The Daily 5 is the way we structure our language arts block. It is a way for students to build stamina in independent reading and writing. It is composed of 5 different areas as well as "teacher time". Students are rotated between 3 different areas each day including teacher time during language arts.
Read to Self
This is the first and most important aspect of D5. Students build stamina in independent reading. They learn to choose good books that are "just right". They also get to sit around the room in a cozy place. All of our students are working to build their reading stamina to 20 minutes.
Word Work
During this time students practice spelling words. This can range from practicing their sight words and spelling words to practicing nouns, verbs and adjectives. We use fun manipulatives such as markers and colored pencils, to play dough, stamps and key boards.
Work on Writing
During work on writing students are given an idea to expand upon in their writing or practice writing the current genre we are working on in class.
Listen to Reading
During this time students are able to listen to stories on the computer and write about it.
Read to Someone
When our stamina is built in all the other areas, students will be able to read to someone. Students help one another by buddy reading back and forth and asking one another comprehension questions.
Teacher Time
While students are working independently, small groups of students are pulled for reading with the teacher.