Join a Mailring at the
Teacher Mailring Center
http://www.teachers.net/mailrings/
Grace/IL - Hi Judy, at last I have someone to chat with!
judy3ca - Hi Grace!
judy3ca - When are you going to Orlando?
Grace/IL - IRA is May 4-7. Think maybe I'll go down on Sunday -- depends on when my meetings are scheduled.
judy3ca - Wow, you plan ahead!
Grace/IL - One HAS to plan ahead or the hotels are in Timbuktu
pandateacher - thanks, what are we talking about?
judy3ca - Do you go as a presenter?
judy3ca - This is the Professional Reading chatboard chat.
Grace/IL - Not this year but I have been a presenter. It's very hard to get accepted.
naneb - Hi, Grace and Judy
judy3ca - (((nan)))
Grace/IL - I'm treasurer of the History of Reading SIG and I want to sit in on the new Phonics SIG session.
judy3ca - nan, are you feeling better?
Grace/IL - Hi nane
pandateacher - hi naneb
naneb - Yes, thanks Judy, I still have the remnants but I am getting better
naneb - glad this week is finally over
judy3ca - Guess where I'm going tomorrow, nan?
Grace/IL - pandateacher, where are you located?
judy3ca - The Scholastic Warehouse Sale!
naneb - where?
pandateacher - Maryland
judy3ca - Yes, nan, this was a horribly long week, wasn't it?
naneb - Oh No!! I am actually glad there is not one close to me!!
pandateacher - That's cool judy, I've always wanted to go to one
judy3ca - LOLOL
naneb - my roommate was gone two days and did not have a sub so I had extra classes
judy3ca - panda, they're a great way to spend a LOT of money quickly.
Grace/IL - It would be a great place to go Christmas shoppping.
judy3ca - Oh, no!
pandateacher - thankfully most of them are a two hour drive
Grace/IL - Spent my wad at Border's Thursday.
naneb - I went to the Mississippi Reading Assoc. convention on Monday and that was fun
pandateacher - I'm right there with you grace
judy3ca - It's been raining here and my kids were so rotten yesterday that we had to have The Big Talk this morning. Much better today.
Grace/IL - naneb,will you also go to IRA in Orlando?
naneb - probably not but you never know, my son lives near Orlando in cocoa
judy3ca - nan, I told my kids that my goal is for us to be "floating on a sea of talk" and that we're drowning.
naneb - I will be glad when next week is over, I have to print report cards on Friday and that is our last day
pandateacher - We are moving back to our new building over break
Grace/IL - Judy, there's a good article in the Illinois Reading Council journal called "From the mouths of babes." It talks about an Australian approach to student writing. It openly indicates it leaves Graves in the lurch.
judy3ca - Grace, I have no clue what you mean. What does it mean to leave Graves in the lurch?
naneb - Judy, do you ever have your kids write to a promp?
naneb - oops should have been prompt
judy3ca - Twice a year for testing.
naneb - do you do any practice prompts?
judy3ca - Nope.
pandateacher - we write ti prompts all the time
naneb - how have they done on that without practice?
pandateacher - hold over from MSPAP
judy3ca - Do you mean they don't approve of Graves?
judy3ca - Just fine.
cavey - Hello girls!!!
judy3ca - I don't think you'll find much research that shows a correlation.
pandateacher - hi cavey
judy3ca - ((((cavey))))
Grace/IL - Quote regarding research: "The researchers advocated a new approach to teaching writing, an approach that recognized the pedagogic power of explicit teaching of textual features, structure, and lexicogrammar, rather than the implicit 'hands off' facilitation and discovery of the then-predominate process writing classrooms that operated according to the principles of . . . Graves. They wanted to establish writing classrooms in which differing strategies were taught for different writing purposes rather than a general process approach to writing."
cavey - Hi Panda - new in these parts?
judy3ca - nan, except maybe they learn 'formulaic' writing. That's not what I'm looking for.
Grace/IL - Hi cavey & Michelle
pandateacher - very!
naneb - I know lots of teachers who only do prompts so I was curious
cavey - ((MIchelle)) postophile
judy3ca - Hooray, deb made it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hi deb!
judy3ca - (((Michelle))))
Michelle - Hello....I went to a presentation today ...
Michelle - on Four Square writing......
judy3ca - And......
deb -finally I am home and awake on Friday night. I just finished 9 presentations in the last 5 days...
Grace/IL - An Australian researcher, Kath Glasswell, is now at the U of Illinois, Chicago. The article talks about her 7 year old daughter's response to a story told by Bill Teale.
pandateacher - OH1 I love four Square!
Michelle - and.....lots to think about. I'm not planning to use it right away
judy3ca - Congrats, deb.
deb - Michelle, do you have cool stuff to share
cavey - OOH are we talking writing???
Michelle - the presenter....Judith Gould...is great! she is so funny!
pandateacher - I use 4 Square with my First graders
Michelle - she's one of the creators of 4 square. she and her husband
Michelle - but...I love the "reading like writers" inquiry approach I'm using right now.
Michelle - 4 square is effective, but extremely formulaic
cavey - Judy, Judy, should I buy all the 6 traits stuff first, or In the Middle?
judy3ca - Michelle, YES!
