Kelly M - Hi Becca! How are you today?
becca - Hi Kelly
becca - Moving slow...how are you?
Kelly M - Actually, I'm moving slowly today, too!
becca - I videoed a whole class science lesson this week. I'm going to watch it later. With 30 kids it is a bit harder to do science in small group
becca - We are getting a new teacher "soon" so then I'll go down to 24.
Kelly M - Geez - that is a huge class! 24 will seem small to you!
becca - It will be a great relief!
Kelly M - But it's good that your taping already....get them used to it! (and get YOU used to it!) Show it to the kids and let them 'critique' it - it's amazing what they see!
becca - I was thinking that I would be further along on SS. But I decided it will go better when the groups is smaller.
becca - They have been a bit facinated by the camera
Kelly M - I suppose your administation won't define "soon" for you, will they? (in terms of when you'll get your new teacher)
becca - one kit turned it on and we ended up recording me telling him not to touch the camera and then the next four hours of the day
becca - when I went to video the science lesson the tape kept shutting off and I thought the camera was broken
Kelly M - But the kids can also actually say things like "I can't hear because so many people are talking"....or things like that.
becca - one kid that is
becca - "soon" = when they partable laptop computer lab arrives so the classroom can be put in the lab
Kelly M - and letting them critique it helps them really feel ownership to it, too....and they WANT it to be good for you!
becca - That is a great idea to have them critque and such!
becca - I am using a small tape so I k=need to get the cords that hook it into the back of the tv to play
becca - I'm about 90% done with entry 4
Kelly M - I think it's really worth it! You'd be surprised at what their keen eyes WILL see and pick up on! It's a great discussion to lead! Let them know what would make it better for you!
becca - i feel like I have put almost too much time into it
Kelly M - Great about entry 4! It'll be so nice to have that done! What is your due date for the entries?
becca - The more I do the more work I seem to create
becca - Feb 15
becca - Right now I am trimming my communication and involvement entry...but as I trim I seem to add more!
Kelly M - LOL....that's going to happen until you mail it!
becca - I was talking with someone who scored the Mc social studies entry this summer
becca - she mentioned that many people did not include how they set up their classroom rules and community ENOUGh
becca - have you heard this?
Kelly M - No...not really. But you also have to figure out how closely their entry resembles ours. Ask on the ring....Lana has scored EC-GEN SS/Arts.....but she is going to Japan soon on a Fulbright...so ask right away!
becca - I wonder if anyone else has taken the AC this year?
angelbreeze - hello
Kelly M - becca - I don't really remember anybody else talking about it on the ring.....
Kelly M - angelbreeze, yes we are. This is a meeting for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards candidates and mentors for Early Childhood Generalists.....
Kelly M - if you're looking to chat with teachers, you might want to go to a chatroom here at teachers.net .....
angelbreeze - I am an early childhood education major (senior) at Texas A&M...
angelbreeze - oh...okay....thank you
Kelly M - can we help you?
becca - I am having a difficult time with tthe significance and impact of using volunteers in my classroom Each time I write (in the significance section) it seems to come out as an impact
becca - I have parents understanding the needs and abilities of a variety of children
becca - open door policy that makes them feel more welcome
becca - volunteers reading /sharingwhich help affirm the uniqueness of home cultures
Kelly M - ...and when more parents feel welcome they take away a better feeling about school....and convey that more positive attitude to their children AND to other parents who might not yet have had the opportunity to volunteer.....
Kelly M - Hi Sophie - how are you today?
Sophie - Hi, I was just getting up to speed about what you are talking about.
Sophie - I am thinking about applying for NB.
Kelly M - well, we've talked a little about entry 4, a little about science taping, and a little about SS/Arts!
Sophie - Have both of you already completed your program?
Sophie - I'm sorry, I will need to come back at a better time.
Kelly M - Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you! (aren't you glad you can't hear me singing?)
DebbieMc. - You are such a wonderful friend!
DebbieMc. - Thanks! I'm singing too now.
Kelly M - I think everyone has gone home. I was going to leave, too!...but I'm glad I stayed to say hi to you! How did your mentoring session go this morning?
