The Daily 5, the final chapter

Putting It All Together and Troubleshooting

I again find myself at the end of an online book study.

My take away points (a.k.a. what I want to remember) from the final chapter...
1. Do all 5 dailys in unison for 12 to 20 minutes before handing the choice of order over to the students. I did not wait to teach all dailys last year before giving the choice. How did I miss that the first time I read the book? Great relief to read that now. It may be into October before the students are released to have choice over the order of their dailys, and that will be fine.
2. Choice = expectations + skills + trust + responsibility
3. When ready to introduce "choice" to the students, do it in a focus lesson.
4. Getting attention: Above, Pause, Whisper. Try to avoid using my voice for gaining attention, use it for instruction.
5. Gaining trust and meeting basic human needs are prerequisites for D5.
6. Just get started. I can't make adjustments unless I am moving forward.


Launch order: Read to Self, Work on Writing, Read to Someone, Word Work, Listen to reading. I am really glad that listen to reading is the last, because I hope that I have my Donors Choose iPods by then, and have them loaded with books.

This book study was a great way for me to grow my knowledge this summer, by reading and writing about what I read, and by reading what others have read. Thanks to all of you who have joined in this book study, and thanks to Mel D. at Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations for organizing the whole deal.


Kimberly at Funky First Grade Fun and Corinna at Surfin' Through Second are hosting this chapter. Go check them out. They have great ideas and insights.