tj - I want some suggestions on organizing the writing block.
jr - What grade are you tj?
tj - 2nd
jr - Any ideas gang?
Jenny - I always use a timer for my blocks, and that really helps me stay on time and task.
jr - How long do you do the timer Jenny?
Jenny - I try for no more than 30 minutes a block, but sometimes reading just takes a little bit longer!!!
Miss Spider - I need to start using a timer also.
jr - What about writing -- I have a hard time just cutting the kids off.
tj - My problem is that they are all wanting to publish at the same time and I obviously can't see them all in one day! We have done mini lessons on editing, but I am just not ready to let them go yet
REI - Jenny....I use the timer also. Infact, most of the teachers in my building use a timer to keep them on task.
REI - tj...are they wanting to publish everything they have written?
Jenny - In writing, I tell them ahead of time, "You can write for 17 minutes, and when the timer goes off, bring your notebooks to the carpet for sharing". They seem to accept that.
tj - well--our principal really wants to see something published once a week--the kids are so excited they want to publish
Hoarse - my kids want to goof off in writing. especially if like we've done a focused writing and they are finished with that, they need to write on their own projects, but they won't
cheri - Do you have kids who want to write longer than the time in the block? I have several kids who do.
tj - I have kids who take their notebooks outside at recess--I let them!!!!
Jenny - I struggle with publishing as well. I think I'm hung up on the fact that it must be perfect before publishing. I need to slow down and just concentrate on two or so things at once before publishing.
REI - tj....typically, kids write 3-5 "good" pieces and then select one of those for publishing. It is unrealistic that a child should publish every week.
Miss Spider - Some of my kids want to keep writing.
Miss Spider - They always ask if they can take it home to work on.
Jenny - When my kids complain that they want to write more, I just remind them that they will get a chance to write at least once a day everday!
cheri - Yes, I have kids who want to write during free time, which we have rarely because I struggle to get everything into our day.
cheri - When do you have kids publish?
tj - is there a standard amount of writing a child should be writing at this time of the year in 2nd grade--I mean should they be writing 3-5 sentences or 1-2 pages?
Jenny - The children have a journal which is separate from their writing notebook, so that is what they write in on their free time.
Miss Spider - It's great to have kids begging to write.
Jenny - j--I have the same question.
cheri - I was thinking it depends on the group, MIss Spider. My kids are starting two paragraphs or more now. they are a very capable group.
REI - Cheri....depends on what my kids are working on. Right now, I have about a third of my class at some point of publishing. The rest are either beginning new stories or are in the middle of current stories. I do a "Status of the Class" every day to kind of keep on top of what everyone is doing.
tj - My kids are loving the first, then, next, after that,paragraphs...I am having a hard time getting them to write in different way --lol
Jenny - I have some kids who want to write really long stories, but cannot handle that amount of editing, so I'm trying to model 1 good paragraph a day for them.
Miss Spider - I am trying to get my kids to write stories for a book we are publishing for Christmas.
Miss Spider - I am really trying to get my kids to develop their settings and characters.
REI - Miss Spider...what grade?
Jenny - We wrote mystery stories for a contest and it was a major undertaking. I came out with about only 3 stories that truly had a mystery element to them. I think I'll wait until later in the year before I start anything like that again!
tj - Oh I would love ideas for christmas...any unique ideas?
Jenny - i have second grade, by the way!!
Miss Spider - Third grade.
tj - ouch--jenny--I bet you did a lot pulling your hair on that one...eek!
et - would anyone be able tp talk a littlebit about the working with words block
cheri - I have some work to do on organizing for myself who is doing what. I'm in second grade also. first year of second and first year of 4 blocks
Jenny - we do focused writing once every week and a half (or so) to write to our pen pals. Let me tell you, my kids can write friendly letters so well now!
Miss Spider - Do you have a specific question about the word block?
Jenny - Sure, we can talk about words!!
tj - jenny...I bet you pulled your hair out on that one..I couldn't imagine what mine would write...Who put the booger on the wall?? Is what I would see
et - how long do you work with words each day--word wall and making words
cheri - Jenny, we do a letter home to parents every Friday to share our week with them. Same with my kids. they are very good with friendly letters. We also have penpals who we are just finishing our first letters to.
