In our Language Arts block we do "Daily 5." The kids love it! They are rather upset on the days we miss (Early Release, Special Programs, etc.). In "Daily 5" each student is independently choosing how they would like to practice reading/writing for that day (hence the name). Each student will choose from these 5 choices:
*Read to Self
*Read to Someone
*Listen to Reading
*Word Work
*Work on Writing
I have taken ideas from all over (just like any teacher…we “borrow” and “share”) so I will try my best to give credit when I can. “The Sisters” are of course the founders of “The Daily 5” program so if you want the direct link to the info you can go to their website (http://www.thedailycafe.com/ )

Students will work on reading strategies learned in Mini Lessons and Guided Reading (CAFE Strategies are taught...also found on "The Sisters' website). Students will read pretty much anywhere...on pillows, under desks, in corners but after building that stamina my 1st graders (regardless their "reading level") will be engaged and reading "good fit" books for 15-20 minutes and loving it!!

Twp students, as you see, will be reading together. One student would be reading while the other student would be listening and ready to check for understanding (before, during, and after reading) by questioning their partner (using spinners, question cubes, bookmarks with generic questions etc.). I usually partner up students making sure everyone has a chance to have a variety of partners throughout the year (not always the same partner). They will read books from their bins or book bags when it is their turn to read so the books will be “good fit” books for them (on their level)…meaning their partner does not necessarily have to be on the same reading level as them which will “open doors” to more learning!

Students will listen to books on tape, utilize the computer (games, books on the computer as well, other sites visited during computer lab for reading/writing), and leap pads. Most students will be using the books on tape or CDs because the reason behind this choice is for them to hear a fluent reader and work on comprehension after if time permits. I may ask parents for help with this choice as well…you may be asked to be a special guest reader on tape because unfortunately there are not many books on tape around anymore and they are the most durable. So thank you in advance!

Students will be working with their Spelling words (we use “Words Their Way”) as well as sight words. They will have lots of changing activities throughout the year to choose from such as; rainbow writing, play-doh, magnetic letters, stamps, sight word games, etc. I will try to attach some of the sheets we are using as the year goes on so you can use them at home for Spelling/sight word practice too!

Students will be working on any type of writing as they want. They can again go anywhere in this choice and they love to! They may be writing on a table (like our letter writing table, writer’s workshop table, or science table), on top of a pillow, or again under a desk. They can write imaginary stories, lists, letters, non-fiction, work on stories from writer’s workshop (our separate writing time when we focus on the writing process together as a class and I conference with them…during another time of the day)…as long as they are writing!