Grace/IL - The 7 year old says of the story, "It had an orientation, a complication, and a resolution."
deb - Many districts in MI are requiring writing prompts yearly or twice a year. We used the Four Square to simply help teach organization
pandateacher - I've found it helps with development too
Michelle - the LD specialist is very enthusiastic about it. I think it will be great for her kids.
deb - We ENCOURAGE (nag) teachers to only use Four Square for one marking period
judy3ca - cavey, I think I'd recommend the 6 Traits stuff if you're not familiar with it. All you really need is Spandel's Creating Writers. You already know how to run a Workshop, right? That's what you learn from Atwell. IMO
Michelle - it will be a help, a suppliment to what they are exposed to in the classroom, anyway
pandateacher - tell me about 6 traits
judy3ca - We are discouraged from using it.
cavey - Know how to run a workshop??... well kinda, in my own cavey way
pandateacher - Judy, why?
Michelle - judy, what are you discouraged from using?
judy3ca - We're trying to get the kids to really write--not follow an outline.
cavey - I'm in the little of this, little of that stage I'm afraid
deb - Writing Mini Lessons for Second Grade was written by "me" and Pat Cunningham and Dottie Hall
judy3ca - cavey, well, they're two pretty different things then.
Michelle - there were 8 people from my building and several others from our district at this presentation. The literacy coordinators in the district are really into it. they used it during summer school and liked it. but, the kids who go to summer school are those who need something more
Michelle - judy, that's what I think.
judy3ca - yes, deb. Phew, thanks Michelle.
cavey - Judy, Judy, Judy - what do you mean? Not mind reading well here tonight.
pandateacher - I've found it works well with my low ability students
deb - I found in my class that I had to get the kids writing and comfy with the idea that we had to generate a lot of writing before they were ready for the Beginning, Middle, End that I use the four square for. I usually taught Four Square the month of Nov and that is it
judy3ca - cavey, I mean, 6 Traits can be the way you organize your assessment in Writer's Workshop--but In the Middle will give you the rationale, theory, etc. for the Workshop itself. I'm so sorry, I know I'm not making sense. I'm very very tired.
judy3ca - deb, I agree--I think it probably depends a lot on grade level and ability.
cavey - Okay, gotcha babe, need the real stuff, already a believer
pandateacher - Deb, I think it's useful for hleping students expand thier writing.
Michelle - I think I may have to splurge and buy all 3 of those books I mentioned. I don't need a Noble Fir Christmas tree this year. I can settle for a Douglas fir.
cavey - Judy, wudy, why are you so tired?
judy3ca - cavey, I actually talked to Vicki Spandel about this--I started Six Traits AFTER I started a Workshop, and she wanted to know if it "fit." I believe it does.
pandateacher - Who wrote about the Six Traits
judy3ca - Just a long week, cavey, yesterday and today were rainy days--so no breaks.
cavey - Okay, If Judythreeka can make it fit, so can I
judy3ca - I really like both Spandel and Atwell.
cavey - It's rainy in Dixie too , hon, but at least it's melting the ice
judy3ca - deb, you've been very busy!
judy3ca - lololol
Michelle - rainy days here, too. My teaching partner and I agreed that it was a good thing we were out of the classroom today. we are tired and grouchy.
pandateacher - Where in Dixie Cavey?
Michelle - I did buy a cute gimmick today. A pointy finger thingy for the overhead.
cavey - Oh Panda, I forgot you were new to these parts... Virginia
deb - My husband teases me that I need to learn a new word, "NO" he has even suggested getting a word wall put next to my computer and phone that just says NO. I just shrug and agree and schedule more....
Michelle - it was cute! and more accurate a pointer than my own finger on the OH
pandateacher - HI! I'm in Maryland!
cavey - Michelle, is that like one of those foam stadiaum fingers
pandateacher - Those are cute Michelle
judy3ca - Michelle, you ain't seen grouchy! My kids were so rotten yesterday that we had to chat this morning before we got to work. I told them my philosophy is that I want the class to be "floating on a sea of talk" and that we were drowning.
Michelle - it's a thin plastic arm/hand/pointing-index-finger thing
cavey - I do know how to spell stadium
cavey - I think I could really use one of those some times
Michelle - one of my kids got suspended yesterday for bringing a weapon to school. how's that?
kathyb1stia - Hi, all. sorry I am late...
cavey - Well panda bear, where are you ?
deb - welcome kathy
judy3ca - Oh, no!
Grace/IL - Cavey, Reading Today just listed "What's hot and what's not" and spelling's not a hot topic.
Michelle - yeah...he was in my first grade class too, so we go way back.
cavey - Hi Kathyb
Grace/IL - Hi kathyb
pandateacher - St. Mary's County, you?
kathyb1stia - Kim won't be here tonight, but she sends her very best to all. Her computer is still acting up...
cavey - Oh Gracie, say it ain't so!!
pandateacher - Hi Kathy
cavey - Panda, near Fredericksburg, you local Yankee, you!
deb - Is anyone going to IRA in May?
judy3ca - Hi Kathy
pandateacher - Just across the Harry Nice!
kathyb1stia - I have really appreciated the support this week about how to create 90 continuous minutes of reading instruction without teaching spelling, writing, language arts, grammar...
pandateacher - Why is spelling out?
Michelle - no....there's no way they'd let me have that much time off, even for the IRA. But I'll go to the West Regional conference at least.
cavey - You got it Panda honey!
