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Primary Elementary Teachers Chatboard

Grace/ILL, do have a Sp. program for 2nd grade, too?

by emma

Mar 29, 2009

This sounds terrific to me if I can only work it in to my RF (no choice) curriculum. I will read more on this. Thanks for posting your website.

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Tallytchr Grace must be traveling or she probably would have already answered this!

Here's her website.

Apr 3, 2009

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Grace/IL Thanks, Tallytchr, for responding to this. I've just had so many things going lately that I don't get all the important boards covered and just missed it

To Emma, just go to my website and you'll find it. It works quite differently from the first book but provides a great review and moves on.

Grace

Apr 3, 2009

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ROBERT STANEK'S ELVES OF THE REACHES IN THE CLASSROOM

by Delia

Mar 29, 2009

I'm wanting to connect with other teachers who are using Robert Stanek's The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches in the classroom. I've been using the students and teachers editions of the books since 05 and have found a few other teachers who are using the books too. I'd like to share lesson plans and lessons learned. I've had good success with ...See More

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Delia On 3/30/09, Delia wrote: > On 3/30/09, Molly H. wrote: >> On 3/29/09, Delia wrote: >>> I'm wanting to connect with other teachers who are using >>> Robert Stanek's The Kingdoms and the Elves of the >>> Reaches in the classroom. I've been using the students >>> and teachers editions of the books since 05 ...See More

Mar 31, 2009

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Molly H. Your the one I should thank for getting me thinking about this wonderful wonderful author again. I hope you find the culminating project for Magic Lands as good as I did. I will be using it again next year for my inclass reading.

Apr 1, 2009

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ideas for painting flowerpots

by scteach

Mar 30, 2009

I am looking for cute ways to paint flower pots for Mothers day. Also the cheapest place to purchase flower pots. Any ideas?

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Jenetty77 Many years ago when I worked in childcare we had the kids paint flower pots for Mothers Day. I used their fingerprints to make flowers, insects, etc. First the pot was painted a solid color of their choice. Then, I helped with getting fingerprints in the right places. For instance, flowers, the thumbprint was used for the center and an index finger...See More

Mar 30, 2009

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Earth day lessons/activities

by Gambi

Mar 30, 2009

Im looking for new Earth Day activity ideas. What are some good books you can recommend or lessons you've done. I'd like to do this for a week or so, rather thn 1 day. Thanks!

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Kathleen (and more coming on April 1!!!) Link inside! On 3/30/09, Gambi wrote: > Im looking for new Earth Day activity ideas. What are some > good books you can recommend or lessons you've done. I'd > like to do this for a week or so, rather thn 1 day. Thanks!

Use the link below for a terrific collection of prek-primary and elementary + Earth Day lessons and activities compiled for y...See More

Mar 30, 2009

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Leah If you want your students to make an Earth Day book, you can view sample pages of Kelly Bear Earth by clicking below

Mar 31, 2009

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Low reading students ...... I need help

by Please respond

Mar 30, 2009

I have a group of students who struggle with their reading. They came into first grade not prepared to start reading and yet has made progress but veyy slow. I have one students who struggles with reading, but spells every word correctly with corrrect spelling pattern. I'm not sure what to think of her. Also, our school uses the STAR Reading progra...See More

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Gracie You say some of the students within this group can read mid year books. Can they peer read with the more struggling students? Have them reread their stories for review? While they are reading, make lists of words they miss during reading and make flashcards for each child. Have them go over their "trouble words from each story.

I thought a...See More

Mar 30, 2009

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story maps

by Charlie

Mar 30, 2009

Does anyone have a good story map that includes character, setting, and plot that they could post? I would love to have one sheet that included all these elements. TIA

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ooops! trying again [link removed]

OR

[link removed]

On 3/30/09, first wrote: > Try here: > > > > > > > On 3/30/09, Charlie wrote: >> Does anyone have a good story map that includes character, >> setting, and plot that they could post? I would love to >> have one sheet that included all these element...See More

Mar 30, 2009

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paulaj On 3/30/09, Charlie wrote: > Does anyone have a good story map that includes character, > setting, and plot that they could post? I would love to > have one sheet that included all these elements. TIA

Google "graphic organizers" and you will find a bunch.

