I am hosting Chapter 1 (Introduction) of the Daily 5 (D5) by the brilliant sisters’ Gail Boushey & Joan Moser. I read this book last summer to prepare myself for the 90 minute literacy block our district was implementing. I had read about the D5 in blogland but didn’t think much of it because I never educated myself about it. Let me tell you, I am so glad I did! I am absolutely IN LOVE with the D5! I implemented it this school year & it blew…. my….. mind. One of the MOST important things about this program is doing it the correct way & a few teachers learned that the hard way.
The sisters developed this program as a way to change the atmosphere of their classrooms from micro-managing
students, to creating routines and procedures that fostered independent
literacy behaviors that were ingrained to the point of being habits. Independent??? Really? First graders?? Yeah…right! That is truly what I thought after reading the first chapter. After you keep reading, it all comes together & you will start to envision what D5 will look like in your classroom.
students, to creating routines and procedures that fostered independent
literacy behaviors that were ingrained to the point of being habits. Independent??? Really? First graders?? Yeah…right! That is truly what I thought after reading the first chapter. After you keep reading, it all comes together & you will start to envision what D5 will look like in your classroom.
I envisioned a room full of happy kids being engaged in what their learning, being independent & actually enjoying reading and writing. I thought this is a dream, not reality. How could my little nuggets actually be independent without coming up to me 3454 times by 10 am? It happened, it really happened. My students actually developed lifelong independent literacy habits that provided me with the ability to work with groups of students without interruption. Half the time the students didn’t even know where I was at. Another teacher would walk in looking for me & they didn’t have a clue where I was. Before Daily 5 (BD5) I had a classroom full of stage one clingers & little dependent space invaders…..lol. The second grade teachers used to complain about how clingy my students were & how they come up to them ALL. THE. TIME. I knew it was me, I did my students a disservice by letting them be so needy. I wish the D5 was around when I started teaching.
Here are a few framing questions to ponder about Chapter One:
1. On pages 4-6, the authors present two different pictures of their classrooms. In thinking about and reflecting on your own practice, how would you characterize your literacy block? Does it look more like the first or second scenario, or is it somewhere in between? How will you change it?
When I used to do literacy
centers it used to be more teacher directed, now the students are more
independent and in charge of their learning. Daily 5 offers more choice
than I used to have available & is student centered.
The time is spent on more meaningful word work and reading practice. I
have been guilty of giving lots of worksheets (busy work) so the little
ones (K & 1st graders) kept busy so I can work with the
struggling reading group. The Daily 5 enables me to get in all
5 components of reading and writing without interruptions and everyone
knows what to be engaged with after our focus lessons & TONS of
modeling. When I think back on my literacy centers it was like a free
for all…out of control….craziness. Building stamina is PURE GENIUS
& it works! The teachers who tried not to do this part were not
successful. Now when my first graders wander around, it’s with a purpose. The students are more engaged and are held
accountable by the other students for their behaviors. Teachers are
also ALWAYS engaged in reading or assessing a student during the daily five.
centers it used to be more teacher directed, now the students are more
independent and in charge of their learning. Daily 5 offers more choice
than I used to have available & is student centered.
The time is spent on more meaningful word work and reading practice. I
have been guilty of giving lots of worksheets (busy work) so the little
ones (K & 1st graders) kept busy so I can work with the
struggling reading group. The Daily 5 enables me to get in all
5 components of reading and writing without interruptions and everyone
knows what to be engaged with after our focus lessons & TONS of
modeling. When I think back on my literacy centers it was like a free
for all…out of control….craziness. Building stamina is PURE GENIUS
& it works! The teachers who tried not to do this part were not
successful. Now when my first graders wander around, it’s with a purpose. The students are more engaged and are held
accountable by the other students for their behaviors. Teachers are
also ALWAYS engaged in reading or assessing a student during the daily five.
2. The typical teacher is very busy having students do lots of different activities.
How is what you are having students do now in your classroom creating
quality readers and writers?
How is what you are having students do now in your classroom creating
quality readers and writers?
