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naneb - hi
judy3ca - Hi nan! How was your vacation?
naneb - we had a great time!
judy3ca - Was the weather wonderful?
naneb - I am talking on the phone to my sister
judy3ca - Okay, I'll wait.
naneb - i didn't mean don't talk but i might not answer right away
judy3ca - Hi Grace, how are you?
Grace/IL - Had a great evening. Grandson #3 is on a waterski team and we went to watch the ski show.
john - any reading techer?
Grace/IL - Hi John, no reading techers here (teachers maybe but don't mean to be snotty.)
judy3ca - Grace, that's neat!
Grace/IL - Yes, he does barefoot skiing, wakeboard, and is learning to helicopter off the jump.
Grace/IL - He's also at the bottom of the pyramid.
judy3ca - For the last week I've been meeting every day with 5 colleagues to discuss differentiated instruction (and lots of other issues, LOL) and now I'm tired.
Grace/IL - Nobody's talking?
naneb - I wondered where you were
Grace/IL - How are you planning to differentiate?
naneb - I put up the gutters un my room today
naneb - oops, should be in
judy3ca - Nan, busy talking, LOL, my husband's hoping I'm all talked out for a while.
Michelle/3/OR - I got together with some friends yesterday and shared with them the strand about Howard Gardner....we had a good laugh about how the admin at our school has misinterpretted MI's.
judy3ca - Grace, that's such a complicated question...but most of us already differentiate in many ways, particularly in reading and writing. So we were looking at math and spelling, too--and we found the math to be very difficult.
Michelle/3/OR - my son's in here telling me he doesn't have the "guts" to clean the room....so i've got another conversation going on
Michelle/3/OR - judy...I've been doing a lot of thinking about differentiation in math, too
judy3ca - Nan, will you post a picture of your gutters?
judy3ca - Michelle, have you come to any conclusions?
Michelle/3/OR - It's been hard for me to keep anything going that does all the kids justice
naneb - i will try to take one Monday if I remember to take the camera to school
Grace/IL - Yes, I think math would be tremendously difficult. How can you meet each child's needs?
Michelle/3/OR - about math? I've found that everyone I know has the same questions. We all need help, apparently.
judy3ca - Michelle, YES, that's so much of the problem! ALL the kids.
cavey - are we discussing differentiation again?
judy3ca - Sorry, cavey, I started the DI discussion.
cavey - I'm game!
judy3ca - cavey, game yes, ideas????
Michelle/3/OR - The year before last, I really did a poor job with my high kids. Last year, it was my lowest kids... this year I'm going to really work closely with the LD specialist
cavey - I can help with the high kids
judy3ca - Michelle, do you group for math?
cavey - but I've done the low low too
Alta Rose - I agree, math is the hardest to differentiate.
Michelle/3/OR - no...and this year we are getting a new math series that I haven't seen yet
cavey - why do you guys think math is harder?
naneb - okay, I'm sorry I am now off the phone
Grace/IL - At one time we packeted the whole first grade math curriculum. It was a lot of work but we tried to meet each student at his/her level. But not a lot of instruction went on --- mostly attempting to practice what they neededto know.
Alta Rose - Because L.A. is more "open-ended" lots of times and lends itself to kids being able to work at their own levels.
judy3ca - I don't know what others here think, but my discussion group came to the conclusion that we naturally differentiate in reading and writing, but math...
Grace/IL - There were two of us teachers so we tried to form small groups each day.
Alta Rose - I don't do a group work in math, but I am interested in trying it. I do use lots of manipulatives all the time.
judy3ca - For us the issue was more complicated than packets--we were also discussing ability and motivation.
cavey - when I did first, I did small groups as many as four it is challenging, but I had kids who didn't know what a 2 was and some double digit multiplying
Alta Rose - Cavey, tell us more, please!
Michelle/3/OR - I did the packets previously, but I didn't like them for the high kids because I wasn't finding in-depth material on their level, and they didn't need lots of "practice" sheets of basic facts and such
Grace/IL - I think the higher one goes in grade levels, the more difficult it becomes to deal with the ability issue.
cavey - well, it's all about centers
Alta Rose - I agree, Grace.