Miss Spider - I do 30 minutes a day.
Jenny - They often described a mystery but failed to provide any clues or a solution!!!
Miss Spider - Good idea Cheri!
Jenny - I chant the words for about 10 minutes a day (Tues. - Thurs.) and then spend about 20 minutes on another activity. On Monday, we chant longer and write the words. On Friday, I must give a spelling test!
REI - Has anyone used the book "Write Up a Storm" by Patricia Reilly Giff. It is a chapter book I read aloud to help my kids learn about characters and setting. Also, works on having a problem and a solid solution to the problem.
cheri - I try to do thirty minutes a day for working with words. Somehow it seems that is the block that gets shortchanged if we need time. My fault. Kids love the cheers, chants, making words.
Miss Spider - I love to do the riddles.
tj - I have to spend 40 on words on the Making Words day
Jenny - My children LOVE Guess the Covered Word!
mag - hi as a visitor from across the pond enjoying your discussion could you please tell me what age is grade two ?
Miss Spider - I need that book!
Jenny - They enjoy making words as well, and yes, it does take longer!
Jenny - Grade 2 is 7-8 years old
cheri - My kids favorite of everything is here comes the judge. They would all do it all day. I have noticed improvements in handwriting.
mag - thank you
Jenny - I forget what Here Comes the Judge is. Would you mind explaining briefly? I know I read about it.
cheri - Does anyone have trouble with Be a mind reader. I have kids who just don't get it.
tj - My kids love that too--when do you do the judge activity--when writing the w.wall words?
REI - Miss Spider...most of our 2nd and 3rd grade teachers use it at some point during the year.
Miss Spider - I'm sure that it will help a lot.
Jenny - My kids get it, cheri, but if I follow the chart that comes with the WW, it just seems too easy. Maybe it's because we only have 40 words on the wall right now. If i tell them what it starts with, chances are there may be only one word that starts with
Miss Spider - Some of my lower kids have trouble with Mind Reader.
lynn - "Be a Mind Reader" is a favorite WW activity of my third graders. I tell them that the first clue is really not much help. But if their first guess fits with the second clue, write it again. We see who read my mind on clue 1. Third graders "get it" easier I guess.
tj - I haven't done the riddles yet--I am kinda new to 4B and am not confident enough in the procedure
Miss Spider - TJ, do you have the month by month phonics book?
REI - How long has everyone been teaching 4 Blocks?
cheri - Jenny, here comes the judge is an activity that involves writing the word wall words. I pick kids to go to the board and write a word. They each write the same word that I say. they can see it written n the word wall. Prior to selecting kids for the board we choose one who will be judge. S/he leaves the room. After the kids have written the word, we say Here comes the judge as we open the door and let the student in. He then selects the word on the board that is written correctly and neatly with all letters formed correctly.
Jenny - This is my first year.
Miss Spider - This is my first year.
tj - jenny--the judge activity(the way I do it): You have a judge leave the room and 3 kiddos write the word wall word on the board--the judge comes in and chooses the best handwriting--they are then the judge for the next round--is that right?
et - 1st year
lynn - I'm piloting for the first year in third grade at my school.
mag - your 4blocks sounds very much like our literacy hour.We have used it at our school for three years and it has raised standards and is fun to do
cheri - Kids at their seats are also writing the word for practice.
REI - I've been teaching using 4 Blocks almost 3 years. This is the first year our entire district is using the model in grades 1-3.
lynn - mag, where are you teaching?
tj - cheri are you using the judge activity after the chants?
Miss Spider - I'd be happy if I could get my grade level to use it!
Jenny - I have to go, maybe I'll be back before 9. Thanks!!
mag - leeds england
cheri - Yes, tj, that's how I do it too. However, we get to the point where everyone has had a turn being judge and then have the new judge pick someone who hasn't been selected because some kids will not get picked because of motor skills difficulties
lynn - what age do you teach, mag
Frank - Would someone be able to give me a description of what 4 blocks is.
mag - 5-6 yrs
cheri - I am sorry I am so slow to respond. Between my typing and interuptions and trying to read at the same time--I'm in over my head folks!! HA!
lynn - that would be like our kindergarten. Look for a chat about building blocks, too. That's the early childhood version of 4 blocks
Miss Spider - I have to run. Bye all!
cheri - I use the judge whenever we have time. Not always the same time.
tj - ok you pros...tell me if this is right for frank...a systematic approach to teaching balanced literacy. There is a writing, guided reading, self selected reading, and word(phonic) block..
