Kelly, I used a rotation to start the year,but after the winter break I was able to keep the Math Daily 5 topic headings the same and just change out the games. The kids had a menu ticket and had to punch each station as they went. If there was only 5 rounds for computer, then once you'd been there 5 times, there was no going back, and no double dipping. You could do computer twice in one day as long as no one else was waiting to go, but that meant you might not get to go at all later in the week. Having the timed sessions helped keep things fair.
Aug 03, 2011 Rating
Time Issue Response by: Kelly
I have found the same issue with scheduling. Once I did the math according to the times suggested, I found that there was then about 20 minutes leftover for math. Like Laura mentioned, I cut my rounds back to 3 a day. I made them a little bit longer, but not much. I teach first grade, and last year I ended up assigning my kids their areas for the day. We had a cycle that we went through each day. In this upcoming school year, I would like to move more towards independent choice but only after lots of practice and instruction on the various levels. I hope that helps with the issue of time!
Jul 29, 2010 Rating
scheduling by: Laura
Honestly, I dont know if they have a longer day (elementary here is actually shorter than high school), or if they arent required to account for a full hour of math and science. I'm just cutting it down like Kelly mentions on her podcast to 3-4 rounds (vs 5) but allowing the to choose from 4-5 as I introduce what the book has. The "sister's" website posted recently that they use a Pearson product for their writing workshop, but some places do writing in 30-45 min every other day. They have never clarified this to my knowledge, exactly what a full day/week looks like. How many folks actually have a 2.5 hour block in their day? I have mine interrupted with specials(art/music/pe) and lunch. Just do what you can with the idea- and tweek it:)
Jul 28, 2010 Rating
thanks by: Ashby
Hey Laura! Thanks so much for responding to my post. My confusion is how they fit in 21/2 hours for literacy and then do another writer's workshop. I only have 21/2 hours total for reading, writing, spelling, grammar!
Jul 26, 2010 Rating
just an idea by: laura
Ashby, I'm teach in an America's Choice school in Cobb County. We haven't adopted it, but apparently some of the county literacy coaches have been reading the CAFE book. I read both the Daily 5 and CAFE waiting in the jury pool this summer.(It was the most productive week I had.) Anyway, the daily is all about fitting in what you already do with your workshops, but introducing them in a way that is what I consider more kid friendly. I've taught K and 1 and must say that my biggest "bark" with the workshop model is how it finally gets presented to the teacher and student. The Daily 5 just gives you a method to scaffold the kids to the point of independence the workshop model assumes you have already model and practiced during some unknown part of the 1st month of school when you knew you needed to model and practice, but administration wanted to know which chapter in math you're on and how many elements in the readers and writers you've hit on already. Hope this helps. Maybe we can keep each other posted.
