Georgia - Who has read what? What's the favorite section? Tell me! Tell me! I have to know if what grabbed me, grabbed others as well!
Tena/1/ar - I have Classrooms that Work, and Month by Month for first grade and a book bye Cheryl Sigmon called 4 - Blocks Literacy Model
Georgia - I have got to get Month by Month! I am addicted!
Tena/1/ar - Georgia, I love every bit of the Sigmon book......gives details on how to run each block......also LOVE the month by month book
joan/1/NY - I am reading all four books at once, can't get enough I DON'T want kids ability grouped thank you
Georgia - Do you love what she says about special ed, esl, reading classes as pullouts? So true--we fragment the very kids who need flow!
joan/1/NY - The mailman brought Month by Month while I was leaving for the beach and I brought it and read SEPTEMBER at the beach!!
Tena/1/ar - AMEN, Georgia!!!! We have every kind of pull-out you could imagine!
Georgia - Hey, for books you can't get locally, go to amazon.com and order on line--they deliver books right to your home! I got Phonics They Use that way.
joan/1/NY - I read All of Phonics They Use and the beginning of the year activities are wonderful
joan/1/NY - I ordered and received PHONICS THEY USE MAKING WORDS and CLASSROOMS THAT WORK all from amazon.com
joan/1/NY - I found the missing piece in 4 Blocks, by that I mean I still was uncomfortable with Guided Reading only by ability groups and Pat Cunningham's methods are more multileveled
joan/1/NY - The chapter at the END of Phonics they Use THE RESEARCh behind the reasoning chapter - was mind-expanding
Georgia - Amen. Oh, Joan, tell us more about Phonics They Use. I am into Classrooms so much that I have neglected Phonics. Tell me what expanded the mind.
joan/1/NY - It makes sense to teach children with ALL methods, it makes sense to have them READ and WRITE and it makes sense to mix the group so that there are reading role models I call them
Georgia - I would like each person that gets on to say their favorite part of 4 blocks. I was totally tuned to what she said about how we fragment the very children who need consistancy. I hate pull-outs, anyway. I loved how she precisely pointed out how pull-outs make us as teachers feel less responsible for the very children who need more responsibility. Next?
joan/1/NY - The research proves TO ME that the wars are stupid, that all kids learn differently - that fill in the blank worksheets (vowel sounds) are easy only to those of us that can read
Linda - I only know a little about this. If I had to buy only one of the books, which is the best? I teach 2nd grade.
Kathleen - To order Pat Cunningham's books, click on "Archive" over in the left frame, then click on "Pat Cunningham". You will see a list of her book titles. Each is linked to Amazon so that you can order from here. So click on the title that you wish to order. This will help Teachers.Net at no extra cost to you.
joan/1/NY - I LOVE the word play it's hands on phonics!
Tena/1/ar - Do you do all 4 blocks in the morning?
Linda - Can someone explain 4 blocks? I've seen it on the mailring.
joan/1/NY - I think PHONICS THEY USE is the one you should buy if you can only buy one for now
Tena/1/ar - We begged for 2 hours of the morning free of pull outs, and we got it......I can't believe it:)
Tena/1/ar - 4 Blocks = Shared/Guided Reading, Self-Selected Reading, Writing, and Working With Words
Georgia - Me? I have just discovered 4blocks--and I have a war ahead of me to do it. But, Cunningham says to do 2 hours and 15 minutes in four sections (blocks)--30 to 40 minutes each. Some people have said she does these blocks as whole group/ does anyone know? Oh, we have got to do what you did Tena, and beg for a free morning of no pull-outs.
Lisa/1/MI - joan, does phonics they use describe word walls? working with words?
joan/1/NY - Lisa - Yes I believe she explains both in that book
Georgia - Go for it, Joan, you are the Phonics They Use reader--I would think that it would describe word walls--Classrooms That Work does.
Tena/1/ar - I believe it is all whole group , except when she does Self Selected Reading, that's when she does a conference with 5 children a day...
Lisa/1/MI - I have classrooms that work, but haven't read in completely...
Tena/1/ar - During guided reading block, do you use the basal reader?
Georgia - Lisa, you will be reading it over and over, and marking it up. I think we are going to talk: "I am just doing my first reading of .....(name the Cunningham book).
Tena/1/ar - WE are required to do the basal and the workbook pages for grades is why I ask.
shirley - I do Houghton MIfflin
SarahW/2/TX - HI Folks! I saw the question about basals--I was wondering about using my social Studies. science and art textbooks as guided reading -sometimes--any thoughts
Tena/1/ar - We do HBJ.
