Grace/IL - Hello, Brad Dad
brad - Where is Kim; I was just IM'ed by her.
Erin - She's coming, getting her blanket
Marcia/1st/GA - Hi all!
brad - What a long week
judy3ca - Hello!
Grace/IL - Hi everyone! The crew is checing in fast.
brad - Terry--Florida ORANGE juice
Erin - Hi judy, brad and grace
Marcia/1st/GA - What happened this week, brad?
Terry/fl/3 - That color works for me I guess!
Grace/IL - She had to wrap her snake to send it Fed X
brad - It's been the first full week back for me since before break due to snow days, holidays, inservices. . . maybe that's why
Kim/1/Ca - (((((((hugs and smooches))))))
brad - Actually, comparatively speaking (for this bunch) it's been a fairly good week
Marcia/1st/GA - Yeah, i guess we had a full week too.
Erin - That makes a difference, brad
Kim/1/Ca - Well.......fill us in Plaid Dad.
Marcia/1st/GA - I had a great week with my kids, for the most part.
brad - And really it wasn't FULL due to a field trip yesterday and 100 day today
Erin - Kim did you get your blankie?
Erin - All warmed up now
judy3ca - Brad, what is 100 day?
Grace/IL - 100's day -- That's why you're tired!
Kim/1/Ca - Yes.......blankie and hot popcorn. With lemon pepper.
brad - WE've been in school 100 days, Judy. So we did some various activities to "celebrate"
Erin - Yum,
judy3ca - oh, thanks
Kim/1/Ca - 100th Day is on Tuesday for me.
Erin - Well it's looking pretty good that I'm going to 5th grade next year
judy3ca - Good for you, Erin!
Marcia/1st/GA - How do you feel about that, Erin?
brad - We read 100's poems, and estimated 100, rolled a dice 100 times to see what number came up most. LOL
Kim/1/Ca - Is this GOOD, Erin?
Erin - At our district GATE meeting the Assis Super asked my partner and I about our plans for looping
Grace/IL - 100th day turned into a real celebration at our school -- even made pancakes for all thekids.
Erin - Yes, I've wanted the upper grades but because of how crowded we are 4 adn 5 were up at the middle school. I didn't want to leave my school and principal
Erin - Next year with the new school 4 and 5 will be on that campus
judy3ca - Erin, wait, are you looping?
brad - Nice, Grace. IT was just me and my partner; no one else even seemed to be aware (as I went around passing out stickers to faculty today)
Kim/1/Ca - I would LOVE to loop my kids.
quilter - Our school had everyone dress like 100 year olds for hundreds day
brad - I'm supposed to loop (psst....don't wanna with this crew)
Kim/1/Ca - I love it, quilter!
Terry/fl/3 - Looping is wonderful
Grace/IL - Neat, quilter!
Kim/1/Ca - Have you looped, terry?
brad - I "suggested" 100's topics for writer's workshop, but it was optional
Erin - No my partner will do 4, I will do 5. One will teach all Math for half the year, the other all Language then we will switch. The next year I will have those 4th graders in 5th
Erin - Does that make any sense?
quilter - Do some of you loop?
Marcia/1st/GA - so, Erin, will you have to change schools? I am not following you.
Terry/fl/3 - Yes 2 to 3 since I have started
Erin - One team is already dong it at the middle school
Erin - Yes, marcia. The school I am at will only go to 4th next year
Terry/fl/3 - I am afraid next year I won't be able to go back to 2nd
Sharon - hideeho!
Grace/IL - (((Sharon)))
Erin - Hi Sharon, long time no talk LOL
judy3ca - Erin, yes, now I get it. I take it you're the LA and your partner is math.
brad - I think it makes sense Erin. So you will teach all math for half and she will teach all language for both fourth and fifth?
Marcia/1st/GA - Hi, Sharon!
Kim/1/Ca - I would like to.......I just need to figure out how to swing it.
brad - Yeah, Sharon, haven't heard from you in a while
judy3ca - Terry, why not?
Sharon - hi erin, grace, kim, marcia, terry, brad, judy, and quilter
Erin - He will teach all math for 4 and 5 and I will teach all Language. Halfway through year, for sanity's sake, we will switch. We will teach our own S.S and Science
Sharon - i know, i know, brad... you know how busy it is this time of year
quilter - hi sharon
Terry/fl/3 - Well I can't find a willing partner for one
Kim/1/Ca - Hey.....I just noticed that Sharon and Erin rhyme.
brad - So how is that looping Erin? It sounds more multiage
Marcia/1st/GA - Kim, your PA skills are excellent!
Kim/1/Ca - Thank you, Marcia.
Terry/fl/3 - ALso, we had a big meeting this morning about FL testing and the impact it will have on grade 3
Marcia/1st/GA - Kim, Can you find any small words inside our names, too?
judy3ca - (((cavey))) any mouse babies?
Erin - Basically, that I will get those same kids for 5th and they will see their 4th grade teacher the next year also. I don't think it's called anything LOL
Grace/IL - (((cavey)))
Sharon - hi cavey
cavey - Hey Hey!!!
Kim/1/Ca - Cavey the Mouse Mom!
Grace/IL - How about "arc"?
Erin - We might try combining based on level...we're still in planning stages...still awaiting final "Yes" on going to new school
Marcia/1st/GA - Very good, Grace! You are really paying attention!
Erin - Hi cavey
cavey - No mouse babies yet. But she can barely fit in the tube anymore
Erin - good one Grace
Kim/1/Ca - The last trimester is always hard.
Erin - LOL cavey. that could be a disaster if she got stuck
Marcia/1st/GA - I just can't do mice. <shudder>
Sharon - maybe she's just hit 40 in mouse years... i know manuvering through a tube would be difficult for me, too
Kim/1/Ca - ram, car, air
cavey - I'm thinking they may come over the long weekend
Grace/IL - "bra" in Brad
Erin - Have you ever gone in one of those tubes at the play lands? They are quite clautrophobic
judy3ca - mar, aim
Erin - cave
Marcia/1st/GA - Oh, my goodness, you are all so advanced with your word skills!
cavey - Sharon, she was just born a week before Christmas. Talk about loss of childhood
Sharon - drab brad
Erin - Hi diane
diane - hi everyone
judy3ca - arm
Marcia/1st/GA - You must always do well with Boggle..
Sharon - hi diane
Grace/IL - Kim's into making words -- I thought we had to honor the order.
Kim/1/Ca - ((diane))....how are you doing?
cavey - Erin, I see you've had to rescue a kid too
Erin - "race"
Erin - LOL cavey. Speaking from experience, huh?
judy3ca - Grace, lol, I thought the same thing and took Kim's lead...
diane - hi kim...i'm adjusting, i think
cavey - Hi little d
Grace/IL - care
Erin - Judy and Grace...does Kim keep changing the rules?
judy3ca - Erin--where did you get the E, from Vanna?
Sharon - arson
Erin - No, in Grace's name
Sharon - what are we doing, anyway?
cavey - What are you guys playing?
Erin - Where did Grace get care?
brad - rash
judy3ca - Oh, lol, duh!
Grace/IL - care, ear, are, gear -- look at all the odd word families!
diane - psst...what are you guys doing?
Erin - nosh
Erin - Is that a word?
Kim/1/Ca - nosh.......good one.
Erin - Finding words in people's names
judy3ca - ace
Erin - ace
Erin - aid
Erin - LOL judy
Marcia/1st/GA - It started out to be a simple rhyming game, but has grown to a complicated game of making words with no rules or parameters! Oh, dear <wringing hands>
cavey - in
Erin - rim
judy3ca - Marcia, ROFLOL!!!
brad - cud--judy3ca
Erin - ram
judy3ca - ROFL brad
Marcia/1st/GA - Ok, I will play and quit playing teacher....die
Grace/IL - Guess who started it?
brad - ROFLOL---floor
diane - lol, brad
Kim/1/Ca - cavey is looking very festive tonight in red........
quilter - just enjoy the word play Marcia! Just think of all the assessment you can do...lol
judy3ca - LOLOLOL brad
judy3ca - Is that red?
Erin - tile (from quilter)
Erin - rile
cavey - It's scarlet ,darling! I knew that I would draw back a nub if I touched the orange red
Kim/1/Ca - yes.....a deep, festive red that makes the room just "pop"
Marcia/1st/GA - dye,
Sharon - marcia is looking delicious in chocolate... hmmm... that reminds me of my girl scout cookies... brb
brad - LOL, KIM
Marcia/1st/GA - actually my color is supposed to be maroon. I am a little disappointed that it looks so brown. my college colors were maroon and gold
brad - The next day after that conversation, I was watching it, ;and it was Laurie, I think, said that and I just smiled real big
Erin - Where did Sharon get Girl Scout cookies? I haven't seen any for sale yet. except pre sale
diane - don't forget to add the "architectuaral details" kim
judy3ca - True story, one of my kids came to me worried because he doesn't have Valentines. So I buy 2 boxes from which he can choose (Loonytunes and Nick cartoons). We hide behind my desk so I can explain my magnaminity. He says, "Usually boys like sports."
Kim/1/Ca - brb phone
cavey - Do Brad and Kim have a private joke going on?
Erin - Cavey, think Trading Spaces
diane - no cavey, it's a reference to trading spaces from last week
Erin - I think
Kim/1/Ca - just one of Dusty's women........sheesh.
Marcia/1st/GA - are we watching Trading Spaces instead of talking teacher talk? Hmmm?
Erin - Judy, No good deed goes unpunished
brad - cavey, we're talking Trading Spaces lingo
judy3ca - Is Trading Spaces on tonight?
Sharon - is this color taken?
brad - Sharon is committing heresy
diane - tomorrow, judy
cavey - Okay, got it. haven't watched in a while
Erin - Sharon, dare you need ask?
Kim/1/Ca - We have another Sharon?
Grace/IL - Don't mess with Kim's color!!!!!
judy3ca - Really, Erin, these are the kinds of stories that make my husband wonder how I refrain from swearing at kids.
Sharon - it's supposed to be orangered... not red!!!!
Sharon - be right back
diane - oh...et tu sharon?
brad - Trading Spaces I usually catch on Sat or sun
Terry/fl/3 - It is close to mine
Erin - OK, tomorrow I am going to hairdresser's and I, hopefully, will no longer be blonde
cavey - Sharon, run, quick, change !!!!!
quilter - Trading Spaces is on every afternoon on TLC
Kim/1/Ca - She is MESSSING WITH ME.....TEACHER!
Erin - Just had to announce that!!!
Marcia/1st/GA - I really like cavey's color...
Erin - Judy, you don't swear at them?
judy3ca - Phew, diane--I was hoping it hadn't changed. I live exciting Saturday nights watching Trading Spaces and doing laundry.
Marcia/1st/GA - I haven't watched in so long. there are new designers and everything
Grace/IL - Take Kim's color and you take your life in your hands!
judy3ca - Erin, what are you going to do to your hair?
diane - sadly judy, that would appear to be my life these days
brad - LOL, Judy. It's John Travolta and the fever for you on Saturdays
diane - oh...want to hear my sad story?
Sharon - how about this one?
Kim/1/Ca - Now, reallllly, Grace........
Erin - I do not like that lady who does everything in military theme
cavey - Since you're from GA, Marcia, you really should have the scarlet
Sharon - looks kinda oceany, wouldn't you say?
brad - Who does that, Erin??
Erin - I'm going to tell the hairdresser to match my roots...which, clearly, are not blonde
Kim/1/Ca - Yes, diane.
Marcia/1st/GA - yes, you are right, cavey. How clever of you!
judy3ca - sure, diane
Erin - Very nice Sharon
diane - i went to a district grade level meeting yesterday...
