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Kim/K1?/Ca - I am drowning in a sea of pendaflex and I can't get up.............
Alta Rose - Hey, Kim, what's with the ? ?
judy3ca - Phew, that we can deal with!
Kim/K1?/Ca - It just hit me that Danny won't be home tonight.....he's not at work. He's in his dorm room. (sob)
Alta Rose - After K1, I mean.
judy3ca - Yeah, good question about the ????
Alta Rose - Is that your son?
Kim/K1?/Ca - Well, as of Monday I have 15 firsties.........no kinders. As of today, 12 firsties, no kinders.........might be a straight first grade.
judy3ca - How do you feel about a straight first, Kim?
Alta Rose - Oh, that's right. You mentioned that.
Kim/K1?/Ca - yeah, son is off to college.............. judy, did your daughter get off to school?
Kim/K1?/Ca - well, a straight first would probably be better.............huh?
Alta Rose - I imagine that's scary. I have a few years before mine are in college.
judy3ca - Oh, that is sad! No, our daughter doesn't go until Sept. 14...but I'm anticipating sadness.
Michelle/3/or - brown...I don't think anyone ever picks this color..
judy3ca - Hi Michelle!
Alta Rose - I think straight first will be less work.
Kim/K1?/Ca - but first grade goes in lock step.........saxon math and open court.............everybody prepping together.........sigh.
Alta Rose - Hi, Michelle!
Michelle/3/or - Hello everyone...
Alta Rose - You don't have input into your program, Kim?
judy3ca - Ugh, I can't teach that way. Oh well, take what they offer and do what you do best.
Kim/K1?/Ca - It's hard......I was just thinking about who would be home when.........when it dawned on me. He won't be home tonight.
Eilene/3/il - All the credit goes to Michelle. She's been trying really hard to get me here
Kim/K1?/Ca - I waded out of the sea of pendaflex folders without my ROOTS book..........!
judy3ca - Yes, Kim, but at least you still have one at home. Our daughter is the youngest, sob.
judy3ca - Eilene, any friend of Michelle's is a friend of ours.
Michelle/3/or - I think I'm going to change my ESIA title to "ESIA Promoter" or PR person...or something
Kim/K1?/Ca - I am thinking that I can do the Making Words activities with the spelling words, right Grace? and then word sorts?
Alta Rose - Now, pendaflex--pardon my ignorance--are these regular file folders?
Eilene/3/il - Okay, so what is this ESIA that Michelle failed to tell me about
Grace/IL - Hi all, I was deep into something while waiting for the meeting to start and missed the beginning.
Kim/K1?/Ca - ESIA is the official governing body..................
Kim/K1?/Ca - Just pleasantries, Grace.
Grace/IL - Kim, word sorts, yes. Making words?????
Kim/K1?/Ca - Yes, using the letters,,,,,, to create the words from the list.........?
Michelle/3/or - yes, kim, i did that when I taught 1st
Grace/IL - Penadflex are those hanging files.
Sharon - just sent info on Six Flag's Read to Succeed program to yahoo group
Alta Rose - Oh, thanks, Grace.
judy3ca - I got a great book today--do you all have "Baseball Saved Us?"
Kim/K1?/Ca - PENDAFLEX UPDATE!
Michelle/3/or - kim, when's the first day of school for kids at your school?
Alta Rose - No, Judy. Do tell!
Grace/IL - That's an interesting concept, Kim. There get to be a lot of letters very quickly.
Eilene/3/il - I don't have it, judy, buti've read it
Sharon - *gasp* Judy got a new book???
Michelle/3/or - Judy, I ordered that from bookcloseouts, i think
Kim/K1?/Ca - I found 3 boxes of lovely supplies today amongst the garbage..............and guess what was inside one of them??
Michelle/3/or - only 1 new book??
Eilene/3/il - I partnered it with Buntings So Far From the Sea
Sharon - Kim.... chocolate?
Kim/K1?/Ca - Just GUESS!
Alta Rose - I did that in Gr. 1, too, Kim.
Michelle/3/or - pizza menues?
Alta Rose - Um, bread tags?
Michelle/3/or - (I just took pizza out of oven)
judy3ca - It's about the Japanese who were interned in camps during WWII (here in US) and this picture book is one boy telling his story of playing baseball before, during, and after the camp. EXCELLENT!
Kim/K1?/Ca - Yup.........a whole box of PENDAFLEX FOLDERS. AND.............they are LEGAL size! I don't even have a legal size filing cabinet.......................
Kim/K1?/Ca - <<<<<<<<<<<screaming here............
judy3ca - Sharon, ROFLOL!
judy3ca - Eilene, that's a great one, too!
Michelle/3/or - eilene..ESIA is the Educationally Sound Ideas Association (if no one anwered earlier)
Grace/IL - Judy, I learned to swim from a Nesie who had been in the camps.
