DEB!! If you are out there, I need your advice!!!

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4 Blocks Chatboard

DEB!! If you are out there, I need your advice!!!

by Desperate and frustrated

Mar 20, 2009

I have always been a HUGE 4-blocks and Building Blocks user and advocate. However, I moved to a new school in November of this year due to circumstances beyond my control. At first, they left me alone, and my kids (who had been leveled at the beginning of the year...UGH!...and I had the LOWEST group) were showing amazing gains. But, that very quickly changed. Unfortunately, I am at one of those horrid schools that 100% teaches testing strategies rather than the actual content. Despite the gains my kids were making in reading and writing (which WAS evidence by their test scores), my admin was pretty quick to force my hand in doing things "their way." I am ONLY allowed to teach strategies in math, reading, AND writing. And, of course, since I have had to stop teaching and have had to become a "drill" sergeant, their test scores have not been improving and their gains have all but stopped. (But, I'm sure that comes as no surprise whatsoever to you!) My kids are, on average, two full grade...See MoreI have always been a HUGE 4-blocks and Building Blocks user and advocate. However, I moved to a new school in November of this year due to circumstances beyond my control. At first, they left me alone, and my kids (who had been leveled at the beginning of the year...UGH!...and I had the LOWEST group) were showing amazing gains. But, that very quickly changed. Unfortunately, I am at one of those horrid schools that 100% teaches testing strategies rather than the actual content. Despite the gains my kids were making in reading and writing (which WAS evidence by their test scores), my admin was pretty quick to force my hand in doing things "their way." I am ONLY allowed to teach strategies in math, reading, AND writing. And, of course, since I have had to stop teaching and have had to become a "drill" sergeant, their test scores have not been improving and their gains have all but stopped. (But, I'm sure that comes as no surprise whatsoever to you!) My kids are, on average, two full grade levels behind where they should be in ALL subjects. (I teach 4th.) I now have about 5 weeks until our BIG state tests in math and reading, and I have no idea how to even attempt to do something meaningful and useful for my poor strugglers, when the only teaching materials I can use are test-prep workbooks and the testing strategies. Not to mention the fact that my admin has told me that I don't need to worry about the content because the kids are too far behind, and the only thing that will pull them through at this point is the strategies. They absolutely do not care if the kids can read, write, problem solce, or even think. All they care about is if they can get around their lack of skills and knowledge to find the right answers on the test so the school can maintain its precious rating. I am REALLY hoping you can help me out on this one! What do I do? Do I continue to go through the motions of what they are telling me to do, or is there some way I can sneak in some my good, 4-blocks teaching to try and get some semblance of learning going on? Please help!!!

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email me debfourblocks@comcast.net On 3/20/09, Desperate and frustrated wrote: > I have always been a HUGE 4-blocks and Building Blocks user > and advocate. However, I moved to a new school in November > of this year due to circumstances beyond my control. At > first, they left me alone, and my kids (who had been > leveled at the beginning of the year...UGH!...and I h...See MoreOn 3/20/09, Desperate and frustrated wrote: > I have always been a HUGE 4-blocks and Building Blocks user > and advocate. However, I moved to a new school in November > of this year due to circumstances beyond my control. At > first, they left me alone, and my kids (who had been > leveled at the beginning of the year...UGH!...and I had the > LOWEST group) were showing amazing gains. But, that very > quickly changed. Unfortunately, I am at one of those horrid > schools that 100% teaches testing strategies rather than > the actual content. Despite the gains my kids were making > in reading and writing (which WAS evidence by their test > scores), my admin was pretty quick to force my hand in > doing things "their way." I am ONLY allowed to teach > strategies in math, reading, AND writing. And, of course, > since I have had to stop teaching and have had to become > a "drill" sergeant, their test scores have not been > improving and their gains have all but stopped. (But, I'm > sure that comes as no surprise whatsoever to you!) My kids > are, on average, two full grade levels behind where they > should be in ALL subjects. (I teach 4th.) I now have about > 5 weeks until our BIG state tests in math and reading, and > I have no idea how to even attempt to do something > meaningful and useful for my poor strugglers, when the only > teaching materials I can use are test-prep workbooks and > the testing strategies. Not to mention the fact that my > admin has told me that I don't need to worry about the > content because the kids are too far behind, and the only > thing that will pull them through at this point is the > strategies. They absolutely do not care if the kids can > read, write, problem solce, or even think. All they care > about is if they can get around their lack of skills and > knowledge to find the right answers on the test so the > school can maintain its precious rating. I am REALLY hoping > you can help me out on this one! What do I do? Do I > continue to go through the motions of what they are telling > me to do, or is there some way I can sneak in some my good, > 4-blocks teaching to try and get some semblance of learning > going on? Please help!!!

Mar 22, 2009

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