deb - Have you been teaching using the 4 blocks approach for long
deb - This is my second full year of teaching four blocks
deb - Have you been teaching 4 blocks for long?
boygan - This also is my second year. I teach first grade.
deb - I just trained 30 teachers today. I love teaching second grade and enjoy teaching the teachers too.
deb - There are usually a lot of people in here, I'm sure we'll get really busy soon
boygan - deb - How did the training go. I am soon to start focus (study) groups. I wonder what sort of snags we will run into.
deb - the training went really well. I have trained about 10 groups now
deb - I also do follow up training. I enjoy follow up the most
deb - focus -study groups with adults or kids
Laura/OK/1 - When you do follow up training, do you get to go to the teacher's classrooms?
boygan - With adults - focusing in on specific concerns and discussions as they relate to implimenting 4 blocks
deb - I would love that. but no I have just modeled "in theory" and talked a lot about why we are doing what we do... goals, teacher perspective etc
deb - My follow up sessions are directed at one block at a time.
deb - We are also tying assessments to all the followup trainings.
boygan - Are your teachers open to these followups? Do they come on a volunteer basis or on stipend?
deb - Leah, are you coming to Indianapolis for preconference on April 30
Leah - We ahve been doing training in our school system. It is goinmg well. We also do follow up.
Goldilocks/3/MO - pardon me..what kind of followups are we talking about?
deb - I do follow up in other districts. Mine isn't interested. It is required by their curriculum people.
Leah - I signed up on the web site a week or so ago so I hope so!! We jsut got back from NC at the conference there.
deb - follow up training in four blocks, going beyond the original training
deb - leah -- how was it?
boygan - Leah how was the conference?
Leah - We have a lot of visitors coming from other schools who are starting to implement.
Goldilocks/3/MO - original training with Pat Cunningham?
deb - I loved the leadership conference in January
deb - goldilocks - yes or Dottie or Cheryl
deb - leah - me too. I had 26 in my classroom observing last Thurs!
Leah - The conference was good. It is good to get reaffirmed that what you are doing is right and to hear it from the horse's mouth so to speak. I had not heard J, Cunningham before either.
deb - welcome everybody
boygan - I also find the Leadership conference GREAT. I am constantly talking about things I learned there.
deb - Isn't Jim Cunningham outstanding? I loved his stuff!
Goldilocks/3/MO - deb, Leah...do you teach in CA?
Lori - I am a new teacher, what is the Leadership conference, on 4 block?
deb - I enjoyed the leadership conference because it gave more meat to what we are doing
Laura/OK/1 - Is the leadership conf we keep hearing about for "pros" only?
boygan - Jim makes you think about what you believe and why you believe it!
Dawn - Hi everyone, one big question, How do I implement the Kindergarten 4 block in a half day program?
deb - deb teaches in Michigan.
Leah - I hope we go to the Leadership Conf. next year but my school my say that we (4 teachers) have done it enough.
deb - laura, it is for people who are really comfortable with the four blocks approach
deb - leadership conference was the next step to 4 blocks training. They will have another one next summer of 2001 --- probably
Lori - W/ 4 blocks do you stick to the outlined schedule, I find that very hard to do.
deb - IF it is in June then teachers will be able to go without school approval
Leah - He was very good. His speaking his dynamic. Much like listening to the preacher on Sunday morning, he was into it!!
Laura/OK/1 - I find that the key to four blocks is sticking to a schedule, using a timer if necessary. It's hard to get it all in!
deb - lori -- the schedule takes getting used to. It works though. After awhile, you start to see ways to tie the blocks together
Goldilocks/3/MO - What problems have you had with parents and 4 blocks and how do you inform them?
boygan - Lori - I bought a kitchen timer and set it. It helps me stay on task.
Lori - I find it hard to time my students writing, sometimes they just need more time to get it all on paper.
deb - my parents love that I am teaching reading 4 four four different times during the day
Ms. Stone (Kate) - nuttin
Leah - I have had no parent complaints and I loop.
deb - lori- are you on a really tight schedule? I have 45 minutes for writing that helps
Laura/OK/1 - I have more parent support than ever, but I had to teach them about four blocks. They are happy because their children are happy and learning.