Sharon - it sounds fascinating, Judy
cavey - Surely among us we'll think of a use for legal size pandaflex
Kim/K1?/Ca - Sounds like a terrific book, Judy..........would go with The Bicycle Man, and How My Parents Learned to Eat
Eilene/3/il - Thanks, Michelle. I was wondering if I had to fill in the blanks
judy3ca - Grace, oh, gosh, that's so wonderful!
Grace/IL - Nesei, that is.
Michelle/3/or - can you make dioramas out of them? if you tape them together maybe?
Alta Rose - Lol, Michelle!
judy3ca - Sharon, I think it will be great for my third graders--maybe for questioning because it's pretty tough, but surely again for inference.
Sharon - pandaflex...... why am i envisioning a panda in spandex??
Grace/IL - Oh, those pendaflex folders -- make study carrels (private offices)?
Sharon - you find the best books, Judy!
judy3ca - Kim, have you been reading my lesson plans and Amazon order? I just ordered Bicycle Man and some more Allan Say books....and How my Parents is one of my favorite read alouds!
Grace/IL - Sharon,
Grace/IL - t'
Alta Rose - Could you make them into writing folders somehow?
judy3ca - Sharon, but I really need to stop buying books--wait til you see my pics.
Kim/K1?/Ca - They are made of a tough material to use in any way for which they are not intended (the PENDAFLEX not the Panda in spandex)
Grace/IL - Don't know how that crazy stuff got in there
Sharon - grace...did my screen mess up?
Kim/K1?/Ca - Oh.....and what about Cleversticks, Judy.........
Sharon - I can't wait to see, Judy! I want to see how you manage all your books in the classroom!
Grace/IL - I was trying to deal with the "penda" vs. "panda" and it updated.
Michelle/3/or - I wish i had a digital camera...my room is looking pretty good.
judy3ca - Oh no! Kim, there's a book I haven't heard of???? Please tell about Cleversticks?
Kim/K1?/Ca - Sharon I might be teaching a straight first grade.....
cavey - Okay, the ESIA definitly needs a book list of picture books
Michelle/3/or - all painted, and I stenciled, and lots of tablecloths.
Eilene/3/il - You've got a huge room, Michelle!
Kim/K1?/Ca - Don't rub it in, Michelle...........I am wading through a mountain of OPS (Other People's Sh*T)
Sharon - oooooo..... goody, Kim! Are you happy about it?
Michelle/3/or - school starts monday, though
Alta Rose - Lol, Kim! (Sorry to laugh, someone has to!)
Michelle/3/or - kim, I did that 2 years in a row.
Kim/K1?/Ca - I think so, Sharon........ i am overwhelmed and hormonal right now though..................weep weep
judy3ca - Michelle, we start Wednesday. I can't wait after hearing everybody else talking!
Grace/IL - Kim, you should have just gotten a dumpster, cleaned out the place, and started fresh. LOL
Sharon - awwwww..... first grade is my LOVE
Kim/K1?/Ca - Um, Judy.......it is called Cleversticks..............about chopsticks...........I will find the author and get back to you
Michelle/3/or - what was worse was that i had to unpack a lot of their garbage too. trying to unpack a classroom full of crap is no fun
Kim/K1?/Ca - Grace, that is what I have been attempting to do all week. I am really resentful, here.........sheesh..............
judy3ca - Where's Nan? Jan, where are you? And Braddyboy?
Michelle/3/or - Judy! I thought you had already started...I haven't written a single lesson plan and I printed your MOT one a week ago.
judy3ca - Thanks, Kim, LOL.
Sharon - braddyboy is probably still looking through the "MORE BUSTS!" posts on yahoo mosaic group
Alta Rose - Kim, I think you will really enjoy first grade. Watching them learn to read and write is awesome!
Kim/K1?/Ca - Can you start school without it, Judy? LOL
Grace/IL - How are you going to use that cute kitchen, Kim?
Kim/K1?/Ca - LOL, Sharon......................
judy3ca - Michelle, ROFL, well, just because I've planned doesn't mean I'm ready.
Kim/K1?/Ca - Well, Grace, by golly..........those firsties better just LOOOOVE that cute kitchen.
Michelle/3/or - yeah, I'm the opposite. my room looks great, but I have no plans
Kim/K1?/Ca - Sharon.......will the firsties like a play kitchen with a doll bed?
Alta Rose - Me too, Michelle! I can never plan until my room is ready. Don't ask me why!
Michelle/3/or - now I need to clean my house. then I'll be ready to plan for Monday.
judy3ca - I had three former students "helping" today and they informed me that the book I'd selected for GR for one group was too hard for the first of the year. Very cute.
Alta Rose - Actually, I shouldn't say that. Got science unit planned today.
Kim/K1?/Ca - Who can plan? I am still shoveling out, uh, you know....................