Lisa/1/MI - I just moved to a new school... I used to be required to use the basal and now in my new school there is nothing!
Georgia - Do people come in and check up on you, or something? I'd sneak teach. Hey, Sarah W--of the great name--that is a superb idea!
Lisa/1/MI - Sarah--I think that would be a great idea!
Tena/1/ar - Georgia, do you use the basal in the guided reading block?
Georgia - Ok, I think the issue on use of basel readers used with the 4blocks program is a valid point. Can it be done--any ideas?
joan/1/NY - Yes Phonics They Use has a whole section on word walls - Chapter 3
Mary K&1 - When Pat was here, she said that they will use Basel's sometimes, but don't make a habit of it.
Lisa/1/MI - I think the basal can be used as a resource....
SarahW/2/TX - Well, since at least part of the guided reading should be a the grade level, wouldn't basals provide a base for grade level reading? (and multiple copies at that!
Tena/1/ar - What would you do if the district said that you had to take your grades from the basal workbooks?
Georgia - Tena, I use a series that works really well with my ESL kids. It is called: Impressions. I really don't care what the District uses. My kids read. That's my job--to get them to that point. I use the books the kids love, and my kids love Impressions.
SarahW/2/TX - Tena--send those sheets for homework?
Tena/1/ar - Good idea, Sarah, but what about the grade? Give them all 100's?
Suzi/5/IL - I use the skill sheets from the basal to review/teach.
Linda - How much of the 4 blocks is done whole group and how much is done small group?
Lisa/1/MI - Georgia, who publishes Impressions?
Sandy/K/Mo - Tena they would turn them in?
carla/2 - I am going to try this model for the first time. I haven't taught reading in 4 years, It is very scary.
Tena/1/ar - I believe the 4 blocks are mostly whole group.
SarahW/2/TX - Tena--maybe sort of a participation grade? and if you see someone is really not getting it, maybe you could spend a little time with them--it would give you more time for the 4 blocks
Linda - Does Phonics They Use talk about 4blocks?
Georgia - Ok, here's the deal. And Cunningham makes the point in her way: (yes Kathleen--open chat) Programs don't teach--teachers teach. Say that to yourself every day of your teaching life and forget the district. That is my philosophy.
Tena/1/ar - Okay, then where do you get your grades for their report cards?
joan/1/NY - LINDA - actually Phonics They Use does not talk about the four blocks in depth
Tena/1/ar - Linda, I have the book called, "4 - Blocks Literacy Model" by Cheryl Sigmon
Suzi/5/IL - Working with words- Is that spelling?
Linda - Which book would I want to explain 4blocks more, or is there a website?
Tena/1/ar - It goes into great depth about each block and Ms. Sigmon is highly recommended by Pat Cunningham!
wendy - Could you be more specific about how you use the 4 blocks?
SarahW/2/TX - linda--website: http://www.wfu.edu/~cunningh/fourblocks/
Georgia - Impressions is from Holt, Rinehart and Winston of Canada, Limited. These books are colorful as well as teach basics like colors, parts of clothing, parts of school, parts of the house, etc. I judge kids by the reading and the writing all along the way. Have you ever seen the rubric for the various stages the reader goes through, like emergent reader and so on? And, we only have O, S, and I to give kids.
Georgia - Classrooms That Work goes through a day with first graders, hour by hour, block by block, with everything you normally do , or wish you could do, with your kids. If you could get Classrooms That Work--it's the overview, as well as the specifics.
Suzi/5/IL - Does Classrooms That Work apply to 5th grade?
Tena/1/ar - I love that chapter, Georgia, it's a great example:)
Jalynn - Has anyone implemented the 4-blocks and found it successful?
Georgia - One of the cool ways to start the day, as Cunningham has it, is to have 'free choice' centers to start out with. The number of spaces at various places are limited by the tags that she would have kids get and hang around their neck, then go to that center.
SarahW/2/TX - suzy-- there is a chapter about older grades and how to incorporate the ideas there
Tena/1/ar - Jalynn, I haven't yet, just been reading all about them this summer.
Suzi/5/IL - What about time constraints? I really have to squeeze to work in the basics.
Lenore/1&2/MN - I think the book Classrooms that Work is wonderful-what a resource!
Cheryl/SC - 4-Blocks is the hottest thing in our state! We've been implementing about 3 years and it's been tremendously successful! Achievement is WAY up!
