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Barb/2/NE - Hi Barb, Linda, Faith and Deb!
Barb/2/NE - Ok, what's the topic today? I'd love to talk about reading
deb - We have only been in school 7 days and they are OBNOXIOUS. I can't wait for October when the kids know the expectations. I am in Michigan.
deb - reading - sounds good. I teach four blocks reading to teachers and of course with my students
Linda/2/CA - have been in session for 4 weeks--and they still don't understand basic directions
Barb/2/NE - LOL@deb, alot of work ahead of you, eh?
barb - I'm a multi-age primary-K-1-2
Barb/2/NE - deb, really? a teacher's teacher? great!
Faith - deb in purple, where are you from that you have only been in school for 7 days
deb - yup, the kids never shut up. Our first grades don't believe in quiet anything. I don't like silence, but screaming out is driving me crazy so far
deb - faith - Michigan we go Labor Day to June 8
Linda/2/CA - well--I'm trying to teach 4 blocks, but it's a little hard to do when SRA comes in and says no to this and no to that
deb - sra is what????
Barb/2/NE - so deb, what have you been doing? Our first graders, in our school, look like they are like your 2nd graders!
Faith - we are completing our 5 wk of school and my students are finally getting the hang of everything. It's about time
Linda/2/CA - Reading Mastery--same people who do Open Court
Linda/2/CA - Also known as Distar Reading
Faith - Linda, does your school live by SRA? How do you like it
barb - I wouldn't like anyone coming in and telling me want I can and can't use
deb - I am doing the LOOK and LISTEN technique. I won't talk until they are quiet. It takes awhile. BUT by October, they'll get it
Linda/2/CA - They are in terrible conflict with the state standards here in CA--but the state is the one who told us we HAD to use it--don't like it
Barb/2/NE - I just love the excitement that is coming from 4Blocks, I just learned about it this summer, and have implemented some of it. Like the word wall. I need to visit with my principal to fully implement it
Faith - Our school lives and dies by sra. It seems so boring. What happened to reading stories and novels
barb - That's what I love the best
Linda/2/CA - can't use word wall, can't teach sight words, don't use running records, don't assess on writing, only use their books for SSR--there are only 6 titles in 2nd grade for independent reading
deb - I can't imagine being told that I couldn't teach 4 blocks. I didn't ask for permission. I just implemented it three years ago. Now the other teachers are finally catching on to the good teaching.
Linda/2/CA - agree with you Faith
barb - YUCK!
deb - linda - what one of the four blocks does SRA address?
Barb/2/NE - Linda, wow, how hard! You see all the positive results from other teachers, and you are stuck with one program :-(om al
Linda/2/CA - I do word wall and SSR and writing anyway
deb - how long does it take to teach it daily?
Linda/2/CA - it is a phonics program--but the word the is pronounced thee
Faith - linda, it sounds like you have the same feeling as our reading teachers here in TX. SRA seems to be a great program ON PAPER but the kids are not enjoying reading anymore
Linda/2/CA - 90 min--and no comprehension to speak of--so you can imagine how much supplementing I have to do
deb - do the people in CA say thee for the due to accents? Or is that a SRA thing?
deb - linda, so SRA is a phonics program essentially?
Linda/2/CA - yep--and this is after we raised our SAT 9 scores tremendously this last spring
barb - That sounds really hard.
Barb/2/NE - Darn! White out! I've got to log off, refresh won't work!
Linda/2/CA - SRA thing--the only people I have heard say thee are some oldsters from the deep south and some fundamentalists
deb - I would close my door and teach four blocks. It is impossible to get rid of a tenured teacher anyway ...
Faith - Linda, do y'all only use SRA reading or do y'all use reasing and writing SRA program as well
deb - but I am a rebel by heart
Linda/2/CA - Well--I only have to do it for 2 more weeks--then I will be replaced in the classroom and become a Resource Teacher--working and training the other teachers
barb - One program can't possibly be the best for ALL kids. Don't they realize that?
deb - linda, training them in what -- sra??????????
Faith - deb, you obviously don't work for an observant principal if you could get away with this
deb - that's why I love 4 blocks, it is NOT a program and we address ALL FOUR major approaches to reading
REI/2/IL - Linda...what are you training them in?
Linda/2/CA - Yep--it is so boring and the kids look at you like you are crazy when you start doing all the hand flapping and finger snapping and hand clapping
deb - our principals have NO say in what we teach
Linda/2/CA - agree deb--been getting more and more teachers interested in it--we have 28 k-2 teachers at our site
barb - My principal say pull anything you need for your kids.
deb - we are required to teach to the state benchmarks and standards. The other teachers and principals have no say in telling us to do a specific book, text, or program
Faith - so how is your curriculum determines? doesn't he/she come into your room and chec k on what is being taught?
