Carolyn - <---2nd grade/Ohio
Peggy -I loved teaching second grade.
Peggy - I teach kindergarten now. Love that too.
REI/2/IL - Peggy~Are you using Building Blocks?
Peggy - Yes...actually, been doing it before it was building blocks!
Carolyn - <---1st year doing 4 Blocks
Peggy - The only addition that I am doing is Morning Messages and the children really are getting into it
Peggy - Our first grade teachers have been doing BB for two years, our second grades just started this year.
REI/2/IL - Carolyn...are you enjoying it? I've been teaching 4 Blocks for 5 years. Love it.
Carolyn - Love 4 Blocks...but don't like series I have
Cece/1/GA - What are you using, Carolyn?
REI/2/IL - What series?
Carolyn - Scott Foresman
Cece/1/GA - Really skills based? It used to be when I used it!
Carolyn - My district decided to implement 4 Blocks....
REI/2/IL - Carolyn~we use Scott Foresman.
Peggy - The kindergarten SF basal has great sentence strips for letters and poems.
Carolyn - ......then purchase Scott Foresman : ((
Cece/1/GA - Do you have access to some good trade books? Or are you pretty much stuck with the basal for now?
Carolyn - REI, really???? Do you like it???
REI/2/IL - We pick and choose what we want to use from the series.
Peggy - No, we looked at it as a pilot, Scholastic came in with a $ figure that my district liked better.
Carolyn - REI, that's what I'm trying to do....but it seems everyone else is doing Scott Foresman not true 4 Blocks
REI/2/IL - Carolyn~we are using an older SF series...Celebrate Reading. Will be selecting our new basal series this coming year.
Carolyn - We're so driven by the state proficiency tests... : (
Cece/1/GA - Sometimes it's really hard when you get a new basal. It feels like your first year all over again!
Carolyn - Cece, yes!!!! : (((
Cece/1/GA - We're in that club, too! We are giving a new Criterion Ref. test this year, and don't have anything to go by as to what the test will be like!
Carolyn - New basal and new 4 blocks....
Cece/1/GA - Lots on your plate, Carolyn!
Carolyn - I've wanted to do 4 Blocks every since I heard about it 4 yrs ago...so excited when district decided to do it
Cece/1/GA - I have a really low group this year. Nine ID'd EIP (our state's label for at-risk)
Carolyn - Cece, how are they doing?
Cece/1/GA - I am really working hard to try to pull these kids up, but it is a real struggle. I can't imagine trying to teach them without 4 Blocks
REI/2/IL - Wow Cece. That is a lot. How many do you have total in your class?
Cece/1/GA - I have 17 total. (And 4 of those are gifted) What a mix!
Carolyn - I also have a lower group this year.
Carolyn - Hi, Mom and Pat : )
Cece/1/GA - I am meeting with 7 of these students and a few others (higher kids for models) and reading some sight controlled voc. stories (from the ancient Scott Foresman)
Pat - REI--where are you in IL? I'm in Chicago South suburbs
Cece/1/GA - This is in addition to 4 Blocks. These kids just need LOTS of practice
Lynn/1/IL - I was wondering if you would like to talk about SSR, specifically book basket time.
Betty - Sure, Lynn!
Cece/1/GA - Lynn, do you have a specific concern?
REI/2/IL - Pat~I am in Southern IL. Grew up in Northern IL.
Carolyn - <---interested in anything 4 Blocks, Lynn : )
Lynn/1/IL - I have concerns about the kids I am not reading with actually being engaged in their baskets at their tables. They are all 1st graders
Cece/1/GA - Lynn, I had problems keeping mine interested in baskets, so my kids each have an individual baggie with books at their level
Betty - That's what I do, too, Cece. I really found that teaching the kids to read the pictures has really helped!
Carolyn - Cece, is that hard to plan for?
REI/2/IL - Cece...that is what I have had our teachers do as well.
Cece/1/GA - I have had 1 group who could really do the baskets at first grade. The other groups have needed the structure of baggies to keep them on task
Lynn/1/IL - How do you control that Cece? Do you select the books? How do you choose the books?
