Hi! I would like to know if there is any recent data on Building Blocks in some schools, i.e: tables with results on children's performances. Thank you!! Patricia
On 6/15/05, Patricia wrote: > Hi! I would like to know if there is any recent data on > Building Blocks in some schools, i.e: tables with results on > children's performances. > Thank you!! > Patricia
I would go to the Cunningham site. She has the data on the success of 4 Blocks- which may include BB. Please post if you find something as I am interested too. >
I mentor Florida teachers and would love to share my ideas with you. Let's talk about discipline, centers, hands-on activities, integrated curriculum, first-day transitioning, etc. I am National Board certified and would enjoy helping another Floridian. I have taught K for 10 years. Let's talk. Please write to me directly: [email removed]
I read someone's question about the hype of a program developed in the 70's. I was wondering the same thing myself. They seem completely outdated. My kids are bombarded with so much 'stuff' today, it's hard to compete with all of it. I came across this website: [link removed]?
On 6/29/05, Amanda wrote: > I read someone's question about the hype of a program > developed in the 70's. I was wondering the same thing > myself. They seem completely outdated. My kids are > bombarded with so much 'stuff' today, it's hard to compete > with all of it. I came across this website: > [link removed]?
Amanda, My name is Jennifer Hudson, one of the founders of Witty Bit World. The answer to the above is no, because we are about to launch our product. We have been developing the product for the past year and a half, but we should have the entire alphabet available by this fall. Our feedback for the product has been very positive so far. We know for sure the success of our own children, they loved it! We look forward to more feedback from the products. A through E are available now.
On 6/29/05, Amanda wrote: > I read someone's question about the hype of a program > developed in the 70's. I was wondering the same thing > myself. They seem completely outdated. My kids are > bombarded with so much 'stuff' today, it's hard to compete > with all of it. I came across this website: > [link removed]?
Amanda, The complete book sets and CD's are now available at [link removed].
I am a K teacher new to Bldg. Blocks. I am reading everything I can this summer. Any info. on getting started would be helpful. I am also looking for good info. about getting in sci. and soc. studies concepts for the year. How do you implement all the BB aspects plus Math, Sci, and SS?
Great!!! Make sure you have the white BB book and the blue month-by-month BB book. I started out trying to follow the blue BB book as much as a I could (still do, actually, at least at the beginning of the year). You won't be able to do everything at first, so don't panic. I would try to definitely do the name activities. They're great, and you will be shocked at how quickly the students start learning their letters because of this activity. I also would try to do the predictable charts (I don't get to this for at least a week). We start with I like (color), then we make a class book out of it later on. The guided reading is also very important. Do you have to follow a reading series? We're supposed to follow ours (MacMillianMcGrawHill-I think), but I try to combine it with the BB. Are you full day or half? We're full, and I can get math in almost every day. As for science or social studies...well...we don't. Actually, we read book in guided reading that can be science or social studies. We also cover some soc st. in our predictable charts, discuss holidays, and do Weekly Reader. I know I don't do as much science or soc. st. as I should, but I made a choice. We were limited on time, so I decided that the reading/writing/math was more important for K than a set science or soc. st. time. I hope this wasn't too vague. Good luck, and e-mail me if you have any other questions. I've used BB for three years, and I've never regretted it.
On 6/30/05, Sheri wrote: > I am a K teacher new to Bldg. Blocks. I am reading > everything I can this summer. Any info. on getting started > would be helpful. I am also looking for good info. about > getting in sci. and soc. studies concepts for the year. How > do you implement all the BB aspects plus Math, Sci, and > SS?
