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milymo - Hi everyone!
Debbie - Are any of you required to keep running records?
milymo - I need to learn more about rr before I actually use them.
TessaTL - Yes, I do running records
Debbie - Can you tell me how I can learn more about a good rr system?
milymo - Who's doing 4 blocks?
TessaTL - Gay Su Pinell's Guided Reading is the program we are using in our school
Debbie - Thanks, Tessa, I made a note of it
blondie - milymo--I am doing 4 blocks
Debbie - Now that I noted it, does it work? lol
milymo - I have Pinell's Guided Reading Book. It has a lot of good stuff.
TessaTL - I do a short rr on one child during each reading group, but then I do an "official " rr on a benchmark book 1 amonth
Debbie - Do rr take only a few minutes?
milymo - I just started with 4-B this year blondie. How long have you been doing it.
Debbie - (I assume it's sort of like learning shorthand)
blondie - Is anyone using Harcourt Collections 2000
TessaTL - Well ideally, but sometimes the benchmarks take a little longer
TessaTL - It is really easy to learn how to do
blondie - milymo--I have just started it this year too--I am pretty much really focusing on Guided Reading and Word Wall this year
milymo - We are getting ready to adopt a new text this year.
Debbie - I've seen it demonstrated, just haven't tried it
milymo - I love Reading and writing workshop!
Debbie - Any opinions on the Cloze method of assessment?
TessaTL - The 4 B is really similiar to our program isn't it
Debbie - I love teaching writing.
blondie - Milymo--how are you liking 4 Blocks?
TessaTL - I don't. How do you do it?
Debbie - I'm reading Kagan's Cooperative Learning, it's excellent
blondie - I kinda use the cloze method in guess the covered word in 4 blocks
milymo - I am enjoying it so much more than my reading and writing instruction from last year, and I think the students are getting more out of it. What about you blondie?
Debbie - My feeling on Cloze is that it really doesn't work with any text, it must be pre-written with Cloze in mind.
TessaTL - How do you teach writing?
blondie - Well , I taught SFA last year...anything is better than that!!! I really have seen my students enjoying reading and writing with 4 blocks
Cheri - Debbie, what is Kagan's cooperative Learning?
Debbie - Re: writing: stages: mapping, drafting, editing & publishing stages
Debbie - (I'm going back & forth with my daughter, pardon me, here)
Debbie - Kagan's Cooperative Learning is generally done in groups of four, each with imperative roles
blondie - Debbie how do you organize your writers workshop? Do you start with a mini lesson and have conferences daily or what??
Debbie - I begin with a map. Sometimes I'll prestart them with a pro-social idea for example.
Debbie - Mini-lesson with mapping & brainstorming
Debbie - Then drafting or pre-writing
Debbie - Every sentence must work off the main idea
Debbie - With some children I do the pre-writing stage orally
blondie - what should 2nd graders be doing in writing at this time of the year??? First year in 2nd
milymo - This is only my second year in second and next year I'll probably be in a different grade!
Debbie - I'd be curious to hear what others have to say, but I think they should be able to construct a paragraph with a main sentence & supporting sentences afterward. They should be able to reference the word wall as needed for spelling. Most should be able to organize their ideas fairly independently.
Linda/CA - I agree Debbie--that is out benchmark for 2nd
blondie - I am having a hard time getting them to add details to their work
TessaTL - I would like to say that the majority of my student's are doing that, but I might be lying.
Linda/CA - our problem is getting them to write a close
Linda/CA - I finally started having them write the beginning and end of the story and then fill in the details--the sub sandwich helps a lot
TessaTL - I too am having a hard time with details. What kind of emphasis should I put on spelling? I expect them to be able to access the word wall and their little Spell Right dictionary
TessaTL - That is an interesting idea Linda. I think I will try it.
TessaTL - WB Debbie
milymo - My rule for spelling is if it has been on their spelling list or if it is on the word wall, it should be spelled correctly.
Linda/CA - I don't put too much emphasis on spelling--except for word wall words
Debbie - I agree. If they forget the spelling of a word they learned they should find it themselves on the wordwall or in their spelling book
TessaTL - What about in their final copy? Do you have them correct their spelling before that or let it go.
