Alison/4/OH - Hey there...how is everyone tonight?
Alison/4/OH - Nice to see you here too, I was going to email you later....I talked to our district LA Instructional Specialist....no good news on the spelling situation
Ali_PA/3 - yes... I thought I'd use Ali, not to confuse us and the others!
Alison/4/OH - That could be confusing! LOL Do you go by Ali often?
Ali_PA/3 - I'm sorry to hear that
Alison/4/OH - I was pretty bummed too...she doesn't know what she should about 4blocks and wants us all to follow a strict spelling discipline, were her words?!?
Ali_PA/3 - Actually, only my former boyfriend called me that...so its bittersweet
Alison/4/OH - Cin, what grade do you teach?
Ali_PA/3 - Hi Val.... do you loop?
Alison/4/OH - Yes, I guess so...I'm usually called Al, not Ali..
Val/Al/3-4 - No I teachLanguage Arts and Social Studies to both
Alison/4/OH - Is there just one per grade level in your building, Val?
Ali_PA/3 - Well, you can do "THE WORDS" and during the Words Block work on the activities in the MxM book. No, they won't connect, but the kids will learn more from the MxM than your school's list
Val/Al/3-4 - Small private school, I also teach PE K-4
Alison/4/OH - That's what my principal and I have decided I will do. She totally supports my efforts!
Ali_PA/3 - I went to a small private school for 6-8th... The principal was my teacher AND the gym teacher!!! lol
Val/Al/3-4 - Cool!
Alison/4/OH - So whay type of planning ahead have you all been doing?
Ali_PA/3 - So the principal supports you , and the staffer doesn't???
Alison/4/OH - I've been cutting out laminated word cards like mad!! UGH!
Val/Al/3-4 - This is my first time with 4B I think I could align my Houghtom Mifflin spelling with the patterns in MxM has anybody tried that?
Alison/4/OH - Our district is 4Blocks with McGraw Hill districtwide.....and we have a Lang. Arts Instructional Specialist over the district that is supposed to know all...HAHAHAH!!! Yesterday when I called her with my questions I think I literally stumped her. She told me I was being to "pure" with 4blocks in trying to align it all!!! UGH!
naneb - Hi, everyone!
Ali_PA/3 - I went to our teacher's store to look for the Assessment book... (didn't have it) BUT>>> they are under new managment... turns out it's my former principal and his wife!!! And they want me to do some 4 Blocks workshops at their store to promote the books!!
Alison/4/OH - Val, ali was gracious enough to help me out with my first Spelling unit with McGraw Hill...I know it had to take her a good chunk of time....I tried the second unit and was like, "this is nuts" and am giving up!
Alison/4/OH - Hi Nan
Alison/4/OH - That is cool Ali.....I want to know if the assessment book would be good for some of my 4ths?
Ali_PA/3 - Hi nan
Val/Al/3-4 - So will you finish Alison
Val/Al/3-4 - Hi Nan!
naneb - what kinds of things are in the assessment book?
Ali_PA/3 - Haven't seen the book yet, Alison
Alison/4/OH - It depends on your spelling units in houghton mifflin, Val.....I think it could be done, but 4blocks and mcgraw hill present their lessons in very different formats
Alison/4/OH - I've seen the cover of the book, but didn't really look at it closely
Ali_PA/3 - not sure.. but assessment (getting grades) has been a big concern for many teachers who were from a worksheet program previously.. they don't know what else to do
naneb - I did 4 blocks last year and it takes a little planning to get good authentic grades but it gets easier as you do it for a while
Ali_PA/3 - The list Alison showed me has little patterning to it.. just a smatter of everything in one week's worth of words
Alison/4/OH - I don't think I will have that problems. I thought the assessment book lent itself for diagnosing problems and such
Val/Al/3-4 - I am so confident about 4B that I didn't order workbooks! I was just going to work the words into WWW
Alison/4/OH - Do you all give a weekly comprehension test over the main story?
Ali_PA/3 - that would be great!
Ali_PA/3 - I do various comprehension activities for each story
naneb - no, I use story maps, written response, character webs etc for grades
Ali_PA/3 - Story maps, summaries, mini-books, persuasive paragraphs, retellings, etc
Alison/4/OH - Yes, I will do various activities to, but I was thinking that I may give a weekly test in a similiar format to our Ohio Proficiency Test (OPT) each week
Ali_PA/3 - Hi ilr
Val/Al/3-4 - mini-books?
naneb - ali, sounds like we do similar things
Alison/4/OH - HI Teach and ILR
naneb - my kids did powerpoint presentations as an assessment too
ilr - Hello. I'm moving from K, where I did Building Blocks, to 1st. I want to do 4Blocks since BB was so wonderful. I'll probably lurk and "listen" a bit.
naneb - hi, teach
Alison/4/OH - Cool! I wish we had powerpoint!
Ali_PA/3 - You can fold a single sheet of paper into an 8 page book. Then I have the children write the title and author on the front, and then describe 2 things that happened at the beginning, 2 middle events, and 2 things that happened at the end
Alison/4/OH - Hi Brenda
teach - I'm beginning 4 blocks this year. HELP! Oh, yeah....HELLO!
Val/Al/3-4 - Did you assign a sepcific format for the PP presentations, Nan?
naneb - it was for nonfiction, instead of a report or project
Alison/4/OH - LOL Teach!
Brenda - Hi everone
Val/Al/3-4 - Thanks Ali
Ali_PA/3 - We're here Teach!! This is my 4th year
Alison/4/OH - Ali, are your minibooks sight unseen to the other material or what?
Alison/4/OH - not other material I meant the story they had just read?