Marcia/1st/GA - perhaps next time, cavey
quilter - nice color Sharon
judy3ca - That's courageous, Erin.
Kim/1/Ca - oh, the excitement.........a grade level meeting!!! (edge of seat here)
Erin - That black lady, brad. She has done a living room in camouflage....yuck!!!
Marcia/1st/GA - erin, who does military? are they new?
diane - it was all about teaching to the state tests...
brad - There's a black lady?
Sharon - can you feel the breeze and the warm sun... hear the gulls calling... taste the salt in the air?
brad - (I'm listening d)
Erin - Well judy, I'm tired of the roots showing, combined with the gray. Too many colors going on
Kim/1/Ca - Of course it was!
quilter - I saw that one Erin....it was gross
diane - people were complaining that they don't have enough time to cover all the test stuff...
Marcia/1st/GA - much SI with that description, Sharon!
cavey - Oh Erin, are you coming over to the dark side with me?
Erin - I don't know if she is new. I've seen her twice. I would run and hide if she came to do my house
Marcia/1st/GA - I like going a little darker too, Erin.
judy3ca - I saw it, too, it WAS gross, but recently she designed a beautiful gold room.
judy3ca - (((Sadie)))
diane - a teacher on special assignment for the district (read: district office lackey) suggested just dumping science all together
Grace/IL - Oh, oh, Sadie's orange
Marcia/1st/GA - i'm listening too, diane
Erin - Yes, cavey. I don't know how my hair got this blonde to begin with
diane - all test prep all day...ARGHH
Erin - Sadie!!1
Kim/1/Ca - TEACHER! She's messsssing with me!
Sadie T - Hey, look at that - Kim's got my color!
Erin - good to know she did a good room judy
judy3ca - diane, isn't there someone who understands learning?
Kim/1/Ca - Oh brother, diane.........sigh.
Sadie T - Get rid of science??
Terry/fl/3 - diane what state?
cavey - Hi Sadie! and quilter ( we haven't met) and I'm listening little d
brad - Arggh is right diane. I hate test prep mania at this time of year. HELLO???? What have you been doing up until now??
quilter - oh no diane...i get so tired of "experts" who haven't been in a classroom for years
diane - never a thought to best teaching practice or what the kids need....
Erin - Diane, you're kidding
Marcia/1st/GA - so how long do they want to do just test prep?
quilter - hi cavey, nice to meet you
diane - it's amazing, we're known to be a progressive and successful district...it was insane
Erin - Doing test prep all day is not going to help
Sharon - and the thing that kills me is that they want everything taught by the test in april... so what about the rest of april and may?
brad - diane, this person who suggested this was from within?
Erin - I do a little just to familiarize my kiddos with format
Marcia/1st/GA - I have been having the best writing workshops with my kids and today was just heavenly!
Kim/1/Ca - S a d i e..........I am going to hold my breath until I turn blue.
Sadie T - LOL, Sharon, the rest of April and May is devoted to science.....
diane - nobody said anything...i finally had to come out of self-imposed silence (i seem to get into trouble at these meetings) and blasted it to h e l l
Terry/fl/3 - sharon ours is in march, first two weeks
quilter - AMEN sharon!!!
Sadie T - Good, turn blue. Then we'll be different colors. How come brad and diane get to share??
brad - Oh, I agree, Erin. I too do a little around this time just to familiarize with format. . . but all day and only in Feb? Please.
Erin - Sorry Kim, Judy and I are already blue. Hold your breath and turn another color
judy3ca - Marcia, good for you!
Marcia/1st/GA - way to go, diane!
Kim/1/Ca - OOOOOOOOoooooooo........now it is getting interesting, diane! Do tell!
brad - April and May is for popcorn and videos
Erin - No, I know, brad. THere is a district here that does packets every week starting in Sep
diane - yep, brad...tosl who's been out of a classroom for a while
Erin - Thank goodness I don't work there. I would be fired
brad - Brad and Diane are in a mutual admiration society with our shared green
Erin - go diane, go diane
Sharon - that's purdy, sadie!
cavey - little d, you vixen you!
Terry/fl/3 - we have one in our district, all day every day
diane - lol, erin...i'm from the renegade school...upstarts with an outlaw principal. it's a lot of fun
Erin - Much better than orange red Sadie
Sadie T - Kim held her breath until *I* turned blue
Kim/1/Ca - positively loverly.....
Grace/IL - Sadie, I looooove that blue!
Kim/1/Ca - rrrr
Erin - So what did you say? What did they say?
brad - Sadie, that's'a purdy. Whaddaya call it?
brad - And how does that school do Terry?
Kim/1/Ca - (holding breath cuz diane is keeping us in suspense)
Sadie T - I am "slate blue." Never seen a slate that was this color, though. DIANE, the rest of the story....???
Kim/1/Ca - NOT PACKETS!
brad - (Actually don't tell Kim, but it was Glenda/1/TN that first claimed that color when we started this gig)
Terry/fl/3 - Well the grades, they are an A school, but I am sure that means NOTHING!
Kim/1/Ca - nuh uh, brad
brad - Kim, I always had schema that you were a "packet" kinda teacher
cavey - Waiting with BATED breath for little d
diane - i told her absolutely no way in hell...i refuse to make the third grade about state tests because i teach children and not testers. i informed them of the need to promote critical thinking skills...
Marcia/1st/GA - Terry, your color reminds me of Florida oranges
diane - (sorry, i type a little slower than i used to these days....)
Terry/fl/3 - You go diane!
Kim/1/Ca - Ha! My master teacher when I student taught did packets........
Terry/fl/3 - that's what brad said
cavey - diane, diane, go, go diane!!!!!!!
Kim/1/Ca - YES, diane! Amen, sister! (raising hands in air and swaying)
Erin - If you did packets you would never have to prep after September. "here's your new packet" get to work
judy3ca - What are packets?
brad - I love packets. Gives me time to check out the paper and have my morning cup
Erin - YEAH DIANE!!!
Marcia/1st/GA - oops, didn't hear him, I guess
Erin - JUdy, who knows? But it doesn't sound good, does it?
Kim/1/Ca - I was told, "do you know how much work packets save?"
brad - Save what KIM?? Brain power??
judy3ca - LOL, thanks, Erin....I keep thinking, packets of WHAT?
Erin - I think judy, you staple a bunch of worksheets and then do nothing while the kids work
Terry/fl/3 - before you came in marcia, great minds must think alike huh?
Kim/1/Ca - Bundles of 2nd generation worksheets = packets.
quilter - all things in moderation.....do you ever feel that the moderation does not exist in education?
Erin - Hey, sounds kinda good. I'm working too hard
diane - informed them of the need to address all content areas, that reluctant students are engaged by the science, etc and then mentioned the lack of compliance to state standards (figured i'd get 'em where they exist) if they failed to teach all standards
brad - (Packets--of worksheets of test prep materials)
Marcia/1st/GA - I disagree, Kim. I hate checking those packets and having kids make silly corrections on them. Aargh!
Grace/IL - Packets came out of the 70s with individualizing instruction. There's SOME merit to them but not for everything.
brad - OH, Marcia, grading packets is my worst nightmare
cavey - Hey Marcia, I had a good writers workshop week too. One of my kids posted one of her poems on the author's board in the cafeteria. Her GT teacher said " that was Stephanie?" " I can't believe it
judy3ca - Grace, I taught in the 70s and I never used packets.
Kim/1/Ca - Yeah, I bet the kids save and treasure those packets, too.
Erin - Teachers can't believe that I don't grade a million worksheets. I ask them "Why do they?"
Kim/1/Ca - You taught in the 70s, Judy?
judy3ca - I just like saying the word, packets, packets, packets.
diane - way to go, cavey
Marcia/1st/GA - it is, isn't it? That's one reason I like 4 blocks. No need for a lot of worksheets to keep kiddos busy...
Erin - Yeah, KIm, I remember doing this packet. It was my favorite
Terry/fl/3 - We finished our Reading Rainbow sotires, anyone here do that?
brad - I have all my packets in a huge scrapbook with David Cassidy on the front, Kim
Kim/1/Ca - yeah, cavey!
Marcia/1st/GA - Waht about the teachers who laminate construction paper covers for the packets? They are like gold, arent' they?
diane - lol, brad
Erin - Mine has Shaun Cassidy on the front
judy3ca - Kim, LOL, I sure did! I was 10.
cin - What is the topic of discussion tonight?
brad - LOL, Judy "packets, packets, packets."
diane - i was a student in the 70's (tee hee)...i seem to remember these mysterious things
judy3ca - Kim, LOL, not ALL of the 70s.
Kim/1/Ca - How much we love packets, dioramas, and California Missions.
Marcia/1st/GA - Topic of discussion is PACKETS! And we're not talking SUGAR PACKETS!
brad - Hey, Marcia. Watch it. We do that for "poem packets" LOL, I just realized we called them that.
Erin - and characters in a can
cin - I was a teacher in the 70's.
Sadie T - Tonight's topic is: packets, packets, packets, and orangered
cavey - I am much too young to know what y'all are talking about
Erin - Can I teach character in a can at your class, Kim?
Glenda 1st TN - Hi everyone
Marcia/1st/GA - Brad, do you laminate the covers?
diane - hi glenda, cin
Kim/1/Ca - PUHleeeeeeeze, Cavey.......
judy3ca - Hi Glenda
quilter - me too cin...i started teaching in 1977
Grace/IL - ((( Glenda)))
Kim/1/Ca - ((glenda)))
brad - No, Marcia. What on earth for? At the end of the year I'll staple all collected poems in it, but why laminate?? Should I?
Marcia/1st/GA - every time I see orangered, I want to treat it as a verb...
Erin - How much time does it take to copy all those worksheets? I see teachers in there copying forever, every week.
cavey - Hey , It's Glinda!!! Hi !
cin - I can remember learning how to teach with 'stations' when I started teaching in 1970.
Grace/IL - Glenda's here. Now we can talk about vowels.
cin - Hello diane.
quilter - lol @ Marcia
Kim/1/Ca - Yes, cin........then "centers."
judy3ca - Marcia, ROFL!
Erin - Hi Glenda
Kim/1/Ca - Oh yeah....Glinda.
Marcia/1st/GA - It's the finding, the copying, the checking--there's more teacher time involved iwth a packet than student time. Not a good ratio
quilter - cin, do you remember open classrooms?
Sharon - *munching happily on lemon pastry cremes*
Erin - Exactly Marcia
cin - Now it is leveled readers...when you look beyond the 'name'. it almost the same thing.
brad - Erin, me too. We have 2 Copy Queens that I swear live in there. Honest to gosh, there's a cot and a small board that juts up in the floor. If you lift it, it leads to the bomb shelter. So I guess they had packets since Bay of Pigs
Glenda 1st TN - Thanks Grace. Let me "git" my "pin" to take notes
Erin - Sharon, I ordered some of those. How did you get yours already?
Marcia/1st/GA - Brad, I was kidding...making a joke....some teachers laminate everyting, particularly their PACKETS! (must be capitalized from now on...)
cavey - I student taught in open class
Kim/1/Ca - My sister was in an "open classroom" in Saugus in the 1970s. The noise level was something else.
Erin - ROFLOL brad
Grace/IL - Helped design an open space school -- what a mistake!
quilter - i almost never went back into a classroom because my student teaching was so awful
cin - Oh, yes, quilter, and the nightmare afterwards of trying to enclose those open classrooms.
Terry/fl/3 - We still have open classrooms at my school
Kim/1/Ca - Oh, you guys won't believe this one.......
