mjn - Is anyone attending Jim Cunningham's Guided Reading workshop tomorrow?
KimTN - Hello, Cheryl.
KimTN - Don't I wish?!?!
REI/2/IL - No, but Jim is a FANTASTIC speaker.
KimTN - Just got back from Dottie Hall's today.
Cheryl - Hello, everyone!
naneb - HI, Cheryl
Cheryl - How's everything going in the classroom at this point in the year?
Deb/Fl4` - This is Deb from FL. this is my first time here, I just wish they were a little earlier. I'm tired by this time, and the old brain shuts down.
KimTN - Snow day, Cheryl....so going very well!
naneb - I think I have reached a milestone, my sped kids are finally asking if they can read a book during free time!! Yes!!
Cheryl - I think the time accommodates folks across the country----like CA where it's only 6 p.m. But, it's late for teachers on the east coast.
REI/2/IL - Hi Cheryl! My classroom is going great.
cdfaulkner - Hi everyone! We also had a snowday...MS
KimTN - Hello, CD.
naneb - Hi, crystal
Cheryl - Love those snow days, huh? Ha! We don't get those so often in the South, unfortunately!
Deb/Fl4` - In Fl. we are mired in preparing for the state tests with raised standards and less money. We are stressed. My self and another will be presenting 4 Blocks to our faculty in two weeks! Any suggestions to just bowl them over!
Cheryl - That's great about your kids asking to read during free time! That's when you know you're doing something right!!
nw - we are buried in state testing preparation also.
naneb - at the beginning of the year it was like pulling teeth to get them to read anything
Cheryl - Deb, do you have any reportable results yet to add to your report. Data always wins folks over!
cdfaulkner - We just started a book club and were going to discuss it again today. My students are excited about the thought "Book Club"
KimTN - I think everyone is.
Cheryl - Kids love to belong to clubs, don't they? Makes them really excited about Book Clubs!
nw - My students love to read the little paperback books during silent reading time.
REI/2/IL - State Testing...YUCK!
naneb - we are determining important facts in nonfiction
Cheryl - I believe like Lucy Caulkins says that we have to consider testing another genre and teach it. Testing really is a fact of life now, isn't it?
cdfaulkner - DEB - This may be asking a lot, but it would help me if I could see you or others) in action. Could you video tape each block and show it?
nw - Can you give me advise about the word wall words?
Cheryl - naneb, any good ideas for how you're tackling nonfiction?
Deb/Fl4` - Nancy: I have to say that I really admire you from afar. I used to be ESE and am now 4th. I traded my difficult job for another! But I sure identify with you!
KimTN - Yes, Cheryl...when REI said "State Testing...YUCK," it made me think....Pap smear....and it's just something we have to do.
naneb - we have to do test prep every week in some fashion. I teach it as another strategy
naneb - Deb, you are so nice, I feel most of the time like I am just floundering around
nw - I've seen different lists of words for the grade levels. Each list wants to be the most important words for kids to know.
Cheryl - Ha! Pap smears and state testing. I don't know which I dread the most-----(oh yes I do!).
Kim - Just close your eyes and get through both?j/k
nw - You are only do prep once a week--we are doing test prep in five subjects everyday--all day long. YUCK!!!
cdfaulkner - KIM - we may be near each other, snow day and all, what grade do you teach
Cheryl - NW, the important list for your kids are the words THEY are missing that are high frequency words.
naneb - I am a member of the yahoo mosaic of though group and we have been discussing that subject. I am teaching the nonfiction conventions and we have been reading books and finding the conventions and then adding facts to a poster.
Kim - First....I'm in northwest Tennessee.
Cheryl - Naneb, is it working well with the kids?
naneb - Today the kids had to do it on their own for the first time. Each group had a different book but they read individually and wrote facts on index cards. Then, they shared their facts. The will work in groups to make a PowerPoint presentation on their facts and use the conventions
naneb - Yes, Cheryl today they were reading and stopping to share information it was great
cdfaulkner - oh, never mind, I am in Northwest MS.
