Brandy - Hello, I am waiting for the 4 block chat, am I in the right place
laura1xt - Yes you are
Brandy - Great! This is the first time I have done this so I was hoping
laura1xt - This is my first time here too!
Brandy - How long have you done 4 block? This will be my first year.
laura1xt - This will be my first year too.
laura1xt - I've been reading the mailring and the chatboard, but haven't been able to purchase any of the books yet.
Brandy - I am in 2nd grade, I did 1st for 2 years.
Brandy - I hope you get them soon, there is a lot of material to read!
laura1xt - This is my 4th year teaching first, I taught 2nd for two years (a 1 and 2 combo)
laura1xt - yes, a lot of material, and a lot of money - thats my main problem
Dusty/2/PA - Hi everyone! I have taught using the 4 Blocks for 2 years. one in first and one in second.
laura1xt - Have you read the book "On Solid Ground"
Stacy/2/OH - hi all - this is year two of 4B - last year was GREAT!
Stacy/2/OH - Laura that book inspired me to ditch my teachers desk
Brandy - Hi Dusty, no I have not read that book. A good resource?
Dusty/2/PA - One of the books that helped me the most was Month by Month Phonics for the grade level. My whole word block came from ideas in it.
laura1xt - I've been reading alot about the four blocks guided reading, and then the guided reading in "On Solid Ground" and the shared reading.. I'm getting overwhelmed and confused
marcia/1st - Stacy, what did the book say that prompted you to get rid of your desk?
Stacy/2/OH - I really didn't like my HUGE desk - but she talked about how she didn't have one and she felt that it portrayed an equal grounding - not my territory type of control.
marcia/1st - Isn't Solid Ground about reading techniques or about teaching philosophies?
laura1xt - Is there a difference between four blocks guided reading and shared reading?
Lola - I was struggling with the desk question too, but really need a place for my computer and to do my work. I try to keep it accessible to my students.
Dusty/2/PA - Our school district bought guided readers to use in small groups. I find myself using my anthology to teach whole group and trying to do small flex groups with the readers.
marcia/1st - Laura, I think you can do shared reading during guided reading the 4 blocks way. There are many ways to carry it out.
Stacy/2/OH - hes - but she touches on room environment and how she adjusts student desks so they don't need chairs, they just sit on the floor with their desks low.
Dusty/2/PA - I really like having my desk..it keeps me organized. But I don't sit in it much during class time.
Stacy/2/OH - The book covers mainly reading, literacy, etc.. but touches on the other topics too
Lobster - Is there a reason she wouldn't want kids in chairs?
Lola - I don't spend much time at my desk either.
marcia/1st - Stacy, is the book mainly about reading or about allkinds of teaching techniques
marcia/1st - Oops, you answered already!
Stacy/2/OH - to be honest , I don't remember the exact reasoning for it off the top of my head
marcia/1st - I never spend any time at my desk and it is always a mess! Why, I should get rid of mine too
Lobster - Has anyone read Mosaic of Thought?
Lola - I anybody working with upper grades?
kam - Hi everyone! I'm thinking of how to set up my classroom this year and have a question. I teach first grade and we have desks. I'd like to switch to tables instead. Any thoughts?
Brandy - I want to, but haven't ordered it, $$$, of course
marcia/1st - I read Mosaic, Lobster. Absolutely loved it. Have read it 3 times
laura1xt - I've tried to get rid of my desk, but there is nowhere to put it, and my principal doesn't understand why I don't want it!
debv - I just got rid of my desk!! I use an instruction, kidney bean shaped table for everything.
Stacy/2/OH - I am converting to tables and not desks, no teachers desk, and rain gutters on the wall for bookshelves this year. I get these big ideas and never know how it'll turn out!
marcia/1st - kam, I taught kindergarten last year with tables and community supplies and loved it.
Lobster - I just read it this summer and I loved it, too, marcia
marcia/1st - I will be teaching 1st this year and want tables too, but don't want to rock a boat
Stacy/2/OH - Strategies that Work is a good book too
marcia/1st - Does anyone here teach with tables and community supplies? How does it go at your grade level?
debv - kam--really good stuff (or something like that ) has these pocket things the kids tuck over the back of their chairs to keep their things in-they're something like $36/6
kam - It seems like I'm always putting the desks into groups anyway. I will be rocking the boat which makes me nervous.
marcia/1st - Stacy, I liked Strategies also. Great appendices
marcia/1st - I just wonder about the community supplies. I don't know if the older kids don't like that idea
Lobster - a carpenter built table tops that connect four desks into a table. it works well because you can always take the top off and have desks again.