Erin - There were open classrooms in Newhall also
Sharon - they came today... lemon pastry, peanut butter patties, peanut butter sandwich, and ewww... that coconutty one for my husband
diane - go ahead, kim
Erin - I figure if a student can finish a worksheet before I even finish passing them out, it's not worth it
Terry/fl/3 - I teach in one
cavey - My old school had closed up open classroom
Marcia/1st/GA - Visited an open school as part of high school student council. SAginaw and Flint Michigan area.
Grace/IL - Before you knew it, we'd walled off all of our spaces with cabinetry.
Kim/1/Ca - Remember how Judy and Jan were dissing the plaid phonics books awhile back?
judy3ca - Sharon, I hate coconut, too.
brad - Oh, Erin, so true. Are you preaching the gospel tonight, or what?
cin - I taught in an open classroom in two different schools. Shared with other teachers, and space was marked by 'moving furniture'.
Erin - Sharon, I buy that yucky coconut one for my husband and son, cuz I HATE COCONUT
Marcia/1st/GA - yea, think about all the storage space you lose in open classrooms.
Erin - Yes, brad. Can I hear an amen brother?
cin - Grace...same thing as cabinetry.
diane - oh...samoas...now that i'm low carbing i'm going to have to give away all of the cookies i oredered...drool
Marcia/1st/GA - oh, i rmember plaid--wasn't it Modern Curriculum Press?
Grace/IL - I know of a school that tore down the walls between classrooms so they could have open space.
judy3ca - Yes, Kim.......
brad - OH, Erin, I want a copy of the transcript from your Hour of Power
judy3ca - Good Marcia.
Terry/fl/3 - No bulletin board space or walls to hang anything, that's tough this year
Erin - If only teachers at my school would want a transcript brad. LOL
Marcia/1st/GA - I hate coconut too.
Erin - KIm???? Bated breath here
Kim/1/Ca - So, I am sitting in a grade level meeting last week.....
Marcia/1st/GA - wouldn't work with word wall, would it?
cin - Green for third grade, Marcia. LOL Our district used that up until 4-5 years ago.
diane - darn those cursed grade level meetings, kim...lol
judy3ca - I'm wondering about coconut-hater packets.
Erin - KNock it off Kim, we know what you're doing LOL
cavey - kim has the timing of a straight man comedian
Sharon - hotdang! these lemon pastries say 'reduced fat'... now i can finish off the box and convince myself not to feel guilty!
brad - marcia, I was thinking where'd I put my word wall too. LOL (listening Kim, honest)
Kim/1/Ca - .....and the team leader digs in her drawer for a book to "help" out a fellow teacher.......it is the PLAID PHONICS BOOK. I about split my guts open.......
Marcia/1st/GA - I don't remember the colors of the plaids--red must have been 1st or 2nd, right?
Erin - Sharon, you're killing me
Sadie T - Hey, I have the green one.... LOL
brad - OH< MY?
judy3ca - lol, Sharon
Erin - LOL KIM. I'm splitting my guts now
cin - I don't know Marcia, but having taught 3rd, I can remember the color.
Kim/1/Ca - I burst out laughing so loud they all just dropped their jaws...."They exist! They exist!"
Marcia/1st/GA - okay, I have a grade level type story to tell, too, when Kim is done...
diane - lol, kim...what did you do?
Erin - Speaking of team leaders...how do these people get to be leaders?
judy3ca - I had the red one.
judy3ca - Taught first then.
Grace/IL - Plaid phonics -- the colors are prettier these days.
Kim/1/Ca - They look at me like I am from Mars or something.........
cin - Erin....time spent in the trenches.
cavey - Sharon, you are a girl after my own heart. I buy those WOW chips and just figure out the calorie count for the whole bag
Marcia/1st/GA - I am a team leader! Watch yourself!
brad - Erin, it's like survivor and it involves the jutting-up board and the copy machine.
Kim/1/Ca - I say, "Yeah, my online group and I make fun of these. I thought they were a joke."
Erin - Our team "leader" teaches straight from the book, uses every worksheet and workbook page...and she is supposed to lead me?
Erin - Give me a break
judy3ca - Speak right up, Marcia, as Kim is dragging this out as long as possible, LOL.
cin - Marcia....I was just thinking the same thing.
Erin - Darnit....that's it. I never mastered the rise
Erin - riso, sorry
quilter - at our school we each have to take our turns at team leader
Erin - Sorry, Marcia.
Sharon - no no no, cavey... if it says 'fat free' then you don't mess it up by counting calories! sheeeeesh!
Kim/1/Ca - And one of my fellow "team members" who is very tightly wound just bunches her self up straight and says primly, "These are WONDERFUL phonics lessons!"
Erin - Ahhhh, Kim,
diane - lol, i guess i'm always the third grade team leader...
judy3ca - cavey, me, too. Pirate's Booty, whole bag = 500 calories.
Erin - Did you jump up and down and scream?
brad - apparently, Erin, it's all part of the reward challenge, you know, the one where you see how many PACKETS you can make before Jeff calls time
Kim/1/Ca - and I cannot, for the life of me, STOP LAUGHING>............
quilter - we're not allowed to touch the copy machine at our school
Glenda 1st TN - Kim, hurry up, how did you answer?
Erin - LOL brad, stop. YOu're killing me
cin - I have hardly used any worksheets the past two years. It has been very liberating, like burning your bra back in the 7o's. LOL
Grace/IL - Kim, ask her how long it takes kids to spell all those words when they just write the beginning, medial and ending sounds.
Sadie T - I don't use them (obviously), but remind me, what is wrong ut with the plaid phonics books? It's been a while since I've OPENED mine so I don't remember... LOL
Marcia/1st/GA - Okay, Judy, thanks (I was thinking the same thing). Anyway, we have to give a criterion state test in April. Last year was our first year. There was a question about fairy tales on it.
cavey - I guess you're not the school jewel anymore Kim. Now you've gone the way of a lady raider jewel
quilter - LOL @ cin
cin - Quilter....we can use the copy machine, but can't touch the laminator. hehe
Erin - How do you vote them off, though brad?
Kim/1/Ca - I like that analogy, cin.......
Sharon - wish i had NEEDED a bra in the early 70's to burn
Marcia/1st/GA - Brad, I think the challenge is how many PACKETS you can check before Jeff calls time!
Grace/IL - Sadie, I always went through the pages before the kids did them to make sure they were calling the pictures by the right names -- time wasted -- Then I had to correct them al afterward.
Kim/1/Ca - I know.......hee hee hee. I said, "Typical teachers teach programs. Exemplary teachers teach students."
Erin - Every year I ask to be team leader and the honor always goes to "judy" (sorry that's her name
cin - sharon....got some I can spare.
Erin - Did you really say that Kim?
Marcia/1st/GA - oooh, Kim, that left a mark!
Grace/IL - Kim, you didn't really SAY all that?
quilter - i think it's funny that i'm trusted with the welfare of children, but i can't use a copy machine?
brad - Staff meetings, Erin. The one who can sit the longest without falling asleep. Or another Immunity Challenge, like the betting pool on how long in the staff meeting before the administrator threatens "The State will come in if we don't raise these test scores."
diane - oh man, kim...you can sit by me at my grade level meetings!!
Erin - Quilter, I agree
Kim/1/Ca - Yup.
Marcia/1st/GA - okay, back to my story.... we have a question on our test about fairy tales...
quilter - Way to go Kim!!!
brad - (I actually won that challenge at the last meeting)
Kim/1/Ca - She got on my nerves. There was this stupid groundhog cloze worksheet we were all to use for a "writing sample."
Grace/IL - You might become as popular as I was with my colleagues
Sadie T - LOL Quiliter, when I student taught, we couldn't check books out of the library because they were afraid the student teachers would not return them. We always wanted to know... how can they trust us with 30 kids but not with library books??!
Erin - The grade level leader thing at our school is so much about kissing butt and "queen bee syndrome"
Sharon - or the thermostat, quilter... touch the thermostat at our school and you draw back a nub
cin - Our grade level meetings have been really constructive this year. A lot of sharing going on.
Marcia/1st/GA - And at lunch last week, one of the other teachers proudly announces that she bought a worksheet type book that has fairy tale stuff in it......
diane - okay, this is the second time tonight someone has said that...what's a nub?
cavey - Oh Grace, I knew you were a rebel!
brad - Erin, why on EARTH do you WANT to be team leader?
Erin - Our grade level meetings are all about attacking me over the new report card because some people don't want to change their teaching to match the standards
Glenda 1st TN - Cin, that sounds great. Congrats!
Kim/1/Ca - I said that I would "pass" on that and they said, "You have to have a writing sample." I said I would do something crazy like, have them DRAW a groundhog and then WRITE about him after our guided reading lesson....on groundhogs.
Erin - Marcia, I bet you begged for a copy, huh?
Grace/IL - Rebel is putting it mildly
Terry/fl/3 - good night all, have to leave early
cin - The one I like is having a counter on the copy machine. You are limited to a certain number of copies...have to punch in your id #...of course everybody's was a biag secret so we wouldn't cheat.
diane - keep going, marcia
cavey - little di, it's what's left after a limb is chewed off
Erin - Brad, to try and change some things. Grade level leaders make a lot of decisions and I'm tired of the ones being made
Sharon - bye terry
Grace/IL - Kim, I love it!
Marcia/1st/GA - well, I asked her " are they the real fairy tales or fractured fairy tales?"....
diane - thanks, cavey
Grace/IL - 'night Terry
brad - Our grade level meetings are all about shooting glances at the only other person in the school who feels the way I do about teaching children at the inanity while the other two act like the bottom of their seat's on fire to get out of there. As you can sense, they're very productive meetings
diane - night terry
Erin - KIm, what a novel idea LOL
Marcia/1st/GA - She said "Oh, they are the fractured kind." I was thinking "wouldn't it have been much simpler to just read some CLASSIC fairy tales to teach thema bout fairy tales?"
Glenda 1st TN - My principal sits in on our grade level meetings.
cin - Glenda....some positive changes going on this year schoolwide and districtwide.
Erin - We have 11 at our grade level. Current grade level "queen" sits on her "throne" and "proclaims" what was talked about at the meeting. Discussion? Ha
Glenda 1st TN - Cin, what kind of changes?
cavey - I can't keep up tonight, drinking Manhattans. My own mother got me started
Sharon - and give up those worksheets, marcia???
Kim/1/Ca - She got all huffy and said that "other teachers" might be confused if they are looking in their writing portfolios and MINE are different. I looked at her with one of my looks and said, "Well, how about if I DATE STAMP it to match yours?"
brad - Cin, I have NEVER USED MY COPY ID because I know the code to override. If someone honestly looks at my code, they will find I've copied zero copies in the whole two years I've been in this building
Erin - Marcia, read them something, when you can have a "FAIRY TALE PACKET"?
diane - lol cavey...you may end up as dizzy as me!!
quilter - that makes too much sense Marcia
Marcia/1st/GA - You know, we discussed this before, Sharon. Teach them the real thing before teaching tehm to break form...
Sadie T - Brad, there's a code to override? LOL
judy3ca - cavey, I can't keep up and I'm NOT drinking Manhattans (but there was a time in my life when I LOVED them--ummm, I love the smell of bourbon).
judy3ca - cavey, I can't keep up and I'm NOT drinking Manhattans (but there was a time in my life when I LOVED them--ummm, I love the smell of bourbon).
Erin - brad, you're bad!!
cin - We have different leaders for our grade level meetings. Spreads the responsibility and makes the sessions more interesting.
cin - LOL Brad.
Kim/1/Ca - Yeah, Marcia...like reading lots of different versions of fairy tales? Compare/constrast?
