Disclaimer... and credit where credit is due!

This blog is simply my thoughts, ideas, and suggestions related to the Daily Five and Cafe. I give full credit to the creators of both Daily 5 and Cafe, Gail Boushey and Joan Moser, also known as The Sisters. I have attended their workshops, read their books, and subscribe to their website. Everything else, I've interpreted on my own! :)

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Rethinking...

Well... I think I've been in denial. I didn't want to see it. I didn't want to admit it. But it's happening, and I can't continue to ignore it. Out of the corner of my eye today as I met with a small group, I watched my "teams" of word work kids playing. Not just one group of two. At least three. It's not the first day this has happened.

We've revisited Word Work and have reflected on why we should be working the whole time. We've talked to each other about how distracting it is when others are loud during our Daily 5 time.

So, for now... I'm going back to solo Word Work. I'm happy we gave it a whirl. I still believe learning can (and should) be built on collaboration. However, I'm going to go back to my original Daily 5 beliefs in that this time of our day is a time for individuals to practice their reading and writing. In the limited time we have, I have to be confident that my first graders are focused and on task as they work.

There will still be opportunities for partner work (in Listen to Reading and Read to Someone,) but for me, Word Work is going back to a solo journey. In time, I may rethink this and revisit how to make it work again. I'm reminding myself that this is not a failure but a learning opportunity!

~Komos :)
Posted by at

3 comments:

  1. I so enjoy reading your reflections. I think you are being wise to go back and have the kids work independently. They will understand the importance and I'm sure they will work in groups at other times during the day.

    Just would like to say that your blog posts are reassuring to me as make my way through my first year of daily5 (with fourth graders).

    Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

  2. I think the best part about Daily is the ability to tweak it how we see fit! I haven't started word work (yet!) with my class but I am hoping to next week. I think I am actually going to call in Convention Connection so I can work in more grammar stuff as well...mine will also be independent work for a goof portion of the time. If it works, it's right!
    Beth
    Thinking of Teaching

    ReplyDelete

  3. Your site rocks!! I'm over here often. I just awarded you the Blog on Fire award!! Hop on over and grab it up!!
    Julie
    Thoughts of a Third Grade Teacher

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)