Mom1Teach2 - I have just been learning about 4Blocks this year. I am interested in going to a 4Blocks schedule after Christmas. Do you think this is wise? Would it be better to wait and start next school year?
Cece/1/GA - No, Carolyn, My kids are in groups # 1-5. Each day I conference with a specific group and then we decide together what kinds of books they will select for their bags
teach1st - hi Marcia! Hi everyone!
Betty - I have the kids choose theirs every Monday morning. They choose enough books to keep them busy all week.
REI/2/IL - Mom~When I first started, I began in Jan.
Mom1Teach2 - It wasn't too much of a transition for your students?
Lynn/1/IL - About how many books do you keep in their baggies for a week?
Betty - Mom1Teach2, I don't think there is a problem with you starting whenever you are ready.
Betty - They choose 10 books. They are all quite short, beginning Sunshine Readers.
Cece/1/GA - At least 5, Lynn. For brighter kids, they may need more. If they really run through them I start them on chapter books.
REI/2/IL - Mom..not really. In fact, I found my kiddos really adapted well.
Cece/1/GA - I have one student who is flying through Nate the Great and so I gave him Magic Treehouse
Lynn/1/IL - Do you put books in that you have done in GR block?
JO - hi, this is jo from Michigan
Mom1Teach2 - Thanks! Teach1(a personal friend) had already given me some confidence to try it. I have been busy reading about all the blocks.
Cece/1/GA - I have a variety of books, from Wright Group to Trade books. My room is full of books (thousands!)
REI/2/IL - Cece...my 2nd graders love the Magic Tree House series. Even my special ed kiddos are at a point they can read them now.
Betty - Lynn-Actually, what I did this week, was distribute that book quickly as a choice for SSR time.
Cece/1/GA - Yes, Lynn, it's a good reinforcement! Mine are still reading bat books from Oct
Louise - I've got a lot of parents in my room. Does anyone have any ideas to utilize them effectively?
Betty - Louise-How about kids reading to them during SSR time?
Cece/1/GA - My visiting parents love reading with the kids at SSR. They can help listen to writers, and help them publish
lisa/2/nc - REI, have you seen the latest MTH book? Christmas in Camelot -- it's fantastic -- and it has more chapters than the others -- my 2nd graders love that
Mom1Teach2 - I like to have parents read with the struggling readers one on one. This gives the students some extra reading time.
REI/2/IL - Louise...I have parents coming in during my writing block and SSR. I've taught them how to conference with my students.
Marcia - A question for all....I have taught four blocks for a while.. I am just starting in Jan in a new class as a long term sub. The school does nothing but leveled group reading. All they have are pm readers...should I change the groups to mixed levels?
REI/2/IL - Lisa~NO! Gosh, I may just have to wander to Barnes and Noble after finishing here tonight.
Mom1Teach2 - REI, did you have a workshop to train the parents?
Lynn/1/IL - Thanks. I think that I might try that concept. they could probably select their books on the day that I am meeting with them. and reselect the next time I meet with them the next week. I have started having my publishing parents come in early to listen to kids read before they begin working on publishing the kids stories.
Louise - very interesting. I never thought of having them conference with the kids. Thanks!
Cece/1/GA - OOh, tough one, Marcia. How long will you be subbing?
lisa/2/nc - it's really good REI -- I've already read it as a read aloud even though it's not yet Christmas -- all about Camelot -- it's a good book -- not $3.99 -- but $11.99
Marcia - for the rest of the school year...the teacher is going out on maternity
Betty - My school has just adopted a 10 minute school-wide silent reading time everyday. It's good, but the teachers have to be reading as well, and of course that cuts down on my conferencing time. I teach in a small town in Canada, and discovered 4Blocks via the internet last year, but my administration is very interested. So interested that when silent reading time was mandated, my v. principal told the other staff to come see me for the 4Blocks book to get ideas for SSR!
Marcia - Last year I had my own class at a school that used Invitations and I did all mixed groups.
Cece/1/GA - Why are they doing this to us, Lisa? The new Junie B. was $11, too. Get us hooked and switch to hardback!