Cheryl - NW, does that make sense about the words? It doesn't make sense to spend precious time teaching words that even your weakest kids know. You need to look at their writing. There are lists to get you started, though.
Kim - We have the northwest in common...what grade do you teach?
nw - I'm having trouble getting it down to just five words a week.
Cheryl - Naneb, sounds like it's working great! Isn't it great when they seem to take responsibility for their learning?
Kim - Sounds good, naneb. Do yours ever use KidPix for slideshows...seems easier for some of my kids.
nw - My students range from learning letter sounds to third grade reading level.
Deb/Fl4` - This is Deb from FL. this is my first time here, I just wish they were a little earlier. I'm tired by this time, and the old brain shuts down.
Kim - Hello, Alison.
naneb - I don't have KidPix but, these are 6th graders and we use PowerPoint for everything
Alison_PA - Hi Kim
Cheryl - NW, you have to trust that they don't have to know all the words to read. We don't operate off of controlled vocabulary in 4-Blocks. Just take 5 and make sure they learn them and that they learn how the words and patterns will work for them.
Kim - Oh! I thought yours were younger...sorry for the assumption.
REI/2/IL - Kim...I use Kidpix with my class. They love it.
cdfaulkner - What do you guys think about this? I want to help my students better in spelling and patterns. I looked at test samples dealing with "phonics." I thought about having some sort of wall that has vowel digraphs/ whatever they are called such as "ea" We will find these words and add to list.
Deb/Fl4` - Cheryl: in FL they keep changing the rules on us. It's like starting the Super Bowl, but you don't know the rules until you get on the field!
naneb - Cheryl, I think the key for me has been to find shorter stories, They seemed to be so frustrated with longer books. Now, they can read the material and they are all excited about it
Kim - I love it, too, REI....even makes MY artwork look great!
nw - We are pressured so much to get the kids to pass the state test--that our administrator is pushing us to do more, says five is not enough when most of our students are so low and below grade level.
Kim - CD, do enough of those come up when you're doing your reading/writing rhymes? I star those, but keep them on the same chart.
Deb/Fl4` - A fellow teacher and I are sharing the 4 Blocks framework next week at our faculty meeting for the first time. There are only 4 of us right now. Any suggestions?
Cheryl - The research on which 4-Blocks approach to phonics is based concentrates on onsets and rimes rather than so many rules and blends (ea). Most of the rules we were teaching, according to Theodore Clymer, weren't used often in "real" reading anyway.
Alison_PA - Deb... when I did my presentation, we focused on the Working with Words block
Alison_PA - The teachers loved the activities
Cheryl - Naneb, you're exactly right! Too many of us get stuck on moving from one long text to the next long text. It isn't necessary. As long as we teach them how to read text (of any length) and make sure they understand about transferring their knowledge, we've got it made!
cdfaulkner - I understand.
naneb - Cheryl, I love Brand Name Phonics and Looks Right, besides making words those two activities have really worked for me
Alison_PA - We also did a Make-it Take-it... and you know how much teachers love FREE stuff!
cdfaulkner - Test Sample - I saw the car sp__d down the road. ea ee ae e WEll something of that sort.
Alison_PA - We had beach balls, and the vinyl placemats on hand as well as other materials
Cheryl - NW, it isn't just 5. We always include a couple of pattern words among the 5. Research says for every pattern we know, we know at least 7 additional words! It adds up. We also count all the words and patterns they learn in the secondary activity during Words Block. It truly does add up to lots of words. Your administrator needs to understand we're really teaching kids HOW to spell, not WHAT to spell. So much more effective!!!
Deb/Fl4` - Allison, sadly, I must admit that is the block we have to slide on the most. But yeah you are right, they would identify with them the most. Definitely plan to share the whisper phones--they won't believe it.!
naneb - I have been focusing more and more on syllables and prefixes and suffixes, It has helped the kids to see that they don't need to memorize the entire word just listen for each chunk and spell what you hear
naneb - even my 6th graders will use the whisper phones
Alison_PA - the phones are a hit!
nw - Can we combine with the basal readers?
