Teachers.Net - Archives - 4-Blocks Literacy Model

Christina 2/3 - I think I will try to do only two blocks a day but....
Kathleen - Cheryl Sigmon's articles for Implementing the 4-Blocks Literacy Model: http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/column.html
Barb/3/PA - Connie--Yes it does, but that is not the main focus, basically tells how to use blocks to help every student become a reader.
Christina 2/3 - tina, with your suggestion how would I fit in the other blocks?
Barb/3/PA - Has anyone used the book Guided Reading by Fountas and Pinnell, if so, would you recommend it?
Kathleen - Sign up for the 4-Blocks mailring (and many others, all free) http://teachers.net/mailrings
broph - yes, I would recommend the Guided Reading
Lisa/3/MO - my school has to improve the reading skills of our students...i am having trouble doing the 4 blocks and giving them the ono-to-one or small group time they need... i do three-ring circus..and flexible grouping...any suggestions?
Tina3FL - Christina, Do you have 90 minutes total for 2 and 3?
tyylee - Barb, that book is widely used here for info on Literacy Groups
kellie - I am using the Guided Reading book. I like it so far, but I'm new to it.
broph - It is very dry reading, but it gives some good structure ideas especially for kinder and first
Sue - I am interested in starting 4 block but I have to do several workbooks for reading and they take up quite a bit of time in my day.
Theresa - We have been very successful using a 140 min. for 4-block.
kellie - Does anyone have some good BASIC info for conducting a lesson in Guided Reading?
aggie/1/ca - Sue--- can you send home some of the workbook pages as homework?
Kim - I need some help with the writing block. I have been doing mini lessons with gr. 1 students. I am just trying to get them to write one or two sentences. They seem so unfocused even though I model, then have them write, go around and see how they are doing, and then we share. Is this normal for gr. 1 at this time of the year?
first year 2nd - I agree with lisa, I don't think that the 4- blocks is giving the students enough 1-to-1 or small group time. I want to hear all of my students read every day. What do you think?
Sue - No, I need them to get number grades for my report cards.
Theresa - All four blocks are addressed daily. Timing is everything.
aggie/1/ca - Kim-- if I can get my first graders to write ONE WORD I'm thrilled! You must have a very high group!
aggie/1/ca - first year-- you can hear student's read during SSR time.
Kathleen - kellie, also check the Archives after this meeting for transcripts of past sessions. you'll find information there (just click on "archive" over in the left frame then scroll to the 4-Blocks section. Also, read Cheryl's articles (after the meeting :-) http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/column.html
Tina3FL - Kim, I have a friend doing 4 blocks in 1st and sounds like you are in about the same place with writing
MIMI - I try to do all 4 blocks each day and it is a trick to do it all. The children love the word block and word wall. Today we did echo reading and it was a hit.
Kim - Not everyone is into sentences. I have a few who are making marks on paper. It is not driting.
mosey - use a timer to stick with all four blocks
kellie - I am new to 1st grade this year. It's nice to know I'm in about the "right" place for 1st grade.
aggie/1/ca - MIMI--- I'm having a hard time fitting it all in, too. I think it will be easier once I have all the "student of the day" interviews done.
Lisa/3/MO - for this year i can only do 3 of the 4 blocks...the working with words is done by another teacher.....uses the Sitton Spelling Progam...could this be a problem
Theresa - Month by month phonics for your specific grade is a great resource if you are just beginning.
broph - Kim have you done any shared writing? We are seeing great things with our kindergarten and first grades .
Tina3FL - mosey, I have found a timer very helpful. I tend to go on too much.
broph - I have tried to put shared writing into my working with words block on mornings that we do morning message.
mosey - there is also a newteacher's guide to four blocks book out, and it is wonderful
kellie - mosey, do you know what the title is?
Tina3FL - my biggest problem is giving the kids time to share in writing and ssr
mosey - It is called the teacher's guide to four blocks. This is the book that has three authors
Lisa/3/MO - also..i am interested in setting up a 4 block classroom as a pilot program for my school next year....the observations and results of the program will be used in my thesis paper..any suggestions for selling the program to my principal and schoolboard..and parents
mosey - the author's are cunningham, dottie hall, and cheryl sigmon
Tina3FL - Start by having your principal read Classrooms that Work and the information in the back about the 4 blocks framework
mosey - lisa, it might be best to buy the four blocks video to show your principal
Barb/4/CA - I've gotten books from Cunningham before--excellent!