Ali_PA/3 - brb
teach - I have the book! I have a tape.....what next? I'm NOT lol!!!!!!!!
Alison/4/OH - My poor brain has been on overload since reading all the material on 4blocks...i just want to start school and DO IT!
Alison/4/OH - Not that I really wanna go back already, but you know what I mean.........
Val/Al/3-4 - Me too!
teach - I teach a 1st/2nd loop.
Alison/4/OH - Hi Lonna
naneb - Val, they did research on an animal and then had to use nonfiction conventions to do their presentation (bold print, tables, diagrams, labels etc)
Val/Al/3-4 - Very Cool!
Alison/4/OH - I think that Nonfiction Conventions stuff is GREAT! I am going to really link that to my science this year.
Lonna/CA/1-K - hi. I'm moving from 1 to K. I played around with 4 B and was looking forward to implementing before I found out I was going to K and then looping the following year. I've got the BB book. What now?
naneb - it was really good, they had to do them with plain background and no sound or animation, then after I checked them they could add the fun stuff
teach - Hi Alta! Can YOU help me?
Alison/4/OH - Hi Alta
naneb - Alison, are you a member of the mosaicteachers group on yahoo?
ilr - teach, this is my first yr with 4B also...and my first yr looping. I'm a K/1 loop.
Alta Rose / 1-2 - I'm not sure, teach. What do you need?
naneb - Hi alta rose!!
Alison/4/OH - Teach, I'm new to 4blocks to, i've just been reading like mad!!!
teach - Help with beginning to teach 4blocks
naneb - teach, what specific questions do you have?
teach - I've been reading alot too. I went to a workshop in KC last week that had alot of 4 bl in it
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Have you done 4Blocks yet, teach?
Alison/4/OH - That's cool..I'm going to a 4blocks presentation on July 22nd. Anyone taken from Susan jenkinson?
teach - No...
Alta Rose / 1-2 - brb. I notice another green person. I think I"ll switch colours>
teach - where is the 4 blocks pres. in July?
ilr - Lonna, you'll LOVE BB. It made such a difference in my classroom!
Alison/4/OH - Dayton, it's for upper grades
Alison/4/OH - sorry that's ohio
teach - Ok, but thanks anyway Alison.
ilr - teach, where are you?
teach - I'm a little overwhelmed. What's the best place to start?
teach - Oklahoma
Alison/4/OH - Question, I am leaving for vacation on Friday...do I have to unsub from the 4Blocks regular emails, and resub to digest so I don't freeze up my outlook with a million messages when we get back?
naneb - teach, is anyone else at your school doing 4 blocks?
Lonna/CA/1-K - I did a lot of work with the word wall in 1st. It really paid off, but the infor. I've read says ww is not a k thing. How do you start the word part?
naneb - Alison, how long will you be gone?
teach - My school pushes Workshop Way, and I'm really "stepping out".
Alta Rose / 1-2 - what grade level, teach?
Alison/4/OH - what is workshop way?
Val/Al/3-4 - ALison, I think you can change to Digest
teach - 1st/2nd loop...2nd grade this year.
Hat - Hi Alison, Hi everyone
naneb - I would get the digest during vacation, the number of emails is really increasing
Val/Al/3-4 - oh you said that, you proabably should
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Good question, Alison. I wonder the same thing--about mailrings clogging up.
teach - It's an approach that is basically task board related
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Me too, teach!
Hat - Lonna-I think we are supposed to start with a name board and environmental print. some teachers use "popcorn words"
teach - It's a good thing,...it's just not MY thing
naneb - teach, last year I jumped in with both feet and did all 4 blocks but you can do them one at a time if you want to, start with word block it is easy
teach - I'm very excited about 4BL
Alta Rose / 1-2 - I jumped in with both feet last year, too, teach.
Alison/4/OH - IC Teach, sounds complicated for this brain...LOL
naneb - your isp porbably has a limit on the amount of email that you can have so, if you go over it sends it back and that messes up everyone else
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Will your class have had it in first grade, teach?
teach - I've got lots of WORD WALL plans...and I swear, I think I read in that book every night!!!
Ali_PA/3 - brb..putting son to bed
naneb - I love the word block, the kids will love all the action and activity
teach - No, Alta, this will be the first year.
Lonna/CA/1-K - I just joined the building blocks ring. It does not seem very active. Is there a better way to make connections? (Thank You HAT!)
naneb - follow the month by month book for your grade
teach - I don't have a month by month book...guess I'd better get one, huh?
deb -hi guys.
teach - hi, Deb.
deb - teach, the month by month book is SOOOOOO important as a tool but also as a time saver for you. I just open up to that month and away we go
Alison/4/OH - OK, I'm unsubbed from regular email and onto Digest....now I won't have a 1000 msgs when I get back
Lonna/CA/1-K - I have MXM plan to do reading and planning after summer school. Any other suggestions. I'm sure names will be important.
ilr - Lonna, I have noticed that if you start posting on the BB ring, things will pick up...folks will reply.
teach - Does it have general directions, or specific for grade level?
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Teach, this depends on your class, but I'll tell you what I did when I started with my first graders last year. I did a lot of the Working with Words activities as a whole class before I had them do them individually. (ie, For Mind Reader, I gave the clues and we guessed the word as a class) Now you will have grade 2, not grade 1, so that might not be as necessary. I just found that my kids would have been confused with some of the activities had I not modelled them first.
Val/Al/3-4 - teach - you buy it by grade level
deb - Each grade level is specific so if you teach third you buy month by month phonics for third grade
teach - I'll get one asap!
deb - The BB ring just needs someone willing to post questions, then everyone jumps in with answers and suggestions. Keep posting your questions, everyone else is always glad
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Do you have the new writing book yet, teach?
teach - No. I only have the teacher's guide
teach - My school teaches SAXON phonics, could I use that with program?
