Daily 5 {Second Edition} FREEBIE and Book Study Ch 3-4

Ok, so this week we are looking at Chapters 3 and 4.  They are both all about Independence.  Chapter 3 was a large chunk of information, so let's get started!

Chapter 3 is about the 10 steps to teaching and learning independence.  I LOVE the idea of my kids being independent learners.  We all know that kids learn differently: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic…but the book points out that memory stored in the kinesthetic system lasts the longest.  SO it is important to have kids act out the ways in which we move around the room, or where to sit, or how to be readers.  (I also like acting out the WRONG ways, too!)  The model for Read To Self is still, "Correct/Incorrect/Correct Model Interaction" (except for beginning of the year Kinder)

The 10 steps are:

Get your copy of the above 10 Steps chart and the I-Chart below{here}

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My favorite is Step 2...you should set a purpose and a sense of urgency.  

WHY are we learning this and why is it important?    

With the I-Chart, it emphasizes the idea that with young learners, you may not add all the desired behaviors the first day, you might add two a day.  Again, it is flexible and should meet the needs of your students.  I LOVE that you focus on positive statements…not the negative behaviors that you don't want.  For the I-Chart, you list what good readers DO…not what they DON'T do.  I created this little I-Chart for your kids to record the things your class will place on the class chart.

Get your FREEBIE {here}

It's also important to note Step 8 where we STAY OUT OF THE WAY in the beginning!  Their on-task behavior cannot be anchored to us and our presence…we cannot go around giving them reinforcement and stimulus when ultimately we want them to be able to do it later independently.  

 Chapter 4 is all about what you need to get started.  The book recommends quiet chimes, I use a music box…there are a lot of possibilities that can be used to create the quiet signal.  The book discusses research that supports the "above, pause, whisper" approach to getting kids recognize transitions.  The meeting area (or "gathering place") should be large enough for all your kids to sit on the floor.  Research shows that classrooms with large libraries have more successful readers (well, duh! right?)  Here are some snapshots of my gathering place and libraries (I have several)

and book bins are encouraged in the Daily 5 book, or book bags or boxes…whatever works for you!  Here is what I use:

 Book Bins from Really Good Stuff =)  In this picture, they are filled with books at the end of the year when my kids are reading a lot!

The book suggests 8-10 good fit books in book bins.  Comfort is key for Read To Self…stamina will be built most successfully when we (they) are comfortable.  

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According to the book, it is important to display charts of collected class learning throughout the year, not throwing them away or taking them down after a week…which I have been guilty of in the past!!  Overall, I enjoyed the two chapters and it reinforced the things I know are important.

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