Listen to Reading was one of the hardest parts for us to implement. We worried about how much we'd have to spend to get books with cds, how would we keep track of all those books, should they be separate from our classroom libraries? The first thing we did was invest in some iPod Shuffles. These are very reasonable, you can find them for $40, and at times they are at the Apple Education store under the refurbished section. Same warranties and everything!
We then decided to keep things organized, we'd also get matching color bins to keep the ipods and books in, so that it's easy for the kids.
The kids now know them as the "blue iPod," "pink iPod," etc. We also decided that instead of just letting kids choose listening, it would be a rotating schedule. If they didn't want to listen on a particular day, fine, but they had to wait until their name comes up again. Each ipod has different books according to theme, holidays, or whatever we feel like at that time.
The last part was fairly simple, after sitting in a Daily 5 class for a few days. We have Macs, and they come with Garage Band. We didn't need to have every cd, we could just record ourselves reading. Maybe many of you do that already, but the idea seemed genius to us! It really helps because we aren't limited on the books we can choose. Now of course the cds that come with books are more fun, so we include those as well. iTunes is also a great place to get the stories, and those are pretty cheap. We have a master list of books with cds that we all share. It is actually working great! We asked the kids to bring in ear buds, so they don't have to share.
Hope this helps anyone who is wanting to implement Daily 5 in their classroom. What other tips do you have?
Don't forget our Daily 5 record sheet. Click HERE to get it!
Thank you for sharing about how you are using the daily 5! I have been using the Daily 5 for several years now. This is the first year I have implemented all 5 pieces. I am still struggling with the work on writing piece. Any suggestions for that portion?
ReplyDeleteOhh, we struggled with that as well. Our district has a writing program that they want us using (Step Up to Writing), so we moved our Writing Workshop (which we LOVE, and works SO well) to Daily 5. It's not quite as good as having mini-lessons everyday, but it's working. We also have reading groups, where the kids walk to read, so this isn't their only reading instruction. It definitely works for us. And now that the kids are working on Writing workshop, and not writing about what they are reading (which we did last year), the writing is WAY better. Hope that helps! :)
ReplyDeleteVery clever, yet practical idea!! I love it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFirst Grade Factory
I LOVE this!!! I just applied for a grant in my district to get 4 ipod touches, and hoping that I'll win--but if I don't, I will definitely do this idea! I love how you color coordinated the boxes and shuffles! Such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI started using the Daily 5 with my firsties a couple months into the year last year. I'm SO excited about getting started with it right away this year. Listen to Reading was a tough one for me too, but I was able to get 5 LeapFrog Tag readers through Donor's Choose. They are the coolest thing ever and my kids LOVE them!
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas for the early grades. Do you have any clue how "listening to reading" is being implemented in the older grades at your buildings? Are students listening to chapter books or listening to shorter pieces of work at their reading level? And if they're listening to chapter books on ipod touches, how do they keep track of their spot? Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the hint about Garage Band I had never thought of that. As a parent of a couple of special ed kiddos this is perfect. We have such a hard time getting books on tape or speeches for them to practice. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great and organized idea for Listen to Reading. This is my first year with Daily 5 and because I have so many state assessments for my 4th graders I only do 3 of the 5 at a time....
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing:)
4th Grade Frolics
I just found this idea. It is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI found out that Game stop sells the ipod shuffles for 14.99 refurnished. My question is how can I download stories that I already have to the ipod?
ReplyDeleteWith more than one book on a shuffle, did your kiddos ever have trouble playing a track and finding the correct book to match it? I have 3 iPod touches in my room, but am considering getting some used shuffles. I have had some trouble with some kids playing around with the camera app on the iPod touches instead of listening to the books!!
ReplyDeleteHi Brianna! Our kids seem to do well with finding the stories on the shuffles. We put 1 shuffle in a book bin along with 2-3 books. They really enjoy these and know how to work them quite well :) Feel free to email us anytime if you have any more questions :)
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