Here is a pic of how I organize my reading groups. I use the Daily 5 model in my classroom. I have my groups organized ahead of time and I display the groups on my SMARTboard so that my students know which rotation of the Daily 5 they are doing. I see about 3 reading groups a day for my one hour literacy block. My district will be shifting to Balanced Literacy in the fall.
How do you run and organize your literacy block?
By the time we get started with reading groups each morning, it's about 9am. We then have about an hour and 45 minutes for reading groups. I pull each of my 3 groups for 20-30 minutes. Sometimes I pull each group for 20-25 minutes to allow for my double dose group to come again. I organize the center rotations on a large pocket chart that hangs in our room. Our six centers are listed horizontally. Kid names are listed vertically. I move the kids' names one spot down each morning so that they rotate. The students come to me and then 2 centers each day. I actually used to use a system like your board shown above, however, we were asked to turn off our boards when not using them because of the cost of replacement bulbs! So, back to the chart it is. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great!
DeleteI tell the kids who has "teacher time" and everyone else get to make their own Daily Five choices. I love love love the Daily Five. I'm interested to hear about your Balanced Literacy program.
ReplyDeleteDeirdre
A Burst of First
Hi Deirdre, I'll keep you posted for sure! It will be hard to let go of Daily 5.
DeleteI group my kids in two ways. Firstly, based on ability. Once they are in these groups I pull them out into cooperative groups (vertically based). These groups work on contracts that I write at the beginning of a term. They complete these independently, asking their group mates for help when needed, hence the vertical nature. If they get stuck the group leader (the most able student in each group) is able to come and see me for further clarification. They meet with each other 3 times a week for reciprocal reading groups. This frees me up to teach specialised interventions all the time, or test etc.
ReplyDeleteSounds like I have it easy, but this is DEFINITELY the hard way to go!! So worth it though!!
Erin
Learning to be awesome
Wow Erin, this sounds awesome!
DeleteI have a pocket chart hanging on the back wall. Each row on the chart contains the pictures of a group of children and D5 picture cards. I cover one of the D5 cards with a "Meet with Teacher" card when I plan to see a group. This only works because I order the rotation myself. Every group rotates in a unique order, but the kids do not get to choose the order. I modified D5 this way to guarantee I could meet with each group a certain number of times per week - depending on their level and extra times if the kiddos are RTI Level 2 or 3.
ReplyDeleteKaSandra
MemoriesMadeinFirst
I assign rotations as well. I agree- gotta make sure you get all those groups in. :)
DeleteHello! I found you through the raffle on Covered in Glitter...I see you live in Mass. - me, too - in Wakefield; teach in Woburn. Nice to find your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan! Thanks for saying hello! I live in Lexington. So glad you stopped by and said hello!
DeleteI do reading for only 45min because of the timetable. I have four groups, and they do two activities a day for 7-10min, the rest of the lesson is a focused whole group lesson and share time. I meet with two groups for guided reading each day. My groups are based on reading levels. The other 1 hour-ish of the literacy block is Writer's Workshop.
ReplyDeleteJemima
Luck's Little Learners
Wow! You are busy! Sounds like a great approach!
DeleteI am using the Daily 5 this year, and we love it!!!
ReplyDeleteSara
Frampton's FUNdamentals
I wish we could continue with Daily 5 but who knows.....maybe we'll like Balanced Literacy just as much!
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