REI/2/IL - You are right. Teachers love free stuff. I just finished presenting a 2 day BB workshop and they were so excited when I started giving stuff away.
Cheryl - NW, combine what with the basal?
Alison_PA - How about demonstrating Making Words?
nw - Example: our story this week vocab and spelling words are oo-ew. Can the word wall words and phonics instruction follow the basal?
Cheryl - Yes, you can definitely be guided by the basal---if it's consistent with 4-Blocks theory. Vocab. shouldn't be connected to oo-ew patterns, though. Vocab. should be about meaning.
Alison_PA - NW... I use activities such as Making Words and Using What you Know... to reinforce the vowels of the week
Deb/Fl4` - Actually, we have to present in a VERY concise way the framework and how we've used it. My 4th grade level is totally sold and will never turn back. We are now exposing the rest of the faculty. don't want to Blow it!
Alison_PA - Deb... do you have before and later samples of kids work?
Cheryl - Deb, that's great that upper grades have taken the lead at your school. That's unusual for most of the schools I've worked with. Great job!
Alison_PA - We also started with what current research shows, and explained the need for a balanced approach
Deb/Fl4` - That's a great thought. Had not occurred to me at all. HMM will have to look through their portfolios. All I know is they now BEG for Writers' Workshop and SRR when they used to groan.
Cheryl - Allison, you're right. Gotta get at the balanced approach---that's what it's all about!
cdfaulkner - DEB show "a day in the life of the 4B teacher." This may be the best way to hook reluctant teachers. It is one thing to SAY how to do something than actually SHOW it. Does that make sense?
Deb/Fl4` - Do you mean role play between the presenters?
Kim - I think CD's right...then go back and dissect what you did...and explain why.
REI/2/IL - Deb...how long will you have to speak?
cdfaulkner - That is possible. Or plan a lesson a teach it to a video camera. Or record an actual lesson.
REI/2/IL - Could you video tape "snippets" from your day(s)?
Deb/Fl4` - Probably 20-40 minutes--it will be after school and the natives get restless. My principal knows we our sold on 4 Blocks, has funded us going to the conference in Charleston, but has not really bought in. She's big into Gardner.
Alison_PA - The video is a great idea! To give a true feel for the activities
Cheryl - Gardner and his brain research should still be compatible, I would think.
Alison_PA - Has she observed your classes in action?
Kim - I used to live in Charleston. I wanna go with you.
naneb - the power went out!
cdfaulkner - I know it may take a lot to be video taped. The students may not be perfect, but it will be genuine. I would be sold. Knowing that 4B can be implemented realistically.
Alison_PA - Cheryl... perhaps connecting the multilevels with multiple intelligences????
Cheryl - If the principal is big into Gardner, looks like guiding your audience through an actual Making Words lesson would be good. Then show how it's multi-level and how you're tapping all the different learning modalities. That could be a small segment.
Deb/Fl4` - Hmmm-- does sound good. But oh so intimidating. But will definitely think about the video. She has not observed much this year, cause frankly she knows I do a good job. So...she has NO idea how much my instruction has changed this past year!
naneb - Plus, 4 blocks will work in every classroom it isn't just a regular ed program
Alison_PA - I'd invite her!
Deb/Fl4` - Cheryl, yes, Gardner is compatible, but she gets short sighted. And frankly, the principals here are as overwhelmed as the teachers. this state is a mess.
naneb - Or do a guided reading lesson with a short text with a before, during and after sharing, even adults would love to share what they have learned
Alison_PA - Where are you Deb?
REI/2/IL - Deb...your principal needs to hear about 4 Blocks from Eve Hayes. Eve would definitely sell her on the idea. I always enjoy hearing her speak at Leadership.
