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2	Take the Word Challenge
3	TWO Central Beliefs: 1st: There is NOT one sole approach that can be used to teach ALL children to read. 2nd: Through the teacher’s careful planning and instruction, students can learn and be nurtured in a heterogeneous classroom using multilevel/multi-method instruction.
4	How will 4 Blocks change the way I teach? You are probably using “chips off the old block” already. A compilation of good practices put into a structure that makes instruction more manageable Even though the organization and activities look simple, 4 Blocks demands more of students because it is active, not passive.
5	How do the 4 Blocks look in the upper grades? Time allotments are usually not evenly allocated. Guided Reading and Writing are usually larger blocks. Students are actively engaged.
6	Working with Words Block Usually shorter. Must have a Word Wall Learn about the power of words? (basic vocab of 14 year old?) Month by Month Phonics for Upper Grades Yes, we still chant the spellings! 5 Basic Goals of Working with Words Block
7	So What Are the 5 Basic Goals? Learn high frequency, commonly misspelled words. (through, though) Spelling Demons Review prefixes, suffixes, roots (Nifty Thrifty 50 and prefix/suffix review) Spelling words with two or more possible patterns. (What Looks Write/Right?) Decoding/Spelling Polysyllabic Words (Common Spelling Rules) Applying strategies (Making Words, GTCW)
8	Would you believe………….. In 1950’s, the average 6 year old had a vocabulary of about how many words? 26,000 In 1990’s, the average 6 year old had a vocabulary of about how many words? 5,000 Primary school children learn about how many new words each year? 3,000 or about 8 per day
9	Not rocket science……………… Studies show that high-achieving high school seniors know four times as many words as their low-achieving peers High-achieving third graders have vocabularies that are about equal to those of low-achieving twelfth graders Economically disadvantaged first graders know approximately 1,800 words whereas the middle-class students know approximately 3,000-5,000 words
10	Donavan’s Word Jar
11	Where Do I Get My Words? EVERY class K-5 MUST have a Word WALL. Keep content area vocabulary words in separate area. Use words students frequently use and misspell in daily work. SF, student work, spelling demons, HF words for grade level
12	Guess the Covered Word Prince Charming always danced with the most ___________girl at the ball. He was _____________taken with a young _________who wore very fragile shoes. Little did he ________that she was ______________ in a coach inspired by a vegetable.
13	RIVET _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
14	Let’s Try Some Other Word Activities Making Words Word O Brain Gym Chants Picture Books (Cache of Jewels, Toad, Figurative Language) ABC review Other Ideas?
15	Remember……. “Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that he sometimes has to eat them.” ~Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.