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Kindergarten Teachers Chatboard

Apps for Notetaking & Writing

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jun 17, 2016

Susan Fitzell writes about some great Apps for Notetaking & Writing in the current issue of Teachers.Net Gazette. Take a look!

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How many hours a week do Kindergarten teachers work?

by thinkthinkthink

Jun 14, 2016

Hello! I need to make a serious decision please. I really want to become a Kindergarten teacher but always read horror stories about teachers almost always working 60+ hours per week. Unfortunately I have great caregiving responsibilities in my family and that would be impossible for me to do. However I was wondering if Kindergarten tea...See More

Hello! I need to make a serious decision please. I really want to become a Kindergarten teacher but always read horror stories about teachers almost always working 60+ hours per week. Unfortunately I have great caregiving responsibilities in my family and that would be impossible for me to do. However I was wondering if Kindergarten teachers work less hours? I mean TOTAL including grading, planning, parent/student meetings? Also, is it extremely hard to become ONLY A KINDER teacher because of competition? Like would I need to always teach other grades too? I am hoping to finish school to become a Kinder teacher and maybe substitute teach until I finally get a Kinder position. Do you think this is realistic? Thank you, I don't want to make a mistake pursuing this. I am in between this or just trying to work my way up in administrative type jobs as a career because I really can't work over 40 hrs a week with my family situation. I really want to do this but I'm also afraid that pursuing this may take away from my husband's ability to go back to school how much he would want to as well. Poor guy doesn't even have is High School as he came from Mexico, he's been working so so hard for us and I want to help him too. I'm thinking of waitressing weekends (I've done this many years and make good money in tips) and going to school part time but I'm not sure if I should just get some full time administrative entry job somewhere so he has more freedom for his school? We also don't have health insurance right now so we'd need to shell out lots for obama care...I feel very confused. Also with the economy right now I keep reading how hard it is for new teachers to find work.. I'm hoping subbing would help hold us off until I could get a Kindergarten classroom. As far as limited hours I can work.. Thing is when we have kids (we don't have any but are almost 30 so I'm trying to prepare) as far as hours devoted to caregiving it would be similar a single mom. My husband is wonderful but he has made it clear that he is very traditional and would always be willing to provide for us completely (most likely he would work 60-80 hrs a week) but it's clear he would leave almost everything else to me (all housework, child care, shopping etc etc). On top of that sometimes I need to help my parents as they off and on get very ill, and I am their only child. I know if I was working over 40 hrs a week as a mother I would go insane (I greatly respect and admire moms who do this but I am not that skilled). I LOVE young children and I'm hoping Kindergarten wouldn't be more than 40 hours full time or maybe I could even do 1/2 day? I'm sorry this is so long. It's just I'm SO torn as we agreed ABSOLUTELY NO student loans and have a very limited income. Do you think I should pursue this or just start in a clerical entry job somewhere and work my way up as much as possible in hope that it would be enough (maybe Executive Assistant or Senior Administrative Assistant in a University thing?). I'm just scared that that may become a dead end and then when we have kids it would be impossible for me to back to school, so I feel like I NEED to make a decision now or else.. I might sound entitled/ too picky but with our family situation I honestly can't have a career that I would need to work a lot of overtime even bringing it home. I'd also love being a Preschool teacher but I don't think it would be enough to live on. Help please from you wonderful teachers? Thank you so much....

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Kat_Kong I work ALOT of hours per week. I was a sped teacher and that was similar work hours (more paperwork in the evenings though). If you are having second thoughts about this then you should select a job that is more manageable and that you have more control over the working conditions. Being a teacher (seems like any grade) I don't feel that I have al...See More I work ALOT of hours per week. I was a sped teacher and that was similar work hours (more paperwork in the evenings though). If you are having second thoughts about this then you should select a job that is more manageable and that you have more control over the working conditions. Being a teacher (seems like any grade) I don't feel that I have alot of control over my hours, evening committments, etc.

