i was curbed. I just lick the window now and drool
Alta Rose / 1 - I know I sure noticed when I taught Gr. 2 and we did a lot of story writing--The kids who had been exposed to lots of books had a much better idea of story structure, which they applied to their own writing.
Kim/K/SCal - i hear you curious. point and click can be deadly.
judy - Okay, then, I'll confess that I also love Eve Bunting. Recently someone gave me her autobiography and I thought it might be a little dry for the kids (even though it's a kids' book). I read it for a WW lesson and my kids were totally engrossed and had a zillion comments. They loved hearing her mention "real" books that we've read over the course of the year.
Kim/K/SCal - oh yes, alta rose........ you are so right. it goes back to the idea of 1000 hours of literacy experiences....... a MUST.
kathyb - ADDICTION is right, but I don't care... my grandchildren will know that their grandmother LOVED books. No, Kim, this is not an annoucement!
Brad/3 - how many times a day do you all read aloud. And when?
Kim/K/SCal - LOL kathy..........and BRAD. lick the window..........ha ha ha ha
judy - I read aloud one picture book every day to open our shared reading, and often I'll read another for WW, SS or Science.
Alta Rose / 1 - I don't know if you have access to Joanne Moore in the US--She studied many books and saw that there are a few basic patterns most books are based on: Circle story, copycat story, switch story, etc. So she talks about teaching kids those patterns, along with a couple of powerful writing techniquses--Show Don't Tell and use of the senses. It works great!
Brad/3 - does anyone else believe some of these books though are an outrage in price?
Kim/K/SCal - shared reading after centers and read aloud after recess.......... at least 3-4 titles per day. all genres. .......... i preach the gospel of read aloud and i live it. i love jim trelease too.
curious - I read aloud once everyday.....which is a rarity for my grade level in my area. My students just LOVE it. I do too!
judy - Kathy, LOL, and I've told my husband that my "collection" of adult books is for my retirement.
Brad/3 - Alta, do you have any more info on her? A website or book? (preferably website, licking window here)
Kim/K/SCal - brad you are smearing the screen........
kathyb - Yes, Judy, I do the same. I love reading for Science, since that is definitely not a strong area for me.
judy - Brad, yes, thank goodness for Scholastic.
Kim/K/SCal - BONUS POINTS ROCK
Alta Rose / 1 - I don't know if she has a website. I will check. Her book is Writing With Results.
Kim/K/SCal - Alta where are you?
curious - I guess I should clarify that I read aloud from a novel everyday. Then I also read aloud any picture books that I think might apply to the minilesson I am teaching in ALL other subjects. It doesn't have to be in reading only. I read aloud in S.S., math, science, whenever I can.
Brad/3 - i'm speaking of the price on professional books. Some are going for upwards of 35$ now!
Alta Rose / 1 - I am in Alberta, Canada. Joanne Moore is from Calgary, Alberta.
Kim/K/SCal - okay........ i would love to visit canada someday........ i hear it is lovely
kathyb - I told my sub, that if the day gets rough, then stop teaching and go to the fishing pond or butterfly garden and just read to the class.
Brad/3 - the good ones that is
Brad/3 - fishing pond? butterfly garden?? do they actually look this way?
judy - Oh, shoot, I'm always reading one chapter book aloud, too, but that one just has to fit in here and there. The others are all planned parts of lessons--usually to go with the MOT strategies.
Kim/K/SCal - it's true brad....... the I.R.A. tempts me all the time with their book club. bunches of books for bunches of bucks.
Alta Rose / 1 - brb
Brad/3 - i am looking to incorporate WAY more read-aloud this year. I found myself even not having read aloud once for two weeks before testing time. (spank me with spaghetti noodle)
Kim/K/SCal - bad brad!
Brad/3 - (and see if it sticks, right, Kim)?
kathyb - Yes, my fishing pond has two plastic chairs, a small table, a fishing tackle basket, and the window has a pond scene with lots of frogs.
Brad/3 - anything in the tackle?
