Gail Boushey

This book is a must read for all teachers, not only Elementary teachers. It gives a step-by-step breakdown of how to teach literacy in an independent, engaging environment. Along with teaching literacy, it is a great classroom management tool. The main take aways I received from this book is that it is a great tool to build reading stamina and independence. My students desperately need both but I have no idea how to implement this practice into my over-packed curriculum that I am faced with show more daily. I do struggle with aspects of this management/ literacy system though because I do not think a 5-7 minute mini lesson here and there is enough to properly introduce reading strategies to my students. I also feel that the Daily 5 approach is not really meant for students who are just learning to read. It seems perfect for students who are already able to read independently, although I love that this approach teaches stamina. As beginning readers, the students need to learn introductory reading strategies, which, again, I do not believe can be taught in a 5-7 minute mini lesson. The majority of my students, though in first grade, have come to me with very low literacy skills and need to be taught many of the basics, such as letter sound correspondence. I love this approach for more skilled readers but not only do I not know how to build time into my curriculum to implement this, I also know that my students need more foundational skills before being released to dedicate the majority of their time to reading independently. show less

I picked this up over a year ago based on word of mouth. I read it once and took a tepid liking to it. I talked it up with others, reread it, and warmed up enough to give it a go in my classroom. WOW! Call me a convert. I currently teach 4th grade and after using this "process" in my classroom this past year I am a believer. This way of "doing" reading is well researched, easy to understand, and can be modified easily. This is more kid based than teacher based, so if you want to sit behind show more your desk and grade worksheets stay away. If you want to make a drastic, amazing difference in reading ability and interest, however, grab this one!!!
And if you get the chance to attend a workshop with "the sisters" take the opportunity. You won't be sorry you did! show less

Most excellent and detailed framework for elementary literacy instruction. (I hope folks don't go thinking this is a magic bullet. There are no magic bullets.)

I'm not convinced that my hour-and-a-half language arts schedule, with gifted fifth graders, can accommodate the Daily Five. (How do you do Read to Someone with novels?) But I really loved the step-by-step setup lessons for each of the components, and the general emphasis on model, model, model and practice, practice, practice. I realize that many of my expectations in the past were vague, leading to off-task behavior. The plan for making positive behaviors the "default" is worth the time show more and money spent on this book alone. show less