Alta Rose - Go on, Cavey....
Michelle/3/OR - yes, cavey, I'd like to hear more...
cavey - okay, there were certain required centers each week that all the kids did for math, these were usually based on a whole group topic
Grace/IL - Michelle, some years ago there was a push for programmed instruction. Someone did a whole series on math concepts and it went pretty fast -- probably would work for gifted students.
cavey - i also used a series that tied books into math concepts and the kids did some lit math connections with these as a center
Michelle/3/OR - I actually can't plan much right now until I see the new math program...It's frustrating. I hate not having access
Alta Rose - All the kids did all the centers, Cavey? Or did they go to specific centers at their level?
cavey - then, while they worked on these, I pulled small groups by ability
Alta Rose - Oh, I see. Sorry, I didn't let you finish.
Alta Rose - I'd like to try something like that this year, Cavey.
cavey - and we practiced with manipulatives, taught the concept then they practiced at seat
Alta Rose - So after you worked with the small group, they did their work at their seat?
cavey - there were also general manipulatives logic puzzles, etc when requried centers were finished
cavey - yes, heres the skill lets practice together then you go try it yourself
Grace/IL - Math, like so many subjects, is developmental. They really can't tackle higher level concepts until they've mastered the easier ones.
Grace/IL - Ginny, we're into differentiation.
cavey - Grace you're right, thats why the lower grades are so important for concept development
Alta Rose - Cavey, how many centers would the kids work at each day?
cavey - Oh Alta I don't remember they were kind of ongoing over a week some would finish one in a day some may take two its been several years now
cavey - i do remember that it was very challenging, but the kids loved it and learned a lot
Grace/IL - Would it help to keep a chart of concepts for each child? Last week my little tutee didn't recognize a single coin. Boy, did we work on that. Others may need time concepts, etc.
cavey - i would preassess and then do the groups based on what skills they needed
Alta Rose - I would probably tend to have all the kids work on the same concept, but at different levels.
Alta Rose - I would probably tend to have all the kids work on the same concept, but at different levels.
Michelle/3/OR - That's what I want to do, Alta
cavey - that works great except for the really really high and really really low
cavey - the idea of different levels of the same concept is great and will help you differntiate and keep your sanity
Sharon - nan..... my rain gutter shelves are up and they look MAH-VE-LOUS!
naneb - mine too, Sharon I love them
judy3ca - Sharon, how did you do your gutters?
naneb - did you use the brackets?
Sharon - You walk in the room and see all those bright colorful books and it just sends a message!
Sharon - yes, I used brackets
naneb - It is amazing isn't it, no doubt about what is important in your room
Sharon - grace, nice to see you here tonight
Sharon - exactly, nan!
naneb - I did not use the brackes, just put a screw every 2 feet
cavey - ooh,now I want gutters!
Grace/IL - Sharon, thank you. I enjoy these chats.
Sharon - much cheaper that way, Nan...... sturdy, too?
Alta Rose - Me, too! I don't think I have enough wall space, though. Too many bulletin boards!
naneb - my husband did not think they would work but I bet I have 30 books one one of them and it is fine
cavey - could you put them low under the bb's Alta?
Michelle/3/OR - I don't have room for gutters....barely have room for all the charts I get up on the walls (I laughed when Debbie Miller refers to herself as chart lady)
Sharon - i put two 10 foot rows under each whiteboard, judy
naneb - I put mine under the chalkboard
Sharon - couldn't use that space for much anyway
naneb - that is what I did too Sharon
judy3ca - Alta Rose, me to, nowhere to put gutters.
Alta Rose - No, I'm afraid not, Cavey. I have shelves, etc. that can't be moved
naneb - I didn't buy the end caps either but I might go back and get them
judy3ca - Sharon, that sounds wonderful--right where your kiddos can see them and grab them!
Sharon - grace, I'm about ready to become one of those ABD's I hear so much about ..... it's been the week from hades in statistics class
Alta Rose - Under the white board would work.....But then where would I put my word wall?!? Lol.
