Laura - Hi everyone. Glad you all made it for round two of four blocks for first grade :o)
Laura - last week we talked about the words block and guided reading. Why don't we start tonight with the writing block. remember, new messages come in from the top. to type a message, just type in the box and hit enter to send.
Laura - if anyone has a question, we can get started.
Vicki - Laura, How would you start the writing block at the beginning of the year?
Laura - vicki - what i did was do a little modeling of what writing is.
Laura - first i drew a picture and said that some of them would write like this
Vicki - In a morning message type thing?
Laura - then i wrote some random letters and said that some would write like this
Laura - finally i wrote a simple sentence.
Laura - let them know that all this is acceptable to you.
Laura - no in a mini lesson.
Laura - then we made our first web to generate ideas
jo - I wanted to know some more about morning message. Does the teacher or students do this?
Laura - i do the morning message from day one. that is not part of my writing workshop, but it could be. very effective
Laura - the reason you need to do the mini lesson on the different types of writing is to make them feel comfortable and willing to take a risk and attempt writing,
Laura - the teacher does the morning message in the beginning. eventually i have the kids take over.
Beth - I use the morning message as a modeling of a type of writing.
Laura - you can teach so much in those few minutes.
jo - Can you give me a quick example of what the morning message might look like?
Vicki - How complete should their writing be to publish?
Laura - beth - that's great. it's a perfect time to do that. i just happen to structure my writing workshop at a different point in my day.
Laura - morning message example,
Laura - Today is Monday __
Beth - When do you put lines on the paper- do you change all the students at once or do it on an individual basis
Laura - It is the 2nd day of school.We will go to Library.
Laura - We will have a party.
Laura - Then I call on 2 children to dictate/share something with the class.
Laura - Try to pattern the language. In my example, we always do the date and the next sentence is the number day of school. they begin to realize this and it helps them to read.
Laura - Then I pattern We will
Beth - Putting a question in the morning message can really enlive things.n
Laura - As for completeness, I publish when the children want to . It could be a picture with a label. Whenever you feel they are ready. Some teachers like to make them choose from 5 pieces the best one to publish.
Laura - Beth - I used lines from the beginning. I use the primary paper with the space at the top for the picture.
Laura - Yes a question can promote some nice discussions.
Laura - if you have access to an overhead it is great for writing workshop. i do all my mini lessons on one.
Beth - Does the lines conflict with teaching drwriting?
Vicki - How many pieces do you recommend that they choose from?
Laura - Beth - no because there is a large space at the top of the paper to drite.
Laura - Beth - no because there is a large space at the top of the paper to drite.V
Mel/ont/1 - Laura i do my morning news on the overhead and then I xerox it ..each child puts a copy in their binder and read it that night at home
Laura - Vicki - I don't have a set number. I would say they want to publish everything, but realistically they publish about every 3rd piece. It really depends. You just know when they read to you in a conference they are ready to publish.
Laura - Mel - Great idea. You can also use it to make some homework.
Laura - do some cloze exercises etc.
Laura - word hunts
nancy - I like the idea of following a pattern for the mm - that is so helpful
Laura - Nancy - yes especially in the beginning. when they take over for you, they know what to do with the pattern.
Karen - I am just starting 4 block with my first grade are there any classroom management ideas?
Laura - also, really helps them feel as if they are reading from day one.
Beth - How do you teach webbing?
Laura - for mm i also do a word search with the class. i let a few come up and find and circle any word they can read. before you know it they circle them all.
Laura - beth - the first web i do on chart paper. pick a topic near and dear to their little hearts.
Laura - then i make the circle with the word in the middle - usually birthdays or something like that.
Laura - i tell them to tell me any word they think of that relates to their birthday.
Laura - i write the words on the web.
jo - I'm new to first grade. Do you have the kids keep writing journals? If so, spiral notebooks?
Mel/ont/1 - With the writing we set up a publishing centre..we placed a computer.laminator.paper cutter.spiral machine and let the parents man it.. they publish all of our stories therefore you can allow each child topublish more
Laura - when it is finished, the next day i model how to write a sentence using ideas generated in the web.