Jalynn - I've read Classrooms, Implementing the 4-blocks, and Month-by-Month Phonics for 1st grade and wanted feedback from experienced teachers. I wonder about the whole grouping during guided reading. Any thoughts?
Mary K&1 - Suzi, There's nothing more basic than the 4 Blocks
Georgia - I just discovered the 4 blocks way this summer while doing massive research about another program that is horrible. I found it and was totally swept away by it. Good question, tho. Has anyone used it yet?
Lisa/1/MI - Tell more Cheryl...
Kalyn - someone please tell me what a typical lesson is like in guided reading group....*S*
Lenore/1&2/MN - Jalynn, I have always "whole grouped my students(for 20years)!It works!
karen/1/ok - Georgia, I would love to see the rubrics for the different stages of reading.
Cheryl/SC - By the way, if you get Classrooms That Work to learn about 4-Blocks, be sure to get Pat's second edition. The first edition never mentions it, though if you know the model it can be inferred.
Kelley - I don't quite get the guided reading block. According to the guided reading that I've been taugh you are supposed to work with small groups, but I'm not sure about the whole group thing she talks about.
Suzi/5/IL - Lenore- how do you work whole group?
Kathleen - [we have tentatively scheduled a session on guided reading for Sept 11)
Marie - Are you supposed to use 4-blocks every day? 3 x a week? Does it get boring
Lisa/1/MI - Four blocks are done every day
Kathleen - To order Pat Cunningham's books, click on "Archive" over in the left frame, then click on "Pat Cunningham". You will see a list of her book titles. Each is linked to Amazon so that you can order from here. So click on the title that you wish to order. This will help Teachers.Net at no extra cost to you.
Lenore/1&2/MN - I think that is why I loved the book-I read it cheering her on.Suzi- The most important think I do, I think, is "preteach " vocabulary to the underachievers before I introduce to the whole class.
Cheryl/SC - 4-Blocks is every single day, but there are tons of activities that vary so that it's never boring. It's engaging for teachers and for students. Truly!
Jalynn - During whole group guided reading, is the material at a moderate level?
Cheryl/SC - The guided reading block uses grade level and easier material. Grade level is usually about 3 days and easier material is about 2.
Georgia - First of all, I'd have to research where I put that rubric. If you want to email me later, I could sent it to you. It is about 6 steps, and you judge by the writing. And another thing, I think we have to make 4blocks 'our way'--there is no one way for anything. If whole group is a bother, then subgroup. Let others read to each other. I think we have been programed too much to think that there is a 'way' that works. There is--but it is our very own way, and we have to discover it for ourselves.
Addie k/mo - excellent comment, georgia!
Lenore/1&2/MN - The theory is, of course: feeling successful, experiencing success, not being afraid of contributing and encouraging the whole group/
Kalyn - when do you teach such things as contractions? During guided reading?
SarahW/2/TX - Cheryl- I am making up the lessons out of Making Words so I will have them ready. I can do these several days a week and the kids will stay engaged?
Lenore/1&2/MN - Cheryl, I agree...so many great activities...such a wonderful variety-for student and teacher!
Cheryl/SC - Teach grammar and comp. during writing block and phonics, spelling, decoding during Word Block. Comprehension skills are for guided reading.
Cathie/NC - What is the best way to introduce the four blocks at the beginning of the year to a group who has never done it (third grade)
Suzi/5/IL - Is spelling during working with words?
Lisa/1/MI - If I am not mistaken, there are several diffent activities you can do during the "words" block, not just making words...
karen/1/ok - Georgia, is the concept of word walls a part of the 4-blocks? I've been searching for ways to use the word wall, but have had not luck on the net. Do you have any suggestions?
Cheryl/SC - We do Making Words 2 or maybe 3 times a week (more when first getting started to get used to the pacing).
SarahW/2/TX - Lisa--yes, I saw an activity on rhyming words on he web site the other day--looked like fun and something to rotate w/ Making Words http://www.wfu.edu/~cunningh/fourblocks/
Kathleen - What is the first Cunningham book to purchase when first learning about 4-Blocks?
Jalynn - Month-by-Month Phonics for 1st grade (Cunningham) gives monthly "checkpoints" to word wall activities--what month you should be adding endings, rhymes, blends, etc. It's great!!
Lenore/1&2/MN - Has anyone ever done the activity "Questioning the Author?