Grace/IL - Sorry, researchers don't think it should be hot either -- but it's ranked higher than last year.
judy3ca - really, panda! Spelling sure isn't 'out' where I am.
pandateacher - And how do we teach writing wothout spelling?
cavey - Grace, hope this isn't bad for business... Brad loves your stuff!
judy3ca - panda, sorry if that sounded strange....I was agreeing with you.
cavey - Judy is very, very tired!
pandateacher - my last post not withstanding
judy3ca - yawn
Grace/IL - Phonics is "double check" hot. Spelling is "double check" not hot.
kathyb1stia - Grace, perhaps spelling isn't as hot with researchers, as we teach it so many different ways. I would be lost without at least some of the spelling that I do with my students.
Grace/IL - Nothing is "triple check" hot.
Michelle - I don't think I got the most recent Reading Today yet.
deb - balance is finally hitting Michigan so spelling/phonics/word work will stay in here along with comprehension/writing/fluency reading etc...
pandateacher - Aren't they pretty close, at least with those of us who know what we're doing?
judy3ca - What about comprehension, Grace?
Grace/IL - But all of this ranking is dependent on how much has been written about it in the past year.
judy3ca - Oh, well..........
Grace/IL - Comprehension is "single check" hot and researchers "double check" it as "should be hot."
cavey - You're so prophetic tonight sleek one!
judy3ca - That's it, oh petite one!
judy3ca - Sorry, but I'm really not going to put a lot of stock in something decided by how many words were written on the topic!
Michelle - my custodian asked me tonight if I had lost weight...so you can call me "slim one"
cavey - Judy, do you post with your email? I'm going to have lots of questions
deb - I loved that there are THREE checks on teacher education for reading. We so find this to be true
judy3ca - Congrats, Michelle!
cavey - You go girl, Slim from Oregon!!
Grace/IL - Ah, Deb, you're reading it too! Struggling readers (grade 3 and above) is also in need of research.
judy3ca - cavey, did you get it?
judy3ca - Hi Kim!
cavey - I think so.
Mrs. J - Hi, Guys. What are you talking about?
deb - I received my issue yesterday, sent in the IRA form today, and have been looking at the articles again today.
Mrs. J - Three checks for teacher ed?
Grace/IL - Teacher education for reading isn't hot at all but researchers think it should be -- and don't we all agree.
cavey - Thanks threeka!
deb - I am presenting at IRA so the family is piggy backing and making it into a Disney trip
Grace/IL - Deb, I spent the evening researching Orlando hotels. Maybe we can meet there.
judy3ca - deb, that's very cool!]
Mrs. J - Deb, are you presenting at MRA too?
pandateacher - What are you presenting Deb
deb - three checks that teachers need more prof dev in reading
cavey - deb, are you famous?
Grace/IL - Lucky Deb -- It's an honor to be accepted as a presenter.
Michelle - wow, that sounds great, deb!
deb - grace, we are staying at old key west in disney. I am presenting on Sunday. I would love to meet you
judy3ca - I need more prof dev in reading.
deb - mrs. j - yes. I am presenting 8 presentations at MRA
pandateacher - Me too Judy! Hope to get some ideas here!
deb - Judy you are OUR prof dev in reading
cavey - LIke what Judy?
Mrs. J - I thought I saw your name in the preliminary lineup
judy3ca - panda, it's neverending, isn't it?
Michelle - I'm wondering what judy feels she is in need of?
Grace/IL - Deb, what's the title of your pre-conference workshop?
pandateacher - Never! I feel out of the loop reading the webring postings
deb - I haven't seen the prelim yet. but I received confirmation letters from MRA
cavey - Me too, Michelle
judy3ca - deb, lolol! Thanks! cavey, I always need to be able to read and discuss--it's ever changing, don't you think?
deb - #12 writing the four blocks way: research based best practices in real classrooms with Dottie Hall
deb - We are presenting the Mini lesson books we wrote and the research supporting four blocks
Grace/IL - OK, I see # 12
cavey - Thats why we're here on a Friday night instead of out painting the town red, Sleek One
Mrs. J - Well, right now you are listed as doing Working With Words: The Four Blocks Way in the prelim MRA.
deb - this is my fourth year presenting with Dottie and Pat and Jim (cunningham)
Grace/IL - I think I'll go down on Sunday.
cavey - so she is famous!
deb - Mrs. J, that's interesting since they confirmed all of them ?
pandateacher - Sure looks that way!
judy3ca - Okay, cavey, how's this for a connection? My kids today connected 2 books books by setting--both are about the mid 1930's and they discussed how each lent understanding to the other because of the poverty and joblessness described.
cavey - OHH Canada! Hi!
deb - I think I am just obsessed with the quest of teaching teachers how to have balance in their classrooms
judy3ca - Hi Alta!
Alta Rose - Hi everybody!
Michelle - Hi Alta!
pandateacher - Hi Alta!
Grace/IL - Hi Alta
judy3ca - Good obsession, deb.
Mrs. J - I'm excited about the preconference on comprehension at MRA--Dr. Michael Pressley, Dr. Timothy Rasinski, Dr. Elaine Weber, Dr. Peter Afflerbach, and Dr. Nell Duke
pandateacher - YOu've got to pick one book to recommend Deb, what would it be?
cavey - Good Judy, what books? I just finished a Depression era novel, and we're going to read the short story that It's a Wonderful Life is base on next week
deb - have you heard them before? Elaine Weber is AWESOME and incredible
Alta Rose - Good connection, Judy.
judy3ca - Wingwalker (Rosemary Wells) and The Gardener (Stewart).
deb - The Art of Teaching Writing was very beneficial to me as an undergrad. My favorite classroom writing book was/is Teaching the Youngest Writer by Marcia Freeman
Mrs. J - I haven't heard any of them. I might see if my district will pay for me to go to just the preconference day--that's what I am most interested in with all the discussion we have been doing on comprehension. They are really tight with the money right now!
judy3ca - Thanks Alta, they never cease to amaze me. cavey, I'm impressed!
