Daily 5 book study~chapter 4

This week has just flown by and I feel like I've not really done anything that I need to do.  Gotta get this house cleaned for that birthday party this weekend.  I've tried to do a little each day so maybe I'm not as behind as I think I am...uuummmm no!  still have tons to do.  Oh well it was a thought!!  I am excited about today though...Daily 5 day!  I love reading everyone's take on D5 in their rooms.  Here's my POV on it:

Daily 5 book study

Chapter 4

This chapter is all about getting started!  Jumping in with both feet and doing it with a skill students will be successful with.  We begin with Read to Self.  I’ll tell ya…the first time I read this book I thought that I wouldn’t need to do half the stuff they suggested because I was starting D5 in the middle of the year.  I thought to myself “my kids already do that or they can read for x number of minutes already.  Not gunna waste my time on that…” well I was wrong.  Don’t make the same mistakes I did.  The most important thing about D5 is that you follow it strictly as the sisters point out for you.

1^st:  discuss ways to read a book.  They don’t recommend making an I chart here but I make an anchor chart here with the 3 ways. 

2^nd:  MODEL, MODEL, MODEL and then MODEL some more.  It will pay off B-I-G!  especially with the other areas of D5. As tedious and time consuming as you might think this is, it is crucial to the success of this plan.  Also, do choose a challenging student to model the incorrect way.  It does give them purpose and they do prove that they can do it correctly.  You’ll need that as you start building stamina…trust me!!!

3^rd:  Practice.  Discuss the word stamina (they love the big word and WILL use it all the time).  Here’s another something I didn’t do that you need to do!!!!  You need to place the students around the room, for two reasons.  1) You are modeling how to choose a smart place to sit(not to closely together, not by your best friend, within view of the teacher) and 2) that they can sit in many different places and which places are ok with you for them to choose. Again I make an anchor chart that discusses good places to sit.  Also, when they are practicing you should be too.  You are to be at the reading table, staying away from them (ch.3).  No watching, no eye contact, no praise etc. You have to let them practice making decisions on their own and monitoring themselves.  SOOO HARD FOR ME!!!

4.  Check in.  this is such an important time because it allows for discussion about how the practice went and models self-reflection.  I take the time to teach this word to them because it is such an important word to me.  I use it throughout the year for just about everything, not just D5.  During check in you’ll need to reflect on how it went (using the thumb motions); check the I chart and make any adjustments, and have celebration shares.  This is huge because those kiddos that don’t share much.  They can “hear” that they are doing it right and make connections to other students that they might not normally do.  It’s also a time to discuss and handle any problems that might’ve occurred.  It also helps them to make goals for themselves during the next practice times.

The next day, Day 2 you do it all over again!!!  This time though you want to add more practice only one minute on my day 2 sessions, but then quickly increase my increments to 3 minutes, but only if they’ve been successful during the previous sessions. 

Easy, right?????  Well not so much for me.  But in my little ol’ opinion…you must do it exactly has the sisters have laid out.  Remember::: introduce, model, practice, reflect=success!!!

As I reflect on my D5 year(I’ve only done one) I must say that I know what I need to focus on to have a much more successful year.   My main focus points for myself are MODELING especially correct and incorrect, and using my check in time more effectively. 

My kiddos REALLY, REALLY loved D5 time. Like…  “When is D5 time…I’m ready to read…”  My question to you is this…Do you really only add 1 minute at a time to build stamina up to 30 minutes? 

Can’t wait looking forward to Chapter 5…Read to Someone.  See ya next Wednesday!!  Well, hopefully I’ll see you before then!!!  

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Rene'

"You just want somebody listening to what you say, it doesn't matter who they are"