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4 Blocks Chatboard

Guided Reading Big Blocks Version question

by TexTeach

Apr 6, 2009

There is something that confuses me about GR the Big Blocks way. I'm sure I'm making it more difficult than it needs to be.

The whole class is working on the same text during this time correct?

If the teacher chooses to work with a small group then the rest of the class can work in different formats right? For instance: 1 group of...See More

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JoAnn Nash On 4/06/09, TexTeach wrote: > There is something that confuses me about GR the Big Blocks > way. I'm sure I'm making it more difficult than it needs to be. > > The whole class is working on the same text during this time > correct? > > If the teacher chooses to work with a small group then the > rest of the class can work in...See More

Apr 8, 2009

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Eric Ramos On 4/06/09, TexTeach wrote: > There is something that confuses me about GR the Big Blocks > way. I'm sure I'm making it more difficult than it needs to be. > > The whole class is working on the same text during this time > correct? > > If the teacher chooses to work with a small group then the > rest of the class can work in...See More

Apr 20, 2009

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Working with words question

by mstex

Apr 20, 2009

When doing the Guess the Covered Words section, do you choose reading vocabulary words, content area words, or just random words? I am trying to plan for the week after TAKS so I can use my current kids as guinea pigs! I would love any advise on getting started. 4th grade by the way.

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TexTeach On 4/20/09, mstex wrote: > When doing the Guess the Covered Words section, do you > choose reading vocabulary words, content area words, or > just random words? I am trying to plan for the week after > TAKS so I can use my current kids as guinea pigs! I would > love any advise on getting started. 4th grade by the way.

At the...See More

Apr 21, 2009

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Coaching groups

by TexTeach

Apr 21, 2009

I wanted to give the coaching groups a go but I'm confused as to the format the students will read. I understand the 4 rules you teach but how do they read?

I have read that students should read silently 20 seconds and then have one student read out loud to model the coaching. How long does this student read for? Does just one student read...See More

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Another question texteach

by mstex

Apr 21, 2009

How do you deal with all the TAKS stuff and still do 4 blocks? Do you throw in TAKS blocks throughout the year or cram it in at the end? I really want to get a grip on this. Thank you so much.

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TexTeach On 4/21/09, mstex wrote: > How do you deal with all the TAKS stuff and still do 4 > blocks? Do you throw in TAKS blocks throughout the year or > cram it in at the end? I really want to get a grip on this. > Thank you so much.

I am by no means an expert. And for those who do not know TAKS is our states standardized test.
...See More

Apr 21, 2009

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R Sitton or Words their way

by Deanna

May 1, 2009

Our district is piloting both Rebekah Sitton and Words Their Way as "spelling programs" for 5th and 6th grade. Who has used each or both and what are the advantages/disadvantages of each?

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Mark Pennington Insightful post. There is "No Excuse" for teaching Sitton Spelling with where encoding/decoding research has gone over the last 20 years. She was cool during the 1980s when we were all doing whole language, but we know better now. I agree on the spelling rules, as well. I've put together eight songs that help teach the eight conventional spelling r...See More

Jun 30, 2009

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cc We are about to embark on using WTW the individualized way after using it whole class last year. I would like to see some real research on WTW. One of the national teacher union magz (the one that comes out seasonally)dedicated the main part of the issue to spelling research and it does not match what WTW proclaims.

If you are looking for ...See MoreWe are about to embark on using WTW the individualized way after using it whole class last year. I would like to see some real research on WTW. One of the national teacher union magz (the one that comes out seasonally)dedicated the main part of the issue to spelling research and it does not match what WTW proclaims.

If you are looking for a good program with valid and reliable research to back it up, try Spelling Mastery put out by SRA. I started the year last year using it (2 spelling groups, but the materials are already created) my students really enjoyed. We got about three weeks into it and our district handed us WTW all of a sudden, so I went with it even though I don't believe in it. What's a teacher to do?

The article I'm speaking of can be seen at [link removed]

On 6/25/09, JAM, with a whopper of a response wrote: > My district adopted Sitton Spelling two years ago. I used it > religiously and was not really impressed. It relies on direct > instruction for EVERY lesson. It is exhausting for the > teacher. Kids do not seem to take personal responsibility to > master spelling rules at all. The lessons in each unit are not > tested in the unit cloze test, either-- the philosophy is that > kids are told that this will be tested sometime soon... so don't > forget. The tests include random words from the grade level's > word list (500 words at the 5th grade level). Not enough > motivation for kids to retain spelling rules in my opinion. > Nothing seems to follow the Gradual Release of Respnsibility > MOdel at all. I do/We do/We do more/You do and I watch/You do > independently. > > But then again, I guess I am a bit of an old fashioned spelling > person... I miss the lists and tests like in the old Scott > Forsman. Forget the write the word 20 times or write them all > in sentences-- that stuff was crap. I'm all for teaching the > rule (words with /ow/ sounds, for example), giving them > meaningful practice that gets them thinking how to apply the > rules, and testing them with a dictation test. Then they can > solidify the rules in their heads and be accountable for showing > their ability. Parents can also help them master them if they > know what words to focus on. > > With RSitton there is no homework. (well... there is one page > per unit, but it is not always clear or useful). There are no > spelling lists or even one specific spelling pattern per unit. > In fact, there are two or three completely disconnected skill > lessons per unit that are not ever tested. Like /ow/ sounds, > contractions, and doubling the consonant lessons, all in one > unit. It is maddening! > > I've used WTW at summer school a few times and while I do think > it engages students more, it also fails in my opinion. The > basis of the WTW unit is word sorts, and my students got very > good at sorting words by sound, then pattern. BUT they could > not necessarily tranfer that ability to writing words correctly > in their own work. It is also hard to prep for because each > child or small group is working on a different list and spelling > pattern, and those word cards don't make themselves! > > I know this all sounds like a downer-- I'm just not happy with > anything am I! I'm not trying to be a Negative Nelly. I have > been very frustrated with my school's spelling instruction and I > don't see kids getting any better with the new program. Some > 5th graders still come to me not knowing the difference between > take, tack, and tak. Ridiculous! > > JAM > Who is going rebel next fall and will do what it takes to help > them become spellers by the spring

Jul 27, 2009

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curriculum mapping

by elizabeth

May 1, 2009

Am in the curriculum mapping team and representing kindergarten. Does anyone have any good website I can tap into to get information on the topic.

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latest MxM Phonics editions

by where to order?

May 12, 2009

I read on the four blocks (wfu) site that the MxM Phonics books have been updated as of 2008.

[link removed]

If I order from Carson Dellosa, will I get the latest edition? (The Carson Dellosa site doesn't reference the pub. date.) If not there, where do I order?

TIA! annie

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deb These are the ones that Pat and Dottie wrote for individual teachers. The other ones (more expensive I noticed) were part of the school package that is now discontinued. > > CD 104275 Month by Month Phonics for First Grade > CD 104274 Month by Month Reading, Writing, and Phonics > (Kinder) > CD 104276 Month by Month Phonics for Secon...See More

Aug 18, 2009

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Deb Renner Smith br> >> CD 104275 Month by Month Phonics for First Grade >> CD 104274 Month by Month Reading, Writing, and Phonics >> (Kinder) >> CD 104276 Month by Month Phonics for Second Grade >> CD 104277 Month by Month Phonics for Third Grade >> CD 104241 Month by Month Phonics and Vocabulary Grade 4 >> CD 104242 Mo...See More

Aug 18, 2009

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