The Daily Five is a way of structuring the literacy block so every student is independently engaged in meaningful literacy tasks. These research based tasks are ones that have been shown to have the greatest impact on student reading and writing achievement. The structure should also help foster a love for reading and writing. Students receive explicit whole group instruction and then are given independent practice time to read and write independently. During this time, I will be providing focused, intense instruction to individuals and small groups of students for specific goals I have made with each child.
The Daily Five is a process that takes time to get started. It takes several weeks to instruct the kids on the routines, to practice and to build the children’s stamina for the work. When the Daily Five is up and running smoothly, students will be engaged in the Daily Five, which are comprised of: • Read to Self • Work on Writing • Read to Someone • Listen to Reading • Word Work
There are very specific behavior expectations that go with each Daily 5 component. We have already started and will continue to spend our first weeks working intensely on building our reading and writing stamina, learning the behaviors of the Daily 5 and fostering our classroom community. I will also spend time learning about your child’s strengths and greatest needs as a reader in order to best plan for each student’s instruction
One thing you’ll notice that may be a change for you is a direct decrease in the number of worksheets your child brings home. While worksheets keep students busy, they don’t really result in the high level of learning I want for your child. Instead, your child will be taught to select “Good Fit Books” or books they can read, understand and are interested in, which they will read during the Daily 5. They will be spending most of their time actually reading and authentically writing, which research supports as the best ways to improve these skills. I anticipate the motivation and enjoyment of reading and writing will skyrocket when your child has the opportunity for extended practice and specific reading and writing instruction geared for each individual child.
As you can see, I am excited about giving your child the opportunity to be involved in a structure that will have a positive effect on their education, now and in their future. My goal is for your child to be a lifelong lover of reading and a willing and fluent writer. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the Daily Five and how it benefits your child.