Week Three of Daily 5 Lovin' Every Minute

We are really on our way with the Daily 5 and CAFE routine.

We have introduced Read to Self, Work on Writing, and Word Work.

These firsties are amazing. They have built their stamina up to 17 minutes for Read to Self.

Wow! 

This leaves me a little time each day to set up my conferences for our Reading Groups. 

I got to two of my little ones yesterday. It was so exciting to sit and "talk" to them about reading instead of me telling them what they had to do and work on.

The two that I conferred with both need to work on Fluency. We decided that they both needed to work on adjusting their speed when they are reading. One is at a level H and the other is at a level C, but they are both going to work on the same strategy. I am just beyond excited about these Focus Groups!!! 

Can you tell? :)

I am struggling a little with Work on Writing part. We use Lucy Calkins (Units of Study). I love this program. I am just not sure how to fit it in with the Writing part of Daily 5. We have only been practicing it for a week. If you have any ideas and suggestions, please leave a comment.

We began with the introduction of Word Work materials on Monday. Yesterday we worked a little with them. Controlled disaster. Well, I need to model WAY more than I did on Monday if I expect them to use them correctly. I think I introduced too many materials at once. :)

Who uses Daily 5 and CAFE in their classroom? I would love to have some conversations.

Have a wonderful day!

"What day is it? HUMP DAY!!!"

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CAFE...Some thoughts

We have finished up reading CAFE and are writing a reflection paper on what we have learned throughout the course. I have so much to say. I am not sure I can keep it to the limited amount of pages that is required.

Here is the beginning of my paper:

When I decided to take this course, I thought I had known quite a bit about Daily 5/ CAFE. I was so wrong. I understood a teeny, tiny bit of Daily 5 and understood nothing about CAFE. I am now confident to implement both of these into my classroom this year. 

As I have gone through many phases of implementing Daily 5 into my classroom. Beginning with my first year of pretending that the centers that I had were part of Daily 5 to last year really working at implementing it to the best of my ability without guidance. I have grown as an educator, learning and understanding the different aspects of Daily 5 and CAFE. I admire Ms. Boushey and Ms. Mosher as they go through their adventure in finding what works for them. 

I will be sharing my journey with you in the next coming weeks. 

If you would like to add anything or be a guest blogger, I would LOVE it! 

Please email me. :)

I couldn't have gotten this far without help.

"Work smarter, not harder."

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Daily Five and CAFE...My Journey Continues

As some of you know I am taking a graduate course on Daily Five and CAFE. 

It has been the best thing for me this summer. It is a lot of work and thinking (which I don't do very well in the summertime) :). I am so excited to implement the entire thing next school year. 

Here is a little background of my Daily Five experience in my classroom. 

I bought the book, read it a little, and decided to implement it into my classroom. I can do this....it's not rocket science. Well, I did it, not very well, but I did it.

I tried to start with Read to Self and add in Read to Someone. Little did I know that you actually had to REALLY model and practice and practice and model and practice...you get it right?

Looking back on my first year, I definitely would have done it differently, but I know now that I wouldn't be at the point I am now. Hmmmm? 

I ended up being out of school for most of November, December and January for back surgery. My substitute did not continue my lackadaisical way of doing Daily Five...THANK GOODNESS!!! I came back mid-January and tried it again. It worked...kind of. :) At least I was learning from it. 

The next year I read the book (what a great idea!!!) and tried it again. It was better, but there were some things I felt were missing. I had implemented each part of the Daily Five, but what was missing. I didn't find out until I took my grad. course, read the book for the third time, and actually GET what it is all about what was missing. 

My biggest A HA moment happened when I really got into the chapters and really read the book. 

Here is my epiphany: (one of them) :)

You don't sit at the back Guided Reading table and have the kids work for 90 minutes.

REALLY????

That's what I was missing. That little (well, not so little) piece for Daily Five. 

Kids can't work for 90 minutes straight and make their own choices about when to switch. 

I cannot wait to go back this school year and REALLY do this well. 

I created a little product for my classroom to share with you. 

I am obsessed with owls and obviously Daily Five. So, I thought I would combine them. 

If you would like some other theme, I would love to make them for you. 

They're FREEEEEEEE!!! Head on over and download them. :)

If you click on any of the pics it will take you to download the FREEBIE!!!

I will be back tomorrow with more of my insights. 

Have a wonderful day!

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