Georgia - Hey, girls and boys, we are the original three to four to five ring circus. We are teachers. We create. In cunningham's guided reading section--she has: read in partners, then read by yourself, then read with teacher, all going on at the same time. What ever the teacher controls, is where the new stuff is taught. At least, that's my thought--contractions included. it would be a mini lesson or a teeny weeny lesson, if there were contractions in the stuff I wanted kids to read.
SarahW/2/TX - Kathleen CLASSROOMS THAT WORK!
Lisa/1/MI - I have classrooms that work...what would be the next step?
Cheryl/SC - If you've heard Pat speak, you'll know that she does have definite places for things to be taught. It's part of the balance of the model.
Lenore/1&2/MN - Jalynn-Have you read Classroom that work-they can all read and write.?
Georgia - Organization. There is so much to it, where to start? Would anyone build their room with the kids, or would you have your room set to go? I'm considering building wordwalls with the kids. What do you think?
Jalynn - Lisa, if you teach 1st grade, get Month-by-Month Phonics for 1st grade. There's also one for K.
Jalynn - Lenore, I just got Classrooms That Work today from Amazon. I read some today
Cheryl/SC - Month by Month is just for one block---Word Block. It's great, though.
Kathleen - When she was here, Pat Cunningham said that she wouldn't do word walls with kindergartners. Does anyone know why not?
Lisa/1/MI - Jalynn, does that just describe the "words" block?
Addie k/mo - i wouldnt build the whole room with the kids, but i thought that you put the word wall up five words per week...so wouldnt that be building with the kids?
SarahW/2/TX - Georgia--I have 2nd grade, but I plan to start my word wall with them. I know I have a very broad range and am taking nothing for granted
Gumbo/K/La - What about the making words book?
Georgia - Balance! That's what makes this program so beautiful--thank you! It's the balance of all the blocks--sort of like juggling.
SarahW/2/TX - Kathleen--maybe it is not developmentally appropriate to hold K's accountable for those words? (guessing here)
Cheryl/SC - Exactly! A juggling act!
Addie k/mo - in the month by month for k book, she does suggest a monthly picture dictionary chart with theme words for the writing center and when you introduce the "special child" each day you add their name to a bboard....i think these are the precursors to word walls.
joan/1/NY - Also Goeorgia I think it's important that by balancing - ALL kids are going to learn
Lenore/1&2/MN - Does anybody invite Royal Readers into their classrooms?
SarahW/2/TX - Gumbo-- I have Making Word--am going through LOTS of 4x6 index cards making up the lessons! Hope teh principal doesn't go looking for any --shhhhhhh
nat/k/ma - I went to buy the word wall kit today. I thought it ws just too much for kindergarten. It cost $20. I will begin a word wall in February when they are ready to write their own stories.
Mary K&1 - Sarah, sounds like a good guess
Georgia - I usually have to do a lot of the stuff cunningham has said is done with kindergarteners. So, I am sort of bridging as well as teaching.
Lenore/1&2/MN - A Royal reading would be part of the shared reading balance.
Linda/2/Fl - What are Royal Readers?
Lisa/1/MI - Cheryl, I will have one hour when I get the reading specialist and her aide each day...which blocks would you do during this time?
Jalynn - Lisa, yes--it's the words block. It gives monthly extensions of Rounding Up the Rhymes, Guess the Covered Word, Making Words, On the Back (word wall activities). All of these are great activities.
karen/1/ok - Nat, what word wall kit? What is it? Help!
Addie k/mo - i am, however, doing a word wall in my room rather than the monthly charts and "special child" bboard. we are starting with names and then adding words that go with our big books/themes...i wont necessarily hold all children accountable for every word at the k level, but it would be a resource for those children who are dev. ready and for those that arent, it is still exposing them to print and helping them to notice the letters/sounds
joan/1/NY - FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE INTERESTED I ordered MONTH by MONTH 1st grade and the 4BLOCKS Model by Ms. Sigmon on the net by e-mailing - tommiecook@hotmail.com
Gumbo/K/La - Lakeshore has a great word wall for $49.95, including the mat to affix the words.....
Lenore/1&2/MN - Linda-I invite Parents to come and read to the class-they wear a crown,sit on a fancy chair and read-they get a picture taken and it gets put up on the Royal Reader Club board.
Cheryl/SC - I would use any assistants during Guided Writing and Guided Reading. Probably the GW most of all since its Writer's Workshop style.
Georgia - But we can make our own--and the writing would be more comfortable for the kids to see--is there some reason I don't know about that we have to spend money for a word wall?
