A Year of Learning

Did you begin the year with mandated training/meetings? Many of you have written that you were thrilled to be back at school, yet found the workshop days prior to school to be a bit disappointing. So, what do we do when our professional development needs aren't being met by our district offerings? We passionately believe that if we aren't getting what we need from our schools and districts, we must seek it elsewhere. We owe it to ourselves as professionals and certainly to the children we serve to be developing and honing our craft.

As educators, there are a myriad of ways to learn and grow in our profession. We've:

• sought out mentors we respect and admire who've become colleagues and walk this journey with us.
• aligned with professional book authors who've become the invisible colleagues of our classrooms.
• followed professionals on Twitter who share passions, ask deep questions, and inspire us.
• joined professional groups like IRA, ASCD, and NCTE and enjoy learning from the professional journals that come with membership.
• subscribed to blogs and frequented websites that challenge our thinking and cause us to become more reflective in our own practice.

Have you read Franki Sibberson's latest blog post where she outlines her yearlong plan for learning? We were struck by the tenacity with which she seeks out professional development to meet her goals as a teacher and learner.

One thing our experience has taught us for sure is that ... learning is fun. There is something energizing and deeply rewarding that comes from personal and professional growth. We're inspired by Franki…and are devoting ourselves to a year of learning. Want to join us?

FAQ

What other ideas do you have for supporting our barometer children or those who break stamina first?

We are always looking for more suggestions that have worked with other barometer students. Trish Prentice shares 6 ideas that have worked for her barometer children.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/public/896.cfm

Parent Involvement and Parent Partnership, Actions Parents Can Take (Website)

Maybe it's time to redefine what parent involvement looks like. This article, written for parents, discusses that very thing and suggests ways parents can become partners with teachers. The ideas would be worth sharing at Open House or in your weekly newsletter.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/public/1082.cfm

Creating Your Pensieve

http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/979.cfm

Registration Information for 2010 Fall Workshops

We would love to share a day of professional learning with you!

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/public/742.cfm

New This Week For Members

Interested in becoming a member of The Daily CAFE™? Click here for more information.

Launching Math Daily 5™ with the First of Five Launching Charts (Article and Download)

We are so excited that you are joining us as we introduce you to a wide array of tools designed to successfully launch Math Daily 5™. The teacher actions prescribed are aligned with the Daily 5™ of reading so students, teachers, and parents will benefit from familiar routines and practices to support math instruction.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/1046.cfm

Another Method to Facilitate Choosing a Partner - Part II (Video)

Gail and Cindy introduce a matching game of sorts with colored squares. This is not only quick and efficient, it also eliminates the favoritism that sometimes takes place with our favorite method of 'raise your hand'.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/1099.cfm

Adding Just the Right Seating for a Long and Narrow Classroom (Video)

This long narrow classroom limited the seating options, but two narrow tables, anchored by a small cupboard at each end, helped provide the variety the teacher was looking for.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/853.cfm

Video Updates

With the addition of our new video players with higher resolution and full-screen options, we are reposting many videos in this new format. As we make these improvements, we'll announce them in the newsletter.

Here is an updated video you may want to revisit. In this video and article we conquer the question, Why would we throw choice in to the mix when the class is so successful doing Read to Self and Work on Writing all at the same time?

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/1065.cfm

Until Next Week!