On 6/15/16, Sherri wrote: > On 6/14/16, thinkthinkthink wrote: >> >> >> Hello! >> I need to make a serious decision please. I really want >> to become a Kindergarten teacher but always read > horror >> stories about teachers almost always working 60+ hours > per >> week. Unfortunately I have great caregiving > responsibilities >> in my family and that would be impossible for me to do. >> However I was wondering if Kindergarten teachers work > less >> hours? I mean TOTAL including grading, planning, >> parent/student meetings? Also, is it extremely hard to >> become ONLY A KINDER teacher because of > competition? Like >> would I need to always teach other grades too? I am > hoping >> to finish school to become a Kinder teacher and maybe >> substitute teach until I finally get a Kinder position. Do >> you think this is realistic? >> Thank you, I don't want to make a mistake pursuing this. >> I am in between this or just trying to work my way up in >> administrative type jobs as a career because I really > can't >> work over 40 hrs a week with my family situation. I really >> want to do this but I'm also afraid that pursuing this may >> take away from my husband's ability to go back to school > how >> much he would want to as well. Poor guy doesn't even > have is >> High School as he came from Mexico, he's been working > so so >> hard for us and I want to help him too. I'm thinking of >> waitressing weekends (I've done this many years and > make >> good money in tips) and going to school part time but I'm >> not sure if I should just get some full time administrative >> entry job somewhere so he has more freedom for his > school? >> We also don't have health insurance right now so we'd > need >> to shell out lots for obama care...I feel very confused. >> Also with the economy right now I keep reading how > hard it >> is for new teachers to find work.. I'm hoping subbing > would >> help hold us off until I could get a Kindergarten > classroom. >> As far as limited hours I can work.. Thing is when we >> have kids (we don't have any but are almost 30 so I'm > trying >> to prepare) as far as hours devoted to caregiving it would >> be similar a single mom. My husband is wonderful but he > has >> made it clear that he is very traditional and would always >> be willing to provide for us completely (most likely he >> would work 60-80 hrs a week) but it's clear he would > leave >> almost everything else to me (all housework, child care, >> shopping etc etc). On top of that sometimes I need to > help >> my parents as they off and on get very ill, and I am their >> only child. I know if I was working over 40 hrs a week as > a >> mother I would go insane (I greatly respect and admire > moms >> who do this but I am not that skilled). I LOVE young >> children and I'm hoping Kindergarten wouldn't be more > than >> 40 hours full time or maybe I could even do 1/2 day? >> I'm sorry this is so long. It's just I'm SO torn as we >> agreed ABSOLUTELY NO student loans and have a very > limited >> income. Do you think I should pursue this or just start in > a >> clerical entry job somewhere and work my way up as > much as >> possible in hope that it would be enough (maybe > Executive >> Assistant or Senior Administrative Assistant in a > University >> thing?). I'm just scared that that may become a dead end > and >> then when we have kids it would be impossible for me to > back >> to school, so I feel like I NEED to make a decision now > or >> else.. I might sound entitled/ too picky but with our family >> situation I honestly can't have a career that I would need >> to work a lot of overtime even bringing it home. I'd also >> love being a Preschool teacher but I don't think it would > be >> enough to live on. Help please from you wonderful > teachers? >> Thank you so much.... >> >> > You sound like a sweet and giving person. But as a K and > 1st grade teacher for 8 years, you don't sound like you > have the time necessary to become a PRODUCTIVE > teacher. You would be cheating either yourself or the > students and neither can afford to be cheated. Might I > suggest that you become a paraprofessional until your life > settles and you can see more clearly.

Jun 15, 2016

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Jennifer S./KS I've taught Kinder for 21 years and I spend a LOT of time above and beyond my school day on school stuff. I LOVE my job and wouldn't trade if for the world, but sometimes I wish I could come home from work and do nothing. There are a lot of extra hours to this job, any teaching job, really.

On 6/14/16, irishday wrote: > On 6/14/16, thi...See MoreI've taught Kinder for 21 years and I spend a LOT of time above and beyond my school day on school stuff. I LOVE my job and wouldn't trade if for the world, but sometimes I wish I could come home from work and do nothing. There are a lot of extra hours to this job, any teaching job, really.