Cheryl - Just a general question for all that I'm curious about: What's the most difficult thing about 4-Blocks at this point in the year for you and/or the kids?
naneb - Cheryl, have you ever heard of Rueven Fuerstein and mediated learning experiences?
cdfaulkner - I remember on the mailring someone gave notes from a conference. "Do you spend too much time on STUFF?" What is the "stuff" referring too? I saw background knowledge, graphic organizers. Are these not important?
Alison_PA - Conferencing with all the kids
naneb - for me it is finding enough time to do everything
Cheryl - Naneb, don't know about that one. Good stuff or not?
Alison_PA - I spend a LOT of time making things for my Working with Words Block
Deb/Fl4` - Allison: I'm in northern FL.
cdfaulkner - The most difficult thing for me is letting go of old ways. I have taught for two years. Mondays I always introduced 10 vocab words, picture walk, and building background knowledge.
naneb - I teach his program. It teaches thinking skills and the whole approach is so much like guided reading. The teacher facilitates and helps the student develop strategies. the website is www.icelp.org
Cheryl - Cd, the reference was to the fact that it's not reading and that it doesn't count as actual reading time. Yes, prior know., etc., are still important components of good guided reading lesson, but don't forget it's all about "real" reading experiences.
cdfaulkner - Also, conferencing, time element
naneb - Alison, I sit down and do a whole month at one time and then put them in big envelopes into plastic storage boxes. Now, I am ready for next year
Deb/Fl4` - Cheryl, I think you are right. We need to intro. the framework and then do a Working with Words activity. My kids love Sparkle and the Making Words, especially since I have an Inclusion class.
Alison_PA - naneb... I'm building my collection too
cdfaulkner - Also, my parents and district like "paper comprehension." I must give comp. questions before we discuss. "That is a true measure of their comprehension."
naneb - my students have so many needs that I find it hard to focus on just a few but, I am forced to do that because of time
Alison_PA - next year will be easier
Cheryl - Sounds like most of you are having problems getting all the kids in for conferences. Often I observe that too many teachers try to have kids read to them during each conference and that's what end up taking so much time. That might help a bit if you know you don't have to have kids read at all during that time.
Alison_PA - I try to do a running record... and 20 mins flies by
Cheryl - Alison, how often are you doing RR?
newto4B - I am just starting 4 Blocks in Sept and am trying to get organized, any suggestions on how to start (slowly, or all blocks at once?)
naneb - Cheryl, I really try to float around the room and have them read a few sentences or ask a question or two every day. Then, I focus on the strategy we are working on when we conference. I tell them ahead of time that I want them to show me how they are using it and how it is helping them comprehend the story
Alison_PA - Quarterly.... to monitor progress
Deb/Fl4` - Cheryl: you don't need to listen to them read during SSR conferences? Yeah, I guess you (me) can do this anytime--I just don't seem to have the right form at the right time!
REI/2/IL - I have a group of parents that I have taught how to conference with kids (held a couple of mini workshops). They come in during my Writing and SSR blocks. That way there are at least two of us.
Alison_PA - newto4B... I'd recommend the Working with Words Block
cdfaulkner - What do you do when you conference with writing?
naneb - or be like me and just jump into all of them at once
Alison_PA - Then add another block as you become comfortable with the formats
naneb - I should have listened to that advice newto4b
Cheryl - Deb, the conference time is really a book chat. Sometimes you want them to read a little to you. But, often I see teachers "train" kids to think that they should come and read the whole time and that the teacher is taking notes and writing madly (running records, etc.). It doesn't have to be that way. I share a short form in my seminars that can be recorded in 30 seconds or so. You don't want to take time away from your one-on-one connection to the student. It's such precious time!
cdfaulkner - I chose two to start with GR and Writing. We already did SSR. I'm still working on the Word block.
newto4B - Thanks Alison. I teach a grade 1/2 split, for guided reading would you do whole class activities for the majority of the year?
bsmith - I have a student who has just started going to resource and I have rearranged my schedule so that she gets more reading instead of less. Cheryl what do you think?