Laura - Mel - that's great. i wish i had more parent involvement.
nancy - Having parent helpers publish is an idea I'll use. Thank you.
Laura - jo - yes they keep journals. no i don't use spirals for the kids. they tend to unravel and i find the point can be dangerous.
Laura - the journal we use is an interactive journal
Laura - which means they write and i write back t them. very effective and really motivates them to write.
nancy - What do you have them write in?
Vicki - How do you write to each child...how often?
Laura - marble notebooks.
jo - I have done the interactive journal with third graders and it was a huge success. I really got to know the students on a different level.
Laura - in the beginning of the year i staple primary paper together and make a book out of constructin paper.
Laura - jo - isn't it great. my kids have been writing to me all summer too. i love getting the letters.
nancy - why do you call them marble notebooks?
Mel/ont/1 - Laura one idea that someone gave me was response journals. I never thought they would work in grade one but the kids have lots to write about and they enjoy them
Laura - nancy - the hard black old fashioned notebooks :o)
Laura - mel - you mean response logs? where they write a personal response to their readings?
Laura - we have those too. my little ones have 5 notebooks.
Mel/ont/1 - yes I think so I read them a story and they respond to it I have about 9 different sentence starters thatthey can use..
Vicki - Mel, can you give us an example?
Laura - yes. i did my research paper for my masters on reader response theory. very i nteresting stuff. you are right though most think it is just for older children.
nancy - Mel, can you give some example of some starters for response writing?
Laura - eventually, i would recommend moving away from the prompts and let them free write. you'd be amazed at what they come ]up with.
Laura - eventually, i would recommend moving away from the prompts and let them free write. you'd be amazed at what they come up with.
Beth - We have science journals. They must draw our experiments and then together we write a report.
Mel/ont/1 - I wold read them Fifty Below Zero by Robert Munsch.. They could respond to by using My favourite part was.. This reminds me of...,I was confused when..
Vicki - Do you keep all these different journals, or just write in one at a time, with varying themes?
Laura - I like the part when.. was a favorite in september
jo - Do you display writing ideas in the room for students who can't think of anything to write?
Laura - one at a time. the interactive journal is used during wworkshop, free time, or they can take it home.
Laura - jo - i have my little ones dictate a list to me that i staple in their writing folders. i can write about.....
Laura - most say - dogs, cats, dinosaurs, my friends. no i dont' have any displays.
Laura - when they are stuck they write in their interactive journals.
Vicki - Is this a class generated list which is copies for all or an individual list?]
Laura - the response logs were used a lot for homework. they also were used in guided reading some days.
jo - I like that idea.
Laura - vicki - individual
Vicki - Thanks
Laura - my very first conferences included making this list. i only put 3 things on to start and then we added as we went along.
Mel/ont/1 - Laura how did you use them for homework????????
nancy - I can see where an individual list would give them ownership of what to write.
Laura - response logs? they took the book home to read and were told to write a response. it could be something like - write about what you like/ or don't like. how did the story make you feel. draw a picture of your favorite scene.
Vicki - Do you have regular times set up for conferences?
Laura - nancy - yes, and it really doesn't take that long. i wrote it on that little spelling paper and stapled it in the folder.
Mel/ont/1 - I like that thanks Laura This way youknow they read that night!!!!!!!
Laura - this year i am not going to use a folder though was too messy for the little ones to manage.
nancy - Laura - do you take a grade on that for writing/reading/spelling/english?
Laura - mel - yes, read and write
Beth - If not folders then what???
Laura - nancy - no. i don't even circle the word wall words. response logs are not graded in any way.
jo - What are you going to use instead of folders?
Mel/ont/1 - For ocnferences I used chart paper that said To Bo Conferenced when they were ready they put their names up on the sheet then they would go back totheir seats and start another story.. I could keep coferencing without being interrupted and they could keep writing without waiting for me
Laura - a writing notebook. oh no - now they will have 6 - poor babies :o)
Vicki - Mel, I like that idea, then you aren't calling children who aren't ready
nancy - spirals worked for us all year - we glued in their take home story and they wagged it back and forth until it was full. Kept needle nose pliers handy for wild wires, but not that much problem.
