terri - what is the topic
Vicks - I believe it's on the 4 blocks implementation
terri - our school uses many of the strategies but we are not consider 4blocks
Vicks - Could anyone tell me if the 4 blocks is the same as the balanced literacy /guided reading outlined by Gay sue Pinell
Katey - The guided reading has some similar ideas but is different in that you teach to the whole class more often
Vicks - So would you use the levelled books and have various groups according to their instructional level?
aggie/1/ca - Vicks--- four blocks is not like the Pinnel way at all.
REI/2/IL - Vicks...no. You don't level your kids for reading instruction.
aggie/1/ca - No, Vicks--- you have the kids reading at their instructional level during SSR time in 4 Blocks.
Katey - The Pinnell way advocates centres which four blocks does not
Vicks - I thought I understood that they use word walls etc..
REI/2/IL - That is during the Word Block.
aggie/1/ca - that's one of the blocks, Vicks--- word walls and working w/words.
Katey - Yes they use word walls during the words block, not guided reading
Vicks - Does it advocate using interactive writing?
aggie/1/ca - I'm not real sure what that is, Vicks, but a lot of 4 blocks teachers do a kind of daily message thing-- is that what you mean? Another block is Writer's workshop.
Carole - Hi. I am very excited about the 4 blocks model because I have been using much of the program for the past 4 years. Finally our board has decided to purchase it for the Kindergarten and Grade One teachers. We will be mandated to use it and I am quite happy about it.
Vicks - Is the 4 blocks similar to the Open Court program that Marilynn Adams has co-written?
aggie/1/ca - Yeah, Carole! How wonderful! I'm still a "lone ranger" where I am. Where do you teach?
Katey - Vicks- the students do more writer's workshop than interactive writing. Interactive type writing like pinnell suggests isn't really used
Lisa/1/NC - NO! Not even close Vicks
aggie/1/ca - No, No, No, Vicks! NOT like Open Cult at alllllllll!
Lisa/1/NC - as you can tell....I HATE Open Court
aggie/1/ca - *high five w/Lisa*
Lisa/1/NC - I left California partly because of Open Cult
aggie/1/ca - I thought as much, Lisa--- we are getting by w/out it's being forced on us by the skin of our teeth!
Katey - Vicks- Our school has been using Fountas/Pinnell guided reading/interactive writing for three years now and this past year two teachers and I switvhed to 4 blocks- what a difference! I love it!
REI/2/IL - Hey aggie...my kiddos wanted to if there were more teachers coming to visit today. LOL!!! You would think we have visitors everyday or something.
Lisa/1/NC - Oakland went from academic freedom to pushing Open Cult down our throats and being spied on by the Open Cult police
Vicks - Great. I'm glad to hear that. I'm a reading specialist working in a new school that purchased the program (so expensive) I work with the struggling readers and hate the idea that the grade 1's are forced to read those unattractive photocopied phonic books.
aggie/1/ca - Little show offs, REI! LOL!
Lisa/1/NC - Katey...isn't 4Blocks great? The kids just soar with it!
Katey - I think it is great and soo easy to implement and keep going!
REI/2/IL - LOL!! They just wanted someone else to read their "BOOKS".
aggie/1/ca - Katey-- I didn't like all those little centers in F&P.
Katey - Aggie-Me neither!!! The centres took forever to get organized and the kids weren't too accountable
aggie/1/ca - Vicks---- what I like about 4 blocks is that you can use it w/almost annnnnyyy reading series--- but not Open Court or Success For All.
Lisa/1/NC - may I brag for a minute....Dottie will be back at my school working with my teachers on Friday...And I think I have FINALLY convinced our Kindergarten teachers to beging using Building Blocks
aggie/1/ca - Yes, Katey! And there were days when I just said, "as long as your quiet, I don't really care WHAT you are doing!"......Not really! But you get the idea!
REI/2/IL - That is great Lisa. Our kinder teachers began implementing BB this year. They love the model.
aggie/1/ca - yeeeeeee-haw, Lisa!
