Wednesday, June 20, 2012

How to Start Daily 5 in Your Kinder Classroom ~ Part 5

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:
 http://www.teacherweb.com/TX/Copperfield/MrsCrowder/Check-In.pdf
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!


44 comments:

  1. Erica- Thank you so much for this post. I am soaking up everything you have to say about using D5 in kinder!!

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  2. This might be a dumb question, but why did you wait until the next day to do the I-chart for word work? Thanks...Getting ready to start my first year in kindergarten...

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    1. Hi Romans 828 (great verse, by the way...) I do the I Char the next day due to their attention span that early in the year. If I had a class that I could do it on the first day , I would totally so it. Just gauge your learners needs at the end of the rounds and decide for yourself. :)

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    2. Thanks! That's what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure I didn't miss something...I really appreciate reading your thoughts on Daily 5 in Kindergarten...Please continue with your Daily 5 posts! And yes, Romans 8:28 are my words to live by :)

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  3. Thank you so much for this post Erica!! I did not implement Daily 5 in my classroom last year so I am trying to soak up EVERYthing I can before I start it out this next year - I'm reading the book right now and am WAY excited about trying it in my own room!
    Nicole
    Rowdy in Room 300

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  4. I'm a new follower. Found you through Yeehaw Teaching in Texas.


    Yearn to Learn Blog

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  5. Thank you so much for all this great info, Erica! I've been thinking about doing Daily 5, but didn't know just how to get started. All your information is so helpful and I greatly appreciate it! I'm your newest follower!
    The REAL Teachers of Orange County

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  6. Just found your blog and am your newest follower! :)

    Amanda
    Teaching Maddeness
    Come join my giveaway!

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  7. I am loving your Daily 5 posts! I have used pieces of it in the past, but haven't braved combining all of it together. I am wanting to change and do it completely! I look forward to learning more from you. Thanks!
    Heather
    Mrs. Shelton’s Kindergarten

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  8. Thank you for all the Daily 5 tips! I love that idea of using scented Chapstick! That is so fun!!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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  9. Thanks for this post!! I have been soooo looking forward to your Daily 5 posts, they are incredibly helpful. You are so explicit in teaching US how to teach our kiddos, and that makes it so much easier to wrap my mind around. Thank you again :)

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  10. I want to thank you for your posts. They are insanely helpful. I love the idea of daily 5 but have been nervous about how to impliment in a K classroom from the beginning of the school year. Your posts are making me feel more confident about doing it this year. My one question is: how do you handle bathrooms a student needs to use the restroom or get a drink? That was one of my biggest disruptions during guided reading time last year. Thank you again for all of your help and advice!

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    1. I am interested in knowing how to deal with those needs as well! Anyone?

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  11. Thank you so much for all of these posts. I am planning to implement D5 this year and your posts have been amazing.

    I am your newest follower and fan! I hope you'll run over to my new "manly" kindergarten blog!

    Greg
    Smedley's Smorgasboard of Kindergarten

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  12. I am a K/1 teacher. I read the Daily Five this summer and want to implement it this school year, but I had so many questions. Thank you so much for sharing your journey! I really appreciate it and have already been able to begin formulating a plan for my own classroom. I hope you keep these posts coming!

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing! Do you always record where the students go on the check in sheet orally (for them) or is there a way for them to have a visual at first with clothespins etc.? I am super excited about trying to do daily 5 with my K class this next school year.

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    1. HI there, kk,
      I have my kinders just tell me verbally, but when I taught second, they made their choices each morning with picture cards that I have and a pocket chart. You can grab the picture cards on my site:
      http://www.teacherweb.com/TX/Copperfield/MrsCrowder/apt34.aspx
      I have just found that check in already takes a long time with kinders, so I like doing it verbally.

      Erica

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    2. Do you do it verbally right before each choice session? How do you keep them from choosing the same thing (after all 5 choices are introduced) all week?

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    3. My questions were answered below! Thank you!

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  14. My team is going to implement Daily 5 this year! This is my second year of teaching kinder and I am hooked! Do you by chance have a download either for free or for sale on TPT of your Book Nook Chart??? We would love it! Thanks for all your posts! Keep it up!

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  15. Thank you so much for all of your Daily 5 advise! I have read both books, and even went to see the 2 Sisters speak. I was able to implement lots of it in my 2nd grade class, but this past year I was moved to kindergarten. I LOVE kindergarten, but was afraid I couldn't do Daily 5 so young. Your directions seem so easy to follow!

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  16. You have made implementing Daily 5 a "do-able" thing for me. I haven't read the book yet, but will soon. Once you have established several drawers for word work, how many students do you allow to choose each drawer? Do you limit how many kids can go to each part of of D5? Do you keep track of where they go to make sure they go to each of the daily five during the week - or do they just get to choose? Again, thanks for the easy to follow directions!

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  17. HI Janet,
    I am glad you are wanting to implement the daily 5 It's wonderful to use in your room. :)

    As far as your questions, I limit how many can go to each drawer based on the number of activities in the drawer. For example, I may have all ten drawers filled with an activity. But I would not put a class set in each drawer. I would only place 2-3 sets of the activity in the drawer. For example, my site word bowling was in one drawer, but there were two sets in there. This limits how many can choose it because once those sets are pulled out to work on, then no one else can choose that activity. Anyone else who chose working on words would need to just choose a different working on words activity.

