Listen to and download past Tips

Know the Rules; Follow Some

Know the rules, follow some, smile, and be effective.

I (Joan) was in a bind this week. I was preparing to leave town and hadn't received needed prescriptions from my mail prescriptive program. Since I needed to fill them before leaving, I physically went to the two doctors offices where I'd received them to see if they could help. The two responses I received were vastly different.

"I'm sure we can help you, let me see what I can do!"

As I drove home, I thought about the way my situation was handled in each office and how the different responses made me feel. In one, I felt like a criminal, trying to get away with something untoward. In the other, I felt valued and respected, as if my needs truly mattered to the staff.

It brought to mind the above quote, which I've heard Gail say over and over again in the years we've taught together. At times, when our districts have mandated things we knew were not in the best interest of all our students, she simply smiled and suggested we work within the system on behalf of our students.

We have a serious responsibility to our employers, but a grave one to our students. In order for them to leave their time with us feeling valued, we have to meet their individual needs. If we meet their individual needs, we will be effective. And if we are effective, our employers will be happy. Sometimes that means following the rules. Sometimes it means knowing the rules, smiling, closing the door, and providing the service that gets results.

That's why I love that sister of mine!

FAQ - If you teach a strategy to one student or to a small group and not the whole class, do you still post the strategy on the CAFE menu?

A: We don't put them on the wall, but we do record it for the student on their own cafe menu...

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/public/2159.cfm

Book Look: Wiener Wolf by Jeff Crosby

When a wiener dog leaves his cushy life behind to experience the thrill of the wild, he discovers freedom isn't all it's cracked up to be.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/public/2132.cfm

Twitter Tidbit - You've jumped in, so it's time to go deeper.

Due to Laura's testimonials on the benefits of Twitter, many of you have gotten started. This week she lets us know how to really get going.

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

Top 10 Spelling Apps (WEBSITE)

Reading Rockets has collected a list of some fun and educational apps that also provide practice with important letter and spelling skills. If you have a classroom where students use an iTouch or iPad, they might work great for Word Work options.

http://bit.ly/za0Cfz

APPitic (WEBSITE)

APPitic is a directory of apps for education by Apple Distinguished Educators (ADEs) to help you transform teaching and learning. These apps have been tested in a variety of different grade levels, instructional strategies and classroom settings.

http://appitic.com/index.php

Parent Connection - Something to Ponder

From the Archives:This article on the power and importance of reading aloud to your child would be worth sharing with parents in a newsletter.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/public/472.cfm

2012 Workshops

Ready for a review or introduction to the Daily Five and/or CAFE? Need to be introduced to the new strategies we have incorporated into our teaching of Daily Five and CAFE? We continue to revise and add to our work with Daily Five and CAFE and would love to share this with you. Consider joining us this year. Check out our venues and register now to secure your seat.

http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/2012_Workshops.cfm

New This Week For Members

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

Do the Words and Pictures Match and Do they Make Sense (VIDEO)

This lesson, modeling the accuracy strategy Do the Pictures and Words Match, would work well with any elementary age group.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/1503.cfm

Cause and Effect - Introducing the Strategy and the Secret (VIDEO)

Joan works with 6th graders in beginning to identify cause and effect, an important comprehension strategy.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/1710.cfm

CAFE Meets Common Core

In this article Allison Behne explains how CAFE and Common Core Standards align and includes the first download of this alignment.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/2158.cfm

Spanish Parent Pipeline - Skip the word and then come back (DOWNLOAD)

This parent resource will help our Spanish speaking families who want to support their child as they learn to the Accuracy strategy of skip the word and then come back.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/2137.cfm

Another Method for Choosing Partners (VIDEO)

In this updated video, Gail and Joan introduce another option to help students form partnerships quickly, quietly, and without popularity preferences.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/1398.cfm

Until Next Week!