Eilene/3/il - You have a full day on Monday, Michelle?
Michelle/3/or - yes, eilene. all day
Sharon - I had two in the science discovery center today Kim.... all engrossed in (I thought) exploring the different seashells. When I got there, they were saying, "I'm the mommy and I'm cooking supper. This is our dinner tonight" as she held up my prize conch shell! I think they'll love that kitchen!
judy3ca - Kim, when do your kids start?
Kim/K1?/Ca - LOLOLOL Sharon....................
judy3ca - Sharon, ROFL.
Kim/K1?/Ca - Sep 3.......so I have all next week, in between meetings.
Michelle/3/or - oh, you guys wouldn't believe my crappy schedule. I have to split up my Writer's Workshop. Half before lunch, half after.
Kim/K1?/Ca - I have at least a half day's more of shoveling to do.........then odds and ends...........THEN room environment.
Michelle/3/or - otherwise I can only do 45 minutes of RW and 45 of WW
judy3ca - Yikes, Michelle, why do you have to do that?
Kim/K1?/Ca - <<<<<<<<<sympathetically looking at Michelle..........
Grace/IL - Best laid plans always get messed up by lousy schedules, don't they?
Michelle/3/or - we get very little flexibility in our schedules. Our whole grade level has to do most of it at the same time. The others are happy with the 45/45
Grace/IL - Recess here, music there, RR pullouts when you don't want them, etc.
Eilene/3/il - We're given pretty much a blank slate, as long as we meet the tate minute allotments
judy3ca - Gosh, I have 100 minutes for reading and 60 for WW.
diane - lol, cavey...didn't think you could keep up?
Eilene/3/il - Recess?? What's that?
Grace/IL - Cavey, you've been lurking?
Kim/K1?/Ca - yeah, cavey......i thought you were awfully quiet............
Michelle/3/or - yeah, we barely have any blocks of time between a.m. recess, lunch/recess, and specials.
Alta Rose - Don't you have recess, Eilene?
cavey - I know it's not like me is it?
Eilene/3/il - Nope, no recess, and the day has been extended a full 45 more minutes
Grace/IL - Ooh, Eilene, are you in IL?
diane - we're setting our schedules monday during the all day staff meeting...
Michelle/3/or - judy, I wish! I have that 30 minutes of whole-class ELD that really screws up my day.
Eilene/3/il - Yep, Cicero
Alta Rose - What's the rationale behind no recess?
Alta Rose - Just to fit in more minutes into the day?
Eilene/3/il - I don't know what the rationale is. This is a wierd district
Grace/IL - Eilene, I once lived on Roosevelt Road - 6100 west
judy3ca - Michelle, well, I'm supposed to be doing more ELD next year I guess, but we'll see. There's no way I'm changing reading and WW.
Eilene/3/il - really, Grace? It's a small world
diane - judy, i have a similar time frame for my reading and ww
Alta Rose - Do the kids get any breaks at all, Eilene?
Kim/K1?/Ca - Very small world, Eilene..........I met Grace when she came to Calif for a wedding
judy3ca - Diane and Michelle, but I'll confess that I rarely do SS.
Eilene/3/il - Well, there's a 35 minute lunch break... And then I can give them a break if I remember
diane - judy, what's ss?
Michelle/3/or - I did last year and the year before, have that much time. but this year my hands are tied. I guess I'll just have to train them to get back to work as soon as they come in the door from lunch recess.
Sharon - do all of you have a recess time in addition to P.E.?
Michelle/3/or - judy, I don't do SS
diane - oh... get it...i don't either....
judy3ca - LOL ss=social studies
Michelle/3/or - sharon, yes.
Grace/IL - Hi Browser
Kim/K1?/Ca - I integrate a lot of Social Studies with literature........
Alta Rose - Yes, recess time in addition to 3 P.E. periods per week.
judy3ca - You guys are making me feel much better!
diane - i think the kids get sooooo much more out of the hands-on science. it's my hook for the reluctant students
Browser4400 - Hi everyone
cavey - still here watching ( my name scrolled off again)
Kim/K1?/Ca - I agree, diane.........
Alta Rose - Hi Browser!
Eilene/3/il - 3 PE's!! Incredible. I get 2 this year, only because I don't get an Art
Sharon - hello browser
diane - hi browser
Grace/IL - I think in first grade you have to integrate science and SS into reading whenever you can. There's just not enough time for everything.
Browser4400 - Alta Rose, how are you tonight
diane - well...i worked all week, but i got the room put together...ahhhh
judy3ca - Diane, I agree--and I love science, too.
Sharon - I integrate the SS, but since we're a science magnet, we do inquiry science with FOSS modules
Michelle/3/or - we do science with our Integrated group, so it's very hands-on
cavey - Hi Browser
Kim/K1?/Ca - True, Grace.......... I try to fit in a lot of hands-on science stuff because they really respond well to it and it is easy then to write about it..........
