Kathleen - Hi! I just stopped by to say "Welcome!" and to encourage you to enjoy this opportunity for real-time discussion about the 4-Blocks Literacy Model!
June - Would someone explain the 4 block model to me?
Anna - I've used 4 blocks for 2 years, and it works. I love the way you can integrate what you are teaching into the method.
Jeanne in NC - Does anyone know if this chat will relate strictly to primary?
Kris - I've been reading the Month By Month (MXM) book for upper grades ( I teach 4th)--how do you sched./plan the lessons? (sequence-frequency) Also, do 4th and 5th classes follow the same lessons?
Kathy/1/WA - June, the philosophy behind four blocks is that there are four main ways that kids learn to read--working with words, guided reading for comprehension, reading on their own level, and writing. The Four Blocks model addresses each of these.
Kris - June- check out the articles at http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/column.html
Kelly - I would be interested also in addressing parts of the 4 block for the upper grades
Kris - Anna-what grade level are you teaching?
peggyo - I'm moving from 1st to 2nd. Is it going to be okay for me to already have several high frequency words up on the word wall on the first day of school? That is what i would like to do .
Kelly - I have a primary question for the word wall...is it ok to put up the children's names or should they be on a separate chart?
Kris - the MxM book only gives 10 word wall words a month. Can any one explain this to me? I thought you were suppoded to do 5 a week.
Sandy - I also am interested in using 4 blocks in fifth grade. It is used in primary and fourth grade teachers at our school have been trained.
Kathy/1/WA - For first grade, starting with the kid's names makes good sense. I don't know if you would want to do it beyond that. At least I can't see working with them as intensely as you do in K and 1.
Kelly - my question also Kris...
Mrs. L - I have the students write their own names on a card and they their names where it belongs
Pat - I have used 4 blocks happily for 2 years beginning with a 2/3 combo. However, this year my structured English Immersion 2nd grade has grade level students, and RSP non English speaker and several other non English speakers. I would like some ideas on how best to meet everyone's needs. Some of these students may not be able to participate in all 4 blocks.
Kelly - Sandy, would you do working with words activities for your word block every day in the upper grades?
Sandy - Is there a Pat Cunningham book that you can recommend for upper grades?
Kelly - Kathy, would you then do all of the children's names in one day for the word wall?
Cece - Doesn't Month by Month have a book for upper grades?
Kris - Kelly-This is my first year doing 4 blocks--I have no idea what to expect!
Sandy - I am at this moment unsure what I will be doing, Kelly.
Anna - I teach 2nd. It is okay to have 5 words on the wall the first day. You might choose the words from your first guided reading story. In second grade, I also have a "Lightning Word" chart which has the most frequently used words like and, the, to, that, see, you, be. These are on a chart beside the word wall. You only put 5 words on the wall each week.
Kelly - I am finding that the MxM for the upper grades gets somewhat confusing to read. The primary books are much more laid out...anyone else feel the same way?
Kathleen - Please note the Educational Resources Group workshop information - http://www.ergsc.com/schedules.html
Kathy/1/WA - I only have experience with 4-Blocks in first, so I'm just tossing this off the top of my head. I think all of them in one day would be a little much--maybe spread them out over the first week. I just can't see spending a lot o time on them.
Rick - How do I begin using the making words block with 1st graders who need review of letters and sounds?
Sandy - This is the first time in ten years that I have gone back to a self contained classroom. I have been teaching literature to all fifth graders. But, I like the ideas I have heard about 4 block.
Kris - MxM seemed ok to me, but not when I was trying to read it in conjunction with the Teacher's Guide to The four Blocks- I got confused too!
snoochy - Does anyone have any ideas on the guided reading for my multi-age 1,2,3 class? Students read from learning letters to 6 .
Kelly - Kathy - I agree, that is what I was thinking...but it would be a good way to introduce the word wall...for first graders
smagee/k/tx - Does anyone know why environmental print is introduced so late in the MXM kindergarten book? It isn't introduced until April, and I'm planning on starting it much earlier than that.
Rick - Do you begin in 1st grade with the 5 words the first day of school? Or do you review letters and sounds?
Anna - Kathy, I have a "name wall" where I put all the children's names, my name and the other teacher's and principal's name. This is on a different wall from the word wall. I also start a running chart with people words like baseball player, doctor, etc. These are put on the chart as we see them in stories.
Cece - Regarding making words in 1st grade, the MxM book recommends beginning with children's names. You don't start right in with the words unless you want to. Wouldn't that give you some time to review letters?
