Dear Family,
Welcome to first grade! The beginning of each year presents new expectations and routines for you and your child to become familiar with. It is my goal to introduce classroom routines and structures in a way that removes all guesswork from the children and allows them to fully concentrate on learning. This year I will use a model called the “Daily Five” during our reading block.
The Daily Five is a literacy structure that teaches independence. In addition, the Daily Five gives students the skills needed to create a lifetime love of reading and writing. The structure consists of five tasks that are introduced individually. When introduced to each task, the children discuss what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like to engage in the task independently. Then, the children work on building their stamina until they are successful at being independent while completing the task.
The Five Tasks include:
1. Read to Self
2. Read to someone
3. Listen to reading
4. Work on writing
5. Word work
When all five tasks have been introduced and the children are engaged in reading and writing activities, I am able to work with small groups and confer with children one on one. This structure is effective, the results are amazing, and the children look forward to our reading time. I anticipate your child will tell you about the class stamina and how we are working toward independence.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sherry Roberson
from http://www.thedailycafe.com/ August 2011