Every morning during our literacy block, students are reviewing each Daily 5 choice. At this time, we continue to review the expectations of what it looks like and sounds like during Read to Self. Over the course of the year, we'll reintroduce (for those parents who are familiar with Daily 5) each component. It is important that after summer, students review routines and behaviors, and begin to build their stamina back up while reading independently. Over the last week, students situate themselves around the classroom with their first grade book boxes. They can choose to read in one of three ways. Book boxes are filled with both high preference and just right readers. In a few weeks, students will be spending time reading only just right books (books at their own reading level). During read to self time, students stay in one spot, are quiet and READ the whole time. So far, we've been able to do 9 uninterrupted and focused minutes! Each day, we aim to make our graph increase! After students read, they reflect with one another what went well and what was tricky. INQUIRE with your child a suggestion a peer made to them to stay focused the WHOLE TIME! 
During another part of our integrated literacy block, students are learning about insects through whole group read aloud, songs, and activities. This week our focus is on ladybugs. INQUIRE with your child what purpose the elytra have for a ladybug? After lunch, we have been reading a Magic School Bus Chapter Book, Insect Invaders. INQUIRE with your child where Mrs. Frizzles class traveled to and what their strategy is for catching Wanda's ladybugs!
Students are also learning rules and routines for participating in a guided reading group. Small groups of children will meet with me a few times a week to focus on a reading skill at their individual level during our Daily 5 time. INQUIRE with your child what book/poem they read during their group.