On 6/14/16, irishday wrote: > On 6/14/16, thinkthinkthink wrote: >> >> >> Hello! >> I need to make a serious decision please. I really want >> to become a Kindergarten teacher but always read horror >> stories about teachers almost always working 60+ hours per >> week. Unfortunately I have great caregiving responsibilities >> in my family and that would be impossible for me to do. >> However I was wondering if Kindergarten teachers work less >> hours? I mean TOTAL including grading, planning, >> parent/student meetings? Also, is it extremely hard to >> become ONLY A KINDER teacher because of competition? Like >> would I need to always teach other grades too? I am hoping >> to finish school to become a Kinder teacher and maybe >> substitute teach until I finally get a Kinder position. Do >> you think this is realistic? >> Thank you, I don't want to make a mistake pursuing this. >> I am in between this or just trying to work my way up in >> administrative type jobs as a career because I really can't >> work over 40 hrs a week with my family situation. I really >> want to do this but I'm also afraid that pursuing this may >> take away from my husband's ability to go back to school how >> much he would want to as well. Poor guy doesn't even have is >> High School as he came from Mexico, he's been working so so >> hard for us and I want to help him too. I'm thinking of >> waitressing weekends (I've done this many years and make >> good money in tips) and going to school part time but I'm >> not sure if I should just get some full time administrative >> entry job somewhere so he has more freedom for his school? >> We also don't have health insurance right now so we'd need >> to shell out lots for obama care...I feel very confused. >> Also with the economy right now I keep reading how hard it >> is for new teachers to find work.. I'm hoping subbing would >> help hold us off until I could get a Kindergarten classroom. >> As far as limited hours I can work.. Thing is when we >> have kids (we don't have any but are almost 30 so I'm trying >> to prepare) as far as hours devoted to caregiving it would >> be similar a single mom. My husband is wonderful but he has >> made it clear that he is very traditional and would always >> be willing to provide for us completely (most likely he >> would work 60-80 hrs a week) but it's clear he would leave >> almost everything else to me (all housework, child care, >> shopping etc etc). On top of that sometimes I need to help >> my parents as they off and on get very ill, and I am their >> only child. I know if I was working over 40 hrs a week as a >> mother I would go insane (I greatly respect and admire moms >> who do this but I am not that skilled). I LOVE young >> children and I'm hoping Kindergarten wouldn't be more than >> 40 hours full time or maybe I could even do 1/2 day? >> I'm sorry this is so long. It's just I'm SO torn as we >> agreed ABSOLUTELY NO student loans and have a very limited >> income. Do you think I should pursue this or just start in a >> clerical entry job somewhere and work my way up as much as >> possible in hope that it would be enough (maybe Executive >> Assistant or Senior Administrative Assistant in a University >> thing?). I'm just scared that that may become a dead end and >> then when we have kids it would be impossible for me to back >> to school, so I feel like I NEED to make a decision now or >> else.. I might sound entitled/ too picky but with our family >> situation I honestly can't have a career that I would need >> to work a lot of overtime even bringing it home. I'd also >> love being a Preschool teacher but I don't think it would be >> enough to live on. Help please from you wonderful teachers? >> Thank you so much.... >> >>

Jun 15, 2016

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ESGI vs. NWEA MAPs Surveys

by Jennifer S./KS

Jun 15, 2016

I have been using ESGI for the past 2 years and I love it. But, my new principal wants me to try using the NWEA MAPs Surveys instead.

Has anyone used these for assessing? I am wondering what kind of information they give, if it's as detailed as ESGI?

Thoughts would be greatly appreciated because she wants me to get back to her on...See More

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Journals

by Nikki

Jun 6, 2016

Looking for some good templates to make homemade journals for writing in the mornings. I want something that would show growth in writing each 9 weeks and perhaps showing a rubric. Any suggestions?

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Flacka I made mine in Word - at the beginning of the year the paper was horizontal with a large box for their picture, and a few lines below the boxer them (or me) to write. I started shrinking the box some to fit more lines and by mid year or so, I switched to a vertical format. The box got smaller and there were more lines for them to write on. I made a...See More

Jun 6, 2016

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Journeys reading program

by Arlene

Jun 6, 2016

This year we will be using the Journeys reading program. Anybody familiar with this program? Can you give me some good websites to help in the planning etc.

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Whatever happend to our chaboard??

by Michelle in MI

May 20, 2016

Years ago, you used to see 30 or 40 posts daily on this K chatboard. Now you'd be lucky to see ten in a month. I wonder what happened?

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DonnaR/CA On 5/20/16, retired K teacher wrote: > This has happened to Tnet in general - it used to be so active and > now it's pretty much dormant. I'm sure it's a combination of > things - testing, push down curriculum, little freedom in how you > teach etc. Teachers are becoming robots who collect data.

I think it's also blogs, Faceboo...See More

May 21, 2016

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Jessie I feel that excessive testing, data collecting, and teaching to the test have sucked the joy of learning and teaching from teachers ( and students!). In past years, this board was usually a place to come to for sharing ideas, creating "fun", age-appropriate lessons and activities, and sharing discipline techniques. Now, the main concern i...See MoreI feel that excessive testing, data collecting, and teaching to the test have sucked the joy of learning and teaching from teachers ( and students!). In past years, this board was usually a place to come to for sharing ideas, creating "fun", age-appropriate lessons and activities, and sharing discipline techniques. Now, the main concern is how to push the little learners hard in order to get those scores. Who wants to post about that- dreary business at best?

