On 5/08/07, Jenn/3/OH wrote: > I am excited but nervous because I want to do it right. I > plan to spend the summer planning. Any helpful hints??? > > Jenn
If you click on the link below and scroll down, you will see several of Cheryl Sigmon's column she used to write for the Gazette on preparing for summer in 4 Blocks. Click on those and it takes you right to the article.
I am currently on a committee to revise our old and very outdated report card. We are a Four Blocks school and would very much like our report card to reflect that. Any suggestions or forms would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
On 5/09/07, JB wrote: > I am currently on a committee to revise our old and very > outdated report card. We are a Four Blocks school and would > very much like our report card to reflect that. Any > suggestions or forms would be greatly appreciated. > Thanks
Not sure how helpful this will be, but the link below connects to notes from sessions done at Leadership a few years back on designing "block" report cards.
I am leading a Mosaic of Thought book study this summer and I just discovered the 2nd edition is out. Has anyone seen or read it yet? Most of the teachers in my school have not read MOT, so I was debating whether or not just to stick with the 1st edition. My district will purchase a copy for me to incorporate with the 1st edition as we have already purchased 1st edition copies for the group. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
On 5/10/07, Kristina wrote: > I am leading a Mosaic of Thought book study this summer > and I just discovered the 2nd edition is out. Has anyone > seen or read it yet? Most of the teachers in my school > have not read MOT, so I was debating whether or not just > to stick with the 1st edition. My district will purchase a > copy for me to incorporate with the 1st edition as we have > already purchased 1st edition copies for the group. Any > thoughts on this? Thanks! > > Kristina > Title I Reading/Math Teacher
Considering the new edition is to be over 70% new material, I'd go with the 2nd. More research has been done since 97 (when last ed. was published) and the authors have broadened their experience beyond the district they were in.
Thanks for the advice, Brad. The new edition looks great. I'm excited to share it with my fellow teachers!
On 5/10/07, brad wrote: > On 5/10/07, Kristina wrote: >> I am leading a Mosaic of Thought book study this summer >> and I just discovered the 2nd edition is out. Has anyone >> seen or read it yet? Most of the teachers in my school >> have not read MOT, so I was debating whether or not just >> to stick with the 1st edition. My district will purchase a >> copy for me to incorporate with the 1st edition as we have >> already purchased 1st edition copies for the group. Any >> thoughts on this? Thanks! >> >> Kristina >> Title I Reading/Math Teacher > > > Considering the new edition is to be over 70&37; new material, > I'd go with the 2nd. More research has been done since 97 > (when last ed. was published) and the authors have broadened > their experience beyond the district they were in. > > brad
I've danced around enough on this question... I have just read some of the past articles from Cheryl Sigmon's site, and figured out the real question I have. Can I do Four Blocks on my own, in my classroom, if no other teachers in my school use it? And short of finding a workshop, what should I read this summer to get a good start come September? I've used the F/P guided reading, and I like what I read in bits and pieces on Four Blocks, but don't want to jump in with both feet unless I can do it on my own. Thanks, and I hope I get this figured out soon, I'm tired of trying tp piece together a reading program I like, and works for the kids too.
On 5/11/07, Patti wrote: > I've danced around enough on this question... > I have just read some of the past articles from Cheryl > Sigmon's site, and figured out the real question I have. > Can I do Four Blocks on my own, in my classroom, if no > other teachers in my school use it? And short of finding a > workshop, what should I read this summer to get a good > start come September? I've used the F/P guided reading, > and I like what I read in bits and pieces on Four Blocks, > but don't want to jump in with both feet unless I can do > it on my own. > Thanks, and I hope I get this figured out soon, I'm tired > of trying tp piece together a reading program I like, and > works for the kids too.
Most certainly, you can do it on your own! I was the Lone Wolf in my school when I started; others later joined in. I believe deb was a Lone Wolf in her building as well! Why wait around for everyone else to do what you know is right? And if you stumble, we're here to help.