BD5 my students had lots of meaningless busy work. My centers were age appropriate and hit the standards always. But I was too worried about having them complete a worksheet so I had proof they did something meaningful that day. D5 taught me that is not necessary. With the 5 choices of Daily 5 my students get the reading in that they need daily. I noticed this year that my students developed a love of reading and writing. I have always struggled with teaching first graders how to write. How can I go from writing a 150 page thesis in the evening and then teaching them the basics of writing. I hated it as much as them. Since I started D5 I’ve actually had students cry if they couldn’t get to Read to Self or Work on Writing. I knew when I saw this in action, I had found something pretty special. I will NEVER do anything else….EVER.
3. What sets the Daily 5 structure apart from what you are doing in your classroom?
I am answering this question as if it was asked a few years ago.
I think the thing that sets Daily 5 apart from my current structure is
that it offers an implementation plan and structure that creates an
environment of meaningful learning. I think it offers consistency
across the grade levels to build a uniform system where skills are
taught and work time is structured and meaningful.
that it offers an implementation plan and structure that creates an
environment of meaningful learning. I think it offers consistency
across the grade levels to build a uniform system where skills are
taught and work time is structured and meaningful.
My
students did not have a choice what center they had to do, I made that decision for them. I would put my students in groups based on their ability & reading levels. The choice of D5 provides ownership for them. When I have a choice in something, I go along much better than if I am forced. When I was forced to read a book in college I would not read it. But if I had a choice of which book I wanted to read, I would read. The same goes for writing. If I was assigned a topic I would wait until the very last minute & do the bare minimum. When I got to choose my own topic, I would do my very best work. Makes sense, right?
students did not have a choice what center they had to do, I made that decision for them. I would put my students in groups based on their ability & reading levels. The choice of D5 provides ownership for them. When I have a choice in something, I go along much better than if I am forced. When I was forced to read a book in college I would not read it. But if I had a choice of which book I wanted to read, I would read. The same goes for writing. If I was assigned a topic I would wait until the very last minute & do the bare minimum. When I got to choose my own topic, I would do my very best work. Makes sense, right?
Next week I will be discussing Chapter 2. Questions to think about while reading Chapter 2:
1 .What goals do you have for your classroom as you work to implement the principles and foundations of the Daily 5 discussed in chapter 2? What support do you need to do this?
2. What stands out as the most significant aspects of this chapter?
3. How do the foundational principles of the Daily 5 structure (trust,
choice, community, sense of urgency, and stamina), align with your
beliefs that support your teaching strategies and the decisions that you
make about student learning?
choice, community, sense of urgency, and stamina), align with your
beliefs that support your teaching strategies and the decisions that you
make about student learning?
Now for a D5 freebie I whipped up for you! As I am launching the D5 I will display these posters and refer to them often. Your students need to know exactly what each element of D5 entails. I will also use these on my smartboard at open house as I explain the D5.
Click on any picture below to grab your freebie. Don’t be afraid to leave feeback ;o)
Click on any picture below to grab your freebie. Don’t be afraid to leave feeback ;o)
This free product is an unofficial
adaptation of the Daily 5 by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser. This freebie is not endorsed by the 2
Sisters. They have a fabulous website you should visit…………………………… http://www.thedailycafe.com/
What should you do now?
1. Go check out Nicole from Teaching with Style who is also hosting the same chapter.
2. If you have a blog, link up below and post a blog about Chapter 1 by answering the questions above & anything else you’d like to add.
3. If you do not have a blog, please leave your ideas and suggestions in the comments below.
4. If you missed my previous D5 blog posts simply go to the sidebar & click on Daily 5.
5. Check back a week from today for Chapter 2.
Thanks for all your feedback! This has been my 3rd year using Daily 5 and I love it! I really couldn't imagine any other way. I would love to know how you get your students so into writing though. I struggled this year with it. My first class did a pretty good job with writing, second class really took off and was amazing but this year I don't know what it was but my kids did not really meet my expectations for writing during Daily 5. This was a group I really had to coax into writing anything. So I would love to hear more on your writing part of Daily 5. It's such a great way to get students to love reading and the whole literacy block. I know my students will be reading independently over the summer because they loved that part everyday.Rambling About Reading
I really look forward to learning more about D5. I don't have much of a background on it, but I like how it's more student directed and free choice way of doing things. Thanks for sharing these tips from the first chapter. I look forward to following along!
