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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/20/2008 11:48:33 PM
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thisistheday
Posts: 9277
Joined: 4/11/2005
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We have AR grades 2-8 here too, it can be annoying.
It was much more so when my middle girl was in 4th grade and had to read 6th and 7th grade books, no lower.
Currently both my kids doing AR don't have trouble finding books to read. The range allowed is wide enough for that. Any books they can be tested on the school has in the library. We'll occasionally check AR books out from a public library, but don't usually need to do that. Sometimes we have them at home. Our library doesn't have all the available AR tests, but if they have the test they have the book. And most books in the libary have a test.
My son met his challenge AR goal (25 points) this 9 weeks with the first book he read, so he could just quit doing AR reading for the 9 weeks. Or at least taking tests. But the books he wants to read do have AR tests so he takes them.
Both my kids can take AR tests pretty much any day they want/need to, so that's not a problem. It was harder for them to get a chance to take tests in the younger grades.
There is an AR party every 9 weeks for the kids who meet their goal. Which is most of them, I think.
My kids haven't really had a hard time for the most part finding books they enjoy reading that are AR books, thankfully.
Dee
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/21/2008 8:52:00 AM
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emjayzee
Posts: 592
Joined: 4/11/2005
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This is the first I've heard of AR. Our district doesn't do it. It sounds like some districts do it better than others.
I need to get my kids to the dentist (never mind myself!). They haven't been since I went part-time last April and lost my dental insurance. I kno wit's not too much for a cleaning if I just take one kid at a time, I just have to get on that.
We had Gracen's conference last night. They don't do report cards for the first marking period in the younger grades, you just have a conference with the teacher. In Gracen's case, his Reading Recovery teacher was there, too. Well, it was the most glowing conference. It was so different from the vibe we got last year from his K teachers. They really didn't have a negative thing to say. I feel like they have gotten to know Gracen, and see his progress in that light. They know he is very cautious and afraid to make mistakes. So when he is not doing something they can give him strategies to problem solve instead of chastising him for not doing the work. I am consistently impressed with this school. Before we moved, we had heard how it was the best elementary school in the district, but we thought the school Han had gone through was pretty good so we just kind of brushed it off. But everything I've seen there so far (and it's only been a few months) has really proven the hype.
Han had a great report card. We promised him a reward if he got at least 2 A's and no C's and he earned it. He got B's in all the main subjects and A's in all the specials (music, gym, art, etc.). The main reason for B's insteasd of A's in the main subjects was not turning in assignments and participating in class. So the criteria for reward for the next marking period will be to improve those areas in the main subjects. That has been his problem, consistently. The only subject he got "Satisfactory" for homework was Math, which they have every night. It's the things he doesn't have to do all the time that mess him up!
Aria has her Thanksgiving program and "feast" on Monday, which she is so excited for. They are singing songs, and they get to be on stage. Something tells me Aria will enjoy being on stage. 
_____________________________
unicorns borrowed from Matthew Webber, copyright 2002
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/21/2008 10:25:08 AM
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debilyn
Posts: 269
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Our district did AR books for about 6 years, then they went to SSR (silent selected reading). Instead of reading a book and getting tested on it, they are assigned 15 minutes of classtime every day for silent reading. In the elementary school and high school, it is usually either right before or right after lunch. In the middle school, it is either at the end or the beginning of first period (depending on the teacher). Some students use that time for other homework. Both my older kids use it to read books they enjoy reading (sometimes it's the book they are studying for church youth group, sometimes it's just a fun book). My son will also often use that time to read the sports section of the newspaper in his teacher's classroom.
In the elementary school a couple of years ago, the teachers came up with a project to encourage reading. Twenty pages equalled a mile, and the teachers wanted the students to "read around the world." The entire school had to read enough pages to stretch around the equator. As a reward, the entire school was able to have a special treat at school. If I remember correctly, it was a musical program with snacks. The top reading class got a pizza party. It was fun to walk down the main hall to see how many miles had been "traveled". A few teachers used the traveling as social studies projects - learning about customs of the people who live near the equator.
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/21/2008 2:04:55 PM
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PrincessDonna
Posts: 10187
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Cow country, Upstate NY
Status: online
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Noah is coming home after Thanksgiving break. Two more days...
