The Daily Five: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades / Edition 1

Yes...Independence is possible!

This book is about teaching students independence in the classroom. I didn't believe it could happen at first, but after trying just one component in the book (there are five), I am a true believer and can't wait to do the whole program next year (and, after seeing how quiet my kids were reading, several more teachers are doing it next year as well). The book explains in detail, using step-by-step instructions, how to build the 'stamina' kiddos need to work independently. It starts with 1 minute of work and works up to 30/45 minutes. The components will fit into any literacy program 'reading, writing, working with words, guided reading, etc'. Try it...you'll be glad you did.

11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

The practicality of the Daily Five by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser

The Daily Five is a handbook on how to organize and implement teaching strategies for reading and writing. The authors borrow techniques from various sources like, Fountas and Pinnell, GUIDING READERS AND WRITERS; Stephanie Harvey, STRATEGIES THAT WORK; and Donald Graves, ALL CHILDREN CAN WRITE. While there is nothing new in this book, it does help both novel and experienced teachers because it contain explicit details about reading performance and gives creative methods to incorporate reading throughout the school day.

It is important to note how, and why the authors explain each part of the daily five which are; read to yourself, read to someone, listen to a reading, write (about something) and do word work (spelling, defining, prefix, suffix, root and base words) The authors claim, and I agree that incorporating these five practices everyday will promote more reading, and writing that will increase reading and writing proficiency.

Another important factor the authors emphasize is room management. Again what they profess is not original, Haim Ginott, William Glasser M.D. and Fred B Chernow & Carol Chernow all address room management and classroom discipline. Boushey and Moser state that having students involved in different aspects of the same subject keeps the students busy and on task. And from my experience having students involved in short mini lessons does keep students on task.

While many of us teachers who have been around the block a few times and have heard something new is coming our way, we yawn and say, "Okay, let's see it." And what we get is an old method of teaching in a new package. I could say the same thing about the Daily Five. Many of us teacher's who have been teaching have used the daily five in some way, shape or form at some time or another. However, that being said, the Daily Five helps in the organizational process. And even those like me who has a routine down, can gain from using the Daily Five method of teaching.
The Daily Five book is especially valuable because it is a practical, and easy to implemented book. I would recommend this book to any elementary teacher. And I would suggest after familiarizing you with the essentials of the book, use it as a manual, and keep it on hand as a guide. It really does make the teaching day go smoothly
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Inspiring

I ordered this book after a recommendation from another teacher. It is fantastic! I read it right away and was so interested that I couldn't put it down! This book explains the foundations of the Daily 5 and gives steps for successfully implementing the routine. It even includes sample scripts for initiating the Daily 5 routine. This is a great book for those interested in establishing the Daily 5 in their literacy block.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Be Cautious

Before jumping on the Daily 5 band wagon, be informed that this is a framework -- not a complete language/reading program. It is a form of "readers workshop' using a more comprehensive student training.
It does not provide teaching materials or lesson plans for direct instruction. This framework can support other reading programs and can easily be adapted to programs in place, but does not provide adequate resources to be a stand alone program. It is very student directed.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

New approach

This book has a new approach to organizing reading instruction. I always like organized ways of planning my lessons. I'm planning to apply this to my 6th graders.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

What every teacher dreams of....

The Daily Five is a practical, common sense approach to literacy teaching. It gives teachers a guideline to use in assisting him/her in helping students become independent learners. The use of metacognitive strategies to build routine, strategy use, and stamina will stay with those students forever. This is a wonderful book for new teachers and teachers who wish to change their practice. One can take this book into their classroom today and start implementing The Daily Five!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Getting Students to Love Reading at It's Best!

I started implementing the Daily Five two years ago in my fourth grade class. I have never seen my students so into reading, so motivated, and wanting to read all the time! The "program" is easy to implement and can be used for any grade level, which is nice!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I prefer Sugar's "The Silent Crisis Destroying America's Brightest Minds"

Sugar's 'The Silent Crisis Destroying America's Brightest Minds" is a book that is all about educational reality, the facts on the ground, not vacuous educational theories.

Sugar pioneered the SMARTGRADES school notebooks that contain the new learning technology that empowers students for academic success. She transformed my kids into Grade A students.

1 out of 21 people found this review helpful.

Just take a break!

Alphabet Meditation for Teachers
By Nancy Oelklaus, Ed

Alphabet Meditation for Teachers is an inspiring book of poetic meditations that bring a calming peace to the soul - one for each letter of the alphabet. In this book, Dr. Oelklaus takes each letter and assigns a meaningful word to it. While a teacher might teach "B is for Ball" and "C is for Cat", this book meditates on "B is for Bells" and "C is for Change." In "B is for Bell" the mediation is on the delays caused by bells. Bells, that interrupt thoughts, bells that bring an abrubt end to a day. The meditation ends with the pondering of a solutions to the "BELL".

I especially liked "Q is for Quiet." Oftentimes, as teachers (whether it be in an academic arena, Sunday School, or summer day camp) we get so wrapped up in our days and our agendas that we forget that the little persons that we work with each day have a life outside of our view. Some live in a posh loving home. Most live in a home full of "Hellish voices" -as suggested by the author. We must remember not to add to the "noise" that is already in their hearts, their minds-their souls. But instead, we should be bring a calmness to their spirit as we seek obedience to the rules on the wall. We must seek obedience without destroying or crushing their small spirits. Some never get a kind word at home-Let my classroom be one of peace, understanding and communication.

The meditations in this book are awesomely centering. It reminds of the big picture -the little faces that stare back at us awaiting a word of, not only instruction, but of love and caring compassion.

This would be an excellent teacher for a new teacher or one that has walked the halls for many years. I would use this book as a meditation as I take a short break and sip a cup of tea..or during quiet time as children sit in their seats to begin their morning journaling. Ahh! Peace. Stillness..Mediations for Teachers!

1 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

The Daily Five

This book offers help to classroom teachers, reading specialists, and administrators who are looking for "real reading" activities. The book is easy to read and is an excellent guide for classroom procedures. I would also recommend watching the DVD on this topic.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Recommend "The Daily 5" for Elementary Teachers

This book is excellent for teachers k-5. I have always struggled with centers, and this book provides a great alternative. The students can't wait until it's time for the Daily 5!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Extremely useful book

We use this all the time in the classroom. A wonderful book!

Five stars for the Daily Five#d5 - its a framwork for success

I have tried readers workshop, centers and more. What excited me about the Daily 5 is the language and the explanation for how to build the independence.

With the common core coming and the emphasis on text complexity, teaching students how to choose a food fit book will be key. I appreaciated the examples and the firsf 5 week lesson plan outline.

Up next... the Cafe Book. The complementary book to this series that better explains the curruiculm.

Good ideas

I've now read two of the books writen by these wonderful teachers. I highly recomend this one. As well as their cafe book that show a more in depth look at their classroom managment system and how they work and plan for the need of each child in their classroom.

Daily five

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0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

great book

Easy book to read with good ideas.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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