The Daily CAFE is a Professional Development website designed for teachers and literacy coaches using The Daily 5 and The Literacy CAFE Assessment System. It is loaded with professional video and downloads, all created for teachers like you!
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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: I sent you an email asking you how to start using Daily 5™ in my classroom. How come you didn't respond? I need help!

A: We receive hundreds of emails each week from teachers, and we read every single one of them. We have learned so much from our correspondence with colleagues. But at the same time, we are still in schools, and our first obligation is to our students. We cannot respond to every email because of the sheer volume of mail we receive (though we sure wish we could)! Our frustration with being unable to keep up with the email load is one of the reasons we developed the Daily CAFÉ™ -- we believe the most efficient way to address the amazing range of questions and needs we've been sent is through video demonstrations, tutorials, and print features. The website is how we provide practical, ongoing support to teachers who are trying out Daily 5™ and CAFÉ™ Assessment in their classrooms and asking for our help.

We would love to be your private coach, taking you step by step through the process of using the Daily 5™ and CAFÉ™ Assessment in your classroom. We just can't do it through a one-on-one email correspondence -- there aren't enough hours in the day to correspond regularly with the thousands of members at the site. If the answer to your question is available on our site, we will depend upon you finding it here or in our Sisters on the spot video section. We promise to keep refining the organization of the site to help you find whatever you are looking for easily whenever you visit here. In addition, if you are just getting started, we have created the "Quick Start Guides" to give more detailed, systematic support. You can access those guides at this link: Quick Start Guides

FAQ - Would you please post a picture of where you display all of your I-Charts for the Daily Five?
Posting the Daily 5 I-charts has been an important . . . More...
FAQ - How do you support partners when they only use the strategy of sound it out?
Children who only rely on Sound It Out as an accuracy strategy don't grow as fast as children who have a bevy of strategies to rely on. Joan offers an idea for this potential problem. . . . More...
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?
The strategies we post on the CAFE menu in our cla . . . More...
FAQ - I like how helpful my students are, but sometimes I wish they'd give each other a little more time when they are reading together, instead of just blurting the correct word! Ideas?
If your students are a little too helpful, blurting correct words out instead of letting their partner figure it out, then we have a great strategy for you to teach. . . . More...
FAQ: Have you ever considered adding a place for member discussion on your website?
We have met so many teachers like you in our work around the country though, that we feel it's time to honor your need for collegial conversations. We are launching our Discussion Board for members this week. You can find the link to it on the left hand column under the orange Resources section. Once you log in and click on the link it will take you to our Discussion Board where you can do everything from Post New Messages, Search for discussions by topic and more! . . . More...
FAQ - Can a child's name be under two different goals?
When determining goals for our students we think to ourselves, "What are they good at, and what could we teach and reinforce in the next 3 weeks that will help move this child forward in their reading?' . . . More...
FAQ: Do you ever have any fun?
We do. In fact, we just did a short video to prov . . . More...
FAQ - Could I listen to the Tip of the Week via a podcast?
We are really excited about the availability of The Tip of the Week via podcast through iTunes. Subscribing is free and easy! . . . More...
FAQ: Do you have any other ideas for helping children settle and stay in one spot?
This idea brings cozy comfort that may lead to greater stamina! . . . More...
Daily 5™ - Regarding Parent Volunteers (ARTICLE)
We've gathered ideas and links to help make the most of volunteers who want to support you both in and out of the classroom. . . . More...
FAQ: I know the Math Daily 5 are: Math by Myself, Math Writing, Partner Math, Math Technology, and Math Work, but how do the children know what to do in each category? Is there only one activity in each Math Daily 5 or is there a list of activities that they can choose from?
Q: I am confused about Math Daily 5. How do the children know what to do in each category? Is there only one activity in each Math Daily 5 or is there a list of activities that they can choose from? A: As with the reading CAFE, we add to the menu as we teach whole group. . . . More...
FAQ: Is it ok if my older students move from Read to Self to Read to Someone within the 40 minute rotation?
FAQ: Is it ok if my older students move from Read to Self to Read to Someone within the 40 minute rotation? A: There are a couple things to consider when a student, especially an older student, is having stamina issues... . . . More...
FAQ - I love that Read the Pictures is an option for my students, but I also want them to be reading words. If they only have to read the pictures, isn't any book a good fit? I feel like I'm giving messages that don't mesh because I told them they could read the pictures and now I'm insisting they be able to read the words.
