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 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

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

5 Fun Daily 5 Activities That You’re Students Won’t Hate

Students hate not to have choices in their Daily 5 activities. Having a handful of fun activities for students to choose from helps them feel independent and engaged. Let's talk about 5 activities you can use that your students won't hate and will ask for over and over again!

Molly WheatleyJune 19, 2022Daily 5, Literacy stations, Reading Stations, Elementary teacherComment

How to Make Reading Stations More Easy and Efficient

Students hate not to have choices in their Daily 5 activities. Having a handful of fun activities for students to choose from helps them feel independent and engaged. Let's talk about 5 activities you can use that your students won't hate and will ask for over and over again! Making efficient, easy reading stations can be a teacher's saving grace. Having easy, automatic routines that keep students engaged helps to build classroom management and efficiency.

Molly WheatleyJune 12, 2022Daily 5, Reading Stations, Literacy stations, TeachingComment

How to LEVEL UP Your Classroom with Daily 5

Running literacy small groups can be a challenge when students interrupt. Today we are talking about some tips and tricks to level up your classroom with the Daily 5 to help your students become independent during their independent reading time.

Molly WheatleyJune 9, 2022Daily 5, Literacy stations, Reading Stations, Elementary teacherComment

7 Reasons Why Elementary Teachers Should Use the Daily 5

The secret for running a successful literacy block is simple- use the daily five! Today we are exploring why you should use the daily 5 in your classroom and the benefits this teaching strategy can bring!

Molly WheatleyMay 30, 2022Daily 5, Literacy stations, Reading Stations, Guided reading, Elementary teacherComment

5 Tips For Helping Your Struggling Reader

Whether you’re a teacher trying to help a struggling reader at school or a parent helping a struggling reader at home, teaching reading is a big process! There’s a few things that can help the process and keep your student from feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Keep on reading to find out 5 tips to help your struggling reader.

Molly WheatleyApril 6, 2022Reading Stations, Guided reading, Sight words, Literacy stationsComment

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