I've said this before and I'll say it again, "The Daily 5 has changed my professional career." The Daily 5 is a reading management system created by The Sisters, Gail and Joan.
If you haven't read the book, you must give it a try.
No more Sundays spent creating, cutting, copying, and coloring literacy centers for the up-coming week. When you follow the Daily 5, the students work on the same five stations every week. They are Read to Self, Read to Someone, Work on Writing, Listen to Reading, and Word Work. Students are working at their ability level, while the teacher can pull reading groups and individual conferences.
During my reading block, I do three rounds of the Daily 5. Each round is about 20 minutes and 5 minutes in between each round is spent sharing. I love sharing time because it provides the kids a time to talk and it makes them accountable for their learning.
Here's part of my Focus Wall. I use three small pocket charts as a place for the kids to put their choices during our Daily 5 instruction time. I usually pull three reading groups during the three rounds.
I like to leave their Stamina Charts up all year as a reminder of their accomplishments. Also, it helps to refer to the charts when their behavior is slipping.
I post the I-charts we created at the beginning of the year near our guided reading table. These are also referred to when students need reminding.
Here's my CAFE menu bulletin board. I had handwritten the strategies on the board, but I replaced them today with the cute ones Brooke made at Primary Perspective. Thanks Brooke!
The Daily 5 is a lot of hard work in the beginning, but the pay-off comes when your principal enters your classroom and NO ONE looks up because they are too busy working!
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