canuk - A good intro is "Classrooms that Work" by Richard Allington and Pat Cunningham. Iteach 2, but have used it in 1 and 1/2
robin - i am introducing this at the beginning insevice in august at our school, any suggestions?
canuk - Have you read Classrooms that Work?
robin - i have it and browsed, what specific do you like about the book or what chapters
canuk - Also, there is a really good column in teachers.net gazette that features articles by Cheryl Signon, all about implementing the 4 block model.
canuk - I like the breakdown of why use 4 Blocks, and also some of the practical activities
Jan - Do you have the book Implementing the Four Blocks?
canuk - You will get many ideas on workshops from that column
robin - jan yes i do, do you suggest a hands on work shop for each block
Jan - I also had to introduce this to my faculty. I made overheads of some of the pages (Materials needed for the GR> block, WW. block,etc.0 The teachers got an overview at first and them we dove into each block
Sam... - Hi, eveyone! I currently teach 7th, but am moving to first next year. I am the only teacher whom will be implementing 4 blocks next year. I have read everything I can get my hands on, but I am still nervous but excited!!!!
Jan - Great for you! That's a big move!!
Sam... - REALLY BIG!!! If you had one piece of advise to give a "beginner" what would it be?
robin - got you sam, i am in your boat. am a master reading teacher, won't actually be doing this just teacheing others how to, that's whay i think a workshope would help me, but there don't seemto be one in texas
Jan - Start implementing one block at a time until you (and the children) are comfortable.
Sam... - I really wish I could find one in my area, TN! Several schools do it, but it seems before the workshops are given the county would have to adopt the "program".
Jan - Also...you need to check out the site readinglady.com
Sam... - Jan... Which do you think I should start with? Working with Words?
canuk - If you can Sam, get a look at a class of that age groupnow, so you also have some idea of what they can do. Have you observed classes of that age?
Jan - That seems to be the easiest one to implement
robin - i have heard if you see it done you yourself can do it if you have the cunningham books
Jan - Cunningham is the guru of working with words!
Sam... - I had called several schools, and they welcomed me to come, but many have a schedule similar to mine at the end of the year, and they aren't having a chance to really "implement" the true blocks! We only have three more days left! I wish I had found about this program earlier!
Jan - The four blocks is not a program. It is simply a framework or model for literacy instruction.
robin - do you have a region service center that offers classes or perhaps you could buy and view the video
canuk - I would start with shared reading so that you have a base from which to work when you work with words.
Sam... - Would I start with reviewing with Building Blocks the first few weeks?
canuk - If you do making and breaking words, it takes a lot of organisation and you might want to be familiar with the age group before you begin that
Jan - The four blocks of instruction are Guided Reading, Working With Words block, Self-selected reading, and Writing. Shared reading would be a component of guided reaqding or writing possibly.
Sam... - Good Point! I am certaintly going to have an adjustment of age levels!
Jan - Are you familiar with Building Blocks for K?
Sam... - I have read very little about it.
canuk - Yes, Jan, I would start with shared reading as a way to get into full blown guided reading
Kathy - I'm the "lone" person trying four blocks at my school
robin - share your experiences kathy
Jan - We have just finished our school year. All I can say is that the FOUR BLOCK MODEL is very contagious! The children love it and the teachers see that it produces results.
Kathy - well...writing has been the hardest block to do justice to
Sam... - Has anyone tried it, and found something they would have done differently?
Kathy - although I have a LOT to learn...I would have started out more slowly
KP - I am also the lone teacher in my building
canuk - what has been difficult Kathy?
Kathy - what grade does everyone teach?
Jan - We've had some concerns in our school about the GUIDED READING BLOCK. A lot of teachers want to use the Fountas and Pinnel leveled guided reading.
Kathy - the hardest thing I did to myself was try and implement ALL four blocks at the same time
Sam... - seventh moving to FIRST
Kathy - I teach third this year, but will loop to fourth next year
Kathy - Sam...that's a BIG move
canuk - what do you see as the big difference between the two, Jan
Jan - Did you use 4 blocks in your 3rd? Will you use it in 4th?
