Chapter 5 The Daily 5 READ TO SOMEONE and LISTEN TO READING

READ TO SOMEONE
I have to say that as I continue reading this book and this new way of teaching for me, I am SOOOOOO excited!!! Here I am, going into my 18th year of teaching kindergarten and learning new ways to teach! Woo hoo!

I love teaching kids the right way to sit when they read. EEKK (elbows to elbows, knees to knees) is such a fun way to teach this concept - why didn't I think of this before? Mary from Sharing Kindergarten gave some fun ideas for making this type of reading fun which I am DEFINITELY going to implement. She said that she tells her students that as long as they are EEKK, they can be lying on their tummies, backs, or whatever way makes them feel comfortable. I like this; as long as they are quiet and engaged, what difference does it make what part of their body is touching the floor?

When reading to someone, it is suggested that one partner have a "check mark" to use when it is time to Check for Understanding. I like this idea because it gives the child who is not reading a job and a job keeps a child focused. So I guess I will be creating some kind of cute check mark and a cute container in which to store them!

A very interesting quote in the book is this: "Michael Grinder has helped us understand that the loudest voice in the room is the one that regulates the noise level." You know who that is, right? It is us - the teachers! That quote hit me like a firecracker! Here I am sitting at the reading table teaching a small group, using my normal voice, and expecting the rest of the class to use a voice quieter than mine??? One thing I often say is "Remember.....if I can hear your voice, you are talking too loud." Well, if my students can hear MY voice and they are NOT in my guided reading group, am I talking too loud? Of course and I plan to change this when school starts!

Once again, the book tells us to model, model, model - both incorrect and correct behavior. Our students are so little and we expect so much from them. They are certainly up to our expectations, but if we do not model those expectations, then many are destined to fail. The Sisters write that they take 20 days to teach expected behaviors. For kindergarten, I think it might take more than 20 days, but as long as they are learning and improving, I am not concerned if I get the routine going within those 20 days!

"Do you need coaching or time?" When students are reading to someone, they are taught to ask this question. I remember many days during our guided reading sessions when a child would be trying to figure out a word and someone else would say the word before they had a chance to say it. Teaching kids to ask this question first is an awesome way to give those kids who want to figure out a word more time as well as give a child a way out if they just cannot do it. The Sisters have a great strategy for kids to use when they are asked to coach;
1.  Ask: What strategy have you used?
2.  Go back and reread.
3. Skip the word and go back. 
4.  Chunk sounds together.
5.  What word could fit here?
6.  Look at the pictures - the word is right here.
7.  I am going to sound this word out with you.
8.  I am going to tell you the word.

Do you see where "I am going to tell you the word" is located? It is at the very end! This is such a nice way to give struggling students some time and the higher level student a chance to "be the teacher." Great idea!! Another WOO HOO!

LISTEN TO READING



 I think this will one of the favorite parts of Daily 5 for my kinders. I have an older Mac laptop and an eMac in my classroom that I think I will use for stories. I also have a TON of storybooks and cassettes. Unfortunately once my cassette player gives out, that might be the end of my cassette stash! I am still debating how to use headphones!

Here is a picture of Martha's chart. Click on the picture to take you to her TPT store for the free download! Thank you Marsha!

Marsha also shared this link. I actually have used this before and it is pretty good. It is called Storyline online. Click the link and it will take you there. Then go to Marsha's blog where she has more ideas for gathering stories that children can listen to! She also has a great anchor chart with expectations for behavior during this part of the Daily 5. The nice thing about this part of the Daily 5 is the ability to differentiate. We will have to talk a lot about how to listen and follow along with the words. Marsha asked the question about reading response sheets. I DO plan to use these. I think it gives students a chance to show what they liked about the book as well as what they learned.


I am SO EXCITED!