Saturday, March 24, 2012
Independent Learners with Station Organization & a FREEBIE!
I am so excited! I LOVE the Daily 5, and it works really well in my room, but it was taking me so long to get my kids to their stations. I felt like I was wasting so much time!
One day I was talking to our building's Super Sub (every school has one of those, don't they?) and she told me that she had been in a room where the kids chose their station right when they came in the room in the morning. So, of course, I had to figure out how to make that work in my room. I feel like I'm a pretty smart person, but for some reason, this task was a strain on my brain!
So, I decided I would go to the new Lakeshore store that we have in Indianapolis. (Awesome, right? . . . it might be a bad thing though . . . I think I've already spent $300 in there!) I was so excited when I found this chart. I would link it up for you, but I don't see this particular one on their website. Each color can be a separate chart and they velcro together to make one big chart. I use these Command hooks to hang it on my wall . . . If you don't have any of those, you need to get some. They are AMAZING! AND . . . they are removable . . . but strong!
So after I found this awesome chart, I made three sets of cards that name each of the different stations. I added a number if I wanted a limited number of kids to go to a particular station. Click the pic to get a FREE EDITABLE template for yourself.
One day I was talking to our building's Super Sub (every school has one of those, don't they?) and she told me that she had been in a room where the kids chose their station right when they came in the room in the morning. So, of course, I had to figure out how to make that work in my room. I feel like I'm a pretty smart person, but for some reason, this task was a strain on my brain!
So, I decided I would go to the new Lakeshore store that we have in Indianapolis. (Awesome, right? . . . it might be a bad thing though . . . I think I've already spent $300 in there!) I was so excited when I found this chart. I would link it up for you, but I don't see this particular one on their website. Each color can be a separate chart and they velcro together to make one big chart. I use these Command hooks to hang it on my wall . . . If you don't have any of those, you need to get some. They are AMAZING! AND . . . they are removable . . . but strong!
So after I found this awesome chart, I made three sets of cards that name each of the different stations. I added a number if I wanted a limited number of kids to go to a particular station. Click the pic to get a FREE EDITABLE template for yourself.
Then I got out my station charts and added my kids pictures to them. You could just write names I suppose, but I didn't want to! :)
I updated my Daily 5 chart pack so that you can add pics or write names on your computer. You will have to have Microsoft Publisher to do that though. I tried to move it to Word, but I can't stand that program! I couldn't get it to do anything I wanted! If you have already bought my Daily 5 charts, be sure to go download the updated version!
I put each child's cards in a library card pocket with his/her picture, name, and number on the front. I alphabetize things in my room by first names . . . just makes sense to me! I then put the library pockets in some sort of container in number order. When the kids first get to school, they move their lunch stick and take their station cards. They take the cards to their seats and determine which stations they want to complete that day. (We only have time to do 3 rotations of Daily 5 in our Literacy block.)
When the kids choose their station, they check the colored card that is in the pocket. If their reading group color is in the pocket, then they don't choose a station for that rotation. They will only choose for the other 2 rotations.
Another great thing about the kids getting the cards, they have to choose different stations . . . after they have used both of their Word Work cards, they can't use them anymore and they have to choose another activity! I also have kids who leave for intervention, so I take out one of their Read to Self cards, and one of their Writing cards. They do have one Read to Self card, but that one is for RAZ-Kids. That kinda forces them to go to some of the other stations . . . and since we have other times to read to ourselves, and I do TONS of writing, I feel like it's okay to take away a couple of choices.
As the children choose, you will have some of your natural leaders make sure that all is right with the world . . . aka the chart! If there are too many people at word work, these little leaders will inform the others that there is a small problem! If there is an odd number of kids at Read to Someone, they will find someone to switch or move to that station! You know you have those kiddos! Let them lead . . . just be sure to make sure they aren't bullying or getting the same kids to move all the time! You ARE still the teacher . . . as much as they would like to take over your job! LOL
Now, while you are busy taking attendance, checking notes, and listening to stories about cats, dogs, owwies, etc., your day is getting set up!