On 7/01/05, Lisa IL wrote: > Great!!! Make sure you have the white BB book and the blue > month-by-month BB book. I started out trying to follow the > blue BB book as much as a I could (still do, actually, at > least at the beginning of the year). You won't be able to > do everything at first, so don't panic. I would try to > definitely do the name activities. They're great, and you > will be shocked at how quickly the students start learning > their letters because of this activity. I also would try to > do the predictable charts (I don't get to this for at least > a week). We start with I like (color), then we make a class > book out of it later on. The guided reading is also very > important. Do you have to follow a reading series? We're > supposed to follow ours (MacMillianMcGrawHill-I think), but > I try to combine it with the BB. Are you full day or half? > We're full, and I can get math in almost every day. As for > science or social studies...well...we don't. Actually, we > read book in guided reading that can be science or social > studies. We also cover some soc st. in our predictable > charts, discuss holidays, and do Weekly Reader. I know I > don't do as much science or soc. st. as I should, but I made > a choice. We were limited on time, so I decided that the > reading/writing/math was more important for K than a set > science or soc. st. time. I hope this wasn't too vague. > Good luck, and e-mail me if you have any other questions. > I've used BB for three years, and I've never regretted it. > > HI...I'm also a new teacher and have heard about BB..or four blocks-can you tell me the exact titles and ISBN numbers of the books that you mentioned. I'd like to try to order them-I need K. level only....thanks so much and have a great year... > > On 6/30/05, Sheri wrote: >> I am a K teacher new to Bldg. Blocks. I am reading >> everything I can this summer. Any info. on getting > started >> would be helpful. I am also looking for good info. about >> getting in sci. and soc. studies concepts for the year. > How >> do you implement all the BB aspects plus Math, Sci, and >> SS?
Does anyone use KidWriting in conjunction with BB? I just read the KidWriting book, and really want to try it out. But...it is a completely different approach to teaching writing than BB uses. Just wondering if anyone uses them both.
I am in my 2nd year in K. I did a Writer's Workshop with my class last year. It was very successful. I ordered the KidWriting book recently, since I know some teachers that have used that with success, also. You are right, the philosophies seem a little different, but I think the main thing is to offer a definite time to let children write--- without forcing them into a specific prompt---letting them write from their experiences. Also, demonstrating with a mini-lesson before they write, to encourage them, but not force them, to try new things. For example, a lesson on leaving spaces between words. Not that all are ready to do this, but you present it and encourage them. We'll see how successfully I can use the BB and Kidwriting approach, as well as some of Lucy Calkins materials that I used last year! Good luck! Sheri
On 7/02/05, kteacher271 wrote: > Does anyone use KidWriting in conjunction with BB? I just > read the KidWriting book, and really want to try it out. > But...it is a completely different approach to teaching > writing than BB uses. Just wondering if anyone uses them > both.
Hi. I have always been a fan of 4-Blocks and I have the Month by Month K book and I generally follow a 4-Blocks policy in my classroom, but we also do daily leveled book guided reading starting in about Nov. I just did a 4- Blocks workshop and I got very excited about the program. I just don't see why my K classroom can't be set up to be in the 4-block style. I.e. Spend a chunk of time doing the g. rdy/comprehension block; spend a chunk of time doing word work (which would inc. alphabet books; making words; ph. awareness, etc.); spend a chunk of time doing journal; spend a chunk of time doing SSR (very short at first). Does anyone think this is a bad idea? Why? I have a very academic K program but the kids still have fun. THanks for your thoughts.
I like your idea of focusing on the BB in the first semester and the 4 Blocks in the 2nd! We have a move toward a more academic program, with an emphasis on reading/writing. I want to try BB this year, since reading about it and going to some workshops this summer (I'm a 2nd year K teacher), but I think I'll want to progress with many of my students to the 4 Blocks style in the later part of the year. Thanks for the tip! Sheri
On 7/19/05, sak wrote: > On 7/15/05, Meghan wrote: >> Hi. I have always been a fan of 4-Blocks and I have the >> Month by Month K book and I generally follow a 4-Blocks >> policy in my classroom, but we also do daily leveled book >> guided reading starting in about Nov. I just did a 4- >> Blocks workshop and I got very excited about the program. >> I just don't see why my K classroom can't be set up to be >> in the 4-block style. I.e. Spend a chunk of time doing >> the g. rdy/comprehension block; spend a chunk of time > doing >> word work (which would inc. alphabet books; making words; >> ph. awareness, etc.); spend a chunk of time doing journal; >> spend a chunk of time doing SSR (very short at first). >> Does anyone think this is a bad idea? Why? I have a very >> academic K program but the kids still have fun. THanks > for >> your thoughts. > > If it works for you,do it! With the high standards now being > applied to K, I use the BB for first semester and for most > of my students use the 4 Blocks 2nd semester--especially the > word wall, and guided reading sections. I think both provide > a structure to teach literacy- how to teach- not what to > teach. Go 4 it!
