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Tip of the Week January 15, 2010
The Answers Lie Withinby Trish Prentice Daily 5 is up and running. The children are reading. The children are writing. But it's not perfect. Do you have a "hot spot" too? Here was mine. At my school there is an expectation for teachers to send books home with children to read with parents. Since I have children at nine different reading levels, I found it was taking a big chunk of my Daily 5 time to "manage" all these books coming and going. What to do? Hmmm. I decided to look at this "issue" not so much as a problem but a challenge. I knew that I could figure this out if I thought about it enough. So can you. Look at your "concern" as an opportunity to use your knowledge, your skills, and your creativity to come up with a solution. You know what your children need, what you need, so think it though and come up with something different. It does help to talk it over with someone else. Maybe a teacher down the hall, a teacher at another school; even your principal might be able to provide some feedback. Stay away from those that love to say, "it doesn't work." Don't be one of those teachers. Instead, be inspired and rise above. The answers lie within you. So what did I decide to do about sending books home? Since I know that children need "eyes on text", I'm providing that opportunity in a way that is easy for me to manage. I explained to parents in a letter that books coming home will be for "pleasure reading". Monday night, poetry notebooks go home. Tuesday night, the students choose a book from their book suitcase. Wednesday, a library book, and finally on Thursday, one more book of choice. I love this new system; on the days the children pick their book, it's done first thing in the morning before the bell even rings. The books are already tucked in their backpacks before Daily 5 begins. Now I can focus on reading and conferencing with children. Wouldn't it be nice if we had only one dilemma to fix? Of course there are always more. I need to figure out how to meet with a few more children and tweak some of my record keeping habits. What's on your list? Sometimes finding a quiet place to think is all we need. Whatever it takes, let's be resourceful, fix one problem at a time and remember, we will always persevere. If you would like to see her parent letter, it is posted as one of this weeks articles. The Ultimate Personal Growth Guide100 best posts (Website) With the New Year upon us and New Year's Resolutions made and already broken we were struck by this website that offers much inspiration. Here are a few favorite posts from this site we are reading and trying to take to heart...numbers 42, 61, 85, 95. http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/776.cfm FAQQ: Any new ideas for helping partners decide who reads first? A: Some students need one "who starts" strategy and they are set for the whole year. Others seem to need a new one on a weekly basis to keep them working fluidly and well. Here is an idea we heard that may help you mix it up a bit. http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/777.cfm Registration Information for 2010 WorkshopsWe started taking registrations for our 2010 workshops last week and are overwhelmed by the response. They are filling fast, so we wanted to make sure you look at your calendars and see if we will be in a city close to you. We would love to spend the day with you. http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/754.cfm New This Week For MembersInterested in becoming a member of The Daily Cafe? Click here for more information. Writing Improvement (VIDEO)If your focus lessons are long and you are having a hard time shortening them, you may want to watch this video as Danielle reviews with her students the essentials for their writing. http://www.thedailycafe.com/members/736.cfm Homework Parent letter (Download)Trish Prentice shares her parent letter explaining her homework plan. She tells parents , "the purpose for reading at home will be for pleasure. I want the children to read books of interest to them. I want you to be able to share in their excitement of reading." http://www.thedailycafe.com/members/762.cfm CAFE Menu - An Example for TeachersAmy is a Literacy Coach at Rankin Elementary in Akron Ohio. Here is a picture of the menu she has set up in her room along with a description of and how she uses it with teachers. http://www.thedailycafe.com/members/775.cfm Until next week,Gail and Joan
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