Marcia/1st/GA - a Fairy Tale PACKET
Erin - Judy, you're drinking something.. You're repeating yourself
brad - Sadie 1234, how stupid is that???
Marcia/1st/GA - a fairy tale PACKET with a LAMINATED cover!
Sadie T - LOL!!
judy3ca - lolol oops
Erin - A fairy tale Packet with a laminated cover and lots of projects to complete
Erin - Brad I'm going to try that code on ours
cavey - LOL at Judy. Would you like me to shake one for you honey?
Kim/1/Ca - will that code work on my machine, brad?
Sharon - tis ok, judy... we shoulda just convinced her she was seeing double
brad - OH, Erin. Our grade level chairs do nothing but hold the meetings to report on business matters and have no say in any decision
quilter - got a better one for you brad....the password for evaluating staff development on the computer is password
brad - I suggest everyone try that code
Marcia/1st/GA - Simple enough, Kim So what did you do about the writing sample.
cavey - I know the office machine code!
Sadie T - LOL Kim! It's probably really some poor teacher's code.... Brad's been stealing their copies for two years....
Kim/1/Ca - Yeah..I use my copies to run song lyrics.
Erin - LOL quilter
judy3ca - cavey, do you really shake them? I feel like James Bond, but I only stirred them.
Marcia/1st/GA - that's the code for my voice mail tee hee! the school thought of it...
brad - LOL, Sadie (I hope it is)
cin - Glenda......'philosophy' changes. Really looking at assessments to guide instruction. Quite a bit of professional development going on in math and literacy.
cavey - Oh Yes ! Judy, must be shaken!
brad - NO< NO! Do not shake. It bruises the gin
Erin - Yeah, Sadie It's my code. He's been stealing my copies
Marcia/1st/GA - I don't care for Manhattans. I think I like bourbon better, especially if its REALLY good bourbon
brad - Cin, that sounds great for you and yours
cavey - No gin in a Manhattan, Crown Royal tonight
Sadie T - LOL
cin - brad....I have got to say our principal keeps the 'business' end of things to a minimum.
Kim/1/Ca - I did a "directed drawing" of a groundhog........used the Time for Kids and "read for a purpose." Then we brainstormed what we knew about groundhogs.......then I reminded them where certain words could be found in the magazine. Then they wrote sentences.
brad - OH, I thought we had moved on to Martinis
cin - brad....very positve year this year.
judy3ca - We have codes and they're the numbers corresponding to the initials in our names--how dumb is that? So people ask to borrow copies from me--like they don't already know my code.
Grace/IL - cin, sounds good. Block and Pressley suggest assessments to guide instruction.
Glenda 1st TN - Cin, we have been trying to make some changes at our school as well. Some days I think we are making progress. On other days, I have my doubts.
brad - How novel KIM. There was no groundhog PACKET you could pilfer from the shelter?
quilter - Does anyone's system count "flashes" instead of actual copies?
Erin - Did you do a groundhog diorama to go with it?
Sharon - haven't had the stomach for anything stronger than a corona since i rode the reindeer three years ago *shudder*
cavey - Brad, you are too funny tonight. What are you drinking?
cin - Grace....exactly what we are doing.
Marcia/1st/GA - got me, quilter.
Grace/IL - Kim, come to Woodstock. Groundhog Day was filmed here. Had a real live one out here last week.
brad - I think ours are supposed to be ssnumber Judy, but LOL I've honestly never used mine, so if it's not that, then I've forgot my copy code
Kim/1/Ca - Yes, of course, erin....!
cin - Glenda....typical change cycle. Some days your up, some days you are down. LOL
brad - No drink, but now that you mention it. . . . .
Glenda 1st TN - Quilter, flashing is against the law. We just count copies.
diane - i got a job offer for the summer...
cin - Sharon....I bet that was a sight to see. hehehehehe
Erin - I am so tired of crap like that Kim. I'm glad you said something
cavey - My daughter came home from preschool with a black top hat for Groundhogs day. I thought they were doing Lincoln's birthday early
Sharon - doing what, diane?
Kim/1/Ca - Michael wrote: "Groundhogs eat fresh fruit. And vegetables. Groundhogs have babys in the spring. Mother groundhogs yell and yell and they go in the burrow and they stay there."
diane - (sorry, off topic...i'm not allowed to drink anymore)
judy3ca - Good for us, Brad. I do use some copies, but not a ton. And I'm happy to share--makes me popular, LOL.
brad - LOL, My wife is convinced all of we teachers are closet alcoholics.
Grace/IL - Doing what, diane?
quilter - a few years ago because some people were copying on front and back they started counting the number of flashes we used.
Sadie T - what kind of job offer diane?
diane - offered a job teaching summer school to juvenile delinquents in lockup facility...
cin - brad....based on some of the staff parties I have been to over the years, I could agree with her.
Sharon - RUN, DIANE, RUN!
Erin - Is that good or bad, diane?
Kim/1/Ca - big bucks, diane........no attendance problems either.
diane - run away sharon??
brad - Oh, Judy, I think it's impossible not to use copies and I think it's asinine how we're so restricted (both by code and by paper amounts, but you all know how much paper I've kept quiet about that I have). You can't use no worksheets or paper. It's all in how you use it.
Marcia/1st/GA - quilter, that sounds serious! People were really copying front and back and saving some trees.
judy3ca - ROFL Kim
quilter - lol @ Kim
Kim/1/Ca - but you have to count and number your pencils.
Grace/IL - Oooh, diane. That sounds exciting. If my life weren't like it is now, I'd have considered something like that in retirement.
cin - quilter....really makes a lot of sense doesn't it. Never occurs to anyone that you are trying to save paper.
diane - a friend of mine runs the facility, i think i'll be safe...after finding out the financial impact of cut days, i think i'll go for it
Erin - Agreed, brad.
cavey - No little d, not this summer!
cin - If you don't mind me asking....where is everyone from?
judy3ca - Right, we have a pencil allottment now, too.
brad - Flashes?? Oh, sheez. I save paper with fronts and backs. Christ, what will they think of next? I've decided to forgo dittos and just write out the quiz on my chest. Just take off my shirt and voila! Instant overhead
diane - not this summer, cavey??
quilter - guess the copier was more expensive than paper....bottom line stuff you know
Erin - Judy, I think she meant so people don't get stabbed. LOL
Sharon - hehe... i signed up at starfall.com for the free package (and they pay shipping) because they also send you pencils free
Marcia/1st/GA - ROFL, brad
cavey - Little d, you need stress free right now honey
Kim/1/Ca - True, erin....LOL
cin - Judy....we get three 12 packs of pencils per month.
quilter - LOL @ brad
Sharon - more schema... barechested
Sadie T - LOL Brad!
Marcia/1st/GA - I did too, Sharon! They have cute little workbooks that come
judy3ca - Erin, oh shoot, am I naive or what/
brad - (gives new meaning to pop quiz, eh, Marcia)
Grace/IL - starfall gives out freebies?
cavey - cin- VA
diane - cavey, i suspect the stress of money issues may be worse than the stress of the meniere's...
Kim/1/Ca - cin...i am in SoCal
Sharon - yep, grace
diane - cin, oregon
Marcia/1st/GA - Sounds like you would be flashing-they might need to count those!
Erin - Just wondering what kind of class you have Judy
judy3ca - cin, Northern CA
cin - LOL Brad.....I assume you shave your chest so the 'picture' is unobstructed.
brad - Although all of that "bubbling in" might tickle. Hmmmm
diane - grace, what do you know about starfall...just got referred to that site today
Erin - I write the worksheets on my butt. It's so white it's just like having the overhead LOLOL
cavey - Oh Sweetie, look around for something else before committing to that
cin - All over I guess then... AZ here.
quilter - ROTF @ Marcia
brad - Cin, they will have to work around my rock-hard abs. (TEE HEE!! HOO Boy, I slay me)
judy3ca - Erin, you mean because they don't stab each other with pencils? I'm lost.
Erin - cin, southern Calif
Marcia/1st/GA - Erin, too funny!
Kim/1/Ca - You also need your DOWN time, little d........
cin - Erin....but you have to be careful of the reflection.
Sharon - rofl@erin
Grace/IL - My grandsons were into starfall. Their mom alerted me to it. It's a good interactive site.
brad - Erin, just be careful for those kids that fall "in the cracks" of our system
diane - okay, cavey, i'll give it thought...i suppose i should really dump the caffeine too?? lol
quilter - tell me about starfall
cin - LOL.....brad
cavey - Erin- I never knew you were a moonshiner
Marcia/1st/GA - Our kids use starfall in the computer lab. Cute stories with decodable text, I think
Sharon - yes, grace... and they send out goodies... i think their decodable books and stuff
Erin - LOL brad
Marcia/1st/GA - Butt, Brad, Erin wouldn't let that happen!
Sharon - www.starfall.com, quilter
cin - Well, thanks for the chat....have a good weekend everyone.
Erin - bye cin
Grace/IL - Starfall -- games to learn letters and sounds too.
Sharon - decodable stories online, too
brad - Moonshiner?! Something tells me Cavey's spending a little time at the Boar's Nest with Enos and Cooter!
Marcia/1st/GA - Erin, that sounds just cheeky of you!
Grace/IL - 'night, cin
Erin - Actually I can fit more on it than the overhead, because it is so much bigger!!! LOL
Kim/1/Ca - I need to get over to Reading a-z.......
Sharon - grace...did you see the word blenders game... not at starfall... the uk one
cavey - Mine time's up too! Glass is empty!
quilter - thanks grace and sharon
Erin - Brad might want to try it since they are at the "bottom" of the state.
judy3ca - Erin, snort!
Grace/IL - No, I haven't seen that one.
Kim/1/Ca - haw haw haw haw........brad you slay ME
brad - ba-dum-bum
cavey - little d, email me if you want to chat about the job thing, I do truly care about you!
Marcia/1st/GA - LOL, Erin!
cavey - goodnight guys!
brad - Cooter?? LOL, who thought THAT name was a good idea?
Erin - How many of you work a summer job?
Glenda 1st TN - night cavey
diane - thanks, cavey...i'm feeling a little sheepish now, it seemed like a good thing...
Sharon - my professor was not impressed... i kinda liked it
Erin - night cavey!!
Kim/1/Ca - (((cavey)))
quilter - nite cavey
brad - nite, cavey, tell Boss I said Hi
Marcia/1st/GA - goodnight cavey!
Grace/IL - 'night cave
diane - night cavey
Kim/1/Ca - I am on a 12 month pay schedule.......
judy3ca - Big day tomorrow, Good night, all!
Erin - bye judy
Sharon - it might be, diane... couldn't hurt checking into it
quilter - erin, i usually work summer school
Glenda 1st TN - No summer job for me. I need the time to rest.
Erin - What's your big day?
brad - Oh, Judy, too??
Sharon - g'night, judy
Kim/1/Ca - But I work for the university every other term.......
diane - erin, last summer was the first year i haven't worked...i got to go to the writing project instead
Erin - We're on 11 month pay. I sometimes do summer work at district office. But I don't want to teach summer school
Marcia/1st/GA - g'night, Judy!
dcthomas - Judy--just to let you know we took third in the county in Aca Deca.
Marcia/1st/GA - Stay and tell us about your day, Judy, Marcia begs.
Sharon - i'll be taking 9 - 12 hours this summer... basically i'll be paying someone else to work my butt off
Glenda 1st TN - I'
Glenda 1st TN - m
dcthomas - Oops, too late, she said good-bye
Kim/1/Ca - I will probably be offered summer school. Half days and $100 a day.....
brad - I'm on 12 month pay. No desire to work, but will do short term committee work if its something I like (curriculum or staff dev)
Erin - Kim ,does that pay well?