Linda/2/CA - we used Harcourt Brace before--while not the greatest--at least the kids got some literature--at 2nd grade the SRA stories are 1-2 pages long
deb - we have a state curriculum -- for example in science we have 9 subjects that must be taught: simple machines, magnets, dinosaurs, weather, etc. We must teach these subjects. The kids must pass the state tests. If our kids are passing, the adm. leaves the individual teacher alone
REI/2/IL - We implemented 4 Blocks district wide this year. The teachers love it.
Faith - i'm sorry, deb, where did you say you were from? does your state have an accountability test at the end of the year that determines your school's ranking like our TAAS test here in Texas...thanks to George W. Bush
Linda/2/CA - well--we must have done something right last year--largest number of students to pass in the last 5 years
deb - We are dabbling in four blocks. There are a few teachers at each grade level messing around with it. I hope it spreads.
deb - michigan
barb - That's the way it is for me too. We follow the state standards and assess each child throughout the year. If the kids are doing well the principal leaves you alone.
Linda/2/CA - Same here Faith--only ours is SAT 9
Barb/2/NE - REI, you are a 4Blocks trainer, right?
deb - we have the MEAP (michigan test), michigan is ranked 4th or 5th in education....
Faith - What grades are tested on the MEAP and SAT 9
deb - I am a four blocks trainer. REI are you going to the leadership conference in NC in January?
deb - MEAP - 4,5, 7,8, 10,11
Linda/2/CA - SRA wants us to throw out our whole LA assessment program--course they give us nothing to replace it with
Linda/2/CA - SAT 9==2nd to 11th mandatory--1st optional
Faith - Linda, do you feel that kids are losing interest in reading?
Linda/2/CA - Definitely
deb - We also test using CAT V grades 2-10 or 11
Linda/2/CA - is that Cheri from CA?
Faith - What happens to students who don't pass the state test? are they held back or placed in a remedial class
deb - nothing happens, but they can't graduate if they don't pass the meap in 11th grade
REI/2/IL - Barb-I have been working with the teachers in my district and a couple in the area, as of now. I have been contacted by our State Board of Ed about working with other districts.
Linda/2/CA - We don't use the state test for promotion/retention--each district makes it's own guidelines from the state guidelines--retention is mandatory starting at the end of 2nd for those who can't pass the benchmarks
Barb/2/NE - REI and deb, maybe I'm asking the wrong people, but what are the downsides of 4Blocks?
Faith - i just heard that 60 minutes is having a story about our state's test and Gov. Bush. That should be interesting to hear what other people think of the state's taas test
REI/2/IL - Deb-Yes, I am going to the Leadership Conference in Jan. Can't wait!
barb - My district has a no retention policy
deb - well, I bought, addressed, and wrote out my 100 post cards for the geography project through the mailring (organized by BRIT) Is anyone else doing this?
Linda/2/CA - Yep--would be interested if they tell the true story--like not testing most of the ELL and Sp Ed kids
Barb/2/NE - Faith, haven't you had a high High School drop out rate, and that's the reason why your High School passing rate is so high?
deb - rei - did you go last year?
barb - I signed up for one but the list isn't complete yet so I haven't started.
Faith - barb, what happens to those who don't do well...social promotion?
barb - They get remedial help and we have summer school.
Barb/2/NE - Faith, don't know, our state doesn't seem as "testing crazy" as others
deb - down side of four blocks? ummmmmm It is time consuming, it takes A LOT of preparation, it is hard work for the teacher to implement, it requires teachers to really understand why they are teaching reading -- no SCRIPT -- it is a great way for good teachers to teach, but the bad teachers may fail since they have to work hard
Linda/2/CA - those who are retained are placed in a Reading Resource program
barb - But they can't graduate unless they pass the state test in all subject areas so it does catch up with them
Barb/2/NE - Faith, oops, your question was for the other barb!
Faith - In most districts, No, barb. School districts can't have below a specific %age of drpo outs to get money from the taas test
Faith - thats okay barb
Barb/2/NE - deb, that's the only downside I was thinking, but so many stories from veteran teachers that are energized by this method, make you stay with it!
Faith - gotta go, have a great and successful week
Linda/2/CA - we raised our scores more than 30%--so will get some extra money from the state
REI/2/IL - LOL Deb---was just thinking the same thing.
deb - barb - I LOVE teaching this way. I will NEVER go back to a traditional ONE approach reading method
Linda/2/CA - That is very true Barb--I have been teaching for 32 years and feel like 4b gave me a new lease on teaching
Barb/2/NE - Linda, that's great! Do you know what the main contributing factor was in that jump in scores?
Linda/2/CA - teachers understood the standards and used any and all materials to teach with
Linda/2/CA - not one size fits all!!