Katey - Aggie! I know what you mean!
Vicks - What I'm curious about is that Marilynn Adams who wrote Beginning to Read is listed as a resource in some of the 4 blocks bibliography is now pushing the newer edition of Open Court.
aggie/1/ca - Vicks--- I'm sure she's written or developed something worthwhile--- maybe Pat and Dottie found the only thing! LOL!
Lisa/1/NC - Marilyn Adams has seemingly changed her opinion on early reading -- to whatever the people paying her wants her to say
aggie/1/ca - You've probably hit the nail on the head there, Lisa!
Katey - I've never taught open court- doesn't sound too appealing.
Joanie - I am in Co... no 4Blocks anywhere nearby! Can you tell me about Open Court? My dist. adopted it this year, and I follow the 4B listserve religiously... although not traind. I LOVE what it professes, and want to be trained. I've suggested 4B training to my staff development coordinator this week, and he almost flipped! Open Court rules... fortunately I don't HAVE to use it, as I am in alternative school.
Vicks - What I do now, is use the phonemic awareness activites but then use levelled books with my small group. In 4 blocks do you use the same level of books for all?
Lisa/1/NC - maybe Open Court works....I would have a better opinion of it if it was one program that we could use if we wanted to
aggie/1/ca - Lisa-- it teaches kids to sound out words-- not to read.
Lisa/1/NC - Vicks -- you can use the basal reader in 4Blocks Guided Reading
Katey - I'm in Canada- 4 blocks has just hit in the past year or so. I expect it to really grow as word of mouth spreads
aggie/1/ca - Yes, Vicks--- a sort of average level for most of your class. You use this on 3 days a week. On the other 2 days you use an easier text.
Lisa/1/NC - I agree Aggie -- a friend who has to use it near Sacramento calls Open Court "Hiss and spit" phonics
Joanie - Sounding out words was my experience too, with the little I have used it. I put it away real fast! I thought I read not long ago that someone said O.C. adapted well to 4B???
Vicks - That is especially true with over phonetic users- I have a boy who knows all the sounds etc... but keeps reading by sounding out everything which is why I switched from their phonetic books to using levelled books.
Lisa/1/NC - Joanie -- there is a teacher on the 4Blocks mailring who says the OC and 4Blocks works well together -- but then again, she doesn't have to do it in lock-step fashion
aggie/1/ca - No, Joanie--- I don't think it does. And a lot of places w/Open Court have "facilitators" (read:"police") who come and make sure you are on EXACTLY the same page at EXACTLY the same time as the other teachers in your grade level--- forget about teaching reading your own way. You have to follow the script to the letter.
Carole - May I ask What is Open Court. I am from Canada and we do not use that program here.
Ali - I agree aggie
Lisa/1/NC - Carole -- Open Court is a lock-step scripted phonics program that is based on systematic sequential phonics
Joanie - I guess that I hesitate to use it because of the NUMEROUS books and THINGS that go with it. I was told not to deviate fromt he first 26 weeks of lessons!!! My heart sand to the floor, of course, but then my principal said to pick what I wanted to use. Thanks for that much, but no telling how long we can hold out.
Ali - Open Court seems very intolerant of anything else but their canned program
Vicks - Hi Carole. I live in Ottawa and a few schools here started using it last year as part of an early liteacy study. We received funds to buy the books and different schools chose different methods.
sue - Is this where Cheryl S. is going to talk?
aggie/1/ca - Carole-- it's a phonics based reading program that is often forced on schools here who have low test scores. It is a scripted program that allows for little flexibility and little or no teacher input.
Carole - From the sounds of things, maybe it is a good thing we don't have it. I enjoy the flexibility with the 4 Bs. I teach in Lindsay, with the Peterborough Board.
Ali - Teachers either LOVE or HATE Open Court
aggie/1/ca - sue--- I don't think she's here tonight. I think this is an un=moderated chat.
aggie/1/ca - Well! I guess sue wasn't to happy w/that answer! LOL!
