Karla Mills

September

1. Describe your approach to composition.  I teach writing using the 4 square writing method.

2. How often do your students attempt to write each week?  My students have the opportunity to write once a week.

3. How have you integrated technology into instruction in the past?  I use technology to instruct 4 square writing to my students. I really enjoy technology; I would like to use it more often. I have had more experience using technology in language arts, and science.

4. What do you hope to gain from participation in this project?  I hope to acquire knowledge to help my students become better writers. I hope the teachers will be able to develop activities on-line to help myself and other teachers in the classroom.  

October

1. Describe your class’ positive experience(s) with Four Square writing this past month.

For the first time, my students are writing paragraphs. All sentences support their topic. Unlike the past, students are enjoying writing. Although some students’ writings have not developed as quickly as others, all students are writing good paragraphs.

2. How far did your students get with the Four Square method? (4 Square, 4 Square to paper, 4+1, 4+3) Why?

We have made excellent progress. The students were presented with the 4-square method and took off with it. This coming month, I plan to introduce some students to 4-square plus one. The 4-square method is so easy for students to follow. They are able to understand the whole process to developing a strong paragraph. This method is also easy teachers to teach.

3. Have you experienced any problems through your participation in this project this past month? Describe.

There have been very few problems. However, some students have had difficulty developing the last square, the feeling sentence.

4. What suggestions would you have for making this project more beneficial to you and your students?

All instruction for students and teachers has been excellent! I really like the PowerPoint presentations. They allow the students to actually see how a paragraph can be developed using 4-squares. The PowerPoint  presentations draw their attention.

November

1. Describe positive experience(s) with Four Square writing this past month.

The Four Square writing has been very positive for my students. At this time, I have five students using the Four Square plus one method. They did not have any trouble with it. Their paragraphs were wonderful. After receiving instruction, they were able to use the method independently. I am sure that these students will be writing five paragraph essays by the end of the year!

2. How far did your students get with the Four Square method? (4 Square, 4 Square to paper, 4+1, 4+3) Why?

As a whole, my students are doing well. However, there are still a few students having trouble writing complete sentences. Many students have a complete understanding of Four Squares and how to use them to develop a strong paragraph. I hope to have more students go to the next level, plus one, in the near future.

3. Discuss the Virtual Field Trip experience.

My students enjoyed this activity. The one we did in class was a little difficult. I think this is a wonderful way to expose students without going outside the classroom. I did not do as much with this activity as I would like to have done. I plan to try more with Virtual Field Trips in the near future.

4. What problems are your students encountering?

Many of my students continue to have difficulty developing a feeling sentence in the fourth square. They also have difficulty choosing a variety of sentences; they want to repeat themselves in each square. Some students are also having difficulty introducing sentences without repeating themselves.

5. What problems are you experiencing?

I am having problems reaching those students who want write sentences which are not interesting. They do not want to add color to their sentences. I also have trouble getting some students to write legibly!

6. What suggestions would you have for making this project more beneficial to you and your students?

I have really enjoyed the instruction! The presentations at every meeting have been excellent! Their have been excellent suggestions for solving problems and improving students’ writing.

December
 

1. Describe positive experience(s) with Four Square writing this past month.

My students continue to be enthusiastic about writing! My advanced students continue to improve. I have seen some improvement with other students.

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?

There has not been a great deal of change. Many students are still at the same level, but their writing has not gotten worst. I have more students doing the Four Square + 1. When I introduced them to it, they understood; their paragraphs were written well for the first time using the plus one method.

3. Discuss the Sentence Stretcher experience.

This was fun for my students. I think they seemed to understand the purpose of the lesson; however, they had difficulty using it independently.

4. Were you able to complete a Colonial America writing activity? Discuss the success/problems.

Yes, it went well! The children enjoyed the activity. They also completed the writing activity. The presentation helped them to better understand the information presented.

5. Were you able to successfully download a file from the Write On site this month? Tell about any problems you encountered.

Yes, I was successful!

6. What problems are your students encountering with their participation in this project?

They are having difficulty carrying the Four Square method over to other subjects. They do not automatically use it on their own. I hope to see that they use it without being told by the teacher.

7. What problems are you experiencing?

Student often times will not remember to indent their paragraphs. There are still a lot of grammar mistakes.

8. What suggestions would you have for making this project more beneficial to you and your students?

All information has been helpful. I think every teacher needs to be aware of the Four Square writing. They need to be informed of the many resources on the web.