Lola - I used community pencils last year, but no other supplies. It eliminated the 'my pencil' argument.
Stacy/2/OH - deb have you tried those - I've seen those and the price is the best I've seen thus far, dealing with the kid's storage of "Stuff" is my concern now that I am converting to tables.
Missy - i teach 1st and want desks
Missy - just so that i can put them into the arrangements
Missy - L shaped , ect.
debv - I'm reading mosiac now--excellent.
Missy - we all want what we dont have
Missy - some kids work well with many table partners
Stacy/2/OH - LOL - Missy, how true!
kam - has amyone had trouble with behavior?
marcia/1st - Lola, what grade?
Brandy - I taught 1st last year and the tables got too cluttered
debv - question-how do you start the year with first graders and 4 blocks? They are still such Kindergarteners
Missy - some would be better with just 2 kids per table
Lola - seven next after four years in second.
Missy - just not sure what to do with these table!
Missy - cant arrange them.they're pretty much just there
Missy - *tables
Brandy - I'd like to know the same thing, debv, but with 2nd
marcia/1st - debv, I am going to treat them just like my kindergartners from last year! LOL
Missy - oh bear with me as far as capitilization
kam - how did you store their textbooks if you had tables?
Lola - Deb, have you read Month By Month Phonics For First Grade? It lays out how to begin the year.
Missy - im too ltired 2nite
Dusty/2/PA - deb- when I taught 1st we started the writing block with driting in their journal. A picture and a sentence or two (inventive spelling) I used the book Month by Month phonics and followed all of the suggestions in it for the word block.
Stacy/2/OH - Has anyone used 6 Trait writing in conjunction with the writing block. I'm giving it a whirl, but a little unsure.
Missy - kam i was thinkin about the chair pockets this year.since i dont have my desks
Chris - I teach 1st in SC
Lisa/2/NC - Deb -- start by doing the Class interviews from MxM and laying down ground rules and procedures for each of the four blocks
marcia/1st - Missy, where are you? Maybe you could trade with some of us who want tables?
Missy - my kids also have lockers..what a pain!
kam - I can't afford the pockets, any ideas?
debv - lola--yup--that's what I'm looking into; I take it I really don't use the 4 blocks per se at first, but it all melds together (I'm thinking of using "getting to know you"
Missy - lol..im in michigan...ship em my way
debv - What's MxM?
marcia/1st - Stacy, have you been trained in 6 traits?
Dusty/2/PA - kam- maybe one of your parents is good at sewing and would volunteer to make them.
Brandy - Lisa, same for 2nd grade?
Missy - hm kam....well i thougth about gettin a tray or magazine rack for each table
Lisa/2/NC - Stacy -- I have to use Write from the Start -- which is beginning to look like 6traits
laura1xt - Chair Pockets - Make them from the $1 Fabric rolls at Wal-Mart
Lola - MxM is Month By Month Phonics
Stacy/2/OH - kam - there are instructions on sewing them yourself that's available. All you have to buy is the material. I hear their easy - I'm not a sew - er so I don't know.
marcia/1st - Missy, where are you? I grew up in Mich
Lisa/2/NC - Brandy -- missed the question
Missy - having them store boooks in those
Missy - troy mich ..near detroit
Christy/1/Fl - Does anyone have any authors or book series they recommend for ssr?
Chris - How much fabric do you need for each?
Brandy - Lisa, beginning procedures in MxM for 2nd
Missy - i keep all folders like poetry, literacy, DEAR all those in tubs
debv - Lola-thanks! My brain is totally on overload thinking about EVERTYTHING I need to do
kam - sounds great! where do i get the directions?
Stacy/2/OH - I am going to 6 trait training - actually Write Source which is led by one of the original 6 Trait people in November
Lisa/2/NC - kind of.....I am looping with my 2nd graders but have 8 new additions so we are starting with interviews again -- to re-create the classroom
marcia/1st - Stacy, I am jealous. All of you people getting trained.
Stacy/2/OH - kam there were directions at readinglady.com - great site if you've not been there before
Missy - ok but one problem ..with those chair pockets..that im seriously looking into...is
flower - how do you find enough time?
Missy - chair stacking!! ahhhh
marcia/1st - There is a 6 trait training in Georgia or SC this November. Does anyone know if it pertains that much to K-2?