Vicks - Does anyone know of a good web site or research that really looks at the cons of open court. Everything I have seen, seems to have been put out by the publisher and of course it's great according to them
Ali - I'm doing Reading Support this year with the 4B method, and the kids are making great gains!
REI/2/IL - Carole...I love the flexibility also AND so do my kiddos!
aggie/1/ca - Vicks-- yes! http://www.alt-sfa.com has a section devoted to Open Court discussion.
Lisa/1/NC - Vicks -- there is a website that has the pros and cons -- it's very interesting....but I am blanking out on where it is
aggie/1/ca - How wonderful, Ali! Where is this?
Joanie - When I learned that OC was an SRA product, I knew right away what we were in for. I learned with SRA in grade school, and could just cringe at the thought of the color coded cards to read and respond to. It was so BORING, and I have to say it isn't real different now...
Ali - I'm in PA near Pittsburgh
Lisa/1/NC - Ali -- how long do you have a group of kids in your reading support?
aggie/1/ca - LOL Joanie! I had SRA when I was in school, too-- and I loved it!
Ali - Joanie.... same here, and I hated them too!
Marie - I'm just beginning to learn about 4 Blocks and I have lots of questions.
Lisa/1/NC - fire away Marie
aggie/1/ca - Go right ahead, Marie! Someone here will try to help.
Ali - In OPen Court, the letter M card has a picture of an ice-cream cone! (their logic is that when the kids see the ice-cream, they'll think: Mmmmmmmmmmmm! )
Katey - How long have each of you been teaching 4B? I just started this year.
Joanie - So, on to better things. I want to use 4B with the blessings of my rpincipal next year. I am going to a multiage 2-3 from m.a 1-2 this year. In a nutshell, any advise? I have read the teachers guide, and have purchased the phonics books for 1 and 2. an I read the listserve everyday. I have gotten so many ideas from all of you. You sound like you are having such a good time teaching!
Ali - 2 years
Marie - First, I'm moving to a brand new school next year. We're ordering furniture next week, and I was wondering would be useful in setting up a 4 Blocks classroom?
Lisa/1/NC - Katey -- this is my third year using 4Blocks
Vicks - Thanks for the info. I'm new to the school and am the only reading specialist on staff. Some staff members seem to see Open Court as the "traditional phonic method" and anything else as Whole Language. Would you say that 4 block is a good mixture of both. Thanks for your patience, but I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy of the 4 blocks books yet and the web site only gives a general outline.
aggie/1/ca - Yeah-- and that's a real difficult concept for kids learning English to grasp, Ali.
REI/2/IL - 3 1/2 years, Katey. Our district implemented it district wide this year.
aggie/1/ca - Yes, Vicks--- I think of 4 Blocks as how Whole Language should have been taught.
Carole - 4 years Katie, but our board has just finally decided to purchase it for the K-1 teachers.
Ali - 4 blocks believes that there is NOT one single best way to teach ALL kids to read... therefore there are 4 methods (BLOCKS)
Ali - The 4 Blocks uses best practice
Katey - I am trying to convince the rest of my school to try 4B. I've got some thinking about it! Next year when they see how well my students can read they will definitely switch!
Ali - to meet different learner needs
Carole - I agree Aggie/1/ca, in fact if you used a lot of the the word activities and writing suggestions, whole language could have had a better chance of success for more children.
aggie/1/ca - Yes, Carole--- but I was told for years that I couldn't teach phonics. We weren't even to give spelling tests!
Maggie - I have been doing a lot with word walls and working with words this year and would like to try 4B more next year. My question is when the schedule does not allow for all four blocks each day, which one do you skip?
Vicks - Is teaching phonemic awareness a part of 4 blocks in the Kindergarten and grade 1 level?
aggie/1/ca - Not that spelling tests are great or anything-- but just to show the climate of the time.
Lisa/1/NC - Maggie -- don't skip any of the blocks!!!
aggie/1/ca - Maggie---- others w/that problem say to skip a different one each time.
aggie/1/ca - Very definitely, Vicks.
