Daily 5 Book Study: Chapter 6

First of all, what a great bunch of information!

Intensive work (and play) in writing and word study also supports reading development (pg. 79 on Kindle version.)

From the book:  Thoughts on Writing


*Writing is always developmentally appropriate because each student is working at the best of his or her ability.


*Model in writing first!  Bring in a strategy and then have students work on their stamina in writing.  Students should be able to write for at least a 30 minute blog of time when stamina is built to its fullest!


*Brainstorm with your students to make a list of behaviors that would be essential for good stamina!  Start with 3 minutes of stamina and then call the group together to talk about what happened within the group.


*Help students find those 'just right' places to sit to do their writing.


From the book:  Thoughts on Word Work


*Work on:  high frequency words, word patterns, vocabulary through unique words.  Remember that Daily 5 doesn't tell you WHAT to teach or HOW to teach it....if it is a framework for the WAY TO PRACTICE the skill or strategy. and USE THE MATERIALS that are provided


*Again, find those 'just right' places to work on around the room.  <Note from Jenn:  I recommend finding different places for each aspect of the Daily 5....don't sit in the same place all the time!! When I did Daily 5 when I taught 4th grade, we mapped out where we were going to sit and I provided that for my substitute.  This past year I had students find their 'just right' place to take tests to reduce cheating and it worked great, too!>


*Brainstorm possible materials to use.


*Brainstorm behaviors that are expected.


*Model how to up materials responsibly


*Have a word study notebook for students to work in so that you can chart new ideas, new concepts, and growth!




I have a lot of fun teaching Word Work so I am going to share as many open ended Working With Words tips and websites as I can think of....here goes!!


1.  Build, Mix, Fix <use magnetic letters>
2.  Syllable Sorters
3.  Word sorts--speed sorts, picture sorts, etc.
4.  Bendaroos/Wikki Sticks
5.  Building Blocks
6.  Activity Cards
7.  puzzlemaker.com
8.  Paper chains <write a spelling word on each link>
9.  Adding machine tape....how many words can you write...who has the longest spelling tape?
10.  The word ___________ reminds me of ________ because...
11.  Make your own matching game
12.  Foam letters
13.  Find-a-word  <use books to find spelling words like in a word hunt>
14.  Playdoh
15.  Stencils
16.  Ransom <cut out magazine letters to  make the words>
17.  Hangman
18.  Wheel of Fortune
19.  Word Plays
20.  Trace magnetic letters and decorate a word poster

Hope this helps!

Daily 5: Chapter 4

Chapter 4 deals a lot <again> with routines and stamina.  We are introduced to the 3 ways to read a book.


1.  Read pictures and words.
2.  Read to a buddy.
3.  Retell a book.


It is essential that we show the students the WRONG way to read a book <choose that mischievous child over in the corner that never wants to read!!> and the RIGHT way to read a book.  That Mischievous child over in the corner will be miraculously transformed to look like a straight a student!!


Continue going over these same lessons each day to build STAMINA!!


It is recommended also that a I Chart be created.  On one side, describe the actions of the students.  On the other side, describe the actions of the teacher.  It is imperative that the students know that this is not a time for students to come with questions, concerns, misunderstandings.


Side Note:


This is when I enact my 'hat'...I put on a hat which signals others that I am not open for discussions and need to put all of my attention on the students with me.  I also use my bunco bell and teach students that by hitting this bell one time I expect them to stop and monitor their volume.  This helps me address the problem of LOUD students during quiet time.  But...then....if I work on stamina this time more than I did last time, I shouldn't need that now, should I?  =)


Back to the book:


Start your work on building stamina with 3 minutes of uninterrupted reading time.  Build from there!  Remember, it is going to take the first 20 days of school to get this up and running like it is supposed to work!  When students are unable to continue the session as expected, pull the class together and discuss what happened.


Getting their attention:  


This is when I can really use my bunco bell!!!  Others buy other types of attention-getters such as chimes ($19.77 at Amazon), a squawking chicken ($9.06...I would LOVE to have this!), and  train whistle  ($2.50 on Amazon).  You could even bang a wooden spoon on a pot!  Anything to get their attention.


Guiding Questions:


In reflecting on your students' work with these strategies, what can you celebrate at this point in the year?


I think my major celebration will be in teaching students how to choose just right books for their book baggy for sustained reading.




How might you help your students continue to build stamina within these areas?


Repetition!!!  I know the pay off will be seeing my students reading all year!  That, will be success!

Summer Woes

I have a migraine.  =(  Because of this, I haven't been able to blog about  Daily 5 Chapter 2.  I invite you to go visit Nicole at Teaching with Style to see what she had to say about it.  I tried to work on it and my eyes just wouldn't focus.

For questions to prepare you for Chapter 3, go to Thinking Out Loud.

I was able to finish my posters for Standard 3.3 (Foundations of Reading) and now have it listed on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Enjoy!!