On 5/21/16, DonnaR/CA wrote: > On 5/20/16, retired K teacher wrote: >> This has happened to Tnet in general - it used to be so > active and >> now it's pretty much dormant. I'm sure it's a combination > of >> things - testing, push down curriculum, little freedom in > how you >> teach etc. Teachers are becoming robots who collect data. > > I think it's also blogs, Facebook, and Pinterest, that have > affected T-net. There are a lot of Kinder blogs out there, > many of them have Facebook pages, and of course there's > Pinterest for getting actual photos for ideas. > > The above ideas all have merit, too. I am thankful that my > school district isn't one to expect every teacher on a grade > level to be on page X, sentence X, at a given time. We are > still given a little leeway. But I am still expected to test > my kinders, present the data, and that "every child should > have mastered the skills" by the end of the year. Bah, > humbug, we all know that some kinders are just not > developmentally ready! > > Speaking of testing....yesterday, one came near to tears. "I > don't want to do this." I patiently explained to him that we > don't always want to do certain thinga in life, but there are > some things we have to do. "But this is boring!" He was > trying to take the mouse and make it play a game -- in the > MAPs test for Math. Sorry, buddy, this isn't a game, it's > some of the more serious stuff in life. "But I don't want to > do this!" I bit back the urge to tell him that I didn't want > to listen to him whine, either, but I have to. This is a > child whose mother decided to enter him in kindergarten in > February -- when she should have waited until fall -- but she > didn't want to pay for babysitting when she went back to > work. So I end up picking up the pieces of what this child > does NOT know. Fortunately, he's considered a "TK" in Calif., > and will do another year of kinder. No way would I let this > child go to first grade. > > > Donna

May 21, 2016

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Report card ratings

by Lisa

May 8, 2016

HI. Our County is revising our elementary report cards. Does anyone have a rating scale that they love? We currently use PINT (proficient, in process, needs development, and to be taught). I saw the proposed scale which includes D,S,M, P (distinguished, strong, marginal, progressive). I have been told this won't change but when I look up the defini...See More

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Jessie Call me old school, but I think E,S,N,and U clearly tell parents where their children stand concerning grades and progress. E=Excellent, S= Satisfactory, N= Needs improvement, but is progressing, and U= Unsatisfactory, progressing very slowly or not at all. I never had a parent not understand this grading method. IMHO, when we get to "fancy&qu...See More

May 14, 2016

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Lisa I agree!

On 5/14/16, Jessie wrote: > Call me old school, but I think E,S,N,and U clearly tell > parents where their children stand concerning grades and > progress. E=Excellent, S= Satisfactory, N= Needs improvement, > but is progressing, and U= Unsatisfactory, progressing very > slowly or not at all. I never had a parent no...See More

May 20, 2016

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Report card ratings

by Lisa

May 8, 2016

Hi. Our County is revising our elementary report cards. Does anyone have a rating scale that they love? We currently use PINT (proficient, in process, needs development, and to be taught). I saw the proposed scale which includes D,S,M, P (distinguished, strong, marginal, progressive). I have been told this won't change but when I look up the defini...See More

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NWEA

by Nikki

Apr 25, 2016

Are any of you familiar with the NWEA computerized test? What are some sites to practice test questions? Thanks so much!

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Class became animals with sub

by Daisy

Apr 23, 2016

Ok K friends, I need opinions on serious consequences for the 11 kids who behaved so so badly for my substitute yesterday. I get that they are anxious about our 22 days left but their blatant disrespect evidently was off the charts. On the other hand I had 13 kids who were absolute model citizens. All this happened after many stern directives to to...See More

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retired K teacher First thing Monday morning call a class meeting and ask the class what happened on Fri. Have them talk about it and how they felt about what happened. They will have no trouble pointing out who was responsible (as if you didn't already know!) They may even have more to reveal than you or the sub were aware of.

I would ask them what the con...See More

Apr 23, 2016

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Carolyn As a retired teacher and sub...I understand your concern. However...with 27 days left and possibly not having a sub again this year. I would give them a lecture. Tell the children who behaved how proud you are of them...give them a treat or extra recess...or whatever would be allowed at your school...and close the door on that day.

Apr 24, 2016

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