Monday Memo - Week of February 20

Great Things I Noticed Last Week:
*Read Aloud during Daily 5 Mini-Lesson using a picture book linked to their current social studies unit.
*A Math/Science integrated activity in which students rotated around the room measuring different line segments instead of just doing so on one worksheet at their desk (the teacher knew they needed to be moving around in the afternoon to stay engaged!)
*1st graders partners during Read to Self saying, "I just heard you say..." and repeat what the student just read.
*During a Daily 5 Check-In discussion on why they were called back to the carpet a student said, "that was wasting my time, I really wanted to finish my book" (in response to the behaviors of some others!)

Events this Week:
Tuesday - Tech Tuesday in the Media Center (I'll be sharing Twitter)
Wednesday - Professional Learning Meeting: Instead of one whole staff meeting we will be meeting in cross-grade levels to discuss Daily 5/Cafe.  This Wednesday the following grades will meet together: 5K/1st, 2nd/3rd, and 4th/5th.  (Next month we'll do the same, but switch).  Your discussion will be on the questions on this google doc.
 Friday- No School

"Nuts & Bolts" Notes
*Our budget for next year is basically the same as this year. Please let me know if there's anything else you were hoping to purchase for next year (by this Thursday).
*Next week is Read Across America week (probably my favorite week of the year!) 
*Just sharing from thedailycafe site: "How does shared reading fit into the Daily 5?" Click here for the answer.

Tech Tips
*Here's a google docs tutorial I found from another teacher online (who happens to also be the Illinois Teacher of the Year). He has some other neat video tutorials on his blog at http://www.stumpteacher.blogspot.com/