Alta Rose / 1-2 - The writing book is great--Gives lots of ideas for writing mini-lessons.
Alison/4/OH - Those of you in upper grades, do you use running records very often as a tool?
deb - I wrote the second grade writing book - grin - with Dottie and Pat
teach - I definitely WANT the writing book. I feel a little weak in that area.
lingo_pop - can i ask a question when anyone is available?
Hat - Lonna-we did the getting to know you activity where the students draw one of their friends and write that friend's name. It was a great activity for practicing letter writing and learning where to start writing.
naneb - teach, go to debs website and get lots and I mean lots of help!! www.debsfourblocks.com
Alison/4/OH - ask away lingo
teach - Alta, are you a 1--2 looper?
Val/Al/3-4 - Alison, do you? I haven't but I taught 1st and 2nd last year
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Just got mine in the mail yesterday, deb!
Val/Al/3-4 - lingo - jump right in
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Yes, I am, teach.
deb - I find that running records are really effective in lower ele but I personally do not like them with fluent readers. I do use them with STRUGGLING readers at the upper grades on occasion.. I like IRI better though.
lingo_pop - i'm actually not a teacher, i work in the advertising industry and will be entering my 3rd year in the workforce, but have always wanted to teach and was wondering from your perspective if it would be a good move to quit my ad job, move back home, go back to university..etc...etc.
Alison/4/OH - This will be my first in 4Blocks...before that I taught Success For All Reading, and they didn't use Running Records at all.
naneb - deb, I have a question for you. Do you think I can do the interviews with my 6th graders? I thought since they are at a new school with all different kids it might be fun and then do the name poem and make a book with pictures of them
deb - my website www.debfourblocks.com no s after deb
teach - Alta, would you be interested in e-mailing from time to time....this is my first year to have a class twice!!1
Alison/4/OH - OK what is IRI?
Val/Al/3-4 - I did it lingo and I love it. I was an AVP in corp finance for 7 years until 2 years ago
Ali_PA/3 - I'm BACK
naneb - oops!!
Lonna/CA/1-K - I have a digital camera, and have taken pictures of the kids to put on name strips. They love it (also helps me remember who' s who, I'm terrible with names.
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Yes, teach, that would be great!
deb - lingo, the money is bad the awards are great
lingo_pop - my only thing is that i have to go to university and then teacher's college! i'll be 31 by the time i'm done.
teach - I'm just starting all sorts of NEW things this year....this should drive me TOTALLY insane!!1
naneb - last year I used their names for my first word wall words and left them up all year
Alison/4/OH - Many teachers are much older than that Lingo when they enter teaching
Val/Al/3-4 - No, look for a 5th year, you get a Master's and a teaching cert
lingo_pop - the money is bad in advertising too - well to start
deb - naneb, I love the interviews. I have done them with numerous ages.
lingo_pop - @allison - really?
Hat - oh, I plan on using a digital camera too. That way we have pictures on the first day of school.
teach - How long have you been loopy?
Alta Rose / 1-2 - lingo, there's a man on our staff who was in his thirties when he started teaching.
naneb - pop, I didn't start until my kids were all in school, follow your heart
Alison/4/OH - Without buying the 1st or 2nd grade book, can I get information on interviews?
naneb - I think they will really help the community in my room
Alta Rose / 1-2 - It's really a decision only you can make, lingo.
deb - Informal Reading Inventory =IRI there are a lot available but I like the one written by J Johns
M.P. - Does anyohe do actions as the class spells the w.w. words, such as pretending to throw a basketball as you spell the letters? My first graders liked this but i constantly had to remind certain kids to spell the words as we were doing the actions. Is it worth it to do the actions? Any sugestions?
lingo_pop - that's true
Hat - yes, a lot of teachers on our staff got into teaching later in life.
Alison/4/OH - Nan, I agree with that...I like the idea of putting their name up on the word wall to....
lingo_pop - question - are most of us in the room canadian/american?
naneb - pop, if you have a degree you can probably do alternate route and be certified in no time
Val/Al/3-4 - LOL M.P>
Alison/4/OH - american here
teach - I started at 40...and I love it! I'm on my 12th year now.....
lingo_pop - canadian - specifically in toronto, ontario
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Yes, M.P., I think the actions are very important.
lingo_pop - really? perks = summers off right?
naneb - i started at 40 as well
deb - MP - it is VERY important to do actions even just clapping or snapping of tapping
Alta Rose / 1-2 - I'm Canadian, lingo!
M.P. - any suggestions Alta Rose
Val/Al/3-4 - Never Off!!!
naneb - yeah right that's why we are in here working!!LOL
Ali_PA/3 - I didn't have any learning centers last year.. just did whole group instruction and long terms projects... but I am thinking about having literacy centers next year for kids who finish early. Any thoughts Deb??
lingo_pop - you just need a b.a. right and then teacher's college?
deb - American
Val/Al/3-4 - BA in teaching
teach - debfourblocks.com
Ali_PA/3 - USA
teach - com
Hat - summers off, yes, but teaching is so consumming.
lingo_pop - @ alta rose! cool canadian - what university?
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Well, MP, at our school we give out little "Super Kids" to kids we catch being good. At the end of the week, principal does a draw and kid gets a prize. So, I always have some in my pocket and once in a while I'd say, "John, I see you are looking at the word and spelling it. Here's a Superkid." That really helped!