Linda/CA - Problem is that when we do writing assessment they don't have access to their dictionaries--they can read the room--but not use dictionary
Debbie - I don't worry about words they don't know, but do correct during "editing," so that spelling is correct for publishing (final copy)
Linda - Our school is doing a new program called America's Choice. Have any of you heard of it?
TessaTL - No what is it?
Linda/CA - at beginning I correct some, they correct some--after mid-year, they are expected to correct all
milymo - I haven't
Debbie - That's right. Are your rubrics similar to what I stated earlier re: writing assessment?
Debbie - They correct all of their spelling? What about the tough words?
Linda - It is a school design. They have a three year implementation. The first year focuses on Writing. So far, they are really focusing on Narrative Writing.
Debbie - I don't know America's Choice
Linda/CA - They all have dictionaries and are expected to use them
Linda/CA - Linda--what grade?
Debbie - Re: Kagan's Cooperative Learning, I just started reading it, but it is excellent. Great way to ensure success through cooperative learning groups. This guy Kagan knows his stuff.
Linda - The more I learn about Writer's Workshop from other places, the more I see that a lot of America's Choice is just Writer's Workshop...at least the writing part. They put LOTS of emphasis on having the RIGHT thing on your walls.
Linda - It is all grades...some middle schools are doing it too. It is tons of hard work.
Debbie - hmmmm My kids can't use dictionaries with the level of expertise that you would require. Not to correct every word without assistance.
TessaTL - Mine either
Linda - Next year we will still be doing Writing, but then we will be focusing on Reading.
Linda/CA - What year emphasises reading?
Debbie - 2nd grade, Linda? that seems young
Linda - I am in Florida I teach grade 2.
Debbie - Do you not focus on reading in Grade 2?
Linda - Well, even the Kinders are doing it too. We have to make sure that anything on the wall or bulletin board has a standard, an assignment, and a rubric.
Debbie - OK That part I understand, Linda
Linda - Of course, it is forcing us to learn more and to grow. But, we have had two teachers quit already. That is totally unheard of at my school.
Linda/CA - seems strange that they would emphasis writing before reading--don't think that is correct developmentally
Debbie - I'm trying to get someone to discuss Kagan's Cooperative Learning, but noone knows it. LOL
teach2 - kagan...what about it?
Debbie - Well, check out Kagan. I think he's well worth it. http://www.KaganOnline.com
Diane - I am beginning to get more writing done. I find it hard to get it in sometimes
teach2 - our school has adopted Kagan cl and mi
TessaTL - I don't understand how you can emphasis writing without reading. And I'm not familiar with Kagan either, but I've made a note about it.
Debbie - Teach, I was saying I've just rec'd the cl book & started into it. Looks excellent.
Linda/CA - My kids write every day, journals, interactive, mini-lessons, etc
teach2 - it is great...sometimes it is a lot of work creating though
Debbie - Tessa, I think we're on the same wavelength
teach2 - but worth the work...the kids love it
Diane - I am kinda doing tthe 4 blocks. In fact I am starting centers Tuesday., with reading
Linda/CA - cl and mi?
TessaTL - Mine do to. ( OK maybe not interactive, but that is because it drives my crazy.)
teach2 - im doing the 4 blocks..
Debbie - It seems it would be a lot of work at first (Kagan), but ultimately less constant classroom management.
teach2 - cooperative learning and multiple intelligences
Linda/CA - we also do daily news--everyone gets a turn to add to it
Linda - We are required to spend 1 hour a day on Writing. I am finding that my kids aren't reading as well as I thought they were.
teach2 - i use numbered heads together (cl) every day during math
Debbie - Right, teach2, that seemed to be the best of what I've seen re: Kagan cl & mi, which is where the trend is going I think
Linda - I would love to be able to start doing centers with Reading. I have been reading a lot about it. Do you pull small groups while the others are at centers?
Debbie - Is numbered heads what I think it is?
TessaTL - I easily spend an hour a day writing. If you count what they are doing during centers.
teach2 - yes im sure it is..you use a spinner
Debbie - Tell me more, teach2...
