Morning Daily 5

Last year I tried a new "less stress" approach to morning work near the end of the school year.  As I was only able to do three Daily Five rotations during the day, I wanted to give the kids extra time to practice some of their Daily Five literacy behaviors.  I began a Daily Five morning work rotation with my students, allowing them to spend time in a "free" Daily 5.  I didn't expect them to complete assignments or tasks during their free Daily.  Since the children come in at different times during our arrival period, I wanted to take away any pressure or expectation to complete work, and allow them to simply enjoy a pleasant literacy warm-up to begin their day.  IT WAS WONDERFUL!  The students were able to revisit familiar tasks and books while enjoying working in a literacy center with friends.  The room had a pleasant hum each morning and kids began to really learn how to spend time "relaxing in literacy."  

I decided to forgo the stressful morning work journals this year and begin my day with Daily 5 rotations again.  Each table is assigned a different station every day.  I just rotate my magnets every morning.  The kids anticipate their station for the next day and come into the classroom ready to learn!

Feel free to download my Morning Daily 5 rotation management system.  There are 12 different station cards so you can add variety to your tasks each week.  I laminated mine and added magnets to the back.  Easy and fun!  No more morning journals to check!  The kids are engaged, on task, and best of all, ENJOYING their learning!