Sharon - hi carolyn, didn't see you
diane - this year with my paychecks being cut from march through august, it will be an absolute necessity
Sharon - how did you get 12 month contract, brad?
Erin - oh diane. that's a bummer
Marcia/1st/GA - Hi carolyn
Glenda 1st TN - I'm on salary distribution. I get a check every month (all 12).
Erin - Last summer I did report card committe. Almost $30 an hour, plus you get to go out to lunch
dcthomas - Hi Sharon. Hi Marcia.
Grace/IL - Our pay was always spread out over 12 months.
brad - Contract is July to July
Marcia/1st/GA - my checks are spread out for 12 months too.
Erin - We just went from 10 month to 11 month. What a lifesaver
Kim/1/Ca - Yes.......but I do work for it. My gross is $2700 for ten weeks. One afternoon/night a week, plus preparation and phone calls, etc.
Sharon - us too, glenda... it doesn't work that way everywhere?
diane - yeah, erin, darn those oregon voters...at least i don't work in the district that is being cut by a month
Grace/IL - Anyone who taught summer school was paid extra
Glenda 1st TN - Not ours. Some teachers only get their checks for 10 months. They have to set money aside for the summer months.
Marcia/1st/GA - some places I have worked have given you the choice of your checks
diane - mine is august to august
quilter - oh, just noticed how late it's getting.....nice to meet all of you....have a restful weekend
Erin - good night quilter
Sharon - well shoot howdy... couldn't they draw unemployment for two months?
Kim/1/Ca - Sep1-Aug30
dcthomas - Bye quilter.
diane - night quilter
Marcia/1st/GA - bye, quilter
Marcia/1st/GA - can't you go apply for unemployment as soon as you get a pink slip?
Grace/IL - 'night quilter
diane - they are spreading our days that are cut in just such a manner that we won't qualify for unemployment...savvy district offic
dcthomas - Can you, marcia? Don't you have to wait until you're not drawing salary anymore?
Erin - I don't think you can get unemployment
Glenda 1st TN - I don't think so Marica
Grace/IL - Can only get unemployment if you're on social security. Teachers aren't in SS in IL.
dcthomas - I will get pink slip on March 15th, but I will still get paid until my contract is finished on June 30th.
Marcia/1st/GA - I am just wondering if you can get some of the paperwork finished. Maybe not, though.
Erin - We get paid july 31 and then not again till Sept 30. Always hard to start the year with no paycheck
dcthomas - I don't think I can get unemployment until my contract is actually over with.
Grace/IL - However, the two years I was alone, I was able to draw SS for one month each summer because Hubby #1 had benefits.
brad - Are the slips actually pink?
Kim/1/Ca - good question, brad.
dcthomas - I'll let you know on march 16th, Brad.
brad - I am trying to keep the level of intelligence up in the room, KIM
Marcia/1st/GA - yea, there is a difference between your contract and your pay. Because teachers get paid through the summer doesn't mean anything. Technically, that money could have been given to you during the year, therefore, you wouldn't have money for the summer. Does that make sense?
Kim/1/Ca - We are on lesson 40, grace.........."s c r o d ?
Glenda 1st TN - Grace, what do you mean when you said the teachers in IL were not in SS?. I thought everyone had to pay social sec..
brad - Perhaps I never did a Pink Slip PACKET
Sharon - my daughter's place of business closed down in december, she filled out paper work for unemployment just in case jobs were scarce... then got a job waitressing ... meanwhile the unemployment office sent her what she would be drawing... she would have made more on unemployment that working
Erin - Ours are laminated, brad
brad - Glenda, teachers pay STRS in Ohio, not SS
Kim/1/Ca - No, Glenda........no SS here.
Grace/IL - Great, Kim. I like baked scrod!
brad - Scrod? ROFLOL
Erin - In Calif we pay into STRS, no SS
brad - SCROD??? ROFLOL
Glenda 1st TN - Brad what is STRS?
Kim/1/Ca - brb dad on phone
Grace/IL - In Illinois, teachers ARE NOT part of the SS system. It's a real ripoff but we do have a good teachers' pension plan.
brad - State Teachers Retirement System
dcthomas - No, in CA we pay STRS. In fact, it is a big problem, because I won't get my SS for all those years I paid into it prior to becoming a state employee. I will lose 15 years of SS payments or $700.00 per month of retirement. Legislators trying to change those laws right now, however. I hope they do before I hit 65!
Sharon - we pay into both
Marcia/1st/GA - we pay into both too, Sharon.
Glenda 1st TN - Gee, in TN we have to pay into the retirement fund and Soc. Sec. My husband is at the local state univ. and he has to do the same.
Sharon - can retire with 25 years
Sadie T - Scrod?? Okay, it's words like that, that make me dislike some of the decoding stuff. Sorry, Grace....
Grace/IL - I think if one puts in all the required SS quarters at another job in IL, they can also draw SS.
brad - SCROD!! LOL, whew!
Erin - All right, gotta go. Son has early ice hockey practice tomorrow
Grace/IL - Scrod -- baby cod. It adds vocabulary and forces spelling.
Erin - Glad I have a weekend!! I have to wake up earlier than during the week
Erin - Goodnight all
Sadie T - Good night Erin!
dcthomas - nite Erin
brad - gnite, erin. Keep your eye out for a PACKET
Glenda 1st TN - Okay, I came in late. Please expalin SCROD.
Marcia/1st/GA - g'night Erin! Love the overhead idea youhad tonight!
Sharon - so would a scrad be a baby cad?
Erin - If I find one brad, I'll send it your way
Sadie T - Adds vocabulary, but first I'd have to teach what cod is... and before that, fish, which WAS one of my students' words last week.
brad - of SCROD!! LOL, hee hee hee
Grace/IL - Ya gotta dig for words to fill some of those spelling patterns but nearly every short vowel word shows up in the program. Glenda, it's a word in the spelling program Kim's using.
Marcia/1st/GA - Erin, please laminate it before you send it to Brad.
Grace/IL - Oh, Sharon -- LOL
brad - Laminate her butt?
Grace/IL - Give the scrad to Brad
Glenda 1st TN - What is a scrod? Is it a real word?
Sadie T - Grace, what is "tamp" (verb)?
Marcia/1st/GA - sure, whatever it takes, Brad
diane - ewww...think of the stench if it weren't laminated
Sadie T - Ewww diane... LOL
diane - sadie, doesn't that mean tap?
Sharon - brad might be a scrad
brad - SCROD!! You all are killing me over here
Kim/1/Ca - you still talking about scrods?
diane - pat down, something along those lines?
Sharon - tamp is to punch down lightly....
Kim/1/Ca - my dad is such a laff........
Grace/IL - Tamp means to press down. We used to tamp sileage with our feet -- tramp around in it until it settled.
Sharon - as in tamping the tobacco in a pipe
Kim/1/Ca - tells me to tell Dustin he is going to buy him a new Dodge Tomahawk.
brad - as in tamping the SCROD!! lolololol
Sadie T - Oh Grace you WOULD have to say you TRAMPED around as you tamped LOL
Grace/IL - You have a nice dad, Kim
Glenda 1st TN - I think you guys are making this stuff up.
Kim/1/Ca - Who's laminating her butt? Erin?
diane - oh...i have to go
Grace/IL - Oooh, that'wasn't nice.
brad - little d has a sudden urge to go
Kim/1/Ca - My dad is messing with Dustin.......it is this very expensive thing.
Glenda 1st TN - I've always been told to tramp around meant you were a tramp.
Sharon - i'd go with contact paper instead... laminating would hurt
Sadie T - Wow, she left quick.
Marcia/1st/GA - okay, I am going to start saying now that I have to go.....
Marcia/1st/GA - I will be going in a few minutes.....
brad - Hey Kim, are we meeting up in Chi-town to have scrod with Grace? (hee hee hee, whew)
Kim/1/Ca - I do have a nice dad, though. I am lucky.....
brad - Marcia, but we're just getting started.
Kim/1/Ca - he hee hee hee ..........sure brad........baked or broiled?
Sadie T - I am going to start saying goodbye to you then, Marcia....
Marcia/1st/GA - Is he a glad dad, Kim?
Sharon - but i wouldn't tamp a tramp... might get a disease or sumthin'
dcthomas - Me too, I am going to the Dickens Festival tomorrow. All Dickens, All the time!
Kim/1/Ca - (what is scrod?)
Sadie T - g
Grace/IL - tramp (v.)-- to walk heavily. tramp -- (n> -- a home less person who rode the rails during the depression.
Sadie T - o
brad - You are a Dickens, carolyn
Sadie T - o...
Sadie T - d
Sadie T - ...bye
Kim/1/Ca - Sounds fun dc
dcthomas - Good night, everyone. Bah, Humbug, Brad!
Kim/1/Ca - such a dickens of a time.......
brad - why is everyone leaving like this all the sudden?
Marcia/1st/GA - Sadie, I hate long good-byes!
Kim/1/Ca - SADIE...you come back here!
Grace/IL - Kim, scrod is baby cod. They offer it in restaurants here.
Sadie T - LOL, I'm not leaving, Marcia is!
Marcia/1st/GA - I think sadie is telling me good bye
Glenda 1st TN - I thought the homeless person that rode the rails was a hobo.
Sharon - lol... duh! i was trying to read bye doog?
brad - KIM< In my world, SCROD is the past tense of "Screwed" as in, "Those two? You can tell they've scrod before."
Sharon - forgot to read up
Grace/IL - Sometimes a hobo -- we also called them tramps where I came from.
Kim/1/Ca - LOLOLOL Brad........omg..the visual I am getting.............
Grace/IL - Brad, are you hitting the bottle tonight?
brad - Several Halloweens in my youth were spent as a hobo. Very cheap costume
Sadie T - LOL Sharon! I kinda wish they'd reverse the chat so that it scrolls the other way. Bye doog!
Marcia/1st/GA - I need to go now. Hey, this was fun!
Kim/1/Ca - Just don't get what you are drinking on the RUG, Brad.........
brad - a little of mom's mascara and you're set to "ride the rails" and score some candy to boot
Marcia/1st/GA - sadie, too bad you can't play it backwards like old records and hear the subliminal messages
Glenda 1st TN - Sadie, what part of the country are you from? Don't you know it is "dawg"?
Sharon - quick question just because i'm curious... did any of you throw valentines when you were young? toss it at the door, ring the doorbell and run hide?
brad - No one can resist a short tramp with mom's mascara smeared on his cheek and a pillowcase in hand
Marcia/1st/GA - Sharon, never heard of it.
Kim/1/Ca - What is the definition of a dyslexic agnostic?
Sadie T - LOL Marcia, thgin doog!
Sharon - someone who doesn't believe in dog?
Grace/IL - Hey, I just looked up 'tramp' in my dictionary and everything I said was there -- tramp: having no fixed abode, connection, or destination.
Marcia/1st/GA - Oh, I know this one, Kim! Wait
Sadie T - LOL Glenda! (California, in case you were serious)
brad - Sharon? No. Sounds odd. More than likely I just popped it in their cutout red construction paper hearts glued to it bag with some cute poem on it. I had many rhymes for SCROD!!! LOL, hoo boy
Marcia/1st/GA - a DOG
Glenda 1st TN - You're good Grace
Grace/IL - A dog! -- god in reverse.
Kim/1/Ca - Someone who lies awake, wondering if there really is a dog.
Sadie T - Dyslexic agnostic insomniac - Stays up all night wondering if there's a dog
Kim/1/Ca - oooooh better, sadie.....
brad - What do you call a dyslexic fish?
Sadie T - Grace has the dictionary memorized
brad - DORCS!!!