Chris - Lisa, have you ever looped before?
Lisa/2/NC - Marcia -- you can have the Write from the Beginning training I went to today
Missy - i know it...they will spill them..as this will drive me bananas
kam - stacy, thanks! i knew i saw them last year ont he ring but i can't find them now.
debv - Christy--towards the end of the year, or for 2nd grade--Junie B. Jones. They love it and they really connect with the author's style and character study if you read several!
Lisa/2/NC - Chris, I looped a couple of years ago when I taught in California
Chris - How did you like it??
marcia/1st - Lisa, was it that bad?
Stacy/2/OH -
Lisa/2/NC - Looping is wonderful with 4Blocks
Lisa/2/NC - I love to loop Marcia!
marcia/1st - I meant your training, Lisa! Your writing training.
Chris - I just finished a project for my grad course on looping...it was so interesting...we loop k-1..and i am interested
Stacy/2/OH - I enjoyed last year with 4B so much that amazingly I didn't want the year to end- first time ever!
Samantha - Looking for advise! I will be the only teacher teaching with four blocks in my school! This is my first year in first grade, and my first year in four blocks! I'm starting to get NERVOUS!
Missy - samantha why are you the only one?
Samantha - did everyone add a little at a time, or did you just jump right in?
marcia/1st - Samantha, I am the same as you-first, first , first!
kam - thankyou everyone for help!
Chris - Samantha, once you get into it...it is really smooth...i love 4blks
Samantha - only one willing to try something new!!!!
marcia/1st - Don't be nervous! Just teach using the structure. All it is a great structure. I think it will help us, rather than hinder us!
Lisa/2/NC - Samantha -- being a Lone Ranger can be scary -- but wonderful as your kids will just blossom! And the other teachers will want to know what you did differently
Lola - Samantha, I started with a bit the first year, then whole hog in year two. I love 4B and will miss it terribly in September.
laura1xt - How do you do guided reading with a group of childrern, half of whom are reading, and the other half not. Especially when you have a basal from the 70's! and NO sets of books (and no money to get any!)
Stacy/2/OH - I had a student teacher this year and her supervisor was so impressed how the kids just basically ran the class themselves with the 4B. This of course was towards the end of the year after they really knew the procedures.
Missy - ackk Laura
marcia/1st - I think the 4 blocks method isn't really different that much. SSR is like Reader's workshop, right?
Lola - Samantha, are you doing 4B in 7/8?
Samantha - I've focused so much on the reading, that I was very excited to see the e-mail ring start working with math ideas. Does anyone teach math the block way?
Samantha - Lola, no I'm moving to first!
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Laura- I did this for years. I used the four block method. I didn't level them and I used what I had. It worked.
Chris - Now...math would be interesting...
debv - Samantha--I was the only one too, and I had a friend in another building in our district doing it. My principal liked what he saw, asked me to do an in staff training (intro.) and it is catching on-18 coworkers went to a training workshop this summer--so be confident; enjoy your success that you will have, and take pride!
laura1xt - stephanie - what did you do for books for guided reading?
marcia/1st - I like the math discussion too!
Lisa/2/NC - Laura, having half a class reading and half not actually will work in Guided Reading....during partner reading, which you may want to do quite a bit for a while, you would pair a strong reader with a weaker reader -- train the stronger ones in coaching strategies as well as doing echo reading
Lobster - I have been reading some math blocks discussion on the list. are therre any books out on it yet?
Lisa/2/NC - hey Cece!
marcia/1st - Lob, I think we need to write the book!!
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Laura- I used the basal I had. It was ancient. I then subscribed to Weekly Reader. I also found poetry that would be on level or easier.
laura1xt - Lisa - Using what materials though?
Brandy - Third year teaching and excited about where my new district is going. Implementing the 4Block through 5th.
Cece/1/GA - Hey, Lisa, We started school today. Haven't you been going for awhile?
Stacy/2/OH - out of 6 second grade rooms in my building - 2 of us stuck to 4B, and interestingly enough we had more kids pass the 2nd grade off-grade proficiency test. Good be lucky, but it was interesting
Lobster - i'm game, marcia!
Lisa/2/NC - Laura -- you can use the basal -- that is what I primarily use during Guided Reading
Samantha - In first grade, how long will it take on the average for most students to be able to read primary books?
marcia/1st - Cece, did the teachers start today or the kids?