Carole - I guess I was a bad guy because I never stopped teaching phonics.
aggie/1/ca - But I agree w/Lisa.
aggie/1/ca - Carole--- we had to do it in the afternoons when there was less danger of us being "discovered"!
Maggie - I wondered about skipping a different one each time-that seems logical.
Lisa/1/NC - Maggie -- incorporate Social Studies and Science into Guided Reading
Vicks - At the kindergarten level, are the letters introduced by characters such as b is for the bouncing ball b/b/b/b? this is what is in Open Court.
Carole - That is my BIG job this summer- to integrate our scholastic science with the nelson readers and the 4 blocks.
Maggie - I need to read more about SSR as I thought maybe I could incorporate some there, too.
aggie/1/ca - Vicks-- no, more like in names of children in the class that start w/B or looking at impt words to them like "Burger King".
Maggie - Is GR more for direct teaching and where the basal would still fit if we needed to use one?
Carole - Our kindergartens and Grade ones have just purchased Jolly phonics to teach the letters and sounds. The way the letters are introduced, it is very easy to do the word activities very early in the year.
aggie/1/ca - Or Bob's Big Boy!
aggie/1/ca - Maggie-- the basal is used to teach comprehension skills.
REI/2/IL - Maggie...we use the basal for comprehension skills.
Vicks - Carole, I really like using the Nelson readers as they give you lots of suggestions for phonemic awareness opportunites and playing with words as well as trying to integrate science and other parts of the new mass curriculum that we have now. s
Lisa/1/NC - yeah definitely Maggie -- right now, for example, my 1st graders are studying the Solar System -- they are learning how to do research during Guided Reading and are actually doing the research on their own during SSR -- they are reading non-fiction in both GR and SSR
Maggie - Are your leveled books mostly trade books or do you use a series where they are leveled for you?
Carole - Vicks, I also like the program because they suggest Shared Reading activites and word wall stuff.
Carole - Maggie, the Nelson readers are already levelled for us, including independent little books and basil readers.
REI/2/IL - Maggie...I pull old "readers" from our first grade for lower leveled reading material. We also use a grade level lower of Scholastic News, Weekly Reader and Time for Kids as another lower level resource.
Maggie - These ideas are very helpful to me-thanks.
Vicks - Carole, I tend to use the little books for guided reading with my little groups. The kids really like them. I also use some of the sunshine early literacy readers as I find the kids like them. Scholastic has just introduced a set a levelled readers that introduce the alphabet with 26 different children.
Maggie - Do you send books home on a regular basis as part of the program?
Vicks - Yes I do.
Katey - Maggie- I send books home every day
Joanie - I would like to know how some of you do reading at home activities to strengthen skills.
Carole - Vicks, I only have 1 copy of each of the little books, so I use them for SSR and I use the basal- Jump In series for GR, along with multiple copies of some trade books.
REI/2/IL - Maggie...My kiddos take something home to read at least twice a week. It isn't always their reader.
Katey - I have a separate box of bookc that they self select from. They choose one book to take home each night.
Carole - I used to send home books each night at each child's level of reading, but it became too difficult to do and many children lost books, etc. I do have a plan that I think will work very well for next year.
Maggie - Do you select what they take home or is it a choice of the student?
Maggie - I guess you just ansered that question! What is your plan for nest year, Carole?
Joanie - Carol, what is your plan for next year?
Vicks - I guess I'm hoping that the reading at home will be stress free and enjoyable. I give the parents a cover sheet as to how they might comment to their child etc.. and part of their "homework" is to be read to also. I really stress making it enjoyable. With so many families that are both working or single parent families, I find the reading time at home can be a "battle ground".
REI/2/IL - My kids take home the Making Works activity twice a week, a Souvenir one night and reading material two times a week.
Maggie - Souvenir, REI ?
Katey - At the beginning of the year my students take home a book of my choice- usually a photocopied one. After about six weeks I let them choose "real" books from a few separate boxes. They only get to choose books from the boxes after they have shown that they can remember to bring the books back and in good condition.