Many of my students are CONFIDENT in the incorrect answers as well! That, my dear, is why all shoes come in different sizes, colors, shapes and widths.
If your suggestions are not going to be helpful to the inquirer, please refrain from discouraging any questions about the program. You do not know why someone is asking a question and I am sure the writers of this program would find it beneficial IF ANYONE could use their material in ANY capacity as that means they were successful on more than one level.
WE know this program wasn't made for secondary BUT there are many teachers who moved from one level to the next who may have been able to incorporate some areas of the program to fit their needs successfully. Again, this is what I interpret the person as asking....I, too, could be wrong. Not confident, just humble and hopefully helpful. On 7/02/07, deb wrote: > I am not the author of the philosophy of Four Blocks. I am not > defensive. > > Just because 16 years learn to drive in this country does not mean > that 4 year olds should practice. > > Everything is not meant for everybody. > > Can some of the teaching strategies and skills in Four Blocks be > adapted and used in High School? Yes. > > Are they? Of course! > > Is four blocks meant or intended for High School? Absolutely NOT! > > Defensive? Nope. Just confident in my answers.
But, at least deb signs her name when she posts! Barb Scott
On 7/05/07, Humble Helper wrote: > Many of my students are CONFIDENT in the incorrect answers as well! > That, my dear, is why all shoes come in different sizes, colors, > shapes and widths. > > If your suggestions are not going to be helpful to the inquirer, > please refrain from discouraging any questions about the program. > You do not know why someone is asking a question and I am sure the > writers of this program would find it beneficial IF ANYONE could use > their material in ANY capacity as that means they were successful on > more than one level. > > WE know this program wasn't made for secondary BUT there are many > teachers who moved from one level to the next who may have been able > to incorporate some areas of the program to fit their needs > successfully. Again, this is what I interpret the person as > asking....I, too, could be wrong. Not confident, just humble and > hopefully helpful. > On 7/02/07, deb wrote: >> I am not the author of the philosophy of Four Blocks. I am not >> defensive. >> >> Just because 16 years learn to drive in this country does not mean >> that 4 year olds should practice. >> >> Everything is not meant for everybody. >> >> Can some of the teaching strategies and skills in Four Blocks be >> adapted and used in High School? Yes. >> >> Are they? Of course! >> >> Is four blocks meant or intended for High School? Absolutely NOT! >> >> Defensive? Nope. Just confident in my answers.
I am planning to buy this when it is available. If my students have had no exposure to 4Blocks in previous years, will it matter what level I buy? I teach 4th, so should I buy 4th? Thanks for your advise.
On 5/13/07, sc wrote: > I am planning to buy this when it is available. If my > students have had no exposure to 4Blocks in previous years, > will it matter what level I buy? I teach 4th, so should I > buy 4th? Thanks for your advise.
I just bought both 4th and 5th at IRA. They are awesome! The authors gave example lessons for both grade levels to solve the 'how do we share?' problem that the other book had. Also they reconceptualized the book.
I currently do SSR with book bags, where the kids have a ziplock and a few books they are reading are kept inside. 99% of the time my kids choose fiction and chapter books. I have lots of non-fiction and picture books available. I HAVE limited Guiness Book of World Records, Eyewitness Books, magazines and comics to only on Thurs. and Friday, because otherwise, I have kids who would read nothing else. My lowest readers will read the record book or Eyewitness books and just look at the photos and will read very little during the 30 minutes.
I have a child with dyslexia that I have had for 2 years. She is reading at grade level but WILL NOT read anything on her own.
What do other teachers think about graphic novels, manga or that kind of thing? Do you let kids read them at SSR time? I feel I have done fine limiting it to 2x per week. For a reluctant reader that reads or pretends to read what do you do? She is in 4th grade and can't find anything she likes. I think she would read comics. I am thinking about a listening center for her, but feel like she is too old. She is read to at home every night and at school daily, has great listening and reading comprehension and is very eloquent and mature. I don't know that a listening center will be good. She has a very advanced speaking vocabulary.
thanks... I am going to talk to her about some graphic novels.