Kelly - Kris, getting back to the word wall for upper grades...would you do the working with words activities every day as in primary??
Yawn! - snooochy, why do people create classes like that, and then act like they don't know how to teach them? I'm not critcizing you, but there most have been some thought put into it before you did it.
Kathy/1/WA - Rick, the Month By Month Phonics for First desn't introduce Making Words until November.
Kris - I really don't know...many of my fourth graders are very low readers, and I have a high con. of sp.ed. so I'm thinking probably yeas-atleast to begin the year
snoochy - I'll be going to the workshop with cheryl next week. does she address the multi-age classroom?
Yawn! - Kelly in the upper grades, or with 3rd grade level readers, you do less of the word block.
Kelly - thanks yawn..that makes sense....
Kris - Yawn...can you elaborate on sched. for upper grades?
Yawn! - Kris, I'm a newbie myself, but I have read that in the upper graders, or with 3rd grade levelr eaders, you have longer time spent with Writing Block and SSR block than the other two.
Gail - In 1st grade I spend the first 4-5 weeks doing the students names via interviews as explained in MxM. It works great. Then begin WWW.
Kathleen - If you wish to explore having Cheryl or another 4-Blocks trainer come to your school district, write to ergbell@lowcountry.com
Yawn! - Kris yes then your schedule for 4 blocks would be more like the primary one. It says that it depends on the level of the readers
snoochy - yawn, this will be my 7th year in this situation. it has worked well with the cross aged grouping. i have the student 3 years and they do very well. i have taught 29 years and it by far the most beneficial. i'm able to do a lot of guided reading with the whole group with shared reading. we use a lot of graphic organizers, reader's theaters etc. the science, self selected reading (only problem is that the 3rds need 45 minutes). i'm thinking of have a guided reading time with beginners and middlers and another with middlers and advanced. the word block and writing block are quite good, it's just the guided reading.
Cece - When 4 blocks trainers come to your district, is it usually for one day?
Yawn! - I see, snoochy. Thanks for the info.
Kelly - snoochy, from what I have read about readers theater..it is mostly giving the kids an opportunity to read aloud...correct me if I am wrong...
Kathleen - Cece, I believe that it can be one day, or more if the district wishes. Check the schedule at http://www.ergsc.com/schedules.html for some examples
Cece - Kathleen, will they work with individual schools within a district?
Rick - Found many updated weekly articles @ http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/article3.html
Gail - 1st grade teachers, at very beginning of year what do you plan to do in the guided reading block?
snoochy - the students get a lot of benefits with it. they select a story and form a group independently. they usually will have many different levels in the groups. then they break the story up into characters, narrators (he said she said) sound effects and showing the picture people. there is a lot of co-operation and high level planning involved. they love it.
Kathleen - Cece, I'm sure they will work with you in any way your school wishes.
Kris - I do have a spec,ed teacher,title I teacher and another fourth grade teacher that all work well together. Should we be splitting kids up into groups for any of the blocks?
Kelly - snoochy, can you explain more about how you run your word block for uppers...
max - snoochy, sounds like that develops many important classroom survival skills as well as builds personal character!
Pat - Any ideas on how to adapt 4 blocks to meet the needs of non English 2nd graders and RSP students?
Kathy/1/WA - Kelly, one of the points of 4-Blocks is that it is multi-level and avoids dividing kids into "permanent" reading groups.
Cece - Gail, this is my first year with 4 Blocks, but I plan to begin guided reading with "Whose Mouse Are You?" by Robert Krauss. I will use this to introduce a unit on "me". Then I will use the basal for 3 days, and something simpler, like poetry or a phonics reader for the other 2 days each week.
Kathy/1/WA - Pat, pardon my ignorance, but what does RSP stand for?
smagee/k/tx - Any Kindergarten teachers on here this morning?
Kathleen - smagee, have you joined the Building Blocks mailring (for 4-Blocks practices for kindergarten)?
Pat - Kathy, RSP stands for Resource Specialist Program. Students have learning disabilities.
Kathleen - smagee, there are Building Blocks chats scheduled for Thurs July 29 at 9 pmE;Fri Aug. 13, 9 pmE; Tues Aug 17, 9pmE
snoochy - kelly, i have 2 word walls and portable word walls. the uppers are required to use all of the basic words correctly in independent writing. they also tutor the beginners with the words and do magnetic board activities with them. they still need to learn those basics. then i have a science wall, math wall adn advanced words (lakeshore publications, i think). last year i did have whole class word block, using the 2nd month by month. i'm thinking that 2 days i'll group the advanced kids with the 3rd month by month. they all are very good readers. but they still do the extensions of the word wall with the on the back activities with the basic ww activity for the class.