Lisa/2/NC - Cece -- you're right! We are about 2 weeks into our school year
Cece/1/GA - Kids! AUUGH! We did have a good day w/4Blocks!
laura1xt - Stephanie - Where did you find easy language poems? Most poems I find are too much for emergent readers - before they have very basic skills
marcia/1st - Oh, my gosh. When did the teachers start?
Chris - Samantha...all of mine were reading by Christmas or shortly after...but we also implement a phonics program w/ 4bs
Cece/1/GA - Samantha, you should start seeing kids reading within the first month!
Lisa/2/NC - Marcia -- my year started on July 9
Samantha - WOW!
marcia/1st - Lisa, are you year round then?
Cece/1/GA - Teachers began last week.
Chris - Lisa...are you on a year round sched?
Lisa/2/NC - yep! my district has about 10 schools that go on a year round schedule of 9 weeks in and 3 weeks off -- we had 6 weeks for the summer though
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Laura- I used Nursery Rhymes that they knew. I would chart them. I made some up. I thought they were rather dumb but the kids liked them. I would put them on a big chart and read them at the carpet like we were reading a big book. Some of them were Pocket Book Poems. I also got some from Aims Language Arts stuff. I will have to bring my book home. Some of them are rather easy.
Chris - did you like it?
Mel - Hello fellow teachers!
marcia/1st - Well, Cece, I only have two days left before I start. Maybe I should come visit your classroom!
Chris - have 12 schools in the state implementing year-round
Stephanie/2nd/GA - I would love year round!!
Cece/1/GA - I am in Dade County. About 2 hours from Atlanta. You are welcome to come visit!
laura1xt - Pocket book poems?
Lola - For those who have experience in both a year-round and a traditional school year... which do you find less of a burn out?
Chris - I would say we need more, but it is all about $
Lisa/2/NC - Chris -- for the most part I do like year round -- since I looped with my kids I started off fairly quickly -- I guess enough so, that when we had visitors from Maryland after 5 days of school, the visitors were impressed with what they could already do
marcia/1st - Question about the poetry. Should it be easy? Is the intent to help them learn sight words with it? A lot of the poems I see on the mailring are too difficult for 1st grade to read.
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Laura- Pocket Book uses stories that I would chop up and make into sentence strip charts.
Mae - Is this the 4B chat?
Chris - Lisa...do you find it hard to get the kids back into a routine
marcia/1st - I have some really easy poems from using with kindergarten last year. And the sentence strips and word cards are already made for them.
Lisa/2/NC - Lola -- both year round and traditional have its merits -- I do a few years of both alternating
Chris - after 3 weeks off
Cece/1/GA - Marcia, I think it should be easy.
Lola - Yes it is Mae.
Stacy/2/OH - Marcia I would say it would depend on why your using it - is it your 3 days on level reading, your 2 days lower level reading, are you doing shared reading, etc...
marcia/1st - Mae, this is a 4B chat. Hello
Lobster - I have used nursery rhymes and am always surprised how much the kids like them.
Cece/1/GA - Mae, Yes, it is.
Lola - Lisa, could you share some detail?
marcia/1st - Tell me what you are using for poetry right at the beginning, cece
Mae - Anyone here upper elementary?
Lisa/2/NC - Chris -- not at all! In fact, I had 8 newbies to the room and they have caught onto the routines fairly quickly -- and are doing so well in a new situation since they never did 4blocks before they came into my classroom
Lola - I am, seventh grade.
marcia/1st - good point Stacy. I was thinking of the two easier days for the poetry, but I see what you are saying. I might choose to use poetry for on level days too
Cece/1/GA - Well, actually, I am not using poetry yet. I am doing shared reading (Ugly Duckling big book) and using our stories from the words block for reading.
Chris - have your new students adjusted to the group
Mae - Hi Lola! Are you already using 4B?
marcia/1st - Cece, when will you start poetry
Lola - I was for the past two years, but in primary. I am moving to 7 in September. I don't know if 4B will work.
Cece/1/GA - I probably won't for a few weeks. I am thinking of using a predictable chart next week. Maybe 'my name is' or 'I like the color'
Chris - Lisa...where in NC do you teach?
Mae - I'm doing it w/4th.