Laura - mel - great idea. i made an appointment book for them to sign in. they felt like they were so important making an appointment to see me. all it was was two pieces of const. paper with pages stapled inbetween.
Laura - nancy - maybe i should try them again. i like the way the open all the way. the kids are always folding the marbles under and the strings can rip.
jo - The appointment book would help with keeping track of who you met with and how often. Nice idea.
Mel/ont/1 - Thats cute Laura..I only used the chart paper because it was so big and I could see it from wherever i was conferencing
Laura - yes and i also choose 3 peer helpers that they can go to for help.
nancy - I like big
Mel/ont/1 - Good point jo!!!
Vicki - I bought spirals yesterday and cut them all in half, folded the cut wires in, I plan on letting them start with the "Little writing book"
Laura - cute idea vicki - how did you cut them?
nancy - Vicki is my bosom buddy who teaches down the hall from me and I usually end of copying most everything she does - so I'll probably to the same with those spirals I just bought.
Vicki - I tried a paper cutter, but it wouldn't work, so my husband and I used scissors!!!! :o)
Vicki - Scissors OOPS
Laura - ouch
Laura - you must have sore fingers :o)
nancy - nice husband
Vicki - It wasn't too bad...just watched a little TV and cut, cut, cut
Laura - do you want to move over to the SSR block now?
Laura - do you want to move over to the SSR block now?
nancy - he helped her cut them all
Vicki - YES
jo - I use to have my kids skip a line between their writing in third grade to make editing easier. Do you think this is too much for first graders?
Laura - vicki - when i made the writing dictionaries i had my mother over and gave her a scissor. cut cut cut.
Mel/ont/1 - Yes
Vicki - I do not understand if we are to level the books
Laura - jo - no i had them skip lines also. worked ok. sometimes they forget,
Laura - vicki - my books are leveled, but i don't limit them to one level only.
Vicki - How did you level them?
nancy - take care - company is here. The Lord bless you!
Laura - bye nancy.
jo - Do you have individual baskets for each child?
Laura - jo - no. i have a basket for each table.
nancy - Mel - Memphis TN
Laura - i have 4 tables with 5 children
Laura - i have a basket for magazines and a nonfiction basket also
Laura - later in the year i have chapter book basket too
Mel/ont/1 - Laura i think that is my worst problem is finding the right literature at the right ime
jo - So, one table might just have magazines for the day?
Karen - Can I ask any 4 block question here or is there a different spot for each block? This is my first time to do this.
Laura - jo - yes. mel - just give them a variety. they love the non fiction stuff
Vicki - I was thinking about putting in a variety of things in each basket...no?
Laura - jo - yes. mel - just give them a variety. they love the non fiction stuff
Laura - karen - we are talking about SSR, but you can certainly ask.
Laura - vicki - i think it's a matter of personal preference.
Laura - i have old scholastic news in a basket also.
jo - Do you have the kids share after SSR?
Mel/ont/1 - Laura these baskets are for SSR???????
Vicki - I guess if I put only one type in, they would all be exposed to the gamut and not just choose the same old thing
Laura - my friend has hers organized by theme with various levels in one basket. works for her.
Karen - Laminating those scholatic news helps them hold up.
Laura - mel- yes.
Laura - jo -
Laura - everyday we do a bookshare
Laura - i have four tables. each table has a day with friday free share.
Vicki - Can you describe a bookshare
Mel/ont/1 - Laura last week did you have ameeting on reading?I really struggle with choosing literature for guided reading
Laura - vicki - the kids sit in the chair and hold up the book they read. they tell the name of the book and something abuot it. they then tell the class where they can find it - ie, non fiction basket. sometimes they read one part.
Laura - mel - we talked about it a bit, but we can do it again. it's been the hardest block for many
Laura - we can come back next Tuesday :o)
Laura - and do guided reading for an hour :O):O)
Mel/ont/1 - Only if others want to some may have come here for something else
jo - That would be great!