Cheryl - I'll have to admit that it takes me longer for writing conferences than with SSR conferences. I can't always see every student every week for a formal writing conference.
naneb - I love word block. It gets loud and crazy but boy are my kids learning
Deb/Fl4` - Cheryl: I definitely agree. but I have also been using that time to evaluate their grasp of reading strategies, self correcting, monitoring, etc. etc. etc.
nw - I've been so several websites do you have others on 4blocks that you recommend?
Alison_PA - Personally, I think that's how 4B works best.. whole group
cdfaulkner - Oh thank goodness! I thought I was just doing a horrible job. Time well spent though!
Alison_PA - readinglady.com
Cheryl - bsmith, great! So often kids who have special needs get less time than others, which certainly doesn't make sense. I hope, too, that that child can stay with you throughout all 4 blocks.
naneb - Cheryl, I am so glad to hear you say that. I only have 10 students and I struggle to get to all of them. They seem to just get going and we can't stop
Alison_PA - well ladies.. I need to hit the sack!
bsmith - yes I rearranged so that this would happen.
Cheryl - Deb, I have major strategies listed on my short conference form and I mark those when they do read to me. They just don't have to read each time.
newto4B - Thanks everyone. I think I will concentrate on the Words block to begin with. I am very excited about 4 Blocks and have gotten lots of excellent advice and ideas from the ring. Thanks all!
cdfaulkner - How long did it take you guys to get 4B to a point where you are satisfied?
Alison_PA - night all!
Cheryl - Bye, Alison!
Deb/Fl4` - Allison: I 'm afraid I am with you. time to say good night. I have never participated before. this was fun and informational. Thanks everyone.
cdfaulkner - How much prep time do you spend?
Cheryl - Thanks for your input, Deb!
nw - How do you organize your materials?
bsmith - I have been talking to a 1st grade teacher about 4 blocks you still uses leveled groups she wants to try four blocks but I do not have her convinced that she will be able to meet all the needs of her 1st graders any suggestions?
Deb/Fl4` - Oh no! One more comment! Is any teacher ever satisfied?
naneb - Cheryl, I have to tell you this story, we were making new words using the new Nifty Fifty words and I would write a word on the board and they were trying to first say the word and then figure out the meaning by the root word and prefix and suffix, My lowest reader looked at the word and said conformity and then proceeded figure out the meaning. I was so excited. We called his mom right then!
cdfaulkner - Hehaha No, I guess not Deb.
Cheryl - CD, most 4-blocks teachers say that the more you know about 4-blocks, the more you know you don't know. So, the more you learn and implement, the more you want to try and experiment. But, there doesn't come a time when you're confident that's it's going well.
newto4B - Do you all plan ahead or just do things within the blocks that the students need work on? How do you deal with long and short range plans?
naneb - I think reading Mosaic of Thought and Strategies that work has really helped me in guided reading
cdfaulkner - Naneb, you are a remarkable person and teacher. I'm glad I've had the chance to learn from you.
Cheryl - bsmith, my best defense is that I tried ability grouping for years and it certainly didn't get me where I wanted to go. Surely she must admit that! What does she have to lose? (That might be a little cynical?)
naneb - I plan in blocks of time, but I have been using longer books too since I have 6th graders
naneb - you are too nice, I am just struggling along
Cheryl - Naneb, aren't you wonderful to celebrate that breakthrough with that student! He'll probably never forget that moment!
naneb - I have been trying to do a real study of each strategy and that has really helped my students
cdfaulkner - I plan through a general grading period. (6 weeks) I look at district and state objectives and plan. Then I plan weekly with each story.
naneb - I know I won't forget it, His mom cried in April last year during his IEP meeting because he couldn't read, but he can now!!