Lisa/3/MO - okay..how do you get the parents to support the program
aggie/1/ca - Is anyone here going to see Pat Cunningham this month in Ontario, CA?
mosey - i send them a fact sheet about the program send me an e-mail and i will send it to you. my e-mail is madorsey@bellsouth.net
Kathleen - you can e-mail appnacorns@aol.com for the 4-Blocks (and Building Blocks videos) at $35 each plus $3.95 shipping and for all the 4 Blocks books as well.
Tina3FL - I lent my copy of Classrooms that Work and downloaded some of Cheryl's articles at teacher.net and any other info from Month by Month phonics and Implementing the 4 block. My principal attended training with me last summer.
aggie/1/ca - Barb-- it's published by Carson Dellosa and you can order it online from Apples 'n Acorns.
Barb/4/CA - Aggie, when and what will she be presenting? Haven't seen a thing about it in the teachers lounge.
aggie/1/ca - Barb- she will be in Anaheim on Oct. 14 and in Ontario on the 13th. She'll be speaking on the 4 Blocks. You can get info at ceea.org
Lisa/3/MO - to people who are 4 block veterans...what advice would you give to teachers just starting with 4 block?
Tina3FL - Go one block at a time
MIMI - I have thought of ordering the 4 blocks video . If anyone has it do you think it is thorough and a good representation of the model?
Kathleen - Classrooms that Work, They Can All Read and Write by Cunningham and Allington: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321013395/teachersnet/
mosey - get all the books and read, read the articles, post all questions on four block mailring, join the four blocks mailring, and you will have many tips and wonderful information to help you out
aggie/1/ca - MIMI--the video is GREAT! If you can afford it, get it.
JA/IN - Hi...I am a 4 block facilitator...
Kathleen - The sponsor of this session is TeachMe2.com, they carry 4-Blocks books, materials (you can click on their graphic in the left frame after the meeting to check them out :-)
JA/IN - I would suggest reading the articles about the studies...the last one was in May 1998...Reading Teacher
mosey - ja/in what is the name of the new teacher's guide book with cherly sigmon, dottie hall, and cunningham
MIMI - I hope to get to Connecticut in Nov. for a workshop with Cheryl. Is anyone else going to it?
Lisa/3/MO - does anyone know how to get a hold of the original study done by cunningham?
Kathleen - Barb, this is the 4-Block http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/ Center here at Teachers.Net:
Lisa/3/MO - Ja..what's a 4 block facilitator?
JA/IN - It is called The Teacher's Guide to the Four Blocks...Carson-Dellosa ISBN 0-88724-494-7
Kathleen - Mimi, I MIGHT drop by the Conn. workshop on Nov 13 (Cheryl Sigmon is presenting)
mosey - thank you that is what i thought
JA/IN - I facilitate the program for our school....I model for the teachers...see that they have the materials they need...give in-services after school...just help them in anyway to make it easier for them to implement the blocks
Sue - What is the 3 ring circus?
Marcia/Ca - Three ring circus is having more than three different modes of reading going on in the classroom. Paired reading , individual, and a group with the teacher.
Lisa/3/MO - I think that's what we all need.. someone to model and give immediate help or feedback
Lisa/3/MO - HAS anyone seen a copy of cunningham's original RESEARCH PAPER on the 4 block????? or know where it can be obtained?
Kathleen - Lisa, have you looked on Pat's web site?
JS/2OH - This is my first year with 4 blocks and the planning is killing me! I feel like I have no life--how do you find the time?
Lisa/3/MO - JS>..do you have some lesson plan forms from the 4 block board/ they help
JA/IN - I have looked on her web site and have not seen the paper...need more information...Please
Lisa/3/MO - there is a summary of the paper..i need to see the unabridged version..Kathleen
peaches - Does anyone implement FROG in your school?
JA/IN - peaches...we have literacy groups
JS/2OH - I do have plan sheets that I made that help. It's finding all the materials and pulling it all together that take me so long.
Tina3FL - I've found the teacher's guide to 4 blocks helpful in my planning
Marcia/Ca - The teachers guide is the most helpful and the best place to start. It explains all the different activities. You then would get the grade level month by month book...that is the best place to start.
Kathleen - Pat Cunningham's web site: http://www.wfu.edu/~cunningh/fourblocks/
peaches - How are your literacy groups organized? What grade?
Lisa/3/MO - How is 4 block performance-based.....big term in our state
Lisa/3/MO - JS>..if this is your first year..it will take longer...by next year it will be easier
Barb/4/CA - I own nothing on four blocks--I'm just getting started.
