Thursday, July 12, 2012

CAFE Headings & Reading Strategy Cards

I decided I'll be implement the Daily 5 into my classroom this year.  I knew I wanted to read the CAFE book as well to get ideas and inspiration since it is also by da sistas The Sisters.

I wish I didn't wait so long to read it because this book has put it all together for me! If you haven't read it, start now. Seriously. My mind is so full of ideas, excitement, and all the missing pieces are filled. At first I wasn't sure about the mini lessons of the Daily 5 and how my small groups are going to look exactly but this book fills in all those gaps! Every time I look at the book now I think of like heavenly music coming out of it because it really answers all my questions!

So enough of my excitement, I'll be implementing the CAFE Menu that will look something like this but totally different headings/colors/everything:
(Source)
Before I read the book I had no idea what that entire bulletin board meant and it looks intimidating. Its not, it actually makes a lot of sense. I love how the reading strategies you teach stay up all year and students focus on the ones that would benefit them. This is differentiation at its best!

Being the OCD/matchy-matchy teacher I am, I created a heading and reading strategy cards for my CAFE board that match my classroom decor.

I also made reading strategy cards from the CAFE menu with some pictures. They are color coordinated with the C, A, F, and E colors. So C and E are unfortunately both blue.

Here are a few..
I know it is more meaningful to write the card with your class but I just couldn't do it. They have pictures on my strategy cards so that will help. I plan on touching the card, referring to it often, and have it up next to me when I introduce the strategy. I think it will all be okay if I don't hand write the strategy card with my kiddos.

If you'd like your own copy of these headers and reading strategy cards you can download them for FREE in my Teacher's Notebook store here.

I have a Teachers Pay Teachers store but I won't be using it and I can't figure out how to delete it. I'll be strictly using Teacher's notebook so please follow me  there. I'll posting all my freebies in my store soon for you to also check out. :)

p.s.
My boyfriend made chocolate cupcakes last night and we didn't have any frosting. So I created some peanut butter frosting from scratch using this super easy recipe found here. They turned out to be DELICIOUS, as in can't stop eating, they are most gone delicious.
Taken on instagram, follow me for more random pictures at TisforTeaching

I'd highly recommend downloading the CAFE header/strategy cards then make these ASAP.

13 comments:

  1. Love the CAFE! I will have to learn more about it. I am your newest follower!
    Leah
    Learning 4 Keeps

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  2. I ordered my copies and they should be here tomorrow!! I can't wait, I have been wanting to implement this for a while now. I love your freebies and your ideas!
    I just awarded you the Versatile Blog Award. I am giving it to newbie bloggers like me. Head on over to my blog to get your award!
    Crystal
    Ms Jones Junction

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    1. Your going to love the books! Thank you so much for the award :)

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  3. Thanks for sharing. Just downloaded these. Our school doesn't do the Daily 5 or Cafe, but I have seen it all over the internet this summer. I am really interested in implementing it.

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  4. great Cafe signs! I was looking to make a few extras. What font did you use as there is a million of them now on the internet? Thanks again!

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    1. The header font is by Lettering Delights, called Elementary and the font most used is called Elizabeth Skinny.

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  5. Thanks so much for sharing, Amber! They are great! Along with the above question about font, where did you get the frame/border? I'd love to make some extra cards for strategies in the upper grades.
    Thanks!

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    1. The header font is by Lettering Delights, called Elementary and the font most used is called Elizabeth Skinny. I make all of the boarders by just using shapes in Powerpoint and changing the color, weight, and dashed. I don't get them anywhere special! Hope that helps :)

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  6. I Amber, I have just entered the sight. I was just transfered to k-3. I have never done this before I need help I have 2 students that I work with that really need CAFE one level is 1 grade and the other 2nd grade Im lost. Use teach high school only for the past 12 years HELP thank you.....

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  7. I'm glad that I'm not the only person who would want to make the strategy cards myself too. I feel like they should be very readable. If I had to make them with my students, I would still do the writing. I might even have my students write them in their own notebooks to refer to them often. That way it is a win/win lol

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  8. Hi Amber,
    I just left you a message on TN about these cards. First of all they are SO cute! Love the simple graphics and legible font. I was thrilled to finally find something to match the Dots on Turquoise theme. Thank YOU! I'm wondering if you might be able to add the two missing skills?
    Comprehension- Retell the story
    Fluency- Reread text
    Thanks so much for considering! If it's easier just to email them to me that would be great: mmuntean@friendsbalt.org

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    1. Hi Mikaela,
      Those skills are actually in there! Double check and you'll see :)

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Please remember the golden rule and cannot wait to see what you have to share! :)