Joan Moser
May 16, 2014
At this year's Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) conference, Eric Jensen shared an idea that I want to try. Eric suggests that we begin each day by asking, "What are you most looking forward to today?" It seems like a subtle and almost minor question, but I can see the implications, especially in a Daily 5 and CAFE classroom.
Establishing a sense of urgency is a part of launching each Daily 5 component. We introduce choice as soon as we've launched two of the Daily 5. Students value the ability to control this part of their lives. They check in with their Daily 5 choice and articulate their goal and current strategy as well.
It occurs to me that this question can help maintain a sense of urgency throughout the year. If we begin Daily 5 by having students turn and tell a partner what they are most looking forward to, then we begin the day and the round with a sense of joyful anticipation.
Hearing what students are most looking forward to can give us some insight into their thoughts and provide some talking points during our one-on-one conferring. Why not give it a try, using those eight little words, "What are you most looking forward to today?" Let me know what you think!