Lynn/1/IL - Have any of you first grade teachers read a longer short chapter book during the read aloud part of ssr? My kid got real turned off...no pictures.
Marcia - But Junie b.....really will peek their interest..
Cece/1/GA - Marcia, I'd switch the groups, then. Are you wanting a permanent job there? would it ruffle lots of feathers?
REI/2/IL - Mom....I modeled the first few times. I also wrote a "Parent" cheat sheet for them to refer to. It has worked great. My parents love the conferencing.
Mom1Teach2 - I have read Winnie the Pooh and Little House on the Prairie books to my first grade students.
lisa/2/nc - Cece -- I don't know....but my 2nd graders are really excited that the latest MTH book is longer -- more of a challenge than the regular ones -- but then again, I have a very high functioning group this year
Betty - I think training parents to conference is a great idea! Wish I had enough parents!
Lynn/1/IL - I read Junie B to my 1/2's last year and they LOVED them all! It really hooked them. Maybe I should try Junie.
Cece/1/GA - Lynn, I talk to my kids about making the pictures in their heads. What chapter book did you read?
Betty - Little House on the Prairie is my fave! A girl after my own heart!
teach1st - I have read several Junie B. books including the new one-they loved them!!!!ed
Louise - Way to go Betty!
Marcia - Yes...and No. it's a different district...but sure I want a job.... the first grades are using four blocks....but F & P groupings
Cece/1/GA - Lucky you, Lisa, I have the lowest group. But, they are making progress!
Marcia - I think I'll start THEIR way...and silently switch...
Lynn/1/IL - It must have been bad...I can't even remember what it was. So I guess I wasn't invested ...I really get into my read alouds...all the dramatics etc. but I must not have had the right touch with the last one!
lisa/2/nc - Lynn, they might like the Magic Tree House books as well -- I read all of the MTH books last year to my first graders -- they adored them -- and when they were ready to start chapter books, the MTH books were the "easiest" to deal with since they knew the style of writing
Cece/1/GA - Good plan, Marcia.
lisa/2/nc - Cece -- having such a high group is challenging for me to find stuff to keep them moving forward
Cece/1/GA - Well, Lynn, we've all read books that really made us say ugh! It's a good experience for kids to see that!
Marcia - I joined a few web projects, including Marci's Junie B.... and the Frosty Readers Project... I love winter books..
Lynn/1/IL - The 2nd grade teachers read the MTH books unfortunately. The Librarian at our school hates Junie...I ADORE doing her...so I think that 's how I will proceed. Have any of you read aloud THE FORGOTTEN ELF?
Cece/1/GA - Yeah, Lisa. The high group I had a couple of years ago reminded me of the dog walker holding a dozen leashes (Who's walking whom?) haha
Cece/1/GA - What's the Frosty's project, Marcia
teach1st - I continue to struggle with the writing block-how much writing ( # of sentences ) are your first graders doing? are
Cece/1/GA - no, lynn, tell us about it
Cece/1/GA - teach1st, it varies depending on the kids. The third grade teachers at my school gave me a great idea about writing. They have to give a writing exam and grade on a rubric
Lynn/1/IL - Mine are up to about 6-7 sentences. We have talked about BMand E and that really motivated them to get more details into their middles.
teach1st - Sorry you all-I have lots of typos!!! I am tired just back from PTA meeting!
Cece/1/GA - Our 3rd grade teachers put the rubric into kid friendly terms and posted it for kids to refer to. (If their rough draft is a 2, they publish a 3)
Marcia/1st/GA - teach1st, I too am struggling with the writing block, just fitting everything in. Some of mine write quite a bit-maybe 3 pages during workshop and some write a few scarcely legible sentences.
Betty - Teach1st-It's not my confident area, but my highest kids are doing only 2-3 sentences. Most are only writing one. Lynn, do you talk about BM and E when they are writing about their own experiences?
Marcia - It's one of Susan Silverman's projects...You read a "winter" book and do some kind of special activity...then report back to the group and they post pictures, poems or whatnot online...It could be a one day thing...or an extended project.