Kim/K/SCal - just keep flingin' it........ something has to stick
kathyb - My butterfly garden has a real teak garden bench that 3 can sit in. The window has a butterfly shower curtain. Oh, and hanging from the ceiling is a Monarch butterfly puppet. Rainbow Fish is hanging from the ceiling in the other corner.
Brad/3 - wow, kathyb, i need to do something like that.
curious - I read from a novel each day after they return from PE. It helps them settle down.
Kim/K/SCal - kathyb........brad is licking the screen again. the fishing tackle did it.
Brad/3 - i want less desks, more couches and beanbags!!
judy - Another reason I buy books is that the kids make much better connections when they can SEE the book. We'll be reading one and someone will start talking of another, so we'll often show the other one--and everyone sighs, "Oh, yeah!
Kim/K/SCal - i want a bathtub with claw feet. and a teepee.......and an igloo.
Brad/3 - k teacher down from me has tipi.
Kim/K/SCal - .......and a lexus
judy - Brad, you need to see the STW videos--they have fewer desks and some lowlowlow tables (legs cut almost all the way off).
Brad/3 - an igloo would be cool, what would you make it from?
Brad/3 - LOL, Kim, while we're at it.
kathyb - Yes, Brad, like Richard Allington says the "Blessed Books." I put my most recent selections in there for me to read from as often as possible.
curious - I was kicked off!
judy - Kim, ROFLOL! I'll take a Lexus, too.
Brad/3 - Story--Some girl in my class kept coming up to me complaining her desk was wobbly
Brad/3 - finally, one day her desk fell apart (On purpose?) Anyway, i discovered the legs are screwed in and I can adjust them to any height.
Kim/K/SCal - yes......bless the books! merchandise them. trelease has a whole chapter on that..........the rain gutters, remember?
kathyb - Brad, shower curtains and those cheap tension rods work in most windows without drilling holes into the bricks.
Brad/3 - should i go in and lower all my desks or will others be PO'ed?
curious - judy, thoses low tables wouldn't work for 6th grade.
Kim/K/SCal - the igloo......you make it with hot glue and plastic milk jugs.
Brad/3 - i want rain gutters too.
Kim/K/SCal - lower them all and give them mats to sit on......wear a kimono
Brad/3 - (I'm swimming in drool now LOL)
Brad/3 - KIM, you are cracking me up
Kim/K/SCal - lower them without TELLING them. act natural
kathyb - Kim, no lexus in your room, not with a that stuff that belongs to your room partner.
judy - Kim, did you see them? They're aren't any chairs--you just sort of scoot up to the table.
curious - Brad, what will you do with the rain gutters
Kim/K/SCal - gawwwwllllllll..........the packrats of the world have a QUEEN. I share a room with her.
judy - oops, that was for curious'
Brad/3 - some of my kids might enjoy SQUIRT time sitting in a Lexus. My door is next to cafeteria loading ramp. . . Hmmm. . .
Kim/K/SCal - SQUIRT time in a Lexus. That is the life............. sigh. Who asked bout the rain gutters?
Brad/3 - curious, keep rain in them of course. No, seriously, they hold books with covers facing out.
curious - judy, I guess I missed that part. I was too engrossed in the open meeting area that she had.
Brad/3 - does anyone have the website for the pic of the raingutters in action?
Kim/K/SCal - you screw the rain gutters into a low wall and merchandise your books facing out. check out jim trelease's web site.... there is a pic
curious - I would like to see that too
kathyb - Curious, go to Jim Trelease's site and you will see raingutters filled with books. Calloway House now has wire things that work in a similar fashion.
Kim/K/SCal - i think it is www.trelease-on-reading.com
Brad/3 - if you give me some time, I'll try to find the link and paste it in.
judy - curious, you know what, I think those low tables were in Reading with Meaning--she has quite a few pictures in that book. But I'll admit I have a more traditional arrangement, desks clustered into 4s, with everything sort of jammed together (it's really tough to walk across the room when the kids are seated) so we can have a big sitting area at the front of the room for READ ALOUDS.
