When I first implemented this model, I was not using a reading series. I pulled different resources to fit the Common Core State Standards, and I used the books the students were reading to guide my instruction. I also started using this model when I taught first grade, and it went very well.
Over the past few years now teaching third grade, my team and I have used our own resources, the Engage New York Curriculum that is free online, and now we are using Wonders by McGraw Hill as a resource for instruction. After tweaking the Wonders curriculum to fit our needs for next year, I am planning on going back to using the Literacy CAFE system as well. I don't think any one reading series can cover everything that needs to be included when working with third grade readers.
I like to make sure that I check in with students frequently on the books that they are reading, and last year I always felt very rushed to do this. After reflecting a lot this summer, I realized that I don't need to rush to get through the Wonders curriculum (my team and I have a scope and sequence to follow, but we are all flexible and work well together), and I really need to put more time in each day to meet with readers and focus on specific skills and strategies for individual students.
The Literacy CAFE System ,which I have used in the past, allows for individualized and group instruction on specific reading skills and strategies, and the students guide this. I have had a hard time keeping up with this in the past, but I think that if I dedicate my first round of the Daily Five system to checking in with individual students and keep a schedule that is manageable, then I will not feel so much pressure to get everything in. Reading the books with students that they love is the best part of reading!
I am confident that I will be able to still fit in the Wonders curriculum and match it to the Daily CAFE strategies and skills. I also think that the traditional Daily Five model of meeting for mini-lessons in between groups is something I need to go back to doing. This is something I do a lot at the beginning of the year to train students, but throughout the year I just rush through the reading groups to get things done. I plan to have mini-lessons in between about reading, writing, and grammar, so that I spend the whole morning until lunch working on these skills!
I created a new CAFE board for myself with a farmhouse theme to match my classroom for next year. Check it out below!
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