The Daily Five

By: Joan Moser and

Gail Boushey “The Sisters”

Presented by Neil Armstrong First and Second Grade Teachers

What is The Daily Five?Literacy structure that allows for differentiation in the classroom and provides consistency.

Literacy instruction and classroom management system for use in reading and writing workshops.

System of five literacy tasks that teaches students independence.

The Daily Five does NOT hold content, it is a structure. Content comes from our curriculum.

Allows teachers to successfully…

Differentiate instruction in the classroom

Teach children in small groups

Confer individually with students

While the rest of the class is fully engaged in independent reading and writing activities.

What sets The Daily Five apart?

Teachers….

Deliver 3 – 5 whole group lessons each day

Teach 3 – 4 small groups of children each day

Confer with individual students each day

Students… Engaged in the act of reading and writing for extended amounts of time

Receive focused instruction on building and maintaining independence

Receive tailored instruction through whole group, small group, and/or individual conferring, by their skilled classroom teacher, each day

What does it look like?

BRIEF whole group instruction 1st round of Daily 5

BRIEF whole group instruction 2nd round of Daily 5

BRIEF whole group instruction 3rd round of Daily 5

Whole group instruction is brief to allow for the full attention of students.

Foundations of The Daily Five:

Trusting students

Providing choice

Nurturing community

Creating a sense of urgency

Building stamina

Staying out of students’ way once routines are established

Key Materials, Routines, and Concepts1.Establishing a gathering place for brain

and body breaks

2.Developing the concept of “good-fit” books through a series of lessons

3.Creating anchor charts with students for referencing behaviors

4.Short, repeated intervals of independent practice

5.Calm signals and check-in procedures

6.Using the correct model/incorrect model approach for demonstrating appropriate

behaviors

Read to YourselfRead to Someone

Listen to ReadingWork on Writing

Word Work

It is NOT called The Daily Five because they have to do all 5 each day.

The Five Components

Research Base for The Daily Five

Read to Yourself“The best way to become a better reader is to practice each day, with books you choose, on your just-right reading level. It soon becomes a habit.” (Boushey & Moser, 11)

Read to Someone“Reading to someone allows for more time to practice strategies, helping you work on fluency and expression, check for understanding, hear your own voice, and share in the learning community.” (Boushey & Moser, 11)

Work on Writing“Just like reading, the best way to become a better writer is to practice writing each day.” (Boushey & Moser, 11)

Listen to Reading“We hear examples of good literature in fluent reading. We learn more words, thus expanding our vocabulary and becoming better readers.” (Boushey & Moser, 11)

Word Work“Correct spelling allows for more fluent writing, thus speeding up the ability to write and get thinking down on paper. This is an essential foundation for writers.” (Boushey & Moser, 12)

Boushey, G. and J. Moser. 2006. The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades. Portland, Maine: Stenhouse Publishers.