DebbieMc. - I had to go through state training to be a mentor. After four years.
becca - I am here it just isn't showing me!
DebbieMc. - Sorry, I'm late. But I've gotta run too. Ronnie has prepared my dinner so I'm not gonna postpone that!
DebbieMc. - Hi, becca!
Kelly M - Debbie - tell Ronnie I hope he's practicing cooking for the meal he gets to prepare for me someday!Hi becca! I didn't see you check out, but your name was gone. I forgot that when you haven't posted for a few minutes your name disappears even when you're still here!
DebbieMc. - Kelly, we'll catch up later.
DebbieMc. - That's just what he's doing--his words.
Kelly M - Debbie - definitely!
becca - bye guys! Back to work I go!
DebbieMc. - I'm off to eat, guys! Take care. I hope to be more a part of the ring this year. I'm feeling really out there.
Kelly M - Bye kids!
DebbieMc. - Bye ladies!
tam - Hi wizzle
wizzle - Hi, I wasn't sure if you were still online
wizzle - Are involved with NB?
tam - I'm not sure what this is all about, but have started looking at national board stuff. Will send for the box next week
wizzle - Oh boy, you are in for a treat!! What area are you in?
tam - I looked at the porfolio all summer. I am going for MCgeneralist.
wizzle - How did you get to look at a portfolio?
tam - I downloaded it from the internet
tam - Not portfolio- my mistake- the whole book of info
wizzle - Oh, do you mean the abbreviated outline of the portfolio entries and assessment exercises?
wizzle - Yes, there is a lot of NB jargon to learn. Easy mistake...Are you excited about getting started?
tam - Actually it is the portfolio- but no assessment exercies with it. Are you done with NB?
wizzle - Yes, I am an NBCT
tam - Are you the one with the website-wizzlewolf?
wizzle - Yep
wizzle - In fact, I usually log on as wizzlewolf, but I was too lazy to type the wolf. LOL
tam - great site- thanks for having it. what is the best group online to get help-I do have a mentor I'm using , but it's nice to listen to other candidates as well.
wizzle - This time of year this room is very slow. However in a month or two, there will be lots of people here.
wizzle - Oh yes, listen to MANY people, get lots of advice, then figure out what you believe in and want to do.
wizzle - Are you on the MCGen listserv? (Yahoo Group)
tam - I see that- I thought something was wrong. I have never used this chat room before. I just found it today. I signed up for the yahoo group. That looked interesting.
tam - Should I be reading any professional literature to help me out with this whole scenario. Right now I am just reading the portfolio to get ready
wizzle - You call it a portfolio you are reading, but you are going to create the portfolio when you get your box. I don't really understand what you are reading.
wizzle - Any way, what you can do now is start collecting things for you Entry 4 of your portfolio called"Documented Accomplishments"
wizzle - Start thinking of things you have done that go above and beyond the call of duty as a teacher and relate to the areas of colleagues, community, and student achievement.
tam - Well, what I downloaded from the NB site is called the Middle C.Gen Portfolio. It gives everything you must do for the whole thing. They did tell us at the county level to start doing entry 4. I have been compiling stuff.
wizzle - Oh, I see what you are talking about. It is the portfolio description, but it is not a completed portfolio.
tam - Community is the toughest for me- I have been so busy with my kids that I haven't really branched out into the community at all. No , it's not a completed portfolio- just all the instructions. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Plenty enough to read.
wizzle - It is also a good time to do extra reading in any area of weakness.
wizzle - Well, there is no rule that you have to have glowing reports in all areas. You try to cover as many bases as possible.
tam - That's a good idea- for me that's Science. What do you read? School text books for the age group or just any professional liteature?
wizzle - Start where you are comfortable. Textbooks were great for me because it not only reminds you of content, but also reminds you of teaching methodology.
tam - OK wizzle- thanks for chatting. I'm going to head out now and do some reading! I'm sure I'll chat with you and others in the coming months. I hope I'm ready for this! Thanks again.
wizzle - You could also just go to Science websites for the fun of it and just read. Check out the National Science Standards to get a better grasp and reminder of jargon.
wizzle - Me too bye