Kathy - we have a new principal who is a strong proponent of Fountas and Pinnell
KP - mine too
KP - she likes that I am trying 4 blovks ans has brought admin in to visit me
Kathy - I have used four blocks in third and will use it in fourth...I got the Cheryl Sigmon book as soon as it was off the press..."Modifying..."
Jan - Guided reading in the four block does not necessarily need leveled books. The philosophy is no leveling-am I right?
Kathy - yes...but I went to a conference recently where both four blocks and F/P Guided Reading was used together
Jan - Isn't that a great book? I think it's agreat resource even if your not using the 4 block model.
Kathy - it made sense...during self selected reading you would meet with the lowest group of readers
Jan - Tell us more Kathy!!
Sam... - The system adopted a new reading series this year. Will it be easy to incorportate?
Kathy - you still use the four blocks, but the self selected block had a bit of a twist
canuk - Well, in both models you are fitting the book and the needs of the kids, I don't know that there is really a conflict, as long as the "levelling" does not lead to artificial text
Kathy - and as long as you don't keep the lowest group..LOW
Kathy - conference presentor used the word "stretch"
canuk - Have you read on solid ground by Sharon Taberski?
Jan - exactly-the groups are ever-changing.
Kathy - if you never "stretch" the lowest readers (use grade level materials rather than always their reading level) then they will never be anything more than low
Sam... - How often do you change the grouping? What have you found to be the best way to go about grouping?
Kathy - ...I think any reading series can be used with four blocks...it's what you teach as far as comprehension skills that's important
canuk - Sharon uses a modification of the model that really works too.
jlmk306 - i want to start using 4 blocks next year....i am teaching 1st. this year i've taught bilingual kindergarten, but i'm changing districts
Kathy - well...I have a low group this year
robin - kathy i need hints on how to conduct an inservice
Kathy - meet with the lowest group nearly everyday
Jan - Through running record and/or other assessments, the children are moved.
canuk - Sam, make sure you use the first couple of weeks at least to assess kids and teach routines and procedures. They are make or break at this age!
Kathy - robin...make sure the inservice has something for everyone
Kathy - he teacher who believes in the old basal to the teacher who won't let go of whole language
Kathy - woops..I'm writing too much
Jan - Bringing and sharing an activity (exampleof children's work) fro each block would be beneficial for your inservice.
jlmk306 - i have lots of time this summer to get materials and make whatever things i'll need. any suggestions?
Sam... - My fear is if you do not meet as often with the "high" group, that they will also fail to be "stretched". I may be underestimating their ability though.
robin - no, all hints are helpful
Kathy - well...you are meeting the high kids when you teach the other blocks, because everything is multilevel
jlmk306 - i have "tchrs guide to 4 blocks" and "month by month phonics for 1st grade" already
robin - jl, where are you located
Kathy - get the Month by Month Phonics book for your grade level
jlmk306 - illinois....you?
robin - texas, can't get together for i make and take i guess
jlmk306 - i want to hit some garage sales to get books for the basket during "self selected" what books do you suggest?
Jan - The first book, A Teacher's Guide to the Four Blocks is a great start. It will help you prepare over the summer, if that's what you're in need of.
Sam... - Do any of you use centers incorported with Self Selected? If so what kind?
canuk - jlmk306, what grade?
robin - dr.suess or anything that is an easy read
jlmk306 - 1st
Kathy - I don't use centers
Kathy - ut have the kids do lots of projects
Jan - If you're doing any traveling over the summer, SSR baskets should include flyers, maps, pamphlets, etc. that you can collect at those Denny's restaurants! LOL
canuk - I would not begin with centres until you know the kids a bit better - astart off really structured till they know the routines and expectations
Kathy - that fit our reading themes
jlmk306 - should i prepare the word wall words now? or is it better to write them out during the lesson with the kids?
robin - txtchr, i am in san antonio, where are you
Kathy - you're right JanI bought the word wall plus word kits from Carson-Dellosa
canuk - SSR could also include alphabet and caption books. Some of the alphabet books have a wide range - kids read them with different levels of comprehension
Sam... - One of the teachers I spoke to in a surrounding county, suggested to use notecards for the word wall, instead of themed cards, such as fish! She found it to be to distracting. What your opionions?