Carolyn - Cece, could you post the rubric to the ring?
Rhonda - Does anyone have any ideas to use with "The Chocolate Touch"?
Cece/1/GA - I have adapted a rubric for my classroom...it's a pyramid labeled 1-5. We have talked about what each level represents. 1 is pictures & letters, 2 is pics & words, 3 is sentences & 4 is a story
Lynn/1/IL - THE FORGOTTEN ELF is a wonderful short chapter book that is great for imaging and it is just short enough of a chapter book that you can still get in all of your old favorite holiday books too. I will post the author on the ring tomorrow.
Marcia - http://viking.stark.k12.oh.us/~ptk1nc/frosty2001
Marcia/1st/GA - do you do mini lessons on different types of publishing. I am wondering if I do the mini lesson on publishing, if the kids will be more motivated to edit
Cece/1/GA - I'll try Carolyn.
Carolyn - Thanks, Cece : )
Betty - Cece, I'd love to see your rubric!
teach1st - I too would love to see the rubric-mine are mainly doing a few sentences but are doing well staying on topic ! c
Cece/1/GA - It's very simple, just a pyramid with stick figures. The kids really perked up, though, and can examine their own writing to determine what level it is.
Marcia/1st/GA - Cece, can you post the rubric on the 4 blocks mailring?
Lynn/1/IL - Betty- I do talk about BME with narratives. The kids now know that they must write a sentence for the beginning that tells the reader what the story will be about. Then they write their details for their middles...about 3-4 sentences. Then for the end they retell their beginning in different words. Some of the kids are better than others at it but they tutor each other!
teach1st - I have seen an ice cream rubric with scoops added-even a cherry on top
Cece/1/GA - Yes, Marcia, I'll draw it off on paper. I'll also publish a copy of what third grade did
Marcia/1st/GA - Cece, I mean give us the indicators that are written for the rubric?
Betty - Can you tell us, off the top of your head, what different levels you have represented, Cece? Or make a post on the message board?
Marcia/1st/GA - do your students draw pictures with their writings during writing block? Mine really haven't been and I am wondering if I should encourage it, or not.
Betty - Lynn, that sounds great! Part of my problem is the time factor. I only have 15 minutes for writing.
Cece/1/GA - In first grade it's pretty basic. (1 pics & letters, 2 pics & words, 3 sentences & pics, 4 a story) I have deliberately left 5 blank. I plan to use it later to develop topic sentences and details. It's driving my bright kids crazy! They want to do a 5 and don't know what it is!
Lynn/1/IL - Mine drew a lot of pictures in the beginning of the year. Now they write a lot more and illustrate less except for some reluctant writers.
teach1st - Mine draw a lot but are beginning to spend more time on writing than drawing
Betty - Lynn, most of my kids are writing about personal experiences. But I can see incorporating what you are telling me in their writing.
Lynn/1/IL - WOW...15 minutes! does that time include mini lesson and sharing?
Mom1Teach2 - I used a rubric with faces to help my students. 1= an oval (not sure) 2=A face with eyes (beginning to see) 3=A face with eyes and a smile (I understand it and it makes me happy) and 4=A smiling face with hair, nose, ears (lots of details). They all want to work to get the smiling face or the hair standing on end.
Cece/1/GA - nite, Carolyn!
Betty - Really quick ones, Lynn!
Cece/1/GA - Lisa, are you going to IRA?
Marcia/1st/GA - I was just wondering if the drawing was still necessary to help the creativity. I read that it might help reluctant writers to draw first.
lisa/2/nc - yep Cece -- can't wait
Betty - Hi sugartoy!
Marcia - I have always found that having journal time, helps the students write...they get comfortable with what they have to say and extend that to regular writing activities.
Cece/1/GA - me, neither!
lisa/2/nc - Cece -- did you go last year?
sugartoy - hello betty
teach1st - GREAT idea MOM!!!!
Lynn/1/IL - Next week we are going to try writing expository stories. I started modeling one yesterday...how to cook pasta! They loved it. Some are already trying to write their own expository stories!