Lisa/2/NC - Lola -- I went over routines and procedures of each of the four blocks from the first day -- being very explicit about how I wanted them to do things --- the loopers were actually the hardest ones since they thought they knew everything -- they were very helpful mostly but had some problems when I changed procedures
Chris - I am in upstate SC
Lisa/2/NC - Chris -- I'm in Winston-Salem, home of the 4Blocks
marcia/1st - Ooh, Cece. I might need some help. I was going to start off way too hard then!
Lola - I have heard it works well in 4. Has anyone tried it in 7/8?
laura1xt - Hi - I missed the Pocket Poems - my server disconected me
Brandy - Lisa, any help with the routines and procedures for 2nd would be great.
Cece/1/GA - Yes, that's the mistake I made last year. I thought I would slow it down a bit this year. Those little strugglers need extra support at first.
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Lola- I have heard of Four Blocks in 7-8. Here in town we have some teachers that have modified it to fit their High School Curriculum.
Stacy/2/OH - a place with multiple stories that can be personalized or made uniform and read together is the searsportrait.com site. They have a section called something like story creations with lots of choices. Print off computer, copy, and there's a story to use in guided reading
Lola - Bye everyone.
Lisa/2/NC - Brandy -- can I email them to you?
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Laura- I sent you an email.
Brandy - Lisa, I would LOVE that!!!!!
laura1xt - does it cost anything?
laura1xt - thanks!
Stacy/2/OH - no it's completely free
Marcia/Ca - Hi everyone I finally made it!
Lisa/2/NC - Brandy -- I'll write them out and send them to you
Cece/1/GA - Hi marcia/CA
Brandy - Are you saying the pocket book poetry is free? Or did I miss something?
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Pocket book isn't free. I ended up with what I have because a teacher retired.
chris - what is pocket book?
Cece/1/GA - Have you guys seen the steck-vaughn books 'Another Point of View'? It tells fairy tales from the other viewpoint.
Marcia1st - no, Cece, are they good?
Cece/1/GA - I plan to use these this year for GR. (As a shared reading). One that is really cute is _Help Yourself, Little Red Hen_ It is told from the viewpoint of the other animals. They are trying to teach the LRH to do things for herself.
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Pocket book is a collection of activities you can use with familiar stories and rhymes. Such as There Was an Old Lady that Swallowed a Fly. I would take the sentence strip ideas and change them to fit my students. I would then have a "poem" based on a story they already knew.
Stacy/2/OH - is anyone going to the August Leadership Conference?
Lisa/2/NC - Cece, Steck vaughn's Pair-it books are wonderful -- so I'd imagine these ones are just as good
Marcia1st - Ooh, I love Little Red Hen,. Like it for the beginning of the year. Everybody do their jobs and all of that...
Lisa/2/NC - Stacy -- I'll be there! Doing registration and even leading a session or two
Marcia1st - Cece, what reading series does your school use? Do you follow the basal or find your own reading materials?
Stacy/2/OH - Great Lisa - I am SO looking forward to it!
Cece/1/GA - It is so cute. They keep telling LRH, Good for you! You planted the wheat all by yourself! There is one for 3 Bears... Bears Should Share.
Stephanie/2nd/GA - I would love to be going somewhere. I am having a not so good mommy day.
Marcia/Ca - and I am jealous....Ca is toooooo far...
Cece/1/GA - We use Harcourt. I do both, use the best basal stories, and find other things I like.
Lisa/2/NC - Stacy -- it'll be great -- there will be sessions for newbies and those who are veterans in 4blocks
Marcia1st - Stephanie, where are you in GA?
Brandy - Anybody do scholastic reading series?
Stacy/2/OH - Stephanie maybe it's in the air - my 3 year has been a little devil the last two days!
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Columbus
Marcia1st - Which Harcourt-is it Signatures? That is what our school uses.
Cece/1/GA - I wish I was right next door like Lisa. I have to save my change for Leadership. Twice a year is just too much!
Stephanie/2nd/GA - We use Signatures as well.
Stacy/2/OH - Good Lisa - I have heard so many of the newbies - that I really want to get more indepth.
Cece/1/GA - I think so. Our first story is "Clap your Hands"
Lisa/2/NC - Stacy -- my principal, who just loves 4Blocks, has found inservice monies to send 19 of the teachers at my school to the 4Blocks conference
Marcia/Ca - and I am jealous....Ca is toooooo far...
Marcia1st - Ooh, Stephanie, I wish you taught first. Oh, yes Cece, that is Signatures. great!
Stephanie/2nd/GA - CeCe- I remember that story. I sometimes miss first grade.
