CAFE Menu Strategies

The CAFE Menu organizes literacy strategies into four goals: comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expand vocabulary. It helps us name what students are doing as readers.

These are 39 of the most common strategies we see in classrooms. There are many more. Your curriculum, standards, and students will always guide your decisions. Use these strategies to support and strengthen the work you’re doing.

Each strategy page brings everything together in one place. You’ll find the Ready Reference Guide, assessment support, caregiver communication, student tools, and related articles, videos, and texts to support your teaching.

Start by clicking a strategy below to explore. You’ll find real examples, practical tools, and printable resources that help you teach with clarity and respond to what your students need.

Browse by resource: Ready Reference Guides Assessments Caretake Letters Bookmarks

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Comprehension

I understand what I read

Analyze how visual elements integrate and contribute to the meaning of text Ask questions throughout the reading process Back up and reread Check for understanding; monitor and self-correct Compare and contrast within and between texts Determine and analyze author's purpose and support with text Infer and support with evidence Make and adjust mental images; use text to confirm Make and adjust predictions; use text to confirm Read voraciously (C)Recognize and explain cause-and-effect relationships Recognize literary elements (genre, plot, character, setting, theme, problem, resolution)Retell; include sequence of main events Set purpose for reading Summarize text; include important details Use main ideas and supporting details to determine importance Use prior knowledge to predict and connect with text Use text features to learn important information (titles, headings captions, graphic features)

Accuracy

I can read the words

Listen carefully to sounds Look carefully at letters and words Look for word parts Map it Read voraciously (A)Say the word slowly Try a different sound Use meaning and context to confirm

Fluency

I can read accurately, with expression, and at a rate that matches the text

Adjust and apply different reading rates to match text Read texts that are a good fit Read voraciously (F)Reread text Use punctuation to enhance phrasing and prosody

Expand Vocabulary

I know, find, and use interesting words

Apply understanding of figurative language Ask someone to define the word for you Read voraciously (E)Tune in to interesting words Use pictures, illustrations, and diagrams Use prior knowledge and context clues Use reference tools such as dictionary, thesauruses, and glossaries Use word parts

SUPPORT YOUR LEARNERS

Math Strategies

You’ll find real examples, practical tools, and printable resources that make implementation smoother for you and more meaningful for your students.

Find a Strategy

Teaching In Action

Video Library

Sometimes, it helps to see it in action. Our videos give you a front-row seat to real strategies, clear modeling, and teacher-tested routines—ready for your own classroom.

Watch, Learn, and Try It Yourself

GRAB-AND-GO

Printables

High-quality tools that help teachers teach better, and students learn more effectively.

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At Teach Daily, we help teachers create classrooms where students know what to do, stay engaged, and continue learning beyond the lesson.

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