Cece/1/GA - nope, tiny baby! Remember? this year she's staying at grandmas!
Cece/1/GA - Wow, Lynn!
lisa/2/nc - are we supposed to pay our own way Cece?
Mom1Teach2 - Teach1st--You know me it has to be simple!
sugartoy - Is 4 blocks been noted as being successful with students in a resource or self-contained classroom?
Betty - That sounds great, Lynn!
Cece/1/GA - I figure yes! Not sure, though
Marcia - I don't know about any research Sugartoy, but four blocks is very multileveled...I think it would work well
Lynn/1/IL - Are my expectations too high?
lisa/2/nc - Guess I should ask Dottie -- but since I'm presenting at the Pre-Conference -- aren't you presenting as well Cece?
sugartoy - even when the grade levels are combined within the same class period?
Marcia/1st/GA - no, I was describing me! I was just kidding around!
Cece/1/GA - yes, on writing. I'm with Laura, Joe, and someone else from first???
Marcia - Lynn that would depend on the skills of your students..
lisa/2/nc - Lynn -- no, learning how to write expository early on will just help them later
Lynn/1/IL - I think that blocks can work really well in resource room. ms!
Cece/1/GA - I think we don't pay for the conference, but pay for our rooms, etc??? Not sure. We'll probably decide at Leadership...can't wait!
Betty - I can see how I can get my kids to start writing expository re. things they are familiar about.
lisa/2/nc - I know. Leadership is coming up quickly! I'm planning on staying at the hotel even though I live 10 minutes away
Marcia - Yes,,, I have had a wide range of skills just at one grade level...actually two...I taught a 1/2 last year..
sugartoy - Where can I find specific information on 4 Blocks and start, thru experimenting first, on whether my students can comprehend and grasp what is being covered at?
Betty - What kinds of skills do you teach first graders in your mini-lessons for writing?
Cece/1/GA - Don't want to miss the real True Stories! I've got a doosie! It'll top Jimmy Lee!
teach1st - Punctuation, capitals, I would LOVE a list -anyone know where there is one?
Lynn/1/IL - Next week I will bring in the peanut butter and jelly and the bread. We'll spend a lot of wr. Block on how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,. They die when I put my hand in the jar because no one tells me to use a knife!
Betty - Lol, Lynn!
lisa/2/nc - Cece -- I've got a couple of good Real True stories as well
Betty - Lynn, do they tell you orally, and then write it?
Cece/1/GA - betty...I work on all kinds of skills, as well as some of the Six Traits material for writing
Mom1Teach2 - Complete sentences, using capitals (beginning of sentence, proper nouns, days, months, etc.), using ending punctuation marks, subject-verb agreement are some of the skills I teach my 1st graders.
lisa/2/nc - sugartoy -- check out http://www.wfu.edu/~cunningh/fourblocks
teach1st - I draw a lot of writing skills from the daily oral language books.
lisa/2/nc - or http://www.blocks4reading.com or http://www.readinglady.com
Marcia - teach1st...look through the lesson bank at tnet..there's tons of mini lesson activities listed
Lynn/1/IL - I teach mechanics and spacing for editing purposes, how to conference with each other, how to organize a story before you write. I do have them tell me . then I model write the story.
Marcia/1st/GA - When planning mini lessons for writing, do you plan a few days to cover higher level skills and a couple of days for lower level skills? Or do you keep to the same skill all week? I feel like my mini lessons are so fragmented.
sugartoy - thanks lisa
Lynn/1/IL - I teach mechanics and spacing for editing purposes, how to conference with each other, how to organize a story before you write. I do have them tell me . then I model write the story.
Betty - Lynn, do they tell you orally, and then write it?
Marcia - as part of my activities for writing we make thematic word walls...like a poster of a penguin with all kinds of words to use in a story
Cece/1/GA - Marcia, go higher and lower. Just my opinion!
Lynn 1/IL - I do have the kids tell me what to write after I have done the whole bit with the pb and j.