Mrs. J - Do you live in Michigan, Deb?
Alta Rose - I sure am finding Christmas a wonderful time to do SI!
cavey - Aw shucks Miss Judy!
Grace/IL - I just received confirmation today for 3 sessions at Illinois Reading Council -- that's next March.
Michelle - me too, Alta!
Alta Rose - You are presenting, Grace?
judy3ca - Mrs. J, we just got the big lecture at Wednesday's faculty meeting: the budget is being cut starting right now--and more next year.
deb - south haven, mi right on lake mi
Grace/IL - At IRC -- I've done so for many years.
deb - grace, that's great
cavey - We read about your Californians in the paper
Mrs. J - Wow, we're nearly neighbors, Deb. I live in Battle Creek
judy3ca - Hi Jan!!!!!!!!
Alta Rose - Hi Jan!
Jan - Hi, everyone!
Michelle - hey Jan!
Mrs. J - Jan! Hi
cavey - (((Jan)))
Michelle - I haven't seen you here in a long, long time!
Grace/IL - (((Jan)))
deb - that is really cool
Jan - Long time, no see!
pandateacher - Hi Jan!
Michelle - how was santa and the treats?
Jan - Good to be here---just got home from a very late lunch
Alta Rose - It's nice to have you here tonight, too, deb. I LOVE the new 4Blocks writing book!!!
Michelle - late lunch??? it's after 8 pm!!
Grace/IL - A late lunch??????
cavey - Late lunch, it's 11:30!
Jan - We were interviewed standing in the Santa line. It came out in local paper today.
pandateacher - What's new in it, Alta?
Michelle - oh, cool!!
judy3ca - Was there a picture of you two?
Jan - Well, we didn't start lunch until 4!
deb - alta rose, thanks so much. I am really excited about the new one writing mini lessons for big blocks that will cover grades 3-6. It is AWESOME
Michelle - when are you having dinner? midnight?
Jan - No, fortunately, no picture.
Alta Rose - Lesson ideas, pandateacher. deb was one of the writers.
Mrs. J - Sounds more like dinner, Jan
cavey - Now Jan's famous too!
Michelle - jan was already famous.
pandateacher - Sorry, I'm new here
Alta Rose - LoL, Michelle!
Jan - This was my reunion with my old mentor colleagues. We meet 4 times a year.
Michelle - everyone at my school has heard her name.
deb - don't apologize pandateacher, we are a real friendly group
Alta Rose - No need to apologize, pandateacher. If you're familiar with 4Blocks, the new writing book has lots of great mini-lessons.
Mrs. J - Where are you from, Pandateacher?
judy3ca - Jan is famous at my school, too.
Jan - Budget cuts horrible here. My January session of workshops cancelled---no sub money.
Michelle - judy, you are famous at my school, too.
Jan - Glad to be famous ANYWHERE!
pandateacher - I'm from Maryland, I've fooled around with Four blocks, but need to do more research
Alta Rose - Oh, that hurts, Jan.
Mrs. J - All of our workshops are after school this year for the same reason
cavey - Panda's over here with me at 11:30
Grace/IL - Oooh, Jan, that hurts the pocketbook!
judy3ca - Right, Jan, about budget cuts. Our principal announced today that we can't have the "spending money" were were promised. We were even told to watch the heat and air.
Mrs. J - 11:30 here, too
Jan - All of you are famous in my workshops. I quote you all the time---participants think you are famous researchers.
judy3ca - michelle, thanks, my friend.
pandateacher - We get a new building. No more workshops for us!
Jan - Judy, it's serious stuff. We may not survive this one.
judy3ca - Jan, what do you mean by 'not survive?'
cavey - There's always teaching Jan!!
Michelle - I counted the books in my classroom library after someone asked me how many i have. I have 1,039. People were amazed, but I said, "that's nothing, Judy has 3,000!"
Jan - Grace, fortunately, I'm under contract. We will be substituting some non-sub things.
pandateacher - What will happen, Jan?
judy3ca - LOL, Michelle, did I say that???? I have no idea how many books I have.
Jan - I believe there are more than a few districts that will go into bankruptcy, Judy.
cavey - Now I've got to go count my books to compete with you people!
Michelle - I'm pretty sure you said that, judy. I remember because I have book envy.
pandateacher - Me too!
Mrs. J - Jan, are you in California?
Alta Rose - brb
judy3ca - Jan, our principal said he thought class size in primary would be boosted to 22. Have you heard that?
Jan - Yes, California, Mrs J.
cavey - We have that many in primary now
judy3ca - Michelle, LOL, then did you hear me say that I'm going to the Scholastic Warehouse Sale tomorrow?
pandateacher - 22? I have 26!
Mrs. J - Are there deep budget cuts all over the state?
Michelle - well...have you heard how Oregon has decided to deal with the NCLB act? it's horrible.
deb - judy, a good friend of mine has 37 first graders - alone in her room! In Michigan
Jan - Yes, I think class size reduction will go. Very expensive. It is quite scary.
Grace/IL - I was in heaven when I had 22 students -- more likely 24 or 25 and up to 30.
cavey - Don't do it Judy!!!!!
Michelle - I went last saturday, judy. I was conservative...only spent $113
deb - nclb is ???
Mrs. J - In your part of the state, Deb?