Addie k/mo - i think that was my favorite part of p.cunninghams "mbym4k"....how she always asked the kids what they "noticed"....i loved that and plan to incorporate that into my teaching vocabulary
nat/k/ma - Carson-Dellosa has a word wall kit. It has the alphabet train that you hang up first. Then as you teach the children the words you hang these pre-cut high frequency words under the correct alphabet. The kit goes along with Pat Cunningham's books.
karen/1/ok - nat, does it take up a LOT of room?
SarahW/2/TX - Georgia--ahh, a cheap gal--one after me own heart!!;-)
Addie k/mo - i think that i want to select the words that go with our themes though, and i wouldnt think that all the words i would need would be in the kit
joan/1/NY - I like the idea of writing the words with the children and cutting the shape of the word and then haning it up altogether
Cheryl/SC - We've gone three years making our own Word Walls. Many of us print words (200 font) on the computer and back them with colored construction paper.
Lenore/1&2/MN - Georgia, you are right, the materials for a work wall can be created with materials in the school.
Jalynn - Check out this website: www.ed-ex.com/index.html#contact. It offers15% discount, no shipping, no tax (except TN) on Carson-Dellosa, Frank Schaffer, TS Denison, & Ideal products. minimum order is $35
Georgia - We could expand her word wall idea and hang words around the school labeling things--this helps the ESL kids--then go around the school on a hunt for words. The world is a wall, as far as I am concerned--a wall that needs whatever we hang upon it.
nat/k/ma - Georgia, that's why I didn't buy the kit. We can make the words ourselves.
Addie k/mo - the only thing about making your own ww words is all the cutting into the configurations!!!! i have done lots of cutting the past few days...LOL!
Cheryl/SC - The colors should alway vary under same letters of the alphabet. It helps kids distinguish one from the other.
nat/k/ma - Yes. It has the train, 4 charts, about 110 frequency words, etc. There was a lot in the kit. Too much for kindergarten. It was made for first grade.
Jalynn - Cunningham suggests putting theme words and word families on separate boards from the word wall. Word Wall is high-frequency words that can be used all year.
nat/k/ma - The word wall kit has the words for you to cut out that are the shape of the word. It is everything you read in Pat Cunninghams' books.
Addie k/mo - i am doing my words on the puter too, the onsets are red, rimes are black and i am printing them on white...i am cutting, cutting cutting the configurations....i wish i had a larger font, mine are only 72 pt....but they can be read fairly well from anywhere in the room. plus i let the kids that are in the back of the room during any given lesson ( i teach all over the room) sit on the floor closer to the lesson....and i let them sit on the floor when they are journaling if they want to AND they are working
Georgia - We need more walls. And to think I was once written up for 'littered walls'. I think I am going to use the ceiling as well. Why not?
Cheryl/SC - We don't use Word Wall for K with exception of some lightning words(a few very high frequency words).
tina2 - Should I have the high frequency words from 1st grade already up in my 2nd grade classroom?
Kathleen - nat, I'm sorry, would you repeat where you bought that word wall kit you refer to, who makes it?
Jalynn - Any tips from experienced 4-block teachers on implementation? What was successful for you?
karen/1/ok - We're dealing with the fire dept. saying we can only have 20% of the wall covered. That's why I asked.
nat/k/ma - That is why the word families were on charts, separate from the alphabet train and high frequency words. Jalynn
Lenore/1&2/MN - TIna,I think that is a good idea, after a brief review.
Addie k/mo - wow, karen! i would be in big trouble with your fire marshall!!!! i bet i have at least 80% of walls covered with something!
SarahW/2/TX - addie--on the font size, try highlighting the box where the number is and typing in a higher number. I can type in 144 on mine--actually accidntally typed in 565 the other day--there isn't enough paper in the world to do that one! :-)
tina2 - Then should I put up the high frequency 2nd grade words 5 at a time or more?
Georgia - Cheryl from SC--tell us about the Word Wall and how it works since your area is already implementing the program!
Lenore/1&2/MN - Karen-can you cover your windows, and doors?
nat/k/ma - I have one wall and all the rest is windows or the coat closet. The one wall is dedicated to Math Their Way--Opening (Calendar) Exercises.
Kathleen - MJS, just go ahead and post your questions and comments..we are using an open chat format for tonight
Cheryl/SC - Rule of thumb is that a word needs to be on the Word Wall (hi frequency only until the weakest child in the room knows it.
joan/1/NY - According to Pat Cunningham she believes that teachers should make their own decisions about which words to add to their word wall s by observing which words chilodren use frequently in their writing.