Alta Rose / 1-2 - University of Victoria
naneb - http://www.debfourblocks.com/
lingo_pop - i work 9 til whenever in advertising, mind you i love the business, but my heart has always been at school
deb - Centers are not a part of four blocks so don't let the kids go to centers if they "FINISH EARLY" during the blocks but they are a nice back up if they finish at other times early, like math or other subjects. The early finishers in GR should have a "wise choise" option, like read the piece to find their favorite part, make sure they can answer the set purpose questions, etc.
Hat - Hi Reader
Ali_PA/3 - I tutor in the summer and give teacher workshops... not exactly "off"
lingo_pop - ignorant question, but to the person who commented on the salary being *bad* what exactly are we lookingn at here?
naneb - They can illustrate their favorite part, reread to find another example etc
Reader - Hi Hat. Had to stop by- I love Four Block!
Val/Al/3-4 - Nan, I read about centers in TGFB its an end of the day activity
deb - Since I am now full time consulting, summers off are a thing of the past, however, in 98 and 99 I went to grad school and I presented in 00 and 01 and 02 so it has been 5 years since the last summer off I had
ilr - lingo...no, not off! I've been in an endorsement class, train the trainer staff development, more staff development, and summer school is coming up. Plus, I'm always trying to improve my teaching. Oh yeah, and I'm getting my Masters.
Alta Rose / 1-2 - I think the idea is to tie the "early finisher" idea into the "after reading" activity.
Hat - I thought this meeting was going to be about something else. nice surprise
hana/1/CA - in the middle of cooking dinner, but this chat looked interesting so I wanted to pop in for a few......
Val/Al/3-4 - But not during Guided Reading like F &P
M.P. - thank you alta rose, also, during writing do some of you have your kids draw pictures on every writing or just when they are publishing? I want to let them draw each time but i don't think they would like having to not only copy their work again but also draw the picture again when publishing.
lingo_pop - i'll probably have a problem in teaching considering i hate public speaking
naneb - knocked myself out
naneb - http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/gipsy/41/
naneb - this is my 4 blocks webpage, lots of things there you might want
deb - alta rose, the wise choice time of GR is the after reading part that links to the setting purpose part of before reading -- is that what you mean?
Val/Al/3-4 - lingo, lots of shy speakers are not shy in front of kids
Reader - What are the new writing books everyone was talking about a few moments ago. I think I have missed something!
ilr - Salaries vary from state to state, district to district. But they are not "good" and we spend tons of our own $$ on supplies and training.
Alta Rose / 1-2 - MP, writing is my weakest block. Better let deb answer that one!
Hat - Val-you are right. I can sing and act as silly as I want to in front of my students, but not in front of adults
Lonna/CA/1-K - MP with my first graders, at first all were into the picture, but later many got into the writing and did not even want to draw. Varies from child to child.
lingo_pop - @val - i believe that, volunteered at a school in high school and loved every minute of it
hana/1/CA - Val is right and I'm an example
deb - Reader, the Writing Mini Lessons for First Grade and Writing Mini Lessons For Second Grade books are out. Third will be out this Fall. K and 4th next Spring
deb - MP, what grade do you teach? It will affect my answer
Hat - ahhhh! something for K??? yeah
M.P. - I teach first
Reader - Deb are the Writing Books available to order online?
lingo_pop - i'm a pretty immature 26 year old - so i think i'll do fine
naneb - http://www.readinglady.com has the books online
Val/Al/3-4 - REading and Writing for K is already out in one book isn't it?
deb - Reader, yes. If you order from my website or email me directly for a signed copy of the second grade one
Hat - I've ordered from the reading lady. no problems. things arrived right away
naneb - oops, sorry Deb, didn't know you had them for sale too!
deb - Month By MOnth Reading and Writing for K is published. Writing Minilessons for K is not published yet, next Spring
hana/1/CA - Lonna, are you in Canada or Cali?
deb - naneb -- that's ok,
Lonna/CA/1-K - I'm in northern Califl
Reader - Deb, I am in Canada. Are you able to fill Canadian orders?
Val/Al/3-4 - oh thanks Deb
Hat - deb-what is your site?
deb - I just linked to my babysitter's bookstore so people can deal directly with her or with me whichever they prefer
Ali_PA/3 - Deb... since my district has not adopted 4 Blocks (YET) I still need to do the "district" curriculum which includes workbook pages... it was then that I was thinking about having centers for early finishers...the brighter kids zip through. Then I'm able to help the other students more individually
M.P. - any advice Deb
deb - Reader - yes, email me so I can do this directly
deb - Reader - yes, email me so I can do this directly
deb - http://www.debfourblocks.com
Hat - deb-do you have BB items too?
Lonna/CA/1-K - hana, where are you?
Val/Al/3-4 - How far in advance do you plan your read alouds for SSR?
deb - Writing in first. I let the kids draw in the beginning but then I move them away from drawing. I use the Blackburn Cramp Writing Developmental Scale to help me judge when to move them. The scale is on my on the writing page. After the kids are writing four or so sentences, I tell them drawing is illustrating and we move away from picture first
deb - Hat, EVERYTHING CD is available
hana/1/CA - sorry, keep running back to my cooking......Lonna, I'm in southern Cal.
Ali_PA/3 - I was wondering how teachers supplement the basal story with 2 easier texts for later in the week? I have an extensive classroom library, but not enough multiple copies. How do you get around that?
deb - In writing for first graders, it is important fot them to see that they are communicating a message and that there talk is written down. Some kids need picture first. Some kids can communicate without the picture.
Val/Al/3-4 - What is EVERTHING CD?
naneb - poetry is good for easier days
Ali_PA/3 - Ah! Hadn't considered that Nan!!
deb - In writing for first grade, I work on writing sentences on topic, then getting them to give emotion and details.
naneb - or if you have leveled readers or phonics readers with your reading series
ilr - in first, could a big book or poem chart be used for the easier reading? Or do they need to have their hands on a copy?
