The Daily Five (update)

Anyone ever hear of the book "The Daily Five"? I heard it's written by 2 sisters and tells about getting your students to read/write independently.

I am wondering if this would be appropriate for middle school students (I am teaching 7th grade this year) since it mostly geared towards the younger grades.

I should add that though my students are in 7th grade, it's a special education class so they are on a lower level, overall.

TIA!

***Update***

So, i ordered the book from B&N ... 20% off Anyway I read it all in one night because I found it extremely interesting. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be able to follow it EXACTLY in my classroom..... but I DID take away some really good ideas.

Basically, The Daily 5 are a group of 5 strategies to use during your reading period. Read to Self... Read to Someone..... Listening to Reading...... Writing..... and Word Work.... (I tihnk that's all of them........ It's about 3am right now so bare with me )

Anyway I though I can't follow it exactly how it suggests, I did find many strategies I can use. I am going to take the idea of "book boxes" and instead do "book baggies" ..... basically how this works is, I am going to do a lesson on finding a good fit book (explains a great strategy for this in the book) and have them choose 5 books they are interested in reading and add this to their baggy. This way when they want to go to the classroom library and "shop" for a book..... it doesn't take 20 mins of procrastinating... they can just go to their book baggy and take one.

I decided I will def use the Read to Self strategy and incorporate note taking strategies using post-its while they read (this is an example of how I am modifying Read to Self- in the book, they don't incorporate the note-taking but that's an impt goal for my students ..... I will also use the Work on Writing one....... other than that, I will have to see......

It's hard to incorporate everything it suggests in a a middle school classroom.


Anyway, just wanted to give everyone the update!!! Anyone else read this book lately and have anything interesting to share?

Message edited 8/21/2009 2:48:14 AM.

Re: The Daily Five

I've never heard of it- but I think a lot of things can be modified for older kids. Main idea is always main idea- it's just the material that gets harder (at least that's always been my perspective, so I hope I am somewhat correct! )

I always find the reviews on Amazon to be helpful so I always read those regardless of where I buy, especially if I can't see something in person first, for whatever reason.

Re: The Daily Five

Thanks, you're right about being able to modify it!

Here's a link to the book on amazon in case you or anyone else is interested The Daily Five

The reviews are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 62 reviews and most are 5 stars!!


(If anyone happens to check out the link- could u share what u think of the book?) TIA!

Re: The Daily Five

I just ordered it! Ill let you guys know how it is!

Re: The Daily Five

I heard great reviews from this other message board i visit, they have numerous topics discussing the Daily 5. and these sisters actually do workshops sometimes too.

Re: The Daily Five

Re: The Daily Five

I use it along with a lot of my colleagues. Once you model the steps/tasks (which takes about a month) it really is great.

We use it during our Guided reading lessons. You would be surprised how quiet it is in the room.

Re: The Daily Five

This is the authors' website. They have video clips and some support materials on the site.

Daily Five

Re: The Daily Five

i am a reading/writing teacher and actually bought this book along with a bunch of others this past school year based on the reviews
i havent gotten to reading this one yet but i think i will break my no preparing during the summer rule lol and read it, i'll share what i think when im done

Re: The Daily Five

I ordered and got it two days ago. I have started reading and just wanted you all to know it is center based and works during your reading workshop time. It of course can be modified but in my school building everyone is supposed to be reading during guided reading/independent reading time so I do not think she would go for this. She meaning my principal. However, I do teach special ed. so it is more flexible.

Re: The Daily Five

So Im about 1/2 done with the book and its very interesting. Do I think I will implement this program as a whole? I dont think I would be able to get away with it (not follow the standard readers workshop)but there are some really good techniques and ideas that you can take away. Overall its an excellent book for anyone who is interested in modifiying their literacy instruction.

Re: The Daily Five (update)

bump for update!

Re: The Daily Five (update)

It sounds great, despite the fact that you can't implement it exactly (which I always find super hard anyway- I always prefer to mold programs to me instead of the other way around.)

Re: The Daily Five (update)

I have the book if anyone wants to borrow it. Unfortunately, my school is so stuck on Treasures I will not be able to use the method,...it is a great one though!

Re: The Daily Five (update)

I bought it as well as the Cafe book over the summer and thought it was really interesting. We are trying a modified version with three rotations instead of five- I believe that is what they recommended for upper grades (I teach 5th.)

There is a whole board devoted to the Daily 5 on Proteacher:

Peony Room

I really liked it because people are very free about sharing their stuff on there. I am pretty sure there is a group of middle school teachers as well that have some threads about modifications for older students.

Re: The Daily Five (update)