Joanie - These souveniers sound like great fun and high interest. I just found this , and am going to work on it over the summer. http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/article34.html http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/story_bit_form.html
Katey - The souvenirs are great! My students take one home every second week. I would like to send one home each week next year.
Sandra - Hi Joanie. In fact i'm an ESL teacher
Joanie - As you can all see, my typing doesn't match my thoughts!
Sandra - I just found out the 4-block on the net..
Joanie - Where do you come up with ideas for souveniers? It sounds like so much fun.
Sandra - I'm quite interested in it and I wonder if i can use it to teach my students
Carole - Joanie, I am going to make up ziplock bags of various levels and number them. eg- #1-15 will be the lowest levels like A and B, #16-30 will be filled with 2 books with levels B and C, etc. I will change the levels of the bags as the children progress with their reading. Each child will be given a card with the numbers 1-30 and everytime they bring back their bag I will put a sticker on that number. This way they will have a choice of books- well sort of... EG. John who is a beginning reader has a choice of bags 1-15. I hope you understand all of this. I will put up a pocket chart of #'s 1-30 so I can quickly see who has their bag of books.
Katey - Maggie- souvenirs are trinkets that remind you of the story. Mine keep them in a ziploc bag. They take it home and use it to retell the story to a parent. After they have acquired a few they love to take them out and remember old books that we have read.
Joanie - Sandra, I used to teach ESL many eyars ago when they just discovered a population of migrants in a small plcae I used to live. I think 4B would be great with them! Go for it!
REI/2/IL - Souvenirs are a "reminder" of a story. I use it for a story I have read to them. The kids and parents love the activity! We have to document a childs abiltiy to recall details and retell a story. This is an easy way to see if the state standard is being met.
Joanie - Carol,that acutally sounds manageable. I will copy this conversation when we are finished to save your idea! Thanks
Maggie - I found a site that has numerous books and souvenirs that I thought would collect over the summer. I thought that was what you meant.
REI/2/IL - http://www.teachers.net/4blocks/article33.html
Katey - I have achart with names on it for all of my students. When they take a book home I write the title by their name and when they return it I cross it out. It takes about ten minutes a day. I just use regular chart stand paper. When they bring four books back they get a stick and move into the next block of the grid.
Joanie - REI, thanks. I think I remeber reading that, and will go back to look it up.
Maggie - My class has really enjoyed RIVET this year for vocab. intro to a story. Do you have other ideas for comprehension skill development?
Joanie - I have to say, also, REI, I am impressed you knew that so quick!
Katey - I'm very impressed as well REI
Carole - Katey, Your chart version sounds manageable too.
REI/2/IL - LOL Joanie...I spend quite a bit referring to the assorted 4 Blocks websites. I'm a 4 Blocks presenter.
Vicks - Thanks for all your help- it's 9:56 for me - goodnight.
Joanie - Yes, Katey. Anything to help get organized is a great suggestion. That has to be my graetest challenge... organizing it all.
Katey - Carole- it took me mnay tries to find a system that worked for me!
Maggie - Can you come to NH, REI???
Carole - Rei- when you send home your souveniers, do you include a journal for the children to record their memories of the book? In Sept. do the parents scribe?
Joanie - REI, WHERE do you present? ANywhere near Colorado???
Sandra - can anyone suggest how I can start 4 -blocks with an ESL class?
REI/2/IL - Maggie..You bet! I go where ever districts want me.
Maggie - Are you scheduled to be in new england area or do you go directly to districts?
REI/2/IL - Carol...I have a form the parents document their child's retelling on. It is a half sheet. I then keep them in a binder when they are returned.
Katey - My class is almost all ESL- Punjabi speaking students- I teach four blocks just as month by month states and it has worked for me.
REI/2/IL - Maggie...right now, I am working directly with districts.
Katey - Sandra-how much english does your class speak?
Joanie - I really have some homework to get to, so keep talking and I'll read it later. Thanks for your wonderful ideas. I just love getting the info from all of you.