Alta Rose / 1 - I guess Joanne doesn't have a website. It's too bad. Her stuff is really good.
curious - Brad, are we talking actually guttering that you would put on your house? How are they mounted? I have plaster walls, almost 100 years old, that NOTHING will penetrate. I was knocked off the ladder once trying to use an electric staple gun. I thought that I would be the victor, but the wall won!
Kim/K/SCal - the hard thing is.....you can't have that many books because a lot of books won't fit. and the choices overwhelm the kids..... so you set out the ones you merchandise.............rotate.
Brad/3 - If I ever get rid of this cough, I will never ask for Lexus or raingutters or frog pond again. Amen
Brad/3 - LOL, curious, i just had this funny mental picture of you headed straight backwards off the ladder by your gun like a cartoon
Kim/K/SCal - oh yes..........she also has TABLECLOTHS on the tables..
Brad/3 - Yes, K, I've thought of that.
curious - judy, my desks take up almost every available space in my room.
kathyb - Kim, those are dishtowels.
Kim/K/SCal - yes curious........actual raingutters. you screw them in . picture them as SHELVING......
Brad/3 - dishtowels?
judy - kathyb, wow, those are the biggest dishtowels I've ever seen! I thought they were tablecloths, too.
Kim/K/SCal - dishtowels???
kathyb - Curious, once you see the pictures, you will LOVE it.
Brad/3 - dishtowels with the strategies printed on them? why on earth would she have dishtowels
judy - ROFLOL, tablecloths on the tables--or are they dishtowels?
kathyb - Okay, I got mixed up. Sorry, and I was thinking about something else. OOPS!
curious - Are you serious about dishtowels?
Kim/K/SCal - brad pay attention....... she decorated the tables and laid tablecloths that look like dishtowels on them. .............. picture YOUR kids with tablecloths on their desks............???????????
curious - I have some "cloth" on a few small primary desks in my room. I bought scrap fabric.
judy - Kathy, thanks for the chuckles, I've been sick and the laughing helps tons!
Brad/3 - http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/rah_chpt6_p4.html#rain-gutter
kathyb - FORGET THE DISHTOWELS, my mind was wondering.....
Kim/K/SCal - .....but we are FIXATED on the dishtowels now. and BRAD telling his children to NOT mark up the dishtowels that he put over their desks in order to be festive.
Brad/3 - I will never be able to pick up a dishtowel again. ROFLOLCMAU
kathyb - I think I might get some tablecloths and write strategies on them. Which book did this come from?
Kim/K/SCal - i've been under the weather too.......... i do feel better now. you all helped.
judy - Back to the videos, when we watch them, the less than sterling teachers use little differences (like the size of the classroom, the size of the kids, the materials) to prove why MOT won't work.
Brad/3 - okay, stop, stop, (tears)
Kim/K/SCal - i can see that happening judy....... the nitpickers who fixate on things like festive dishtowels.
Brad/3 - did you get the link for raingutters, curious?
kathyb - Kim, I think you are hearing some thunder!
Brad/3 - I said, stop, now!! :=O
judy - Kim, ROFLOL, and I had just got myself under control and was trying to get serious. Now I'm laughing hysterically again! THANKS!
Alta Rose / 1 - Those pictures are cool! I just called my hubby in to look at them! I don't have near enough storage for all my books!
Brad/3 - thunder?
judy - Kathy, what does that mean? Thunder?
Kim/K/SCal - several years back, brad........ when i would crack kathy up she would say it is "thundering in iowa......." .......her laughter.
Brad/3 - kathy, are you kathy from iowa that was in here a week or so ago
judy - Please don't sing, Thunder only happens when it dishtowels.
kathyb - Yes, Brad, when I laugh loud, Kim used to tell me that she could hear the "thunder" of my laughter.
Brad/3 - i was thinking a different thunder, but i'm sure this chat goes in archives.
Brad/3 - judy, reading my mind
curious - One of the first "complaints" i heard from others when we watched the first video was, "This will never work. What is everyone else doing in the classroom?"
Brad/3 - Thunder is why i need the raingutters.
