I had the opportunity to step outside of my box last week. Our local ISD asked if they could come in and video tape me during Daily 5. I was super chicken but decided I needed to step outside of my comfort zone. So permission slips were sent home, my kids got busy planning their wardrobes, and my room got a good scrub down. You should have heard my girls all fired up planning what they would wear. I was tickled the morning of the taping when my boys came in with their hair all gelled up. Too cute!

I have used the Daily 5/CAFE in my classroom for the past four years and I really do love it! My third grade co-workers started it this year and they are excited about the results they are seeing in their classrooms. The ISD plans to run some Daily 5/CAFE workshops this summer and they wanted a video showing teachers in our county using the model in their classrooms. I was SUPER nervous but I think it went well. They taped me teaching a mini lesson on text to self connections and then conferencing with students one on one. For the last bit I had to stand three feet from the camera and answer interview questions while my students worked quietly in the background on their Daily 5 choices. I got a little tongue tied but my kids in the background rocked it out!! I was sooo proud of them that day! The woman who taped us had announced that they could expect her to walk around and tap their shoulder if they needed to focus or settle down during the session. As she packed up she looked up all of the sudden and remarked on how she hadn't had to tap a single shoulder. They were so impressed with the kids behavior.


She sent me some of the pictures that she took with her camera and I have them here for you to see. I love the one of the little guy in the green chair. Sooo cute! He is so on task and it's funny how his shoe laces match the bean bag. Remember this summer when I was debating the bean bag chairs? Well they have worked out great!! I totally recommend them!

In the end, I'm super flattered that they asked to come to my room for the taping and proud of myself for conquering my fears and letting them come.

  Hey bloggy buddies!! I've been sooo MIA!! Life in the fast lane is starting to catch up with me! The days fly by and it feels like I just can't get everything in. Here is a little peak at what we have been up to!! 

Daily five has been going wonderful!! My kids are loving it and building awesome stamina!! 
Right now they are all focused on - 

• Choosing a just right book
• Finishing one chapter book at a time
• Taking an AR test on that book.  

Once they have taken the AR test they report the score to me and I record it in my pensive. When I conference with them I go over the following:

• Current book level/length (AR) I have them read one page and demonstrate the 5 finger test.  
• I have a print out of their AR summary - We discuss their scores/points/comprehension %. I have them take these summaries home for their parents to view and sign. 
• I have all of their books recorded with the level and the test %tage in my pensive to keep on track. This makes it easy to say - Where is the Tree House book you were reading two days ago?? Accountability is big. 

During buddy reading they have to stop every couple pages (depending on the length/density of their books) and summarize. I did this little summary chart. We model and practice each day and will until we get really good at this. 
I recently found and printed out these check marks which I plan to pass out for them to decorate and keep in their book bags. These will serve as a reminder for them to summarize. On the back we are going to put Coaching/Time for when a student is stuck.  
 I found this supper sassy check on What the Teacher Wants!  
This blog is super of course awesome!! :)  She is all about the Common Core and has tons of cool stuff to download and see!

I have lots more Daily 5 stuff on my Pinterest if you want to take a peak!! I have to admit I'm a little Pinterest crazy!! hehe! Click the button below to have a look!


I was pretty proud of my long A poster I made do you like the Halloween touch I added?? hehe! I got this little ditty over at the Inspired Apple. Thanks Abby!
 All in all the year is going great, but WOW is it going fast!! I hope everyone else is having a blast and not so very overwhelmed!! I can't believe how time is flying!! 

Please excuse my absence! I've been working hard for the $$$$!! hehe! Money, funny huh? I found a super cool site today! It is a Daily 5 / Cafe gold mine!! So, get over there and see what I'm talking about!! Make sure you scroll down. I don't want you to click and think, "oh, I'm not interested in this." Scroll down to the bottom and start clicking on the "related files"!! Wow, cool!! Leave me a message and let me know what you liked the best! I have to say the Power point is pretty AWESOME!!!!

I was typing along today and I stumbled upon a wonderful resource!! If you haven't check out this blog you REALLY need to get typing on over in a hurry!! Her entire blog is dedicated to the Daily 5 and Cafe. 

What an awesome day! I learned lots and I have tons to share but I'm off and running for now! I have to tote my three to volleyball with me but I will sooooo report back soon. I had a great day listening to Gail and Joan. They are so very full of humor and knowledge! I felt like I was at the Oprah show. They kept surprising us with free stuff!! Check it all out!
An adorable book about a dog who builds stamina to be all that he so wishes to be!! Dex The Heart of a Hero which my 6 year old is holding as we speak! Click on over and grab it up on Amazon!! I will post the rest of their recommended reads tomorrow!


Wind chimes, a sassy check mark, a poetry book, and other cute stuff were all wonderful perks to a very awesome training!! I'm pretty amped up for tomorrows training. I've never been to Cafe training before so this will be all new and I can't wait.

OK - Thanks for letting me vent!! Arghhhhhhh!

I got in!! They emailed me and said they squeezed me in and I'm sooooo happy!! I promise to post all the wonderful things I learn!!