Gail - Cece, I was going to use poetry/nursery rhymes on easy days in first weeks too. Are you doing Whose Mouse....as a whole group with bigbook or is this in your basal?
smagee/k/tx - No, not yet. I've tried a few times but I keep getting error messages. I guess I'm not doing something right.
snoochy - our poetry notebook is for the whole class. everyone loves them and either draws illustrations or adds onto the poems.
Kris - I can't seem to get on the 4 blocks mailring either--tried several times
Cece - I have it in a big book, with several small copies.
Kelly - do you add science words, etc to the portable word wall...I would think not , snoochy
Rick - What grade do you teach? I bought that wordwall from Lakeshore, but have been moved to 1st grade. Thought it might be too small!
Kathleen - Kris, did you follow the directions for writing to the site about your problem with the mailring? The directions are on the page at http://teachers.net/mailrings
snoochy - no, those words are just up in the room. but during learning log time the uppers refer to those words
Rick - Snoochy, I'm asking you about your grade level?
max - I have the first grade word wall from Lakeshore as well, the print is small
Kathleen - if you continue have a problem with a mailring, write to feedback@teachers.net
Kelly - I love the idea of a poetry notebook! I think it would work for all grade levels!
snoochy - rick, i have a multi-age 1,2,3
Anna - Kris, I've had the same problem gettin on the 4-blocks ring. I followed the directions exactly, and the message came back that I had already subscribed, but I don't get e-mail via the ring.
smagee/k/tx - I'm not sure the problem is with the mailring. It's probably me!
Rick - Max, are you planning to use the small words from Lakeshore this year with first grade?
snoochy - kelly, the poems are run off and we practice reading them together, find the ww words, adjectives, pizzaz words, etc.
Kathleen - Anna, smagee, Kelly, write to feedback@teachers.net and describe your mailring problem. Don't give up
max - I think I will print larger ones for wall, and use the smaller ones in another area, like within an activity choice area
Kathy/1/WA - smagee, too many people are having problems for it to be JUST you
Jeanne in NC - I've been told that our school will be using the 4 block this year and can someone tell me where to get some good infor for a beginner. I teach 5th so I'll need something for upper grades. Suggestions?
Cece - Gail, I think the poetry notebook would work well for 1st grade, to use from time to time as simpler reading for the other 2 days.
snoochy - kelly, how do i get to the private room
Gail - I've had poetry notebook for few years (3 ring binder). Kids illustrate each poem and they love to read it throughout the year. Last year we had 96 poems/songs. This is 1st grade.
Kelly - what are pizzaz words?
max - Gail, each child has their own copy, or one classroom book???
Gail - max, each child has their own book which they bring at beginning of year.
peggyo - I used poetry/song notebooks my last two years in first grade. Kids could use them for SSR or free time or take them home to read. They were much used and loved. I plan to use them again in 2nd but will use more word block activities. Any suggestions?
Snoopy in SC - I am new to 4 blocks too and teach 3rd.
snoochy - pizzazz words are power words - stong adjectives, high powered verbs, alliterations, and the words like bang, boom etc.
snoochy - kelly, how do i get to the private room.
Kathy/1/WA - What is the source of the poems you use?
Gail - peggyo, I used my poems last year in word block too. I didn't begin "pure" 4block GR until later in year so will incorporate poetry into easier days of guided reading as well this year. That's why I will have so many poems in notebook.
Anna - Peggy, I love the idea of poetry notebooks. What do you think about having a poetry center where the children can read, act out, use puppets, highlight words, find rhyming words, etc. with a partner in the center?
snoochy - thanks everyone. do you all meet every saturday. this was great. but i have a baby shower to go to so i'll sign off,. let me know if it is every saturday
Gail - Kathy/1/WA,, I use many sources for poems. There have been many shared on mailring in recent month or so. I also have many books. Many websites are great sources too. In fact, once you start to look you'll have more than you could ever use.
snoochy - i'm not savy in this yet, i meant a private message, hope to meet again.
Kathleen - Jeanne, have you signed up for the 4-Blocks mailring at http://teachers.net/mailrings ?
Rick - Peggyo, do you glue in poems, or use 3 ring binder?I teach 1st grade.
Kris - snoochy-did you get it? see you again!
peggyo - Thanks, Gail. Using the poetry notebook (each child has his own 3-ring binder) for the easier reading days in Guided Reading is a great way to use it. I've been trying to think what else I could use. What do you think of using big books that I brought with me from 1st? I have a few ideas about that but could use some more.