Jan - There are word wall lists for each grade in the Teacher;s Guide to the Four Blocks. I think they also sell them Carson-Delosa I think.
Nancy - Who is the author of Month By Month?
txtchr - houston
Kathy - Cunningham and Hall
jlmk306 - cunningham and hall
canuk - jlmk it would not hurt to have some of the high frequency words ready to go, but not up till you have introduced them
ooga - what grades are we talking about?
robin - txtchr know of any workshops in our area
Kathy - I agree with the teacher Sam...just configuration boxes do the trick
Kathy - I'm a 3-4 looper
txtchr - on 4 blocks?
robin - txtchr yes or building blocks
jlmk306 - i see...thanks
txtchr - i've never seen one down here
Jan - Cherly at her workshop recommended that only High Frequency (sight words) are to be put on the Word Wall.
robin - txtchr what is our problem, i have a need to attend one
txtchr - i've gotten all my building blocks training from the internet and books
Kathy - I found the words in Month by Month Phonics ARE exactly the words they need to practice
canuk - Jan, I'd add to that words that are high frequency for the particular class, too.
ooga - i think the words are right on target also
txtchr - i really like month by nmonth
robin - txtcher are you doing this now, inder?
Sam... - What about the five words you choose each week. Should those words only be the sight words?
Kathy - I also like a lot of ideas in "Phonics They Use" also by Cunningham
ooga - has any one tied it in with the Rebecca Sitton spelling program?
Kathy - Sam...the five words should be words they need for their writing
hol - txtchr- are you the one that used Harcourt this year?
txtchr - i use the techniques, but i don't do the whole program as designed
Kathy - Sam...do you have a Month by Month book for your grade level?
txtchr - 'm at an SFA school : (
Sam... - Do I put those on the word wall?
robin - are you kinder txtchr
txtchr - i did use Harcourt
txtchr - yes kinder
Kathy - don't use sight words unless they are words for writing
Sam... - Not yet! I bought three books last week. I hope my budget will allow me to get that one this weekend!!!!
Kathy - Sam...it has been my "bible"
txtchr - i put word wall word up when they are appropriate, my kinders learned 100 h/f words this year
robin - i love hartcourt and think it can integrate just fine
Kathy - I had a student teacher this past semester who laughed at how I guarded that book
canuk - I have displays on different walls, a Cunningham word wall, a theme based wall and a word family wall
Sam... - I can tell that it is a must!!! I can't wait to get it!
robin - is your bible month by month phonics
hol - Has anyone read "Mosaic of Thought "or "Stategies That Work"? Which would be best to read first?
Kathy - luck with four blocks
Jan - canuk, How did this work?
Sue - Hi everyone. Teach 1st in illinois
Kathy - hol...Mosaic
txtchr - i've read both of those books
jlmk306 - hi sue....i'm in il too
Jan - Strategies that Work is an excellent, excellent book!
Sue - Sam, i also recommend Month by Month
Sam... - night! Thanks kathy!
txtchr - i liked it
hol - I love Harcourt too! Super stories in 2nd grade books
Sue - jl..where are you. I'm in Oak lawn
txtchr - principal bought Mosaic for the school and when i showed her strategies, she bought that one too
txtchr - she bought it for everyone!!!
ooga - Read Mosaic of Thought first
canuk - Jan, it worked well, they are presented in very different formats, and on different walls - the kids seemed to respond weel
Sam... - Who wrote "Strategies That Work?
jlmk306 - here's a question......i'll be going to a new school next year and want to start 4 blocks....but what if the other teachers don't do it? i can still use if no matter what the reading series right?
hol - What a great principal. I wish ours were as helpful
txtchr - she's great
jlmk306 - sue...i'm near rockford
txtchr - need a new kinder teacher next year
ooga - has anyone used Mosaic strategies yet?
Jan - yes jl-that's the beauty of it!
txtchr - i use them all the time
hol - jlmk- absolutely and I bet when the other teachers see how much fun you and the kids are having, they'll start asking you questions about what you are doing.