Goldilocks/3/MO - What kinds of assessments have everyone used to assess student progress...other than running records?
boygan - I have had no problems from parents. As a group of first grade teachers we have seen our students get greatly excited about reading and writing. It is wonderful!
Lori - I teach 4th where we have a writing test, so right now I'm really feeling the pressures. Once we brainstorm, plan, and write we're past the 45 min.
Laura/OK/1 - Leah, do you loop first to second? I'm trying to get my admin to let me do it next year.
deb - I use An Observation Survey by Marie Clay. I use a lot of her assessments. I also use Gates McGinnite (SP?)
Leah - Our standardized tests jumped 13% this year.
Laura/OK/1 - Deb, are the Marie Clay assessments from one book?
boygan - We still have to give the Magazine Test from the basal. My co-workers still use a workbook.
deb - In 4th grade you should not be doing 4 separate blocks of time.
deb - Laura, yes
Goldilocks/3/MO - Laura..how did you teach them about 4blockss?
Leah - Laura - yes I do a 1-2 loop. I love it (most of the time)
Lori - We were trained in 4 blocks and yes, they say we should.
deb - lori -- 15 minutes of word wall daily and blocks of writing and reading. 15-20 minutes of ssr time too.
Ms. Stone (Kate) - anybody have any corporal punishment stories to share (opinions opinions)
Laura/OK/1 - I had two different parent nights, one with children present, and one without. We "did" the blocks in a shortened format.
Goldilocks/3/MO - I am using my class as a research project next year for a graduate study...am open to all of the suggestions I can get!
Leah - Lori - how were you trained in 4 blocks?
deb - That's fine Lori, but at the leadership conference Jim Cunningham was saying that once kids are reading and writing the time frames should be changed to address the problems of time that you have mentioned
Ms. Stone (Kate) - my parents, if i got spanked at school, i got spanked by my father at home too! (My dad worked out big time)
Lori - We had a two day conference during workdays at school.
deb - Kate -- what does this have to do with 4 blocks
ang. - How do you do 4 blocks in 3rd or 4th grade?
Leah - Lori - who did your training for you?
judi - Hi this is my first time Im very much intereseted in the 4bolck and have noticed there are two books avaliable and i was wondering which should i get please help me
Lori - It was only 3rd-5th grade teachers. I can't remember her name, but she was trained by Pat Cunningham.
deb - There are a lot of books available. I recommend The Teachers Guide to Four Blocks and Classrooms that Work
Goldilocks/3/MO - Teachers Guide to the Four Blocks
Leah - judi - which ones are you looking at? Teacher's Guide to the 4 Blocks would be the one I would get first.
Laura/OK/1 - My "bibles" are the teacher's guide to four blocks and my grade level working with words guide.
jd - Hello from MI. We are considering getting trained in 4 blocks-any info?
deb - Lori -- Prevette?
Marcia/Ca - I need help with....split level four blocks...mainly the word wall...I have been subbing a 2nd and not had a problem. but I start a new (perm.) job in a 2/3 class....any ideas?
Lori - No, doesn't sound right. My files at school.
deb - jd - I am from Michigan and do training
Leah - Lori-There were 4 teachers from my school who were trained by Cheryl Sigmon with several other school in Indiana.
REI - Hi all! I and a fellow teacher attended the 4 Blocks conference in Clemmons this past weekend. It was great!!!!
Lori - She is from Charlotte, NC - I think
Laura/OK/1 - My faculty is doing a book study of Classrooms that Work. THere are only a few of us doing 4blocks, but hope that a book study will encourage more.
boygan - I recommend getting "Teachers Guide to Four Blocks" and the Month by Month Phonics for your grade level.
jd - deb-will you send info?
deb - rei -- :) Dottie and Pat are great
judi - thanks for your help Have you seen any improvment with your students using the 4 block
Goldilocks/3/MO - my school is counting on me doing the training for them...My training is only from the books
deb - jd - click on my name to get to my email and email me and I will send you the info
Lori - I think the 4-blocks is great, but needs A LOT of modifying for 4th grade, is this what they say?
deb - judi -- HUGE improvement
Laura/OK/1 - Has any one seen the video?
deb - goldilocks -- that is tough!
deb - Laura, yes it is ok, not great
deb - lori - yes it does need modifying
Goldilocks/3/MO - deb..I know..but I'm unable to get to any of the training sites...I am visiting some schools implementing 4blocks though
Laura/OK/1 - If the video is good, you could use that for a jumping off point. Maybe it would help if they could see some classrooms in action.