_____________________________
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;
He hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked He will destroy.
~Psalm 145:19-20~
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/21/2008 2:50:24 PM
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ladyingrace1979
Posts: 413
Joined: 3/14/2008
From: Fresno CA
Status: offline
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I hate AR. The system they have here doesn't assign enough points to make it worth kids reading at their actual level. My dd's range is 5.5 (5th grad, 5th month) to 12th grade. She is in 8th. Last year she was reading books on grade level, 7th. The books were long and not worth the amount of points they should have been. So we had a meeting with her English teacher, the principle and the resource teacher. The resource teacher's specialty is reading. She told my daughter to " dumb down her level and read easy books"
So they want her to read books which will bore her to tears to make an artificial point goal!
The other problem is finding books at her level that she likes. The school doesn't have much above 8.0, because it's a K-8 school. Guess they don't think about the kids who are advanced readers. All this system has done is soured her on reading for fun.
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/21/2008 10:51:13 PM
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MrsTracy72
Posts: 2058
Joined: 2/28/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: debilyn
Our district did AR books for about 6 years, then they went to SSR (silent selected reading). Instead of reading a book and getting tested on it, they are assigned 15 minutes of classtime every day for silent reading
My daughter does both AR and SSR. It is so weird though. She is reading chapter books for SSR and at home, but the AR books even for the third grade level seem so much lower than what she is reading for SSR. I don't get it because they are both programs that the school supports and they are so different.
Anyway, today I went on a field trip with Jake. We went to a folk fair. It was ok. I only had Jake and one other kid with me because enough parents volunteered so that worked out well. The kids had to go around to the different countries and get their passports stamped by that country. Most kids were just walking up and holding the book out for the stamp not even looking at anything or asking any questions.
My kids weren't too happy with me because everytime we went to a booth, I made them ask questions and listen to what the people had to say and learn a few words in whatever language before I would let them get the stamp. But I wasn't about to waste my time along on this trip if they were going to just run around getting stamps.
We have a busy weekend ahead of us. Steve's son is coming tomorrow for the afternoon and we are tying to figure out where to take them to eat. I don't feel like cooking. Then on Sunday I have to do a vendor fair which I thought was supposed to been on Saturday, but when I looked today it said Sunday. I have never heard of that since most people are in church on Sunday mornings and that is not a very smart time to schedule a vendor fair. But I will do it.
Tonight we went to a party that my cousin had because he released his first CD. It is pretty good. He does a bit of comedy and then it is all Christian Rap. I don't really have an ear for it, but when I listened live, it was much easier to understand over all the music. I didn't know he was that gifted.
I have been pretty down lately and can't seem to pick myself back up so that isn't helping at all. So anyway, I can't wait til next Friday when it is another weekend and Thanksgiving is over.
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/22/2008 8:27:18 PM
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momma_bee
Posts: 1324
Joined: 4/12/2005
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My darling daughter, whom I love dearly and actually has a better than average voice is driving me nuts with a song. Now, she swears it is in Spanish but has no idea what she is saying. She does not pronounce her words clearly so what I get is "rio, rio, rio, a rio a chair-o" and then something like that, but backwards at the end somehow.
I tried saying save your voice, I tried saying I wanted to hear it at the concert but she won't stop. The same two (or four) or dos lines, over and over again.
I chased her out of the room.
And, speaking of the dear darling daughter - guess who made the first basket of the first game of the season???
And then I was treated to my BigBee playing trumpet in county band. Too cool.
Too many people and I am edgy and chased them away so I could relax some.
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/22/2008 11:17:00 PM
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garsyt
Posts: 2210
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: the bottom of the laundry basket
Status: offline
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Went to Hobby Lobby today. I bought a little scarecrow priced at $21.99, a nice Fall decoration priced at $11.99, a little pumpkin knickknack priced at $2.99, some $2 dollar stickers and a 19.99 packet of scrapbooking papers.
A grand total of $58.96 worth of stuff and I spent
only $16.78!!!!
All the seasonal stuff was 90% off and the scrapbooking paper was on sale for 50% off!
I was so proud of myself! I didn't find the glass etching stuff I wanted for one project, and I didn't find anything for my SIL for Christmas, but I was very happy with my purchases!