After we get going, I just say . . . "Let me have my first reading group back at the table, and the rest of you get to work!" I have gained about 15 minutes during this block by doing this . . . and I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much you can do in 15 minutes!
It was really funny . . . Thursday, we were just cooking along and I said for the kids to get to their stations and they all said: "We already did 3 stations!" It was quite funny . . . but AWESOME!
If you would like to get the updated version of my EDITABLE station rotation cards, just click the pic!
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As a future teacher, I love checking out your site. You are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThanks Emma! I feel like I'm just figuring this teaching thing out and I'm getting kinda old! I hope I can help others so it doesn't take them 26 years to figure it all out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice comment!
Hilary
I use Daily Five everyday and it works amazingly most of the time; however, we never seem to get started on time because of other things going on in the class in the morning which causes whole group to be pushed back by 10-15 minutes, which in turn pushes back Guided Reading. I am definitely going to have to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas!!
I LOVE the colored pocket charts. My students usually pick their first rotation for Daily 5 upon arrival, however for the second and third rotations, I call out each student and place their stick next to the student choice. I loose SOOOOOO much time. This is a super, duper idea. However, one question. Does each student have ONE picture for each Daily 5 category?
ReplyDeletelove this idea! i never thought of giving them a set number of cards to use. keeps them organized with letting them be in control of choice.
ReplyDeleteI added a picture above that shows the different cards that each child gets. They get 2 of each for the week...we usually don't have stations on Friday, and if we do, then it is usually just one rotation.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps!
Hilary
I can't find a place to download the cards (or any of your daily 5 stuff. HELP?!
DeleteI think I fixed the links Missy. Sorry about that! I had to change the names of some of my stuff, but it is still the same. Thanks!
DeleteHilary
I can't find your Daily 5 posters on TpT, and I LOVE them! Help??
DeleteGreat organizational tip Hillary! I just got the book for my birthday and hope to get my own class next year and get to give this a try. If so I'll be back to your site to purchase this!
ReplyDeleteI love this set up & organization of getting the kids to their center. I'm a first year teacher & learning oh so much! But this year I just did one center a day but next year I'd love to do daily 5. I'm attending the workshop in GA in August on daily 5 to get prepared.
ReplyDeleteI have a question I read in your blog that once the kids use both of their word work cards they must choose another station. How of each card/center do they have in there Folder?
I am so excited to implement this "check in" policy at the beginning of the day. I've done Daiy Five for four years and love it...my only gripe is how long it takes me to call out and check in all for each rotation. With my class size rising, I'm hoping this will be a great fix. Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your great ideas! I'm just wondering if I understand your set up correctly.... You do 3 rotations a day, 4 days a week for a total of 12 rotations. Kids choose their Daily 5 options for 10 of those 12 rotations (Read to Someone twice, Word Work twice, Listening twice, Writing twice, RAZ kids once, and Read to Self once) and the other 2 rotations are with you for guided reading. Does this mean you have 6 reading groups in your classroom and you see each group 2 times a week? Also, what do kids do on RAZ kids? Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi there,
DeleteYou got it! That is exactly how it goes...Well, I do have 5 reading groups...I use the extra rotation to meet with kids on writing or fluency. Raz-Kids is a program with e-books and comprehension questions. You can go here to find out more!
www.raz-kids.com
Thanks for stopping by!
Hilary :)
So, each day you clear the chart and don't give the chart cards back to the kids until the next week when you refill their little library cards?
ReplyDeleteYes, that's what I do! Works great!
ReplyDeleteHilary :)
Thank you! I am anxious to do this in August for my first year implementing the Daily 5! Thank you for sharing your ideas with others!
ReplyDeleteHow do you keep the kids cards organized when you clear them from the chart?
ReplyDeleteCan you explain more about the colored cards you put in for reading groups. Do kids have a matching color on their library holder to know which group they are in?
ReplyDeleteLove this organization!
ReplyDelete