The Brown Bag Teacher

Teach the Children. Love the Children. Change the World.

The Daily 5: What Do I Need to Begin, Chapter 4

Hello friends! Today is a simple post with the nuts-and-bolts of Daily 5 – What do I need to get started? I’ve shared some of my favorite materials for Daily 5, and then, at the end of the post, you can enter for a chance to snag these things for yourself. With that said, know that the bare bones of The Daily 5 is BOOKS…and a lot of of them. If you want kids to love reading and spend time reading, you’ve got to have books from which they can choose.

If you’ve missed any of the chapters, no worries! You can catch-up using the links below, and then come back to this post. 🙂
As you saw, in Chapter 3, I-Charts are an important part of introducing students to each part of the Daily 5 and setting clear expectations. You’ll need chart paper (so the anchor chart can be a visible reminder year-round) and markers. My preferred Anchor Chart markers are the chiseled Mr. Sketch ones. 🙂
As seen in Chapter 2, one of the core beliefs of The Daily 5 is that students need to spend most of their time actually reading. So, they need access to lots of books. I keep a leveled library, as well as, a classroom display shelf that holds themed-books. My library bins are from Lowes and I snagged them for $1.27 a piece (they’re now $1.38). I like these better than the Dollar Tree bins because they are deeper and completely clear. 
As I mentioned before you must have books…and a lot of them. From Scholastic, Scholastic Warehouse, Amazon, and Donors Choose, you must have books. And honestly, a lot of them. In Primary, friends need to keep 5-7 books in their book bins, and then still need other choices! This is a picture of one of my many book-leveling sessions. In 1st grade especially, I do level my books (using the Scholastic Book Wizard). Having leveled books provides a scaffold for my friends and keeps us from wasting our time during Read to Self.

At the beginning of the year, I did not have nearly enough A, B, and C books (see the picture of my ABC bins above and how empty they are), so I pulled heavily from Reading A-Z. I would print the books in black and white (they print great in grayscale…see below) and put them in their correct bins. As I ordered more books using Scholastic Bonus Points, I was able to trade out my Reading A-Z books and start sending them home for at-home practice!
My students store their books in book bins from Really Good Stuff ($70 for 24 book bins without a coupon). I’ve also heard great things about the book bins from Step into Literacy ($84 for 24 book bins). Students keep 6-8 books in their bins (although it’s not uncommon for me to spot-check bins and find 12-15 books!). I ask that students choose 4-5 books that are just-right books (based on their guided reading level) and then, 2-3 books that are just-for-fun books. These just-for-fun books can be too easy, too hard, seasonal, or just-right…it’s really their choice! In our book bins, students also keep their earbuds for listening to reading.

Now, that you have books to read and a place to put the books, your kids are actually reading…and they break stamina. After students have broken stamina, it’s time to play a quiet signal. I use a traditional teacher’s bell and ring it 2-3 times. As soon as it is rung, students quickly grab their book bin, put their bin on their desk, and sit on the carpet (SILENTLY)! The Sisters recommend chimes or a magic wand, but the teacher bell works for me. 🙂

The Sisters also talk about barometer students in this chapter and tools we can provide to help keep them on track. Barometer students are the students who break stamina first and the ones who we have to check-in with more often. I’ve found that for students who break stamina because of constant book-changing, a sand timer is a great tool for when to change books. I’ll also provide Sight Word Rings for book bins, so these friends can have a change of pace.

Well friends, thanks so much for stopping by! Read along with us and join the conversations here:

Also, make sure to visit Luckeyfrog’s Lilypad (who is hosting Chapter 5), as well as, the other awesome teacher-bloggers who are joining us. Even if you’re not a blogger, please join-in on the conversation below! 🙂

Join me for weekly classroom updates and free resources that are just-right for your guided math classroom!

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Comments

  1. Inspired Owl says

    I want to enter your giveaway! How awesome is that! I am so glad you and others in the book study have experience with full implementation of D5! It gives me so many more ideas! Thank you! 🙂

    Reply

  2. amy anderton says

    I am soooo glad you are breaking the daily 5 down for us. I am so excited to get started for next year! I'm slowly getting everything ready. How do I enter the giveaway?

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Hi Amy! I'm so glad there is a group of is looking at the book together. You can enter using the Rafflecopter above. I might you might have to be on a computer to enter! 🙂

      Reply

  3. Mrs. Sparks says

    Love that you are offering a give away to help teachers get started with Daily 5. I have read the book (awhile ago) and like the ideas and format. I am hoping to incorporate it into my 2nd grade classroom this year. Thank you for a great blog!

    Reply

  4. Lindalouhoo says

    I, too, am wanting to give D5 a try. I'm giving myself a year to gather the books though. Where did you get your level bin labels – so fun, clear, and bright! If you made them, are available? Perhaps with other things?

    Reply

  8. Leeanne says

    I, too, thank-you for your explicit and honest details about Daily 5! I am wondering, also, about the labels your used for the Reading A-Z levels. Do you have these available somewhere else? LOVE your blog! I feel empowered to begin!

    Reply

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