Lonna/CA/1-K - for easier days with my 1st graders I used alot of poetry and easy plays for emergent readers.
Ali_PA/3 - I don't ... but I know a site to download them
M.P. - Thank you Deb, lastly, some of my kids would say that writing time was boring. I did a prewritng lesson, writing, and sharing(most of the time) and publishing. Any ideas how i can get them to like it more? this is only my second year of teaching first grade.
deb - Someone asked what items I have available through the bookstore attached to my website, I answered, everything CD (Carson Dellosa)
Alison/4/OH - OK, sorry I disappeared...phone rang and cordless phone went dead...
naneb - my 6th graders lovedplays, we did them in small groups to work on fluency and expression, then they performed and I video taped them
Alison/4/OH - OK, so some of the Reader's Theater things could be used for easier days?
Val/Al/3-4 - I get it, thanks Deb - I thought there was a CD with everything on it! LOL!
deb - I let the kids write in a notebook (12cents at Target sometime in August) 70 count. The picture goes on the right, the words on the left.
Ali_PA/3 - WB ALison!!! Where in Ohio are you, btw??
Lonna/CA/1-K - for easier days in first I also use reproducible books on science topics.
naneb - deb, have you seen the assessment book?
deb - Writing is not fun for some kids, but just like Words or SSR or GR isn't the favorite for others....
Alison/4/OH - Hamilton, which is directly between Dayton and Cincinnati
deb - naneb, yes. It is a good resource if you don't have any from your state. MI has the MLPP assessment so MI teachers won't need it.
Ali_PA/3 - So, let's say we read Johnny Appleseed as the "required" story... what would you all recommend as a follow up / easier text???
deb - naneb, it is really for lower ele in my opinion
naneb - how about for my sped kids? is it too low or do you thin I can use it?
M.P. - Thank you Deb
deb - Apples by Gail Gibbons
ilr - in first, could a big book or poem chart be used for the easier reading? Or do they need to have their hands on a copy?
naneb - you are a mind reader!!
deb - hmmm. Let me relook at my copy and post it to you directly
naneb - okay thanks
Reader - Anyone got a recommendation for reading materials for struggling 3rd and 4th grade kids that can be used for GR?
Lonna/CA/1-K - need to go husband is wondering what happened to dinner. Hope to talk to some of you on the BB ring.
deb - ilr, poem or chart is great. I always type them and put them in a poem notebook so the kids can read them during ssr and also have the text in their hands during gr
Ali_PA/3 - I can get that as a single copy from the library... other than a read aloud, how can I get the whole class involved in the text??
ilr - Lonna, just start posting questions...
naneb - sounds like my entire class, Reader, have you looked at www.readinga-z.com
Val/Al/3-4 - ALi - can you get multiple copies form the library for shared you would only need half
deb - have the kids do a KWL about apples. Or look in the writing connected to reading section of the GRT4BW and have them complete a writing activity
Reader - No, naneb, that's a new site for me. I actually have some money to spend from the admin so I want to select wisely!
Alison/4/OH - So Deb, on easier days are you saying they don't "have" to read something?
naneb - or read a song about apples and copy it for each of them
Lonna - I'm back, husband got his own dinner!
Ali_PA/3 - LOL @ Lonna!!
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Lonna, let's here it for the "liberated" hubbys! Lol!
deb - Also you can start collecting books in sets of 6-8 and do book clubs. OR get three copies and have the 6 students partner read during book clubs. Scholastic Book CLubs are cheap. Apples by Gail Gibbons was only 95 cents last year.
naneb - Reader, reading a-z has almost 300 books you can download and print, lots of good nonfiction and other stories, it is $49.95 to join for unlimited downloads
Alison/4/OH - Sounded funny Lonna..it's 10pm here...
Hat - LOL, great husband!
Lonna - The kid's poetry book, was a favorite for SSR, especially with lower readers, high success.
Ali_PA/3 - Another "Teacher's Widower" lol
Hat - scholastic-you can get 50 books for $49
deb - Alison, they need to read daily IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. The issue, was how to make a single copy work. I would then type up and make into a book the facts about apples so they could read the published copy
Reader - Thanks , naneb, that sounds like a bargain
Val/Al/3-4 - Hat does that have multiple copies?
Alison/4/OH - Gotcha...that's what I thought, but was thinking maybe I had misread...
naneb - here is the naneb foolproof way to get lots of books, If you can get some money together from principal, PTA etc, get the September Scholastic catalog and order over $200 worth, then use all of the bonus points to buy free books. I had almost 5000 points last year I filled my room with books
Hat - Val-scholastic chooses what to send you. a grab bag
naneb - I did it last year and I got almost all Newberry winners in my box
Alison/4/OH - what if there isn't any PTA? Our principals budget has to go for so many other intervention things!!! UGH!!!
deb - Another wonderful technique that freaks out teachers is PICK A PAGE. I take my single copies of books and laminate the pages and have each kids read their ONE page. Yes I cut up the book. YES the kids LOVE the activity
Lonna - I'm using I'm using some of the books from a-z site for summer school. Kids like them and can have them to take home. Many of my kids don't have books.
Ali_PA/3 - Does the Sept edition offer exceptional bonus points???????
Alison/4/OH - Usually, especially for the more you order.........
Val/Al/3-4 - OOOH Deb I want to try that!
