Friday Freebie:)

Hey everyone!  It's Holly from Fourth Grade Flipper!  

Today I am bringing you Tonya's Friday Freebie!  

It seems like I signed up for this chance ages ago.  Tonya is one of the first blogs I started following and has the best ideas!  See the form here to sign up to be featured for her Friday Freebie.

I just made this freebie on Wednesday after I was thinking about how I plan on implementing CAFE this year in my fourth grade classroom.  Last year I implemented Daily 5 for the first time and knew I would revisit CAFE the following year if I loved Daily 5.  

Let's just say, I LOVED it (I think the students did too:).

Of course, I need wanted a cute bulletin board to display the CAFE strategies and have been searching for the perfect colors that will go with my owl theme.  Being a little OCD, I finally decided to just make my own CAFE letters and header to match the Owl Chevron Book Bin Labels I recently created.  

It was perfect timing since I can now offer you these CAFE letters as a freebie today!

If you love the owl theme, I hope you can use this freebie in your classroom!  I think some educators  underestimate how a catching header or theme can transform their classroom and motivate students. Sure, it "looks cute" but I know my upper elementary students really do appreciate it!  

How do I know?  

• Students choose the activity at a center that looks appealing and colorful.
• Students ask about a new bulletin board the moment they walk in the room.
• Students give me little gifts that go with my classroom theme.
• Students reference the "cute display" when discussing a topic or strategy.

Yep, you know what I'm talking about! :)  

Embrace the cuteness and know that your hard work in making your classroom "just right" makes a difference!  It not only motivates your students and adds to the learning environment, but the work you put into making the space "just right" shows that YOU care!