REI - The 4-Blocks framework was developed by teachers who believed that to be successful in teaching ALL
lynn - good succinct description, t.j.!
cheri - great job, tj. I'd agree
mag - our literacy hour divides 15 mins phonics, 15 shared text with word or sentence level teaching 20 mins children's independent work with teacher focus on one group then 10 min plenary wher we share work this format applies up to 11 yrs old
tj - I have found 4B much easier to implement..the Guide book to 4B is awesome and very easy to understand. Go to readinglady.com and get it..it is a must have!!
mag - our guided reading is done in an extra session outside the hour
cheri - As much as I don't want to, I have to leave. I have one doing math facts and another writing a book. teaching--a 24 hour job. Well, they're good problems!! Nice chatting. thanks for the sharing.
lynn - no doubt the format expands to greater lengths of time as the children get older, mag, right?
lynn - mag, this is off the point, but isn't it a little late there?
tj - bye cheri!
mag - here the children change schools at 11 and the english lessons are longer in high school
mag - i am a night owl--twoooo
lynn - do you have any literacy or teacher websites popular in england?
tj - OK..what age groups do we teach?
mag - we are in the relative dark ages here computerwise!!!!!!!!!!!!
et - 1st gr.
REI - I teach 2nd grade.
lynn - Of course, you being a teacher, are on the cutting edge of technology. Go, girl!
tj - REI..me too
mag - must go and thanks for the chat
Maggie - 1st grade
lynn - I teach third grade and there are fewer of us around. Any others in the chat room? Bye, mag!
tj - Any concerns...ideas...suggestions?
REI - I teach but I'm also our district's 4 Blocks Trainer.
tj - oh REI I could use you at my school this year! Any must hear suggestions for a new comer?
REI - I've been fortunate. My district has sent me to North Carolina to attend the 4 Blocks conference with Pat and Dottie. I return again in January for the Leadership conference.
aggie/1/ca - Hehe--- I'm going to NC in January, too! I get to meet REI!
tj - Hear! Hear! FRIDAY!
lynn - A while back someone asked about Christmas focus writing ideas. I do "how-to's." After modeling, I help the kids list steps for decorating a tree, how to make Christmas cookies, how to decorate a gingerbread house, etc. They enjoy it.
aggie/1/ca - tj---- I was and still am a lone 4 blocks ranger. Give yourself permission to do it slowly and just do what you feel comfortable with.
tj - Thats a great idea, lynn..I am doing a unit on 12 days of christmas...any ideas there?
lynn - I teach third grade so this might be too challenging and it's not literacy- it's math. But it's great. We figure out how many gifts "true love" gave in the song "The 12 Days of Christmas." It's so fun.
REI - Yep Aggie. We are finally gonna meet face to face.
aggie/1/ca - You may not like what you see here, REI......
aggie/1/ca - I remember doing that when I was in school, lynn! it was fun and complicated!
tj - AWESOME!!! THE BOSS WILL LOVE THAT..WHOLE LANGUAGE GURU!
aggie/1/ca - Where are you from, Debbie?
Debbie - tj, I have had kids rewrite the song putting in gifts they would like to receive .
Debbie - aggie, I am in PA
lynn - I love that idea, Debbie. What grade do you teach?
tj - Well, today we did retold the story in the style of jan brett...with borders...very cute
Debbie - I teach a 4/5 split
tj - oops..reread we retold the song
REI - That is a good idea tj.
Debbie - seems as though no one is talking much or is it my computer?
lynn - Pennsylvania is ahead of my neck of the woods (Texas). We have mostly primary teachers doing 4 Blocks. Do you do literature circles during guided reading? Our curriculum specialist said in older grades it works well. Some of mine are reading at level 4 or above.
tj - Lynn..texas here too...where abouts?
lynn - San Antonio!!
tj - Sherman..lone four blocker
aggie/1/ca - lynn--- that's a beautiful city! I have a great aunt who lives there.