I'm still waiting to hear whose teams the kids are on for basketball this year and who their coaches are. I'm 99% positive that Zoe and her friend Grace will be on the same team, as we signed them up to be carpool buddies. I'm also 98% sure that they will be practicing on Tuesdays. As for Ethan I have no clue as to his team info yet, except I know one man that will NOT be coaching his team.
I don't know if I mentioned it but Ty's Biology grade is now up to a B- so he has earned many of his privileges back. We still limit phone time, just because it was getting out of control.
Does anybody's school collect the Box Tops? Our school has done this for several years now but just over the last couple its become a real competition, complete with prices dished out to the top three classrooms! In the first three months of the school year the kids managed to collect over 12,000 box tops which essentially translates into over $1200 the PTC has to spend on playground and PE equipment, computers, books, classroom supplies, art supplies, or other things for the teachers and kids! A local pizza place donates enough pizzas to feed the classroom that collects the most tops, a local grocery store donates the supplies for ice cream sundaes for the 2nd place room and the 3rd placers get doughnuts from Krispy Kreme! ALL donated! We have a bunch of really great businesses in the community that help our school out all the time!
Our school also has what we call after school enrichment courses. These can range from cooking classes, to dodgeball, to art classes. Aryn is taking an art class after school this coming Wednesday and in the spring I'm likely going to be facilitating 2, five or six week book club groups, one for 1st through 3rd graders and one for 4th and 5th graders. I've got quite a few ideas for books for both groups but am interested in what your ideas would be. Any tips? I think I might post this in parenting as well, maybe books. Where should I post for help? Hmmm?
I think I'm going to go and take a nice long, HOT bath and think on this some more.
Blessings,
Garsy
_____________________________
My Blog: www.moredayslikethisplease.wordpress.com
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/22/2008 11:21:40 PM
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momma_bee
Posts: 1324
Joined: 4/12/2005
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Look at the AR4 list???
Scholastic has some lists / printables and I have been able to find talking points for different books
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/22/2008 11:34:06 PM
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Kath
Posts: 16991
Joined: 2/28/2005
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quote:
And, speaking of the dear darling daughter - guess who made the first basket of the first game of the season???
And then I was treated to my BigBee playing trumpet in county band. Too cool.
YAY!
Garsy, what a steal!
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/23/2008 10:56:06 AM
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JuliaHop
Posts: 600
Joined: 4/11/2005
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I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving week!!!!!!
We are hosting a co-worker for Thanksgiving. Please feel free to pray for the food (I've got a lot of cooking to do) and fellowship time.
I like to work the opening hours the day after Thanksgiving...this year I need to be at work at 3:30 am!!!!!!! I really hope that we have a great sales day!!
_____________________________
For God so loved the World, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/24/2008 11:23:44 AM
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momma_bee
Posts: 1324
Joined: 4/12/2005
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So, they used the emergency system on Friday.
We got a phone call at the house at 5:30am. I didn't ask if my mom if she was called. No message at work for me or my sister. The 'other' system wasn't updated like it should be and there was a Sheeple that didn't know there was a delay. she saw it was on the tv, it wasn't on the 'other' system so she had to go to work and look it up on the computer. Umm, it was on TV - that is one of the other systems.
I know this because I got a call at 7 asking if I knew and how. I said because we got called, it was on TV, we got an email from a different TV station, it was on the radio and the schools website. And the other system was updated before the bus runs started.
I have mixed feelings about a phone call before the kids need to get up, telling their them to sleep in....
There were several wreaks and a cousin I don't know was killed in one of them. I have mixed feeling about this. I knew his grandmother. I have met his mom. He is just a name. Do I go to the home and express my condolences? Probably - and part of me says to take the kids because they may never see some of these folks again, but it is like a total stranger so there is no pull.
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/25/2008 9:08:59 AM
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momma_bee
Posts: 1324
Joined: 4/12/2005
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Snow day?
Now, I realize what I am losing with you pulling Noah out - I have been telling my kids when yours is off so they are jealous... I'll have to rely on other parents for that as well. That is poor timing with the food and all, but it isn't like we control the weather.
My kids go tomorrow as well, and then are off Thursday / Friday / Monday / Tuesday (deer season) I get Th/Fr/Mo as holiday days. Poppa only gets Th, but is taking Mo/Tu as vacation. I have to repeat that all often so I can keep the schedule straight.
