The latest book by “the 2 sisters” is the second edition of the Daily 5. I have to admit that I am not a complete and faithful Daily 5 Believer. I like a lot of things about it and there are a lot of things I took and adapted to fit my classroom over the years since reading the first book. I can say that the 2nd edition is better so far because it seems to allow a lot more flexibility (which I am all about).
Chapter one is an introduction and explores the ways that the 2nd edition differs from the first book. They stress that the 2nd edition makes the program more accessible. They no longer do all five rounds of Daily 5 each day. That’s HUGE for me! I have never fit in all the rounds in one day. I also like the idea of being flexible with time, so maybe I could do some rounds in the morning and then do some parts later in the day. During my reading block, my kids have a lot of choice (still important with Daily 5) but they stay in the same station the entire time. I know, I am a rebel. I have three sessions at my table and the kids are in their station for two of those rounds (and 1 is with me).
It works for me. It works for my kids (with a lot of modeling at the beginning of the year).
Although, after reading this book, I may try something new and give Daily 5 a second chance….with more of their structure. As I have said, I do the components of the original Daily 5, but in my way. I may give more of their way a shot. =)
Chapter 2 I loved because it emphasizes Brain Breaks and since finding Go Noodle, I have become a firm believer in brain breaks. Yes, I have used them in some capacity over the years, but Go Noodle has definitely brought new life to them! I also found the research they cited about the length of lessons interesting, I have heard it before, but we hear so many things, right? The idea being that the length of the lesson in minutes should be around the same as the average age of your students. I teach 6 year olds, so my lessons should be around 6 minutes. Wow. I need to do a better job with mini-lessons….end of discussion. Less basal and more student engagement and practice. It’s disturbing how many ways we can all become better teachers…it is exhausting to think about it. (which is probably why most of us don’t and we just continue with status quo). I am trying though to be open to trying new things, even when the old things work =)
PLUS…
I wouldn’t be me, without a freebie…so I created a some fun brain breaks for those transitions between rounds of Daily 5. You can get yours {here} on TpT!
Join in the fun!!
And in case you haven’t gotten your book, yet…there’s still time!!!
Are you kidding? You are so generous AND smart. Thanks for sharing your brain breaks with us.
Marsha
A Differentiated Kindergarten
Thank you so much for sharing the brain breaks! Love!
Love your brain breaks and I also use GONoodle.com on my smart board for brain breaks! = )
Thanks for the freebie and post. I am just finishing my first year in kindergarten. I taught five years prior in middle school so I have a TON to learn. I purchased this book on Amazon tonight. I was wondering how many students you have in your classroom. How many students are in your groups? It is nice that you are able to see all of them in small group every single day. In NYS, we are following the CC and in my district we are using the modules for our curriculum. They are free on engageny, BUT are definitely way longer than 6 minutes. Each lesson is at least an entire hour.
I usually have about 17 students. Each of my 5 stations has about 3 students, and then I am pulling one from each group at a time, so there really (usually) are only 2 students at the station (because 1 is with me). Hope that makes sense =) As for lessons, our whole group basal lesson is supposed to be 45-60 minutes before we break off into small groups…I am considering condensing the material into what is most important and creating mini-lessons for those things, with brain breaks and practice in between the lessons. It's still a work in progress!
Thanks for the freebie!
Linda
Thank you for the brain breaks!!
I am a huge believer in Daily 5. I am already in the process of reading the 2nd edition and I agree with you that the updates are fabulous! I have always only done 3 rounds a day. It's all the time I have in my schedule. All of our K-2 teachers use this format, so by the time they get to us in 1st grade, they are familiar with their choices. I do let the kids choose their activity each round, but they earned that right with a lot of practice! I am THRILLED about the brain breaks you have shared! I am also a Go Noodle fan, but these will be a quick and easy transition. I'm excited to follow along with your book study this summer!
We also use Go Noodle, however sometimes I wish I had something a little quicker/shorter. So you have granted my wish with your super cute brain breaks. Thanks so much! I will have to get a copy of the 2nd addition of Daily 5 and follow along. I, like you, use many of the elements, but I am a control freak and have a difficult time letting my kinders choose what they want to do. Sounds like I should take a fresh look at this approach. Thanks for sharing.
~Laura
Luv My Kinders
Thank you so much for sharing brain breaks. Love it~
I really enjoyed reading your overview of the first chapters! I am going to purchase this 2nd addition! Love your brain breaks cards!!! Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us! xo
Rebecca
Teaching First
Thank you so much for sharing your brain break cards. I started using go noodle at the end of the school year and am looking forward to adding your cards into my day as well!
I thought the research regarding age and attention span was very interesting. I thought six minutes was insane, I need 15. But, it does say direct instruction. I don't stand up and give a sermon for 15 minutes. We turn and talk, write on our anchor chart etc. All of these things break up the direct instruction. So I think I'm okay. You probably are too! 🙂
KaSandra
MemoriesMadeinFirst