Daily 5 Book Study Chapter 1!!

Greetings friends! If you haven’t joined the Daily 5 book study, it’s not too late. This week, my blogging bestie, Tammy, from Live Laugh Love Kindergarten posted about chapter one. Each Thursday the host for the next chapter will post questions for you before reading and also allow for you to ask questions in the comments. The following Wednesday, that blogger will post answers to that week’s questions and a reflection of that chapter. You will have an opportunity to link up each week too so the learning will continue to spread online. This is very exciting! So, let’s get to chapter one’s questions.

1. How do I teach new behaviors?

First, I drill into my own head that no matter what I hope kids have learned before entering my classroom, I need to assume they do not know anything, including how to behave in a classroom setting. Unfortunately, that is true for many. The most important thing I can do is teach and model. J The first week of school, my class and I come up with a list of class rules and we all sign our names to the rules. We go over them daily. We also have little chants for cleaning up, walking in the hall, etc. My students are on a color system so if that is necessary, they will flip their color but we try to avoid that as much as possible. I remind myself that my students are only five years old and that I cannot expect them to do anything that I am not doing correctly. Model, model, model! J

2. How do I teach expectations?

The first thing about expectations is to set realistic ones. It is not realistic that every child will remember everything. Heck, I can barely remember to put on matching shoes some days. J Don’t expect perfection because you will just end up frustrated. TELL students what you expect. They won’t know unless you tell them. It is even helpful to provide charts with pictures and words. Give them something that they can refer back to as a visual reminder. J Encourage good choices. Instead of dwelling and calling out the poor ones, praise the good ones and I promise more children will want to rise to your expectations. Teach a structure and be consistent. J Whatever your expectations are for your students, model them and live by them. After all, most will want to be just like you. J

3. How do I monitor student behavior? whole group? Small groups? Individual?

Well, here is my learning curve. Self-monitoring stresses me out but I know it is doable. It’s just giving up that control that can be a little tough. In this manner, I will have to increase my student expectations and hold them to their capability of self-monitoring. (this is me giving myself a pep talk…we can do this! Right?)

4. What do I do when a student is not exhibiting desired behavior?

I like to provide an immediate consequence for a student’s actions. Sometimes that is missing some of recess (though they are doing something during this time that involves movement because let’s face it, they need to move!), time out, writing an apology letter (this is more towards the end of the year though). We do a lot of discussing. I am not sure if that is good or not. I am trying harder to focus more on the positive behaviors and I think that decreases the negative. When I give someone a compliment, it amazes me how fast other students try to straighten up so they can get a compliment too.

5. Whose classroom is it?

Well, it depends on the day, lol. On the first day of school we talk about family and I tell my students that we are a class family. We look out for one another, we take care of one another and we take care of our “home”. Now, if you break something in OUR classroom, I get mad that you broke MY stuff! Probably confusing. Must work on that! J

6. Locus of control?

We talk a ton about making good choices and I reward them for those good choices. Well, in the past I have had a Star Jar, Sweet Treat jar, Sticker Treasure Box, lunch with me passes, etc. I am not sure how that will change after I am done reading this book though. I don’t have a sticker chart or anything like that to get a reward. I am more like a sporadic rewarder. I think it keeps kids on their toes.

7. Where are supplies stored?

Why? Are you going to come look? EEK! I have cabinets and shelves where I store everything. Everything has a place in a labeled bin or drawer. Each year I get a little more organized. Hopefully one day I will have a well-oiled machine. I am always seeking perfection but is that really realistic? J I have my books in labeled bins by theme and only put one theme out at a time. I have my library and the kids have theirs. I read books from my library to the class. Sometimes it’s a treat to get to read from my library. I love that this excites them. J

You can check out some great pins that our KD5 team has already pinned for you. It has some great things to help you get started with Daily 5!

Next up will be Caitlin from Kindergarten Smiles. She will be hosting Chapter 2. If you are not following her blog yet, then head on over right now!!!

Make sure you head over to Tammy’s blog to link up for chapter one and read all of her great thoughts on chapter one!!