MH/IN - Franny--Do you do 4 blocks in classroom
FrannyB - Where do you all teach and how long have you done 4 blocks?
FrannyB - Yes, I love 4 blocks!
MH/IN - This is my first year for 4blocks
MH/IN - I loop and now teach 2nd grade
FrannyB - I jumped in a little at a time. First Working with words, then SSR, then all 4 blocks. I also teach 2nd grade.
FrannyB - Do you teach a 1/2 loop or a 3/4 loop?
MH/IN - We received a grant to do 4 block training last year. I'm a 1/2 looper
FrannyB - I'm thinking about being a 1/2 looper for next year.
MH/IN - We were trained by the Dixie chicks
FrannyB - I went to the Leadership conference two weeks ago and loved every minute of it!
MH/IN - Where at???
FrannyB - North Carolina
MH/IN - Is that where you teach?
FrannyB - No, I teach in RI but was very lucky to attend.
MH/IN - We had a 7 day training session in indiana.
FrannyB - Nice! I'm one of the lone blockers in my district training fellow teachers.
MH/IN - We have a group of 4. We just did a 1/2 inservice for our school.
MH/IN - Next month we will go to another school in our district.
FrannyB - Right now I'm having trouble getting everything done that I need to in my own classroom and also serving as a consultant for those interested in 4 blocks
MH/IN - It is hard finding the time
FrannyB - I wish I could be a full time consultant because I hate to turn anyone away
MH/IN - Maybe that's your calling would you miss the classroom
MH/IN - Do you do 4 blocks Kiwi
FrannyB - I currently train science teachers and student teachers and love it. I think I wouldn't miss the classroom as long as I could still go in and model lessons with the students.
Kiwi - we'd love to have 4-block training in New Zealand we've heard heaps about it but no-one in my area is running any courses
MH/IN - Maybe you will have to come to the states
FrannyB - I learned most of what I know by subscribing to the mail rings and reading the books. Then I attended training.
Kiwi - I teach in a primary school in a small city
MH/IN - The new Guided Reading book put out by carson-dellosa is good
Kiwi - I'll look out for that book thanks
chilllly - I am here for an education ... what is 4 blocks ... in a nutshell, please.
MH/IN - It's a way to teach language arts
FrannyB - 4 bocks is a balanced literacy program
chilllly - balance ... how?
MH/IN - You have reading, writing, working with words, and self selected reading
FrannyB - Four blocks every day- Self-selected reading, guided reading (comprehension) writing, and working with words
chilllly - introduce vocabulary ... set purpose for reading ... silent read ... .discussion ... oral reading?
Kiwi - We do have great systems but when I want a great resource book I get it from America
MH/IN - That's the main key it's done everyday
chilllly - then ... move on to skills ... ?
FrannyB - By doing all four types of instruction everyday you reach all types of learners
MH/IN - in the guided reading you only concentrate on comprehension and fluency
MH/IN - words block--hit on phonics and word skills
Kiwi - We need to have more structured guidance in the actual teaching of skills
MH/IN - writing block-- they write on what they know not on what we tell them to write
chilllly - I spend more time with skills then the story ... opinions, please.
FrannyB - What type of skills?
chilllly - example on writing, please
Kiwi - Chilllly you have four blocks explained in a nutshell you need to get into a course and you'll be on your way
MH/IN - self selected reading--they choose what they want to read
FrannyB - They write about what they want to write about instead of teacher selected prompts
MH/IN - it's start with the teacher modeling a certain skill--like staying on topic
Kiwi - modeling the skills is the key to success
FrannyB - To get your feet wet I'd pick one block and concentatrate on it
MH/IN - Each of the blocks in a way start with the teacher modeling
chilllly - model the writing
MH/IN - Go for it Franny
chilllly - am I being a pain?
FrannyB - Not at all
MH/IN - No
Kiwi - No way I am learning heaps thanks everyone
chilllly - I don't mean to be ... I just want to know about 4 blocks ... a fellow teacher wants to go to a workshop ...
MH/IN - I usually start the writing block by using the overhead and just writing while thinking aloud
FrannyB - By all means you should go!
MH/IN - GO!!!!!!