On 5/21/07, deb wrote: > On 5/21/07, 3rd/4th grade wrote: >> I currently do SSR with book bags, where the kids have a >> ziplock and a few books they are reading are kept inside. >> 99&37; of the time my kids choose fiction and chapter > books. I >> have lots of non-fiction and picture books available. I >> HAVE limited Guiness Book of World Records, Eyewitness >> Books, magazines and comics to only on Thurs. and Friday, >> because otherwise, I have kids who would read nothing else. >> My lowest readers will read the record book or Eyewitness >> books and just look at the photos and will read very little >> during the 30 minutes. >> >> I have a child with dyslexia that I have had for 2 years. >> She is reading at grade level but WILL NOT read anything on >> her own. >> >> What do other teachers think about graphic novels, manga or >> that kind of thing? Do you let kids read them at SSR time? >> I feel I have done fine limiting it to 2x per week. For a >> reluctant reader that reads or pretends to read what do you >> do? She is in 4th grade and can't find anything she likes. >> I think she would read comics. I am thinking about a >> listening center for her, but feel like she is too old. She >> is read to at home every night and at school daily, has >> great listening and reading comprehension and is very >> eloquent and mature. I don't know that a listening center >> will be good. She has a very advanced speaking vocabulary. > > > > The 'typical' answer is that everyone reads no matter what > during ssr time. However, I also think that you have tried > a whole bunch of things to make it happen. All kids and > every kid do not always need the some things. Do all kids > need to read? YES! Does this always happen the same way > for every kid? NO?!?!?!?!? Wish it did! > > will a listening center solve all kids problems? No. Will > it solve the problem for this one little one's ??? Maybe? > Try it. I think you have tried about everything you can. > > Keep trying everything you can. > > Sometimes I also try partner reading after having the kids > silent read for the really really hard to reach kids. > > My only rule --- ''''only''''' rule is that EVERYONE has to > REALLY REALLY REALLY read. > > > Do I really want my kids partner reading? No..... do I let > them sometimes to convince them to read.... yup, b/c I do > whatever it takes to convince them TO READ > > Good luck! No solutions, just hope for you and support
I believe an important componant to SSR is conferencing. My students know they will be held accountable for what they read through our conference. Also, they want to be able to share what they are reading with the class, so they must be prepared when it is their day to share. Several years ago I came up with a very simple reading log (don't want to turn reading time into writing time). They simply record the title, author, illustrator, fact or fiction, and a brief summary. This helps them to be prepared for our conference and their sharing. Dawn/FL
On 5/21/07, 3rd/4th grade wrote: > I currently do SSR with book bags, where the kids have a > ziplock and a few books they are reading are kept inside. > 99&37; of the time my kids choose fiction and chapter books. I > have lots of non-fiction and picture books available. I > HAVE limited Guiness Book of World Records, Eyewitness > Books, magazines and comics to only on Thurs. and Friday, > because otherwise, I have kids who would read nothing else. > My lowest readers will read the record book or Eyewitness > books and just look at the photos and will read very little > during the 30 minutes. > > I have a child with dyslexia that I have had for 2 years. > She is reading at grade level but WILL NOT read anything on > her own. > > What do other teachers think about graphic novels, manga or > that kind of thing? Do you let kids read them at SSR time? > I feel I have done fine limiting it to 2x per week. For a > reluctant reader that reads or pretends to read what do you > do? She is in 4th grade and can't find anything she likes. > I think she would read comics. I am thinking about a > listening center for her, but feel like she is too old. She > is read to at home every night and at school daily, has > great listening and reading comprehension and is very > eloquent and mature. I don't know that a listening center > will be good. She has a very advanced speaking vocabulary.
I am currently looking to set up some classrooms in my school where teachers can go into another teacher's room and watch them teach reading/writing. I am unsure if I will call them lab classrooms or model classrooms...I am open to names. I was wondering if anyone else did this in their school and how it works. I want to know what you call it, who is involved, how it works, any problems you have encountered, and anything else you can tell me. Thanks in advance!!!
