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    During our literacy block, the classroom structure and framework is called Daily 5.
     
    Daily 5 teaches independence and gives children the skills needed to create a lifetime love of reading and writing.  It consists of five tasks that are introduced individually.  When introduced to each task, the children discuss what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like to engage in the task independently.  Then, the children work on building their stamina until they are successful at being independent while doing that task.  Students typically participate in three of the five tasks every day.
     
    These are the five Daily 5 tasks:
    • Read to Self
    • Work on Writing
    • Read to Someone
    • Listen to Reading
    • Word Work
    When all five tasks have been introduced and the children are fully engaged in reading and writing, I am able to work with small guided reading groups and confer with children one-on-one.  This structure is effective, the results are amazing, and the children look forward to Daily 5 time.
     
    One thing you may notice is a decrease in the number of worksheets your child brings home.  Although worksheets keep students busy, they don't result in the high level of learning we want for your child.
     
    Daily CAFÉ uses the structure and framework of Daily 5 to help students understand and master the four key components of successful reading:  Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding Vocabulary.

    The CAFÉ "menu" breaks each component—comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expanding vocabulary—into significant strategies that support whole-class instruction as well as individual student goals.