How do Read the Pictures and I PICK align? They seem to contradict one another. . . . More...
FAQ - What are the Math Daily 5 components and must have behaviors?
Q: What are the Math Daily 5 components and must have behaviors? A: The must have behaviors align with Daily 5, and the components comprise choices that will help students develop mastery over math skills, strategy, and content. . . . More...
Giving the Brain a Break
Brain Breaks are important because we all learn better when the content is given often in smaller portions instead of enormous content in long stretches. . . . More...
FAQ: Do you have any suggestions for students who are not developmentally ready to sit and read for more than a couple minutes and aren't the barometer children.
What do we do if the same kids are breaking stamina everyday....but the issue isn't really barometer....more like developmental readiness? . . . More...
FAQ - Do you have samples of the anchor charts for Daily 5?
We don't have sample I-Charts, but we do have a cheat sheet of sorts that helps us remember the information that must end up on them to ensure success. . . . More...
FAQ: Do you implement Daily 5 and Cafe at the same time?
Should you do Daily 5 first and then launch CAFE or can they be done at the same time? The answer really depends on your and your experience. . . . More...
FAQ - How do you determine what strategies should be put into place first? Is there an order of priority under each heading CAFE, that supports the reader in their journey?
We follow a simple rule of thumb when selecting strategies for students to begin with. If you look at the CAFE menu and wonder where to start, this simple rule may help you too. . . . More...
FAQ: Do I have to introduce the Daily 5 in the order that is presented in your book?
FAQ: Do I have to introduce the Daily 5 in the order that is presented in your book? A: Our thinking has changed quite a bit since writing the book. . . . More...
FAQ: Is there a way to make the videos full-screen so I can show them to my class on our SMARTboard?
Want to show our videos to your staff or students full screen on an interactive white board? Here's how. . . . More...
FAQ: What should I be thinking about room design now that my students are here?
After the hours of getting our classrooms ready for children, it's easy to focus solely on them and their academic endeavors once school begins. The Sisters explain why it's important to step back and evaluate the efficiency of our classroom design during those first critical weeks of school. . . . More...
FAQ: As I am starting my year with a new group of students, what are the most important things to remember when launching Daily 5?
Many of you have asked what are the most important things to keep in mind during the launch of Daily 5. Here are our thoughts. . . . More...
FAQ: I have parents who want to volunteer, but I really want to wait until the Daily 5 is up and running. What should I do?
Are you wondering how you might utilize eager parent volunteers without letting them in the classroom until routines and procedures are in place? We have a few suggestions that might work for you. . . . More...
FAQ: Help! I want to get my pensieve set up for the new year, but I can't find the forms!
Wouldn't it be nice if the pensieve forms were all in one convenient, easy to find place? We agree! Now setting up your conferring notebook couldn't be easier. . . . More...
FAQ - What's new from The Sisters?
What's new from the sisters, you ask? Exciting new DVD's that will bring the sisters to you where you want, when you want! . . . More...
FAQ- Help! Your friend Lori shared her pensieve calendars last year! Is she going to share them again for this school year?
Absolutely! And she said thanks for the reminder. She can cross this off her to do list and is happy to share them with you. . . . More...
FAQ- I was inspired to redo my classroom library after hearing you present, but help! How do I begin?
If you are ready to tackle the challenge of remodeling your classroom library, the answer to this weeks FAQ will be of particular interest. . . . More...
FAQ: Can I use Daily 5 even though I only have my students for 45 minutes?
FAQ: Can I use Daily 5 even though I only have my students for 45 minutes each day? A: The answer is yes, and here's how... . . . More...
FAQ - How do I get started with Daily 5 and the Website?
We heard from a few members recently who are embarking on their Daily 5 journey this coming fall. They wrote asking if we could post some suggestions for how to start learning about Daily 5 so they'll be prepared for the school year. So where to start with Daily 5? . . . More...
FAQ- How and when do students exchange the books in their book boxes? I understand that I prefill them for their introduction to Daily 5 the first day of school, but then what?
Are you wondering how and when to let your students trade their good fit books out for new ones? If so, we have a few ideas for you. . . . More...
FAQ- Now that school is starting, I want to design my own conferring notebook, but I can't remember the website you said to go to.
