Daily 5 Series: Read with a Teacher/Teacher Time

1. Read to Self
2. Read with Someone
3. Word Work
4. Listen to Reading
5. Read with a Teacher/Teacher Time

This is the very last choice I introduce and to be honest, it's not a choice.... I tell my students when to meet with me :)

Here is our anchor chart:

Once I feel we have a decent handle on the other four choices, I will introduce this last option. I basically run this session like a guided reading session where students are broken up by reading level into small groups and we read though authentic texts and I teach reading strategies, like those found within The CAFE Book and others that relate to the needs of my students.

What I have had to teach is that when I am leading a small group, I am not to be interrupted by a student except for "emergencies"- so, this means no "Can I sharpen my pencil?" or "I can't find my bookmark" interruptions. For the most part, my students have a really good handle on this.

We do have a running phrase in our classroom: Ask 3 Before Me

Have you ever used this? It is something I introduce in the first few days of school and refer to it all of the time often throughout the year. Basically, if a student does not know what to do about something trivial or a procedure we have reviewed a bunch in class, I encourage them to ask three other students before they ask me. If they come to me, I will ask if they asked three- this is most often when they will remember our helpful phrase and go off to ask.

Here is a helpful video:

I love how she likened this strategy to the work environment- genius!

**Note: this is NOT for curricular questions or if a student doesn't understand something instructional. This is for little things, like help in finding a bookmark or where to put the iPod when they are done- questions about procedure or other topics that we have gone over as a class and that three other classmates could easily help them answer.

This phrase helps free me up to work with my group. I will also hold up three fingers if I am meeting in a group and am interrupted to remind them to "Ask 3"

Here is a great room sign from Google Docs:

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 What's up next in the Daily 5 Series?

Coming up in this series, I have the following posts in mind:

• Daily 5 Packet- How I keep students accountable during this time
• Center Organization- Word Work, Partner Reading, and more
• Some CAFE strategies and resources
• Spelling Folders that help with Word Work
• and??

Are there any additional resources or is there more information you are wanting on any of these topics? I am no expert, by any means, but I am happy to share what I have :) Let me know in the comments below!