Book Study - Daily 5

I teach First Grade, it's true, but I want to teach Kindergarten eventually AND my Firsties aren't so far from K when they start. I do Daily 5, but started in January last year. I found this book study that Kindergarten teachers are doing right now around the Daily 5 and thought it would be perfect for me. I hope it's okay with them if I study along. Here is more info about it...

Chapter 1

1. How do I teach new behaviors?

I model what it should look like. Then I choose a student or two to help me model what it should look like again. Then we all practice. Then I choose a new student to model it again.

2. How do I teach expectations?

This is my answer to #1 all over again. I think we modeled and practiced how to knock on the bathroom door and answer it a hundred times during the first month of school. It seems crazy to grownups I guess, but my kids know what it looks and feels like and that means they know when it isn’t right.

3. How do I monitor student behavior? whole group? small groups? individual?

I watch the kids pretty closely, but I also teach them to feel their own bodies and make adjustments. We talk a lot about how to catch yourself doing it incorrectly and fix it. We also talk about letting others remind you without being angry with them. We work hard at being a community from day one. I would remind anyone to buckle up or use their blinker, so I expect my children to do the same. We have class designed rules on the wall and I will say: “what rule are you breaking?”

4. What do I do when a student is not exhibiting desired behavior?

I whisper in their ear, “is this a good choice?” and see how they react. Then I talk to them about the rule they are choosing to break and ask them to tell me what it should look like. I use this time to model and practice again. I take the 2 sisters to heart when they say that if one doesn’t get it, it’s not working.

5. Whose classroom is it?

It is OUR classroom. The materials are available for them. I try hard to create very independent children who take care of the classroom because it is theirs not because they might get into trouble.

6. Locus of control?

Not sure about this.

7. Where are supplies stored?

On a rolling bookshelf in the center of the room. Kids are responsible for getting their own materials and putting them away. I am the replenisher.