Kathy/5/IA - I can only get my font size to 127, what program are you using to get to 144?
karen/1/ok - Addie, I just spent 2 weeks painting Carson-Dellosa cutsies so it wouldn't look bare. They came and ripped things off the walls.
Addie k/mo - sarah, i tried that and the program wouldnt let me :-( my other choice was printshop, but i couldnt do the words half and half without printing them as separate graphics
nat/k/ma - I was going to buy it at my local teacher's store. They sell all of Carson-Dellosa's supplies. Check their web site.
unsure - Is this a stand alone program?
SarahW/2/TX - kathy-- I was using Office '97
Lenore/1&2/MN - TIna, I think 5 a day would be great-you can monitor as you go, but you hopefully will find they know them quite well, and will use the wordwall mostly for spelling help.
Djinn - Just a comment - in phonics They Use - Pat suggests that a reading wall can also be a manilla File folder at a desk
Kathy/5/IA - Is anyone here an upper elementary teacher? I bought the Word Wall Plus 4 for my classroom. I was wondering how upper elementary teachers are going to impliment it.
Addie k/mo - how awful, karen! i suppose you cant hang stuff from the ceiling either! i think kids need a bright engaging environment to look at, but i guess you cant cross the fire marshall!
Linda/2/Fl - On the mailring, they talked about putting the Dolch words on the word wall. What do others think of that?
Georgia - Oh, I see 'Unsure's' problem--are you asking how to do all this if you are team teaching? I think this was set as a stand alone classroom.
Jalynn - Lakeshore also sells a word wall kit, check out their website: www.lakeshorelearning.com
nat/k/ma - The Word Wall Kit goes along with Pat Cunningham's book. Phonics We Use.
karen/1/ok - Lenore, NO, is this unreal?
Addie k/mo - that is interesting, djinn...so would each child have the personal words he/she needed?
MJS - do you staple, tape, or pin your words up?
unsure - Can this program be used all by itself???????
Kathleen - Djinn, would it be the same list for all students?
Linda/2/Fl - In our class, we have a Spelling Dictionary that begins with many common words listed in each letter. The kids have to check their dictionary before they ask about it.
SarahW/2/TX - addie-- well, bummer! Can you enlarge them on your shool's copier--or is that one of those "don't go there" questions?
SarahW/2/TX - unsure--all by itself as opposed to????
nat/k/ma - Kathy. Is the one you bought for first grade. Did it have the alphabet train, high frequency words and charts for hanging separately?
Addie k/mo - sarah, i could, but then i would lose the color...nah, i can go there (in the middle of the night) LOL
Djinn - Addie - I believe that you add the words to the file just as you would to the wall. In some classes where you have students with visual perception problems this is a viable solution
Georgia - "Unsure"--this isn't exactly a program, it is more a set of strategies by which we teach--you make it into a program that works for you.
tina2 - Addie, I did my words on print master using the poster setting and it worked out well.
Kathy/5/IA - I put up my Word wall today - sure take up a lot of room. I doubt I left enough room for all the words. The kit I bought is for the upper grades. It has pennants instead of the train.
unsure - Sarah, I mean does one use this as a supplement to a basal etc....???
Cheryl/SC - We call the manilla folders our portable Word Walls. The upper kids especially like them.
SarahW/2/TX - I traded my rolling chair for a stout wooden chair so I can climb up on it once a week and put up my word wall words. Believe I will do that after school w/o and audience though. the can start "life" on my chalk tray.
Addie k/mo - that would be excellent for kids with visual probs and for ones who have trouble transfering from one plane to another
Cheryl/SC - Unsure, the model is only an instructional delivery system. It can be used with basals and/or good literature.
Kathy/5/IA - I have a lot of ESL kids in my classroom, so I'm thinking having the wall up will help them become more comfortable with writing in their journals, etc...
Georgia - The basel is only a tool--one of many to be used in teaching reading. The 4 blocks approach can use a basel if one is so driven, but why?
Lenore/1&2/MN - UNsure-no, it can't be used by itself: I see it as a guide, reference,bible:whatever you want to call it. You need to supply the literature,phonics,spelling and so on........a SUpplement:-)
tina2 - I would like to make some letter cards on the computer for the kids. Anyone done that?
Kathy/5/IA - How do you do the portable word wall with the folder. Sounds neat, since my kids change classrooms.