Sharon - remember, we're supposed to post pictures of classrooms when they're all finished
cavey - so many words so little wall
Grace/IL - Sharon, you're not giving up, are you?
naneb - I put out all of the Captain Underpants and Horrible Harry books, I am going to put all nonfiction out too, I want to catch these boys the very first week!!
Michelle/3/OR - I put students' work under the white boards.
Sharon - nah..... just having a little pity party
naneb - I hated statictics, Tsquare and all that garbage!! Yuck!!!
Alta Rose - Mind you, that would free up room in my reading center for the WW to go there, maybe......
Sharon - for the life of me I can't find a research article that used a one way anova to analyze and believe me I'm sick of looking!
cavey - Hi Mercy are you from the south?
Michelle/3/OR - my son took a Captain Underpants book to school last year and his teacher wrote me a note saying "Captain Underpants is NOT appropriate for school" and gave it to me at bus duty
naneb - I have a wire around the room way up high to put student work
Michelle/3/OR - you know what, I had the BEST Quantitative Research professor. I love stats!
judy3ca - No gutters for me, but I did buy a tablecloth for my round table yesterday, LOL.
naneb - Hey, the students I have will not read anything so, if they will read Captain Underpants it is a beginning
Sharon - send them to your censorship committee, michelle!
Grace/IL - I never did understand ALL of the statistics. Some of them came easily but I still don't understand all of it. Hubby has his masters in statistics.
cavey - we have a complete set of Captain Underpants in the bathroom for reading material including Super Diaper Baby LOL
naneb - Judy, I have a green, red, and blue plaid tablecloth on my round table
Michelle/3/OR - I have Capt. Underpants in my room too. I laughed at the note
mercysakes - Hello! Yes, I am from the south....KY, what about Y'all?
Alta Rose - Michelle, how old? My son (Gr. 3) loved Captain Underpants last year!
Sharon - Good for you, Michelle...... this guy is G.D. this and G.D. that..... spits on the screen to call something worthless..... a real fruitcake
Michelle/3/OR - he was in 1st gr. last year
naneb - I have them all, 4 of each book, They fight over them usually
cavey - Mercy I'm from VA
Sharon - I'm not too worried, Grace..... my husband said that a statistician did that part of his dissertation for him
naneb - judy, I am waiting for another book order, I ordered on Monday
Alta Rose - naneb, are you doing Gr. 6 LD again this year?
mercysakes - Hi Cavey....
Grace/IL - I didn't need statistics for dissertation -- did an historical one.
Sharon - hi mercy... alabama here
mercysakes - I'm entering late on this conversation...this is all teachers right?
cavey - mercy what do you teach?
judy3ca - nan, LOL, I got another bookcloseouts order yesterday--and it was wonderful because I'd forgotten about it. This time I got some single books plus a couple of sets.
Alta Rose - My son and I discovered the Time Warp Trio books this summer. He loves them! They're written by the same author of "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs."
naneb - Alta Rose, I am teaching 6th grade Ld reading, language, 8th grade LD reading and 2 other combo reading and other subject classes
Alta Rose - Hi, mercy! I'm from Canada.
mercysakes - I teach special ed, self-contained, high school, what about y'all?
cavey - Judy I've done two bookcloseouts orders in a week, hope I didn't order the same stuff twice LOL
Grace/IL - Hi Mercysakes. Yep, it's all teachers.
mercysakes - Hi alta rose....pretty name!
Sharon - i'm defo cutting my load though Grace.... I haven't done anything but live and breathe reading for a year now.... need time to solidify what I've learned!
mercysakes - sounds like elementary school here, huh?
naneb - I ordered more copies of some books and other multi copies, I am going to have some of the same students as last year so I need some new books LOL!! like I need an excuse
judy3ca - cavey, you mean I'm not the only one who orders twice? I'm loving the poetry I got yesteray...been on a poetry binge.