Carole - Rei- what a great idea, then you have a record of their comprehension at your fingertips for reports. Do you send a copy of the book too for the parents to read, or only the souvenier?
mj - REI What part of Illinois do you inservice
REI/2/IL - Only the souvenier, Carole.
Sandra - They can't communicate in English
Carole - Rei- I really like your idea, I will check out the article you suggested and I guess I can add one more TO DO for the Summer!
Sandra - But I'm trying to use English to talk to them as much as possible
Katey - Sandra- I wouls start with Building Blocks then. My class is grade one and spent most of Kindergarten learning english in all day K classes so they can understand me and talk quite well by the beginning of grade one.
Maggie - REI< do you review or discuss the returned souvenir story or just use it to give you info?
Carole - It's 10:03 and I have a staff meeting in the morning. I'm signing off. Good night and thanks for all your ideas. I wish I learned this much at a STaff meeting, ha, ha!
REI/2/IL - Mj~I don't have a specific area. I go where a district wants (if their schedule fits with mine).
REI/2/IL - Maggie...yes, I review the "retelling" the student shared with parents. If they are way off, I send a copy of the story home for the parents to reread with their child. It allows mom and dad to see the discrepancies in what their child shared and what the story was actually about.
Maggie - Would this fit into the GR part of 4B? I am still trying to figure out how to get eveything into a tight schedule.
REI/2/IL - Maggie...I do it on Wed the first 10 minutes of the day. It is in addition to my GR. But, if you are pressed for time, you could squeeze it in. What kind of time frame would you have for 4B?
Maggie - I could probably have 90 everyday and the full two hours on two days. My Science and Soc. St. time is more for projects and is done with another first grade class as "Stations" making it difficult to have the SSR or GR done then.
Maggie - I do thnk I have a focused sharing and that could be the Wed. sharing topic.
Maggie - Do you ever split the 30 minute block to 15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon for one block?
REI/2/IL - With 4B you have some flexiblity. I pull a lot of science and social studies info into my GR. I use that time to teach "how to read directions", "how to follow procedures for experiments" etc...
REI/2/IL - I don't, but if I had to I would. I would probably make it my SSR block if I had to split one. '
REI/2/IL - I would start off with the kids sharing then Read Aloud for the first 15 min. Save the last 15 minutes for the actual conferencing with kids.
Maggie - I was thinking of that as I don't know how long first graders would make good use of 30 min. in the fall. Also my reading to them would be part of that time, correct? I hope you don't mind all these questions. YOu're being very helpful.
REI/2/IL - Yes...you reading to them would be during that time. At the beginning of the year, most of our 1st grade starts with approx. 20 min. for SSR. They spend the first 4-6 weeks modeling during the "reading by yourself" time and monitoring what the kids are doing as well.
Maggie - Would I read to them in GR also even I were reading non-fiction to give them science info for example?
REI/2/IL - GR would be "on their level" reading material. If you were using your "science" book (or what ever) then one way of presenting the material would be to read it to them or with them. Depends on what it is.
Maggie - What would you think of someone trying 4B during the last 6 to 8 weeks of school this year?
Sandra - Excuse me.. I just wonder if I can implement 1 individual block at a time?
REI/2/IL - LOL ~!! It would be fine. My first year, I started at the end of March. I was sold right away.
REI/2/IL - Sandra...I have worked with some teachers that have jumped in and did all and others that started with one block at a time. Usually if they started with one block at a time, they would add another block once they felt comfortable with the block they currently were using.
Maggie - Can you talk about the writing block?
REI/2/IL - Maggie...I think you would find that because your kiddos are "older" at this time of the year, it might be easier to try a few things out.
REI/2/IL - Yep, what would you like to know?
Maggie - I have done no reading about that block so just think of the questions I have! Does 4B recommend anything like writer's workshop?
Suzanne - This is my first year using 4 Blocks, so I'm not much of a resource.
REI/2/IL - Yes....You do a mini lesson to start off. Then your kiddos "free write" for approx 20 min. Then you chose a few kids to share pieces. My kids love the writing block. They actually cheer when it is time for writing. I teach all of my english lessons through this block.