Goldilocks/3/MO - Laura...I have...it's great
deb - lori -- that was what I was trying to say earlier about the time frames
Lori - My ? is w/ the model (in our workshop) they plan a day, never touching on Math, Grammar, etc?
REI - Laura~Carson Dellosa is putting together a new video that goes with the Teacher's guide. They did the filming for it this past weekend. They hope to have it out in the fall.
Ms. Stone (Kate) - anybody have any corporal punishment stories to share (opinions opinions)
Laura/OK/1 - I think I'll wait for it, and get my school to purchase it in the fall.
Goldilocks/3/MO - REI...do you know how they are going to sell the video?
deb - Classrooms That Work has a chapter on upper grades. Did that help any?
deb - the video is available for $35.
deb - sorry -- different video
Lori - Every 4 model book dedicates 1 chapter to upper grades. But I can't say I've read that.
Laura/OK/1 - I did play school groups for the first time in my first grade today. Don't know what I was so afraid of, it was great!
Goldilocks/3/MO - what are play school groups?
REI - It was discussed that it would be available at teacher stores. That ideally a teacher can purchase the book and the video at the same time, if they are in a district that is unable to send them to training.
deb - Cheryl is supposed to be working on a book specifically for upper grades through Carson Dellosa
MJ - what did your kids do, Laura?
deb - Play School groups are where a child plays "teacher" and is the leader like a teacher.
Leah - bye my husband wants me off.I guess a weekend 4 blocking in NC is enough for him. Not me but gotta go!
REI - Deb~when you were at the leadership conf. did you get a chance to look at the new 4 Blocks plan book?
deb - laura, tell us details :)
jd - deb-thanks, I did email you. Hope to hear soon.
deb - REI - yes
Goldilocks/3/MO - REI...who's putting the plan book out?
Laura/OK/1 - We were reading George and Martha books, they read a chapter and completed some questions together. Great collaboration. I chose "teachers" that don't usually get that kind of role in the classroom.
Leah - I saw the 4 blocks plan book. It is pretty interesting.
deb - jd, I will answer when we finish here
deb - did Dottie have the plan book or the lady from IESS
Leah - Carson Dellosa is doing the plan book.
kathy - i was in the teacher lounge at my school today, and we were discussing stories when there was spanking in school.
MJ - So you assigned a group, and them gave them questions to answer?
REI - We did too. Looks great to have on hand for subs and student teachers.
kathy - some of the stories were just awful
deb - kathy or kate -- we are talking about 4 blocks literacy
MJ - woah a 4 blocks plan book? Where do you get those?
Laura/OK/1 - Yes, I left it up to the group, how they wanted to read the chapter, then they worked together to answer some questions (one sheet for the group to do together)
REI - Deb~they both had it. Wanted to know what we thought.
MJ - Cool Laura, thanks
deb - mj - carson dellosa is looking at publishing one. It will have some sample lessons in them and blank pages for your plans
deb - rei :) thanks
MJ - ah
Laura/OK/1 - I'd love to see the plan book. I made my own, and put it together on the school binding machine!
deb - Dottie shared it a bit at leadership too
MJ - my school is buying into the leveld books thing. I even helped write the grant for it (sigh)
REI - We were given an order form for it. It will be available in teacher stores in March.
Goldilocks/3/MO - wonder if Carson D...would let other teachers preorder it?
deb - MJ -- it's better than round robin reading....
deb - IESS is taking orders BUT carson dellosa hasn't even published it yet.
Goldilocks/3/MO - how dod you contact IESS?
deb - I am going to wait and see what it looks like first
MJ - Deb, yeah but even though 2-5 grade teachers wrote the grant, the K-1 teachers are pushy and will take over. I teach 3rd. There will be nothing in those leveled books for me.
MJ - Though in the grant, we used Four Blocks as model for late 2nd through 5th grade.
deb - I knew you were going to ask that ?!?! :) I don't have the number right now. I will post it tomorrow on the chatboard for four blocks
Goldilocks/3/MO - lol@ deb...sorry hehe
deb - MJ - I remember your story. We should build our own school, I'll teach 2nd and you teach 3rd! :) deb
REI - Deb~We met with the Carson Dellosa person, she is the one that wanted to know about what we thought. She did say it would be available in March. Has already gone into production.
