Pooh - Is anyone here for the 4 blocks program?
Jessica - I am Pooh!
Jessica - I know know what is going on here tongiht!?
Pooh - Arew you using this program?
Jessica - Am I using 4 Block?
Pooh - yes
Jessica - I teach kindergarten and so I use Building Blocks (the kindergarten modification for 4 Block) Do you use this program?
Pooh - Well, I've taught K, K1st looping, and now 2nd.
Pooh - I'm trying to see how Spelling fits into this picture?
Pooh - What'[s the K program like?
Jessica - Have you used 4 block at al lin your experince?
Pooh - Yes, but the words part was different.
Pooh - That's where I'm stumperd.
Pooh - stumped
Pooh - REI do you use this program?
REI - Hi...Pooh how was the word part different??
Jessica - (sorry, I'm trying to do two things at once)
REI - Yes..for approximately 5 years.
Pooh - We did some internship but it was in K so it wasn't included like in the books.
Pooh - REI what grade level?
Pooh - REI still there?
REI - 2nd. I'm also one of the 4 Blocks/Building Blocks presenters listed on Pat and Dottie's website.
Pooh - OH! JUst the person I NEED!!!
Pooh - I have worked all of spring break reading these books and I have sooo many questions!
Jessica - Where are you from REI? Where do you presnet?
REI - Sorry...I'm multi tasking.....
Pooh - I have to give pre and post spelling tests each week.
REI - Right now, I'm working with districts that have contracted me and our state Regional Superintendents offices.
Jessica - where are you located REI?
Pooh - These skills do not correspond to my basil (SF 2000) or the phonics month by month books!!
REI - Pooh...do you have to use a specific spelling program?
Pooh - I don't want this block to be so segmented. How can I use the month by month book, the spelling words, and the basil and it "fit together!"
Pooh - Yes we must use our books!
Jessica - Sorry if I was getting too personal REI, asking where you were from - I was just curious as "offical traning" is something we might like at our school. I'm from Wisconsin
Pooh - H E L P!!!
Pooh - Yes, I too want to go to a workshop. I am in Alabama.
REI - No problem Jessica...it's just with the "previous" users who were here earlier, trying to avoid anything.
Jessica - I;m going to a workshop by Dottie Friday
Pooh - Where?
Jessica - Undetstandable REI - that was smart!!!
REI - Jessica...is she in Milwaukee?
Jessica - In Middleton, WI -- she was in Milwaukee a month ago for a Building Blocks seminar- I wnet to that too
Pooh - Can you help me with the words block?
Pooh - How can I find out about these workshops?
Jessica - SDR website has them listed
Jessica - (Staff Development Resources)
Pooh - REI can you help sort out this words block and how I can fit it with the spelling manuals and the basil?
REI - Pooh...Can you pick and choose your spelling words? Are you able to use the spelling book as a "homework" option?
Pooh - As of now I must use it in the same order (page) as all other teachers.
Pooh - I have applied to tranfer to another school where I hope to have more freedom to implement this program.
Jessica - That has to be SO hard Pooh
Pooh - What can I do now with my current restraints and what would be the best solution to ask in case of a transfeer?
Jessica - I am a first year teacher, and am LUCKY to be in a district w/ithout a reading program. I did 4 Block/BB in my student teaching and loved it and I can't imagine not being able to use ti and having to do what they tell me with their program. I'm a loner at my school with this, but I know its'a great program and I guess I should realize how lucky I am to get to choose what I use to an extent
REI - Pooh...how much time are you spending on your spelling book
Pooh - Yes, I hate it! I interned in a much more liberal setting and now I mustr be on the same page in every manual! This program sounds so great and I want to try it. I was turned down to use it so I felt so strongly about it I am tranfering!
Jessica - good for you Pooh
Pooh - I spend 30 minutes
REI - Pooh...it is a wonderful framework. It allows you to teach and reach all of your students.
Jessica - Sorry, it keeps logging me otu!
REI - Is it possible to trim that time back a bit? So you can do some word activities?
Jessica - Yes, that's what's so great about it -- it's a framework or organizational tool that helps you to get all those important components in!
Pooh - I am already using writer's worhop. AR time, and guided reading but not I want to pull it together with the framework but I just need help on the words section.
Jessica - Nice chatting with you two but I need to go!
REI - I need to go...I have to finish making my word wall words review game.
Pooh - REI What do you suggest? If I could pick my words ( if I transfer) what do you feel would be the BEST solution. What words would you pick using the basil and the month by month phonics?
REI - Pooh...none of my words come from the basal. My words only come from the Month by Month phonics list.
Pooh - How many do you have each week?
REI - I use words from my basal for vocabulary development. I select the words myself...and not rely on the Basal company to tell me what words are best for my kiddos to learn.
Pooh - We do too but still I am stuck with this spelling issue.