Debbie - Lynn, I have to teach Reading Mastery which is a scripted reading program, unfortunately no time for literature circles. They have really taken away our artistry as teachers
tj - Is that like SFA?
aggie/1/ca - Ohhhh debbie! That is so awful--- they've threatened us w/that, too.
lynn - We love it. We live in the "hill country" outside of the city but close to suburbs where I teach. Debbie, I'm not familiar with RM. Is it a district-mandated program?
Sauni-Rae - Hi all.. Im in a 4th-6th ELL class in so cal
aggie/1/ca - ((((((((Sauni-Rae!))))))))))) how goes it? You were at my house for the Oct. SoCal 4 Blocks meeting.
Debbie - yes, it is Lynn. Aggie, it is sooooooo boring.
aggie/1/ca - Ewwwwwwwww----- those are bad letters, too, tj!
Brian - hello everybody ujust a litener
REI - Ewwww....I wouldn't like to teach with a scripted reading program.
Debbie - What is SFA
aggie/1/ca - I've heard that, Debbie! Wasn't it written for special ed. kids?
tj - it is awful..I taught SFA last year...good riddens!!!!!!!!
Sauni-Rae - I am doing ok. Lots to tell everyone next Sat
aggie/1/ca - Is that Brian from Los Angeles?
Brian - no aggie in hawaii
aggie/1/ca - Debbie-- Success For All--- it's a very controversial, highly scripted reading program.
aggie/1/ca - I'll look forward to it, Sauni.
tj - oh to be in hawaii!!!!!
Debbie - I don't know aggie, but I think our district believes we are all incapable of teaching reading due to state test scores. We are a low income school, though. Many dysfunctional families
aggie/1/ca - tj--- did you ever visit alt-sfa.com?
Sauni-Rae - Aggie I will be hitting the so cal gang up for more ideas for books and reading passages for my studdents
Debbie - HAWAII=PARADISE! Honeymooned there
tj - yes..I was on the alt.sfa site many times last year. I have not been back for a long time...alphie ugh here!
aggie/1/ca - Debbie--- I teach in a similar type school. So far we've been able to avoid those scripts, tho.
Brian - well its grand for that but we still have no contract
REI - I'm going to Hawaii for Spring Break. Taking a Hawaiian cruise.
Sauni-Rae - What do all of you 1st grade teachers do with Guided reading at the beginning of the year when the kids cant
aggie/1/ca - Sauni--- I've got some real good emergent readers that you can photocopy from Scholastic--- I should've sent you email about that.
tj - teaching contract?
Brian - youll enjoy tht rei
Debbie - I know that feeling Brian, very distressing
Brian - its way beyond distress here
aggie/1/ca - LOL Sauni! You just kinda go thru the motions! I do a lot of poetry and really, really, really easy-to-read (or memorize!) stuff.
Debbie - is there a possibility of a strike?
Maggie - I would suggest the emergent readers that can be photocopied, too. Sauni.
Sauni-Rae - Maggie, are these blackline books or some other form
Brian - hope so but not too militant here and a lot of political incest
Maggie - Nursery rhymes that they know are pretty ood to begin reading.
REI - Brian...been down that road. We taught nearly a year without a contract.
Brian - its standard here 3rd time for me in 10 years
NancyD - Sauni, I use songs and chants
Maggie - Blackline masters
aggie/1/ca - Sauni--- I also do a lot of chart stories at the beginning of the year. Maybe you could do something w/that? Do a pattern story similar to "I like ____________"? Maybe you could do it w/a social studies or science theme so it wouldn't be baby-ish for your kids.
Sauni-Rae - My students are ALL NON-English and with little to no fluency yet so I am looking for any 1st/2nd grade reading materials.
REI - Well, Our hour is up. I think there is suppose to be another chat starting at 9 ET. I am going to head on out.
aggie/1/ca - OK--- gotta go here! I'll bbl......... adios, friends!
Maggie - I use the pocket chart a lot-following along by pointing to each word and then cutting sentence strips apart and putting the words back in order.
Debbie - what about reaing them stories and having them retell it and write it down and put it into little take home books?
tj - bye all
Sauni-Rae - I just feel bad the kids really don't have a book to read out of at the moment, other than what I illegally copy on the machine
Sauni-Rae - All great ideas I am printing as we speak
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