Kim/K/SCal - i met kathy here on t-net about 3 years ago........on the EC childhood chatboard. she has become an eMail pal.
Kim/K/SCal - players only love you when they're playing............
Brad/3 - curious, who are the others?
Brad/3 - and if someone says Nichole Kidman, I"ll log off/
kathyb - No, Brad, that is another Kathy. She is a reading consultant in Northern Iowa. I teach 1st in SE Iowa.
curious - There are a handful of teachers in our district who came to "investigate" these new ideas of MOT, STW, etc.
judy - curious, right, we wondered about that, too! Lit coach said they sometimes do remove kids when they're filming for the sake of the audio track. Right, we said skeptically. I love MOT, but I do want the videos to look a little like my classroom--or at least possible.
Kim/K/SCal - i think that the naysayers naysay because they feel insecure about new ideas. these new ideas, like MOT, are very hard to implement............ they feel threatened and overwhelmed. so they nitpick
Brad/3 - I"m talking about the "everyone else" you said was in the classroom
Brad/3 - thank you judy, I cleared up now.
Brad/3 - it's the same with marilyn burns videos. Never more than a small handful of students.
Brad/3 - it's the same with marilyn burns videos. Never more than a small handful of students.
Brad/3 - it's the same with marilyn burns videos. Never more than a small handful of students.
Brad/3 - it's the same with marilyn burns videos. Never more than a small handful of students.
Brad/3 - what did I do?
Kim/K/SCal - if you have watched marilyn burns math videos......same thing. perfect classroom, perfect kids, perfect lesson.......
curious - Kim, exactly! In fact, some teachers were so set in their ways, that they chose not to attend the videos so they wouldn't feel like they needed to change. In fact, one asked if the book STW came with dittos!
Brad/3 - IT's all the dishtowels. roflmao
Kim/K/SCal - they feel threatened by the dishtowels. they prefer paper towels
Brad/3 - You said you were my friend. . .
Brad/3 - You said you were my friend. . .
Brad/3 - You said you were my friend. . .
curious - Brad, the everyone else refers to the other students that were "supposedly" there.
judy - Kim, you're absolutely right about the naysayers. This year about a thousand people (slight hyperbole) watched our WW so that the Lit Coach could say, "This is her first year with WW, so you can do it, too."
kathyb - YEs, but in the MB videos the questions are gender specific. OOPS!
Brad/3 - as i was saying, there's also the halo effect that they know they're on video (depressants) blah, blah, blah.
judy - Brad, do the dishtowels have you stuttering?
Kim/K/SCal - yes........... the most meaningful, i guess, is to actually SEE it in action. but that isn't always possible. so we have the videos............
curious - Not to change the subject, but I just remembered that I am going to attend Eileen's conference for MOT in December this year! I can't wait!
Brad/3 - where, curious?
judy - Who is Eileen?
Kim/K/SCal - i am jealous, curious.......want to go too
Brad/3 - come on, eileen, judy
Alta Rose / 1 - Are the videos MOT videos, STW videos, etc?
kathyb - I am jealous, too.
judy - Brad, I'm serious, Eileen who????
Kim/K/SCal - i think they are STW videos.........
Alta Rose / 1 - Where do you order these videos from?
Kim/K/SCal - .........i think she means "ellen"
Brad/3 - I think Ellen is what curious means. Ellen Keene.
curious - Is it Eileen? I think maybe I misspelled her name.
kathyb - Maybe our teacher center has the MOT videos to check out.
judy - Oh, sorry! Of course, ELLEN, my personal guru!
Kim/K/SCal - ellen, eileen........ is that a SEMANTIC error or a graphophonic error?
curious - The video I spoke of was STW. The conference I will attend is in St. Louis.
Brad/3 - i was referencing Dexy's Midnight Runners.
judy - kathy, they're actually STW videos.
curious - THank you...it is Ellen. I knew that Eileen didn't look, nor sound right.
Kim/K/SCal - the stw videos are BIG BUCKS kathy............
