My Daily 5 Day

I have something to confess...

I don't do the Daily 5 exactly the way "The Sisters" write about in their book. Well, let me rephrase that. I launch the Daily 5 exactly like the book says, but the management is where we differ. However, that is what is so great about "The Sisters" they don't want you to do exactly what they say. They want you to make it your own. 

{And thank God for that because I never seem to do what the books say no matter how hard I try.}

Once my little firsties have achieved their 20 minutes of stamina time, we are ready to begin the meat and potatoes of our literacy block!

When I first began using the Daily 5, I had one major thing to consider ...

the reading series. 

How do I integrate the reading series with the Daily 5?

I was required to read each week's basal story, learn the high-frequency words, focus skill, and focus strategy. I was to pull reading groups every day and use the intervention kit with my non-readers.

So, I had to think about what would work best with those requirements and still use the Daily 5 management system. Here's what I came up with:

I've since changed what goes above the pocket charts
and I will update the photo when I start my reading groups.

I decided to spend 40 minutes daily (whole group) covering the most important skills and lessons from the reading series. Then, I would spend about 60 minutes to pull reading groups/strategy groups/book clubs. This 60 minutes is when the Daily 5 would happen.

I split the kids into three groups {these groups are flexible and kids are moved to new groups all of the time based on their needs.} I bought the mini pocket charts from Target's Dollar spot for my three groups. I just color-coded the groups:

Red Group

Blue Group

and Green Group

There are three rounds and one of those rounds is to meet with me. The kids are only doing two of the Daily 5 choices a day.

I've let the kids pull their choices and I've also pulled the choices for the kids. I tend to lean towards pulling the choices for the kids because I would make sure they would do all of the Daily 5 choices in the week. When they pulled the choices they would only pull the same choices all of the time. My writers would always pull Work on Writing. My non-readers would only pull Listening. My chatty ones would only pull Read to Someone. They needed to do them all, especially Read to Self, so that is when I decided to intervene.

My little tray for the cards.

This system totally works for me, and I am still fulfilling my duties of teaching the reading series. Now, if I had my choice I wouldn't need a reading series at all, but that is not the case. {sad!}

I wish I could remember where I got these cards from so I could give the proper credit but I can't. {If it is you, please let me know!}

Daily 5 Pocket Chart Cards 1 Daily 5 Pocket Chart Cards 2 Daily 5 Pocket Chart Cards 3

WeLcOmE ScHoOl 2011!

I wish I could say I'm totally ready for school, but I'm not. AAAHHH!

There are some bits and bobs completed, but I've got a long way to go... Plus, we are still waiting on the carpet cleaners. I guess our school is last on the list this year and our Orientation is this Thursday night. Nothing like waiting till the last minute!

Anywhoo! I did make little welcome gifts for my new team. I'm still the team leader "Grade Chair" so I feel compelled to spoil my girls. Plus, we've gone from a team of 5 to a team of 7 (maybe 8) first grade teachers! Yikes, our school is getting HUGE! Gifts can get a little expensive when you have such a large team of teachers, so I tried to come up with something nice yet affordable.

These baskets I found at the Dollar Store. I tried to find some nice colors that will hopefully match their rooms. Then, I used my Cricut and some self adhesive vinyl to make it look cute. I added their last names to both sides of the basket, some polka dots, and matching ribbon.

Inside the baskets are some pens, pencils, note pads, reading rods, a little Sponge Bob, and some sugar-free mints. {One of my team mates is diabetic, and I wanted the treats to be friendly for everyone.}

That's all. Just a little something. I hope they like it!!!

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Pinterest has been both a curse and a blessing. Honestly, it's really only a curse because I spend so much dang time on it! But, oh-my-word, there are just so many great ideas to be found lurking on the inter webs! Mrs. Larremore over at Chalk Talk found this bulletin board on Pinterest and posted it on her blog.

{source}

 I loved it instantly. Looking around my classroom, there's plenty of wall space dedicated to reading and math but nothing for writing. Gotta change that, for sure! Today, I made some space and tried to recreate the Writer's Eye Glasses for my kiddos.

I really like it and I hope my kids will find it useful when they are writing.

Ta ta for now. First day of school for teachers is tomorrow! :)