Daily 5 Book Study Chapter 1

 

Let's get this party book study started!

The Daily 5:  Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser (the sisters) is really one of my favorite teaching books.  For a few years, I worked as the Literacy Intervention Specialist in my building.  That was before I begged (and I do mean begged) my way back into my favorite position (1st grade).  When I worked as the Literacy Intervention Specialist and whenever I mentor new teachers, I am frequently asked about my favorite teaching books for teaching reading.  When I give out the list of 7 or 8 books, this one is up there at the top.  You can tell by looking at the condition of my copy, with my post-it notes dangling from the edges, how much I love it.  Why does my copy have a spiral binding?  All of my favorite books do...and you can read about that here.

 

 Mel from Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations is hosting chapter 1 of our book study for first grade teachers.  Nicole from Teaching With Style is also hosting Chapter 1. I'm linking this post to their collections of chapter 1 posts.  Please head on over to visit.  I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Before I share my thoughts...here is the 30 second explanation I give to teachers who are brand new to Daily 5 and The CAFE and don't know a lot about either yet.  

These are just my words...

"The Daily 5 is what your students can do independently, while you meet with your reading groups.  The CAFE is a systematic approach to teaching reading strategies, doing assessment and conferencing with students."

Chapter 1 Thoughts

I've had the opportunity to attend two different presentations by "The Sisters" in the past couple years.  The first time, I was just gettin' started and not sure if the whole thing was for me.  By the second time, I was in the trouble shooting stage (which is when I celebrate all the things that are working and Kimberlyize the rest to make it work for my students).

 In the first chapter (figure 1-1) the authors talk about "How We Have Evolved".  For the most part, I like their ideas (except for where to keep the stapler). Quite honestly, I hate it when kids break my stapler.

My favorite thing about the Daily 5 is that it encourages student responsibility.  With more students in our classrooms, students with more complicated needs and less support at home (in most cases) it is important for students to learn responsibility in a way that empowers them to be good citizens within our classroom community.  Each time I read this book, I am impressed by the fact that "the sisters" spend "at least 20 days building community".  Wow!  I need to do a better job with that in my classroom.  More than ever, I think kids need to be taught how to take care of materials, to show respect for each other and to work hard.  The routines for starting up the Daily 5 help to introduce those skills and give kids an opportunity to practice them in the classroom each day.

The "sisters" based the Daily 5 on the research of some of my favorite researchers/authors.  One of those researchers that I have a huge amount of respect for is Richard Allington.  Allington is famous for encouraging teachers to give students more time to practice.  Sometimes we talk to much (for me that is a major understatement) as teachers.  Teaching kids the routines/habits to practice reading/writing/listening independently is one of the best parts of the Daily 5...which gives students more time to practice and me more time to work with small groups. 

All throughout the book study, I will be offering freebies as I link up with the other bloggers who are hosting chapters.  I'm hosting Chapter 7 here on my blog, so I hope you'll stop by for lots of freebies that week too.

Now, head over to visit Mel at Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations.   She is hosting the link up for Chapter 1 for first grade teachers.  Then stop by to see Nicole from Teaching With Style.  Nicole is hosting the chapter 1 link up for 2nd and 3rd grade teachers.

Off to walk to the library with my own kids.  Hooray for summer!