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
Thanks for the awesome freebies! I love them.
Alyce
Mrs. Bartel’s School Family
I am also new to D5 but everything I've read so far definitely makes sense. I'm wondering if I'll be able to use this though, since my district forces us to use a guided reading program. Honestly, I have only halfway implemented the program because it is designed to be an intervention and it's only supposed to be used for 3 months. I think there are a few more months in the school year!!! So, I think I can figure out a way! I will link up with my blog and thanks for doing this! I think this book study will be very interesting and beneficial!
JennyB
Funtastic Fun in First Grade
We do guided reading in our school, too; and it still lends itself to the Daily 5 structure. Students can still choose books to read independently and have meaningful time reading books. I still used the guided reading books we had on hand, every now and then, but I also used books students chose to help guide them through some of the strategies in non-leveled groups. I also made a point to confer one-on-one with students. I feel like this structure helped my students have a love of reading, even my struggling readers.
I am a mom of three boys and a school play therapist. Alyce told me about this model and though I am not a classroom teacher, I am excited with what I read today! Our thinking and ideas line up. I hope and praymy kids' future teachers are on board! I'm headed to the library now…. Thanks!
Thank you so much for doing this book study. I have had the book for many years but just needed some guidance on how to start it and do it correctly and effectively. Thanks for taking the time to do the study and also the freebies. I always find your blog so helpful to me:)
I have used The Daily 5 in the past in my 2nd grade class. I recommend it to all new teachers or student teachers that I meet. I now teach Pre-K and would like to incorporate some of the ideas into my room so I am following along with you to try to find some inspiration.
I am beyond thrilled that you are taking the time to go through the Daily 5! I am learning all I can about it so I can implement it in my 1st grade classroom in the fall! So this is perfect!! I will be following your blog regularly!! Thank you!
Thanks for doing this book study. I bought the book last month and have started reading it. I think it's a great idea but I've got to figure it all out. This will definetly help me out!!
Melanie
Thank you so much for doing this! How fun to study "The Sisters" together!
Thank you so much for hosting this book study! I'm reading it and enjoying it so much! Also, a huge ty for the freebie! LOVE it!
Hi! I am excited to start Daily 5! I am glad you are having the book study. Thanks so much!!
Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade
Mrs. Wheeler TpT
Loving the book study! Thanks for hosting this chapter! Come check out my freebie: Daily 5 for Parents!
❀Bethany❀
Learning is a Journey
Polka Dot Parlor
I used D5 in my 2nd grade classroom for the first time this year. My kids fell in LOVE with R2S (Read to self) and begged for the time! I felt guilty, and told them so, when I had to tell them we had to do some other things. Parents were amazed at how their kids wanted to read, read, read! I did not use all of the components. I tried, but found it tough to get all of it going. I used what I felt I could manage and what the kids were ready for. I'm so thrilled to have this blog on D5. I'm ready for the whole ball of wax this year! Thank you!
I also did what I could manage- Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listening, and a little writing. I had students keep track of what they were doing on their own recording sheet, and I also kept track to make sure they were making good choices. I am also looking forward to incorporating more Word Work into the rotation next year. We still get word work because my para does Words Their Way, but I would like for my students to work with some differentiated spelling lists next year. I'll think more about this when we get to that chapter!
I am really interested in learning more about D5. For the past 4 years, I have taught 3rd grade special ed at a separate facility for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. I had an awesome intervention aid in my classroom, who took charge of a center while I had a group on the computer and another group at my table. Next year, I am moving to a new school and will teach a primary high incidence resource room. I need some ideas to keep the kids engaged and working on their own at their instructional levels. I'm hoping D5 will be just what I'm looking for.
Thank you SO much for hosting this. I am very excited to get into this book. I'm already hooked from the first chapter!
I read the book a couple of years ago and am determined to implement in the upcoming school year. Thanks for the book study.