Eilene/3/il - But I still have to teach Art, so I loose an extrra 45 minutes a week.
Alta Rose - Up until now, we had 2 P.E. taught by specialists, one by ourselves. Now, due to cutbacks, I will be teaching all 3 myself.
Michelle/3/or - half my class switches with half the class from the Spanish-speaking class.
Kim/K1?/Ca - You go sit by Michelle, diane........... HER room is almost ready too. Sheesh.
Eilene/3/il - We just adopted a new science series, so we'll see how that helps
diane - i love science as well...the kids can tell. they can also tell my feelings about ss unfortunately )-:
Grace/IL - We did set aside the last half hour of the day for SS and science and rotated the kids between teachers.
Michelle/3/or - but i start on Monday, Kim...it has to be.
Grace/IL - Yes, Kim, write and draw. We went to the turkey farm. They picked up feathers and had to draw them.
judy3ca - Diane, me too!!!! I know the kids sense me trying to stifle the yawns for ss.
Eilene/3/il - (am afraid to tell that I finished my room and planned my first week already)
Kim/K1?/Ca - Okay.........(shuffling feet)
diane - lol kim...my district doesn't really give days to put it together, so i bit the bullet and rushed in
diane - don't be afraid eilene...join us on the dark side!
Eilene/3/il - I love SS, just not third grade SS
Kim/K1?/Ca - I have been in the room all week, diane.........cleaning and cleaning and shoveling................oh, woe is me!
Eilene/3/il - (Hear's "Luke, I am your father...")
judy3ca - Right, Eilene, SS does get interesting in 4 and 5.
Alta Rose - I don't mind S.S. We start off with "Our Community" so we do lots of local fieldtrips, and projects based on them. (Lots of dioramas. Just kidding!)
Michelle/3/or - I agree, eilene. about SS. primary SS is dull.
diane - oh...sorry kim, forgot about your shoveling requirements.
Kim/K1?/Ca - Well, you see diane and Eilene.......I have changed schools and districts.....so I have to MOVE IN but must CLEAN UP another person's garbage.
diane - that happened to me my first year...the teacher i replaced didn't know she was leaving...tons of junk
Michelle/3/or - community members in a can, alta?
Kim/K1?/Ca - Normally, I would be about ready also...........this is learning curve time.
Alta Rose - That too, Michelle! Lol.
Eilene/3/il - I remember how that was. My first classroom was a 5th grade classroom, and I'm supposed to teach 3rd in it.
Kim/K1?/Ca - har har har Michelle.............(in a can..........you slay me)
diane - i though of the esia yesterday as i finally tackled the teacher closet i have ignored for two years...i threw away a charlotte's web project some other teacher developed....lots of felt and googly eyes...argghhhh!
Eilene/3/il - I finally got rid of all those books she had. Useless to me.
Kim/K1?/Ca - brb phone emergency
cavey - Diane- you threw away googly eyes!!!!???? You never know when you might need those
diane - actually, cavey, i kept the googly eyes...i do so love those
cavey - I could use some right now
diane - perfect for character in a can...lol
Eilene/3/il - Well, guys, I'm sorry, but I have to go. Company just showed up. Don't want to seem too rude... hehe
diane - nice chatting with you eilene!
Grace/IL - Bye, Eilene
Michelle/3/or - glad you could come tonight, eilene....see you soon
cavey - thanks for stopping by Eilene
diane - okay, have any of you read any of the brain books by sousa?
Michelle/3/or - no, but i read the one by Caine and Caine.
cavey - well go on girls
Michelle/3/or - oh, actually, after reading RWM I got the Brain book back out and started a synthesis between them and MOT and STW
diane - lol...i just started how the special needs brain learns and was curious about peoples' responses...i'm too soon in it to comment
cavey - Sylvia - My Editor - So glad you're here!
diane - hi sylvia
Michelle/3/or - I had this whole thing written out...but can't remember much of what I wrote right now.
Sylvia/CA - cavey!!!!!!!!!!!!! hi!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!
Sylvia/CA - HI diane!
Sharon - for those of you who love reading those books written for a southern dialect... I came across a good cumulative tale for first grade... Possum Come a Knockin'.... gotta love it!
Sylvia/CA - What's the book about, Sharon?
diane - i did a book study on how the brain learns two years ago, but for some reason i don't remember it well...what does that say for my brain?
cavey - Dialect - what dialect?
Sharon - i thought that might get your head outta your hoop skirt, cavey!
Sylvia/CA - diane!! Sounds like what I would do! LOL!!