Addie k/mo - thanks, tina for the suggestion...i have microsoft pub 97 and print shop and some of the basic word processors that come with a pc at school. and most of the programs are MINE and i took them and installed them! doubt i can get any news ones for a while
unsure - Oh, I see. So have you guys all used this with great success?
Georgia - Kathy, I label everything i can with words for my ESL kids, so the word wall will just be more.
Addie k/mo - some places HAVE to use their basal...
Kalyn - So Classrooms that work will explain to me everything I want to know about the 4 blocks?
Kathy/5/IA - That's a good idea, Georgia. Last year was my first year with ESL kids...I keep learning new things! I just loved working with them last year.
Lenore/1&2/MN - Cheryl, you really know this material...I appreciate your contributions:-)
Cheryl/SC - Basals are so much better than they used to be. Pat C. doesn't bash basals.
tina2 - Just finished the book Classrooms that work. I had some of the other books, but would suggest this be read first, if nothing else.
Addie k/mo - kalyn, i heard that was the best book for this...i havent read it yet though
Georgia - What is someone going to do to a teacher if her kids read at the year's end, and she hasn't used to basel to get there? What matters is the outcome, isn't it? What is this basel-mania anyway? Who are these people at the District?
tina2 - Our "basal" is just an anthology of childrens
unsure - Lenore, have you had success with this?
AKP - So, if you all had to recommend only one of the books by Cunningham would it be Classrooms that Work?
Georgia - What ever works. Yes, Cunningham doesn't bash basels, she just feels they are not wide-ranging enough for the variety of kids in the room.
Kathy/5/IA - Yes, I believe a basal is an anthology, not a page by page cookbook. (just my opinion)
tina2 - oops... children's literature. Scholastic is our "basal" This way at least I have a copy for each student. They recognize a lot of the stories from seeing them in the library.
Cheryl/SC - Thanks, Lenore, I'm a real 4-Blocks fan. It has done wonders for our kids---ALL of our kids.
Djinn - I was reading the archives and thought it interesting that P.C. didn't think too much of word walls and High frequency words in Kinder. Any comments?
nat/k/ma - I just received Month by Month Reading and Writing K today. I got Phonics They Use last week. are you saying Classrooms That Work is better or will some of this be repeated.
tina2 - ,I got a lot from Classrooms that Work. It explained the 4 blocks and why.
Lenore/1&2/MN - unsure: I have been teaching reading for a long time, and she just makes so doggone much sense. I won't change a lot of the things I do as I think we all "do" the fours blocks. I am just more aware....and the activities are great. I just discovered this a
Kathleen - Djinn, my impression is that Pat C. thinks that the foundation before word walls, etc. must come first
Georgia - Thank you, Cheryl. Can you give us any specifics, like score improvement, point leaps, or stuff like that, if you remember anything--for our principals.
Kathy/5/IA - Has anyone seen the Month by Month Phonics for the upper grades? Our teacher supply store didn't have it.
Djinn - Nat- i think they are all related. You have two very good books.
tina2 - The rest of the books give lots of ideas and do a lot of the work for you, especially making words books
unsure - Kathleen, foundation meaning letters and sounds????
Addie k/mo - djinn, she doesnt advocate ww's as such in kindergarten, but she does introduce the kids names on a "special child" bb and she suggests monthly pic dictionary charts in the writing center
tina2 - I would like to have all the books!
Djinn - I loved Making Words in 2nd - the kids loved the activities
Kathleen - unsure, foundation of literacy, enjoyment, concept of word...my words, not Pat C...I'm guessing..Cheryl, how would you explain what pat C would tell k teachers about how to lay the foundation?
Addie k/mo - p.cunningham didnt necessarily advocate kids knowing ALL letters and sounds either
Kathy/5/IA - Are those of you teaching K using the word wall kit? I have a friend who teaches 1st and she bought the kit. Now she may have a Kindergarten job.
Djinn - Addie - I wondered because I read that and then started reading Month by Month and i considered the name wall a word wall.
Cheryl/SC - Georgia, at the first school piloting that had our state's lowest reading scores, we count the number of kids scoring in the bottom quarter of MAT in half the first year!
MJS - ARe browsing boxes for SSR part of the 4 blocks? How do I organize browzing boxes? (I have the tubs ready!)
unsure - Addie, does she believe that Ks could be reading?
Addie k/mo - kat, i think you explained it pretty well, concepts of print....and she is big on rhyming and syllabication of words
tina2 - Djinn, how did you make the letter cards for the kids? Did you use index cards?
Kathleen - So, K's should be using words more directly connected to concrete...names, etc.