I say do it as well! Some years, my kids quickly move beyond BB so you should move on to something more challenging for them. I teach leveled guided reading groups beginning 4 weeks into school. I have found that the kids can handle it! I am fortunate to have a part time assistant who is in my room during guided reading so that helps out a lot as well.
On 7/22/05, Sheri wrote: > I like your idea of focusing on the BB in the first semester > and the 4 Blocks in the 2nd! We have a move toward a more > academic program, with an emphasis on reading/writing. I want > to try BB this year, since reading about it and going to some > workshops this summer (I'm a 2nd year K teacher), but I think > I'll want to progress with many of my students to the 4 Blocks > style in the later part of the year. Thanks for the tip! > Sheri > > > On 7/19/05, sak wrote: >> On 7/15/05, Meghan wrote: >>> Hi. I have always been a fan of 4-Blocks and I have the >>> Month by Month K book and I generally follow a 4-Blocks >>> policy in my classroom, but we also do daily leveled book >>> guided reading starting in about Nov. I just did a 4- >>> Blocks workshop and I got very excited about the program. >>> I just don't see why my K classroom can't be set up to be >>> in the 4-block style. I.e. Spend a chunk of time doing >>> the g. rdy/comprehension block; spend a chunk of time >> doing >>> word work (which would inc. alphabet books; making words; >>> ph. awareness, etc.); spend a chunk of time doing journal; >>> spend a chunk of time doing SSR (very short at first). >>> Does anyone think this is a bad idea? Why? I have a very >>> academic K program but the kids still have fun. THanks >> for >>> your thoughts. >> >> If it works for you,do it! With the high standards now being >> applied to K, I use the BB for first semester and for most >> of my students use the 4 Blocks 2nd semester--especially the >> word wall, and guided reading sections. I think both provide >> a structure to teach literacy- how to teach- not what to >> teach. Go 4 it!
I'm a new teacher getting ready to teach k and use building blocks. How do you experienced teachers feel bb does as far as teaching standards, allowing for varied learning styles, relevance to students, development levels, social forces, etc. Are there things that you would change if you could?
I will be starting my eighth year of K, and I've used BB for two years. I love it, and will never go back to letter-of- the-week. I feel that it is truly "multi-level," and that it addresses most learning styles. Many activities are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. All of the students can take part in the activities (your higher students will make it more difficult on their own--usually), and even a student with a developmental probelms can take part. It is very relevant to the students. Whether we're doing the name activities or doing a predictable chart/book about our field trip, most of them will be actively involved. Even your lower-ability students will surprise you with what they can do. I'm not sure what you mean by "social forces." The only thing that I change is that I still use some worksheets, where true BB probably wouldn't. I use these for two reasons. One is that we have a reading series, and we are expected to do some of the worksheets. Secondly, they can be a useful assessment tool, both for me and the parents. Good luck.
On 7/15/05, Jennifer wrote: > Hi, > > I'm a new teacher getting ready to teach k and use > building blocks. How do you experienced teachers feel bb > does as far as teaching standards, allowing for varied > learning styles, relevance to students, development > levels, social forces, etc. Are there things that you > would change if you could?
I really think I will like it as our kinder teachers will use it this year. I read it and love everything in there, but there are things I would add in that I have found successful such as using the Thinking maps(circle map) for names, letters...I will continue to use sound bags and reading a-z alphabet books,I still have a letter/ sound focus each week, but it is a tiny part of my literacy program. In my plans I called this alphabetic/phonemic awareness.
On 7/15/05, Jennifer wrote: > Hi, > > I'm a new teacher getting ready to teach k and use > building blocks. How do you experienced teachers feel bb > does as far as teaching standards, allowing for varied > learning styles, relevance to students, development > levels, social forces, etc. Are there things that you > would change if you could?