Thanks so much for doing this book study! I am hoping our entire staff will be implementing the D5 this next year! We were able to have our PTO buy books for each teacher and we have the CAFE book too! Can't wait- yet still anxious to see how it will all pull together. It is a huge help and inspiration to read about the ups and downs of other teachers in the same boat! Thanks again- I will follow along and blog stalk everyone!
I don't know if there are words to describe how much I love D5. We switched to a Reader's Workshop model about 4 years ago, and it was a disaster for me. My kids weren't focused, weren't working, and I couldn't meet with any students because I spent all of my time with classroom management. I read through D5 (and CAFE) in one summer, and implemented it the next year, and I couldn't believe the difference!! My kids were independent, and I could actually do what the school was paying me to do. . . teach!! I also love that I don't have to be switching out centers every week or so (and there's so much less paper!). I've had other teachers in my school ask me about D5, and they all are big fans too!
Thanks for the cute freebies! They will be helpful! I am your newest follower!
Thanks so much for sharing your book study! I am really excited to re-read this book and share ideas with people. Your enthusiasm is contagious!
🙂
Cris
http://downinfirst.blogspot.com/
Thanks for sharing your book study. You have motivated me to try my very first blog. It's very boring right now, but it is a start. Tried to do the Linky thing. Ended up with an icon on your page, but can't seem to get all of the icons on mine. Let me know if you have a quick fix. Going to think about the Chapter 1 questions now and maybe add some graphics.
I have been doing D5 in my Kindergarten classroom and it has been the favorite part of my students day! I actually assign 1 area per day and that has worked well for me. I have not implemented Read to Someone(worried about the chaos) but I am gaining some ideas and am willing to give it a try in the fall. One thing my students look forward to is at the end of the 20 minute block, the writers and the listeners share with the whole group! They love this part! Sometimes, time doesn't allow us to share and I always hear disappointment,"I didn't get to share." Thanks for hosting the book study. It's great to review and gain new ideas to make this awesome program even better!
Thank you for hosting the Daily 5 book study, and for following my blog. I'm excited about implementing D5/CAFE in the new school year.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful information! This will really help when I begin implementing this in my classroom. And I LOVE THE POSTERS!! I am changing my classroom theme to peace signs/flower children this year and these will go great!! Thank you so much!
What a fantastic idea . . . there is definitely strength in numbers!! My books are on the way (hurry up Amazon) and I hope to be in business by the next link up :). Thanks again for heading this up!
Kelley Dolling
Teacher Idea Factory
I was fortunate to have both sisters sign my book.
Students have a choice of 5 areas: read to self, read to someone, work on writing , listen to reading, and word work. The first 20 days of school are spent on building community, defining and practicing behaviors and building stamina. Alot of modeling- correct way vs. incorrect way.
I have used the Daily 5 in my classroom since after Christmas last year (I researched all during Christmas break!) and it truly has been the best thing to happen to my classroom! You blog and your ideas are amazing and you are such a role model to new teachers like myself! Thank you for your daily inspirations!
Sarah Lane
laugingwithlane.blogspot.com
I have been teaching 1st grade for the past 5 years and have struggled with maintaining meaningful guided reading sessions while students participated in center activities as small groups or individuals. I made it a priority this summer to find something that could help. That's when I came across an abundance of individuals utilizing the Daily 5 method. I read many blogs in which people were praising the successfulness of this program and I decided I wanted to try it myself. I just purchased the book and am waiting for it to be delivered sometime next week. I will continue to follow your blog for the Book Study and will be able to participate very soon. I can't wait to learn how to be more successful within my classroom and help my students become responsible for their reading.
Thank you for all of the stupendous ideas. I am a preschool teacher and have been trying to find a way to scaffold D5 for our youngest emergent readers and writers…Keep the ideas coming. I am anxious to model and help children see and learn what good readers and writers do!
Jennifer
Great book- I'm retreading it and taking notes this time! Thanks for this opportunity to share and learn!
Ok…you have convinced me! I am diving into Daily 5! I just bought the book, and am so excited to get started. I will definitely be stalking your blog to help me get started! 🙂
Thank you for all the wonderful information and resources on your blog!