Blessings to You

Written by Trish Prentice

It takes a multitude of people to make a school run smoothly. At this time of year, let us be grateful for all the many extraordinary people who dedicate their lives to helping children.

Blessings to the people who inspire us and provide us with support in more ways than we can name.

…to that special teacher, we had as a child, who motivated us to be like them. We hope you are proud.

…to administrators who have vision and provide encouragement and support. Your shoulders are big to carry all the responsibility that comes your way. Do we thank you enough?

…to the teacher next door who shares our everyday moments, both good and bad, with just a look. Teaching would not be as much fun without your touch.

…to our Daily 5 partners who spend countless hours discussing and reflecting. Time spent collaborating, problem solving and sharing successes is pure gold.

…to the experts…the literacy leaders, behavior specialists, nurses, speech, physical, and occupational therapists who share their best, one child at a time.

…to our support staff, the office and cafeteria staff, all the aides and bus drivers who fill in all the holes. We appreciate all the consistency and care.

…to custodians who clean up unmentionables every day. Just think of all the extra jobs we would have to do if they weren't willing and able.

…to substitutes who pitch in when we need a moment to breathe. We know how hard it must be to fill in, but you come back, time after time.

…to parents who trace, cut, paste and do the best they can. We know you trust us with your most prized treasures.

…to all of our students, who give us their trust to show them the way. Thanks for trying, even when it's hard.

…to our own children, who have to share us with so many others. We promise, you will always be our favorites.

…to spouses, who help move furniture, fix computers, pick up carry-out for dinner and ignore all the piles at home. You listen patiently as we talk about the highs and lows of the day. We would not be able to give so much without your constant support.

FAQ

Q: Could you make it easier to find things on your site?

A: We have been listening and have worked hard to create a user friendly way to find what you need, when you need it, regarding the CAFE.

Results: Look at the right side of the Dailycafe page and you will find the Department of The Literacy CAFE. We have changed many of the categories under this department...

http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/730.cfm

Interactive Reading Site

The Speakaboo website is worth bookmarking. Stories are read and performed by celebrities with illustrations and music. The intriguing feature that is still to come is their Record Your Own stories or songs...

http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/728.cfm

Hope to see you in Philadelphia!

We are heading to the NCTE conference in Philadelphia this weekend. If you are there we hope you will join us at our session on Saturday morning at 9:30 at The Marriott, Franklin 1, 4th floor. Or pop by to say 'hi' at the Stenhouse booth in the exhibition hall at 11:00 where we will be signing books.

New This Week For Members

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

The CAFE Menu - The New Gateway

We have been working behind the scenes on our website to make accessing CAFE articles, templates and videos easier and faster. This new gateway into anything CAFE now appears on the right side of our home page.

Here is your personal tour of this section on our site...

http://www.thedailycafe.com/members/715.cfm

A Parent Pipeline - Cross Checking

If one of your student's has accuracy for a goal, and cross checking is the strategy they are practicing to reach that goal, this one page document will educate parents so they can be an informed "guide by the side".

http://www.thedailycafe.com/members/729.cfm

Daily 5 Icons in Gray

This is the second in our series of Daily 5 icons!

These icons are the same designs as the color...but in gray scale. We are often without a color printer at school, but find the depth in design isn't lacking with gray scale.

http://www.thedailycafe.com/members/727.cfm

Until next week!