Kiwi - Go to one I wish I could!
chilllly - and I want a background before I go ... if we can find one to go to
MH/IN - Where at in Ohio are you from
chilllly - what grade do you teach?
chilllly - what
FrannyB - I too use the overhead and select the theme for my mini lesson directly from the needs I have seen in my student's writings the day before.
MH/IN - second
chilllly - The Steubenville area
chilllly - how would the writing work with first ... spelling
FrannyB - There were many teachers from Ohio at The 4 Blocks Leadership Conference
Kiwi - Do you end your writing time with a literature circle?
MH/IN - That's where a word wall comes in
FrannyB - I end writing time with a 5 minute sharing each day
chilllly - word wall ... would love to have one ... no walls ... now what?
Kiwi - I am using a fabulous word wall resource that I got through Scolastic
MH/IN - No walls at all
FrannyB - portable word walls are a possibility: I use the same Scholastic book.
chilllly - I have spent 5 months trying to figure out where/how I can do word wall without space to do it
MH/IN - I have used the ceiling before
Kiwi - Set up ropes across the room
FrannyB - Each child could have their own folder to record words in weekly
Sarah - chilllly, I have the same problem!
chilllly - front wall = chalkboard, side wall = windows, side wall = coats and bookbags, back wall = bulletin board (calendar) and chalkboard
Kiwi - Folders are great too
FrannyB - My word wall is way up high above the chalkboard and works great
MH/IN - How about the window shade
chilllly - vertical blinds
Sarah - sounds like my room
Kiwi - My word wall this year will be hanging across the room as I don't have too much wall display space
chilllly - ceiling is 12' up
MH/IN - I guess I'm the lucky one to have a big back wall
Kiwi - The rope or wires across the room will work. You set it at the heaight you want
Sarah - how do you start a word wall? Do you use spelling words?
chilllly - spelling words or reading vocabulary?
MH/IN - No they are high frequency words
chilllly - dolch words?
FrannyB - Pick 5 frequently misspelled words from the students' writings (high-frequency words)
FrannyB - Carson Delosa sells a premade set
MH/IN - yes dolch words and words you notice they miss in their writing
MH/IN - A list is in the 4 block book also
chilllly - I have the premade set ... haven't used it.
chilllly - where does one get the 4 block book?
( http://www.applesandacorns.com )
Kiwi - I'm going to check out the internet booksellers later on
FrannyB - I have the premade set but have added to it. Don't laminate it as I did.
MH/IN - Any teacher story put out by carson-dellosa
Ry - I just got the Four Blocks Book for Guided Reading. Is there another book for the other blocks?
MH/IN - Yes Ry
Ry - What is the name of the other book?
MH/IN - Teachers Guide to the 4 blocks
chilllly - My kiddos keep a reading comp book ... I guess I could have them label the last 26 pages for word wall words. ??
Sarah - Does 4 Blocks go along with your curriculum or is it used as curriculum?
Sarah - I'm new at this and just trying to figure it all out!
MH/IN - It goes well with curriculum
chilllly - is there a mailring to join for 4 blocks?
FrannyB - 4 blocks is a framework for your curriculum
FrannyB - Yes go to The English Center at - http://teachersnet.com/mailrings
Sarah - I'm in 1/2 and trying to keep both sets of kids on-task is a job in itself. We don't seem to have time for extras.
FrannyB - 4 blocks will actually make your job easier
chilllly - I did a 1/2 last year and this year for part of the day
Sarah - Do you need to buy all the books? If not, what do you suggest?
chilllly - Sarah ... are you grey, yet?
FrannyB - Start by reading the list serve. Then buy The Teacher's Guide to 4 blocks. I started with one block at a time.
Sarah - chillly, what do you mean?
chilllly - teaching a 1/2 class
Sarah - this is my first year teaching
chilllly - and they put you in a 1/2 class..wow
Sarah - well, I'm actually in a brand new private school and we only have enough kids for combo classes
chilllly - I also teach in a private school. Gee, we have a lot in common
chilllly - Sarah, are you on the first grade mailring?
Sarah - no, but it seems like I'm on everything else and I never have time to read them!
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