Anna - Snoopy, I'm in SC too. How is your district going to put 4-blocks into the modular lesson plan format to go with the standards?
Gail - peggyo, what grade are you?
Kathleen - Information about having Cheryl Sigmon or other 4-Blocks trainers do workshops for you is available through the ERG site. http://www.ergsc.com/schedules.html
Jeanne in NC - Yes. I was there temporarily but only seemed to be getting messages from primary teachers. Wasn't sure if there was anyone on the ring that worked with older kids.
Kelly - Jeanne, do you work with upper kids?
Gail - Those of you from SC, is anyone from Chesterfield County? My principal just moved there.
Snoopy in SC - Anna- I don't have a clue. This is my first year. I'm lost.
Kris - Jeanne-I'm 4th gr How about you?
max - How does a district announce that they are going to 4 Blocks and then get their teachers ready to use the method??? Appears several people have "learned they are going to be using 4 Blocks"
peggyo - Rick, I just type them up and make each child a copy. Gail, I'm moving from 1st to 2nd
Gail - peggyo, some of our third grade teachers even use big books some times to teach. I know some of our seconds love and want more big books for their level.
Jeanne in NC - yes - 5th graders. I teach in a departmentalized setting. I have approx. 1 1/4 hours a day with them and teach reading, writing and language arts.
Kelly - max, hopefully, your district will implement a lot of inservices, materials, as well as books...
Anna - I'm in Lancaster
Kelly - jeanne, not a whole lot of time...
Gail - Anna, I'm in Union County, NC - Weddington right across the border
Rick - Does anyone know of a primary literature book that includes a water balloon? My 4 year old and I have discovered many ways to integrate color words, number concepts, science concepts, etc. Want to explore the possibility of creating a unit for the hot, steamy weather that would culminate with water balloon tossing?
Snoopy in SC - I live in Horry but teach in Marion.
smagee/k/tx - My district hasn't told me to do it. I'm just going to try doing it on my own.
Kris - Max, our district is trying to sced. training. In the meantime we have been meeting to read and discuss the books-we were all given copies in June. We are concerned about the teachers who are not attending and therefore not up to speed.
Rick - Thanks, Peggyo.
Anna - The place to start learning about 4-blocks is by reading Classroom That Work.
Kathy/1/WA - That's how I got into it, smagee. I'm in a small school. the second grade teacher has seen what I was doing and gone to training.
max - Kris, I have used parts and pieces of it, rather found that my parts and pieces are nicely put together by 4 Blocks and so much more is there; it is difficult to self-train, this site is a big help to me
Kelly - good luck, Kris...
smagee/k/tx - Kathy/1/WA, I havn't even heard 4 blocks mentioned at my school. I heard about it first here!
max - same here smagee
Kathy/1/WA - This is where I found it, too.
Rick - We get to choose if we use the model or not. However, many of our teachers have chosen to take workshops, even courses to learn the model. That puts pressure on to change. The program represents what I have been learning to do for 18 years, but it's more systematic.
Jeanne in NC - Anna - Do you know the author of Classrooms that Work?
peggyo - I am on my own also. But, my principal is the one who gave me my first copy of Classrooms that work. So I 'm sure that she is supportive. Once she told me that she didn't care what method I was using--just close my door and teach those "babies " to read!
smagee/k/tx - I hear about a lot of things here first, and then a year later I hear about it at school. In fact, me and one other teacher did word wall last year, and now a year later, all of k teachers have been told to do it.
Kelly - Jeanne, I have my copy right here...Patricia Cunningham and Richard Allington (CTWork
Kathy/1/WA - You are on the cutting edge, smagee ;-)
max - Rick, I feel the same way, not new ideas as much as a neat, successful package!!! validates what I have been doing all these years
Rick - smagee/k/tx - Wonderful articles @ http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/column.html. . .
Anna - Jeanne The author is Patricia Cunningham, the originator of 4-Blocks. She and Dottie Hall began the method in Winston Salem, NC.
Gail - I too have self-taught myself by extensive reading and most importantly all the valuable info on the mailring. Living within driving disance of Dottie Hall's school also was a plus. I visited and spent over an hour personally discussing minor details/questions I had. I'm so excited to kick off my year using all 4 blocks not just 3.
Kelly - Kathy do you include any environmental print on your word wall or do you put it on a chart?
max - Anna, when did they "start" using the model, about
smagee/k/tx - peggyo, that sounds exactly like my principal. Her exact words are, "Get those babies to read by the end of Kindergarten."