Sylvia/CA - uh oh! cavey, where are you from?
cavey - Sylvia- I'm from Vujinyuh
Sharon - sylvia... just a fun cumulative tale... like "When possum came a knockin', mama was in the kitchen cookin' taters." It adds to what all the characters are doing
Michelle/3/or - cavey....that took me a few seconds...I thought "no, cavey's from america"
Sylvia/CA - Ooohhhh Vujinyuh!!!!!!! Well, then! That explains why you type in a 'furn' accent! LOL!
judy3ca - I just got "The Power of Retelling" and I'm excited about it. I shared it with a friend who teaches first and she's ecstatic. I think I'm going to try it with schema the second week (after all my grandiose Muggie Maggie plans).
cavey - Michelle - LOL
Sylvia/CA - furn=foreign... Did I should 'suthern,' cavey?
Sharon - ooops.... hubby is in from football game.....gotta go!
diane - oh, judy, have you read it yet? i've heard good things
Sylvia/CA - Bye, Sharon!
judy3ca - Bye Sharon!!!
Grace/IL - Judy, what do you do for a child who has very little schema for anything?
cavey - bye Sharon
Sylvia/CA - Grace, excellent question! That's about where my students are on most things!
diane - bye sharon
judy3ca - Diane, I've only read a little, but enough to get a pretty good idea. I really think this works well with strategy work.
cavey - Sylvia - frop the last r - we don't use r's
Grace/IL - I worked with my little tutee for the last time today. She goes into second grade on Monday but she's sooooo deprived.
Michelle/3/or - here's something sad....I'm getting a little girl in my class who will be sent back to second grade...but probably not until the 2nd day of school. poor child.
cavey - There, my first typo of the night
judy3ca - Grace, that is sooooo tough! Sometimes I think you have to just forget the homelife and use school schema and text-to-text.
Sylvia/CA - Okay, cavey! I'll most definitely frop my "r's"!
Sylvia/CA - Suthen.... hmmm... but cavey said no r... so no r.
diane - my second grade counterpart was commenting me yesterday about retelling...feels it is weak yet strategies are getting stronger
cavey - Sylvia - you must be making me nervous
diane - oh, michelle, something like that happened to me last year...it is a sad situation
Grace/IL - We've spent a good part of the summer just plugging holes in vocabulary.
judy3ca - Grace, yes, they're almost always language-deprived, too, aren't they?
Grace/IL - Tutee had no concept of mammals, didn't know the meaning of neighborhood, etc., etc.
Sylvia/CA - judy, I work in East Los Angeles, and find that the students have very little life experience outside of school... I've just been reading and letting them respond with whatever thoughts they have about it....
Sylvia/CA - Aww, cavey.... don't be nuhvous!
cavey - Very good Syl
judy3ca - Sylvia, and that's what I'm finding, too--we have to keep reading to them, lots and lots of reading to them. (and I worked for LAUSD for 10 years)
Sylvia/CA - judy, my students ARE language deprived. All of them come from Spanish speaking homes.
judy3ca - Sylvia, I taught that same population.
Sylvia/CA - (thank you, cavey! Frankly, I thought it was more like Boston, but if you approved, then I approve! )
judy3ca - Some of them are language deprived in their primary language, but not all are.
diane - i get the same language deprivation in my little rural school...the kinder teacher does a lot to bring all different kinds of experiences into the classroom just to provide some language and shared experience
Sylvia/CA - Right Judy... I don't want to make the blanket statement that they ALL are so deprived, but MOST are.
judy3ca - What always killed me was we had a lot of kids entering school who couldn't name body parts in their own language--so sad...so little conversation.
Alta Rose - Eilene's district not doing recess reminds me of this. Three recent media stories I've come across lately have covered the problem of overweight, junkfood-fed, underactive kids. "60 Minutes" (I think it was) said that they have to change the name of Adult Onset Diabetes because more and more kids are starting to get it. My MacLeans magazine's top story was about overweight children, and the Reader's Digest mentioned how school cutbacks, eliminating P.E. periods and specialists are also contributing to the problem. OK, I'm getting off my soapbox,now!
Sylvia/CA - Whenever I send home the 'Scholastic or Troll or Trumpet' order forms, I often get the comment "I don't know why he/she wants more books, they don't read what they have!" Just breaks my heart that they have so few books, or any sort of reading material!
Grace/IL - I had an interesting situation with my adult ESLs (volunteer). One man can read and write English beautifully but can't pronounce the words.
judy3ca - Sylvia, I loved that job most of any I've had!
Alta Rose - That's sad, Sylvia!
Alta Rose - That's sad, Sylvia!
Sylvia/CA - Alta Rose?? You mean NO recess, whatsoever??? Where is this happening?
Grace/IL - The man works for a Spanish speaking boss so doesn't even get exposed to English in the workplace.
diane - alta, i agree with you about pe/recess
Alta Rose - Not sure where. Eilene mentioned that before she left.
Sadie T - Grace, that is interesting! Not very common I don't think... usually it's the other way around - often students can pronounce words but not write them.