REI/2/IL - That is great Nan!
bsmith - I agree! She is thinking of moving up next year and says that with my support she thinks she could do it.
naneb - my hardest block is writing. I think it is because I have a group of bouncing balls. It is hard to keep everyone on task and conference at the same time
Cheryl - 4-Blocks is so much more fun to implement and so much easier if you've got another teacher to go along with you, don't you think?
cdfaulkner - There are many things that makes 4B work, but the conference time is what makes a huge difference.
nw - This isn't really a 4blocks question but--what is your opinion about "looping?"
newto4B - Thanks. This was my first live chat and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to doing more. You are all wonderful teachers and inspirations to all of us just starting out. I hope that I will be able to share some wonderful, uplifting stories with you next year about the progress of my students!!! Have a great week! Bye.
naneb - I am infecting one of the other sped teachers. She is trying some of my suggestions and her students are loving it
Cheryl - Nan, is it just the time of year, or do you have the class from ____ this year? We're all due one every 5 years, right?
bsmith - Yes! I do have one other teacher at my grade level but I would love to have a whole grade level!
cdfaulkner - I wish I had someone. Not many are willing to work pass 2:30 (ending time)
naneb - They are not bad just hyper. They really love to talk to each other. They will get up and walk across the room to talk
Cheryl - REI, I think looping is great and is good for 4-blocks. You don't have to re-teach all the routines. It saves so much time!
naneb - I was really frustrated. My district had 4 blocks training for primary teachers and I did not even know until it was over. I am not primary but I would have loved to go anyway
cdfaulkner - I have read about looping and actually want to try it. My kids have come so far and we only have 2 grading periods left. I wish I could loop with them.
Cheryl - I personally like looping better than multiage for 4-Blocks management.
REI/2/IL - ooops...did I send that to you Cheryl? LOL!!! Meant to send it to the room.
ali - This is my first time to chat online. I have no idea how this works, but here goes. I am getting started in FB. I am alone in this. I also do not know what I am doing. I think this is going to work better than what I've been doing even if I'm not perfect at it. Have most of you been doing this for a long time? Do you have any advice? I teach 4th grade in a very small school.
naneb - I am at school from 7-5 and usually go on Saturday too. I am the computer person too so, I never have time to do my work during the week
naneb - ali, this is my first year of 4 blocks
bsmith - I am in AZ and I was blessed three years ago when I started teaching to be in the same district as Susan Nixon
cdfaulkner - my first year too
Cheryl - Nan, have you tried to let them have input into establishing rules that will allow everyone to read/write/conference. Sometimes if they set the rules (and they're usually harder on themselves than you are!), then there's ownership. You might have tried that already.
naneb - I think multiage would be hard to do guided reading
naneb - I have my book clubs evaluate each other and I usually have to add points they are really tough on each other
cdfaulkner - What about technology? ON our lesson plans we must include how use the computer? Honestly, other than AR, I don't have much time? How about you guys?
Cheryl - Nan, how do they evaluate each other?
naneb - I use PowerPoint for Guess the covered Word. It is really fun and easy
Cheryl - Ali, we were just saying it's so much easier if you have other teachers learning along with you. Is that the case with you?
cdfaulkner - Great idea! I would have to pull a few at a time since we do not have a big TV.
ali - I am reading "True Stories", about FB right now. It is a big help to hear from other teachers. How do your discussion groups work? My kids love the Guess the Covered Word. No, Cheryl, I am the only teacher doing this in my school. Our Sup. is very supportive of me, though.
REI/2/IL - cd~My students use the computer to publish their books. They can choose if they want to do it in Word, Works, Kidworks Deluxe, KidPix or Paint.
bsmith - My Class loves doing guess the covered word that way
naneb - I have a form where they give 1-5 points for things like, cooperation, doing their job, participation,etc. then I evaluate them and they evaluate them selves. It works out to 100 possible and goes in the grade book every week
cdfaulkner - REI, Does it take them a long time?
Cheryl - Ali, which discussion groups? Guided reading?
REI/2/IL - I have the WWW that are still a bit "troublesome" as screensavers on my computers.
cdfaulkner - Naneb, do you have a sample power point plan on your website?
naneb - I found a really great software for publishing called Easy Books Deluxe. It will work on old computers and it makes books and illustrates them. Title pages, author pages, built in graphics or drawing and a word processor. It is from sunburst
ali - REI/2/IL: Our computer woman is very stingy with computer time. We are trying to get books published in handwriting. *4th grade penmanship is not too neat yet. Cheryl: Yes, Guided Reading. I especially try to use this in science and SS.