If you have wanted to design your own conferring notebook, now it the time. Zazzle is offering our readers a 40% discount on their notebooks. Now you can create a pensieve that fits your personality perfectly. . . . More...
FAQ: Which would I start with first, Daily 5 or Cafe?
For many of us here in North America, summer break has already arrived or is just around the corner. Twitter and blogs are a-buzz with what everyone is reading this summer both personally and professionally. Here at The Daily Cafe things are no different. We have been inundated with the question, "I'm planning my summer professional reading. What should I read first, Daily 5 or Cafe?" . . . More...
Autograph Book
Only five of my 23 students ordered yearbooks this . . . More...
Daily CAFE Delight - Where do you get a Daily 5 book?
Marilyn Schwartz from Manalapan, New Jersey, recen . . . More...
FAQ - What do I do with all the borders I have for my bulletin boards?
Because we want the thinking and learning of stud . . . More...
FAQ: How do we integrate CAFE and Daily 5 with our new basal adoption?
A: We originally developed Daily 5 and th . . . More...
FAQ: Which High Frequency Words do You Use?
FAQ: Which High Frequency Words do You Use? . . . More...
FAQ - Is The Daily 5 a structure I can use with the RTI Framework?
A: If we consider the original intent of RTI, "Response to Intervention," (Richard Allington, 2011 IRA Conference) we look at the Daily 5 structure as a perfect marriage with RTI. Why? ... . . . More...
FAQ - I have students who can pick "Good Fit Books" when I am sitting with them, but they are reluctant book shoppers on their own. I'm worried about them choosing books to read this summer. Any ideas for how to hook them into choosing books on their own?
FAQ-I have students who can pick "Good Fit Books" when I am sitting with them, but they are reluctant book shoppers on their own. I'm worried about them choosing books to read this summer. Any ideas for how to hook them into choosing books on their own? . . . More...
Mother's Day Project: Creative Paper Clips
Here is a great Mother's Day project that is simple, inexpensive, functional and so very cute! Turn ordinary paperclips into personalized works of art. What more could one ask for? . . . More...
Do you have any ideas for Mother's Day gifts?
A: As much as we love to help our students honor moms, aunts, grandmas or any other female in their lives, finding a project that is student created as well as something mom may use or treasure is a trick. This week we have two of our favorite Mother's Day projects for students of all ages. We have done both of these with our students with great success and moms love them This week we are bringing over two of our favorite Mother's Day projects for students of all ages. We have done both of these with our students with great success and moms love them! . . . More...
FAQ: My fourth graders started Daily 5 and were amazing, monitoring themselves, reading and writing. Now it has gone downhill. Suggestions?
FAQ: My fourth graders started Daily 5 and were amazing, monitoring themselves, reading and writing. Now it has gone downhill. Suggestions? . . . More...
FAQ: Do I really need to teach my students Three Ways to Read a Book?
The bottom line is that you really do know your children best especially as the year progresses, but what about the first days of school when we first introduce Three Ways to Read A Book. . . . More...
FAQ: Do you ever tell students what they have to read during Read to Self?
FAQ: Do you ever tell students what they have to read during Read to Self? A: Like everything we do with children, there is not one hard and fast, black and white rule. Typically our response to this question is that we focus more of our time on teaching children the IPICK method to choosing books that are a good fit for them rather than picking books that may be a good reading level but ones they may not be interested in. That said, we also know that inevitably we have students that may need more support with picking books for Read to Self... . . . More...
FAQ: How is Work on Writing different from Writing Workshop?
In many of our primary classrooms, teachers elect to have a Work on Writing session during Daily 5 and a separate Writer's workshop, however in intermediate classrooms this may change. . . . More...
Q: When the lesson of the good fit book is taught, do you take each student individually and have them choose a good fit books for their book box?
We consider choosing good fit books to be a life skill. Whether it be in a bookstore, school library, or public library, empowering our children to pick a book that they are interested in as well as one they can comprehend is of vital importance to their success in reading and learning to fall in love with reading. When we teach the good fit book lesson, we give children ample time to browse: . . . More...
FAQ - The computers in my classroom take up so much space. How do you position them to maximize space?
This is a dilemma that requires some thought. We . . . More...
FAQ: Is it really important for my kids to set their own goals? Any research that supports this practice?
FAQ: Is it really important for my kids to set their own goals? Any research that supports this practice? . . . More...
