D5: Chapt 7 with a freebie

So, I kinda missed the last 2 chapters. I mean, I read them... I just didn't post. I thought I would finish this book study strong with a freebie to go with... who doesn't love a freebie? :)

Chapter 7 is all about making the transition from building stamina and practicing everyday to actually allowing students to make the choice of what D5 component they will choose. It also includes some frequently asked questions and answers fyi.

I have been wondering the whole time I have been reading this how long it would actually take to implement everything and be ready to work. I don't know when the Sisters start school but they are saying mid-October they are ready to "set the kids free"! We start mid-August, so that is 2 whole months.... hmmm... Not sure how I feel about that. I am thinking it was about 6 weeks to completely teach every concept, then they practice ALOT to build stamina with all components for another 3 weeks? What do you think?

I think we are all use to being in control of literacy block so I understand the hesitation the Sisters talk about when they are ready to let the students choose. Sometimes when things are going good you don't necessarily want to mess with that... but choice is important. Infact, providing choice was the topic I did my action research on-- it is important!

There is a guide for implementing the choice aspect in this Chapter that is very helpful. In addition to that guide, I created a chart you can use to keep track of choices for a week or 2 while you are making the transition to choice.


Daily 5: Make the Transition to Choice

Take a few minutes during that first week of choice to mark everyone's chocies so they get use to making a choice and they are accountable for their choice. Also, you can keep track of the last D5 component they did they day before... if they didn't get to finish Writing they may want to go back there first the next day.

I couldn't fit more than 20 students-- sorry!

For ALOT more info, regarding this Chapter and the Daily 5 check out the blog hop below... and visit the hosts of this final book club meeting:

Link up with us for a blog hop and leave me a comment if you like the freebie :)

font party!

I love fonts. In fact, lately, when I see an awesome font (on pinterest) I literally have to say to myself (out-loud), "You already have soooo many fonts that you don't use! You will NEVER find that font in the list if you download today...Just pin it for later!"

Here is one from Babbling Abby the other day:

Source: snippetandink.com via babblingabby on Pinterest

Look at those amazing fonts! I just want to go download them all... insert my little speech... ok, I am pinning for later. If you follow that link you will see that not all of those fonts (and the MANY others from that site) are free--- only some are. I am loving the mishka font (only $30! what?! ridiculous!). 

Anywho, I think we all love the fab fonts out there and I am linking up with Miss Nelson to show you a few of my faves THIS WEEK....

yes, they change pretty frequently- maybe weekly. I will get on a kick with a few fonts that I end up using for EVERYTHING then I change to something new. 

Don't know if you can read that top one: It is my fave font for student sheets (Trace Font for Kids). Of course, I can only use that on a few things that actually involve tracing :)

I am currently obsessed with all the fonts from Jen @ Hello Literacy. I love seeing the new fonts that everyone is able to make on their ipads. I will for sure start making some when I get an ipad (you know, in my dreams! LOL)

Happy Tuesday!

moday made it make-up

I missed last week's Monday Made It! I could share what I was "making" all last weekend but you might be bored to tears (my action research presentation!). I did get a lot made this week for my classroom- although it is a mess now.

BTW, I am currently in Pensacola (hopefully on the beach or shopping!) while your reading this! When I get home I will have gobs of pictures of vaca and my classroom (hopefully in a non-flooded state!).
Here are a few things I made this past week:

My mini-pocket chart hanger. This was super easy (since I got the boys at Home Depot to cut everything). All I really did was stick the pieces together and spray paint. Ta-Da! Want to do this? Click here for the pin to the  amazingly simple directions. 

This is my lone window in my classroom. It is actually a door with a window in it. I made a faux-roman shade like curtain to cover it up. No sewing, just some stitch witchery, velcro dots, tension rods and fabric. I love the fabric! 

I made these plain chair pockets a couple years ago (I say I but actually, my mom made them for me! She is a genius at sewing!) I added the mustaches with some heat n' bond! Love them! I have different colors so I can make my tables by color. 

And, not for the classroom:

These onesies were for a girl at the hubs work. Wish I had been this crafty when Addie Mae was born! 

That's about it for now!