Jan - Strategies-Stephanie Harvey&Anne Goudvis
ooga - 4 blocks works with any reading series
robin - basil series can be used okay
jlmk306 - ok.....because i've heard some people say that their whole school is "4 blocks" so it seemed like it had to be approved of something
Sam... - I read somewhere about a child needing to read 20 min. a night. Should they read from AR books, basals, ?????
ooga - txtchr what are some of the books you use with the various strategies
robin - its an organizational framework
txtchr - i love John Burningham books for inferences
hol - I don't think it matters what they read as long as they are at their independent level and comprehending
jlmk306 - that's what i thought, just wanted to make sure i was on track!
Jan - reading at night will help to improve reading. I would bet that any reading(or being read to) is good.
canuk - Sam, it doesn't matter what they read, but it should be books that they can manage with 95% accuracy - independent level
txtchr - visualizing--i always like to read an exerpt from charlote's web about the barn
Sam... - When I monitor duing SS , is this when I assess for grading and progress. I have some fears concerning assessment.
hol - How does everyone begin their writing block at the beginning of the year?
canuk - There is a book called "The Time of the Lion" that is wonderful for visulising
robin - as a master reading teacher, i can tell you that any kind of reading is good, i wish you luck though, getting kids to actually do it or get parent help
txtchr - sensory imaging -- Owl Moon
hol - I'm thinking of just having them write sentences and working on the 6 traits to improve them one at a time, before moving into actual stories.
txtchr - Hazel's Amazing Mother by Rosemary Wells is good for schema
jlmk306 - hol......i'm new at this, but i've heard that to start out, it's good to use "predictable charts". what do you all think?
Jan - At the beginning of the year, the writing block would most likely be filled with "procedures."
canuk - hol, i go for journal writing, and use the"magic line" _______ then put on it any letters they think are in that word
ooga - have you tried van allsburg books for inference?
txtchr - The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg is especially good for this, but many of his books are great for questioning
txtchr - No, David! by David Shannon for inferring
txtchr - he has another david book too, can't think of the title
txtchr - any kind of nonfiction for determining importance
txtchr - you want me to go on?
Jan - sure! txtchr
txtchr - Kevin Henkes: Chrysanthemum, Julius, the Baby of the World, Owen, and Sheila Ray the Brave for text to text
jlmk306 - at the beginning of the year.....do you start all 4 blocks right away? in the "month by month phonics for 1st grade" it seems like aug/sept is just introductions before everything really starts in oct. is this right?
txtchr - John Joe and the Big Hen by Martin Waddell I can connect to this because there is a big sister in the book and I can connect with her feelings being the oldest child
ooga - Would love to see a chat room on Mosaic of Thought and Strategies
txtchr - that was fdor text to self
ooga - yep, keep going?
hol - Does anyone have trouble fitting all 4 blocks in daily? I seem to always run out of time. We go from 7:40 to 1:40 and then I lose 45 minutes for lunch and reces, 20 minutes for morning ress and usually 30 minutes/day for prep. So that only leaves about 4 1/2 hours to get everything in including math
Jan - time seems to be an issue always. The days are very full.
txtchr - you have to set your priorities
txtchr - no program is totally structured to fit your day
ooga - txtchr, how long do you do for each of the strategies, or do you spiral it?
txtchr - you have to structure a program to fit your day
txtchr - spiral
jlmk306 - what do you mean "spiral?"
txtchr - i do text to self a lot
txtchr - then go to text to text
hol - so how do you structure it to include all 4 blocks daily?
Jan - night guys!
txtchr - then i touch on the rest
txtchr - overlap the strategies, touch on them and then get back to them, introduce them to the strategy but keep the ones they are familiar with going
ooga - do you ever use chapter books for the strategies or always picture books/
ooga - i usually start with schema also, i think they can relate to that best
txtchr - i teach kinder--i read exerts from chapter books and i read those little danny and the dino, mudge... type books and i have read freckle juice
ooga - spiral, would be to start with one thing then go on to something else and then return to it later on
jlmk306 - i see
jlmk306 - where do all of you teach? i'm in illinois
txtchr - i think that is what they suggest in strategies
txtchr - texas
hol - az
txtchr - well, i guess we're done chatting!!!
txtchr - c ya around
hol - have to go sign autograph books- 2 days left- bye
jlmk306 - bye
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