FAQ: When intermediate students Read to Someone, how do they choose books? Do they need to be a good fit? A picture book?
FAQ: When intermediate students Read to Someone, how do they choose books? Do they need to be a good fit? A picture book? . . . More...
FAQ: How do you instruct the students on the possibility/actuality that you will pull one student or a small group to work with, thus they will miss that portion of the Daily 5 routine they had chosen for that time?
You may have already experienced the sometimes audible frustration expressed with students when they have made their Daily 5 choice and then we pull them from it for small group or one-on-one instruction. We respect and appreciate that frustration and try hard not to interrupt the cadence of their independent time. So what does that look like? . . . More...
Q: When you meet with a small group, do you take notes on each child in that group or mainly use that time as an instructional time?
A: When considering small grou . . . More...
FAQ: Do you have kindergarteners create and post strategy cards on the CAFE Menu board? What visuals do you use?
For many teachers of our youngest children, there is the constant tug and pull regarding the Cafe Menu ™ and writing the strategies to post on the board even before many of them can read. Joan shares her experiences with our youngest learners and the CAFE Board. We also show you an example of the CAFE Board from one or our readers. . . . More...
Expanding Vocabulary, One School's Creative Idea (ARTICLE)
We are always looking for clever and creative ideas for supporting children as they work on expanding their vocabulary. We received permission from Darlene, a literacy coach from Canandigua, New York, to share with you her school-wide vocabulary initiative call "Big Dog Words." The initiative is grounded in the research by Isabell Beck, PhD and her work with 'tier two' words. . . . More...
FAQ: My schedule is set for 40 minutes first thing for reading, then a special, then 40 minutes of writing. Is it possible that I can still use the Daily 5™ with this schedule for 4th graders?
A: One of the luxuries of the Daily 5 . . . More...
FAQ: Is The Daily 5 appropriate for gifted students and higher grades like 6th?
We've been asked this by many educators . . . More...
FAQ: What do I send home to parents when I do Daily 5?
A: Before our classroom days included Daily 5, it was common practice to send our students home every day or so with a worksheet to do or share with families. We can look back on our own childhoods and see that this practice has been around awhile. . . . More...
FAQ - If the students read so much during the day, do you assign reading as homework, too?
FAQ - If the students read so much during the day, do you assign reading as homework, too? A. If you know us very well, you'll be able to guess the answer to this question is yes. But there is a caveat. . . . More...
FAQ: We had two weeks off and I think my students have forgotten everything they learned about Daily 5. Help!
A: We either return to school from our . . . More...
FAQ - Student behavior is going downhill now, what do I do?
There are many steps involved in successfully read . . . More...
How do we manage Listen to Reading when the book selection is short? - Sisters on the Spot (VIDEO)
Martha joined us for a workshop and had a burning . . . More...
Daily 5™ is Up and Going and You Get a New Student - Ideas for Success
We always celebrate the arrival of a new stude . . . More...
Calendar Template from Jan Brett
With the New Year around the corner, a new conferr . . . More...
FAQ - I am looking for a new way to have students share their writing. Sometimes we run out of time or it seems the same kids always share. Any ideas?
FAQ: I am looking for a new way to have students share their writing. Sometimes we run out of time or it seems the same kids always share. Any ideas? . . . More...
FAQ - How do you handle winter holidays?
as the years have ticked by, I've noticed an increase in children who do not celebrate Christmas. I would never intentionally do anything that would make a child feel that they don't belong. Yet, this is exactly what must be happening. . . . More...
Tales2go - Audio Books for the 21st Century! (WEBSITE)
Want great stories from great storytellers anytime? There's an app for that and it's called Tales2Go. We love it! . . . More...
Sisters on the Spot - What happens if Listen to Reading doesn't last for a whole round because the book is only five or so minutes long? (VIDEO)
Listen to Reading - The Sisters On the Spot! . . . More...
FAQ - What material do you use for teaching your strategy groups if the students are not reading from the same text?
Here are a few different resources that we use for teaching students in small groups. You will notice in each group the students are all reading their own books . . . More...
FAQ: Do you read aloud to your students and if so is it during Daily 5 or at a different time?
FAQ: Do you read aloud to your students and if so is it during Daily 5 or at a different time? . . . More...