We have model writing lessons. Sometimes it's an outside consultant that we pay to come in but more often that not, it is someone from our school site doing a model lesson for their grade level. Our principal takes the students of the teachers that are going to be observing the lesson. He usually invites a guest speaker or will do a program about bullying or something charater ed. related. The lesson is 45 minutes and 15 minutes for debriefing. It is quite effective and teachers teaching teachers seems to work out because it is usually very practical. We can also get released to see writing lessons taught by teachers at other schools.
On 5/24/07, heather wrote: > I am currently looking to set up some classrooms in my > school where teachers can go into another teacher's room > and watch them teach reading/writing. I am unsure if I > will call them lab classrooms or model classrooms...I am > open to names. I was wondering if anyone else did this in > their school and how it works. I want to know what you > call it, who is involved, how it works, any problems you > have encountered, and anything else you can tell me. > Thanks in advance!!!
We call the process peer coaching so that we are not making distinctions between "model" classrooms and those that need help :) Teachers are paired up by principal/literacy coach and they observe in each other's class then discuss. This way the "model" classroom teacher has observed and can better guide the other teacher. It's an ongoing process throughout the year. Hope this helps.
I have started doing most of the 4 blocks mid-year this year, with much success (I had already been doing SSR and journal) I added the guided reading.
Next year I want to implement working with words. What should I plan and prepare ahead of time? I will be teaching a 3/4 multi-age. I realize there are some differences between big blocks and 4 blocks. How can I meet the needs of my high students/4th graders, while providing the phonics some of my lower/3rd will need?
On 6/02/07, JJ wrote: > I have started doing most of the 4 blocks mid-year this > year, with much success (I had already been doing SSR and > journal) I added the guided reading. > > Next year I want to implement working with words. What > should I plan and prepare ahead of time? I will be teaching > a 3/4 multi-age. I realize there are some differences > between big blocks and 4 blocks. How can I meet the needs > of my high students/4th graders, while providing the > phonics some of my lower/3rd will need? > > Thanks, > > Jessica
Look at the third grade Month by Month Phonics for Third Grade book and the Phonics and Vocabulary for Fourth Grade book (just published!)
Decide how exactly you are going to approach phonics this year. What I mean is do you want to introduce the word wall words like they do in fourth grade? or in third grade? In third grade they introduce the words the first day of the month, then practice every day. In fourth and fifth (big blocks) they don't necessarily practice / chant every day due to time issues. There is not one right answer. You might practice for a week, then hold them accountable every single day which is what we do in every grade.
Then chant off and on through out the month.
You can prepare all the word wall words this summer.
You will have to pick activities that you want to do with your class based on their needs. You can prepare most of these this summer.
I'm trying to find the Four Blocks word wall list for 1st grade. I'm not wanting to buy it just yet, I just want to see the list so I can compare it to the second grade list. I normally teach 2nd grade, but I'm going to be teaching a split 1/2 class next year, and I wanted to see how many of the words were the same on both lists. I found a couple of "Four Blocks" lists, but they had been modified to coincide with a reading series. Thanks so much for your help!! :) ~Toni
I got mine at School Aids. It came in a bulletin board kit.
On 6/03/07, Toni/K/ 1/2 wrote: > I'm trying to find the Four Blocks word wall list for 1st > grade. I'm not wanting to buy it just yet, I just want to > see the list so I can compare it to the second grade > list. I normally teach 2nd grade, but I'm going to be > teaching a split 1/2 class next year, and I wanted to see > how many of the words were the same on both lists. > I found a couple of "Four Blocks" lists, but they had been > modified to coincide with a reading series. > Thanks so much for your help!! :) > ~Toni
On 5/08/07, Jenn/3/OH wrote:
> I am excited but nervous because I want to do it right. I
> plan to spend the summer planning. Any helpful hints???
>
> Jenn
If you click on the link below and scroll down, you will see
several of Cheryl Sigmon's column she used to write for the
Gaze...See More