Stacy/2/OH - wow - I thought 6 of us going was good!
bonbon - Lisa, when and where is the 4 blocks conference?
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Marcia- I taught first for four years.
Cece/1/GA - Stephanie, how long have you been in 2nd?
Lisa/2/NC - Cece -- well this year's Leadership I plan on staying at the hotel with everyone -- living in the same town is nice -- but I missed so much of the fun!
Stephanie/2nd/GA - This is my second year
Cece/1/GA - True, Lisa, it is hard to drive home so late! Those True Stories can't be missed
Lisa/2/NC - Bonbon -- the one on August 25 is totally full -- but Pat and Dottie do a repeat in February -- here in Winston-Salem
Lisa/2/NC - you mean the "true" True Stories
Cece/1/GA - Stephanie, I moved from 2nd to 1st. Today I really missed those kids from last year!
Marcia1st - Good, I may need help with the 4 blocks and the reading series. Trying to wade through the T. ed
Stacy/2/OH - Lisa what is the difference between this one and the winter one?
Stephanie/2nd/GA - CeCe- There really is a big difference between first graders and second.
Cece/1/GA - Yes, Lisa, Joe sent me an email reminder of those stories this week. He is such a hoot!
bonbon - Lisa, how do I get some info. on the Feb. conference?
Lisa/2/NC - nothing at all Stacy -- they just do a repeat since they can only have about 225 teachers at one workshop
Marcia/Ca - what series? there is a good HM and four blocks list
Cece/1/GA - Marcia, I pay little or no attention to the T. ed.
Cece/1/GA - Oh yes, Stephanie! You forget what hard work it is just to train those little guys!
Marcia1st - that's good. I probably won't either
Stephanie/2nd/GA - Marcia1st- I can get a hold of a 1st T-Ed if I need to. My mother teaches first. She is beginning to use some of the Four Blocks but not all. I am working on her.
Lisa/2/NC - Pat and Dottie will have the February application on their website sometime in September after Wake Forest Univ comes back -- http://www.wfu.edu/~cunningh/fourblocks -- it's $100 for one day
Stacy/2/OH - good - I know that there won't be money by Feb for inservices, so this is our shot at the beginning of the year. Someone had told me the winter one was for more advanced 4B's and this was a general one. Gald to hear that's not true!
Marcia1st - Keep working on her Stephanie. I haven't even used 4B yet and I am a huge proponent!
Stephanie/2nd/GA - CeCe- I didn't use it much either. I used it more to refresh myself on the story.
Lisa/2/NC - Cece -- he's coming down for the August conference
Cece/1/GA - Stacy, have you heard Pat or Dottie speak?
Stacy/2/OH - 4B changed my classroom, my attitude, my teaching style and made me LOVE what I was doing last year.
Stephanie/2nd/GA - White Out again. We must be in a blizzard.
bonbon - Thank you very much, Lisa!
Stacy/2/OH - I've heard Jim, Cheryl, and Dottie, but not Pat
Lisa/2/NC - Stacy -- what you probably heard about was Leadership Conference -- that's in January over the MLK holiday weekend -- for those who are leaders in their schools or districts
Stacy/2/OH - so what's the main differences?
Cece - Lisa, tell Joe I caught a glimpse of Jimmy Lee today and it brought a tear to my eye
Marcia1st - Stacy, that is soo good to hear. It seems like 4blocks simplifies teaching. Am I right?
laura1st - Does this happen in all the chats on this site?
lobster - pitbull, have you read craft lessons?
Cece - Jim is so GREAT! I love Dottie, and Pat can give you something new every time I hear her. I've only heard Cheryl talk about staff development.
Stephanie/2nd/GA - I hate to go so early. Being Mommy doesn't end when we sit down at the computer. :o I look forward to chatting again.
Lisa/2/NC - Stacy -- the Leadership Conference is for 3 days -- gets very in depth about all sorts of details -- that's why it's for those teachers/administrators who are in leadership roles back in their schools or districts so they can go back and train their teachers
Marcia/Ca - I don't think teachers.net is having a good day....
Stacy/2/OH - Definately, and the class almost runs itself once the procedures are in place - I learned a ton more about my students because I had more time to really watch them
Cece - See ya, Stephanie!
Cece - Yes, Stacy, that is so true! You really get to know your kids with 4 Blocks!
Marcia/Ca - I was so thrilled with the growth my kids made this year..