Cece - Kathy, How long have you used 4 Blocks in 1st
Rick - Max, do you know of a literature book with a water balloon?
max - Anna, when did they "start" using the model, aboutGail
max - Gail, that is great!!!
Snoopy in SC - I am in a small portable . I hardly have any room on the wall because of the board & windows. Got any ideas on the word wall?
max - no Rick, was trying to think of one, perhaps write on with the class!!!!
max - old fashion window shades can be written on and then rolled up!!
Kelly - lucky you! gail
Kathy/1/WA - I haven't used environmental print on my word wall. Sounds like antoher good start. Last year I sent out welcome notes to all my kids before school started, inviting them to bring something to school that they could read like a cereal box or just their name. We startedthe first day with environmental print.
Kris - rick-try searching one of the bookstores online
Kelly - someone mentioned using a shower curtain for the word wall. this idea was on the mail ring for four blocks
max - they can be mounted one above the other aas well, supplies a lot of space that you didn't have before
Rick - I was looking for an easier way. I guess I'll get out the digital camera and use power point.
Cece - snoopy, there were many on the mailring this last week. Some said shower curtain, and write on with permanent markers. Another said cover an extra chalboard or bulletin board. One person even said maybe you could do individual word walls in noterbooks or on file folders.
Anna - SC provided extensive training for pilot teachers in 1997. We heard Cunningham for 2 days, then had training by people who had been doing the 4 blocks for several years. I was one of the pilot teachers, and have trained people in my district. Our State dept of ed. has tapes made of the training, which should be available.
Kelly - Kathy, was it put on the word wall or a chart? or do you think it could go on a word wall?
Rick - OK, Kris.
Jeanne in NC - Snoopy - could you just use paint directly on the windows?
Kathy/1/WA - I didn't put it on the word wall. In fact I'm not sure we had a word wall yet. Which answers the question how long--I just got into it last year.
max - Let the kids help you Rick, power point allows them to be part of the "production" with some pre-planning!!
smagee/k/tx - I'm going to start with envrionmental print, even though the MXM kdg book doesn't do it until April. I think I'm going to put the environmental words on some kind of a chart because I don't have much room on my word wall.
Snoopy in SC - Thanks for all the ideas!
Kelly - Anna, what do you suggest? environmental print, word wall or chart?
Anna - I would stick to the pure cunningham word wall
max - our puters hook into our TV's we can make a slide show of things and let it show, guess words could be shared that way over and over????
Kelly - anna, so leave environmental print to a chart?
max - Anna, what is the rational for sticking to the wall words?
Kelly - anna, so leave environmental print to a chart?
Kathy/1/WA - the word wall is for high frequency words and words with phonics chunks that will help reading other words. I think that environmental print and theme words probably belong elsewhere.
Rick - One of the articles by Cheryl Sigmon suggests only putting high frequency words on the word wall. She says that the word wall should emphasize spelling not reading with new vocabulary words. What do you all think?
Kris - I really like MP Express (over power point or hyperstudio) for child friendly multimedia presentations-Very easy for kids to create
Cece - Anna, what do you think about beginning with the 5 words per week in 1st before Oct/Nov? Is it too much to try the 3rd or 4th week of school the first year 4 Blocks is used?
Kelly - thank you for your suggestions on environmental print
max - sounds good Kathy, the chunks are important
smagee/k/tx - kidgn tchr, hello from another kindergarten teacher!
max - interesting concept , Rick
Anna - yes, and the charts are supposed to be ongoing and children initiated if I understand correctly
peggyo - Rick, I think the word wall should be ONLY high frequency words
max - Kris, MP???
Snoopy in SC - Anna- thanks for all of your imput. If you are in Myrtle Beach you have to say Hi!
Kris - MP Express (bytes 0f learning)--I got it for around $30 i believe
Kathy/1/WA - I think that if you put such things as enviro-print and theme vocabulary on charts, you can keep those charts accessible through the year--not up on the wall, but maybe on a chart where the kids can thumb through them to find what they need.
Anna - the word wall is only for high frequency words. In first grade, you probably would begin the word wall when you start your first guided reading story. The word wall words could be high frequency words from the story.
max - ok, so Anna, the word wall words are one part, other words the students bring to the classroom go on the wall, but under another area, right, that keeps the construction of the learning process for word wall words , which is most likely supported by research as being beneficial to be taught the way P. cuningham has them presented???
Rick - Kathy, how would you suggest beginning 1st grade writing block?
Anna - Thanks, Snoopy, I love Myrtle Beach!
max - OK
Kathy/1/WA - Start the word wall right away. It is not tied to guided reading necessarily, but to working with words.