Ali_PA/3 - Lonna, I've downloaded 2 for tutoring, and like the texts too!
naneb - send the order forms home every month and use the bous points to buy books, haunt the thrift stores
Hat - Alison-will the school let you raise $?
deb - I spent $200 the first month then they multiple the order by 20 and you get 4000 bonus points that you can spend anywhere
Ali_PA/3 - Interesting idea Deb!!! I can see that working!
naneb - I made a set of reading a -z books and laminatedthe covers. This year I am going to make a set to send home
Lonna - Scholastic News has worked well for multiple copy reading in my class. Some are easier than others.
deb - Ali, yes the September issue multiples by 20 instead of 5
naneb - I got so many boxes of books from Scholastic that when a box came they automatically sent it to me LOL!!
Val/Al/3-4 - NAn do you need to resubscribe or just subscribe once and get everything?
Alison/4/OH - hahahahaha That is why there isn't really a PTA...last year there was over $1000 missing from a fundraiser. I teach in a VERY low economic area....some kids sold stuff to neighbors, collected money, and never turned in the order. My principal right now is ANTI- fundraising because of the whole mishap. It was a mess!!!! School lawyers had to straighten it all out.
Ali_PA/3 - Hmmmmm... need to plan someway to gather some funds!!!
naneb - I think the subscription is for a year
deb - Don't order from a lot of different orders though. To get the high bonus points you have to order from one order
Hat - Gee, too bad,
Alison/4/OH - Yes it is....
naneb - I joined when it was $29.95
deb - I had 17000 points when I left last year. I switched my account to homeschooling at the smiths!!!
Hat - one teacher sold candy and soda from his classroom to get funds for extra field trips, though
Alison/4/OH - Wonder is Reading a_z ever runs a special near the beginning of a school year?
naneb - seei fyour school has old basals that you can use, even a grade level lower would work
Ali_PA/3 - Alison, right now you can join for 6 months for 29.95
naneb - Alison, they have a site license that you might see if other teachers will go in with you
deb - My son has Friday pop day. the kids then donate the popcan to the class and the teacher buys one book each week with popfunds.
Alison/4/OH - You know I could spit nails...the teacher next door to me threw out ALL of the old harcourt texts that were being stored in teh room. My principal was VERY mad ......
Val/Al/3-4 - Can you downlad everything or are they adding all of the time?
naneb - unlimited downloads
Hat - I like that idea, Deb. About the pop.
Alison/4/OH - Hmmm I could probably handle that...if I go in and download and print everything for the $30
deb - I put a letter in all the church bulletins then put book boxes in their lobbies. I received over 10000 book donations
naneb - http://readinga-z.com/
Val/Al/3-4 - That is what I was thinking Alison
naneb - Wow! deb great idea!!
Alison/4/OH - This year I was thinking about having my kids bring in pop cans to raise money for classroom library. My husband will probably kill me though!
Hat - all the local churches, deb?
naneb - there are some books that are free to download as a preview
Ali_PA/3 - Alison, I was going to go into school over the summer, and download the texts... they do take a while to download for the older kids
Val/Al/3-4 - Deb 10000 good books or did you get a lot of junk?
Alison/4/OH - Yes, I already have the freebies....
naneb - my sped kids loved those books especially the non-fiction
Alison/4/OH - Ali, we have super fast connection at school with a superfast laser printer.....
Ali_PA/3 - Deb.. how long have you taught??? You are an unlimited wealth of wisdom!!
Alison/4/OH - And what did you do with 10000 books?
Reader - naneb, are you in a sp ed class or do you have sp ed kids integrated in a reg. class?
naneb - I am a sped teacher middle school reading
Alta Rose / 1-2 - hi
Alta Rose / 1-2 - how are you
naneb - last year I taught 6th grade reading. language and math
Ali_PA/3 - Hi Alta
Alta Rose / 1-2 - hi
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Sorry, that's my daughter fooling around while I was checking on my son and his waterfight.
Alison/4/OH - Hi Alta
Reader - I am a Learning Resource teacher and will be teaching cross graded kids in both Primary and Junior grades. The plan is to focus on Working with Words and Guided Reading.
naneb - what do you mean by cross graded?
deb - TONS OF REALLY GOOD BOOKS. I wrote a pathetic letter how the kids of my school were so desparately needing books, yadda yadda... all the local churches let me put the request in their bulletin. I shared them with the other classrooms. There were maybe 100 books that weren't going to work in a classroom due to torn covers or inapproprate subject manner for the elementary
deb - Ali, I taught for twelve years and now four blocks consult full itme
Ali_PA/3 - I think I'll join a-zreaders and look for connecting themes.. I also like to church bulletin idea!
Reader - Mixed grades-- kids from 2nd and 3rd who have the same weaknesses or 4th and 5th
Hat - me, too. good thing we are not all from the same town'
naneb - I downloaded everything from reading a-z even though I cannot use all of it
naneb - okay, thanks
deb - Ali, write a pathetic begging letter to businesses too. They donate money money money to me now they just pull out their checkbooks without hearing the whole speel... my dad says I could sell him his own dirty underwear!
Alison/4/OH - Ali, where did you see the $29.95 for 6 months? All I see is $49.95
Reader - I definitely have to check out the offerings at a_z
Hat - LOL, deb!!!
Reader - deb, I like your style!
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Deb, last year during my GR block my weakest readers were out receiving Early Literacy instruction. Because of that, I didn't feel the need to do the easier selection for 2 days. Your thoughts?
Ali_PA/3 - Deb... did you describe a certain criteria for the books to be donated?
Lonna - Deb, sounds like I need to take lessons from you on soliciting. LOL
Hat - deb, how did you cut to the chase in your letter? how do you ask them to give you their money?
Ali_PA/3 - I don't think the "poor" and desperate pitch will work around here... not believable
Hat - poor would definitely work in my area.