Grace/IL - In suburban Chicago, Syl
judy3ca - Sadie, how are you? What's new?
Sylvia/CA - $adie!!!!!!! $eem$ like I declared you to be my new be$t friend a while back! LOL!!
Michelle/3/or - Cicero, IL
Sadie T - I am back at work so I've been really busy... can't believe I made it to the chat tonight.
Grace/IL - Tut, tut, be careful about mentioning Cicero. It's constantly in the news here.
Michelle/3/or - back with kids, Sadie?
judy3ca - We're glad you're here, Sadie.
Sylvia/CA - Grace, that's what happens to my students, too. They are surrounded by Spanish everywhere in this community. We were thinking of ASSIGNING them to watch English TV!! Never thought I'd do that! LOL!
Sadie T - Yes, Michelle, lots of them!
Michelle/3/or - I don't know anything about the Chicago area, other than what i have seen on ER and such.
judy3ca - My husband's grandparents lived in Cicero...Al Capone country, right?
Alta Rose - Do any of you have English as Second Language programs in your school?
judy3ca - Yes
diane - alta, my school is the only one in my district that doesn't
judy3ca - Sylvia, I used to tell my kiddos to watch Sesame Street.
Sadie T - Alta - yes - ESL is what I teach.
cavey - Only if you count dialects
Sylvia/CA - Alta Rose, we are required to teach it daily.
Sylvia/CA - Alta Rose, we are required to teach it daily.
Grace/IL - Right, Judy. He ruled the place and everybody seemed to work for him. Even have some interesting stories from first hubby's family.
Michelle/3/or - We have the English Transition Program, but no outside ESL help for those who's parents opt them out of the program.
Alta Rose - Does that help?
Michelle/3/or - I am required to teach English Language Development to my entire class, daily. even the EO's.
Sadie T - Sylvia, that's funny about assigning students to watch TV. Actually, it really could help!
Grace/IL - Alta, tell me about the French immersion program you mentioned on the Prof board.
Sylvia/CA - judy, right! We thinking of looking for things for kids to watch on Public Television...
judy3ca - Grace, I'd love to swap stories sometime. I have a pretty good one about Al Capone and my grandfather (who was a racehorse trainer and took the horses to Chicago during WWII when the West Coast was blacked out).
Alta Rose - Well, it's going into it's 2nd year at our school, Grace. The parents lobbied for it. Last year there was a K-1, this year there is a straight K and a 1-2.
Sylvia/CA - Sadie! yeah! That's what I mean! At any other school, they are talking turn off the TV nights... but here, we need them to get more exposure to English.
Grace/IL - Racehorse trainer? Hubby 1's uncle worked at the track.
Sylvia/CA - (Pssst! Cavey! psst! did you catch MY typo, that time?)
judy3ca - Grace, have you read Seabiscuit?
diane - alta, is it whole school (in those grades, i mean) or do only portions of the kids enroll
Alta Rose - Don't the kids learn English fairly quickly at such a young age?
Sadie T - Sylvia, I had a student who watched The Learning Channel all the time and, seriously, I think she learned more from TV than she learned from me... more English and more science, history, etc...
Grace/IL - But Alta, you're way out west. Is the whole curriculum in French?
Alta Rose - It's only the kids whose parents choose it, diane.
Michelle/3/or - I used to work as the manager at Burger King, and I ran into one of my former employees recently. He now works in the fields, where only Spanish is spoken, and his English is soo poor now. I could barely understand him
cavey - Psst Sylva - I don't usually catch them, that's my problem
judy3ca - Sadie, I'm very impressed with that kid who watched TLC!
Sylvia/CA - Sadie! IF ONLY I could get mine to watch ANYTHING educational! LOL!
Sylvia/CA - Psst! Cavey! I caught another one of yours! Score: 2-0! LOL
Sadie T - Oh yes, I was so impressed with her!! I have to admit I think she's the only student I've had that watched TLC.
Grace/IL - Haven't read it, Judy
Alta Rose - About 80% of the curriculum is French, Grace. Everything except the specials. My collegue did the "graduated" system, introducing French fairly slowly. By the end of the year, if you walked past her class you'd here all directions given in French.
judy3ca - Grace, it's quite good.
Sylvia/CA - Sadie, I'm always thankful to get the one or two kids who will learn 'in spite' of me! LOL!!!
cavey - But, Syl, if I do a spell check I'll get lost...
judy3ca - Sylvia, LOL, ain't that the truth for all of us!
Sadie T - LOL Sylvia
Alta Rose - Some parents want to give their kids the opportunity to learn a second language. My hubby would say, "Why bother, when are they going to use it?" Depend on your perspective.
Sylvia/CA - cavey, just jokin' wi' ya! trying to pull you into the loop!
Grace/IL - But don't they lose out on what they'd be taught in English?