Michelle - No Child Left Behind
judy3ca - We have been very fortunate during the class-size reduction years to have 20. We'll see what happens.
pandateacher - CA was at the lead with class size, I'm sorry to hear it is going.
deb - judy, me too I am going to scholastic book fair,,,, MAKE sure you BUY September 12. It is WONDERFUL
Jan - I think we have only begun to see the fallout. I attended a budget meeting yesterday. It is overwhelming.
deb - mrs. j - detroit school
Michelle - They contracted out the U. of Oregon to decide how to teach every child to read by 3rd grade....the U of O has given one option: strictly scripted Open Court and Success for All.
judy3ca - Oh, thanks for the recommendation, deb, I haven't even heard of that one.
Michelle - oh...deb, i didn't get that one!! bummer
cavey - isn't is true that the research doesn't support small class size? Or am I remembering it wrong?
deb - we just started class reduction in parts of MI this year.... it is really true that just when CA quits something, it ends up hitting the midwest
pandateacher - Be carefull of Success for All, I helped write it, it's not as good as it seems
Mrs. J - Noooooooooo, Michele!
Jan - deb, I saw September 12 at Barnes and Noble the other day. It looked magnificent. Didn't buy it. Perhaps I will.
deb - it is written by CHILDEN and it is so beautiful
Michelle - Our district is completely against it...meaning we will be listed in the newspaper as "non-compliant" and our jobs will be at stake if test scores don't improve.
deb - panda teacher, really?? That is pretty cool that you helped write in
Mrs. J - Michele, we have two Edison schools in our district using Success for All--they aren't happy
Michelle - I did buy Santa's Book of Names, Edward in the Jungle, and many others that have been recommended by my online friends
Alta Rose - That's a lot of pressure, Michelle.
judy3ca - I love Edward!!!!!!!
Jan - pandateacher, are you from Baltimore/Johns Hopkins?
cavey - I like Santa's book of names!
Michelle - yeah...especially since we teach our ELL's to read first in their native language....that's why they aren't proficient readers in English by 3rd grade.
Alta Rose - I do too, cavey.
deb - good night guys. My hubby is giving me that look
Mrs. J - We were almost faced with the non compliant label, but they gave us a year reprieve to raise scores or join with our state in a Reading First grant
pandateacher - JHU wrote the first draft, and sent it to us to pilot, wherupon we completly rewrote the program. But its undergone several drafts since then. It's not what it was.
judy3ca - night, deb! Glad you could come!
Alta Rose - Come back again, deb!
cavey - I just got the Summer my father was ten at bookcloseouts cause I remembered judy recommending it
pandateacher - St. Mary's County
Mrs. J - Night, deb
Michelle - but the NCLB act doesn't consider literacy in Spanish or Russian. It must be English only. Our district refuses to give in.
cavey - I know that look, bye deb!
judy3ca - cavey, don't you love it?
Michelle - I have it in my cart at bookcloseouts.
Grace/IL - 'night, deb
Alta Rose - Michelle, that is so infuriating!
Jan - Very cool, pandateacher. Slavin is still at Hopkins, I believe. We visited Success for All schools in Baltimore.
cavey - I do, dahling!!
Mrs. J - Anyone know how the new papa is doing?
Michelle - yeah...this Reading First grant...Oregon's version of it...we aren't getting. Because we'd have to teach That way.
pandateacher - He still is. It was good, but very scripted. I still use parts of it. It's also very expensive.
Mrs. J - I wonder if the baby has stopped crying all the time!
judy3ca - A good friend just sent me Polacco's new "A Christmas Tapestry." It's beautiful...based on an old story about a Jewish couple separated in WWII. Very moving.
cavey - Okay, writing down, book title again!!!
Alta Rose - My kids love Patricia Polacco now, too, judy!
Grace/IL - Is that the story about the man who finds something his wife made?
Jan - I read Polacco's book at Borders. Wonderful! I'm trying to resist buying so many books, but it's not easy.
Alta Rose - They just watched her video "Dreamkeeper."
judy3ca - Cool, Alta. My husband came home from work to find me standing over the mail, crying.
judy3ca - Grace, yes.
Michelle - The great thing about Polacco's books, many of my kids can relate to the Russian heritage.
Alta Rose - I had to go to the public library to get some. I really enjoyed "Just Plain Fancy."
judy3ca - I love that video--I love the way she draws and talks at the same time.
Jan - My granddaughter and I love Pearl Buck's "Christmas Day in the Morning" or something like that. Beautiful story. New edition just out.
cavey - I'm glad I'm not the only crier. I read Gift of the Magi to mine and couldn't get through the end. A kid had to do it.
judy3ca - here's a hankie for next time, cavey.
Mrs. J - She came to my school a few years ago and the kids just loved it
Alta Rose - Is anybody familiar with Lurlene McDaniel? My 12 year old has just discovered her books.
Mrs. J - (Polacco, that is)
pandateacher - My 'crier' is I'll Love You Forever
Michelle - oh, wow. we never get famous authors. we only get authors I never heard of.
cavey - Thanks, threeka
Alta Rose - Lucky you, Mrs. J!
Michelle - no, alta. what does she write?
Jan - Gift of the Magi is overwhelmingly sad. Know what you mean, cavey.
Mrs. J - Me too, panda. My husband can't get through it without crying either
cavey - I use it for irony, Jan
Jan - I cannot get through Love me Forever. I don't just cry, I sob! It is too much.
Michelle - if only i could get Cynthia Rylant to come. She could even get Dav Pilkey to join her. My boys would love that!
