Monday, August 10, 1998
4-Blocks Literacy Model
A Teachers.Net Book Talk
The Works of
Patricia Cunningham
with
Georgia
Visit the The Four Blocks Literacy Center at
http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/
Check the meeting schedule for future meetings
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
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