Daily 5

We have finally finished setting up our reading block in our classroom! We are using a framework called The Daily 5, in which the kids are given choices for skills to work on. we will have 2 20-25 minutes sessions each afternoon, with mini-lessons before and between each session. During this workshop time, the kids will have a choice of 5 things to work on. They may Read to Self, Read to Someone, do Word Work, Work on Writing, or Listen to Reading. They get to pick what they will do, as long as they don't do the same thing twice (unless they want to read twice). The listening station that we have set up currently has 3 ipods, and since it's in such high demand in the class, we have a rotating schedule. When the kids read, they are reading from their own book boxes, where they have "good fit" books. These are books that are at their own reading level. They can read the words, understand the words, and they are interested in the content. This has become my, and the kids' favorite time of the day. It has taken a LONG time to get it up and going, because it takes a lot of training. The kids all must work independently so that I can pull small groups to work on specific skills. It has been worth the wait though, because it is going so well. If you have any questions about it, or would like to volunteer during this time, please let me know. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the classroom, even just to listen to kids read, or read with them. Don't forget to send in your child's head phones or ear buds if you don't want them sharing.