Being Present

I recently visited my very busy and dear friend Heidi, who is a full time instructional coach, wife to a wonderful man and mom to two young children. Last time I was in her home, her vivacious, gregarious, attention craving three year old daughter made visiting both fun and a bit of a challenge. This time however, we were easily able to catch up and share what's going on in our lives. Heidi pointed out that her youngest child was a bit easier than she had been and I couldn't help but ask, "Why?" Assuming the answer would be 'a new stage' I was struck by the response, "I believe her change is directly related to my decision to be more present."

What struck me most about Heidi's comment was the fact that she was not talking about merely spending more time with her young daughter. Instead, Heidi had consciously determined to focus all her attention on her daughter when they were together. At breakfast, instead of reading the paper, Heidi converses and makes eye contact. Instead of sending her little one off to get ready for school while she tries to catch up on e-mail, Heidi assists and chats about whatever is on her daughters mind. It was obvious that getting what she needed from her mommy made her more content and less needy when it wasn't her time with mommy.

Since visiting with Heidi, I just can't shake the idea of being present. We teachers tend to be gifted at multi-tasking. How often are we conferring with one child, but thinking about what we need to do next? I am determined to do a better job of being present in the classroom. And as I write that, I have to chuckle…because thinking about the next school year has already removed me from being present right now.

So, if my goal is to focus on being present, what does that look like during the summer? Maybe it means that when I'm walking the dog I notice the blue in the sky, the vibrant green of new growth and the birds singing nearby. Maybe I linger at the dinner table to make conversation and eye contact with my husband instead of jumping up to get the dishes done. Or maybe I indulge in the luxury of savoring whatever professional or fiction book I am reading, rather than skimming through the text.

So how are you at being present? Maybe, like me, you'll intentionally focus on this skill and find it turns out to be a present not only for others, but for you as well.

Thanks Heidi!

FAQ

Q: Are the CAFE Menu strategies in order of importance?

A: Following the CAFÉ Menu in a prescribed order is probably the least effective way to meet the needs of our students.
However, if you are new to the CAFÉ Menu or just need a bit of support with where to begin, we keep this rule of thumb in mind; 4-4-3-3. If a child is working on comprehension and we aren't sure which strategy to start with, we pick one of the first four strategies under Comprehension...

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/public/974.cfm

Design Your Own (Website)

If you haven't discovered Zazzle yet, it is a fantastic website from Avery that allows you to import your own pictures and text to create one of a kind notebooks.
Avery contacted us with an offer that many of you won't be able to refuse! They are providing an exclusive promotion to us so that we can create custom binders for our classrooms at a 40% discount.

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

Registration Information for 2010 Summer and Fall Workshops

If your summer plans are already set, consider scheduling a working retreat and join us in the fall. How does Arizona, Maine, or Florida, sound? We thought so! Check out the beautiful places.

http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/754.cfm

New This Week For Members

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

Voracious Reading with Library Lion (Book & Download)

by Trish Prentice

I hope you have this book too. I picked this story because it illustrates the meaning of voracious reading. The lion in the story can't get enough of the library and the stories within. While he doesn't actually do the reading, he clearly loves books. Read the review and see what you think. I especially LOVE the expressions on the lion's face throughout the story.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/917.cfm

CAFE - Assessment Notebook (Article)

"The Mother of All Notebooks" was the term Joan's husband coined for our former assessment notebooks. These comprehensive folios of detailed data were so massive that if they had ever fallen from the table or chair in which they were perched, they would have surely injured anything or anyone within a foot of them.

We began to take a serious look into the function and necessity of the items withheld in the sturdy binders...

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/573.cfm

Math - Poison, A Strategy Game(Video)

Poison is a great strategy game that even kindergarten students can master. These two students in Joan's kindergarten class are at the beginning stages of the game, exploring how to win. As they gain experience and become more comfortable, we'll add the strategy component. "Can you figure out how to win each and every time?"

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/939.cfm

Design - Books We Have Read Chart

Starting on the first day of school, with the very first read aloud, Martha Chiles and Carrie Allen recorded each and every book they read to their first grade students. As the chart grew, more paper was taped on the end, extending it until the last day of school when it was ceremoniously unrolled. Students reflected on each and every book they'd experienced together. Then they were allowed to choose a piece of the chart, cut out that section and take it home.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/992.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, Kelly reviews Chloe's reading goal of fluency and the strategy Back Up and Reread.

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/members/936.cfm

Easy Access Pipeline Page

If you are wanting a quick way to access just the Parent Pipelines, this page was created just for you! Under the Literacy CAFE Menu on the right side of our home page, locate Parent Pipeline, voila!

http://www.TheDailyCafe.com/public/913.cfm

Until Next Week!