Grace/IL - For adults, has anyone seen Dee Henderson's books?
judy3ca - My cryer is "The Wall." I read it this week and then asked the kids why I was so emotional. It was an excellent discussion.
Mrs. J - She has a house near us--think that's why
cavey - I cry at The Giving tree too
Alta Rose - Books for teens. The characters are usually dealing with an illness. I think they'd be too sad for me.
Michelle - I can't seem to find time to read adult fiction
Alta Rose - My friend lent me one, Grace, but I haven't got to it yet.
Mrs. J - What are your opinions about the Harry Potter books?
Mrs. J - We missed you, Jan
Grace/IL - My daughter just got me hooked on them. I read two of hers and bought her two more for Christmas.
cavey - Mrs. J- so so, not particularly impressed
Jan - Having some trouble staying in the chatroom tonight!
Michelle - the descriptions in them are awesome. so vivid.
judy3ca - Gosh, I'm getting teary just thinking about Gift of the Magi. My daughter really fell apart over that story--and she fell apart over Freak the Mighty, too.
Michelle - and they do keep me guessing.
Grace/IL - Jan, I thought you'd left us cold.
Mrs. J - What age do you think they are appropriate for, cavey?
Michelle - When I was in Junior High, i saw a short film of the Gift of the Magi. I hated it! I was so disappointed.
Jan - Still here, Grace, at least until they throw me out again.
Michelle - my son has read them all, and he's in 2nd grade, but I normally wouldn't recommend them for 2nd graders.
Michelle - he's precocious.
cavey - Well, in the same book with Gift of the Magi, is the Little Match Girl, my son asked what it was about. I briefly told him, but said I thought it was too upsetting to read, After tucking him in, he came down stairs sobbing just based on what I had told him.
Grace/IL - I think the Gift of the Magi would fall short in a film. It needs the imagination of reading.
Mrs. J - I know they aren't the best writing, but I took my daughter to see Chamber of Secrets and came home and read the third one cover to cover in a day
Michelle - I couldn't believe that the little girl actually died in the Little Match Girl. I just couldn't believe it. I think it was shown to my class when I was in upper elementary.
Grace/IL - Gal, oh gal, are we ever into the sad stories tonight.
Mrs. J - I had to know what happened next!
Jan - When I was little, The Little Match Girl was my alltime favorite. I just reread it at Borders and decided not to get it for my granddaughter. I had not remembered it being so sad!
Michelle - it was a wordless film. artfully done
cavey - Mrs. J, whatever level the child is in terms of maturity and reading level. I don't go by age.
Mrs. J - Whatever happened to happy endings, eh?
Alta Rose - My son and hubby are almost finished "The Hobbit."
cavey - good one Alta
cavey - happy endings are still there, but you have to look for them at upper reading levels
Jan - Used to be a radio show called "Let's Pretend. I loved it. Little Match Girl was on every year.
Alta Rose - Son came to me and said, "Daddy doesn't read with expression very well." (He's right!) I said, "Well, you show him how it's done." I shouldn't complain, at least he's reading with him!
Mrs. J - Oh, Alta. My husband is begging me to go to the new Lord of the Rings movie
Michelle - when i was a kid, the Media Specialist would show us the film of The Hobbit every year, grades 3-6. I got so sick of it, I never wanted to read the book. I finally read it this last summer
Alta Rose - David Bouchard says that too many boys see reading as a feminine activity. More dads need to read with kids.
Mrs. J - I started to read it once, but couldn't get into it. Just not my cup of tea
Mrs. J - Good point, Alta
cavey - We just finished Silverwing . son loved it!
judy3ca - Oh, all this talk of reading....I must go read. Good night, friends.
Alta Rose - My son and hubby love the Hobbit and LOTR. My daughter and I have different reading tastes!
Michelle - not at our school! the boys I've taught love to read. Maybe that happens when they get older?
Jan - Alta Rose, I believe that is really true!
Mrs. J - Night, Judy
Grace/IL - 'Night, Judy!
Alta Rose - Take Care, Judy!
pandateacher - I'm going to call it night too. Thanks for letting me join your club!
cavey - I'm on Grave, chapter 10 sleekie!
Michelle - goodnight, judy!
Jan - Night, Judy
Mrs. J - Night panda
cavey - bye Judy!!
Mrs. J - Very impressive cavey.
Jan - Night, Panda, come again
Alta Rose - Hope to see you again, panda!
cavey - come back panda!
Grace/IL - Be sure to come back and join us again, Panda.
Michelle - I'm still reading that Punctuation book. It's neat reading it just after finishing Wondrous Words, as the author refers to WW a lot.
cavey - What's impressive Mrs. J-- got lost there.
Mrs. J - Chapter 10 in Graves
Alta Rose - Are any of you figure skating fans? (A bit off topic)
Michelle - oh...how was that skating show you went to, alta?
Mrs. J - I watch it when it's on, don't search it out, Alta
Michelle - I saw a skating show on tv and thought of you.
Jan - Alta, do you mean watching it or DOING it?
cavey - I'm just reading it, Mrs. J, didn't say I was doing it all yet! LOL
Grace/IL - I love to watch figure skating -- haven't been on skates in years and could never even turn myself around on them.
Michelle - same with Mrs. J. here, Alta
Alta Rose - Wonderful! I enjoy watching, but am not an avid fan like my mother is....
Jan - I love watching it! We saw the Olympic Champions this summer. What a thrill!