JS/2OH - I have the books and they are a help. I pull Science and SS into the blocks so I don't have to do sep. plans for those.
JA/IN - peaches...we have literacy groups in grades 1, 2, and 3....they meet each day for 30 minutes....the teacher and two instructional assistants each meet with small groups....
Kathleen - People, which book title do you suggest for Barb just starting out, owning no 4-Blocks books yet?
Tina3FL - Sounds like you are doing a great job, JS
JS/2OH - Thanks Lisa. This is my first year and actually I have 4 other teachers for support.
Lisa/3/MO - The Teacher's Guide to the Four Blocks!!!!!!!
Lisa/3/MO - your lucky JS>.this is my first year too..and i'm the only teacher doing it in my building
Barb/3/PA - Barbara--I would recommend reading Classrooms that Work and get the Month by Month Phonics for your grade. That's what I started with.
Cosmos - Does anyone have a list of first grade comprehension strategies to use for guided reading block?
JS/2OH - I would be lost doing this by myself, Lisa. I think maybe we are trying to do too much too fast. I don't feel like I have time to do anything extra if it doesn't "fit" into a block!!
mosey - i love the word and writing block
Barb/3/PA - Time is my biggest problem, never enough of it. I know some say use a timer, but if I am not finished with a guided reading lesson, I am not going to stop in the middle of it.
mosey - my children started off writing with no sentences and now with all the modeling they are actually writing paragraphs in second grade
JA/IN - in the first year of school wide implementation...our scores on state testing moved off the bottom in our corporation
Tina3FL - I have seen kids really get turned on to writing and have noticed a jump in using the high frequency words spelled correctly.
Lisa/3/MO - it seems like it's easier to implement the writing and word portion than the guided reading
mosey - i am amazed at how fast they are learning to spell and use these big words
Tina3FL - My students are reading a wide variety of reading materials and work very well together.
Lisa/3/MO - Paulie...what are some of your experiences with 4 block...good or bad
Tina3FL - I have noticed that the students look forward to working with words and seem to think it is fun
JA/IN - i think every aspect of our school is improving from teachers working together and being excited to students enjoying school
Tina3FL - I've had the luxury of seeing a group go from 2nd to 3rd by looping grade levels
kellie - I'm having a difficult time trying to get my 1st graders writing. Maybe it's too early in the year.?
JA/IN - Paulie....look into the Building Blocks program....There is a video on that too.
Lisa/3/MO - the most successful portion for me has been the SSR.....gives a purpose for reading....the students actually read without a fuss and the different reading tactics in the guided reading..like echo..paired..shared....
goldilocks - the hardest thing for me has been providing instruction to my struggling readers
Tina3FL - Kellie, my friend who teaches 1st grade has been having the kids in her class try to write at least 3 sentences for a story with beginning, middle and end
peaches - The teachers in our schools were given the 4 Blocks book. We all were involved in staff development to revisit the 4 blocks.
Barb/3/PA - peaches, which 4 blocks book are you referring to?
megzarooni - The blocks are going ok except guided reading im pretty uncomfortable there i teach 2nd any advice anyone .. Im real comfortable in the word and writing block
Froggie - I am just beginning to teach the 4 block and it is very intimidating. What block do you suggest perfecting first?
Tina3FL - megzarooni, Cheryl told us in a workshop this summer to remember to only teach comprehension skill in GR
Meg - Does anyone feel that gifted children get very bored during guided reading, especially with repeated readings? Any suggestions?
Tina3FL - Froggie, the one you are most comfortable with.
Tina3FL - Meg, Let them read independently somewhere else in the room or buddy up with another student with higher ability
Froggie - Do you find that at risk children really benefit from this program and learn to read without small group instruction?
peaches - Meg, we have a high percentage of gifted children in our school. We are trying to implement a research component in post reading to complement the guided reading.
Meg - I know they are supposed to stay on grade level during gr. How about putting the gifted kids above grade level? Totally Taboo?
Tina3FL - No way Meg. That's fine
Meg - Research is a great idea Peaches. Thanks1
Froggie - I also have a language arts program that has to be implemented into the 4block. It's hard to get in all the components.
Jennifer - Meg, have them read the same material, but give them related reading to work on when they're done (at grade level or above). Then they can add to the discussion (summarize, extend, etc.)
Tina3FL - Got to go for now, Good luck all you 4 blockers!