Did you 'buy' Noah's books with his enrollment or are you borrowing them? In PA, the public school has to loan you the books your kid would be using if he was in the PS, if you ask for them.
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/25/2008 9:54:47 AM
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momma_bee
Posts: 1324
Joined: 4/12/2005
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Oh - it is great fun...
Donna in NY's kids didn't have school today and you only had a 2-hour delay. Stop jumping up and down so much, no reason to be that excited...
We pick on our kids a LOT. They pick back too, the stinkers.
Poppa and BigBee were talking about air planes and PBee said they have changed a lot since he was a kid. BigBee asked "fewer wings?"
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/25/2008 10:42:20 AM
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emjayzee
Posts: 592
Joined: 4/11/2005
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We haven't had anything close to a snow day yet. It is very rainy here. But we are headed up Buffalo for Thanksgiving, and not only do they have snow it is supposed to snow every day we are there. The kids are super excited, to say the least. Aria is off tomorrow, but we are taking the boys out so we can leave tonight. It is only a half day and I really don't think they'll miss much. We are almost packed, but I have to take the dog over to my dad's this afternoon. And then throw all that last minute stuff in a bag.
Garsy I hope you're able to make the trip without sick kids!
_____________________________
unicorns borrowed from Matthew Webber, copyright 2002
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/25/2008 10:46:36 AM
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momma_bee
Posts: 1324
Joined: 4/12/2005
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That is funny - my co-worker lives in Buffalo and reported 'no snow' this morning. Of course, snowfall is relative to them. Meanwhile, another fellow is going to his in-laws in Jamestown and he said 'feet' and his FIL doesn't shovel..
Have safe trips, all of you. I don't have to go far and I stress about that.
I guess I stress about a lot.
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/25/2008 10:52:05 AM
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Roberta_
Posts: 7420
Joined: 9/28/2007
From: East Bay Area
Status: offline
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No chance of getting snowed in here.
_____________________________
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/25/2008 10:52:58 AM
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momma_bee
Posts: 1324
Joined: 4/12/2005
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I'm getting lake effect as well, but it is the smaller ones. And - would you stop posting over me????
I have a meeting now - what fun...
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/25/2008 11:15:07 AM
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emjayzee
Posts: 592
Joined: 4/11/2005
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It does depend where you are in Buffalo. The Southtowns get it from Lake Erie and the Northtowns from Lake Ontario, so you can have 2 feet one place and none in the other. We're driving up from New Jersey, and I'm guessing we'll be in rain or snow for most of the drive.
I doubt we'll get snowed in this time. Once we went for Christmas and they got 6 feet in two days. We did have to stay an extra day that time.
_____________________________
unicorns borrowed from Matthew Webber, copyright 2002
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RE: November PPS Chat - 11/25/2008 2:38:27 PM
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MrsTracy72
Posts: 2058
Joined: 2/28/2007
Status: offline
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Ok, I totally lost my post.
My kids are all doing well.
Garcy, Jake woke up at two in the morning yesterday throwing up. I kept him home from school and he slept in between throwing up. He woke up today feeling perfectly normal.
We bought tickets to see the Trans-Siberian Orchetra in a few weeks. I can't wait to go, but am surprised we were able to get 6 tickets all together. It is almost completely sold out and we got the last block of seats that are together.
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They were supposed to have a Thanksgiving feast today (wonder what they are doing with all that food now!). And I was going to pick him up so we could get all his books. I'll have to see if I can still get them later in the day, but I really wanted to have them over this long weekend, so I could work on my plan. Grrr. 
Zoe's got some sort of stomach flu with no fever thing. Lots of vomiting but no fever. It's 10:20 here now and she's thrown up 5 times already. I'm taking her in to the doc's office at 1 because that's the soonest Brian can get back home with my keys. He went to the post office this morning with Aryn and used my keys, stuck them in his pocket and forgot they were there. I seriously hope this isn't a long lasting bug as we are supposed to leave tomorrow night and head down to Brian's folks in southern Indiana for three days. Ty and Brian have already had this so I'm half expecting everyone to go through it. There's typically a 2 day open period between one feeling better and the next one getting it so maybe we'll make it through the weekend before the next person gets it. 