Cece - Anna, thanks, I had thought that, but wasn't sure. Our school starts in 2 weeks and I am anxious to try out all I've heard about this summer.
max - dumb question, but how do you know which of the words on the list to start with??
Kris - Max- the MxM phonics for upper grades tell you which words...do the others grade levels?
Cece - Kathy, I am beginning the year with their names on the word wall, but I will only have 18 students :) and so within a few weeks will have all the names up. Since we start Aug. 10, I hated to think of having to wait until Oct. to begin the words.
max - I bought the word wall packed for 1st grade, mid year, and didn't have the direction or a plan on how to present the words; since had K-6 sp ed; I just put up the word train and words, then used them
Kathy/1/WA - I'm trying to think back on the writing question. I don't remember. It's a matter of prcedure. Once they get into the procedure, then they soak it all up. Start with a mini lesson. Write about something that is happening, and illustrate it. Then tell the kids to write about something in their lives.
max - Kris, late in this, what is MxM??? Where do I get it, teacher store?
Cece - max, use the words that appear frequently in what ever you are reading
Rick - Anna, how do I begin the writing block with 1st graders who are so different from 2nd graders. I have changed grades, have taught 1st before. It's harder, to me.
Anna - Right ,Max, in my room I have my word wall, to which I add 5 new high frequency words a week, I have charts of people words, place words, pronouns, action words, and I can't remember which other words. These charts are nowhere near the word wall . I also put up a chart of seasonal words which changes each month. The other charts stay up and we add to them all year. Every available space is taken up. The word wall words I use are from the list in Cunningham's Phonics They Use. I printed them in Arial 120 type, cut and backed them on colored paper.
Snoopy in SC - O.K. I am reading Classrooms that work and I have The Teacher's Guide to the 4 Blocks and ahve ordered the 3rd grade phonics month by month. Do I need anything else?
Kris - Month By Month Phonics (MxM)--One for every grade level K-3 plus "upper grades"
smagee/k/tx - Max, MxM is short for Month by Month Phonics. Carson and Dellosa Publishing. You can probably get it t your teacher store.
Kathy/1/WA - Word wall does not have to wait--the actual making words activity is not introduced right away. That is where you have a group of letters that spell a word and make words that lead up to it. You look at the letter patterns and sort the words into onsets, rimes, different types of letter and sound combinations.
peggyo - Thanks for answering my questions and all the other info. This is Great! Gotta go.
smagee/k/tx - Any Kdg teacher logged on?
Cece - Kathy, so when you begin working with words will depend on your students. I guess I've kinda been thinking of Making Words and the word wall together. Thanks
Kathy/1/WA - Making words is just one of the possible activities for the words block.
max - y'all have been wonderful, thanks for all the information, I am getting really excited again; I have used making words for about 3 years, my really disabled kids love it, very successful for them
Kris - Max--did you get the info? I got booted! :o(
max - yes Kris, thanks!!!! I can "see" it now!!!!!
Kathy/1/WA - Cece, do you have the Month by Month Phonics book for your grade? It will really guide you through the word block. I wish I had had it last fall.
Rick - Kathy, please explain one or two of the games played with words in the making words blocks. First grade level. Thanks!
Cece - Right. Thanks, Kathy.
Cece - Yes, and I love it. I also have Cheryl's book and the Teacher's Guide, and just ordered classrooms that work
Kris - What is RIVET? Which book is it described in?
Kelly - Rivet is in Classrooms that Work
Snoopy in SC - I'm Back
max - I always have display space problems, the window shades that pull down are really a good tool if others have the same problem; they can even be coated with a laminate or contact, so you can erase words; or just file them in a "long box standing in a corner" with tags, October words, Nov. Words, ; etc
Kathy/1/WA - In the words block you clould play Making Words, Wordo, Guess the Covered Word, RIVET is like hangman or Wheel of Fortune...
smagee/k/tx - Kathy/1/WA does the first grade book follow along pretty well where your kids should be? The Kdg book seems to go rather slow. It doesn't do a wordwall, and environmental print isn't done until April. We have a VERY academic kindergarten, so we may be doing a little more than other Kindergarten classes. Just wondering what you think.
Anna - Rounding up the rhymes is a good activity, and be a mind reader
June - I just saved some of the articles to read later. Are they a good starting place?
Rick - June, look for more info on the 4blocks model @ Sifting and sorting through the 4 blocks model @teachers.net/4blocks/articles....
