Incorporating Technology into the Classroom: Digital Daily 5 Tools and Strategies

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Ipads…

Chromebooks…

Laptops…

It’s clear that the educational landscape is changing.

With 1:1 becoming more and more common in schools, finding ways to integrate technology into lessons is no longer an option.

Weaving technology into how you integrate the Daily 5 into your literacy curriculum can transform your literacy centers by enhancing student engagement and streamlining classroom management. 

From digital tools to apps teachers can seamlessly integrate technology into the Daily 5, making it easier to monitor student progress and provide feedback - no matter what grade you teach! 

The Importance of Incorporating Technology into the Daily 5

Purposefully integrating technology into the Daily 5 is essential for creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment. 

Technology has the power to enhance and personalize each literacy center for your students.

Not only that, but it can support teachers as well through streamlining organizational strategies and being more efficient in lesson planning.

But it has to be PURPOSEFUL.

When it’s not, it can easily become a “toy”, creating a classroom management nightmare. (I know you know what I’m talking about…)

So carefully choosing apps that students will utilize and which tasks to make digital and which ones to not is SO important - and it’s something I get asked about all the time.

Here are some ways that I incorporated technology into my literacy block to maximize the time my students spent in their Daily 5 rotations (without pulling my hair out!).

How to Incorporate Technology into the Daily 5

The ways to incorporate technology into lessons are endless…

So remember, when deciding how to incorporate technology into your literacy block, it needs to be purposeful.

Choosing apps that students can use during “Listen to Reading” or programs for students to submit digital assignments can not only engage students but also increase efficiency.

Here are some specific strategies and tools involving technology that I incorporated into my classroom!

Digital Tools and Apps for “Listen to Reading”

When looking for ways to incorporate technology into your Daily 5 rotations, “Listen to Reading” is a great place to start.  

There are so many great apps and websites to choose from!

Using apps like Sora, Epic, and Storyline Online (to name a few of my favorites) are fantastic options for students to find books that they’ll love. With so many resources out there, I’d highly encourage you to start by reaching out to your library media specialist or tech department to make sure that the right tools are accessible to your students. 

Using Digital Tools for Assignments and Feedback

I love incorporating digital assignments into my Daily 5 rotations. 

Not only do they boost student engagement, but they've made giving timely feedback a breeze! Plus, my desk is no longer stacked with ungraded worksheets or papers I keep forgetting to hand back! (IYKYK)

With so many digital tools available, it's easy to find age-appropriate options that align with your specific learning goals. For younger grades, apps like Seesaw are user-friendly for students and even allow parents to engage with the tasks their children are working on.

For older students, platforms like Google Workspace (which includes Google Docs, Google Slides, etc.) offer flexible options for students to complete assignments.. You can easily create assignments that integrate with your curriculum and provide more personalized learning experiences.

Also, I use a digital Daily 5 Choice Board that I display on my smart board to help keep myself organized! No longer to I have sticky notes everywhere telling me when each group meets - it’s all pre-planned out on the choice board. 

Managing Technology in the Classroom

“Molly, that all sounds great but…”

I know exactly what you’re thinking…

How do you manage the use of technology, especially when students are expected to work independently?

Here’s how I do it - I set clear expectations and rules for tech use and STICK WITH IT.

I’ve found that implementing consequences like removing device privileges goes a long way in reinforcing responsible use of technology.

Not gonna lie, I’m a bit of a stickler when it comes to the rules around technology use in my classroom - and that’s because the alternative is a classroom management nightmare. But I also understand that kids will be kids, and I can’t be everywhere at once (especially when my goal is working with small groups), which is why I love the Apple Classroom app.  With this app, you can monitor students’ iPad activity to ensure that they are on task. 

Hacks for Incorporating Technology into your Literacy Block

I know you’re excited to get started trying some of these ideas out in your classroom, which is why I want to share with you my favorite hacks when it comes to incorporating technology into your literacy block. 

Over on my YouTube channel, I posted a video where I share some of my favorite Daily 5 hacks that will not only help save you time, but will also make managing your classroom easier and give you some ideas to differentiate Daily 5 for your students.

Molly Wheatley