MJ - Deb, do those leveled books have any application to 3rd? We are getting new basals from the district. Do you think leveled books fit 4 blocks?
deb - I am trying to decide about ordering weekly reader for a below level days in guided reading. Does anyone use them?
MJ - I have time for kids, but they are not below level..
deb - :) rei - good that's nice to hear. In Jan. there were still questions about it
deb - I use scholastic news on grade level
Laura/OK/1 - I use sch. News. WHat grade do you teach? I just received a sample of Time for Kids for emergent readers today. Looks good
deb - I use the leveled books in guided reading sometimes.
deb - I also use them in below grade level
deb - deb teaches 2nd
MJ - true I forgot about the below grade level part
MJ - hmmmmm
Laura/OK/1 - The time for kids looked pretty easy for 2nd, but you could call them for a sample. they have a web site.
deb - it would work if you could get your hands on 6 for you and 6 for another teacher and combine sets on the sly
deb - laura, website please
Laura/OK/1 - timeforkids.com
deb - mj - how is your guided reading going?
I'm fine - I'm 4th, but only 3 of 36 on-level.
deb - I remember the last time we talked that you were still working on switching to the 4 blocks structure. We had good conversations
MJ - Deb, pretty good. We are doing a lot of taas practice right now.
Laura/OK/1 - I feel like guided reading is my weakest block. I feel really good about the other three.
deb - taas.... I wonder what the acronym will be if Bush gets in to office and we have a national taas?
deb - ha ha
deb - laura, what are you struggling with
MJ - Well I'm a slow learner. still struggling to get it all in.
deb - guided reading is my favorite block
deb - mj :)
MJ - Argh..national TAAS (bangs head against keyboard)
deb - no doubt! We have the MEAP in michigan
deb - welcome PJ
I'm fine - how come the politicians don't get IT?
Laura/OK/1 - I think it will get better now that my children are a little more fluent readers. It's hard to work on comprehension when the stories are so basic. I've jazzed it up with some original mini-books and poetry. Getting ready to tackle an author study....
MJ - I am getting to the point now where my kids are spending most of the guided reading block reading. That's always a good thing.
deb - which author Laura?
I'm fine - i just wanna work with my kids. at least we now get 3 hours uninterrupted!
deb - I think guided reading is hard for early first grade I hear that over and over and over in the trainings I do.
Laura/OK/1 - Tomie dePaloa. anyone know a good website to get info (biographical) I have some multiple copies of books, and a buddy teacher who is going to try it with me.
Tara/1st/NC - What do you all do about spelling tests? How many words do you have? Just the five word wall ones?
Laura/OK/1 - I have to learn how to spell his name!
Elmo - what is 4-block literacy?
Eve - Deb, we do a lost of shared reading for early first grade
Laura/OK/1 - I do spelling with the five www and some "chunk" words
deb - laura, one thing that early first graders need to learn in guided reading is metacognition "Thinking about their thinking" this can be lots of "set the purpose for reading"
Eve - Oops. lot of shared reading
Tara/1st/NC - give me an example of "chunck"
I'm fine - "lost" huh, so true at first
Laura/OK/1 - One of this week's words is "had", so the chunks will be glad or sad...
deb - Tara, 5 word wall words then words that rhyme. make, take, shake -- the same ending "rime"
Laura/OK/1 - I also dictate some sentences that they can use the ww for help with
Tara/1st/NC - Has anyone had any problems with parents not understanding this framework? Our school is just starting to use it and some of the other teachers are afraid of the parents.
Laura/OK/1 - I try to get a language, spelling and handwriting grade out of the ww assessement. I am struggling with grades...
deb - I just have a conversation at the beginning of the year about reading wars and how I am teaching reading 4 times a day -- parents eat it up!
Eve - Not at our school. The one thing parents notice is that their children bring home things they can help them do.
Laura/OK/1 - I continue to educate throughout the year in my weekly newsletter.
Tara/1st/NC - I am not afraid. It really isn't that different from what I do anyway. Well, I really feel it is a wonderful thing and am trying to get them to see that if we present it that way, then the parents won't have a problem.