Kim/1/Ca - my microwave is whining at me.....one minute.
Glenda 1st TN - Sharon around here they roll your yard, ring the doorbell and run.
Marcia/1st/GA - dorcr, brad
Grace/IL - Not memorized -- just sitting in my lap
Kim/1/Ca - (holding sides here.......hot tea can wait)
brad - why this mad fascination with ringing doorbells on Valentine's Day?
Marcia/1st/GA - oops, dorcs!
Sadie T - No, Grace, I meant you must have it memorized because you said it BEFORE you looked it up!
Sharon - *rolling eyes* @brad
brad - How do you roll a yard? (envisioning rolled-up sod)
Kim/1/Ca - How about a dyslexic Dad?
Marcia/1st/GA - so did you ring doorbells and throw valentines. What if it was raining out? what did youdo then? Didn't the colors all smear?
Sharon - with toilet paper of course!
brad - No, for real, "How do you top a rabbit?"
Marcia/1st/GA - or dyslexic mom, for that matter, kim
Glenda 1st TN - Brad, rolling a yard means to take toilet paper and roll it in the trees, shrubs, everywhere. It is a real mess to clean up.
Sharon - we did, marcia. and it was a biggie!
brad - Oh, we just call that tee peeing
brad - T. P.'ing
Sharon - you tatch him by his tute tittle tail?
Grace/IL - scrod: a young fist (as a cod or haddock); one split and boned for cooking. That's the official definition.
brad - Ok, "How do you top a rabbit?"
brad - Tep on it
Kim/1/Ca - brb dad in law on phone!
Marcia/1st/GA - or pee teeing, brad, if it was dyslexic
Sharon - i answered you brad
Sharon - lol!
brad - Oh, lawsy more promises of Dodge trucks
Grace/IL - You throw salt on his tail and when he stops to lick the salt, you grab him.
Marcia/1st/GA - oh, i get it, brad.
brad - A young fist?
Sharon - how do you catch a polar bear?
Marcia/1st/GA - no, maybe the two dads will try to top each other. maybe a hummer, Cadillac Escalade, orthe like?
Sharon - you cut a hole in the ice, open a can of peas and set beside it... when the bear comes up to take a pea, you kick him in the icehole (much better with a southerner telling it)
brad - groan, ba dum bum
brad - How do you top a dad?
brad - Tep on him too
Glenda 1st TN - Oh, Sharon, I had to read that one out loud before I got it. I wonder why?
brad - bathroom break for me, brb
Sharon - lol, glenda
Grace/IL - Have a big day tomorrow. Have to be out of the house by 7:15. Need to get to bed. 'Night all.
Sharon - *tepping on brad*
Sadie T - Good night Grace!
Sharon - night grace
Glenda 1st TN - Night Grace and thanks for your help.
Kim/1/Ca - Whew.......he NEVER calls.
Sharon - never say never
Kim/1/Ca - really.......when he calls somebody has died.
brad - Okay, I missed Grace leaving.
brad - Oh, we just thought Dustin had more potential fake car offers
Kim/1/Ca - Mother in law does all the calling.
brad - NOW I have booze!! LOOK OUT!
Sadie T - Kim was he calling with bad news this time?
Kim/1/Ca - NO.....looking for "his son" LOL! They are driving to Vegas this weekend.
Glenda 1st TN - Glad there was no bad news
Kim/1/Ca - Dustin got a "long board" for Christmas........a long skateboard? It is the MOST fun riding across the family room into the kitchen and back when you are on the phone.
brad - Marcia and Sharon, you are really not that far. We must attempt to meet. Perhaps over a scrod dinner?
Sadie T - enoyreve thgin dooG, time for me to get going too
brad - (visual of Kim on skateboard)
Kim/1/Ca - So Dan is talking to his dad and dang near trips on it cuz I left it out.........(oops) I told him the Dog left it out.
Sharon - you could come to the birmingham conference, brad... i bet we could find some scrod
brad - Sadie thank you for making my head hurt. And goodnight
Kim/1/Ca - Almost as much fun is sliding across this laminate floor with my polar fleece socks. Woo hoo!
brad - The next time I see scrod on a menu, I will just laugh my ass off. It's like my cousin and I with chipotle. What the heck is chipotle?
Sharon - it's those coke bottles with little chips on the lip... defective stuff... stay away
Kim/1/Ca - I still laugh when I think about that plaid phonics book..........
Glenda 1st TN - I'm sure he believed the dog excuse.
brad - Oh, Kim, that was priceless. And I could just imagine the looks on their faces when you SUGGESTED we make fun of them
brad - I'm still trying to figure out how to be cordial in our upcoming "cross-grade" level meetings
Kim/1/Ca - Um, yeah, he did........why not, Glenda? Surely he doesn't think that ME, a mild mannered first grade teacher decked out in polar fleece and wrapped in a blanket with hot tea........would ride a skateboard?
Glenda 1st TN - Of course not, and your secret is safe with me. I can't speak for brad.
Sharon - mild mannered????
Sharon - nan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kim/1/Ca - YES SHARON...what is your POINT? That I am NOT MILD MANNERED???????????
brad - Oh, I can assure you Kim's manner is very mild
naneb - Hi!! everyone
Glenda 1st TN - Hi naneb
Kim/1/Ca - ((((naneb)))))
brad - Manure? Manner?
brad - Nan?? You're up late tonight! LOL
naneb - Glenda, do you have snow? I just got home from Nashville
naneb - just got home about an hour ago!!
Kim/1/Ca - higher and deeper, brad.........i have the degrees to prove it.
Sharon - manure is such a lovely word for such a gross thing, don't you think? wish grace were here to tell me its derivation
Kim/1/Ca - I think it is French, Sharon.
brad - Do you have snow? Why did I just think of "Can I drink water?" (which, god bless her, today she asks, "MAY I drink water?") Small wonders. (tear in eye)
Glenda 1st TN - No, it snowed Thursday, but didn't stick. They cancelled school because of temps below freezing.
Kim/1/Ca - Oh, Brad.......the success! A crown for your jewel.
naneb - it was really cold and the snow was pretty, there was still snow on the ground south of Nashville
brad - IT is French, for "one who mans"---manure
Glenda 1st TN - What were you doing in Nashville?
Sharon - mines woulda said, "I can drink walda?"
naneb - Rennassance Learning convention
brad - walda? ISn't that where Thoreau stayed?
Sharon - how was it nan?
Glenda 1st TN - Let me know the next time your in town. I would love to meet you.
Sharon - they axed our trip
Glenda 1st TN - I'm only about 30 minutes from N'ville.
naneb - it was at the Opryland Hotel! That is the biggest hotel I have ever seen
naneb - The speakers were great, lots of fun
Glenda 1st TN - It is really nice.
Glenda 1st TN - Did you go to Opry Mills?
brad - So, Kim, how do I kindly tell the grade one teachers that they suck?
naneb - Glenda, I completely forgot that you lived in TN, we didn't leave the hotel
Kim/1/Ca - Tell them it is your considered opinion after much observation that they are instructionally challenged.
Glenda 1st TN - I'm sure you were really busy. Opry Mills is very, very close to the Hotel. You could walk there.
brad - OOH, confuse them with jargon---me likes
Kim/1/Ca - That there is a bun missing off their hamburger.
Glenda 1st TN - It sounds like they belong in the Not Right School.
brad - That their SCROD is screwed??
Sharon - that their gene pool is contaminated
Sharon - that their dog don't hunt
naneb - Has anyone ever heard Amanda Gore? She is from Australia
brad - Is she Al's Daughter?
Glenda 1st TN - No, tell us.
naneb - I don't think so!!
Glenda 1st TN - NO! Brad. Al is from TN not Australia.
naneb - she is a motivational type speaker, she was fantastic and so much fun!
Kim/1/Ca - That.......instructional methods must match curriculum in a cohesive and artistic way........that their failure to comply with basic learning theory is promoting an abundance of ill-prepared first year students, unable to compete in the dog-eat-dog rigorous mine field that is second grade.
naneb - It was all about getting priorities straight and living longer and healthier
Kim/1/Ca - That there is lettuce and cheese falling off their tacos.
brad - I like that dog-eat-dog and rigorous mine field stuff. Got any more where that came from
Sharon - ack! bet she said the 'e' word too
Sharon - exercise
brad - darn that exercise. I guess it IS good for something
naneb - No!! not that kind of health, more psychological health!!
Glenda 1st TN - Please say it isn't so.
Sharon - i gave up on that a few years back, too, nan
brad - Maybe I won't say anything to them. I'll just stuff a PACKET in their boxes.
Glenda 1st TN - Did she tell us how to handle the stress of testing?
naneb - She said there are 2 kids of people energy givers and energy suckers! That we have to stay away from the suckers cuz they suck the life right out of you
Kim/1/Ca - That huge cognitve gaps are most evident when children transition from first grade to second grade.....the gap is much wider than the transition to first from kinder and significantly larger than said gap when second graders are promoted to third grade.
Sharon - give them worksheets to fill out about their teaching... hundreds of cute little worksheets
brad - Is that true?
Glenda 1st TN - I agree with her nan
naneb - She said we shoud greet students and each other with this question, Hi, what's the best thing that's happened to you since I saw you last?
Kim/1/Ca - That therefore, since this is not a NATIONWIDE problem, nor is it a district wide problem, the responsibility for said gaps must rest upon their jumpered shoulders.
Sharon - and the suckers are always negative, right?
brad - Huge cognitive gaps are present in the faculty
brad - Nan, that's too much, I kinda like, "How's it hangin?"
Sharon - then you must be appointed to cut and paste, brad
Glenda 1st TN - After you have spent time with someone and you leave, if your down and out. They are energy suckers. If you feel exicted and energized they are the energy givers.
naneb - She said the symbol for energy suckers is eeyore, cuz Eeyore's life really sucks and the symbol for energy givers is Tigger
Kim/1/Ca - True...very true indeed, Glenda and Nan. What are WE, then?
Sharon - nan! have you ever heard firsties talk? I'd be all day listening to the FIRST student i asked
Glenda 1st TN - We are energizers. But the suckers sure don't like our energy.
naneb - for those whiners and complainers you just tel them, To build a bridge and get over it!!
brad - What about my building? I swear to you, sometimes I walk in there and it just SUCKS the life right out of me
Kim/1/Ca - I don't know.....Tigger makes me tired. All that bouncing.
naneb - she has a website, www.amandagore.com
Sharon - there's your line, brad... build a bridge and jump off it.... er... i mean get over it
brad - Thinking about Ms. Gore's energy makes me tired already
Kim/1/Ca - Thou shalt not eat in the staff lounge if thou wishest to remain a giver of energy.
brad - She got that "build a bridge" stuff from the Judds, admit it
Sharon - lol!
Kim/1/Ca - lol
brad - Oh, Kim, no one eats in our lounge anymore. LOL, I've been ostracized
Sharon - no... she got it from simon and garfunkel
Kim/1/Ca - Brad..........ostracized?
brad - Don't you think it's time?
naneb - actually , you don't even say it just make a motion that looks like a bridge
brad - OH, CHARADES, I like that. First syllable--You Second syllable--suck.
Glenda 1st TN - Don't bother with the hand motion. Just tell them to talk to the hand.
Kim/1/Ca - I was pontificating to my principal about this and she just kept pointing to her eyes with two fingers and pointing to me.......eye to eye!
brad - OH, did you put your hand out from your nose like the Stooges Kim?
brad - Seriously, Nan. I'm sure it was great, and I tend to like those kind've things, unless they're corny. I'm just real sarcastic tonight
Glenda 1st TN - "Pointificating?" Isn't it a little late for such big words?