Laura - with the book share i tell the kids the idea is to "sell" the book to us. make us want to read it.
Mel/ont/1 - Laura Ilove your bookshare we have to have an oral communications mark and that could be part of mine
Laura - perfect. they are so cute. in the bginning i model - i jsut read this great book. the name of it was. i really like the way the author.... etc.
jo - Do you hold individual conferences during SSR?
Laura - jo - yes. i get to about 4 depending on the day.
Vicki - The bookshare idea is a great one. Thanks :o)
Laura - also when we do the share in writing, i model how to ask questins by framing mine - I wondered why you...., when you wrote ___ I wondered ____ etc.
Vicki - Could you "walk" us through a typical SSR time?
Laura - they get really good at it and sound so grown up when they say - "i wonder _"
Laura - vicki - first i do a teacher read aloud.
Laura - sometimes I even pretend to get stuck on a word and use the word wall or pattern wall to help me. not a mini lesson, just a quick modeling.
Laura - then they return to their tables and the basket is there.
Laura - they have a few minutes to choose 1/2 books to read and find a quiet spot away from everyone else.
Laura - then i set the timer and they are NOT allowed to get up or talk at all. i really enforce this.
Laura - then as they read i conference with the chilren.
Laura - i have a spiral notebook that i jot down notes in. i write the date, name, title of book. we talk about the book they are reading.
Laura - i have a spiral notebook that i jot down notes in. i write the date, name, title of book. we talk about the book they are reading.
Laura - then i ask them to read a bit for me. if it is really too hard for them, i may try to find something i think they might like. not ever saying something easier.
Laura - when the bell rings. they return to their tables and put the books back in the basket. they then move to the rug for the book share.
Laura - if they are talking during someone's share they give up their right to share.
Laura - does that sound manageable?
Mel/ont/1 - Sounda great Laura
Vicki - Yes, That was REALLY helpful. Thanks!
Vicki - Mel, it looks like its just you and me...I'
Laura - i also have the procedural lessons on my webpage. very important to do these in the beginning of the year.
Vicki - guided reading, how about you?
jo - I'm still here.
Mel/ont/1 - Laura can you post your webpahe url???????????
Vicki - Laure, what is your homepage address?
Laura - www.readinglady.com
Vicki - thanks
Laura - http://www.readinglady.com sorry
Vicki - sorry jo, didn't see you there
Laura - so what would you like to know about guided reading. :O)
Mel/ont/1 - Everything LOL
Vicki - Everything tee-hee :o)
Laura - LOL - tall order in four minutes.
jo - Do you use your basal?
Mel/ont/1 - How do you know what to start with???????I start with pattern stories but I get so frustraed with the patterns and memorizing
Laura - why don't we start at the beginning and we'll have to come back next week.
Mel/ont/1 - Sounds great
Laura - jo - yes. i am required to use the basal. i use it for the 3 days of grade level reading. then i supplement with authentic literature the other two days.
Vicki - OK, do you emphasize to the kids that , just as there are many acdceptable ways to write, there are many acceptable ways to read?
Laura - mel - patterned lit. is great to start with.
jo - sounds good
Laura - vicki - exactly. model the different types of reading. i outline this on my webpage under the SSR procedureal minilessons.
Vicki - What kind of authentic literature? Poetry?
Laura - picture reading, word/picture reading, reading, etc
Mel/ont/1 - I know Laura..I just find it hard to get any seatwork out of some of the stories
Laura - vicki - poetry, songs, books, anything i can get my hands on.
Vicki - With pattern sotries, you can always let the kids continue the pattern on a page for a classbook
Laura - mel - take a patterned story like hattie and the fox. rewrite it on sentence strips. then cut them up. put them in baggies and give each group a page - which is equal to one baggie.
Laura - give them blank paper and let them use the books to reassemble the story and glue it to the paper. they love it.
Laura - i call it a puzzle.
Laura - later in the year they can do with out the book.