Linda/CA - Yes--the best book I have found on centers is What are the other kids doing while I work with small groups--takes very little prep
Debbie - Oh, I've seen all his spinners advertised
Diane - I am starting it Tuesday. I am doing it for 45-50 minutes. They eill all be in a center. SSR, computers, writing, poetry or making words
teach2 - i have small groups while the rest of my class is doing literacy corners
Debbie - He's got a spinner for everything lol
Debbie - Where are you, teach2?
teach2 - i use the spinner that..well it is red and can be used for a lot of things...i teach in MO
Debbie - Are your groups heterogeneous?
TessaTL - I do workstations during reading. Last year I did it for an hour, too short. This year I tried 2 hours, too long. Now I am doing it for 1 1/2 hours, and it is working well.
Debbie - Missouri, right?
teach2 - i have corners for 1 1/2 hours also..just perfect
teach2 - yes, MO
Linda/CA - That is the time I have found to be best Tessa
Debbie - Trial & Error, Tessa?
Diane - yes mine are. I have inclusion kids so I sorted them in the 4 groups
TessaTL - Isn't everything! lol
Debbie - 90 minutes for reading, perfect
teach2 - i have the students grouped according to levels of reading...
Debbie - Yes... hmmm... I wonder if they use a spinner to determine my raise... lol
teach2 - i have 3 groups.
teach2 - thats the truth...
Debbie - For reading, homogenous based on reading level, what about math?
TessaTL - I have my groups according to level, but I have 7 groups.
Diane - I was going to try the reading level thing but then I realized there were some that needed the exposure
teach2 - wow! i have 3 groups....it works perfect...how many kids do u have?
Diane - 7 groups!! Wow
teach2 - i use flexible groups...they move around...
Debbie - Seven in 90 minutes, Tessa, do you have help in your room or are all 7 groups yours? How big is the class, Tessa?
teach2 - that way they arent always with the same students
TessaTL - I have 25, but I also have an extra reading support teacher that comes in for 75 minutes each morning.
teach2 - seven groups sounds like to much...granted i dont know your students..but wow
teach2 - i have 23 students with 3 groupd
TessaTL - She also pulls my Title kids for 1/2 hour each afternoon
Diane - I have 18
Linda/CA - Anyone have any ideas for center activities using synonyms, antonyms, homonyms?
Debbie - Kagan recommends that you mix the groups up often, I couldn't see doing it randomly, though.
Debbie - Oh, that's how you manage 7 groups. That's good.
TessaTL - I change my groups about every 3 weeks.
teach2 - i move them according to their levels...
TessaTL - I meet with all 7 just not on a daily basis
judy - hi, I have 20 kids, 4 semi-flexible groups
teach2 - the students progress at different rates
Diane - I had a apple tree and each tree had apples on them with a word programmed on it. They had to put the correct apple on the trre either opposite ot the same
teach2 - i went to a workshop that said it is better to read everyday than have them exactly on level and it has proven to work
TessaTL - I don't always have 7 groups just right now
teach2 - thats good
Debbie - Kagan says you can go as long as 6 weeks if your groups are working well
Linda/CA - my students read something to me everyday--whether in reading, spelling, or otherwise
teach2 - oh...you are talking about the groups they sit in...i was still on gr groups.
Diane - we read everyday too
judy - hooray, Linda, I need to hear mine read, too
teach2 - debbie i keep mine in groups about a month...thats about as long as they can stand each other
Linda/CA - charts, worksheets, whatever
Linda/CA - and I do Running Records on them every month
Debbie - Teach, are your groups ethnically diverse? ie what is the student population?
TessaTL - I don't know who came up with my class list, but I think they did it just to torture me
Debbie - Linda, are you the one who uses Gay Su Pinell's guided reading?
teach2 - i do not have a very diverse class ethnically...however ability wise they are very diverse...
Linda/CA - Know what you mean tessa--mine are the lowest in the grade--"But you are such a good teacher. Your students always make so much progress."