Alta Rose - Thanks. It's not my real name. Just my handle. Alta is short for my province, and Rose is my middle name and the provincial flower.
naneb - I teach special ed too, Middle school
Alta Rose - I do a 1-2 loop, mercy.
Sharon - Judy, that reminds me... I found the poem with the "find yourself in a book" line... the poster I told you about..... I'll scan it next week
cavey - Ooh, I started to get some poetry,Judy, I may have to go back it's only money!
Grace/IL - Sharon, that's wise. One needs a break now and then to regroup.
mercysakes - a 1-2 loop.......gonna have to give me a clue on what that means, alta!
naneb - Terry, sent me a book of Emily dickinson poetry for children, they are great plus Knots on a Counting Rope, Follow The Drinking Gourd and another book
judy3ca - Sharon, great, that would be wonderful!
Alta Rose - Mercy, I taught Gr. 1 last year and this year I have the same class for Gr. 2.
Michelle/3/OR - I'm hoping to win big in Vegas so I can start buying books again....but I found my local library has most the books I want.
naneb - She read Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs
Sharon - grace, even nature knows that.... look at the trees......rapid growth and then time to solidify that growth in winter
mercysakes - oh, okay...makes sense...
cavey - Did you guys see my post about Dear Willie Rudd?
Michelle/3/OR - I don't think so, cavey
Alta Rose - No.
Alta Rose - No.
cavey - Well, you've got to get it!
judy3ca - cavey, I probably shouldn't tell you this, but bookcloseouts has a section of only poetry. I found several Eloise Greenfield (one of my favorites) collections. I really working on poetry. I finished reading Georgia Heard's advice about how to teach poetry, and I'm even subscribing to an adult poem-a-day site so that I can study the poems using the strategies.
Sharon - great idea, judy
Alta Rose - Oh, I think I remember it now, Cavey.
cavey - it's about a woman in her fifties who writes an apology letter of love to her long dead nanny apologizing for things a child can't control
naneb - judy, I want to use more poetry this year too
naneb - I am really going to search for all different genre to use with all of the strategies
Michelle/3/OR - I used poetry a lot last year....it was the kids' favorite subject all-around
Alta Rose - Good idea, naneb.
judy3ca - I'm probably going to do most of the poetry study within WW--and just a little in reading.
cavey - what
naneb - I used more poetry during language and we wrote lots of poetry but we didn't use much in guided reading
cavey - what's the best book for poetry?
Michelle/3/OR - I made the kids poetry anthologies as described in Guiding Readers and Writers...they were great! Definitely will do again this year
judy3ca - Michelle, good for you--how did you do it?
judy3ca - oops, you're ahead of me
judy3ca - Thanks, Michelle, I'll look that up.
Michelle/3/OR - I started out with a Poetry Workshop once per week...a lot like in GR&W with some Regie Routman thrown in...then I just incorporated it in with the rest of the reading and writing curriculum...also, i would read poems during transition time...it was great at getting the kids focused, too.
Alta Rose - Using poetry is a great way to improve vocab.
Grace/IL - I used nursery rhymes today to teach -le syllables.
judy3ca - I read Georgia Heard's Awakening the Heart and liked it a lot. She has some good advice and some good ideas.
Alta Rose - Nursery rhymes are wonderful, Grace. It's a shame that the kids don't seem to know them anymore!
cavey - Judy, that one is mentioned a lot I'll put it on my next order. I have spent so much money since joining this group!
Alta Rose - Michelle, in your Poetry Workshop, did the kids read or write the poetry? Or both?
Grace/IL - Well, some of the nursery rhymes are so outdated. We did talk about curds and whey. Little "Gayle" likes cottage cheese so she understood it.
judy3ca - No kidding, cavey! I always overspend on books--so yesterday I bought about 25 baskets to put some of them in, LOL.
cavey - Grace Have you seen the Bruce Lansky nursery rhymes?
Michelle/3/OR - both...some days the focus was more on one or the other. for instance, we may read poems to find one that we connect with, or draw imagery with another...but another time the focus may be on a writing aspect.
judy3ca - Must go, night all!
Alta Rose - Take Care, Judy!
cavey - Bye Judy Have a good weekend!
