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lovereading - Are there any reading specialists logged in tonight?
col - I'm a year from completing my degree but am sorta acting as one in my building.
lovereading - How do you like it so far and what type of things do you do?
col - I'm attempting to implement a reading program in my school. Its modeled after many of the concepts of 4 Blocks. Mostly I listen to people complain that they don't have enough books.
lovereading - I am considering pursuing an endorsement in this area so I was hoping to hear from lots of reading specialists tonight. This seems to be something that Virginia is moving towards in many counties.
me - It's so important that I know what time it is in California right now, Can someone help?
col - I have found training extremely rewarding!! I recommend that all teachers should be trained in reading to a greater extent.
sonja - I am a reading specialist that has used her training in the regular classroom. Do you have pullout reading programs.
col - I teach at an alternative school for Behavior Disorder Students. There is no pull out program at this time.
lovereading - The issue of materials is probably a concern in all counties. I just stated in a new district. The district I left was implementing four blocks, but this system doesn't seem to want to go with that framework. I loved teaching the four blocks way, but at my new school I am at a lost! The issue is to have small groups in most subjects - reading, spelling , math, etc.
col - I say YUCK to grouping lovereading. It takes away from differantial instruction.
lovereading - We have a pullout program at our school. The Reading specialist pulls third grade students every other day for 30 minutes. She goes into the classroom of 1st and 2nd grade teachers, not sure if she works with kindergarten or not.
col - I am finding that reading specialist focus should be working with teachers to help there students. The reading specialists around Chicago seem to have more admistrative roles in there buildings.
lovereading - I agree, grouping is not my philosophy either, and I have voiced my concerns, but it is to deaf ears. Instruction is being evaluated this year and we are all being trained in the F & P Guided Reading Way, but still GROUPING is all I hear! It is really difficult for me as where I taught before was training teachers and really focusing on 4 blocks! In my class I have several preprimer readers in my third grade class. Overall 59% are below grade level, so obviously grouping is not working!
sonja - I have been offered a reading positon in my district , The first six weeks is ver. They want collaboration in the room with teacher. U cant teach kids to read in a regular classroom. U have to do a case history and diagnostic skills and start remediation plans.
sonja - This is part of a Title 1 money prerequisite. It doesn't work!
col - Where are you from sonja?
sonja - Ky
sonja - I am waiting on my national boards scores and I cant teach out of area or i wont receive my Rank 1 or my 2000 raise over a 10 year period.
col - Your job sounds frustrating lovereading.
sonja - no, I love my job.
sonja - I am currently teaching one social studies and one lang. arts. and district wide gifted talented coordinator.
col - Good luck and Good Night!!
lovereading - yes, it is frustrating at this point, having so many students below grade level!!! Especially since third grade is a state mandated testing year it is critical for the students to be good readers. I just feel by third grade reading areas should have been addressed and students shouldn't be placed in a third grade room if they can't read sight words, primer material. Based on the research I have read by third grade if they aren't reading, success can be quite challenging!
sonja - Has anyone had Great Books training?
sonja - It is a fact , if they dont get by third, they dont get it
Jen - Hello, I have a question. I have my first principal observation tomorrow morning. I had planned to teach about emergencies, deciding when to call 911, and practice calling (on unplugged phone). The problem is that the planning form that I am supposed to fill out only has a place for value judgement, academic rule, principle, or concept. I don't think this fits into any of these. Is it still ok to teach this?
Jen - oops, sorry, I thought this was the chat for new teachers, just noticed it was for reading specialists. sorry
sonja - Value judgement-W#hen is it appropriate to call 911? Values of safety for individuals and community.
sonja - Lovereading, do u feel that reading in the home environment is dwindling?
lovereading - Yes, I do get that feeling! I talked with one parent and she had NO IDEA her child was that far below grade level! If reading was a high priority I would think that she would know that!
lovereading - Parent conferences are coming up soon and I plan to speak honestly with my parents with struggling students, it seems maybe they haven't been told the facts in the past! I am hoping if they understand the deficit their child is facing, hopefully they will work with me at home, but we will see!
sonja - What program do u use to place students at grade level?
sonja - Do u use basals or true literature books?
sonja - True literature books-Charlotte's Web?
sonja - Lovereading,, are u there?
lovereading - We do have basals at our school, but I haven't used mine this year, they are too high for most of my students. Fortunately I have several personal book sets that I brought and I am using those. I taught 2nd grade before and most of the material is really too hard for the preprimer readers. I have downloaded some books from AtoZ and I am ordering some books from SEESAW to address this issue! There is a REAL need for materials at our grade level. We are addressing that at the school, but it is almost October and I am afraid by the time they are ordered and in the school it will be January!
sonja - I hate the basals. I am using true lit books. My first book finished "Sing Down the Moon"
lovereading - I spent $60 at the local teacher store on Monday on 1st grade reading supplements so I would have something for them to read. It did work better as they were successful in reading 5 sentence stories. I know the importance of taking them where they are to move forward! However I didn't expect to have such a large population in my third grade class that would need to learn sight words and need pre-preprimer books to be succesful. We are going next week to observe a classroom where grouping is used! What method do you use - Four Blocks or something else?
sonja - Supplement in Lang arts the old fashion way,.I teach it separately. Other reading teacher depends on the basal. She is a pain the butgt!
sonja - There is no loving of reading from her,. The kids do pick up on that>
sonja - Our elem. usesw the 4 blockmethod. They love it!
sonja - Principal big supporter of this program.
sonja - They went to a model school that uses this method.
sonja - They use the audio thingy? Whatever its called!
lovereading - What grade do you teach and where?
sonja - Have u ever used the LEA approach? Language eXPERIENCE APPROACH?
sonja - Sixth grade! A little rural county in kY named Menfiee
lovereading - YEs, many years ago when I was teaching 1st grade as a long term substitute teacher - do you use that now?
sonja - Menifee?I have a special ed. student that wants to leaqrn to read so bad , I went back to that with primer books.
sonja - How many years have u been at it?
lovereading - This begins my 12th year of teaching.
sonja - This makes me 19 years!
sonja - And I still get butterflies the first day of school!!!
sonja - This is one of the beswt parts of the chat room. Exchanging thoughts and concerns students and methods.
lovereading - Me too, I think I will always be excited and nervous on the first day! I have enjoyed sharing ideas tonight!
sonja - I have too!! Have a good year. Keep on working with the little ones!!!!!!!!!! Shaloam!
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