The Daily 5 in
Kindergarten
A Guide For Parents
What is the Daily 5?
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A way of structuring reading instruction so
that every student is engaged in meaningful
literacy tasks.
Students receive explicit whole group
instruction and then are given independent
practice time to read and write
independently while the teacher provides
focused instruction to individuals and small
groups.
What is the Daily 5?
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When it is up and running, students will be
engaged in the following activities:
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Read to Self
Work on Writing
Read to Someone
Word Work
Listen to Reading
What Does it Look Like Each Day?
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We will have three sessions each day of a
mini-lesson followed by choice time where
students choose one of the five tasks and
works independently while the teacher
meets with individuals and small groups.
Mini-Lessons
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Only 5-7 minutes in length
Explicit instruction in the areas of:
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Phonemic awareness
Phonics
Sight words
Comprehension
Concepts of Print
Read to Self
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Teach students the three ways to read a
book:
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Read the pictures
Retell a story you already know
Read the words
Combination of books kids choose
themselves and books at their reading
level.
Work on Writing
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We have a separate Writer’s Workshop, but
during Daily 5, students have total choice
on the format of their writing.
They may work on writing letters, making
books, or journaling.
Read to Someone
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Students love having the chance to share a
book with a friend.
We practice how to help a friend who is
stuck on a word and how to ask questions
about the books we are reading.
Word Work
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Practice sight words in a variety of handson ways including:
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Letter stamps
Tracers
Play-doh
Pipe-cleaners
Individualized based on words each child
needs practice with.
Computers
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Students will be engaged in a variety of
literacy activities through websites such as
starfall.com including:
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Listening to stories
Interacting with stories
Alphabet activities
Spelling games
Beginning the Daily 5
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In order to teach students the
independence needed for this program, the
first few weeks are spent on building
reading and writing stamina, learning the
behaviors of Daily 5, creating a sense of
urgency, and fostering a classroom
community.
Building Stamina
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Much like exercising our bodies, students
can not be expected to independently read
or write for 20-30 minutes right away.
We begin with just 2 minutes a day, so
everyone can be successful and work up
from there.
We chart our progress, and kids are excited
to see their stamina grow.
Learning Behaviors of Daily 5
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Class brainstorms desirable activities for
each part of Daily 5 – these are posted and
referred to frequently.
Students model correct behaviors and incorrect behaviors.
Students check in each day and reflect on
their learning behaviors.
Creating a Sense of Urgency
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We all want to know why we have to do
something, and no one wants to hear
“because you have to”.
We explain the importance of each of the
task and often refer to the value of
practicing reading and writing.
Establishes motivation and on-task
behavior.
Fostering Community
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Begins with getting to know each other and
valuing each person’s contributions.
Helps students hold each other
accountable for behaviors, learning, effort,
and kindness.
We celebrate each individual’s
accomplishments.
Benefits of Daily 5
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Children cannot become better readers and
develop a love for reading without having time to
actually read and write.
Providing choice is highly motivational and puts
kids in charge of their learning.
Students have lots of individualized time with the
teacher and help develop their own goals to work
on independently.
Provides structure, short intervals of repeated
practice, and time to explore – exactly what
children this age need!