Cece/1/GA - Marcia/1/GA, did you get my message?
sugartoy - goodnight everyone, may 4 blocks have great success with all of our students
Marcia/1st/GA - When you plan for writing mini lessons, do you stick with pretty much the same skill all week?
Susie - hello
Marcia/1st/GA - Cece, was it the one about going with higher and lower skills? I saw it when I got back on
Marcia - Last year I had a blast working technology into my writing block...we wrote farm stories (factual)...illustrated them and put them on a slide show...the kids were so jazzed and motivated to do more.
Cece/1/GA - No, it was about Atlanta.
teach1st - I'd like to know that too Marcia/1st-do you all stick with the same skill or vary through the week?
Lynn 1/IL - I do try to reinforce the same skill for most of the week unless I see results in their stories. then I look for a new topic for a mini lesson in their stories
Betty - Does anyone else struggle with having enough time to do all 4Blocks everyday?
Marcia/1st/GA - Lynn, do you do a lot of modeling of writing of your own and these skills are continuously discussed as you write. I just know I am not doing enough modeling.
Cece/1/GA - YES< Betty! Especially this week. Santa pics yesterday, and today a FIRE DRILL and a TORNADO DRILL!!! Before Lunch AUUUUGGGHHHH!!
Marcia - Betty I never have enough time to do all the neat things I want... But I focus on the word block and guided reading.
lisa/nc - Betty -- with my crazy schedule that I have -- I have a couple of days where I don't get all 4 blocks in -- have to do some rotation of blocks
Marcia/1st/GA - Betty, I am continuously looking at my schedule and I mean a week where there aren't a lot of outside interferences, and I am still struggling.
Lynn 1/IL - I really do a lot of modeled writing. this seems to get the mini lesson across the best. Lots of times I start a story and I won't finish it for 2-3 days.
Betty - What my 2nd grade colleague does is focus on reading for one week, and writing the next. What do you think of that?
Marcia - they are digging up our school to put bigger cable lines in...It rained and all the walkways were blocked...then the pe teacher decided this was a good day to teach square dancing...boy were the kids crazy
teach1st - I believe reading and writing are both so important and go hand in hand and go
Cece/1/GA - Marcia, what a hoot! Square dancing!! Our kids are crazy the last few weeks!
Lynn 1/IL - I am so lucky with my time. My principal is devoted to having all of our specials for 1st grade in the afternoon so we have an uninterrupted morning!!
Marcia - Betty, I try to touch all the blocks everyday...even briefly...but once in a while, one step gets skipped...my kids do so much better when we keep to routines...then they know what's next.
lisa/nc - Betty - I make sure that I get in each block at least 4 times a week -- I can lose my SSR block if I have to since my kids do another SSR-type of reading at the very beginning of the day
Cece/1/GA - OOOOHHH Lynn! How lucky! I am begging my principal to sit down and redo the schedule for 2nd semester.
REI/2/IL - Lynn...we have the same type schedule. He went that route when we implemented 4B district wide.
Lynn 1/IL - She is a real hoot...reallllllllly anal and a LA phd.
Marcia - at our school they start first hour with the 6th grade.....1st grade has all it's specials 30 min before lunch so we come back with 20...then lunch...ugh!
lisa/nc - my principal thinks that having 2 specials back to back on 2 days works so well -- but it totally screws up those two days and trying to get all four blocks in -- then the other three days I have TOO MUCH time
teach1st - Good night everyone! TGIF!!!! tomorrow!!!
lisa/nc - I'm going to say good night
Betty - Lynn, my mornings are interrupted for the most part, but I still have to share SSR and Writing in the afternoon and only have 3 days per week to do them.
Cece/1/GA - That's lucky, too! She knows all about reading!
Lynn 1/IL - I have two specials back to back on TH and No breaks on Wednesdays or Fridays. Long days!! Good night everyone! Thanks for all the support everyone gives!!
Marcia - well my daughter is begging for the computer...I'd better go too!
Betty - Goodnight, Lynn! Thank you!
Cece/1/GA - Marcia, hope to see you soon!
Betty - Well, I really enjoyed this chat! Goodnight, everyone!
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.
