6/13/12

The Daily Five - Chapter One!

I read chapter one! YAY!

It took me a while because I'm taking a grad course in Educational Tech (which requires way too much homework time). Nevertheless, I'm going to give you my short and sweet response to the chapter. I want to come at this book from a different angle sort of. My experiences have been very different from the amazing veteran teachers who are linking up to this books study, and here's why: 

I haven't taught a kindergarten class yet!

I know! I am so excited that I get to teach this next school year!! This book is really helping me see what I need to start doing from the beginning instead of hanging on by a thread, hoping that I'm teaching my sweet littles how to read.


 
1. How do I teach new behaviors?
That is the question, isn't it? I've heard it's best to model and model and model some more. The book actually says that it's the best way to go about it. Kindergarteners need consistency, so I plan on spending a great deal of time from the beginning working on how to behave in school. I hope that I can achieve that third column on the behavior instruction area.
 
2. How do I teach expectations?
 The beginning of the year should be dedicated to setting up expectations, and the authors claim that starting the Daily 5 right from the beginning is helpful. I feel that kindergarten can be flexible in that area because they're just starting school. I feel that the teacher really needs to make sure that the students KNOW what the expectations are, and the teacher needs to make sure that the expectations are HIGH!
 
3. How do I monitor student behavior? whole group? small groups? individual?
When I did my student teaching in kindergarten, I noticed that I was doing the "daily frantic dance" that the authors mentioned. I had to give pencils, check each student's centers work, and make sure that nobody was crying throughout centers time. What I really wanted to do was work with my small group intensely. I feel that all three of those are required for an effective classroom, though. There's a time and a place for all!
4. What do I do when a student is not exhibiting desired behavior?
Wow. When I read this part I was really struck by it. In most of my elementary classes I've observed, I saw the card-pull system. I thought it was helpful and effective, but really it's a negative system. I want to implement the clip chart system in my first classroom. It's great for positive reinforcement. I like how the authors use recess time as a time for them to practice the behavior over and over instead of just standing against a wall perfectly still! (Which is what was done at my student teaching placement.)

5. Whose classroom is it?
I would like to think it will be my students' classroom. In my first year, that may be difficult to set up, but I feel that I can do so with the help of veteran teachers. :) I thought that classroom jobs were the norm and the best way, but the authors once again challenged my belief on that subject! It may still be helpful for kindergarten to have assigned roles for the students to give them a sense of responsibility. What do you think about this??
6. Locus of control?
In my experience, candy and treasure boxes are the way to motivate. It's hard to break that mentality of using those tools. I hope that I can try to get my littles to become intrinsically motivated. My only question about that is: How can I do that? I know that it's the best way to have students hold each other accountable, so I want to make sure I do that! 

7. Where are supplies stored?
Should kinders be allowed to actually use staplers? When I was in kindergarten years ago, one little boy decided to staple his thumb. It was a nightmare! I think that some supplies should definitely be available in a common area, but others may be too dangerous for 5-6 year olds. It's all about understanding the level of maturity of your students, I think.



You can join the fun and read along with us! Just read chapters one and two to get caught up! You will be blown away. It's looking like such a great book from what I've already read.

QOTD: How you do try to get your students to be intrinsically motivated?



21 comments:

  1. Daily 5 is a great book. Kids are reading and writing instead of doing stuff about reading and writing. Enjoy the rest. I'm sure you'll love it!

    www.foreverin1st.blogspot.com

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    1. Tammy, I definitely will try to enjoy it. Do you use it in your classroom now? I can't wait to see how I can implement these ideas!!

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    2. I do use it, although like most things I do in my classroom, I had to modify it to fit my schedule. I've been doing it for about 6 years now. It replaced centers. I love it.

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  2. I am so excited!! I think I am going to go and grab this book and read it along with you!! Where do we link up? I posted on your facebook page too!

    ~Kim
    kim@puppiesandpapercrafts.com

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    1. Kim, If you click the picture of the Chapter One Introduction, it will take you to the linky party of all the bloggers who have linked up! I'm SO glad you're a follower! You're too sweet and I appreciate all your comments. :)

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  3. I love this book. I read it a few years ago and I am having a great time rereading it right now!!
    Robynn
    BusyBees

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    1. Are you doing the book study along with us? It's starting off really interesting, and this is the first time I've read it. Thank you for your sweet and thoughtful comment!

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  4. Sarah - I definitely think the clip charts you see today are WAY better than the card pulling system (which I used when I first started teaching).... it is so negative and once a kid messes up (which they will) there is no motivation to correct the behavior. I hat admitting I used to use one of those.... I love using a clip chart where they kids move up or down (I use way more for positive reinforcement than negative)... I think little ones in particular need that visual of how they are doing.