Mel/ont/1 - I like those two ideas but What do you do with kids that are readin two grades about that??????????
Laura - what do yuo mean two grades?
Vicki - That;'s why there are 4 blocks, right?
Mel/ont/1 - I have two girls who are able to read Franklin and Robert Munsch
jo - Do you have all of the students read the same thing?
Vicki - Because of the 4 blocks, it's very multi-level
Laura - ok, then they are getting the additional enrichment they need in SSR.
Laura - jo - yes in guided.
Mel/ont/1 - so should I put the early readers at a table together and they work on their own thing??????????
Mel/ont/1 - Laura so there is nothing wrong with them doing your puzzle with the rest of the class event hough it is probably very easy for them??????????
Laura - no, no ability grouping. they get what they need in one of the blocks, you don't have to worry about them. they also get the enrichment from working and helping others.
jo - I have to go out to the National Night Out Block Party. Thanks!!!
Laura - mel - no, nothing at all. they may not need to use the book to help then.
Vicki - Bye jo
Laura - bye j
Mel/ont/1 - Oh okay that makes me feel better! I rather do everything together but dont want to bore them
Laura - you'd be surprised. kids like to feel successful. the bright ones will shine no matter what you have them do.
Mel/ont/1 - What else can I do with pattern books????????????
Mel/ont/1 - Thats true Laura Thanks
Vicki - Laura, thanks again. I feel as if I have my own personal 4 blocks mentor!
Laura - :o)
Vicki - The kids love to act out the books, especially if they have made theri own props
Laura - we extend the pattern as someone said. we change the pattern for example, we read RAIN we wrote a classbook - SUN
Laura - we also do a lot of readers theater.
Laura - good vicki :)
Mel/ont/1 - Do you do a lotof their own pattern books and thenletthem share them???????????
Vicki - We have actaully rewritten a book and sent it to the author as a gift. Talk about excited kids!
Laura - for I Went Walking, i took them out walking. we came back and did a language experience - We Went Walking. tyrel saw ___ etc. they glued objects that we found like leaves and rocks around the chart paper.
Karen - I have a quick question before I have to go. Do you make your own letters for making words? If so what size?
Laura - in the beginning we made some pattern books in writing workshop. we also did retellings of stories with story grammars that were made into books. not too much later in the year.
Vicki - Also, for making words, do you ever make copies of the letters for them to cut out, manipulate and then take home?
Laura - karen - yes. i made them on large index cards cut into 4 boxes.
Mel/ont/1 - What are story grammars??????
Laura - vicki - yes i used the sheet from the teachers guide. be prepared though the parents don't get it.
Laura - story grammar- title, author - so two kids would have those pages to write and illustrate.
Vicki - Which teachers guide?
Laura - characters - you can have a few do this. they write the name of the character and draw a picture of them, or later describe them
Laura - setting - sentence or picture to represetn
Laura - problem - solution two sep. pages
Laura - events - you can have as many as you need. you then have a retelling of the book illustrated by the kids. they are neat.
Mel/ont/1 - Laura what is problem solution??????
Laura - vicki - the teachers guide to the four blocks has as rexo in the back with boxes across the top for them to write the letters and then cut out at home. it has boxes for them to write the words they build.
Vicki - Thanks
Laura - mel - what is the problem in the story and how was it solved. for instance in strega nona the pasta pot wouldn't stop is a problem, or big anthony didn't listen.
Mel/ont/1 - oh okay i told you I struggled LOL
Laura - the solution is how it was fixed. - strega nona stopped it, or big anthony learned his lesson.
Laura - i'm surprised they didn't take over the room yet. i thought they had another meeting after us. guess not. what else troubles you?
Mel/ont/1 - Laura what else do you do with pattern books ?????????
Vicki - A general question. How do you do 4 blocks on the first day?
Laura - mel - you love those pattern books lol
Mel/ont/1 - Not reallybut I will have some weakones.
Laura - try to do some graphic organizers.
Laura - we do venn diagrams to compare/contrast and we do cause/effect maps.