Barb/2/NE - Cheri, what reading program do you use?
deb - you know, thinking of why I teach the way I do and the dilemma in CA for Linda, I would teach the way I want and get PARENTS on my side. and ARGUE the points of four blocks. I am teaching reading FOUR ways. I would teach SRA phonics if required by the district BUT then I would teach the other three blocks the four blocks way and say it is the RIGHT thing for MY students. I wonder how the kids would test out against other studnets??? Mine do REALLY well
Linda/2/CA - SRA wants 90 min of phonics--I cut it to 40
deb - GOOD for you Linda!!!! I bet that your students will do great!
REI/2/IL - I didn't attend the Leadership Conference. It filled before I got permission to attend.:-( Went to the Feb. 4 Blocks conference instead. :-) Have attended several of Pat, Dottie and Cheryl's conferences over the last 2 years.
Linda/2/CA - not so sure deb--this group should have been kept back in 1st--most are reading levels 4-8
deb - REI - I am going again. Dottie and Pat asked me to attend.
deb - I am going again, Pat and Dottie asked my to attend
Cheri - We use Houghton Mifflin Invitations to Literacy. It's a good series. I just started in 2nd grade and have very few books so I'm struggling. Came across the 4 Blocks books and thought it looked like a sensible system for including everything that needs to be included. Where did you guys begin and when?
Linda/2/CA - will be seeing dottie in oct or is it nov in Sacramento
Barb/2/NE - deb, I have an interesting class this year. Many ranges of reading levels, I would love 4Blocks for this reason, I have such competitive kids, that they have figured out who's in the "high" group and who's in the "low" group
Linda/2/CA - begin with the word block it is the easiest--started that the first week
REI/2/IL - Deb-WAHOO! Then I will get to meet you!!!!!
Barb/2/NE - Cheri, I think that's my series, is the first story, Ronald Morgan at Bat?
deb - :) looking forward to it
Linda/2/CA - MY first story is The Cow on the Road!! One whole page!!!
deb - I am teaching Little Bear first. I have 25 copies of the book
Cheri - Barb, It starts with Three Cheers for Tacky. It's divided into 6 themes, the first being Pets.
deb - To get books, one thing that many teachers don't do is this -- book clubs --
Barb/2/NE - Cheri, oh! I love Tacky! I saw a readers theater version of it, somewhere on the web!
Cheri - Why don't teachers do book clubs or are you suggestingto do this?
deb - the FIRST book club orders offer 20x the amount if you spend $200. I always spend 200 the FIRST order to get the 4000 bonus points. THEN I dont'have to spend any more money all year. It works great!
deb - barb, I wrote that reader's theatre. IT is posted at www.readinglady.com
Linda/2/CA - agree with that deb--my personal classroom library has over 4000 books, not counting the multiple copy sets--got most with bonus points from Troll and Scholastic
Barb/2/NE - deb! Really, LOL! It's so cute!
Cheri - What book company do you do the club orders with? thanks for the reader's theatre website.
deb - scholastic usually. Sometimes Carnival or Trumpet, but usually SEESAW scholastic has the books I want'
Cheri - Sorry. This is my first chat room so I'm slow keeping up with the chat and responding.
REI/2/IL - I use Scholastic...but Trumpet is also owned by them, so I can use my points with either company.
Barb/2/NE - Scholastic, here too!
deb - cheri - you are doing FINE
Barb/2/NE - Cheri, you are doing great!
deb - Make sure you don't combine orders to get to 200 dollars. The order has to be ONE order form.
Barb/2/NE - I asked my kids to bring a Hink Pink to school on Monday, I hope they remembered to ask their family for help!
Cheri - Thanks.4000 books, MY GOODNESS!!! I wonder if I'll ever get that many. My room was stripped before I started so it's like starting from zero.
deb - My goal this summer was to figure out a way to list all my books. I DIDN"T get it done. DIDN"T even start - ha ha ha ha
Cheri - What is a Hink Pink?
Barb/2/NE - Here is a Hink Pink that one child brought on Friday.......What do you call a big branch from a tree?
Linda/2/CA - It is a time consuming job--but I have to have a list to know what I have--so I don't keep ordering the same books over and over again
deb - cheri - I have thousands of books and they are ALL PERSONAL purchases -- I walked into an empty room too!
Barb/2/NE - Cheri, a Hink Pink is a riddle that's answer is 2, one syllable word, this answer is a Thick Stick!
Linda/2/CA - yard sales are another way to get cheap books
deb - and be friend the parents. I have parents donate books to the classroom every year
Cheri - Great idea, Barb. I like that. I have started buying and using alot of my own from home. And people say teachers are overpaid!!
Barb/2/NE - Cheri, a Hinky Pinky is 2 words with 2 syllable answers, and a Hinkity Pinkity, is 2, 3 syllable answer
Linda/2/CA - my students are very poor--so we have a book swap 4 times a year where they can trade their books for "new" ones--also I give away books as frequently as I can
Barb/2/NE - Cheri, found it with 4Blocks stuff!