Apr 2, 2009

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guided reading

by pete

Mar 30, 2009

How do you keep the rest of the class busy while you are with a guided reading group?

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josie On 3/30/09, pete wrote: > How do you keep the rest of the class busy while you are > with a guided reading group?

Teach the children to choose good books. Practice independent reading every day so that they can read for 30 minutes without your help. Then they can spend time while you teach by reading, responding to reading in writing...See More

Mar 31, 2009

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Teech On 3/30/09, pete wrote: > How do you keep the rest of the class busy while you are > with a guided reading group? I see all five of my groups every day. While I am doing guided reading, they go to 5 centers and we rotate every 10 minutes. #1-Read to yourself #2-Read on Computer by self or with partner #3-word work #4-Write and respond to stor...See More

Mar 31, 2009

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I'm so sad, I thought this was my calling

by ETC

Mar 30, 2009

I just needed some place to vent about my disappointment in myself and see if anyone ever feels this way. I've only been teaching for 5 years and I already feel like I need to stop. I really thought that teaching is what I was meant to do. My first 3 years were awesome. I taught kindergarten and had fun, had great kids, and really made a difference...See MoreI just needed some place to vent about my disappointment in myself and see if anyone ever feels this way. I've only been teaching for 5 years and I already feel like I need to stop. I really thought that teaching is what I was meant to do. My first 3 years were awesome. I taught kindergarten and had fun, had great kids, and really made a difference in their lives. I really thought that I was a good teacher. I got a lot of good feedback from colleagues and parents. Ever since I moved to this new school (and got married, both of which might have something to do with the change?), I think I've lost my touch. At my old school I used to do all kinds of extra, fun, creative projects with my kids and now I don't do anything but what is required. Maybe the problem is my new school- I used to have my own assistant and now I share one with 6 other teachers. My assistant is unreliable and messes up just about every task I give her, from sending the yearbooks to the wrong kids, to not even being able to staple booklets together so the pages don't fall out. The climate at school is one that discourages creativity. I've had several ideas for creative, fun learning experiences that have been discouraged by admin, who seems to always want to tweak my ideas to make them less fun and more schoolwork-centered. This year has been the worst and I feel horrible because I love my class. I've moved to 1st grade and the kids are really great kids. But I keep getting complaints from parents this year, everything from their kid not getting their homework assignment to getting upset because the school won't test their kid in a timely manner (I have to fill out about 4 pages of paperwork for each kid below grade level, then come up with 3 weeks of interventions and documentation before I'm even allowed to have a meeting about getting testing done). I don't know if it's my school or me but I just can't seem to make anyone happy anymore. I can't get it all done, or even close to everything. It doesn't seem to matter how earlier I get to school or how late I stay. Something gets missed or the assistant messes up and I don't catch her mistakes in time. I had all these great plans for this year, and haven't done any of them. I started a webpage but never update it, I was going to have the class make a published book and never did it, I was going to have a class book swap and never did that either. I wish I knew what was wrong with me. I'm having a baby in September and I just think I'll do everyone a favor and not come back after he/she is born.

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Teach You sound like a great teacher. Be kind to yourself. You've had many changes in your life and your pregnant!

Don't know if this would help but I like Harry K. Wong's book The First Day of School. Maybe it would give you some good ideas and lift your spirits. I've been teaching for over 30 years, got real down, read his book and thought "I...See MoreYou sound like a great teacher. Be kind to yourself. You've had many changes in your life and your pregnant!

Don't know if this would help but I like Harry K. Wong's book The First Day of School. Maybe it would give you some good ideas and lift your spirits. I've been teaching for over 30 years, got real down, read his book and thought "I can do this job!"

Be good to yourself. You sound like a committed, caring teacher. Be sure to put yourself first right now.

