All readers of any age need instruction and support that helps them become more independent and self-reflective in their work. – Gail Boushey and Joan Moser In The CAFE Book, Gail Boushey and Joan Moser present a practical, simple way to integrate assessment into daily reading and classroom discussion. The CAFE system, based on research into the habits of proficient readers, is an acronym for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding vocabulary. The system includes goal-setting with students in individual conferences, posting of goals on a whole-class board, developing small-group instruction based on clusters of students with similar goals, and targeting whole-class instruction based on emerging student needs. Gail and Joan developed the CAFE system to support teachers as they: organize assessment data so it truly informs instruction; track each child's strengths and goals, thereby maximizing time with him or her; create flexible groups of students, all focused on a specific reading strategy; and help students remember and retrieve the reading strategies they learned. The CAFE system does not require expensive materials, complicated training, or complete changes to current classroom literacy approaches. Rather, it provides a structure for conferring with students, a language for talking about reading development, and a system for tracking growth and fostering student independence. The CAFE system’s built-in flexibility allows teachers to tailor the system to reflect the needs of their students and their state’s standards. And it’s a perfect complement to The Daily Five, “The Sisters” influential first book, which lays out a structure for keeping all students engaged in productive literacy work for every hour of every classroom day.
great structure for the good things I was already doingAugust 25, 2010 ann This book helps teachers take all the good strategies that many of us already know and use and put them together in a framework that makes sense for students. Time management is too much to ask of seven year olds, and these authors show teachers how to fit in all the skills without stressing students. The lessons and assessments provide reading instruction and practice in an authentic, meaningful way. The stigma of reading groups divided by reading levels is gone. Love it. Definitely using it this school year and have shared it with colleagues.
Great ResourceJuly 25, 2010 Nichole This book gave excellent examples for how to implement the CAFE in the classroom. I feel confident going into my classroom that I will be able to put these procedures into place and differentiate instruction for all my students.
Love this book!July 24, 2010 Monica This book is a great resource for teachers who are looking for a way to document student progress and to keep it organized. It also shows you how you can hold students accountable for their progress and learning by setting goals and eventually meeting them. LOVE IT! You might want to buy The Daily Five as well to help you manage your small groups time.
CafeJuly 6, 2010 sissyc1 I am halfway through reading this book it as tons of information in it Love it cant wait to impliment it within my classroom
Great literacy toolJuly 5, 2010 jennteach For those liking a very organized approach to tracking students' reading progress, this is a great book. It is a great piece to explain how to work assessment into the Daily Five approach (the first book by the same authors).