Cheryl - The computer is GREAT for revising. I have a tech friend teaching me how to highlight text on a student's computer disk and when they click on your highlighting your comments pop up. It's so neat!!!! I didn't know Word would do that! I'm behind!
Cheryl - nan, I would love to see more about your system. Is that possible?
naneb - Yes crystal. I think it is the first one I did. I don't use sound or animation just a simple barebones presentation
bsmith - Naneb how do I get to your website?
REI/2/IL - Cd~in the beginning it was. But I have made different students "specialists" meaning they have been taught a specific "helping skill". Saves a lot of time on my part.
REI/2/IL - Ali~we don't have a lab. All publishing is done on the computers with in my classroom.
naneb - Cheryl, I will put one on the mailring tomorrow. I think it is on my school computer. My kids need the structure of the forms and checklist. I use them for everything
naneb - www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/gipsy/41
ali - Cheryl: We have Classworks in our computer lab, and the options for publishing are wonderful. I love that program. REI: We are supposed to have computers and printers in our rooms. Right now my printer is down and only one computer works. I am whining all the time about it. I think working in my room would be easier to manage.
naneb - ali, at my school you would be whining to me, that is one of my jobs
cdfaulkner - Is the computer the only way you guys publish?
Cheryl - Ali, computers make it easier, but they aren't necessary. Just keep kids writing!
naneb - I have set up sample books for my kids to make. My 6th graders can do this for themselves
REI/2/IL - cd~no. It is one of the ways they may publish in my classroom. Some chose to write in their own handwriting while others prefer my old clunky typewriter from my college days.
cdfaulkner - Sometimes I get confused about the writing process. Especially with "Final Copy" and "Publishing" What is the difference?
ali - cd: We publish in handwriting, but it isn't always pretty. Maybe we're spoiled. Computers aren't really absolutely necessary. Sometimes the written books turn out cool.
Cheryl - REI, reminds me of Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type!!
cdfaulkner - I'm scared to have my 3rd graders type in fear that it will take years.
naneb - Cheryl, I went to add your email to my address book and it said you are already in my book
naneb - it takes mine forever but, they just keep plugging along and they will get faster
REI/2/IL - Cheryl~ you are right. I read that book to my kiddos when I break out the typewriter.
REI/2/IL - cd~that is why I made kids specialist. I teach 2nd grade (inclusion class). My kids may type stories during indoor recess as well as during writing.
Cheryl - I guess I really should say goodnight to you all. I have thoroughly enjoyed tonight. Great discussion! I love talking about 4-Blocks as you all seem to, too! Keep doing the great jobs you're doing out there! Let me know if I can help you in any way. You surely all help me!
REI/2/IL - Naneb~Is this the program you are using with your kiddos? http://sunburst-store.com/cgi-bin/sunburst.storefront/3c61fdf6065e07522717d00b8932061d/
Product/View/8186&2D02
Cheryl - I didn't know we all got booted! Maybe Teachers.net is telling us the meeting is over? Does that happen?
REI/2/IL - Cheryl..it was great that you came tonight.
cd - goodnight
Cheryl - I had a great time. I hope they'll give us talking time again real soon. Take care!
cd - Thanks everyone. Till we meet again.
naneb - I was looking through my documents and that form must be at school. I will look tomorrow and send it to you
bsmith - goodnight
REI/2/IL - I found the link at the sunburst company.
naneb - REI, that is the program. It is easy to use and makes really neat books
REI/2/IL - Do you think my 2nd graders would be able to use it?
naneb - REI, it is only $99 for 10 computers a real bargain
naneb - yes, I think so. It has built in backgrounds and the graphics are like stamps. You can draw your own but you can use their stamps too. It tells you how to put the paper in and it prints on both sides of the paper.
REI/2/IL - Hmmm....might be something to look into.
REI/2/IL - I wouldn't need 10 copies though...only 5
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