A friend of ours recently went to a summer camp with 450 middle school students. The week was filled with many memorable moments, but one of the most meaningful was a strenuous hike up a mountain. The goal was to reach a flat section at the top (see the photo where the single tree is illumined in the sunlight).  

It wasn't easy, yet every student and leader made it to the goal. She laughed when she recounted that some kids bounded past her like mountain goats. Others plodded steadily. Another group needed an occasional hand to help them over a steep step or slippery slope. A small handful needed heavier support to reach the goal. They didn't all get there at the same time, but every single student made it to the top.

As she shared, I thought about the students in our classrooms and how similar our yearlong journeys are. Joan and I firmly believe that every student can succeed, reach their goals, and meet the standards. The secret lies in the level of support.

Being able to provide various levels of support is really the beauty of Daily 5 and CAFE. Students develop stamina and behaviors of independence and are highly engaged in meaningful reading and writing tasks. While they are engaged, we are able to assess, set goals, teach, monitor progress, and celebrate growth. We are able to provide light support, moderate support, and heavy support to ensure that we all end up at the top.

This article might be missing links that were included at the time of publication.