Driving Lessons

November 28, 2014
Issue #332

Today is my daughter Samantha’s 14th birthday. In Iowa, 14 is the age at which you can obtain a driving permit. To say she is excited about this is an understatement.  For the last three weeks, Samantha has studied the booklet, focused on her father's and my driving, and asked many, many questions. She is enthusiastic about driving and therefore motivated to study so she can pass the test on the first try.

I find it ironic that when she has a science, social studies, or math test, she tells me she doesn’t know what or how to study. This leads to conversations about why it is important to study for these tests and how to go about it. However, when it comes to her driving permit test she suddenly knows what and how to study. She has read, questioned, and studied so she is prepared. 

What is the difference between the two? Enthusiasm, motivation, and relevance. Samantha’s friends are driving, it is fun to drive, and it is new and exciting. She wants to drive, and the only way she can do that is to pass this test. Therefore, she has put her all into preparing for it. She has no complaints, only enthusiasm, thus creating a positive learning experience where she will not only pass the test, but gain knowledge that she can transfer to skills when she has a chance to practice in real life.

Samantha's experience has renewed for me the importance of tying real-world relevance everywhere we can in our classrooms. When we provide authentic application of concepts learned, students make connections and engage in the learning process. That is why I love Daily 5. My students want to read and write, and do so with enthusiasm on a daily basis. The tasks are authentic and lend themselves to lifelong literacy skills. Isn't that what we all want?

 

 

News from The Daily CAFE

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Reading on Display

When all the adults in the school share their reading lives, it sends a strong message to students.

 

 

Prompts or No Prompts for Writers?*

Here are some ideas to help students who are staring down at a blank page. 

 

Embedded Professional Development*

Here is a brilliant idea for communicating with support staff and seamlessly embedding professional development into the workday.

b-Resilient Defining Our Character Reflecting on how we deal with the good and bad events in a relationship can define our character.

Conferring with CCPensieve Transferring Student Data Do you need to transfer one of your students to a new teacher? Check out the screenshot tutorial.

 

Professional Development Opportunities

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We are excited about our 2015 workshops. At each location, the first day will focus on Daily 5 and Math Daily 3. Day two covers all things CAFE. 

Location	Dates
Chicago, IL Westin North Shore	April 18, 19
Charlotte, NC Westin Charlotte	June 6, 7
Tacoma, WA Hotel Murano	June 25, 26
Orange County, CA Hyatt Regency Orange County	August 3, 4
Minneapolis, MN Radisson Blu Mall of America	August 29, 30
Fort Worth, TX Hilton Fort Worth	September 19, 20
Las Vegas, NV Tropicana Las Vegas	November 14, 15

 

Learn more about Daily 5 and CAFE workshops, online seminars, and online graduate courses.