Alison/4/OH - Mine too hat
Ali_PA/3 - Alison, I got an e-mail from them saying, next month...they will be offering the discount.. perhaps next month means August???
deb - Alta Rose, that sounds right. the 3-2 is NOT a rule, just a suggestion. As long as your readers can read the text, you are meeting their needs. I always look at the level of the reading book, the level of the readers and the number of copies when deciding how to read the text. How much support do my students need?
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Thanks, Deb!
deb - Criteria, I said, gently loved, CHILDREN"S books, NO DISNEY OR grocery store or MOVIE books....
Alison/4/OH - Perhaps...I think I'll wait then....
Alta Rose / 1-2 - brb, I have two wet boys to deal with!
Ali_PA/3 - 2. READING A-Z
naneb - http://readinga-z.com/
deb - I say that I believe in teaching every child to read. I teach reading FOUR times every day and I need their help to get books in to my classroom and the classrooms of the school. Please donate money or books. I tell them I will write that they donated the books in the cover and will credit them in a newspaper article.
Ali_PA/3 - Many people have requested six-month subscriptions, so we are
Reader - We have some schools that have formed an aliance with local businesses. An example is a school matched to a local bank. The kids planted the flowers for the bank and get donations of needed materials in return
Ali_PA/3 - introducing a new price level
deb - GUILT and SINCERITY work everytime. I mention how i know that they provided wonderful book opportunities for their own children and wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone had the same.... yadda yadda
Ali_PA/3 - Next month, you will be able
Alison/4/OH - we have that to Reader, but the money is spent Schoolwide not in classrooms perse.
Ali_PA/3 - get an individual subscription
Ali_PA/3 - Reading A-Z for six months
deb - Another option for getting books is go to the kids who used to be in your classrooms and ask them to donate their books back -- junie b or magic school bus that they are done with.... I take their picture and put it in the book
Ali_PA/3 - for 6 months for $29.95
Lonna - deb--I like that idea, our class had an older buddy class, maybe I could have her put a note in her class newsletter.
Val/Al/3-4 - Sounds good Ali, I'll wait
Ali_PA/3 - I just copied and pasted the e-mail I received
naneb - I haunt the thrift store, I go every couple of weeks and always find some gems for 50 cents or so
Reader - Thanks to all. I have gotten some good ideas from some savy teachers! Good night from Ontario Canada!
deb - don't just tell parents. They ignore those classletters... TELL the kids. I make a HUGE deal of it when one of my former students donates a book
naneb - goodnight Reader
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Night, Reader!
Alison/4/OH - Very good point Deb...parents do seem to really ignore things sent home
Ali_PA/3 - My challenge is multiple copies... I have hundreds of books via book club points
naneb - I buy multiple boxed sets, then I can do book club groups
Lonna - deb.. good point, something else for them not to read. Maybe if both the teacher and I tell kids (I'm new at the school, not many former students yet.)
Val/Al/3-4 - You can order classpacks with your bonus points, they are usually on the inner covers
Alison/4/OH - I did this to with some Boxcar books...
naneb - I bought 4 sets of Roald Dahl books, 5 books in each set so 5 groups each reading a different book by the smae author, we studied character traits
deb - Ali, so start ordering multiple copies when the book clubs have them for 95 cents. That's what I do.
naneb - Scholastic sent out a really good summer catalog with sets of books for $18 for 6 books
naneb - me too, Deb I used bonus points for those
deb - As a parent, I ignore everything sent home but read whatever my daughter is jumping up and down in front of me needing attention for
Ali_PA/3 - how true Deb!!!
naneb - if I want parents to know something i call them
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Not me. I read everything diligently! (Not)
naneb - toward the end of the year I did reader's workshop, everyone read a book of their own but they all shared some characteristic
Ali_PA/3 - Have any of you had parents express their gratitude for your teaching style, as a result of doing 4 Blocks??? I have!! It's the best endorsement when a parent notices a difference!!
deb - I hate to admit that as a teacher, but I think it is good for parents who teach to admit that WE don't read the junk either. Last month I received a packet with 37 notes. I don't think so!!! I even love to read.
naneb - I had not only parents but other teachers noticing the difference in my kids abilities
deb - ali, yes parents really do notice a difference and realize that I am actually teaching reading every day
Ali_PA/3 - I will finally "inherit" some students with previous 4 Blocks "training". I can't wait to see how much better prepared they are compared to previous years!
Alta Rose / 1-2 - I have to say, my parents didn't seem to notice. But being first graders, most have nothing to compare them to.
naneb - just the difference in my student's motivation is reason enough for me. They all hated reading when school started
deb - ali, COOL
Ali_PA/3 - that's true too Naneb!
Lonna - my low kids liked reading the same thing as everyone else, not being in the "low " group.
naneb - I had a student who told me he would rather quit school then read a book, for Christmas his Grandmother gave him a book and he wanted to know if he could read it during SSR
Ali_PA/3 - you must have been beaming, naneb!
naneb - one of the other kids told me that he took one of my books home and I thought , Yeah!!!
Ali_PA/3 - I've had parents want their younger children in my class, now that they've seen how their older child has grown as a reluctant reader
naneb - that is a great endorsement!!
Lonna - it's great to see kids succeeding! It is amazing how early some of them are turned off to reading.
Alison/4/OH - It was o funny this year....one day I decided to sit my kids down and just read snippets from several chapter books....they kept begging for me to do some more...they LOVED it. I had one boy who read each of the books that I had "suggested" that day...and he was not much of a reader.
naneb - most sped kids think they cannot do anything right, so getting over that is the first thing we have to do
Ali_PA/3 - I am sold on the method... and have gotten a dozen other teachers started too... now we are trying to get it to be a district wide adoption as a teaching method!!