Marcia1st - bye Stephanie
Marcia1st - It was great talking with you
Stacy/2/OH - I have been the main full fledged 4B-er at my school, and I would love to get into a leadership role with 4B, I belive in it wholeheartedly and it excites me
Brandy - Has anyone used Ideas and Insights? I have it from college and just pulled it off of the shelf thinking it might be similar to Craft Lessons
Lisa/2/NC - Stacy -- you might see if your principal would send you so that you can come back to train the others at your school
pitbull - Yes, I have read craft lessons and my dear friend told me about non-fiction craft lessons. That's my next read.
Cece - Stacy, it has really spread through our school, and not been mandated! The teachers are just beginning to get interested.
Marcia/Ca - our whole school adopted four blocks this year. I was a new hire because of my four blocks training...some were open to new ideas..others weren't given a choice.
Marcia1st - Pitbull, would you recommend craft lessons? I have bought so many books about writing already
Stacy/2/OH - I may be pushing my luck...but then again I always do! I'll look forward to seeing and maybe hearing you speak Aug 25th!
Stacy/2/OH - So there's ope Cece!
Cece - It's always better when teachers can buy in. I know those who are forced probably won't give it a chance.
Stacy/2/OH - I mean hope
Cece - Oh yes, Stacy. I've done 2 workshops at my school, and they want another this fall!
Lisa/2/NC - Our school is heading into 4blocks -- surprising to me because when I moved from CA to NC, I would have sworn that everyone did 4Blocks -- but funny thing is, I'm the one leading it at my school (which is just a few miles away from Clemmons Elementary)
Stacy/2/OH - congrats Cece on making it so successful!
Lisa/2/NC - Cece -- it looks like I'm going to doing some workshops at my school as well this year! My teachers really want some concrete examples versus going to the workshop and then trying to figure out how to put it altogether
Cece - Well, they are really getting excited about using it! Our 3rd grade is really on the ball with it!
Marcia1st - Cece, who is the person in the Atlanta area that uses 4 blocks? I never heard anyone speak of it before I saw it on internet
laura1st - Does anyone here live in South Texas?
Cece - Right. Lisa. We have decided to meet every 2 weeks on a different block, and try strategies in the mean time.
Cece - Marcia, I think there may be some schools. I've done a workshop in Paulding County (Hiram). Have you read True Stories? Patrick Young is in Marietta, and he uses it in first.
bonbon - My mother(she teaches in Wyoming) suggested I try using the 4 blocks system. She said all the first grade teachers at her school use it. I am going to try it.
Lisa/2/NC - Cece -- I think that's kind of how I'm going to structure it
pitbull - Yes, Marcia. I can't recommend it enough. After I read it last year I emailed the whole staff raving about it. It's in our professional library now and has been borrowed a lot. I'm looking forward to reading the nonfiction edition.e four blocks
Stacy/2/OH - Thanks for the chat all - good luck with 4B!
bonbon - Anyone have any suggestions on how to successfully begin using the 4 blocks system? I need all the help I can get!
lobster - The SV books that were mentioned earlier-ANother Point of View-what level are they written for?
Cece - bonbon, you might want to start with one block at a time. Which would you feel most comfortable with?
Marcia/Ca - start where you are most comfortable...
Cece - lobster, they are above first grade level, so I will share them aloud and then we will look at the comprehension skills.
bonbon - My students will be quite low, as I volunteered to take all the low students this year.
Cece - bonbon, you are a brave soul!
lobster - cece, do you usually do them with the real book to make comparisons?
Lisa/2/NC - after a full day of sitting through a very boring workshop and an early morning meeting, I'd better say good night to everyone!
bonbon - I taught Kindergarten for 10 years prior to moving to first.
Cece - Yes, lobster! That is it exactly. And then I may use it as a springboard in writing.
garf/sped/ga - I think I am going to start with the reading block
Cece - garf, SSR or Guided?
garf/sped/ga - It has to be guided my students are low
Cece - garf,Are they older students?
garf/sped/ga - oh yes
garf/sped/ga - one in 6th and the other is going into 8th
Cece - So predictable charts would be too baby for them?
garf/sped/ga - actually, I am going to use some emergent literacy materials with them.
bonbon - I have to go, my lawn is drowning! Bye!
bonbon - Thanks for the chat!