Cece - June, the articles are GREAT! They answered alot of my questions, some I didn't even know I had :)
Kathy/1/WA - I didn't have the MxM until later in the year. Use it just as a guide. It gives a good sequence, but I would think if your kids are ready, keep moving.
June - That is where I am talking about finding the articles
Kelly - Geeze, it is getting late in this eastern time zone..I have enjoyed chatting with everyone, lots of good ideas to think about...are we going to do this again next Saturday?
max - also; I most often have a mix of K-5, sp ed. sometimes my K can read by the end of year, where 5th is struggling in 2.1 reading, and of course a sight reader that can read anything, but can't decode an "new" word;what one or two "grade level" books would you recommend MxM
Kathy/1/WA - Ha, Kelly, I was barely awake in Pacific time when we started--I'm just getting rolling haha
June - Where do you get MXM?
smagee/k/tx - I bought the First Grade MxM book, and I think I can use some if it with my K class.
Rick - June, I found several late last night, printed and read this am. I've been teaching for 18 years - K, 1 and 2. The model is just a systematic means of teaching language arts. It all sounds really good to me.
Cece - June, you can get Month by Month Phonics at a teacher store, or from Amazon
June - Thanks
Cindy - I left for a minute and missed the source for 1st grade poetry ideas.Can you help/
Kelly - Lunch time, and I guess those morning chores are now afternoon chores...LOL....very hot today...I really have to get going...later all, this has been great!!
Kathy/1/WA - MxM is Month By Month Phonics for (whatever) Grade. It is published by Carson Dellosa. Look for it in your teacher store, order from one of the On-line stores like Apples and Acorns, or direct from Carson Delossa. I picked mine up at a Carson Delossa sponsored training.
Kris - Kelly- me too! Also in the eastern time zone and wicked hot! Have a good day!
Kathy/1/WA - Poetry ideas--they said al sorts of sources including the mailring and the Internet.
Cece - Ditto to the goodbye. Kathy, thanks for the info. You're on the mailring, right? I'd like to know I can get some good advice this year.
max - Thanks for all the input!!! I am going to check back into the main room and then kick myself off the net for a few hours, LOL bye
Jeanne in NC - Thanks everyone for all the info. Guess I've got lots of reading to do before school starts.
Kathy/1/WA - Ha, I think I'm going to leave to get BREAKFAST!
Snoopy in SC - Anna , are you still here?
Kathy/1/WA - Cece, i'm off the mailring at the moment, but will re subscribe when I get caught up.
Cece - Okay. Thanks for the help. bye
smagee/k/tx - Kathy, do you use the phonics phones made out of pvc pipes?
Kathy/1/WA - I think, Rick, that it might be good to gradually introduce procedures in the same way you do other classroom procedures. Model what you want them to do, then have them repeat.
Kathy/1/WA - Keep at it till they get it.
Rick - Smagee, what are the phonics phones?
Rick - Thanks, Kathy. Go eat.
Kathy/1/WA - smagee, I haven't made one of those but think I might eventually. there are so many things to pick from.
Kathy/1/WA - You're right n
Kathy/1/WA - Rick, I'd better go before it's lunchin the west.
smagee/k/tx - Rick, they are the elbow pvc pipes. They use them when they are writing. They put the phone up to their ear and mouth and slowly say the word they want to write several times. The word's sound goes directly into the child's ear and is not lost in the air.
smagee/k/tx - Rick, got the idea from "Developing Literacy using Reading Manipulatives" CTP Grades k - 2 CTP 2333
Rick - Smagee!! Another external mediator. (Vygotskian theory). I would like to try that. Anything to help them make transfers/connections.
Ells50 - can you use 4-blocks in gr. 5?I am moving from Gr2.
Jean Ann - Hi, I am a 4 Block facilitator in IN
Andie - I used 4 blocks last year. I am interviewing for a position as a reading tutor at a residential facility how can I adapt the 4 blocks to this?
Andie - I think you can use 4 Block in any grade. I had great success in third grade.
Jean Ann - I would think that the word block and the activities in that block would be very helpful in your new position...
Andie - That is what I think as well. The job description talks about whole language but I do not know much about it (it was before or after my time!!) so I am not sure if they will be into the 4 - Block
Jean Ann - Well, good luck!