Brad/3 - again with the overpricing (and on OUR salary!)
judy - You order them from the publisher--I think it's Heinemann or Stenhouse.
kathyb - I am going to try to check out those STW videos, but I must get my VCR to work.
Brad/3 - they're like ninety, right, judY?
curious - Our video series for STW cost $450...I think
Kim/K/SCal - yeah........like who do they think is going to BUY the videos? they are under the mistaken impression we go home and roll nekked in our money or something.......
judy - II think they're something like $400, Brad.
Brad/3 - or in dishtowels?
curious - Check out Heinemann for the conference listing for Eleen Keene. That is where we found the one in St. Louis.
Alta Rose / 1 - Oh, they'd be a lot more for me! Slightly out of my price range! LOL.
Kim/K/SCal - Lexus dreams or NO Lexus dreams. $500 bucks falls out of the sky I am buying MO BOOKS BABY!
Brad/3 - my bad, judy, that's even worse.
judy - curious, she is inspiring. I've seen her speak several times and I seriously worship at her feet.
curious - The video series was purchased by our superintendent. He has begun taking an interest in our drive for balanced literacy.
Brad/3 - so judy, could you give me more infor on how you structure your workshop more in the style of WW? email if need be.
kathyb - Kim, we have a media center that buys videos for the districts in our area to check out. My pockets aren't that DEEP! I spent too much on my fishing pond and butterfly garden. LOL
Kim/K/SCal - i like your superintendent. putting money where the mouth is.......... it's a start
Brad/3 - LOL
Kim/K/SCal - You and your MEDIA CENTER. oh brother. me in my po' little run down rural desert school district........... just us and the rattlesnakes.........
curious - Is it a bad sign when your husband falls asleep on the couch waiting for you to end your chat session?
Alta Rose / 1 - Well, I think I'm going to call it a night, and go start reading MOT. Thanks, everyone!
Kim/K/SCal - LOL curious....... mine left the house and came back again and I didn't notice he was gone.........
curious - Kim, I agree. My rural school doesn't even have a library, let alone a media center. Ha!
Kim/K/SCal - alta....post questions to the prof board.......
curious - LOL Kim!
Brad/3 - has anyone read shelley harwayne
Alta Rose / 1 - Will do, Kim! Good night!
Kim/K/SCal - heard good things about her.........she does writing workshops.......
judy - Brad, every day is exactly the same: One hour WW divided into 10-15 minute minilesson. 30-40 minutes to write, 10-15 minutes to share. Minilesson is often based on the works of the brilliant Ralph Fletcher, sometimes on things I see. I confer individually during the time the kids are writing. It was hard to get it going, but infinitely worthwhile.
Kim/K/SCal - i have a question...........
curious - I think i will call it a night. Thanks for some laughs. Oops! I can't go yet. Yes, I have read Harwayne. She is another one of the greats.
kathyb - My media center serves 75 schools in 26 school districts spread out over 10 counties. But, located in the same place that I live! YEAH
Brad/3 - sounds like what i do, but do you have a sequence you follow or?
Brad/3 - have you read lifetime guarantees, curious?
curious - What is lifetime guarantees?
Kim/K/SCal - i spoke with my NEW principal today. she says she will balance the k-1 class anyway I want......... she can't guarantee how many kinders though........ do i go for high Kinders and struggling first graders? what do you think?
Kim/K/SCal - curious.... go to the prof chatboard tomorrow and check in with us
judy - I'm sorry, I'm tired. I guess I'm all wrung out from the dishtowels. Good night, all, and thank you!
Brad/3 - by harwayne, recently saw it at a nearby Barnes and Noble and was thinking it may be worth a look-see.
Kim/K/SCal - (((((judy)))))) thanks for the good CSU CHICO thoughts....
curious - Kim, do I go to the same website and click on? I do not know anything about the prof chatboard.
Brad/3 - oh, judy, think of me as you're drying the dishes
kathyb - Yes, Kim, high K and struggling 1st.
Kim/K/SCal - it is one of the chatboards. we are all there..................... click on "chatboards."
curious - can't help you there Brad.
Brad/3 - i agree with kathyb
curious - what time kim?