Mel/ont/1 - Okay can you explain those LOL
Laura - give me an example of your titles.
Mel/ont/1 - Mrs. Wishy Washy
Vicki - I LOVE Mrs. WW
Vicki - She is REALLY fun to act out
Laura - you could make a bath tub and have them glue in words they can read from the story. write the words on post its.
Laura - do an author study of joy cowley. definitely act it out.
Laura - she has a big book, i have it at work about when she writes. its great for an intro to an author study.
Mel/ont/1 - What are graphic organizers??????
Vicki - Have them retell the story. What if Mrs. WW were a ________?
Laura - just some type of visual aid to help them organize their ideas.
Mel/ont/1 - I really like these ideas because you can work with the whole class
Mel/ont/1 - Ohokay i understand now
Laura - venn diagram is to intersecting circles. you write what is different abuot each in the outer circle. the things they have in common go in the middle.
Vicki - They get REALLY good a venns
Laura - yes and i am sure you do mrs. w in the beginning of the year.
Laura - when i read the little yellow chicken also by joy cowley we did the venn diagram to the little red hen
Mel/ont/1 - Laura this wont stagnate the good readers??????????
Vicki - I have 2 different versions of some stories which we venn
Laura - when i did the humongeous cat by joy cowley we did a web of words that mean the same as humongeous.
Laura - mel - what the graphic organizers?
Mel/ont/1 - no allof these pattern books and their activities
Laura - later in the year use the predictable books for your easier day selections.
Laura - mel - if you think they are too easy for the majority of your readers, use them on the easier day and only do them 2 x a week. supplement the other 3 days with readingon their level.
Mel/ont/1 - Vicki you had a question about Four Blocks on the first day????????????
Mel/ont/1 - No Laura just these two girls friends of our family ..I am worried about keeping them challenged
Vicki - What would you think about having kids bring in the words to songs they sing at home, writing them on chart paper and using them for the easy days at the beginning of the year?
Laura - try to tie in literature that goes along with the theme of your basal.
Mel/ont/1 - Laura do you ever do grouping?????????
Laura - they'll do fine with book clubs and the SSR block and the word block.
Laura - vicki - i like the idea. songs are great.
Mel/ont/1 - I think you are right Laura I'll see how it goes
Laura - vicki - i like the idea. songs are great.
Mel/ont/1 - I think you are right Laura I'll see how it goes
Laura - mel - i do grouping everyday - but they are not ability grouped.
Mel/ont/1 - Could you explain yur grouping????????
Vicki - Do your groups change or do you just call them up by table?
Laura - i also do centers for a half hour every morning. you can challenge your stars then if you want to.
Laura - my groups change constantly. they only stay the same if we are doing a book club.
Vicki - When do you guys start back? I go for In-Service on Monday!
Mel/ont/1 - I am a big fan of Literacy centres just not a first
Laura - grouping - some days partners, some days small groups. some days two large groups.
Vicki - How do you do a literacy center, Mel?
Mel/ont/1 - Vicki I go back Sept 8th I teachin my own community so I know all the kids and I am the onlygrade one teacher
Laura - the book club format works great. i love it. very similar to harvey daniels work.
Mel/ont/1 - Vicki I set up different skills at different tables and rotate
Vicki - How much time do you allow per center?
Mel/ont/1 - Laura so all of your groups are reading the same story??????????
Laura - mel - yes except when we do book clubs. then they are each grou reading a different story related by theme of topic.
Mel/ont/1 - Vicki I allow them to rotate when finished Lori V has all of her literacy centres of her webpage
Vicki - When do you start book clubs, Laura?
Mel/ont/1 - Laura thats when the early readers can read what they choose
Laura - around january this year. depends on the class and when they are working independently in groups.
Mel/ont/1 - Laura about how long would you spend on each story???????????
Laura - mel - yes they all choose the book they want to read. it is outlined in Classrooms that Work. basically i introduce all the books by showing them to the class.
Laura - they then have time to look at teach book, kind of like how you rotate your centers.
Laura - then they write down their first and second choice on an index card.
