Questions about Daily 5?

I'm finalizing my literacy notebook for teachers and students, and I'm wondering if I've addressed everything.  Does anyone have any questions or something that you'd like to see included in the notebook.  I'm including lots of full color pictures, examples, and printables.  I'm no expert at Daily 5 or Literacy CAFE, but this will be my third year to use it in a classroom setting.  I've also read both books about 12 times. Each year my confidence has increased, and I have seen tremendous growth in all of my students.  I know there are several bloggers who have been posting "how-to's" about Daily 5 and how they organize/manage/setup, but just in case you still have a question I'll see if I can help out. . .

So far...it's looking pretty cute, but I don't just want it to be cute, I want it to be a useful tool!

Questions anyone?

amazing. . .

Remember how I went to see "The Sisters" in April?  I loved it, and since I only saw the Daily 5 portion, I plan to see the CAFE and classroom design parts this year!  While I was at their presentation, we had a chance to share a funny classroom story that was related to Daily 5 or CAFE.  I wrote down my little story, and thought. . .wouldn't it be great if they chose mine?!?

Well, last week I got an e-mail saying that they were going to use my story and that I won a year long subscription to TheDailyCafe-I've been glued to my computer screen watching all kinds of tips and how-to's!

I'm working on a Daily 5/CAFE literacy notebook with lots of printables for my students to use this year.  You'll get a sneak peek soon....I'm working on a student version where students can record their reading goals, track their fluency, and record information about their reading growth.  I'm also working on a teacher version that has space for anecdotal notes, student reading strengths/goals, and reading strategies/activities for guided reading or independent reading conferences.

Also next week I'll post lots of pics of my classroom. . .not too happy with the way it looks right now!

You're probably thinking...why would she leave her classroom looking like that?!?  I was kicked out while working by a few slightly disgruntled custodians!  It drives me crazy to know that right now that stuff is all over the place!  I have my work cut out for me next week.  The good news is that the reason it looks like this is because I cleaned out every drawer, cabinet, nook, and cranny!

I organized all of my books (the ones that I use in addition to the classroom library) and all of my professional books!

I also organized all of my puzzles, games, miscellaneous supplies, and my science stuff.  It will all be worth it. . .I hope!

                                                     

10 Reasons Why I Love Daily 5 {and "the sisters}

Just got back in town and let me tell you...this weekend I had such a great time!  Mr. Perry and the boys accompanied me to San Antonio.  In addition to the wonderful session that I attended with "the sisters," we did our share of shopping, eating, and just hanging out as a family!  If you use Daily 5, but you've never been to a conference with "the sisters," it is SO worth it!  

Here are 10 Things I Love about Daily 5 and "the sisters."

1.  They're still in the classroom setting every day.  This means that their activities, ideas, and strategies are being tested and used every single day.  While they were sharing some of their personal experiences from their own classrooms it just made me love them even more.

2.  They are life-long learners.  Both of them admitted during their presentation that the reason why they continue to hold conferences and meet with teachers is because they learn new information every day.  Some of their thinking has changed since their book was published in 2006.   They still read lots of professional literature and confer with colleagues.

3. They gave away so many great prizes and resources at the meeting, all of which I can use on tomorrow morning-I especially love the chimes!

4.  Daily 5 is a framework which is flexible, based on the needs of each unique group of learners, and it does not require me to copy any papers!  I love that I get to model and teach the framework, and then I spend the rest of the year focused on assessment, instruction, and coaching!

5.  Daily 5 has been implemented with students from all walks of life.  Both of the sisters teach in schools where they work with students from diverse backgrounds, ranging from autistic to English language learners to emotionally disturbed.  One of the sisters' schools has been designated as "The Last Stop," which means that her school is the last stop before students are sent to a juvenile detention or correctional facility.  This means that the teachers in her school do everything in their power to help those students reach their true potential.

6.  The sisters have based the Daily 5 and many parts of their classroom structure on brain research.  Brain research is fascinating to me, and it is so wonderful to know that "the sisters" consult with various professional educators, authors, and researchers.

7.  Daily 5 provides student with an opportunity to develop their own sense of independence and to blossom as readers and writers.  When students head off to second grade each year, I love to reflect on how they have grown in the areas of independence and problem solving.

8.  The sisters both teach students in the lower grades, and they realize that primary learners need consistency, consistency, and more consistency-especially the first few weeks of school.  I love how they shared their own plans and activities for the first week of school.

9.  I didn't know that I was also going to learn quite a bit about classroom management, but "the sisters" shared lots of tips, advice, and strategies for working with "barometer" students-those are the students who often determine what the "weather" or "atmosphere" is like in a classroom setting.  I have to remind myself that it begins with me as the teacher.  Even though we sometimes encounter frustrating situations, it is so important to be proactive instead of reactive.  I am so grateful that I got a chance to hear all of the strategies that they shared from their own teaching experiences.

10.  I love how the sisters believe that every child can learn to read and write, and that every child deserves to be treated with love and respect.  It seems like they are committed to giving students the tools that they need in order to be successful and to grow into life-long learners.

Both of the sisters have a great sense of humor and are very down to Earth.  They kept us laughing and on our toes the whole time.  I was rushing out and forgot my copies of The Daily Five and CAFE.  I guess that means I'll have to make arrangements to attend a CAFE session soon!

Heading off to San Antonio!

Just finished wrapping up my sub plans, and I'm looking forward to spending the day with "the sisters" tomorrow.  I'll take great notes!  Have a great Friday.  

Book Boxes

Here's a quick and easy teacher tip for those who use Daily 5 or Reader's Workshop in your classroom.  At the beginning of the year all of my students get their own "book box." Inside of their book box, are all of the materials that they will use for the entire literacy block.  Since the students have everything that they need for independent work, small group, or buddy reading in one place this really saves us a lot of time!

Of course there are books 

(on their independent reading level)...  

a marker board, dry erase marker, and eraser for independent use and during small group instruction...

a making words folder and letters...

headphones for listening to reading at the computer...

and a journal for reading responses and reflections.

All of these materials are stored in boxes (from Dollar Tree).  At the beginning of the year, they just have books.  As the year progresses and I introduce new activities they get the other items.  By the mid-year point they have a book box complete with all of their literacy tools.  We call them our "literacy tool kits."  This cuts down on getting up, roaming around the room, and misplaced items!


In the next few weeks, once my students become really proficient at using the "mini-boggle" games, we'll include those in the boxes.  I'm sure there are many other reading tools we could include.


Here are a few books that I love to use at the beginning of the year to help the students think about their reading tools and to build excitement about becoming better readers and writers. 

Do you have any time saving tips 

for teachers about small group/literacy instruction?  I'd love to hear about them!