Black History Month Activities for Literacy Centers

Yes, February is the shortest month of the year, but it’s BURSTING with holidays! Groundhogs Day. Valentine’s Day. President’s Day. Just to name a few… These holidays bring opportunities to reignite excitement and engagement in your literacy centers! Incorporating Black History Month activities into your literacy blocks isn’t just about covering your literacy standards—it’s about celebration and reflection. It’s a chance to honor the voices, contributions, and resilience of Black individuals who have shaped our nation’s history. So, how can we make this meaningful and engaging for our students?

Molly WheatleyFebruary 1, 2025Black History Month, Daily 5, Literacy stations, Reading StationsComment

How to Improve Reading Stamina in the New Year

A room of students actively independently reading, isn’t THAT every teacher’s dream? Just picture it - all of your students are focused and productive, and you can meet with Book Club groups uninterrupted. Giving students time to independently read - no matter the age of students - is met with mixed emotions. Some teachers love it, and for some teachers, managing it is extremely overwhelming. Improving reading stamina isn’t just about improving focus and productivity (and saving your sanity). Building and improving reading stamina is a tool to unlock deeper comprehension and build confidence in applying literacy skills they’ve learned.

Molly WheatleyJanuary 11, 2025Daily 5, Reading Stations, Literacy stationsComment

Reorganizing Your Literacy Block for Success in the New Year!

Somehow, the routines and expectations we set at the beginning of the year seem to go right out the window during December. The interruptions, changes of routine, and excitement of the upcoming days off can leave us to pick our battles as we work to ensure that the weeks leading up to the holiday break are fun for our students without causing ourselves to feel overwhelmed. Returning from the long holiday break is the perfect time to get your literacy block back on track! Learn how to revamp your literacy block to ensure that the second half of the school year is productive and stress-free!

Molly WheatleyDecember 28, 2024Daily 5, Literacy stations, literacy, Reading StationsComment

How to Incorporate Handwriting Instruction in the Classroom Daily

Every minute of the day is accounted for because there’s so much to fit in! And because time is so tight, if a lesson takes more time than I planned or our students come in 5 minutes late from recess, somethings gotta give…And it usually ends up being handwriting practice. But it’s not a lost cause! By finding creative and manageable ways to incorporate handwriting instruction into your daily classroom routine, it is possible to enhance your literacy outcomes without overloading your day.

Molly WheatleyDecember 21, 2024Handwriting, Literacy stations, literacy, Daily 5Comment

Keep Students Engaged During the Holidays: A Guide to Surviving December in the Classroom

December - by far - has to be the most challenging month as a teacher. This time of year is BUSY! There’s also so much going on! Practices for holiday performances, special events and projects, and don’t forget about the holiday party! With the upcoming break, students seem more unmotivated than ever. So how do you keep your students motivated during the holiday season without overwhelming yourself? Let’s explore some ways to reignite your student’s motivation and engagement to help you survive December with your sanity intact!

Molly WheatleyDecember 14, 2024Holidays, Daily 5, Literacy stationsComment

How to Use Elf on the Shelf in the Classroom for Engaging Holiday Writing Activities

I love adding a little thematic flair to my Daily 5 activities. With Christmas just around the corner, now is the perfect time to add a little holiday cheer to your literacy block. What’s my favorite way to add some Christmas spirit to my writing centers? Elf on the Shelf! With some careful planning and purposeful activities this holiday tradition can be productive and fun for both you and your students!

Molly WheatleyDecember 7, 2024Daily 5, Holidays, Literacy stations, literacyComment

Strategies to Master Daily 5 Expectations with Whole Brain Teaching

Mastering how to clearly explain expectations - and ensuring students actually follow them - is the key to a well-managed classroom, especially during independent work time (the heart of the Daily 5 framework!). However, getting students to stick to expectations without feeling like you're constantly nagging can be tricky. When I incorporated Whole Brain Teaching strategies, everything shifted for the better…

Molly WheatleyNovember 30, 2024Daily 5, Classroom management, Classroom expectations, Literacy stations, literacyComment

How to Make the Daily 5 Work in Your Fifth-Grade Classroom: Tips for Implementation Success

To be honest, when I switched to fifth grade, I was a bit skeptical about bringing my daily 5 practices with me. Would it be to “elementary” for my fifth-graders? Would I have their buy-in? Utilizing the Daily 5 to structure my literacy block for my fifth graders was the BEST decision I could have made for my students! With a few simple tweaks, the Daily 5 not only boosted my students' independence but also helped me cover the curriculum with ease. Want to know how I made it work? Read on to learn my secrets!

Molly WheatleyNovember 23, 2024Daily 5, Reading Stations, Fifth grade, Literacy stations, Classroom managementComment

Top Tips for Successfully Implementing the Daily 5 in Kindergarten

Struggling to keep your kindergarteners engaged while building strong literacy skills? Organizing an effective literacy block can feel impossible with so many moving parts—and with such short attention spans! Discover how implementing the Daily 5 framework can transform your kindergarten classroom. Learn how to build literacy skills, foster independence, and create a smooth, efficient literacy block that works!

Molly WheatleyNovember 16, 2024Daily 5, kindergarten readiness, literacy, Literacy stationsComment

Transform Your Fifth Grade Classroom with the Daily 5 Framework

Did you know the Daily 5 isn’t just for younger students? When I introduced the Daily 5 in fifth grade, my students loved the balance of independence and choice it gave them, which is exactly what upper elementary classrooms need. The Daily 5 in upper elementary classrooms helps cover all literacy goals while keeping students engaged, organized, and allowing me to run small groups without constant interruptions. Curious about how it works? Check out the full blog!

Molly WheatleyNovember 2, 2024Daily 5, Literacy stations, Elementary teacher, Reading Stations, Guided readingComment

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