Michelle/3/or - That's interesting Alta, as it's the exact opposite of our program. Primary Language is taught 80% in K and 1.
judy3ca - Well, Alta Rose, I'm going to get on my high horse here and say to your hubby that learning another language gives us another way of looking at the world--and that's a pretty big gift.
Michelle/3/or - oh, wait...are they native french speakers? then the programs are the same. I'm confused, i guess.
Sadie T - Alta, I think your immersion is the opposite of how immersion usually is here - here it starts mostly in the students' first language. But for the students there, French is the second language, right?
Alta Rose - About Gr. 4 or 5, they start to do their work in English, Grace.
Sylvia/CA - Well, folks, I need to head out! Thanks for putting up with my silliness on the Prof. Rdg. Board!! I actually DO learn a lot from all your posts!!
erin - Just got in from Knott's Berry Farm and wanted to say hi
Alta Rose - That's right, Sadie.
diane - lol, erin...i just thought you were really excited!
judy3ca - Erin, you must be tired!
Grace/IL - Have a good evening, Syl. Come back soon.
Alta Rose - "Night, Sadie!
Sylvia/CA - Good bye everyone!!!!!!!!!
cavey - Oh no my editor's leaving...By Syl
Sylvia/CA - Thanks, Grace! I surely will!!
Alta Rose - Oops! That was supposed to be for Sylvia! Sadie, you can stay!
erin - Yes, it was hot and crowded. Glad to be home
Sadie T - Thanks Alta, I was wondering what I'd said wrong... LOL
Sadie T - Alta, immersion students where you are have more taught in their first language as they get older?
Alta Rose - Yes, Sadie.
Sadie T - That is really interesting. A lot of our immersion programs are supposedly modeled after Canadian immersion programs. But, it sounds like yours is really the opposite of ours.
Grace/IL - KBF is a neat place. I visited there on a rainy day in late Dec., 1993.
erin - Judy, I liked your idea of using Care as your classroom standard. I mentioned it to my teaching partner and we may use it. Can I steal?
Alta Rose - Yes, because French is the second language, not the first.
judy3ca - erin, how cool! I'm glad you like the idea and will share!
cavey - I've gotta go too- I know you all have enjoyed my thoughtful insights tonight
Grace/IL - Erin, we had a neon sign at the entrance to our building that said "We care."
judy3ca - Erin, just don't tell Jan--she'll make you do lots and lots of work to earn it, LOL.
Alta Rose - brb
diane - okay guys...have to go...good luck to those of you that start with kids on monday!
erin - Bye cavey,
cavey - I'll see you on the board!!!
judy3ca - Night, cavey!
erin - LOL Judy, I bet!!!
Sadie T - Bye Cavey!
judy3ca - Night, diane!
Michelle/3/or - oh, erin....I'm glad you mentioned judy's "Care"....I've been thinking about that today.
Alta Rose - Night, Cavey!
Sadie T - Bye Diane!
erin - The more I thought about Care, the more I realized how it encompasses so many other aspects of the classroom
judy3ca - Michelle, what do you think about it?
erin - Michelle, we've got to stop thinking alike...it may start another WTW discussion...LOL
Michelle/3/or - me, too, erin...the more i think about....
judy3ca - I did take one of Jan's main suggestions--I'm going to read the book ending with CARE! and then have the kids chart what that means.
erin - My son is asking where everyone is from...diane???? How about you?
Michelle/3/or - judy....I am debating whether to use it. I really like it, but I also really like having the class come up with the rules. It is a good discussion
erin - What was the name of that book again Judy. I want to order...just what I need more books
judy3ca - Erin, LOL, it's "Pierre" by Maurice Sendak. Don't be fooled by it's simplicity.
Michelle/3/or - I have a very tiny version of Pierre
erin - I think you can use care as the Big idea...and as Jan and Judy were saying, kids can generate how to show caring in the classroom
Michelle/3/or - it's so small, the kids will think i'm just staring at my hands
judy3ca - Michelle, I like the discussion, too, but I think this will cover the same ground for me.
judy3ca - Michelle, LOL, it is a tiny book--that's THE version.
Michelle/3/or - really? they don't make them larger? I have the complete set of those books, then
Alta Rose - Sorry, I'm not following. What is "Care?" Is it a program?
Sadie T - Yikes, I meant to stay longer, but I've got to go - telephone call. goodnight1
judy3ca - I've never seen a larger copy. By "those books" do you include "Chicken Soup with Rice?"
Michelle/3/or - OK, maybe I will do that. Will you keep a record (list, or whatever) of what the kids come up with of what "care" means, or just keep the one word up?
Alta Rose - Take Care, Sadie!
erin - Sadie, Judy had mentioned on the chatboard how she was going to simplify her classroom standards, no longer rules, to one...Care
Michelle/3/or - yes, judy.
erin - Should have said Alta sorry
Alta Rose - Oh right, now I remember. Thanks, Michelle!