Kim/1/Ca - I also followed her around one afternoon last week reading aloud to her from a journal article. I think she likes me.
Kim/1/Ca - She likes me, she really likes me!
brad - Kim, you suck-up
Glenda 1st TN - Okay Kim. What did the two of you see eye to eye on?
Sharon - because she didn't tep on you?
Kim/1/Ca - There was this really great quote about scripted programs and I really RAISED my voice and she raised hers right back.......it was great.
Sharon - did you see any authors nan?
Kim/1/Ca - About being positive, being professional, teaching from the heart.
Kim/1/Ca - Nan.......sounds like a good conference.
brad - I teach from behind the desk (which is where I put my feet up when my kids are doing PACKETS)
Kim/1/Ca - LOL@the image of brad with his feet on the desk
brad - Seriously, I hate when they come up and bug me about directions when I'm into my "Cathy" strip and all
brad - That "Cathy"! She takes so long to read some times. All those words. I try to use my strategies, but. . . . .
Kim/1/Ca - I am so sick of Cathy. I like FRAZZ and GET FUZZY now.
brad - No schema for buying outfits and stuffing myself on chocolate
Kim/1/Ca - and stupid bathing suit dilemmas.
Glenda 1st TN - Where is nan? Do you think she got bumped off?
brad - Seriously, my latest fave is Agnes. Do you have that one?
Sharon - i hope not, i wanted to hear if she met any authors
Glenda 1st TN - me too
naneb - Sorry, I was reading an email
brad - Nan's upset because I made fun of Ms. Gore. Come back Nan! All is forgiven1
Glenda 1st TN - All is forgiven, now tell us.
Kim/1/Ca - Multi tasking, Nan?
naneb - you can make fun of anyone you like Brad! I will not be offended!
Sharon - good! now finish telling about your conference
Kim/1/Ca - Me too........Danny is online way up in Chico. I can talk to my son without long distance charges!
naneb - I saw Patricia Polacco, sat right in front of her on the floor!!
Sharon - oh wow, nan!
Sharon - i would have loved that!
brad - Okay, because Celine Dion is starting to wear on my nerves? Does she know that's a Cyndi Lauper song?
naneb - my superintendent say me sitting way in the back and he grabbed my hand and said come with me and he put right in front!
Sharon - he went too?
Kim/1/Ca - WOW, Nan!
Glenda 1st TN - Keep talking. Give us the details.
naneb - She told the story of The Keeping Quilt, her daughter and her aunt were with her
naneb - he sat in a chair
Sharon - how special... i just bought that book
naneb - I got it signed by her!
Sharon - now that's REALLY special!
naneb - I also bought a video of her telling stories, I haven't watched it yet
Glenda 1st TN - Neat Nan, Your kids will love to hear this story when you read them the book. Did you get any pictures?
naneb - Lots of pictures
Kim/1/Ca - How wonderful!
Sharon - oooo... i'd love to have that video!!!!!
Glenda 1st TN - Great!!!!!
naneb - It was worth going just for that
Glenda 1st TN - What else?
brad - Nan has had so many adventures lately
Sharon - any new ar thoughts?
brad - ar? well that rooster idea was good sharon
naneb - I went to a session on duolog reading that was good
Sharon - not familiar with duolog reading, i don't think?
Glenda 1st TN - Did they discuss the over use of AR?
Kim/1/Ca - That's a Ginny thing, isn't it?
naneb - then I went to a special ed discussion group that was all sped teachers and we just discussed how we use ar
Glenda 1st TN - What did you find out about how the others were using AR. I'm not happy with the way our shcool uses it.
Sharon - brad, my ex student teacher bought a huge ceramic rooster for her classroom for that purpose... it has got to be the tackiest thing i've ever seen
naneb - duolog is paired reading where a higher reader coaches a lower reader, they read one book together
brad - LOL, Sharon
Sharon - oh yeah, nan... duh on me
brad - But what will she DO with it, Sharon?
naneb - most of them do what I do, my kids read alone, together and with a tape, I will read the test if they need me to or we preview the test together to see if they need to re-read the book
Sharon - as god is my witness... she hung a big chart around his neck that says ar/ or/er, ir, ur
Glenda 1st TN - How do you preview a test?
brad - Sharon, you should be proud. You've influenced the next generation.
naneb - you can go in as admin and preview it by taking the test as a teacher
Sharon - *hanging head in shame* what if she tells someone that she got the idea from me? i'll be mortified
brad - Why Sharon? I think it's cute
Glenda 1st TN - Sharon if it works - be proud.
Sharon - brad, you didn't see this 3 ft tall rooster... it looks like one of those flea market finds... it's tacky, i tell ya... even my kids would laugh at it... or try to ride it... and think of the space it takes up in the room
Kim/1/Ca - I love it, Sharon!
Sharon - i didn't know you could do that, nan
brad - 3 feet? Okay well, I'm thinking of something that sits on the edge of the table or something
naneb - sign into AR management and go to quizzes
Sharon - no brad... it's huge... sits on the floor
Glenda 1st TN - It will look just great if she goes with a farm theme.
brad - That settles it. I'm telling my first grade team to Ride the Rooster
Sharon - she has no room for a farm theme... she has a full sized canoe in her room and 6 kid size recliners
naneb - I have got to go to bed, night all
Sharon - goodnight, nan
brad - Oh, my Sharon. She's a regular Sofa Express
brad - not to mention All About Sports
Glenda 1st TN - Well, perhaps the rooster could ride in the canoe.
Sharon - no these are those beach type recliners and all yeah... she has a full size shade umbrella too
brad - Of course, don't you have a tub?? Hmmm?
Kim/1/Ca - CANOE? Hmmmmmmmm.............we have a canoe in the garage.
Sharon - lol! i certainly do!
Kim/1/Ca - You have a TUB?
Sharon - the canoe is beautiful... she put fish pillows all in it and it's her reading center
brad - KIM< don't be getting any wild ideas. think sugar cube missions
Sharon - yes, kim... a clawfoot bathtub reading area
Kim/1/Ca - <<<jealous
brad - Ok, someone who drags in indoor plumbing has no business talking about overgrown ceramic roosters
Kim/1/Ca - WANT one too! Always have.
Sharon - lol!
Sharon - i got mine for $25 dollars at a junkyard, kim
Sharon - there's a picture at the mosaic site
Sharon - painted a wildflower scene on the outside and filled the inside with butterfly pillows
Kim/1/Ca - That and a teepee........
brad - Nothin' says lovin' like Kim's tiny wooden oven
brad - Kim, a K teacher in my building has a teepee
Sharon - we always made our tipi's
Kim/1/Ca - Hey....my oven is over in Kindergarten now.
Sharon - but this year i bought a pre-made one... not really happy with it though... want to go back to making them with the kids
Sharon - the big hit in my room right now is the stargazer box
brad - made out of what?
Sharon - ever made one of those?
Glenda 1st TN - I'm falling alseep at the computer. I better go to bed.
Glenda 1st TN - Night all.
Kim/1/Ca - no........
Sharon - night, glenda
brad - gnite glenda
Kim/1/Ca - good nighjt glenda
Kim/1/Ca - alkdjfl;askfjlasfjjfklkj
Sharon - the kids painted a refrigerator box black and decorated the outside with stars....
Sharon - inside i punched holes with an ice pick to form constellations and pushed white christmas lights through each hole
Kim/1/Ca - yesssssssssssss,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Sharon - they love it
Kim/1/Ca - my fridge came without a box........very disappointed.
Sharon - not white lights... clear lights i meant
brad - you all have toomuch time on your hands. LOL
brad - Hey Kim. So I'm a pariah now
Kim/1/Ca - have you seen the igloos made from gallon milk jugs and hot glue?
Sharon - i saw a space shuttle tent several years ago at sears that i'm still kicking myself in the butt for not buying
brad - Trading Spaces again, Kim?
Kim/1/Ca - Brad and Pariah don't rhyme. You can't be a pariah.
Sharon - yes, kim... but i've never tried to make one
brad - One of Hildy's monstrosities?
Kim/1/Ca - they look just like igloos, brad.
Kim/1/Ca - speak to us, brad.......
brad - okay, well i hadn't given much thought to it this week,although the mood around was subdued, to say the least
brad - .......
brad - So this morning I go into Amy's room to ask her a question, and she said, "Did you see the meeting this morning?" I said "What meeting?"
brad - She said, "They're all in (so and so's) room right now and I just walked by and they all hushed."
Sharon - wasn't hildy the one who destroyed that gorgeous bathroom by gluing silk flower buds all over the walls?
Kim/1/Ca - yes sharon.......ugh. go on, brad......
brad - And later two of them were in the copy room and I heard them gabbing and when I came in, they immediately clammed up
Kim/1/Ca - how juvenile........
brad - And on the way home, I just happened to be locking up the same time as Amy and we were walking down the hall together, and one of them came out of a room and saw us in the hall, and turned back around and went back in. When I looked they were ALL in that room agian. LOL
brad - When she saw us in the hall, it was like she had seen a mouse the way she scooted back in. What a hoot!
brad - No one eats lunch in the lounge anymore (Amy never ate there much to begin with)
Kim/1/Ca - you shoulda put your arm around her when you walked past........
brad - But I did and now they don't
brad - My wife said she's gonna come up and plant a big wet one on AMY!!
Kim/1/Ca - so now you get that big lounge all to yourself!
Sharon - the robbed that smiles steals something from the thief
Kim/1/Ca - LOL at Nichole!
Sharon - goodnight, you too
Sharon - two
Kim/1/Ca - good night, sharon! sleep well.
brad - gnite, sharon. this is a riot
Kim/1/Ca - to
Kim/1/Ca - so.......do want to "Look around"
brad - as in another job? Not particularly
Kim/1/Ca - Hang tight, then.........can you handle it?
brad - So they can "win?" No way. Believe me, this small minority couldn't possibly get to me
Kim/1/Ca - You KNOW you are "right" and the prince backs you up.......they are all petty and jealous. Not to mention stupid.
brad - It's only about four or five of them and they're po'ed because Amy and I have the freedom to teach as we want and they don't so they have to fill the void
Kim/1/Ca - Little by little they will "attrition" out of there.
brad - I think it was supposed to be SCANDALOUS that we don't slavishly follow the basal, but when it wasn't I think this rumor was created to fill the void
brad - attrition?
Kim/1/Ca - The natural phenomenon of people leaving and moving on.
Kim/1/Ca - Silly.
brad - I could imagine that it was very similar to your phonics book scandal. That's how I wish I could be in our cross grade level meeting. That brave.
Kim/1/Ca - The best revenge is doing your job well and being upbeat, happy, and well-respected by the people who count.
Kim/1/Ca - But I have been VERY nice and upbeat with them since. Smoothed ruffled feathers. But I sense that NOW they are "running scared" of me.
brad - Yes, but I'm very tired of the blank looks I get when I pose something that should've been taught and reinforced heavily in first. For crying out loud, Kim, I don't think they teach how to decode!
brad - Kids look at me like I have two heads
Kim/1/Ca - I mean, we got into it but not in such a way as we were angry. Deep down I t hink they agree with me but are too "slavish" to shake the ties that bind them.
brad - Oh, to be a fly on the wall when she pulled out that plaid book and said it contained some VERY good lessons
brad - Tell me more
Kim/1/Ca - I had to really try, brad........but it was just too funny!
brad - Believe me, I told Amy, I've been biting my tongue so hard it's bleeding.
Kim/1/Ca - I think they are starting to really RESPECT me now.....as a knowledgeable professional. They see other teachers asking ME questions and when I talk they know that I KNOW what I am talking about.
brad - are most of them older?