Hi to Lisa and anyone else out there who uses BB but has a reading series in kindergarten. I am coming from a balanced literacy school to a school with a reading series (Houghton-Mifflin). Since it is brand spanking new, I know the administration will be looking to see it's being used. Any ideas of how you keep the common sense BB approach yet incorporate helpful elements from the reading program? thanks PennyT
BB is your framework for teaching. HM is the materials part. SO you use what you can of the HM, integrating it into the BB routines. Don't worry if you don't use all the HM activities- it would be impossible. But do use all the BB procedures. It is difficult-- especially if your school district/principal expects you to do the Integrated theme tests in HM. But it is do-able.
On 7/26/05, PennyT wrote: > Hi to Lisa and anyone else out there who uses BB but has a > reading series in kindergarten. I am coming from a > balanced literacy school to a school with a reading series > (Houghton-Mifflin). Since it is brand spanking new, I know > the administration will be looking to see it's being used. > Any ideas of how you keep the common sense BB approach yet > incorporate helpful elements from the reading program? > thanks > PennyT
On 8/04/05, Lois wrote: > BB is your framework for teaching. HM is the materials > part. SO you use what you can of the HM, integrating it into > the BB routines. Don't worry if you don't use all the HM > activities- it would be impossible. But do use all the BB > procedures. It is difficult-- especially if your school > district/principal expects you to do the Integrated theme > tests in HM. But it is do-able.
Nice reply Lois- I agree. Each on of the BB is included in HM- Unit 1 believe is letter id- you can use student's names. Use the literature provided and use the reading to child's block for ideas. Plug in your writing ideas or use HM as a guide. I find the scripted lessons are poorly done-especially the comprehension -so I go back to the guided reading ideas. Just remember that BB is the big tent- fit the HM activites into it. Trust the research done by Cunningham. HM does try to be like BB and will tell you it is researched based. The question the HM consultant couldn't answer was " How is the reseach applied to this series?" It is nice to see some activity on the chatboard. > > > > > On 7/26/05, PennyT wrote: >> Hi to Lisa and anyone else out there who uses BB but has a >> reading series in kindergarten. I am coming from a >> balanced literacy school to a school with a reading series >> (Houghton-Mifflin). Since it is brand spanking new, I know >> the administration will be looking to see it's being used. >> Any ideas of how you keep the common sense BB approach yet >> incorporate helpful elements from the reading program? >> thanks >> PennyT
Could some of you experienced Building Blockers give me some insight on what type of routines you do on the first day? Do you dive right into the name activities? Do you just go over routines? What is your schedule like? I am new to K this year - I taught 1st grade last year.
We do the name activity on the first day, but not at the beginning of the day. We do rules, routines, and a tour of the building first. Later on, usually mid-morning, we do the name activity. That is the only BB activity I will do that day, and probably the only one I will do for the first few days. Once things get settled, we do calendar, name activity, math, pe, and reading in the morning. The afternoon is left for handwriting, center time, etc.
On 7/27/05, Sherry wrote: > Could some of you experienced Building Blockers give me some > insight on what type of routines you do on the first day? > Do you dive right into the name activities? Do you just go > over routines? What is your schedule like? I am new to K > this year - I taught 1st grade last year. > > Thanks so much! > > Sherry/TX
On 7/28/05, Lisa IL wrote: > We do the name activity on the first day, but not at the > beginning of the day. We do rules, routines, and a tour of > the building first. Later on, usually mid-morning, we do > the name activity. That is the only BB activity I will do > that day, and probably the only one I will do for the first > few days. > > > On 7/27/05, Sherry wrote: >> Do you dive right into the name activities?
Sherry, like Lisa, I start what I call the name game the 1st day after all the settling in is done. This is the major activity until everyone has had their first turn ( I do one child a day). The first round, I use it mostly for letter identification, then more of an emphasis on the letter sound with letter recongnition, adding letter formation as we go along. Later in the year, I like to do last names to review for those who need but add challenges for beginning readers (find words within name, etc.) I like Patricia Cunningham's BB because it is adaptable for many levels. PennyT
On 6/15/05, Patricia wrote:
> Hi! I would like to know if there is any recent data on
> Building Blocks in some schools, i.e: tables with results
on
> children's performances.
> Thank you!!
> Patricia
I would go to the Cunningham site. She has the data on the
success of 4 Bloc...See More