Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Kindergarten Daily 5 Book Study - Chapter 1


Hey Everybody! If you haven’t joined the Daily 5 book study, it’s not too late. This week 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?
Come August I try to remember that my little kindergartners know next to nothing about me, or my classroom. Some have never been in school before and those who have, were in other classrooms with different rules. I spend the first month (more if needed) modeling and practicing the desired  behaviors OVER and OVER to make sure everyone understands what the behaviors look and sound like, and that everyone can successfully demonstrate them.
2. How do I teach expectations?
This goes along with teaching behaviors, but modeling and practicing is key. First I make sure I am setting realistic expectations based on the kids. Some groups of students can handle more than others. Then I make sure the kids know what my expectations are. I TELL them, over and over. I SHOW them, over and over. And I hang up visual reminders as well. (because most can't read at that point - pictures are key!)
3. How do I monitor student behavior? whole group? Small groups? Individual?
Right now, I do the monitoring. I know the book is saying that students should be self-monitoring, but I haven't found a workable way to do that in my classroom yet. I'm hoping the rest of the book will help show me how to do that!
4. What do I do when a student is not exhibiting desired behavior?
I use a clip chart in my classroom to provide immediate consequences when students are not behaving the way they have been taught. There are consequences that go with each clip change including time outs, missed recess and notes/phone calls home.  What I like about the clip chart is that it allows you to reward good behaviors as well since kids can move their clips up too.

5. Whose classroom is it?
It's my classroom. I know it should be OUR classroom, but I have such a hard time giving up control. This year I want to work more on establishing the classroom as OUR home, and install in my students more responsibility for taking care of our class.
6. Locus of control?
I have a treasure box, and I give stars in their agendas when they reach the top level of my behavior chart. We also mark their colors in their agendas daily.
7. Where are supplies stored?
The students keep their supplies in their pencil boxes at their seat. They have what they need (pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, erasers) and I keep community baskets around the room with sharpened pencils, crayons, and markers in case they lose one or need a new one.


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!!!
Kindergarten Smiles

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!!



Live Love Laugh

7 comments:

  1. I see you're a fellow Floridian! I look forward to learning more from you! I'm a new follower of your blog!

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  2. I am so glad you are honest about it being YOUR classroom. I too have a lot of trouble giving up control! :) I am thinking about using the clip chart this year. I have a few questions....once they are at the bottom, can they move up? I have a hard time once they receive a "red card" that it is taken away if they decide to be good. Also, do you have an example of your agenda that you send home? Thanks so much!

    Sarah
    Kindergarten Korner

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  3. Yes, students can move back up - IF they truly earn it. Sometimes if the student had a really bad morning, but an excellent afternoon and really turned their behavior around then I will write that in their agenda. "had a rough morning, but got it together and had a good afternoon." etc. Our agendas are ordered by the school and all the grades use them. They are kind of like a planner- with room for notes and assignments each day. Also next to each day are three faces - happy, straight face, sad. That is what I circle to note their behavior, or I put a gold star sticker over the faces if they had a great day and moved up. I will try to take a picture of an agenda when we go back in August since I don't think I have one. Hope that helps!

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  4. I believe we have been taught from college.... that we must be in control and able to "manage" our classrooms - I think this is why it's so hard to give u that control...And of course those are the classrooms we were taught in.... I can't remember every being in a classroom in which I thought it was anything but my teacher's......

    I definitely have a problem giving up control, but I look forward to working through that to be able to push my kids beyond.......

    I'm a new follower :0)
    jeannie
    Kindergarten Lifestyle

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  5. I agree with Jeannie. I think we had that control=good management drilled into us and now we have to reprogram. It seems like having control of the class was the most important part of college.

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  6. I am your newest follower! I often say that the beginning of the school year is sort of like child birth...good thing we forget what it feels like! LOL! :-) We forget how far they come in a year! It is amazing. Thank you so much for linking up!
    Live Love Laugh Everyday In Kindergarten

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  7. Just became your newest follower. Love your blog!

    ✰ Kimberley ✰
    First in Maine

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