Ann Fox
| September | January |
| October | February |
| November | March |
| December | May |
1. Describe your approach to composition. I have use the four square method in my classroom for one year. I basically worked on creating a basic knowledge of the four square method to get the children interested in writing.
2. How often do your students attempt to write each week? I use this method at least three times each week.
3. How have you integrated technology into instruction in the past? I have used technology in researching different subjects being taught. I have also used it to create a more interesting approach in teaching grammar.
4. What do you hope to gain from participation in this project? I hope a gain more knowledge in writing the four block method to get my class more involved in creating better stories and paragraphs.
1. Describe your class’ positive experience(s) with Four Square writing this past month.
I used the 4-square example on the TV screen when starting our first writing lesson. The kids were very excited as I wrote their thoughts on the screen. They think 4-square is fun and they are enjoying each lesson that we do.
2. How far did your students get with the Four Square method? (4 Square, 4 Square to paper, 4+1, 4+3) Why?
My kids are writing on the folded paper then transfer their work on notebook paper. I want them to feel at ease with this process before moving on.
3. Have you experienced any problems through your participation in this project this past month? Describe.
I haven’t experience any definite problems at this point. The kids are enjoy this process of writing and have progressed at each lesson.
4. What suggestions would you have for making this project more beneficial to you and your students?
I think 4-square is very beneficial because I have seen a growth in their writing in the past 4 week. They love writing and reading their creations. I am very satisfied.
1. Describe positive experience(s) with Four Square writing this past month.
During Parent/Teacher Conferences I let the parents see their child’s writing folder and explained the 4-square method to them. They could not believe the progress that their child has made since the beginning of the year. Some also expressed that this method is being carried over to other writing/subjects.
2. How far did your students get with the Four Square method? (4 Square, 4 Square to paper, 4+1, 4+3) Why?
My class is still working on the 4 square to paper at this point.
3. Discuss the Virtual Field Trip experience.
I did Easter Island with my class. This project took three day to complete. The class enjoyed doing it, but it was a little over their heads.
4. What problems are your students encountering?
Most of my class is doing well with their writing and enjoy this method. We are still working very hard on using the sparkle words.
5. What problems are you experiencing?
Time is my biggest problem at this moment. I could spend a good hour on this block every day, but we don’t have it.
6. What suggestions would you have for making this project more beneficial to you and your students? This project keeps the kids interested and excited about writing. They can’t wait to see what the next project will be. They enjoy brainstorming ideas and are thrilled when their idea is used.
1. Describe positive experience(s) with Four Square writing this past month.
The students are still excited when it is time to work on a 4 square assignment. They enjoy brainstorming ideas and creating their own story.
2. How far did your students get with the Four Square method this month? (4 Square, 4 Square to paper, 4+1, 4+3) Why?
Some are still working with the 4 square. Other students are working with the 4+1 method.
3. Discuss the Sentence Stretcher experience.
The kids love working with sentence stretchers. They love creating funny and silly sentences. One student remarked that making new sentences was the most fun he had !
4. Were you able to complete a Colonial America writing activity? Discuss the success/problems.
We completed a Colonial America writing activity. We did the field trip and tied that information in with a unit that we had just completed on colonial life.
5. Were you able to successfully download a file from the Write On site this month? Tell about any problems you encountered.
Yes.
6. What problems are your students encountering with their participation in this project?
They are still having problems with feeling sentences. Some have still not caught on to the fact that they have to indent the first word of a paragraph. We have worked with Mr. Indent which is helping.
7. What problems are you experiencing?
Time is still a big problem.
8. What suggestions would you have for making this project more beneficial to you and your students?
I am enjoying this class. I have learned a lot and think the students are enjoying this concept much better. You are doing a great job.
1. Describe positive experience(s) with Four Square writing this past month. My students are excited about writing time. We have written many exciting stories on topics of their choice which makes it fun for them. The parents have expressed that they can see a bit difference in their child’s writings.
2. How far did your students get with the Four Square method this month? (4 Square, 4 Square to paper, 4+1, 4+3) Why?
We are at this point at 4 + 1.
3. What improvements are you seeing in your students through participation in this project?
They enjoy writing and have improved their editing skills. Their stories have meaning and flow.
4. What is the biggest hurdle you have experienced in composition instruction with your students?
Some are still having trouble writing details in each square on their own.
5. What activity through Write On has been most beneficial to your students?
The students enjoy Miss Takes. It seems easier for them to correct mistakes when seen on the computer. They have also enjoyed playing the Safari skills.
6. What suggestions would you have for making this project more beneficial to you and your students? More time to devote to writing.
1. Describe your class’ experience with Four Square writing this past month.
My class is working with the 4 + 1 to paper. I have a seen a lot of growth in their writing skills since the beginning of the year. They love writing now and enjoy reading their stories to the class. I have seen a great improvement in their editing skills.
2. Did your students participate in a science cross curriculum writing activity? If so, describe its successes/weaknesses.
I have shown the Solar System and the Food web to the class. We did complete the Food Web activity but have not completed the Solar System writing. We will complete this after TCAP testing. We will also use some of the other activities as a review for TCAP.
2. Other than time restraints, what is your biggest problem in composition instruction?
Some of my students are still struggling with the feeling block. They want to express their feelings using the same words over and over. Hopefully by the end of the year they will over come this problem.
3. What positive effects can you see in your students through the participation in the Four Square method of composition?
Writing is not as difficult for them. They enjoy writing now and complain if we do not get to it .
4. Have you been able to share experiences or activities addressed through this project with any other educators? What was the result?
Yes, most of the third grade teachers at my school are using this method. They have also seen a great improvement in their students’ writing skills.
5. What changes will you make in your approach to composition in the upcoming school year? I will continue to teach the four square method. I hope to spend more time in writing next year.
This project address the following Tennessee Master Plan Goal: State of the art technology will be used to improve curriculum. Tennessee Report Card Performance Indicators Competency (Composition Skills) How do you feel this project moved toward the goal of improving student composition skills?
The students in my class did not enjoy writing until the 4-square method was taught. They love to write and always start out with the blank sheet of paper and fold into 4-squares. This method of writing is very enjoyable to the students and has built up their confidence in writing. They are now able to come up with topic sentences and stay on the right track while writing their story. Editing skills have also improved and is carried over to other subjects. Parents have been very pleased with the outcome of this program. Writing has become a more pleasant subject to teach for me.
List ways your participation in this project has positively affected the writing skills of the students in your classroom.
My students are more comfortable writing since they have learned how to write with the 4-square method. They can organize their thoughts in a more affective manner and do not struggle with the problem of what to put on paper. They are excited each time when we approach writing time. They enjoy reading their stories to the class.
How did your participation in this project positively affect your instructional strategies?
I enjoy teaching the 4-square method. This is a more exciting way to teach writing and the students love it. I have seen a lot of growth in my students writing since the beginning of the year. Each student has samples from the beginning of the year until now. They can't believe the progress and feel good about their writing.
How has your approach to writing composition changed through your participation in this project from that of previous years?
Until this class, I did not look forward to teaching writing. Mainly because we had not been taught a specific way. The 4-square method produces good writers. Each grade level should teach writing using this method. I enjoy teach writing and am pleased with the progress my class has made. Writing is now an exciting subject to teach.
What other curriculum areas would you like to see implemented in a professional development technology integration project?
Social Studies and Science