Amanda - I've been reading up on 4-blocks for an inquiry project (I'm an elem. ed major) and from what I've read, I think they do recommend doing writer's workshops during the writing block.
REI/2/IL - We also have learned how to write book reports, poetry, research papers, etc....
Maggie - Does 4B recommend a particular order of mini lessons or do they come as they need arises or your district mandates for your grade level?
REI/2/IL - Suzanne...what grade level?
Suzanne - For me, writing is my weakest block. I'm trying to get my mini lessons organized so I feel like I'm covering it all.
Suzanne - I teach third grade in Texas.
REI/2/IL - Maggie...we use our English book as a guide line of what we must have covered by the end of the year. I follow Ralph Fletchers "Craft Lessons" book faithfully. It is a wonderful resource.
Maggie - I have looked at Craft lessons and it
Maggie - on the list for summer reading again.
REI/2/IL - One of the things about mini lessons is you present it over and over several times.
REI/2/IL - Suzanne...so how do you like using the model?
Suzanne - Maggie, I'm a lone 4 Blocker in my school. I love this model. I'm returnign to teaching after being gone for 9 years. I have allowed myself room to grow. This model works, but you have to give yourself time.
Maggie - My class loves to write and I have really spent a great deal of time reading resource info this year. I didn't know if 4B has a certain method. Am I right that 4B is just wanting to be sure all four areas are worked on equally and they really don't recommend a program?
REI/2/IL - I have seen amazing growth each year in my kiddos (including my special ed) since implementing the framework.
Maggie - Suzanne, it sounds like you are happy to be back in teaching.
Suzanne - I love it! It enables me to reach all of my students -- pre-primer to gifted. I also find it easy to integrate subjects and "get everything in." That's something my coworkers are amazed to see.
REI/2/IL - 4B is a way of presenting material 4 different ways so that every child will learn to read. It is so true!
Suzanne - I love being back. I stayed home with my kids and then was a director at a YMCA.
Maggie - I guess that is what I am worred about but I think I need to think of all the integration lessons as part of 4B if they are reading and writing and not thinking of it as sci. and soc.st.
REI/2/IL - That's the right train of thought Maggie.
Suzanne - Maggie, what grade do you teach?
Maggie - first grade
Maggie - I actually have been teaching for 22 years but I like to try new things so I am always back at the beginning of my learning!
Suzanne - I know I missed part of this conbversation, so please forgive me if I ask you to repeat. What have you heard about 4
Suzanne - oops! ...Blocks.
REI/2/IL - I love it when my kids are turning in a paper and aren't sure "where it should go"...reading? science? etc... Things just mesh together so easily. I actually cover more science and social studies text since implementing 4 Blocks than my co workers were teaching traditional reading style.
Suzanne - It makes so much sense! The teachers is my school are convinced that they can't integrate subjects because of the TAAS test.
Maggie - I believe that REI because so often reading was for nothing else, and sometimes not even for enjoyment when I think of the basals we have had over the years.
REI/2/IL - Now that we have implemented 4 Blocks district wide, the teachers keep remarking on how much more science and social studies material they have covered.
REI/2/IL - We use a basal (or science book) 3 days and lower level 2 days.
Maggie - With all the boys in our classes these past few years my nonfiction reading material is getting a lot more use.
REI/2/IL - Suzanne...I am a 4 Blocks presenter/trainer, so I've heard lots and lots about 4 Blocks.
Maggie - Suzanne, I have Patricia Cunningham's books, and have used Month by Month Phonics, word walls, and making words this year a lot and last year some.
Suzanne - I moved from RI last year. One of my friend just started teaching. I told her all about 4Bs and she ended up getting a job in a 4 Block school. The teachers there hated being mandated...I think they've warmed up now.
Maggie - rei, do you find 4B's being used all over the country? Is it growing in use each year?
Suzanne - Train me! I'm self-trained...scary...I'm trying to recruit at my school...
REI/2/IL - I pulled all of my Ranger Rick, Big Backyard, Zoobooks magazines and dumped them into my tubs. There the most popular choices of reading material.