    I only limit how many can go to Read with Someone. I limit it at 6 kiddos. I do this by explaining that there are only 6 students allowed at this daily when I introduce it. Then when I check them in after that, I simply say "no one else can choose read to someone because there are six friends there now" once 6 students choose it. I have never had anyone get upset by this because they know they will have another opportunity to choose it later.

    I keep track with my check in sheet. I don't force anyone to go to a particular daily because we do all of the activities throughout the day eve without daily five. For example, we do word work during guided reading and mini lessons, we work on writing during writer's workshop, we listen to reading during our read aloud. We read to self daily for homework. You see we do them all already during the day so the needs are met. That's why I don't force any of them. They will get the practice daily even without daily 5. Doing the specific structure during reading groups just helps create an organized purposeful time of work for the students that are not at your guided reading group.

    I hope all of this helps. Let me know if you need anything else. :)

    Erica

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  18. Erica,
    Thank you for all of the hard work you are putting into these posts. I am really enjoying this series and it is showing me how D5 can really work in K and I'm picking up some great ideas about how to transfer some of this down to my preK classroom.
    Christine

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  19. What if your 'baraometer child" never lasts more than 2 minutes? We have full inclusion with no teaching assistant for special needs kiddos, so how do you let the others build stamina if one child never gets past 2 minutes?

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  20. Thank you very much for your post. with all the details you post I am ready to start my D5 this year.

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  21. Is there a part 6? I'd love to keep reading!! Love it so far! Can't wait to try it!

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  22. Can you post a picture of your choice board? I am having trouble deciding the best way to do it. Thanks for all of this helpful information!!

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  23. Thanks for this amazing series of posts. I've been researching how to implement the D5 in my room but no one else has broken it down like you did. I can't wait to start planning and implementing it!

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  24. Thanks for the tips! You have been really helpful.

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  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  26. Thank you for all the good information on the Daily 5. I was frustrated with the daily 5 last year. I started it in the middle of the year and really did not have a good experience. After reading your posts, I was inspired to try again. Thanks for the support.

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  27. I forgot to add, that I started a blog as well.

    I posted my first blog message today. :)

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  28. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with D5. I read the book last summer, but didn't feel comfortable implementing. Your posts were a nice review for me so I'm ready to implement this year! {I love the Dex book, as well.}

    Tales of a Teacherista

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  29. I also thank you for sharing all your D5 experiences. I have just about finished the book and want to implement D5 into my K classroom of 22 (so far) this fall. I am nervous to try, but all of your resources and shared experiences are so valuable to a K- teacher as myself who is fearful to start, but it looks so successful! I ordered the Dex book also and have always began the year with The Kissing Hand. I can't remember from your posts, but how long do you build the stamina up to in your K classroom? 15 minutes?

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  30. Thank you, thank you, thank you! All of the information you shared in your blog is incredibly helpful. I just mention to a colleague of mine I was not sure how to start D5 in my kindergarten classroom, but that I really want to implement D5 this year. Your insight on D5 will help me better implement it in my classroom. I will be sharing your blog with the other Kindergarten teachers at my school. I am excited to see how different the learning happens in my classroom once we get Daily 5 down and the students are in routine.
    Thanks again,

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  31. I love how you organize Working on Words. I was wondering if you introduce a new Word Work activity in a large group or a small group?

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  32. click for source It?s actually a nice and useful piece of information. click here for moreI?m glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. click here for more info Thanks for sharing. click for more

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  33. Hi Erica! I just stumbled upon your blog while by googling "work on writing daily 5 kindergarten" and I'm so happy I did! I attempted to launch Daily 5 last year (my first year in kindergarten), and was very impatient when some of my barometer children kept us from going past 2 minutes! However, I got the second edition book this year, and I am all ready to give it another shot! The one thing that I am having trouble with (as you can tell from my google search) is what work on writing is going to look like in kindergarten. The 2 sisters did a great job explaining how everything else is a little different for the early primary grades, especially kindergarten, but they didn't touch on it for work on writing. I don't know about you, but my kinders need 16 of me when they write! What does your Daily 5 work on writing look like?

    Thanks a million!
    Gina
    Miss Peluso's Kindergarten

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    1. Hi GIna! I am glad you're going to give it another try! For Working on Writing, my kiddos loved to do Sketch a Story, where I provide sand timers and a recording sheet from my website.

      http://www.teacherweb.com/TX/Copperfield/MrsCrowder/Sketch-a-Story.pdf

      We also enjoy Write the Room activities. At the start of the year we just use letter wands to search the room for the letter they're carrying, then we move into sight words and such.

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  34. Thank you for all your posts on Daily 5! I will be implementing this with my kinder class next year and am devouring all the tips I can find! When I click on part 4 of this series, I get a post dated after part 5. Is this just a glitch with my computer? Thanks again for your helpful words! :)

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  35. I love your blog! I have found "How to Start Daily 5 In your Kinder Classroom Parts 1-5" Can you direct me to find the rest of the parts? How many parts have you written? Thank you so much!

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  36. Personally I really love your blog, you can also try these kindergarten math games :)

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