Eve - Parents love helping with the making Words homework sheets
deb - laura, me too
deb - parents quickly realize that the kids LOVE reading and then the parents are pleased
Laura/OK/1 - happy kids=happy parents!
Eve - Another thing we have done with parents is to have the teachers do demo lessons on PTO nights so parents can get a feel for what we do in class.
I'm fine - my admin makes fun of all my book boxes, but my kids are thrilled
Tara/1st/NC - I am going to do that next year (demo lesson). I think the parents will love doing what their children will do.
deb - we teach 4 ways every day. About a half hour on each of the 4 ways
I'm fine - we don't have a school lib. right now, alo open up my class lib. to parents.
Laura/OK/1 - I frequently hear, " I wish my first grade was like this"
SallyRaws - When you are doing the guided reading section are the students silent reading?
Lisa - I'm fine...what kind of book boxes?
deb - me too. I have parents who worried coming in to check it out then they are soooooooooo impressed with what their kid can do
MJ - how do you label your book boxes?
Laura/OK/1 - Do you have your kids select SSR books during the block, or at teh beginning of the day?
I'm fine - theme books, same author books, animal stories, genre, etc.
deb - no guided reading is the time to teach comprehension. You should go to the main page, click on the 4 blocks column and read all the articles then you will have a wonderful understanding of the 4 blocks overview. :)
deb - I use book baskets :)
Lisa - I have my books in tubs at their tables, so their's no need for them to get up and select books during SSR
deb - I labeled by stickers so the kids can match stickers too
Laura/OK/1 - Another question: Do you have any software you recommend for publishing with young children?
I'm fine - The main boxes get rotated every week, and are numbered. The rest are by subject or theme, within the fiction or nonfiction category. My poetry boxes are the most popular right now.
deb - My kids pick 5-7 books BEFORE ssr time and don't get up during the sharing time
linda - Is anyone using Guided Rdg in upper elementary -like 4th grade?
MJ - How do have them share books? How do they know what to say during SSR sharing time?
Eve - yes, we do at our school
Laura/OK/1 - I tried that (boxes, baskets, tubs), but my SSR block has been going better if I let them go all over the room.
Lisa - Does anyone use a reading log or book report form during SSR..to track books students are reading?
I'm fine - I do have the Acc. Reader grade level marked on them,or those who WANT to know.
deb - I use poetry notebooks. Every kid has a copy of every poem we read in a notebook. They can read this during ssr time too
linda - I use Reading Records kept in student Reading folders.
cjstew1 - Yes, I use guided reading daily in 4th grade.
deb - lisa, I just track the books they read during conferencing with me or another adult
Lisa - I'm fine...do you do AR as part of SSR....I've been doing it separate and getting very stressed!
Eve - Lisa, we use a form to record the books the child is reading during SSR
I'm fine - My students may have 3 books out to go home/anytime, plus one from thook box on their table.
I'm fine - I'm 4th, and do lit circles/reading clubs
cjstew1 - I use Guided Reading in my 4th grade ESL class
deb - mj -- sharing time, I used the book marks in the back of the teachers guide as a place to start. They pick a book mark and discuss that element in their book talk. It helped them get started in Sept. Now they don't need it.
linda - Does anyone use a form of Guided Rdg during content areas like Social Stud or science? rea
I'm fine - Yes to both, linda
MJ - Do they pick a book mark when they know there turn to read with you is coming up?
linda - I'm fine-How do you use it for Science for example?
deb - yes and no, linda. During guided reading the focus is comprehension. During ss and science the focus is content. I often reread selections for the two purposes. This helps with understanding the content. Depending on which subject I am teaching -- science or guided reading comprehension -- determines my focus and setting purpose of the lesson
I'm fine - we do research groups- human body systems, etc. to become experts
deb - mj, I have them availabe in the room all the time. I assigned them in Sept when I was teaching them to share, now they are allowed to use them, but not mandated
Laura/OK/1 - I'm intoducing C.U.P.S. in my mini lesson on writng block.
linda - What I've noticed as a new 4th gr teacher is that so much of our science reading (texts and other) is at such a higher level. I usually pull my lower readers together to do a more direct instructional lesson-or pair them with better reader.
deb - laura, :) I love seeing my ideas used!!!!!!
deb - linda, exactly the right thing to do
linda - Thanks all for chatting!
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