FAQ: How to Handle a Book (Focus Lesson)
Q: My students are not treating the books . . . More...
FAQ: Do you include a "behavior" category on the menu board?
At this time, our CAFE Menu that we build with our students only holds reading strategies, no behavior strategies. The behaviors are written at the bottom of the print version as they shore up the reading strategies. Behavior goals can be very personal, so we save them for our individual conferences with students. . . . More...
Games for Math Daily 5 These games are linked to directions and videos on this site.
Here's an interactive Game Menu to help support students in Math Daily 5. . . . More...
Daily Cafe Delights - A Laugh Out Loud Story
One of our favorite things about t . . . More...
FAQ: How do you decide who to confer with individually?
Earlier in our teaching, our confe . . . More...
Daily CAFE™ Delight -Building stamina
NAME: carole lower FROM: lowerc@yahoo.com CITY: . . . More...
Custom Notebooks/Pensive Offer
Many of you have written asking if . . . More...
FAQ - I love Daily 5, but our rounds are bumpier than I feel they should be for this time of year! What can I do?
A: We are going to let our friend Lori Sabo . . . More...
This CAFE™ Menu is Interactive, Hyperlinking the Resources for YOU!
Did you know we have an interactive CAFE™ Me . . . More...
FAQ - I want to move away from the traditional "guided reading" groups and into "strategy groups" like you explain in your book and on your website. Any suggestions?
Q: I want to move away from the traditional "guided reading" groups and into "strategy groups" like you explain in your book and on your website. I started off fine, but have gone back to my old ways, which were comfortable and familiar. Any suggestions? . . . More...
FAQ - Easy Reader Books
Q:> I am having a hard time finding books that are written at a lower level, but of high interest. What are your favorites? . . . More...
Design - Creating a Table for Word Work Out of Shower Board (PHOTOS)
One of the most popular tools used during Word Wor . . . More...
FAQ How do you explain the structure of the Daily 5™ to a guest teacher? (DOWNLOAD)
This question has recently been posed so often tha . . . More...
FAQ - How can I involve students in using the CAFE™ strategies?
by Allison Behne When introducing a new . . . More...
FAQ - Do you have some more ideas on supporting our barometer children or those students who break stamina first?
by Trish Prentice Yes, every year we have a Bar . . . More...
FAQ - How might I keep track of the books that are read during our reading aloud when I have no more wall space?
by Trish Prentice I love the idea of keeping a . . . More...
FAQ - Do you know teachers who are looping with Daily 5 and what is different about Daily 5 the second year with the same students?
Cindy looped with her second graders up to third. . . . More...
FAQ - Do you have other resources for teaching comprehension?
We spent last week in Wisconsin with te . . . More...
Printable Calendar for 2010/2011
Here is a printable calendar for the school year 2 . . . More...
FAQ - The sticky notes keep falling off the CAFE board. Any other ideas for students declaring their goals?
Well, the quick and easy fix is to use the Super S . . . More...
Q: I'm having a hard time finding what I want when I need it. Can't you reorganize the website now that you have so much content?
A: There are more ways to organize the web . . . More...
FAQ: Are you going to create a Writing Cafe Menu?
We aren't. The reason being, we don't feel a need to recreate the wheel. We both use the Developing Writer's Assessment (DWA) with our students. We love this... . . . More...
Bibliography
Ahhh, summertime; catching up with friends, doing . . . More...
FAQ - I love the Eye Lighters you gave me at the Daily 5 conference! I want enough for my whole class. Please tell me where I can get more.
We love them too! For those of you who wonder wha . . . More...
FAQ - Do your daily focus lessons connect to each other somehow?
Not necessarily. Our primary students are beginni . . . More...
CAFE - What is The Transitional CAFE Menu and where do I find it?
By Trish Prentice Do you have any "in between" . . . More...
FAQ-What other activities and materials are available during Daily 5™?
This question was asked of us this week . . . More...
FAQ - What is a "go to" tip for creating comfortable learning areas for students?
Designing comfortable, functional working spaces f . . . More...
FAQ - How do you make and keep the transitions between the Daily 5 rounds short and smooth? (Download)
Jessica Hewitt a wonderful first grade teacher in . . . More...
FAQ - I am thinking of changing my library this summer to move away from the books being leveled, but how do I get my students to choose a book that is the correct level for them?
We had the privilege last week to meet really wond . . . More...
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