Hi peeps! I am tickled pink that I received several emails this week about continuing my Daily 5 posts. I was not sure if they were worth anything to others, so between my uncertainty of their effectiveness and the end of the school year craziness, I put them on hold. But now we're back! If you missed the first four posts, here they are:
So in the last post you were continuing building your stamina and charting it, while teaching mini lessons about books. Now we're going to get into what you do once your class achieved their reading minutes. This is when you introduce the next daily. I introduced Working on Words. My Working on Words materials are stored in this cart:
Please note that I snapped this pick at the end of the year. I am truly sorry that I do not have a photo of it at the beginning of the year. Anyways, I say that because you would introduce this daily with only one choice to start off with. That means that whatever you provide as the very first Working on Words activity, you will need to have many of them. I started Working on Words with these little clay writing trays:
These little trays were made with old lids and non-drying clay. I smooshed the clay into the lids and provided a golf tee with each clay tray. I instructed students to use the golf tee to write letters or words from the word wall, then use their thumb to "erase" the letter or word. Demonstrate how to do this slowly and have a student come in front of the group to demonstrate how to use the clay trays.
I placed them in the top drawer with a photo label of them on the front. I started out with 10 of them in the top drawer so that many up to ten students could choose Working on Words and 10 others would choose Read to Self. Make sure you explain fully how to use the materials, how many students can choose that activity, and how to clean it up. Here is a list of ideas for Working on Words:
So now comes the part of Daily 5 that is exciting for students - CHOICE. You will need to explain to students that when you call their name they will choose Read to Self or Working on Words. When you call their name you will need to mark it on a sign in sheet. Here is my check-in sheet that I have available on my website:
How I check in students is by picking a student stick from my bee bucket and reading the name on the stick.
The name I read gets to choose first. That way, I am not always allowing the student at the top of the list to go first. Once I read the name on the stick and let them choose, then I go to the next student on the list (the name under the picked student's name). I do not pick a stick for each kiddo - that would take forever.
Also, before you check-in students for the first time, establish any rules you want to put in place for your Daily 5. Here are some of my "rules":
1. Only one kiddo per table.
2. If you stretch out your arms, you shouldn't be able to touch anyone.
3. You can sit anywhere to work except right in front of the classroom door.
4. Keep your volume on a whisper if you need to ask anything, but it's best if you work alone.
5. Remind them of your signal to clean up and gather on the rug.
As students make their choice, I highlight their choice on the paper.
Once everyone is checked in, spend a few moments monitoring how they are working. Make sure that the barometer child (you know that kid by now) is focused and working.
After work time is complete or when the barometer child needs to clean up, sound your signal for clean up time. I often give my class smelly stickers (chap stick) that I rub on the back of their hand. This encourages them to clean up quickly and come to the rug.
Once you are on the rug together, give praise for correct behaviors and work habits.
Then you can teach a mini lesson and then check in for the next round.
Before you check-in for the next round, make sure you explain to students that they cannot pick something that they already worked on. Since there are only 2 choices right now - Read to Self and Working on Words - they will be choosing whatever they did not do in Round 1.
The next day, before starting Daily 5, you will need to make an I-chart for Working on Words. Revisit my Part 3 post to see an I-chart.
It is your choice when your want to add a new activity to the Working on Words choices. When you add a new choice, leave the old one in the top drawer and add the new one to the second drawer. Now students will have more choices in Working on Words. Jut use your own discretion on when to add new activities based on your students. I averaged about 1 new activity a week for the next 6 weeks. I also provided activities in the beginning of the year that were "easier" for students to understand, like on the list I posted above. As the year progressed, I added more unique activities like Sight Word Bowling,Water Color Words (painting word wall words with water colors), and some Lakeshore Learning games I received through Donors Choose. I have some printables on my website. Scroll down to the middle right side.
I hope all of this makes sense. I apologize for not having more photos. All of my stuff is in a storage unit right now for summer time. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Here is a set of Daily 5 posters for you to enjoy!