Vicki - I'm almost finished with CTW...what an outstanding book
Laura - then i make the groups keeping it as mixed as possible, but ensuring that there is one leader type in each grouping.
Laura - i have an insect book club example on my web page. when you go there click on four blocks teachign to see all my lesson plans.
Mel/ont/1 - Laura thats a good plannothing worse then ruining a kids self esteem being in a low group
Vicki - Do you have a lesson plan template?
Laura - yes mel and they know it. they are so excited when they look around and see that a good reader is in there group. they know who the good readers are.
Laura - vicki - not yet. i have to add that yet.
Karen - This has been an interesting first. I might not have said much but I have learned a lot. Thanks
Mel/ont/1 - That is very important to me..being in grade one they need confidence
Mel/ont/1 - Karen I wrote five pages LOL
Laura - who asked about day one and four blocks?
Vicki - I did? HELP!
Laura - basically i go through the blocks and do procedural mini lessons for at least the first week. give them an idea of what the block is for and what is expected of them.
Vicki - Just like we do every year...teach expectations?
Laura - exactly only now they are for four blocks.
Laura - i'm lucky i have the same class this year. i can get right to work :o)
share - I've always enjoyed the second year with my class for that reason
Vicki - Laura, I really appreciate you spending this time with us. I am NOT nbew ti teaching, but I feel new becasue of 4 blocks!
Mel/ont/1 - Laura i really apreciate all of your help!!!!!!!! I will check out your webpage
Laura - i can relate. it was overwhelming at first because i had not training. the books helped and the mailring. once you get started you'll see how it works.
Vicki - I e-mailed Cheryl, as far as she knows, noone in my state is doing 4 blocks!
Mel/ont/1 - Laura do you notice a difference in your kids since using it??????????
Laura - i'll come back next week for another round. vicki - what state.
Vicki - Tennessee. I'll be back next week. Same time?
Laura - mel - yes the terranova tests were the highest on grade level. also, i taught second the year before and they were reading at lower levels than my first this year.
Mel/ont/1 - Thats great !!!!!!!!!You learned everything prettwy well from the books and mailring??????
Laura - and mel - they were really reading, not just memorizing those patterns. there was transfer over to other materials.
Sandy/K/MO - Laura... do you use the skills bank for the terranova tests?
Mel/ont/1 - LOL@Laura!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura - sandy - i don't administer the test the title one teacher does. there was no test prep. they take it cold twice a year.
Mel/ont/1 - About how long do you use thepattern books or is that hard to tell????????????
Laura - october and may
Sandy/K/MO - our dist. just spent HUGE bucks on this skills bank for the test we take in Oct.
Laura - mel - my series has them for the first half of the year, but they are not the wright group books. they are a bit harder.
Sandy/K/MO - what are you guys discussing???
Laura - sandy - they would have better spent their money on books :o) they want the results to justify their jobs.
Sandy/K/MO - I know.. feel that way too.. messes up computer learning too
Vicki - My district decided NOT to test K-1...Finally a wise move!
Laura - i've got to run. it's been nice chatting. i'll be here next Tuesday at 7PM .
Vicki - Me too, See you nest week!
Mel/ont/1 - Thanks again Laura!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura - if you haven't already done so , get the Month by Month Phonics for 1st grade. I think apples and acorns has it available.
Laura - really lays out your word block for you. bye.
Mel/ont/1 - Yes I have it but not Classrooms That Work
Vicki - Got it, it's really helpful, but I still need your advice!
Laura - email me if you think of questions during the week - neophytelm@aol.com
Chatboards Lesson Plans K12 Projects Teacher Blogs Mailrings Classified Ads Teacher Jobs Live Chat Live Meetings Articles Harry Wong Printables
Other Chatboards in this Category...
The Language Arts Chatboards are for educators who teach Language Arts or have an interest in the English curriculum.
Reading/Writing HS English Books/Literature Book Talk
Remedial Reading Accelerated Reader 6 Traits Writing ESL/EFL
4 Blocks Literacy Building Blocks (K) Library/Media Specialist Reading First