Cece - garf, what about arranging for them to buddy read with K kids? You could get them to practice easy books, but with a purpose.
garf/sped/ga - that would not work, these two students have no speech
Cece - oh, okay. That is a tough situation!
garf/sped/ga - and anyway they are in wheelchairs and the elementary school is down the road
garf/sped/ga - that is why I am thinking about using some books on their level as guided reading
Cece - That would be a problem!
Cece - Definitely a great idea!
Kellie1st - Hi, thought I would check and see if anyone was still here.
Cece - Predictable charts might work as well.
garf/sped/ga - functional. Then, I would have the vocabulary from these stories put on their communication devices
Cece - Predictable charts might work as well.
garf/sped/ga - I really would like to get my hands on the Modifying the Block book
garf/sped/ga - How do I get or make those predictable charts?
Cece - Modifying really has advanced material for older students. It would probably be too high a level.
Cece - Dottie and Elaine wrote a book. It's not too difficult.
garf/sped/ga - OIC, do you suggest I use the beginning book and then just use functional materials?
Kellie1st - There's a book, I think Carson--that is called "Using Predictable Charts"
Kellie1st - I have it at school==I used it towards the end of the year
Cece - You might do better to get the Kindergarten Building blocks materials
garf/sped/ga - I have a book that I got today that I was going to blow up for them and I figured we could use that for guided reading
garf/sped/ga - we could then use the symbols and put those on the their communication devices
Cece - That would work. Predictable, repetitive books (like Brown Bear) would be good.
garf/sped/ga - Bot of these students are moderately intellectually disabled
garf/sped/ga - those books would be inappropriate
nan - garf, what age are these students?
garf/sped/ga - this book I got today has predictable stories, but they are functional
nan - have you looked at the Edmark material?
garf/sped/ga - the girl is 15(8th gråde) and the boy is 12(6th grade)
nan - Hi, I had company and I didn't think they would ever leave. LOl!!
Cece - What do you mean by functional?
garf/sped/ga - yes, we will be using the Edmark Functional word lists
garf/sped/ga - and I am trying to get my hands on the PCI sight words
nan - Edmark has a really good functional vocabulary material, I used it with my life skills class
Cece - So will the functional words be your word wall?
garf/sped/ga - meaning words/stories that relate to skills needed in the real world, non academic
garf/sped/ga - I think so
garf/sped/ga - for these two students
nan - Everyone, I put the math word wall words on mysite tonight
garf/sped/ga - I am going to have two or three others who will be resource
nan - That is what Edmark has, grocery words, restaurant, hospital, school words etc.
garf/sped/ga - yes, I am very familar with that program
garf/sped/ga - I have used with other students with MOID, and students who are visually impaired and lower functioning, not intellectually disabled
Cece - Grolier has some nonfiction books at easy level about community workers, etc. They have great pictures, and easy text. Could you use something like that?
Kellie1st - Nan, what's your web address?
nan - Those words would be useful for all of your students
garf/sped/ga - yes, possibly
nan - www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/gipsy/41
garf/sped/ga - nan, not appropriate for academic students, but appropriate for MOID, that is used in the MOID classes in my system
nan - I used a series from Steck Vaughan that had stories about real life.
garf/sped/ga - I am familar with those books too
nan - You will be surprised how many of those words the other kids will not know
garf/sped/ga - I used those a couple of years ago with a couple of blind students
garf/sped/ga - those books would NOT be appropriate for these two students
garf/sped/ga - I am not sure of either of their reading levels or if they can read
Cece - Hey, garf, I got an email tonight saying that Karen Erikson and David Koppenhaver are working on a 4 Blocks book for students with disabilities.
nan - I had my really low kids do them for reading and then my whole class did them too, so the low kids got a double dose
garf/sped/ga - they probably know some sight words, the girl I think she can do that
nan - I meant the Edmark words not the stories
garf/sped/ga - the boy is also visually impaired and I believe lower than her
garf/sped/ga - cool, about the book by Erikson and Koppenhaver, they do a lot with aug communication
garf/sped/ga - the girl may be able to handle the Edmark words, I am not sure abou tthe boy, I hear he is borderline severe intellectually disabled
nan - I had a program from the University of Kansas that used simple recipe flip cards to teach reading and writing. send me your email and I will try to find the link. It was something you could download and make
Cece - I think they did a session at Leadership a couple of years ago
garf/sped/ga - actually I am not supposed to have students that low
nan - I just posted the math words in an email to the mailring
Cece - Goodnight, guys! School comes early tomorrow!
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