Daily Five - Summer Reading and Planning

I am moving to first grade this year and have decided to implement Daily 5.  Although it seems a little daunting, I believe from all I have read and all that teachers have shared that Daily 5 will provide the structure and direction that first graders need to develop into readers and writers. I have a great first grade colleague that is willing to join in the fun with me.

Daily Five, written by "The Sisters" is a great resource.  From Chapter One, I read that teachers have children "doing" lots of stuff in the literacy block.  I asked myself, "How is what I am planning on having children do creating young readers and writers?" With the goal of engaging my kiddos in meaningful reading and writing practice every single day, there is much to think about.

One of my first steps is to plan a learning environment to support the design of Daily Five.  I will need a meeting area that the Sisters call a "Gathering Place.  In first grade, that can be a carpeted area with open space on the floor.  I also need to plan for display areas for bulletin boards for CAFE and Daily Five anchor charts.

Here are some pictures of my first grade classroom - a blank canvas - ready to be transformed into a warm and safe learning place for first graders.  I am one of those teachers that needs my environment to be ready before I can really buckle down into some serious planning.  How about you?

 There is a wonderful carpet in the room that I can use for a Gathering Place.  Love the primary colors.

 A very long bulletin board stretches along the side wall of the classroom.  I may use it for Daily Five anchor charts and CAFE strategy display area.

In the end, I pulled down the old fabric from the walls from the previous teacher.  They were about 10 years old, very faded in spots, and I want a fresh new canvas to work with.

More pics to come to share my journey into Daily 5 with first graders and my new classroom design.

First Grade Sunflowers and Ladybugs 

Clara

Classroom Freebies: Shaping Kids Up Booklet

Check out this awesome activity posted by Classroom Freebies for teaching shapes. I love the kinesthetic component for first graders. Bonus - make it into a class book.

Classroom Freebies: Shaping Kids Up Booklet: Your students are the stars of this shape booklet. Pose your students in the various shapes and take their picture.  Enlarge...

Moving Day

Moving Day!!!

I spent the last two days unpacking in my new first grade classroom.  The number of boxes were a little bit overwhelming.  Thanks to a "crew" of helpers including my husband, two friends, and several former students all the boxes have been moved to my new room.

Now I have a clean slate to start designing a great environment for my firsties coming in the fall. Step one - find my teacher supplies and unpack my desk. Next, start thinking of a theme or color scheme for my new room.  I want something fresh and very primary - perhaps primary colors with an Eric Carle flair would be warm and inviting to the kiddos and to me.

While most of my teaching supplies, manipulatives, etc are very well organized into plastic tubs, my classroom library needs a complete  overhaul.  I counted 12 boxes of books to begin with that need sorting and labeling into primary library style.  In addition, I traded in 12 grocery bags packed with books into our local used book store for credit towards more picture books for my classroom.  I can't wait to start shopping for new titles.

After spending the last seven years in fourth grade, I am looking forward to returning to primary grades and teaching first grade again.  Wish me luck. Pictures coming soon.

Make everyday a great day with sunflowers and ladybugs:)

Clara

Testing, testing, testing!

My fourth grade class survived this week of state testing!  With Open House just a few weeks away, my classroom is in shambles.  We have to cover all charts, number lines, alphabet strips, etc.  So... that means there is paper taped over almost everything on the walls in our classroom.  It looks ridiculous.  Each year I struggle with putting everything up anyway and covering it as required for our state testing or not displaying so much until after the testing.  I hate my room all bare and not celebrating the kiddos learning on every available inch of display so covering it wins again.  Does anyone else have to cover all materials on the walls before their state testing?  Do you think this is really necessary?  We have only 27 days left until summer vacation begins.

Clara @ Teaching 365

Fabulous First Graders

Well, it's official.  I will be moving from fourth grade to first grade next year.  I am thrilled but a little nervous at the same time - mixed feelings.  I taught first grade a few years ago but much has changed.  The expectations are much different now.  My mind is swirling around with thoughts of common core, Daily Five, lots and lots of read aloud books, and classroom design for the littles. I love a challenge and I love change so it should be great.  Right? What is the one thing you would want a first grade teacher to know and do to ensure a smooth start to the year?

                                Clara - Teaching 365