Pooh - ow many spelling words do you have each week?
Pooh - You get these from the month by month and not use a manual?
Pooh - See I need to know wht it "should" look like in case I transfer.
cin - I'm late. I forgot we are three hours behind east coast now, not two. Hello, everyone.
Pooh - Hi. I am trying to get help with the words block
REI - I have 5 current words and 5 words from previous weeks. I do a preview on Monday (where they write the words I give them...that is their list). On Friday, I give a "cloze" test. I read the story and the students have to plug in the correct spelling word. I also give 3 sentence dictations (unseen by the kids).
cin - REI....that is where I have been getting my spelling words. Glad to hear I just might be doing something right. LOL
REI - LOL cin...glad you could pop in.
Pooh - Are those 5 words part of your words activities or words wall wrods
Pooh - We give 24 words weekly!
cin - Good-bye Jessica.
Pooh - % dictation sentences
Pooh - 5 dictation sentences
REI - Yep...my 5 new words are practiced on Monday and Tuesday. We review the old words the rest of the week. What grade do you teach?????????
Pooh - 2nd
cin - I use the extended words, too, as part of my weekly spelling list.
REI - Shoot..even before we got to abandon our spelling books we only had ten words a week.
Pooh - so, let me get this straight? You have a total of 10 words. % new word wall words and 5 old word wall words?
REI - Cin...I use extended words for spelling grades during the week.
REI - Yep...
Pooh - We HAVE to give 24 speeling words, 10 worksheets, 2 workbook tests, 1 running record, plus cover a language book
cin - I use the 5 word wall words for the week, pick 2 'pattern words', and have 6 extended words, two dictation sentences. I teach third grade.
REI - But is all that your spelling?
Pooh - Oh yeah, 6 spelling pages, 24 spelling words,
cin - The dictation sentences reflect the spelling words for the week.
Pooh - a daily language grade and 2 language tests a week
cin - Pooh...what series do you use?
Pooh - I now see why I am having trouble "seeing the picture"!
Pooh - Scott Forseman 2000 for reading. It has the 4 blocks picture on it?
REI - Pooh...our kiddos are accountable for all of their 1st grade word wall words and the words taught in 2nd grade. We have finished adding words to the wall so now are reviewing any 2nd grade words that haven't been mastered yet.
cin - We use SF too.
Pooh - Yes, I can see how if you use 10 WORD WALL words as your spelling how it fitrs nicely!
REI - Pooh...we are using Scott Foresman and just adopted the newest version. We won't be using the WWW they suggest.
Pooh - Why?
cin - REI....that is one thing I did right. We have covered all our word wall words, reviewing now. I can spend the rest of the time trying out all the Month-to-Month activities that I have not had time to try.
Pooh - Does it not coorespond to the master list in the 4 blocks books?
cin - REI...aren't they just simply the vocabulary words.
Pooh - This sounds so wonderful I can't wait for the freedom to try 100%!
REI - Because, you typically select word wall words based on your students writing. The words they have selected (actually all of the basal series we looked at) are glorified vocaublary words.
Pooh - So would I be correct in taking the list in the 4 blocks books and picking 5 at a time based on student needs?
REI - Oh my kids would just jump all over me during my minilesson if I started a sentence with "because". LOL!!!
Pooh - LOL
cin - Need to go. Have a good chat.
Pooh - Would that work?
REI - Yes....or just looking at your class as a whole and select the high frequency words that are troublesome. I use Pat and Dottie's list because I figure I can't go wrong.
Pooh - That's what I planned on doing.
REI - Yes....that would work.
Pooh - Do you assess the kid's knowledge at the beginning of school on the first grade wall words?
REI - Besides, there is that nifty word wall package already made up by Carson Dellosa. The first two years, I made my own words on the computer. What a pain.
Pooh - So, in my current situation, how can I best use the words block until I have the power to choose my words?
REI - Yes...and I also give the 2nd grade words too. Let's me see where my group is at. I have them read me the words (individually) and then give a big spelling assessment(writing the words).
Pooh - So, how can I make this work in my current school?
Pooh - The words block?
REI - Yes. I assess them at the beginning of the year as a pre test. Then again at the end with all of the words we have practiced and approximately 30-40 "transfer" words.
Pooh - What would you purchase to help you in this block?
Pooh - HYow can I make the wods block work in my current school?
REI - Are you on the mailring for 4 Blocks?
Pooh - I just joined
Pooh - I really want to get this off to a SUPER START!
REI - How many more days of school do you have? Is it enough to try and change everthing now or would it be better (because of your situation) to wait until fall?
Pooh - Well, we have 6 more weeks.
REI - Post your questions on the mailring. We (the group) will try and offer suggestions. I hate to cut you off, but I have to finish getting things ready for tomorrow.
Pooh - I I understand!
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