Georgia - Very well said--whoever said that Cunningham just makes good sense. And yes, to he who asked about foundations--phonemic awareness, its labeled. Kids have to first be aware that certain letters have names, and differently, also have sounds. I have to start at that point with my first graders each year.
Kathleen - MJS has a question about organizing browsing boxes..can anyone help?
Djinn - Tina- I made them on sentence strips and cut them up
unsure - building phonemic awareness, language etc.. right??? (Kathleen/ Addie)
Addie k/mo - djinn, that is the way i looked at it too....i am doing a ww, but i think that the key to it being dev. app. is the fact that it is exposure, not mastery...like you would expect mastery in first grade
Kathleen - to unsure: yes:-)
Kathy/5/IA - Thanks, Addie - I'll let her know that.
Addie k/mo - yes, unsure
nat/k/ma - What are browsing boxes?
Cheryl/SC - EAch group at a table is given a crate of books---varied genre, readability level, etc. --something for everyone. We don't allow wandering during SSR.
Georgia - Yup, first comes the phonemic awareness, the language enrichment from talk, the reading of the books, the discussions--all that is foundational.
Kalyn - I'd like to know how to organize the browsing boxes too. Please.
Djinn - Thanks Addie I think that clarifies it for me. I was unsure about how DAP it would be.
tina2 - MJS, You are on the right track with browsing boxes.
MJS - Cheryl. so the browsing boxes are multi-level? Thanks
Kathleen - try to add planks to a a concrete foundation too soon, the whole thing topples.
Kathy/5/IA - I like that idea...Cheryl! I have so many books that they don't all fit on my shelf. Putting some in boxes like that may help!
MJS - Ididn't know whether they all had to be the same level reading per box, and whether they should all be books the students have already read...
tina2 - I am going to go to crates. Many kids spent most of their time "looking" for books.
Cheryl/SC - MJS, yes they're multi-level because the kids at each table are, too.
unsure - What kinds of activities do you all do to dev. phonemic awareness?
nat/k/ma - So would you begin a word wall around February? When?
Georgia - Hey guys, my clock says I have to log off and feed a starving husband. Again, read: CLASSROOMS THAT WORK to get the layout and the specifics, then go to the other books for even more. But more than anything, say daily: programs don't teach; teachers teach. We make it happen--the books, the strategies, the programs don't--we do.
Kathleen - I think in K the most DAP would be using the names as Pat C suggests, words directly from the kids' experience, giving them the experience of using it as a reference, more than expecting (or using up valuable time) on learning abstract words
Djinn - My browsers are according to reading level. So they are labeled with Kids names and they know they are "just right"for them
Addie k/mo - that is JMO, djinn, but that is how i am looking at it...i have always had mine do visual matching w/words in big books...not necessarily expecting that all kids would learn to read all the words...just observe the letters, notice similarities and differences between words, and pick up on the concept of word and letter, i dont see a ww used in this way as any different, DAP wise.
MJS - So each box has a set of books, and you rotate them.. and then after every table has had that box, I guess you change all the boxes?
Kathy/5/IA - Did someone explain the Folder Word Walls they use for the upper grades? If so, I missed it.
Ang - Does anyone know of any 4 block workshops
Mayra - Kathy- Have you thought of using personalized dictionaries for your kids?
Kathy/5/IA - Yes, Mayra. The fourth grade teacher gave me the ones they started last year. I plan to use them this year. There are a couple pages for each letter.
Mayra - Kathy - Wouldn't that be similar to the folders or am I understanding the folders differently?
Cheryl/SC - 4-Blocks is a literacy model based on the premise that there are 4 basic ways to teach reading. The model ensures that every child is exposed to all 4 methods every day. It works!
Cheryl/SC - The K model of Pat's is called Building Blocks. It's a good foundation for 4-Blocks that's DAP.
Kathy/5/IA - Yes, Mayra - I think so. Since they started the books last year, the folder would probably just confuse them. I think I'll go with what I have.
Fran - I am new to the 4 blocks model too. How do you have time to get to 4 methods of teaching reading every day?? I am lucky to find time to do much structured reading at all!!!
Mayra - Thanks to all involved here. I was able to clarify the word wall and a couple other areas too. G'night.
Cheryl/SC - Fran, we give 2 and 1/4 hours a day to 4-Blocks. We value reading and literacy enough to make the time.
Jalynn - In Classrooms that Work, Cunningham recommends the book Guided Reading: Good first teaching for all children by Irene Fountais and Gay Su Pinnell