    And as far as supplies - I agree not letting them use the stapler....at least at the beginning..... but I do buy stapleless staplers and they work for the kids....

    I am now following you!
    jeannie
    Kindergarten Lifestyle

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    1. Jeannie - I think every teacher used the card pulling system when I was in school, so don't feel bad! I agree with you on the visual cue of how they're doing! That's the best way for them to know when to make adjustments.

      I didn't know there was such a thing as stapleless staplers! Who'da thought! Do they have them in any office supply store?

      Thank you for following me! I already follow you, too :) You left such a wonderful, thoughtful comment, and I really appreciate it!! Thank you!

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  5. Hi Sarah! Welcome to kindergarten! When I first graduated all I wanted to teach was 3rd or 4th grade - the only opening at the time was a K position...I was hesitant at first to say the least! But 11 years later I am totally in love with teaching kindergarten! It's both challenging and rewarding.
    I have not used D5~this is an incredible book study and am excited to hear all the excitement and begin working with my kinders in the fall.
    I give my kinders staplers from the get go. I model appropriate and inappropriate usage - I find that showing I trust them to use material like staplers, gives them the sense of responsibility and allows them some creativity in their work. One thing little ones don't want to do is disappoint. In my 11 years I've never had any issues ~ except keeping the staplers full : )
    ❤Tanya
    Ms. Solano's Kindergarten
    PS: I love your blog and am your newest follower!

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    1. Hey Tanya! Thanks for the amazing comment and the follow! You're so sweet! I felt the same way as I was interviewing as well. I wanted 4th grade a lot, but I think that k will be a good fit for me in my first year. Are you reading the D5 book now? You make such a good point about the staplers. Young children thrive when they receive trust from an adult. I just hope nobody decides to staple their hands!! I'll have to take your word (since you've done it for 11 years!) and try to model and guide them.

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  6. Sarah- One of the joys of working with kinders and firsties is that seem to be naturally motivated! I have found that reader's logs, sticker charts for reading and sight word achievement, and my Book-In-A-Bag program that I use for reading at home really motivates my students. Most of the students I work with are struggling readers. When I explain that one way to read a book is reading the pictures, they get so relieved, and are motivated to read, discuss, and respond!
    Lauren
    Teacher Mom of 3

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    1. What is the Book-in-a-Bag program? That sounds interesting and helpful! I think that it's wonderful that you are really going the extra mile to help your struggling readers. I'll have to use that strategy of telling kids that reading pictures can be a form of reading as well! Thank you for your sweet and thoughtful comment!

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  7. I use a clip chart that starts in the middle of the chart. Kids go up when they make good choices or down for bad choices. What I really like about it is that students can go up after making a bad choice so they get to redeem themselves. :)If you don't know who Christina Bainbridge is, google her. Check out her class website and then check out the store she and some of her coleagues have call Teaching Oasis. They have some great ideas!

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    1. That's exactly what I want to do for my class, too! I'm glad to know that a fellow kinder teacher does that effectively in the real-world :) I follow Christina's blog and LOVE the Teaching Oasis' ideas! Thank you for your wonderful comment!

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  8. Stumbled upon your super cute blog and joined! Looks like I need to go out and get this book! Everyone doing the Daily 5 seem to love it! That is on my list of things to do this summer!

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    1. Thank you so much for following, Kelly! I love your blog as well! The Daily 5 book is definitely popular right now. There are two book studies on it going on, but this one is specifically for kindergarten teachers. :)

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  9. I am your newest follower! Thanks for linking up! I can't wait to see the rest of your posts!
    Live Love Laugh Everyday In Kindergarten

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    1. Thank you for following me, Tammy! I big puffy heart LOVE your blog. :) Also, thanks for hosting this book study. It's going to be great!

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  10. Thank you for following! I'm so glad you enjoy my blog! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment on my post. :)

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  11. Hi Sarah! My district does Balanced Literacy and I bring in parts of the Daily 5. I am VERY curious to know what do they say about the classroom jobs?

    I don't use a card or a clip system. I use Conscious Discipline in my classroom which is the most amazing thing I have learned in my 12 years as a teacher. I love it because behavior is not "managed". We build a School Family where the kiddos learn to be problem solvers who support, respect and help each other.

    Each kiddo has a School Family job. Most of our jobs are very different than the typical jobs in most classrooms. Our School Family jobs help to encourage and support the people in our family. For example, one of the jobs is the Cheerleader. The Cheerleader gets a celebration horn at the beginning of the week. When she sees a friend do a kind or helpful act she celebrate that child by blowing the horn and saying "I am going to celebrate you Sarah for tying Heather's shoe. That was being helpful." The child that was being celebrated answers, "Thank you for noticing that." It is so sweet! =)

    I would love for you to read more about it! I also just shared TONS of *freebies* that you can use with your Kinder kiddos. =)


    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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