Maggie - I am in NH Suzanne and have not seen much for training in new england.
Maggie - that's true for me too, rei
REI/2/IL - Suzanne...Were the people in your friends school given adequate training before expected to "use the model"
Maggie - do 4b schools have two hours uninterrupted daily?
Suzanne - Ofcourse not! They are now. She kept telling them that I was doing it alone and loving it.
REI/2/IL - Maggie...on Pat and Dottie's website there are the results of the 4 Blocks census. It is interesting reading of how 4 blocks has spread.
REI/2/IL - Whoops! Well, no wonder they weren't thrilled with it.
Maggie - do you have that site handy?
Suzanne - There is also a list of training. I think there was one in Boston recently. I missed the training in San Antonio.
REI/2/IL - I began training our teachers 7 months before they were expected to implement. Sure made things a lot smoother!
REI/2/IL - http://www.wfu.edu/~cunningh/fourblocks/
Suzanne - Maggie, are you on the mail ring?
Maggie - do you have a classroom now, rei?
Suzanne - I wish I could convince the powers that be to check out 4 Blocks.
Maggie - i am not on a 4b mailring, just one for grade one and another for kinder-1
REI/2/IL - Yes, I teach 2nd grade (an inclusion class) and am our district's 4 Blocks coordinator.
Suzanne - I get a so much support from the ring.
Suzanne - REI, how does inclusion work for you?
REI/2/IL - I started out training only our district, but have expanded to working with other districts this year.
REI/2/IL - I love inclusion! I have a great special ed teacher to work with. Normally, we team teach most of the day together. BUT this year, she has had kiddos added to her roster from several other 2nd grade rooms, so she isn't able to be in my room as much. But we talk daily about how things are going and what needs to be changed. She does come in for 1 1/2 hours a day to teach with me as well.
Suzanne - There is a chance for me to teach inclusion as a sp. ed. teacher, but the other teacher does not do 4 Blocks.
REI/2/IL - Is there a possibility they would? All of our special ed teachers use 4 Blocks in their rooms as well (I made sure to have them included in training). The special ed teachers love how it "fits" their kiddos.
Maggie - Suzanne, do you belong to the 4b model mailring? http://www.teachers.net/mailrings/4blocks.html
REI/2/IL - Will you team with the other teacher?
REI/2/IL - Maggie...are you on the mailring. It is a fantastic resource, if not. You can get it in digest form if your worried about all of the e-mails.
Suzanne - REI, I don't think so...I'm the new kid.
Maggie - about how many messages a day will it be?
Suzanne - The mailring is great. The emails do get overwhelming, but it's great.
REI/2/IL - Bummer! Are you being asked to move to Special Ed or chosing to go.
Suzanne - I'm looking for a job closer to my home and that is one option.
REI/2/IL - Oh it depends...some days I get 40...others 150!
Maggie - sounds like my grade one list but summer is coming and maybe i could keep up for awhile!
Suzanne - I wish I could just show people how the model works. My principal was blown away when he observed my lessons. My class has made huge improvements this year.
REI/2/IL - LOL Maggie! You could go digest form on the 4 blocks mailring. It combines them together for you.
Maggie - i just subscribed for the digest. I can't wait for the morning. i better set the alarm earlier!
REI/2/IL - Good for you Suzanne. I had to go in and tell my principal that I DID NOT CHEAT on the IOWAS our district assessment. 12 of my kids scored a perfect on the reading! The others were way ahead too.
REI/2/IL - GOOD Maggie! You will get tons of great ideas.
Maggie - Thanks again for all your help-you sound like people that I wish taught in my district.
REI/2/IL - Ended up the other teachers had kids blow the top off the test too. He was just floored by the results from all of our classes.
REI/2/IL - Maggie...it is hard when your a "Lone Ranger". They hold a 4 Blocks chat every other week. You should drop in again.
Maggie - thanks- i will try to be here.
REI/2/IL - Maggie....PM coming in.
REI/2/IL - Good night Maggie.
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