DAILY 5 BOOK STUDY – CHAPTER ONE

I am joining the fantastic Cheryl, Anna, Lindsey, and Lory to discuss the Daily 5. My book finally arrived in the mail yesterday, so I am a little late in chiming in on this.  However, I quickly plowed through the first two chapters despite having to give some attention to the hubs when he got home from work last night. 

I felt like I was in college all over again. The little red pen was broken out of the top desk drawer and I was circling key words, underlining moving sentences, and jottin’ notes all over the margins.  I must say that I am way hooked on a lot of the things the sisters are saying, but my controlling side most likely will not allow me to swallow the whole program.  Just being honest.  However, I do see great value in many of the elements that have been outlined thus far.  

What routines do I have in my current classroom?
I admit that I do indeed fall into the reading center “box,” but I did notice that some of my stations incorporate the Daily 5 elements.  However, they are definitely teacher-directed not student-led.  My kids are grouped into four homogeneous groups and they rotate through the following stations – computers (Lexia), teacher (phonics readers, spelling, and Orton-Gillingham), independent (skills review game or word work) and folders (independent worksheets or writing).  I have been pretty happy with this thus far and with each passing year, I have found that I have eased up in the “busy work” department.  I put a lot of thought into the items that my kiddos do.  My thought is . . . I have to grade the darn thing so why in the world would I give them something that wastes their time and MINE?  Also, many of my centers are “learning disguised as play.”  I know I’ve said this before, but it’s just how I roll.  If I can make a couple of routine tasks novel or fun for a kiddo, I have done my job for the day.

I know I’ve shown this picture WAY back when, but just in case you missed it . . . this is my kind of a reading center!

Post short u words around your room. Give each kiddo in your center a clipboard, a game sheet, and a pair of glasses 🙂 It’s a glorified word work sort at it’s best! CLICK HERE to get your hands on this template.

What routines do I want to have in my upcoming classroom?
My mind started racing when I read the part about training them slowly and building stamina.  I work at a top-performing school and the push from admin has been to go . . . go . . . GO . . . as soon as you get ’em in the door.  Over the past six years, I have slowed down a bit more (I just might be getting wiser in my old age . . . hahaha), but I am really hoping to spend ample time this year reviewing procedures.  I feel I do a good job in the “building stamina” department (and I earn their trust right off the bat . . . this is the KEY to EVERYTHING).  However, I fall in that middle category of, “I’ve reviewed how to do this twice, now do it.”  This portion of the Daily 5 was a real eye-opener for me.  I know it sounds silly, but my guard come down a bit and I felt like I was “given permission” to take my time. Did anyone else feel this way?

I also want to build more choice into my reading centers.  However, my style does not fit the model of all kid choice and long rotation, meet, long rotation, meet . . . !  I just don’t think this way.  However, I don’t believe this set-up is the only way to “skin this D5 cat.”  Still mulling this one over.  

Finally, I really want to work “read to someone” into the mix next year.  I remember being so nervous about reading in front of others as a kid.  My name would get called and I’d just about pee my pants in horror.  It doesn’t have to be this way . . . and I think reading to someone on a daily basis will ease those “public reading” fears that may arise in students. MMMMMmmmm . . . now, just how to fit it in.  

What do I have to change to get there?
It’s simple to pinpoint.  I am the thing that needs to change to get little old Room 13 ready to take on these elements of the Daily 5.  The keys for me are going to be: 

1. Allowing myself to slow up a bit in the teaching procedures department
2. Pre-planning during the summer
3. Shaking things up by “thinking out of the box” 
4. Letting go of those control reins just a bit 🙂

I know what I’ve just spewed is just an “What About Bob Baby Step” in the overall Daily 5 movement, but I am excited to try this.  Thanks so much for taking the time to read my rambles this evening.  Think about linking up if you haven’t already!  I would love to hear your comments on this :).  And, if you aren’t into joining officially, comments work just as well in the discussion process!

I will be back sooner rather than later, but most likely not until Sunday.  We are off to San Fran and Napa tomorrow for a little post-anniversary weekend getaway 🙂