Michelle/3/or - and the A is for Alligator
erin - Michelle I was going to keep an ongoing chart with examples of what it is and what it isn't
Alta Rose - Oops! I mean, thanks, Erin. (I'm having trouble with names tonight!)
erin - Alta,,,LOL, so was I
erin - Jan or Judy had also mentioned finding examples in books, newspapers, etc and really going into detail. I printed out the post because it was so great
judy3ca - I'm so tired from pushing my classroom around all week--I'm going to have to call it a night. Thanks for being such a wonderful online study group!
Michelle/3/or - I really liked having the 5 rules the class came up with and refering back to them....like they were our joint agreements....but if I have a small record of our discussion, that could do the same thing
erin - Bye judy. Thanks for all your great ideas
Alta Rose - I think I will call it a night, too. Thanks, everyone!
Michelle/3/or - I have printed so many good ideas! but then I lose them
Michelle/3/or - ok, well, thanks for helping me make up my mind
erin - Michelle I was thinking that caring would encompass all rules....We show caring by listening to others...We care for books by treating them right...etc.
erin - Let's keep up the discussion...I can learn so much from everyone
Michelle/3/or - right, but I worry about not having anything more concrete.
erin - In the gazette one of the articles by Marvin Marshall talks about not having rules but standards. I had started with that idea
Michelle/3/or - I guess if we are continually talking about what it means to "care" for the first weeks especially, they will have an understanding of what is expected.
erin - Then Judy posted and it helped me
erin - I think it will actually be more concrete because it focuses on one main idea
erin - I know it will help constantly disorganized little ole me
Michelle/3/or - The good thing with a few of us doing the same thing, we can talk about how it's working
Michelle/3/or - ugh...I don't know why I'm having so many troubles posting
erin - I think it will be a very good thing
erin - I'm trying to think and plan for my first week. I've learned and read so much this summer that it's almost paralyzing trying to put down on paper what's going on in my head
Michelle/3/or - I agree about the Standard vs. Rules. also about setting Procedures.
Michelle/3/or - Erin, I think that's what's keeping me from doing my planning. I have so much "stuff" in my head.
erin - Sometimes, "ignorance is bliss" I could just fill in those workbook pages and call it a night
Michelle/3/or - I've never been good about organizing Writing lessons. I've been thinking a lot about that.
Michelle/3/or - I told one of my teammates today, "it would be so much easier to be apathetic"
erin - I tend to want to do too many things I need to remember I have a whole year and to go one step at a time
erin - Wouldn't it though.
Michelle/3/or - I'm going to meet with the Literacy Coordinator on Monday to talk with her about how I want my RW to look this year. and WW. I didn't like how Quiet it was last year
erin - When do you start?
Michelle/3/or - Monday.
erin - We don't have a literacy coordinator though I wish I did
erin - Let's keep in touch by e-mail also and share our trials and tribulations...teachaug@aol.com
erin - We start on Sept 3
Michelle/3/or - I also got the cream of the crop in Ed Assistants this year. I have an assistant for an hour during RW. she's been doing GR groups with the Title one teacher for years.
Michelle/3/or - good idea....I'm Mishel123456@aol.com
Michelle/3/or - oh....why did you decide to do both WTW and MBM this year?
Michelle/3/or - were you doing only one of them last year? have you done both in the past?
erin - Because I almost lost my mind trying to do WTW all year and having 3-4 groups each week. It was just too much. Plus I didn't really address the high frequency words like I needed to....sorry
Michelle/3/or - Do you think it would work out if I used my Ed assistant for it? she could meet with groups?
erin - Three of us did WTW and are very happy with it...one did word wall along with it...I don't know how...he must be Super man
erin - It would be perfect for your Ed Assistant. We might use our third teacher for groups on MOnday
Michelle/3/or - I want to have a word wall. but I like the idea of leveling them. there are such huge differences in abilities it seems silly to always do all the same words, like in MBM
erin - I might use the Nifty Thrify Fifty with my higher kids. It would still be leveled but just two levels on those week
Michelle/3/or - what do you like doing from MBM? I have warned everyone at school against Guess the Covered Word
Michelle/3/or - i liked the word sorts and hunts...but i guess WTW would replace that. i also like the activity with the dictionaries
erin - You know I haven't really "done" MBM...I need to look at it this week. Let me know what you try
Michelle/3/or - I've done most of it. and like most of it.
erin - WTW uses lots of sorts and hunts. I do making words
erin - My students keep a spiral with each weeks sorts and the words they find
Michelle/3/or - yeah, I like making words too.
erin - I had a long day and am going to turn in....I'll email you....Good luck on Monday
Michelle/3/or - oh, and the one where you make the banners. The kids just love that one too.
Michelle/3/or - ok. thanks.
erin - Talk to you soon
erin - Bye
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