Mrs. J - I'm not very far in it yet. I am doing a book study on The Art of Teaching Writing so I've been doing more with that one. The format of Graves is throwing me--having a hard time getting into it
Alta Rose - I bought tickets for what I thought was an exhibition and invited her. The only names I could tell her were there were Jamie and David and Curt Browning...
Mrs. J - I have really been focusing on revision conferences the last couple weeks
cavey - It is not a page turner, but does get better, Kim. I do skim some.
Alta Rose - So she came, and it turns out it was competition and all the famous skaters were there. She was thrilled. We looked for ourselves on TV the next day but the camera was too quick!
Michelle - oh....since beginning the "envisioning" and running my writing conferences like Ray describes...my kids are writing with Vision like never before! Two of my girls have taken it upon themselves to start a class newspaper!
cavey - Oh, how exciting Michelle!
Mrs. J - My poor third graders have to do a persuasive piece for our district writing assessment and they have really been struggling--just not something they are familiar with
Jan - Michelle, how terrific!
Michelle - That book has really made an impact!
Mrs. J - The conferences are helping them
cavey - We did some persuasive stuff this week too, Kim. I do still have to do the state prompt stuff also.
Michelle - now I am going to pull out Conversations to refresh my memory of how Routman describes that class newspaper. Maybe I can help my girls even more.
cavey - We downloaded info from the centers for disease control on obesity, and wrote to persuade Santa to get healthy
Jan - Alta, we saw Curt Browning and all the winners of the olympics whose names now completely escape me. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Ours was not a competition, though.
Mrs. J - Our state assessment is coming up at the end of January--4th grade language arts: writing to a prompt, reading a couple pieces and answering questions, listening with questions, cross text questions, then another piece of writing relating all the readings. All the pieces are on the same theme
Michelle - I've been thinking...along those lines of a Persuasive piece....there aren't a lot of examples readily available for our kids about that kind of writing. They aren't exposed to much Persuasive in their reading. I really have to search it out.
Alta Rose - Curt Browning and Jamie Sale are both from communities not far from me. Curt wasn't competing but he did his clown skate.
Mrs. J - Too funny, Cavey. That must have been a hoot!
cavey - Oh it is!!
Jan - Mrs. J. check the editorial section for examples. Some are quite good and appropriate for third. They see good persuasive writing that way.
Alta Rose - Yes, cavey, those kids have a vested interest in that!
Grace/IL - Cave, did the kids relate the obesity stuff to themselves as well as Santa?
Mrs. J - Time for Kids has a writing nonfiction kit out with some good examples of all kinds of persuasive pieces. They sent a sample to my building that the principal gave me
cavey - They did Grace. Some said that Grandma was told she had to lose weight because of arthritis, others said that parents were overweight, etc.
Jan - Great idea, cavey. Kids must have loved it.
Mrs. J - Lately our editorials haven't been really appropriate for kids. I have been keeping my eyes open though. I have saved a few for examples
Mrs. J - Our paper's good at publishing kids writing too
Grace/IL - Hi Dave, Where from?
cavey - We had a health lesson on burning calories, exercise, etc.
Alta Rose - Hi Dave and eilene!
Mrs. J - Welcome eilene and dave
eilene - Hey, guys. How are things going?
Grace/IL - He eilene -- I was ready to post some sources for you last week and you logged off.
Michelle - Hi, eilene. I haven't seen you here for a while.
Mrs. J - Hi, Ros
cavey - well, hi everyone new!
Ros/Ks - hey mrs j
Grace/IL - Did you find what you needed?
eilene - I know. I've been fighting off a cold, so getting to sleep early
Ros/Ks - are any of you ebd teachers?
Mrs. J - ebd?
eilene - Grace, will you be going to that BERG workshop in February about the Best Children's Books of the Decade?
Michelle - what's ebd?
Ros/Ks - emotionally behavior disordered
Mrs. J - Oh, nope, I teach 2nd/3rd
Grace/IL - Eilene, I don't know about that one. Where is it?
Alta Rose - No. 2nd grade here.
eilene - Well, the one near me is Oak Lawn on 2/24
Michelle - I'm 3rd grade.
cavey - I've got to go guys! See you next week!
Grace/IL - That's a long drive for me. What is BERG?
eilene - I teach 3rd here, too
Mrs. J - Night, Cavey
Michelle - bye, cavey! see ya! take care!
cavey - goodnight all!
Alta Rose - I have to go, too. Goodnight.
Grace/IL - "night cavey
Mrs. J - I'm going to call it a night too. It's been a LONG week! I'm pooped!
Mrs. J - Night, Alta
Michelle - aw...another one bites the dust...
eilene - Well, they're holding it in other places to, Grace. Let me see if I have the paper work here
Grace/IL - 'Night Alta
Alta Rose - One more week to go!
Michelle - g'night, alta.
Ros/Ks - cool. right now im working on my masters in bd ed - im working with my bd mentor at an elem school in a self-contained room for severe ebd kiddos
eilene - Night, alta!
Michelle - 4 more days to go...
Grace/IL - "Night Mrs. J.
Michelle - I couldn't do that job, Ros. It takes a special person
eilene - Sorry, Grace, it's BER "Bureau of Education and Research"
Grace/IL - Michelle, --- until?
Michelle - until vacation.
Jan - Back again....
Grace/IL - OK, I've heard of them. I don't think retirement will spur me to one of their workshops.
Michelle - Jan....I was thinking about you a bunch today...about you teaching Organization
eilene - That good, huh?