Kim/K/SCal - i get an aide for at least 90 minutes.........and MY OWN ROOM with a sink
Kim/K/SCal - curious..... anytime. it is a message board. we all check in a few times a week.
kathyb - A SINK! Who needs a sink with a fish pond?
Kim/K/SCal - yeah yeah yeah..... you just jealous.
Brad/3 - sink is sometimes more trouble than worth.
curious - Gotcha. It must be geeting too late for my brain. Thanks Kim. If I am at home, I will do so.
Kim/K/SCal - well brad with Kinders you need a sink ......think GLUE and 5 year olds. they think MORE IS BETTER
Brad/3 - i agree, but someone keeps sticking nasty stuff in my drain (and if i catch the little bugger. . .)
Brad/3 - and occasionally casper visits and turns my sink off and on
Kim/K/SCal - it's probably a dishtowel, brad.............
kathyb - Brad, I don't know about Casper, but I found some GOOD drain opener for my bathroom sink plugged with toothpaste (at Home.)
Kim/K/SCal - ooooooohhhhhhhhhh i never get casper
Kim/K/SCal - i want casper
Brad/3 - it's bizarre the kids have been saying I have a haunted sink
Brad/3 - what i want is a room with a bathroom off of it.
Kim/K/SCal - .....NOTHING good like that happens here. a haunted sink......... sheez......
Brad/3 - i had this as a long term sub, and talk about lifesaver
kathyb - I would just like to have a sink! Every one else in my pod does.
Brad/3 - you have a pod? is that as good as a butterfly garden?
Kim/K/SCal - now, THAT is probably more trouble than a sink. think STINK because the kids are under the mistaken impression that "approximately" is okay..........
Brad/3 - 3rd has slightly more aim over K
Kim/K/SCal - lol brad....... i am surrounded by males. even my snake is a male............ just because they CAN aim doesn't mean that they do.................
Kim/K/SCal - snakes don't aim anyway
kathyb - My school is an open space with 7 classrooms facing a large area called a pod. We have two couches, coffee table, end tables, lamps, puppet stand with lots of puppets, 4 cars full of centers, taped books, and the list goes on. BUT, no walls!
Kim/K/SCal - Kathy's POD is a building configuration, Brad. A grouping of open classrooms
Kim/K/SCal - brad ...... where do you teach?
Brad/3 - that's when the dishtowels come in handy, kim.
Brad/3 - kathyb are you k too?
Brad/3 - ohio
Coyote - hey whats the topic in here?
Kim/K/SCal - like drew carey....... Oh HI OH!
kathyb - No, I an 1st, but I was K when I first "met" Kim on T.net.
Brad/3 - dishtowels
Kim/K/SCal - well....... the topic WAS professional books but we have digressed. Long day............dishtowels and DAY CORE.
Coyote - hrm
kathyb - No, don't listen to Brad, we were discussing reading strategies and professional readings.
Brad/3 - day core?
Coyote - Kim where are you in Scal?
Kim/K/SCal - the antelope valley......
Coyote - what district is that? I'm in LAUSD
Coyote - yuck... old faces....
Kim/K/SCal - OH....... L.A. Unified! I am about 90 miles north of you.
kathyb - Well, people it is closing in on 11:30... catch you on the chatboards. Bye
Kim/K/SCal - night, kathy! good to talk to ya
Brad/3 - i was thinking the same thing. 1230 here.
Kim/K/SCal - day core = decor
Brad/3 - ah
Kim/K/SCal - yeah....... i am beat. what a week.........see ya on the chatboard or next week brad?
Coyote - aight then.. peace out
Brad/3 - i'll be there, if i remember. i'm a little more on topic on the boards.
Kim/K/SCal - me too.. ... main board an prof board
Brad/3 - long and loopy week
Kim/K/SCal - sometimes remedial reading but that one tends to be dead. YES....... very loopy week
Brad/3 - winding it all down for the year.
Kim/K/SCal - good night brad....thanks for the laffs
Brad/3 - night
Kim/K/SCal - go kiss your kiddies