Grace/IL - Cavey, no I haven't. There's also a book of Father Goose Rhymes and they're much more politically correct.
Alta Rose - That sounds interesting, Michelle.
cavey - Grace, these are too and funny!
cavey - Glad you made it back Bama!
Sharon - thanks nan and hoop skirt girl
Grace/IL - With "Gayle," I've decided to use Hirsch's "What Your First Grader Needs to Know" to fill in some of the gaps this summer. She reads first grade stuff fluently now so it's time to really work on multi-syllable words..
Sharon - will you teach her to chunk words, grace?
Grace/IL - I'm trying to teach her how to break them into syllables. It's slow going, though, without a system. We do all kinds of breaking the words apart -- looking for affixes, etc. too.
Sharon - are you actually teaching her syllabication rules??
Alta Rose - Are you talking about spelling or reading, Grace? Or both?
Grace/IL - That's why I was so pleased with the nursery rhymes today. There were so many _le syllables. did-dle, fid-dle, pud-dle, coc-kle, etc.
Grace/IL - Alta, we've finished the spelling program. Now it's pretty much anything she needs to know.
Grace/IL - Syllabication rules -- not necessarily. Just trying to work on the six kinds of syllables.
Grace/IL - This little gal is determined to guess at any word she doesn't know so she really needs higher level decoding skills. She seems to comprehent just about anything within her range of knowledge.
Sharon - guesses from meaning or partial phonetic cueing?
Alta Rose - Do her guesses at least make sense, Grace?
Grace/IL - Just from the general appearance of the word. Guesses make no sense. Sometimes she goes back to self-correct but rarely.
cavey - Possible LD?
Sharon - not cross-checking then, huh?
Grace/IL - She doesn't test out LD. She's simply been a child who was totally language deprived in her early years and is a bit slow in processing info.
Sharon - the thing that amazed me in this semester's studies is that there aren't that many common specific reading disabilties...... most come from the matthew effects
Alta Rose - matthew effects??
cavey - Me too Alta
Michelle/3/OR - what are the matthew effects?
Grace/IL - It's been a long battle getting her to this point. She came up from K, 3rd month in October to 1st grade, 4th month in March. She's come a long way since even since then.
Michelle/3/OR - funny thing is...there are 3 matthews entering 3rd grade this year...and they all have a quirk of some type
Grace/IL - Michelle, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Michelle/3/OR - so, i have my own ideas of "matthew" effects...
Alta Rose - I'm sure the 1-1 you are giving her is making the world of difference, Grace.
Grace/IL - Sharon, am I correct that the Matthew effect comes from Stanovich? Or was it someone else?
Grace/IL - Alta, this child would NOT have made it without 1-1 instruction.
cavey - It is so difficult to make up the early language deprivation
Grace/IL - She's a terrifically sweet, most mannerly child.
I-AM-Too-Sharon - yes grace.....stanovich
Grace/IL - I like the stuff Stanovich writes.
cavey - Technical difficulties down south?
Alta Rose - Sharon, what are the matthew effects?
I-AM-Too-Sharon - me, too.... i'm reading Ehri now..... just finished rosenblatt
I-AM-Too-Sharon - grace gave it to you in a nutshell.... rich get richer, poor get poorer.....
Alta Rose - Oh, I see.
Alta Rose - Well, I am going to call it a night, now. Take Care, everyone!
Grace/IL - Ehri really changed a lot of things. I remember one of my professors saying he wished the psychologists would stay out of the reading field. I guess she upset his apple cart.
cavey - Bye Bye Alta!
Grace/IL - I think I'll call it a night, too. I have a church planning session for most of tomorrow.
cavey - G'night Grace!
Grace/IL - Good night, all.
cavey - Well now what? Jan's not here so no synthesis.
Michelle/3/OR - and no one brought ho ho's
cavey - Sharon's probably been kicked off again by now
Michelle/3/OR - well...I guess I should call it a night anyway...my son's trying to pour himself a bowl of cereal...
cavey - I'll go too ! Nice talking with you all!
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