Everything Old Is New Again

My dad had just had a successful surgical procedure, and I was in the recovery room waiting area. There was only one thing to read: an 18-month-old copy of O, the Oprah Magazine. I opened to the table of contents with a twinge of derision, which dissipated when a few of the headlines caught my interest: an article about healthful snacks, book reviews, new recipes, and tips to keep my mind healthy and help fight dementia. It wasn’t new content, but it was new to me, and I ended up getting a lot out of the timeworn issue.

Last week we posted our 500th Tip of the Week. 500! Each of those weekly newsletters included articles, videos, and downloads to help us all reflect, and refine and refresh our classroom practice. Altogether, there are well over 4,000 pages on the website, and it’s likely that there is a lot hidden within those pages that is new to you.

Here are 10 existing resources that hold valuable content you may have missed out on:

1. Essential Elements: These will help you assess your knowledge and application of the non-negotiable pieces of Daily 5, CAFE, and Math Daily 3. They help identify where you need to enhance your practice or gain knowledge so you and your students can all reach your fullest potential.
2. Page Turners: You’ll find titles that Gail, Allison, and I are reading for our own professional development and enjoyment as well as titles I recommend to cultivate kindness or bring lots of laughs.
3. Picture Books: Check out these alphabetical lists. You probably have some of them in your classrooms already. There are 87 Book Looks, which highlight the strategies we teach when we share these books, and 87 different Lit Lessons, which are more in-depth and include a downloadable resource.
4. Interactive CAFE Menu: This little workhorse really helps you sort through those 4,000+ pages to find exactly what you need. Want to teach kindergartners how to Use Beginning and Ending Sounds, or sixth graders how to Use Main Idea and Supporting Details to Determine Importance? Simply click on the strategy link and discover a wealth of resources specific to what you want to teach.
5. Math Games and Activities: Find engaging activities for all six math domains to help students learn and deeply understand math strategies and concepts.
6. Conferring Notebook: One-on-one conferring is the key to individualizing instruction and monitoring progress. Whether you want to do it electronically or with paper and pencil, we’ve got you covered.
7. Listen-to-Reading Websites: Students have access to great books of every level and genre on the Internet. Listening to books helps boost comprehension, accuracy, and fluency, and expands vocabulary.
8. Feeling Crafty? Make desk holders for goals and strategies, pocket journals, or a fantastic whiteboard table.
9. Barometer Behaviors: Looking for an idea to help your most challenging students develop school behaviors and begin thinking of themselves in a positive light? This strategy is easily manageable and has had powerful results.
10. Simple Search: Type in a keyword or keywords, and browse from there. For instance, when I search for Guest Teacher, I discover a conferring form for substitutes, as well as lesson plans for guest teachers.

Those are just a few resources. Whether you click on items from this week’s post or visit the archives, we’re sure you’ll find something of value that is new to you. 

 

News from The Daily CAFE

 

Raising Readers . . .

Matching Middle Schoolers with Great Fit Books*
Becky Mosbacher shares how she hooks middle-school readers who have lost the joy of reading. 

 

Enriching Advanced Learners . . .

Avoiding Teacher Helper Syndrome in Gifted Students

Before relying on gifted students as a peer tutor or teacher, consider this.

 

 

CAFE Connections . . .

Reinforcing Compare and Contrast*
Watch Hollie follow the instructional protocol in a one-on-one conference with Matthew. 
 

 

Focus on Health . . .

Are You a Keeper?
Carol Moehrle reminds us of things worth keeping.