On 4/03/09, Tallytchr wrote: > a baby on way, WHY are you feeling a little overwhelmed? LOL > > All kidding aside, my gosh, your poor body and mind must just be > spinning from all the changes in a few short years. > > It sounds like you still have the calling and are no doubt a > wonderful teacher so stop doubting yourself there. > > It may be that you need a break from it right now though to > collect your thoughts and decide the best course for you. > > First, it sounds like you and your new school are a mismatch. The > school may be perfectly fine, you may be a perfectly good > teacher, but not perfect together! There is nothing wrong with > that. Different school cultures fit different needs for teachers. > > This baby in September may be a great opportunity for you to > diplomatically get out of that school and not create hard > feelings (you may need those references down the road). > > If you can take time to stay home for awhile with your baby, I > would strongly suggest you do that. Its sooooooo hard to leave a > baby and it's very tiring in those first few months. > > What I WOULD encourage you to just think of this time as a > breather. You don't have to give up teaching, you just need to > find a better fit for the kind of teacher you are. > > You loved your first three years, you know you are a good > teacher, and you can find that good fit again. Until then, do > something else but get out of this situation that is causing you > such stress...and quit blaming yourself! > > Good luck and congratulations on your baby!

Apr 4, 2009

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Been There Hi. I just wanted to give a little thought ....

I spent 7 years in a building. Then I transferred closer home. I didn't hate the new building but it wasn't the same as the old one that I came to love and enjoy. I knew the teachers and I had fun teaching.

The first year at the new school was difficult. I still loved teaching but y...See More

Apr 5, 2009

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Help With Lucy's Writers Workshop

by mrs. r

Mar 30, 2009

I am looking for resources for Lucy C's Writer's Workshop. I teach second grade. I am really struggling with this. We went from a very structured program to this, and I am just having a hard time adjusting. If anybody has any sites with lessons, books to correlate with mini lessons, blogs, or ideas, I would so ever appreciate it.

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Teach Our school district uses Lucy Calkins. My school is not very excited about it. I call it "Loosy Goosey". I'd rather use a more structured program. Also, our district is trying to go with Standard Based Report Cards (yulk!). So I had my 3rd grade team work on matching Lucy's lessons and books with the standards. It doesn't work. We will have to add ...See MoreOur school district uses Lucy Calkins. My school is not very excited about it. I call it "Loosy Goosey". I'd rather use a more structured program. Also, our district is trying to go with Standard Based Report Cards (yulk!). So I had my 3rd grade team work on matching Lucy's lessons and books with the standards. It doesn't work. We will have to add curriculum to her lessons to meet the standards.

I got online and typed in writer's workshop for elementary and came up with this teacher's web site: (this is a second grade teacher)

[link removed]

I also found this sight by a teacher: [link removed]

Our principal ordered some of the books Lucy used in her material for examples of lessons.

Good luck. I just need to change my attitude I guess. Our principal thinks Lucy is the god of writing but he never had to use it. He was trained in it and thinks he has all the answers . . . NOT. He wants us to go through all of the books in one year which is impossible. Besides we are using the 3-5 level kit and some of those books aren't applicable for 3rd grade. What a mess!

So, we're doing the best we can with what we've got. The only thing is he's convinced the parents that our school is in love with the program and that every grade is doing it which is far from the truth. Hang in there. Just make the program fit the way you teach.

On 4/04/09, Teach in FL wrote: > Our district started Lucy this year in K-2. We have a > district writing person to support us. > > I have a few Anchor Charts in MS Word if you are interested. > I may also have other resources back in my room. You could > email me if you like. > > On 3/30/09, mrs. r wrote: >> I am looking for resources for Lucy C's Writer's Workshop. >> I teach second grade. I am really struggling with this. We >> went from a very structured program to this, and I am just >> having a hard time adjusting. If anybody has any sites >> with lessons, books to correlate with mini lessons, blogs, >> or ideas, I would so ever appreciate it.

Apr 4, 2009

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Melissa Has anyone been able to download the Lucy Calkins lesson plans on ProTeacher? Here is the link:

[link removed]

I would love to see the lesson plans, but protecher will not allow me to register. I am working on writing lesson plans today. If you have these files it would be great if you could send them to my email address, just cl...See More

Apr 10, 2009

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