Barb/2/NE - Linda, that's so nice!
Cheri - How long have you been using Four Blocks?
Linda/2/CA - I also give away discarded textbooks--especially old reading series, science and social studies
deb - I have done four blocks officially for 3 years and unofficially ( having no name for it) for 10 years
Barb/2/NE - Cheri, I just started the working with words block, and the word wall, I just read about 4Blocks this summer, I need to learn more
Linda/2/CA - Barb--are you on the 4b mailring?
REI/2/IL - Cheri-2 years here.
Linda/2/CA - My kids love word wall and the activities we do with it
rere - hi , I want to learn more about 4 blocks too
Cheri - When I first signed on were you talking about 4 blocks conferences? Do you go to them? where are they?
Barb/2/NE - Linda, Yes, I'm on the 4Blocks mailring, digest form, of course!
REI/2/IL - Barb and I talked a lot about 4 Blocks this summer. :-)
Barb/2/NE - REI< oh yes!
deb - www.readinglady.com has them posted on her site
Linda/2/CA - When I started, I got a lot of help from a group here in CA that was really into 4b
rere - rei, I've spoken with you before
Linda/2/CA - well-got to go--washing to finish up--nice talking to you all
Barb/2/NE - You know, I think working with someone who has already implemented 4blocks really would help me, I wonder if anyone in Omaha uses it?
DI - Is anyone using Weekly Reader this year?
rere - I'm already in school, now for @ 4 weeks, is it too late to start?
deb - I have weekly reader and scholastic
REI/2/IL - Di-we are using both Weekly Reader and Scholastic News.
deb - barb, post the request to the mailring, I am sure there is someone
rere - I plan to order weekly reader di
Cheri - I don't know anyone around my area that is using it. I'm using Weekly Reader and Scholastic.
deb - rere- never too late to start
Barb/2/NE - REI, can I make a road trip to your school! I think you are my closest 4Block example!
deb - I have first grade weekly reader and second grade scholastic news
REI/2/IL - Rere-no! We had teachers start 2nd semester last year.
Barb/2/NE - deb, great idea!
REI/2/IL - That is what we have done too, deb.
REI/2/IL - Sure Barb--come on over. :-)
rere - rei, are there any workshops on 4 blocks in the east? NC?
Barb/2/NE - Thanks! Road trip to Illinois! :-)
Barb/2/NE - Deb, I can see why you order the 1st grade weekly reader, we struggled through our first one last week!
rere - can someone explain the 4 blocks? What areas are covered?
deb - rere - the blocks are comprehension, phonics, reading at your own level, and writing. We spend about 30 minutes at each block
DI - Does anyone think Weekly Reader is harder this year than last?
Barb/2/NE - DI, me! I wonder why that is?
deb - comprehension -- setting a purpose for reading, reading in some format (small group, partners, individual, whole group -- depends on the reading abilities of the room and the book level) and then coming back together whole group to talk about the purpose for reading
deb - phonics - working with words. THere are several activities that teachers can do. We have a word wall with sight words and words that rhyme a variety of activities. MOnth By Month Phonics for SEcond Grade will help
Cheri - I have to go. troops are hungry and I have lots of planning to do. thanks for your help. Be back another time.
rere - thanks for the info, deb
deb - self selected reading - fluency building, reading for enjoyment, etc
deb - writing - kids write using a workshop approach and then read their own writing.
deb - With scholastic and weekly reader, I am doing QAR. What is anyone else doing to read these?
deb - QAR - question, answer, relationship
Barb/2/NE - Deb, QAR, Question, Answer, Review?
deb - questions -- "Right There" "In Your Head" "Think and Search"
deb - you ask the kids questions that fall into one of the three categories to show them that there are a variety of different levels of questions
Barb/2/NE - Deb, Oh good! I guess I do already do that with my kiddo's, just didn't know the names
deb - The child reads "The brown horse is in the read barn" then you ask what is the horse in? Answer -- a red barn, how do you know? Because the answer is RIGHT THERE for me to read
deb - In Your Head is when the kids can't read the answer. They know that horses live in barns due to inferences not because it says it
deb - the think and search is when the kids have to look in the story and find the pieces in different places and put the pieces together to answer a question. the book doesn't specifically say the answer
deb - this is one comprehension techique I do weekly in guided reading
deb - what makes this strategy really work is getting the kids to realize what kinds of questions they are answering. Making them aware of the types of questions helps them PASS those standardized tests
REI/2/IL - Barb- For a bit...I am "suppose" to be working in my classroom. LOL!!!
Barb/2/NE - thanks for the meeting! See you all next week, I hope!