Michelle - weren't you telling us this summer about a time you taught Organization a ton to a group of kids?
Ros/Ks - thanks michelle - but i can honestly say that i could never walk into a classroom full of mainstream kids day after day and survive - i was an ebd student myself and i can understand and communicate with them - kind of interesting how things turn out
Grace/IL - I think y'all can use a vacation. Don't know how you get everything done.
Jan - Organization? Was I teaching that? LOL
Michelle - When I was 15, I used to babysit an ebd kid. It was so hard! Not a job for a 15 year old. The kid I sat for was 8 yrs old.
Jan - You mean how to get organized? Yes, I have taught that a lot. I need to listen to my own lessons on that topic.
Michelle - didn't you say, Jan, that you taught it real in-depth or something? and really worked hard on that one single trait?
eilene - Can someone teach ME organization, please? I shot myself in the foot this week. Did most of my christmas projects this week.
Michelle - no, i mean in writing. sorry.
Michelle - I went to a workshop today, eilene. I was supposed to get the good sub. but at the last minute I got the bad sub. I was so frustrated when I got back to school tonight!
Jan - This being kicked off is annoying!
Grace/IL - Think I'll head out. Have a novel waiting by my bed -- Poisonwood Bible
Michelle - I was hoping you wouldn't give up yet, Jan.
Michelle - Aw...Grace...but Jan just got here!
Jan - Oh, yes, Michelle--organization in writing! That is what we worked on with Bruce Joyce. Focus and organization.
Ros/Ks - you can think of it in terms of teaching mentally handicapped kids - those kids take much longer to process what you are telling them if they ever do at all vs. bd kiddos who know darn well what you are telling them, but in their case, they simply are defiant and refuse to be operant many a time
Michelle - yeah, yeah....that's what I was trying to recall.
Jan - Bruce's idea is that if the kids were really good in focusing and organizing a piece of writing, the rest would come. It did!
Michelle - because I went to a workshop thingy on the 4 square writing method. It didn't mesh with my belief system. I was thinking about you.
Michelle - Jan, that's what I was telling my teaching partner...what you just said.
Michelle - how the rest would follow if they really got organization
Michelle - do you know of this 4 square method, jan?
Jan - We were really sold! Interestingly, the mechanics scores soared just like the focus and org scores, and we NEVER specifically taught mechanics.
Jan - I do not know the 4-square method. I have heard it mentioned, but know nothing beyond that.
Michelle - but, when I score my students' writing, they are weakest in Conventions. So, I'm thinking of doing a 3 week unit of conventions.
Michelle - you know....because of that book I'm reading that describes teaching punctuation through an inquiry approach.
Michelle - was anything published about your work with Bruce Joyce in organization?
Michelle - something I could read?
Jan - Michelle, it may because they don't see that conventions are just part of focus and organization. Our kids just picked it up. Of course, we did this inductively, and they were learning to write from reading expert writers. That's where they apparently got the conventions idea.
Michelle - (brad should be jealous, I have Jan nearly all to myself! hehehe)
Jan - No, Michelle, although in his book Learning to Write inductively, he explains that model.
eilene - conventions are the least important on the rubric, so we as a district don't really focus on instruction. However, some teachers don't even focus on it at all
Michelle - I'm doing a huge thing on how writers organize their writing right now. maybe if I jsut stick with that, conventions will come? we are noticing and identifying different ways authors organize their writing.
Michelle - like described in Wondrous Words
eilene - I should really read that book. I haven't yet. I'm still ploughing through MOT (I'm soooo behind!)
Jan - Brad's baby must be crying. He and I have been working on a task analysis for fractions for several days, but I haven't heard from him since morning!
Michelle - Conventions are equally important in our state. Conventions, Organization, Ideas/Content, and ......(can't remember) are all scored
Michelle - he probably fell asleep.
Michelle - oh...wait...only those 3 count right now
Jan - Michelle, I think it will. Call their attention to conventions. Commas after certain transitional phrases, etc. They begin to see the commas as part of the transitions.
eilene - I agree with that to some extent. We do a bit of grammar and spelling each week, but it's not a huge push.
Jan - I did an indepth inductive lesson on dialogue with the kids---not conventions, but the way authors use dialogue....
Michelle - ok, maybe I'll hold off on it, then. keep working on organization. We've got a great list started so far...."flashbacks", "circle stories", just for the beginning
Jan - ...I never mentioned the punctuation. When they began to write their own dialogue, every kid had the punctuation correct. That is what convinced me!
Michelle - wow, jan! what grade was that?
Jan - Of course, the examined hundreds of examples of dialogue, but still, I did not mention the punctuation at all. These were 3rd, 4th, 5th graders
Michelle - my kids have stopped putting quotations around every single word that's spoken....so they are improving.
Jan - I must admit, it was totally shocking! Although, Bruce was not surprised. LOL
Michelle - one thing I know for sure...this class will be a much more proficient group of writers than last year's kids.
Jan - Phone call. Signing off. Nice to talk with you.
Chatboards Lesson Plans K12 Projects Teacher Blogs Mailrings Classified Ads Teacher Jobs Live Chat Live Meetings Articles Harry Wong Printables
Other Chatboards in this Category...
The Language Arts Chatboards are for educators who teach Language Arts or have an interest in the English curriculum.
Reading/Writing HS English Books/Literature Book Talk
Remedial Reading Accelerated Reader 6 Traits Writing ESL/EFL
4 Blocks Literacy Building Blocks (K) Library/Media Specialist Reading First
