Running the Race

Five months ago, Joan, Dean (Joan’s husband), Carl (my husband), and I signed up to participate in the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. With a start time two hours after the last Daily 5/CAFE workshop of the year, we thought it sounded like a great way to end our 2015 travels. The lights of the Vegas strip, mixed with live bands, warm weather, crowds of people cheering, and the companionship of friends . . . Such a great combination for anyone wanting to run 13.1 miles. 

What we didn’t anticipate was how wiped out we'd be after working and presenting for two full days, Carl would be running with a broken toe, the temperature would be only 47 with 35 mph winds (and gusts up to 50 mph), and it would be raining! You just can’t plan ahead for some variables. What you can plan ahead for is how to get through when unpredictable elements get in your way. We chose to focus on each milepost as a small victory, and we used the support of the crowd and the goal to finish as our motivation. It was really a case of mind over matter (mixed with a little bit of crazy).

Teachers know all too well the importance of mindset. The mix of children, families, schedules, assessments, standards, and more make it so that we have to be ready for whatever comes our way.  There are always going to be variables in school that bring difficult aspects to the career we have chosen, and sometimes our tasks in school feel like we have signed up to run a marathon. How will we make it to the finish line?

I encourage you to break your goal into mileposts and celebrate each small victory. Focus on positive energy from those who are cheering you on, and rely on the support and collaboration of colleagues or a supportive administrator.

See you at the finish line! 

 

News from The Daily CAFE

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Questions Answered . . .

Is There a Math CAFE Menu in the Works?
Here is the up-to-date info on this often-asked question. 
 

 

Purposeful Practice . . .

More Authentic Examples*
Sharing authentic examples from our own reading lives is a great way to show students that what we are teaching will benefit them throughout their lives.
 

 

Assessment Matters . . .

Checking In with 1–2–3–4 After Each Round of Daily 5*
Teaching children to reflect on their behaviors of Daily 5 with a kinesthetic movement starts them on a path toward goal setting.  

 
 

Try Today . . .

Voracious Reading (Vocab): Grade-Level-Specific Lessons*
Brief Focus Lessons, which take on a purposeful and explicit tone, last about 7–10 minutes, maximizing student potential for engagement and retention. Select the lesson that matches your grade level. 

 

Focus on Health . . .

A Smile Is a Light
Share and receive joy with just a smile.