February
 

1. Describe positive experience(s) with Four Square writing this past month.

I have really enjoyed all Power-points for

Instruction. They allow the students to

see how a paragraph is developed.

I also enjoyed the Goofs. My students

really enjoy it, and they are learning

too!

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?

My students are presently doing 4 +1. Some still have difficulty, but I do see progress. Now, we are trying to make our paragraphs more interesting and less repetitive with the same introductory phrases.

3. Discuss the Goof’s activity.

This has been great!!!! My students beg me every day to do them. They have really gotten good at solving the Goofs. They are having fun and learning at the same time! I enjoy it because it is a lesson that is prepared and ready to go, and I get to use technology.

4. What improvements are you seeing in your students through participation in this project?

My students seem to be more aware of the writing process and how a paragraph is developed. There has been little progress, but they have started utilizing their grammar skills in their writing. I am so excited about the results with this project! For the first time, my students are writing!!!

5. What is the biggest hurdle you have experienced in composition instruction with your students?

The last square in the Four-Square writing has been the most difficult. They have also had difficulty using a variety of words in their writing. Many of them want to use the same phrase or words again and again.

6. What activity through Write On has been most beneficial to your students?

The activities targeting editing skills have been very helpful. The power-point lessons have also been helpful.

7. What suggestions would you have for making this project more beneficial to you and your students?

I think all teachers need to be aware of this project and how it can be used in their classroom. I believe there needs to be training available for teachers on how to find and utilize the Write-On activities. The Four-Square writing method should be a requirement for all teachers to use. If every teacher would use the same method, students would become more comfortable and successful with writing. I have seen so much progress with my students. I can only imagine what their writing would be like if they had been writing with Four-Squares for four years.

March
 

1. Describe your class’ experience with Four Square writing this past month.

My class’s experience has been very positive. They enjoy writing, and they are being successful. Some students are having difficulty adding an extra sentence in the square. Over all, writing is a highlight of our day!

2. Did your students participate in a science cross curriculum writing activity? If so, describe its successes/weaknesses.

My students have viewed the solar system activity. They enjoyed it, and they learned the concepts presented. There were not any weaknesses. Everyone understood the objectives of the lesson! Later, they were asked questions related to the presentation; their answers showed they retained what they learned. I’m sure their comprehension was a result of how the lesson was presented, Write-On presentation.

3. Other than time restraints, what is your biggest problem in composition instruction?

The biggest problem is teaching students to utilize grammar skills taught during instruction. For example, they are able to recognize an incomplete sentence on a worksheet, but they can not identify them in their writing.

4. What positive effects can you see in your students through the participation in the Four Square method of composition?

This year has been very positive! My students have learned a great deal about writing. Not only have they learned to write a supporting paragraph, they enjoy writing!

They always ask, “When are we going to write?” All of the Write-On activities have been very helpful. The activities teach skills and actually show how those skills can be used to improve a paragraph. I can’t wait to use what I have learned next year!

5. Have you been able to share experiences or activities addressed through this project with any other educators? What was the result?

Yes, I have shared with other teachers. Because of time it is very difficult to visit with the teachers I work with. I hope the write-On activities will be apart of our in-service training.

6. What changes will you make in your approach to composition in the upcoming school year?

I am so excited!! I will definitely use what I have learned during the Write-On Poject! I will expect my students to accomplish more next year because of my training and activities available through Write-On.

May

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?

This project has been very effective in meeting the goal. Students have a better understandig of the writing process. Not only have students become better writers, their attitude toward writing is postive . The project was vital in teaching my students. This project also enhanced my knowledge in order to be more affective during writing instruction.

List ways your participation in this project has positively affected the writing skills of the students in your classroom.

My students have received quality instruction for writing because their teacher received uninterrupted, quality, direct instruction, and I was an active participant.

How did your participation in this project positively affect your instructional strategies?

This project gave me a better understanding of how to teach the writing process to my students. Every stage of the writing process was addressed. This project has presentations for every stage. Because the presentation are already developed, I do not have to spend long hours planning a lesson. I have more time to teach my students and spend time with them individually. Lessons being available makes it easier for me to prepare my lessons.

How has your approach to writing composition changed through your participation in this project from that of previous years?

My whole approach has changed! I do not try address to many skills at one time. I gradually take my students through the writing process. As they develop one skill, we go to the next. By doing this, they have a better understanding of the writing process, and they do not feel overwhelmed! My whole attitude and apprach is totally different and more affective.

What other curriculum areas would you like to see implemented in a professional development technology integration project?

More science and social studies, and math