Alta Rose / 1-2 - My kids (Gr. 1) had to fill out a survey on reading and writing for our district. At the end it said, "Is there anything else you'd like to tell about reading and writing at your school?" Most left it blank, but a couple put that they love to read and one girl wrote, "You can use reading strategies!" That was my candle for the day!
Val/Al/3-4 - Do you do that Can't ritual that was going around on the ring, Nan?
naneb - I don't know what it is Val
naneb - I just show them that they can do anything
Val/Al/3-4 - Something like kids write down all of the things they can't do and then you bury them
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Yesterday I was in a local bookstore and a young girl came in and asked the sales lady if they had "The Secret Garden." She stated that her teacher had read it to the class, hadn't finished it, and she had to know how it ended! I smiled to myself, thinking, "Good job, Teacher!"
naneb - I try really hard to build in success, I believe that success breeds success, once you start succeeding at something you continue, so I start lower then they are and pretty soon they take off
Val/Al/3-4 - True Nan!
Alison/4/OH - When you first started out 4blocks...how much planning time was needed? I have an 8 month old at home, and I am still getting used to balancing work and home life. For so many years school has been my life, and I'm finding it hard to adjust....
Ali_PA/3 - Well gang... I'm fading out.... thanks for all the great suggestions!! Hope to catch up with you all again sometime!
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Alison, I find the planning time to be less than the way I taught before!
naneb - I think guided reading was the hardest to plan, but word block took the longest prep
Val/Al/3-4 - Bye Ali
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Night, Ali!
Lonna - The first time we did SSR in my summer school class, I stopped to conference with a child. When I asked him to read to me , he said, "I can't read. So I've spent two days making sure he has something he can read. What a different attitude now.
naneb - bye, Ali
Ali_PA/3 - I agree with Nan
naneb - that is the key Lonna
Alison/4/OH - I get to school at 6:40...we begin at 9 (but I have duty at 8:15-8:50) and I pretty much have to leave right after school due to babysitters....I used to stay until 5 everyday
Alta Rose / 1-2 - How do you plan your GR lessons? Do you write unit plans, weekly plans, daily plans, etc?
naneb - if you can make some of the making words stuff and other things this summer it will help, I have each lesson cards and letters in a 5X7 brown envelope
Alison/4/OH - I can't possible do all the work at home either....
Alison/4/OH - GOOD! I know the first year is more time consuming
Alison/4/OH - Yes, Nan I have all of those things here to do...thank you for reminding me
naneb - I would say don't knock yourself out trying to do everything, start slow and know that there are no 4 blocks police to tell you that you have to do everything at once
Alison/4/OH - Do you write all teh making words-words on index cards...or just the word wall words?
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Also, I found that in many of the Working With Word lessons, I don't always have the words on cards like it says. I print them on the board as we need them, and it seems to work OK.
naneb - I used bigger books so i usually planned the entire book, We had to do lesson plans on a computer form and I did Before: During" and After sections
Alison/4/OH - Oh but there is Nan...my principal is a stickler...she is in our rooms everyday. Now, I know she will be kind that we can't do it all, but she expects a lot!
Alta Rose / 1-2 - I bought my Word Wall words.
naneb - I did my cards on the computer using 4X6 index cards
naneb - I printed my word wall words every week because I din't follow the book
Alison/4/OH - I did to Alta...I have them all cut out......what about the words that you manipulate...do you put all those words on index cards?
Val/Al/3-4 - Did you print on the index card or print, cut and paste?
naneb - I printed on the index card, do you have Word?
Val/Al/3-4 - Yes
naneb - 4X6 card is an option under paper size
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Do you mean Making Words, Alison? I started out by having all the words on cards. Now I just print them on the board during the lesson.
Val/Al/3-4 - Oh cool, I just ordered 400 4x6 cards for no particular reason.
naneb - my kids loved Brand Name Phonics and Looks Right, I did those on the board no cards
Alison/4/OH - Yes Alta the making words
naneb - Val here is the link to my upper grade site
naneb - http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/lig/n/a/naneb/
naneb - Val, where are you in Alabama?
Alison/4/OH - ok here is what I was planning on my envelopes. I planned to write the "big Word" with all the smaller words under it in the order that they will manipulate. Then inside I would put the letters that will be needed to make those words?
Val/Al/3-4 - Thansk I don't think I have seen that one. When i first joined the 4B ring I was going to teach 1 and 2 - Huntsville
naneb - I used to live in AL, now I live in MS
Alison/4/OH - For the looks right I thought about making an overhead transparency of them? Could you do that ahead of time to?
Alta Rose / 1-2 - After the children make each word, I print it on the white board. (No cards.) The children tell me which column to print it in, so we sort as we go along. When finished, I print a new word on the board and say, "If you were having trouble reading / spelling that word, which column would help you?" The kids tell me which column it goes under, and I print it. No cards. Seems to work.
naneb - I write on the white board for looks right
naneb - you could do a transparency and cover all but the ones you are doing
Alison/4/OH - OK, sounds good....good ideas. Than kyou!
Val/Al/3-4 - I need to go. Thanks for everything, everybody!
Alison/4/OH - Did I mention my school also adopted a new science series and a new math series...I think I'm going to go to the nuthouse this year>>.......hehehe
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Well, I think I better call it a night. Good night, all!
Alison/4/OH - night alta
naneb - night alta rose
Alta Rose / 1-2 - Thanks, everyone! It's been great!
Lonna - Thanks for the suggestions. Need to get ready for tomorrow. Happy 4th!
Alison/4/OH - Good night@!!!
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