TessaTL - I use Guided Reading we are actually part of Ohio State's program
Linda/CA - Yes, I use it
Debbie - Oh, ok. I think small groups present challenges, regardless of how much time you devote to setting them up
teach2 - i only have one native american child and the rest are Caucasian
TessaTL - Linda I got "but you have so much patience with difficult children"
Linda/CA - mine--99% hispanic
teach2 - i dont think any class should be grouped by levels of ability
Debbie - I've been reading that the majority of students in CA are now Hispanic & the minority Caucasion.
teach2 - wow! linda
Debbie - How many ESL's do you have, Linda?
Linda/CA - Yes--I also hear "You are the one who knows most about teaching reading" I use Reading Recovery, Guides/Shared Reading--whatever it takes to teach them--no set program--as long as they get the content standards
TessaTL - I have one Nigerian, one Laotian, 10 Hispanic, 2 African American, and the rest caucasian. All are free lunch
Debbie - Reading recovery is excellent. It takes devotion. Do you have a reading recovery specialist?
Linda/CA - ELL's--85%
teach2 - thats just not right...no matter who the teacher...the students need to be with others
Debbie - God bless you, Linda!!!
teach2 - reading recovery is wonderful
Debbie - Oh, Tessa, you too!!!
Linda/CA - We have 2 teachers who are trained in Reading Recovery--one is head of a reading lab
TessaTL - And I am in Iowa
teach2 - Thats good but it doesnt sound like enough Linda
Debbie - Iowa, interesting, I never would have known that
Debbie - You've had good success with reading recovery, then
teach2 - I wouldn't have ever thought that either
Linda/CA - she has 4 aides who she has trained--they work with 4 kids each every 1/2 hour
Debbie - Oh yeah, I "ran into" MLK's daughter Friday night!!! Cool, eh? Up in Allentown, PA
teach2 - Wow..how exciting
TessaTL - Really Linda. We have 4 ESL teachers, 4 Reading Recovery, 2 Reading Excellence teachers, and Resource
Linda/CA - and the whole school is going thru a training program in balanced lit
Debbie - A beautiful young lady. I didn't know her name, though. Anyway. Happy MLK day to all.
TessaTL - very cool Debbie. Bye
teach2 - We have 3 Reading Recovery teachers and 1 aide
Linda/CA - Most of it is rehash for me--as I have been using 4 blocks for 2 years
Debbie - God bless all . . . Good night
teach2 - Balanced literacy...hows that going
teach2 - I am using 4 blocks this year and I love it!
Linda/CA - pretty good--the hardest part is getting them to do guided reading
Linda/CA - basically because they don't want to spend the time looking for books to teach with--want it all handed to them
teach2 - I have had the most difficult time with writing..they werent used to it
teach2 - It does take time and a lot of work
Linda/CA - 2nd grade got very upset with 1st--they are supposed to be able to write 3 sentences in 1st--found out most was copying from the board
TessaTL - I think we are blessed. We have developed an amazing bookroom. Everyone uses it to check out guided reading books
teach2 - That sure sounds familiar. My second graders hadn't done hardly any writing in 1st.
Linda/CA - Today is Monday, January 15, 2001. We have 13 boys and 7 girls. Three students are absent today. The weather is ....
Linda/CA - That sound familiar????
teach2 - I had one student cry because he thought he had to spell all of the words right. Even after we had talked about how we were going to write in 2nd grade. He had a traumatic experience. Very familiar.
TessaTL - mine struggle with math. We put such an emphasis on Guided reading that I wonder if they taught math at all
Linda/CA - I tell them that no one but me will ever see the first draft--that makes it easier on them
teach2 - We do Saxon Math(yuck) but it seems to help them get those skills.
TessaTL - We use Everyday Math. I can't stand it.
Linda/CA - we have 2 teachers piloting Saxon--their kids are scoring the lowest in the grades
teach2 - Saxon is adopted at our school. I've told my students that also.
Linda/CA - We use Harcourt Brace--geared to CA content standards
teach2 - Don't let them get Saxon!!
Linda/CA - would you like to write a testimonial and tell us why not?
Linda/CA - I have seen it and don't like it
teach2 - I could and probably many others!
teach2 - goodbye tessa...I have to finish grade cards bye