Kim/1/Ca - I am also very, very, POSTIVE. I have put together two programs and they were almost SHAMED into participating in this last one. They also sense that Janice really likes me.
Kim/1/Ca - One will retire this year. The other, our "leader" should retire but probably won't for awhile.
brad - See, I don't say a word. . . I guess some people just need something to talk about
Kim/1/Ca - Then there is the former principal who just wants to "do what the others do" because he doesn't want to have to think.
Kim/1/Ca - Then there is a younger one who is just not quite.........right. She isn't very.......together. She is in her thirties but acts like an adolescent.
brad - LOL
Kim/1/Ca - I have to be careful not to say too much...........
brad - Spies?
brad - At this point, I'm POS we're not archived
Kim/1/Ca - Then there is Charles. He thinks like I do but will NEVER reach around and find his backbone. His saving grace is that he teaches T-1.
Kim/1/Ca - No, I mean say too much at school about what I do and don't do.
brad - That's a shame. Backbones are really very useful
Kim/1/Ca - Spies here.....? I doubt it. Nobody dedicated enough.
brad - Then what DON'T you want to say
Kim/1/Ca - He wants me to take T1 next year. I am considering it.
brad - Our Title was taken from us in the name of literacy coach. Sigh. . .
Kim/1/Ca - I don't tell them I spend a minimal amount of time on Open Court because Grace's program does it better. I don't do the stupid workbooks. I have to find a place to hide them or a way to get them off campus without being noticed.
brad - LOL, I can see you smuggling contraband workbooks....
Kim/1/Ca - I also spend LITTLE time on the scripted Saxon lessons. I look at the big ideas and just do it........
brad - How DARE you!! The HORROR!!
brad - you have your own big ideas, I see
brad - It's like Violet wheeling the corpse down the hall on 9 to 5, only this time it's workbooks. Get your lab coat!
Kim/1/Ca - My kids get what they need. My concern is with science and social studies. I only have 3 afternoons a week to cover it.....specials, you know. I need to focus more on that this last half. I mean, not much to it, really........no meat. But the kids love animals and I have lots of animal books.
brad - (funny mental image)
brad - Oh, I know what you mean. My ss and sci are SO weak as to be almost nonexistent. Only covered in reading materials really. I'm trying to get something together with Amy where we plan a weekly science experiment
Kim/1/Ca - I feel like I have to PERFORM cuz I am new .......have to establish a rep.
brad - Do you rmemeber your first few years? So hard to "get it together"
Kim/1/Ca - So I am fixated on getting these kids reading BETTER and BETTER. All of my low ones are getting extra help. I stay late on Tues, Thurs now.
brad - Still getting a rhythm
Kim/1/Ca - YES. But I had a good room partner and mentor. Made it easier.
Kim/1/Ca - I have not taught writing with Writer's Workshop before.......learning. Poring over Calkins.
brad - Tee hee Alta!
Kim/1/Ca - I KNOW My kids are getting a much better writing program than the Stepford Classes.
Alta Rose - Hey, I sduppose you guys are ready to call it a night.
Kim/1/Ca - Well, howdy there Alta Rose.........yes, just about!
brad - Workshop is hard the first year, esp.
Alta Rose - Just thought I'd say hi.
Kim/1/Ca - I am also worried that I am not getting to hear enough of them read during the week. I need to make a check list or something.
Kim/1/Ca - Cold from Canada here, Alta........brrrrrr........
brad - I love when the Stepford Writing Samples are put in the hall for display. Don't you enjoy reading, "I like my mom." 25 times
Alta Rose - I am so thrilled with this questioning part of MOT. The questions the kids come up with and the discussions that come out of it are amazing.
Kim/1/Ca - thanks a lot!
brad - I hear mine all read once a week, Kim.
Alta Rose - Hey, Kim, everytime you Americans are cold you always blame it on us! LOL!
Kim/1/Ca - Yes.......or copied sentences.
brad - one on one
Alta Rose - We're not gonna take it anymore! LOLOLOL!
Kim/1/Ca - That's my goal, brad........
brad - You can do it. I have faith. What seems to stand in your way?
Kim/1/Ca - I do tons of Shared Reading, too.....song lyrics, song charts, big books........lots.
Kim/1/Ca - Nothing really.......
brad - LOL
Kim/1/Ca - I guess when we do end of the year testing, I will see lots of growth..........and my non readers will be reading. I just want THEM on grade level, you know?
brad - I think I'm getting the diagnosis and teach parts, I just need the "prescribe" part of the teaching cycle. Do you know what I mean?
Kim/1/Ca - because if I can get them on grade level, then I will have shown the plaid phonics books people that MY teaching is superior.
Kim/1/Ca - Prescribe.......just lots of reading, brad.
Kim/1/Ca - song lyrics in a song book?
Kim/1/Ca - charts?
brad - I suppose Kim. I just really want to meet them on their level with the kind of work they need. Individualized so to speak
Kim/1/Ca - yes..........i do see. they need to have lots of books on their fluency level and then the guided reading stuff.
brad - There's so much I want to do. It's just a lot of work building a classroom, and I'm tired. LOL
Kim/1/Ca - making words, the spelling program.........
Kim/1/Ca - rough crowd.....
brad - Kim, does Grace's program do the Look, Say, Cover thing in first?
Kim/1/Ca - well, our weatherpeople always say that a cold front has come down from CANADA
brad - Ours say "an Arctic front"
Kim/1/Ca - um.....i think so. i haven't done that.
Alta Rose - Yeah, that's why we are always getting the blame! LOL.
Kim/1/Ca - I just do the dictation and assessments.........word sorts.
brad - I haven't either, and I'm wondering if that would be a good way for me to individualize a bit. Soemthing for next year maybe
Kim/1/Ca - um........cuz cold runs downhill?
Kim/1/Ca - alta.......i need your email to add it to my ESIA "group." We send each other articles an stuff.
Alta Rose - Brad, are you amalgamating Grace's program with 4Blocks? Or deleting some of the 4Blocks Working With Words?
brad - ME too. Lately we've been doing a sound sort before we do the hunt for words because I think mine have trouble discriminating for the sound we're studying which is why they always have so much trouble in the hunt. They don't get I'm listening for a sound, not looking for a letter necessarily
Kim/1/Ca - ammmalgamating
Kim/1/Ca - hoo boy.......you ARE having to remediate!
brad - Alta, I've been doing very little Month by Month this year. WE still clap/chant and On the back, but we've done very little other activities. I don't like MXM as much in second as I did in third. And Sharon gave me too much food for thought on GTCW to feel comfortable with THAT anymore
Kim/1/Ca - GTCW
Alta Rose - Yeah, I remember that discussion with GTCW.
brad - Tell me about it (remediation). I stretch a word out and ask, "Okay, do you hear an /a/ sound or an /ae/ sound?" Having to talk about mouth positions and everything!
Alta Rose - I never did Month By Month. Do McCracken Phonics instead. But I do like all the other WWW from 4Blocks.
brad - Some of them are finally coming around to the fact that these spelling patterns MIGHT have something to do with the sounds the words make. Arrgh, lol
Kim/1/Ca - I ask the McCraken way..."what sound is your mouth saying?"
Kim/1/Ca - do they chunk?
brad - Heck, no.
Alta Rose - Yup. Thanks Kim!
Kim/1/Ca - what is GTCW
brad - Wait a minute, how do you define 'chunk'?
Alta Rose - Guess the Covered Word from 4blocks.
Kim/1/Ca - rimes, onsets.......you know. it comes after they begin decoding........seeing the word families.........noticing vowel patterns, ing, etc.
brad - Heck no
Kim/1/Ca - I'll send you a word doc tomorrow.......good stuff!
brad - I'm just now getting through on that with a small handful. I told you Kim--I don't think they teach decoding
Kim/1/Ca - criminal
Kim/1/Ca - what DO they do?
brad - Just wanted to be sure how you define. I've heard it a few different ways. You and I have same definition, I think
Kim/1/Ca - okay........bad idea?
brad - That's what I want to know! Follow the basal slavishly, and I'll be honest, our basal is a little criminal when it comes to that stuff (and I think we have a good basal, Houghton Mifflin)
Kim/1/Ca - gtcw, i mean
brad - In GTCW, they are using the onset to "guess" the word. Sharon's shown me research that suggests this is a poor reader strategy for children beyond partial alphabetic, which most mid first graders on are.
Kim/1/Ca - oh yes.....i see that.
brad - But I think it's still a good vocab activity (GTCW)
Kim/1/Ca - yawning a lot........very tired.
brad - What's your word doc?
Kim/1/Ca - An article.......of course.
brad - on chunking?
Kim/1/Ca - Do you want some song lyrics, Brad?
Kim/1/Ca - On spewing.
brad - My Sharona?
Kim/1/Ca - har har har.......
brad - I thought about "Crazy Train" but I don't know how that would go over. . . . I'm already a pariah ya' know. . . .
Kim/1/Ca - I can make you a tape or a CD with the music.
brad - I've reconciled that basically, I'm teaching first
Kim/1/Ca - NOT FAIR, brad........
brad - If you think it would help my crowd, Kim, sure
Kim/1/Ca - do they like to sing?
brad - not sure
Kim/1/Ca - mine do.....they beg for it.
Alta Rose - So do you think it's just the group of kids you have, brad, or is the teaching really that bad in first?
Kim/1/Ca - Octopus's Garden, Yellow Submarine,
Kim/1/Ca - Puff the Magic Dragon,
Kim/1/Ca - On Top of Spaghetti, Slimy the Slug
brad - A mix of both. My partner across the hall doesn't have nearly the problems I have, but still suffers from same basic issues as far as decoding and such and said last year was the same (last year she was in second, I was in third)
Kim/1/Ca - o.k........good night.
brad - ntie
Kim/1/Ca - (((((smooches)))))
brad - LOL nitet
brad - ROFL nite
Alta Rose - Goodnight!
brad - I tell ya', it's bad Alta
brad - I mean, I know they don't lead literate lives at home and they're behind when they enter, but good grief. . .
Alta Rose - It sounds like you got the conferences smoothed out though. For awhile there you weren't able to do that.
brad - True, true. I've got them to where they're even ticked off if they miss their conference
brad - Mine so crave that one on one from an adult
Alta Rose - Yeah, I know, the kids don't like that, do they? (Missing a conference.)
brad - Oh, state testing coming up first week of March, and a little worried
brad - Time is so short and I have so much to remediate let alone teach
brad - It's exhausting. Sometimes I wonder if I'll be able to keep it up
Alta Rose - Do you know what you are supposed to have covered for the test when you still have 3 months of school left?
brad - And the backsliding is horrific. If you taught it over a week ago, it's gone
Alta Rose - Here they don't test until Gr. 3, and that's in May. I still wonder how they have time to get it all covered.
brad - I have an "idea" what's on there, but what do you mean?
brad - Yes, but in theory, the test is covering everything learned to that point. If good teaching was going on all along, there should be no need to "cram" in this last month. I'm opposed to that really
Alta Rose - Well, let's say there are math questions in geometry but you haven't got to your geometry unit yet. But maybe it's just L.A. on the test?
Alta Rose - I agree with your last point.
brad - Oh, no. Everything emphasized on the test is covered by then. (Hopefully). For instance, there really isn't much 2 digit addition and subtraction, maybe one or two problems, so we elected not to cover that until later in the year. Missing one or two won't hurt and hopefully they can reason through it
Alta Rose - Gotcha. Is every grade tested?
brad - I really should go. I need to check my mail and it's almost two here. Sorry
brad - Every grade is tested, only 4, 6, and 10 count
Alta Rose - That's OK. I expected you to be done chatting by the time I came. Goodnight!

 
 

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