Peggy - Can you explain to me briefly what 4 Block is about?
deb - 4 blocks is balanced literacy
deb - the 4 blocks are guided reading (comprehension); writing workshop; words (includes phonics); ssr
gr3ral - how do you do 4 block lesson plans for a sub.
tmh - I was thinking the same thing??? I am not sure the answer to that question, g3
tmh - Thanks, I am a little nervous though about the first few weeks of school, it is only natural, i presume.
tmh - g3, Are you referring to the saturday morning discussion?
gr3ral - if you are following the 4 block teaching method
g5 - gr3 - what are the 4 block teaching method, never heard of this - teach me something]
tmh - I am teaching special ed, so I have to be prepared.
gr3ral - 4 blocks and buildingblocks literacy model
gr3ral - too hard and too long to explain 4 blocks
g5 - sorry - i have to find out about this method . i have been teaching since l985 - new to me
gr3ral - I learned about it in June on the teachers net
g5 - u learned about it on the net - not in school
honey` - 4 blocks.... a method of teaching language arts integrating all the best methods of the past.
tmh - gr3, how long have you been a teacher??
gr3ral - I found out about it on the net
honey` - I love 4 blocks, have been teaching it now for 3 years
g5 - what are the best methods - yours or the best methods of the education district
gr3ral - hey honey how do you de lesson plans for subs on the block
honey` - our district has mandated Cunningham 4-blocks as our delivery system for language arts
g5 - i am just surprised - i guess when i go back to elementary school in NY they may be using the 4 blocks
honey` - it really isn't hard, gr, I just leave some of the more difficult stuff out... subs do well with the ssr and gr blocks, but they have trouble with words and writing, so i use writers workshop for writing when i am out, and i use words they know with a script for them to follow
gr3ral - yes i think it well used in the east
g5 - it maybe but it wasnt there a year ago
honey` - i am surprised by how this 4 blocks is taking root, a few months ago you couldn't find anything on it, now the net is full of stuff....
g5 - -well i am ready to learn - smile
honey` - gr, do you use month by months phonics for third grade?
honey` - there is a sample lesson for everything scripted out, so you can modify it and keep a couple on file for being out
gr3ral - This will be my first year to do 4 blocks on my on at my school
honey` - gr3, it takes awhile to get comfortable with it
gr3ral - I think i can i think i can do it
honey` - i started with modifying my guided reading, and added word block in.... then gradually changed my writing program and moved from free reading to SSR and over time found a mold that works for me
gr3ral - i have the book for for phonics i will use yes
honey` - if you start with month by month phonics for the word block it will guide you into it and you won't feel inundated with it.... just plan on a lot of "make and take"
gr3ral - thanks for your help honey
honey` - I am always doing big word stuff, words you know, rivet, covered word, thank goodness for computers
honey` - hiya ginn!
Ginn - The 4 Blocks Literacy program is new to me. Could someone give a brief explanation?
gr3ral - yes indeed honey thanks for comps
honey` - ginn, it is a method of teaching Language Arts that incorporates phonics, basal reading, trade texts, and writing.... the best of all the methods we have been using
gr3ral - go for it honey explain to Ginn
Ginn - It sounds very interesting. Tell me more!
gr3ral - It just makes sense to me 4 blocks
honey` - the la curric is broken down into 4 distinct blocks
honey` - one is writing, where you just don't assign writing, you teach it
gr3ral - go go honey keep on you are doing fien
honey` - you spend one day brainstorming, putting your ideas into boxes, i call it "brain drain" day
honey` - then next day you do your rough draft, "sloppy copy"
honey` - the third day you edit, "fixer upper day"
honey` - and the fourth day final draft, "neat sheet"
honey` - fifth day i use for free writing, drawing to go with the work, etc
gr3ral - honey you are doing a great job
honey` - the neat thing, is you are actually modeling and teaching.... focused writing
honey` - this week in summer school my thirds were working on "Chocolate"
honey` - spent day one with the boxes, making notes in one box about what chocolate looked and smelled like
Ginn - This sounds similiar to a program that is taking place in Arkansas called ELLA (Early Literacy Learning in Arkansas)
honey` - the second box had how it affected us
gr3ral - you do need to purchase the books that explain the program
honey` - the third box had notes on a short episode, story, incident where chocolate was involved...
Ginn - But they do not include as much writing as I would like. This sounds wonderful. Any good websites that I could look at?
honey` - the last box had a summary sentence
honey` - day 2 is spent putting those notes into a 3 paragraph descriptive
gr3ral - search teachers net and you will find
honey` - the thrid day is where i have to work my tush off, getting with each table and encouraging some cups editing... caps, understandable sentences, punctuation, spelling
honey` - then they write the final copy....
honey` - it helps to have training, but you can make it on the books
honey` - and that was a capsule of the writing block
Ginn - Thank you, you did a wonderful job of explaining.
honey` - the neat thing is there are very few worksheets to grade anymore......
honey` - gr, think we are the last ones left
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