Last year after Christmas my classroom began using The Daily 5 by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser "the sisters". This has been one of the best things in my classroom! The best part about this is student's get to choose what they do during reading class when they're not in small group reading with me. Students can choose to read to themself, read to others, work on writing, work with words, or listen to reading. I'm going to break down each component in my classroom:

1. Read to self- During this time students have been practicing choosing books using the acronym "I Pick"
I choose a book. This is student choice! Student's choose books based upon interest
Purpose- Why do I want to read it?
Interest- Does it interest me?
Comprehend- Am I understanding what I read?
Know- Do I know most of the words?

Students choose a spot on the classroom floor and read to themselves. We have worked since the beginning of the year on stamina (how long can they sit and read without being distracted). It's taken a lot of practice, but once they can do it they will reap the benefits from all of the practice that they are receiving while reaidng to themselves.

2. Read to Someone- This is my student's favorite because they can read to their friends! I know what you're thinking, how is my child or how do your student's focus on a book if they're with their friends? It's easy! My secret is a student response sheet that they HAVE to fill out when they're finished.

3. Listening- This year my school has purchased Raz- Kids from A-Z Learning! I L-O-V-E it! Students can read books that I assign to them based upon their Lexile Reading Level! The stories include fiction, nonficition, biographies, poems, and it gives them a test at the end of the story. Once again, student's are being held accountable!

4. Writing- This is one of my hardest Daily 5 rotations, because I'm having problems with student's writing. I can't wait until after Fall Break, because we're fixing to get busy with writing. I have a cute journal jar set up for them with writing, but I know the only reason they go to the station is because they HAVE too! This will change! As soon as Fall Break's over! We're going to become writers, that's my goal!

5. Word Work- This is my student's MOST FAVORITE (yes I'm putting that on here, because it's something that they say) thing to do in Daily 5. Student's use their vocabulary and spelling words to complete word work activities. These activities include using shaving cream to spell out spelling words, using the boggle board to create new words, or even giving each other spelling tests.

When students check out books to read they have to check out 3 Non-Fiction, and 2 Fiction books. This way throughout the year we're focusing on informational text and not simple fiction books.

Do you use Daily 5 in your classroom? If so, I'd love to hear how you use it!