Incorporating data from over one million students, this book is designed to share the truth of what students think about school with educators who want to make a difference.
Based on the successful, proven Thinking Maps model developed by David Hyerle, this book makes a compelling case for making an explicit focus on thinking the foundation for every school. Enabling all students to become drivers of their own thinking and learning, a Thinking School is defined as an educational community in which all members share a common commitment to giving regular, careful thought to everything that takes place including learning how to think reflectively, critically and creatively.
With school improvement initiatives, quality trumps quantity every time. Today, a vast array of techniques, plans and initiatives purport to improve student performance. But a "shotgun" approach-trying many strategies at once without the deep focus they need to succeed-always falls short. The Focus Model solves this growing problem with a method for carefully implementing research informed initiatives proven to work and getting the most out of them, detailing: From Standards to Learning Intentions-Defining with clarity the skills your students most need now Criteria for Success-Defining with clarity what it will mean for students to have mastered skills Critical formative analysis of students - Taking formative assessment to a systemic level of implementation Impact-Professional Learning Communities (I-PLCs)-Collaborating with colleagues so that the focus is learning for both students and the adults With The Focus Model, your school and system will benefit from the truth that less is more in planning for improvement. "Here's a first-synthesis of today's best suggestions about how we can make school improvement a reality instead of a hope. A seasoned, perceptive author has assembled an excellent collection of school-improvement tactics that are demonstrable winners." -W. James Popham, Emeritus Professor UCLA "If the US implements the Common Core Curriculum it will require a constructive alignment between the standards, the teaching, and the assessment. Jones highlights these latter two critical parts of schooling in a way that not only makes the alignment constructive, but he increases the probability of acceleration in student learning." -John Hattie, Director Melbourne Education Research Institute Victoria, Australia
Many educators, overwhelmed by the increasing demands of the profession and by the effort that the move to the Common Core Standards requires, continue to view fiction text as the primary source for both read aloud experiences and beginning reading instruction. This text helps all educators and prospective educators see nonfiction texts as an important component of all aspects of the PreK-2 curriculum and to provide them with practical, proven tools for selection and use of a wide variety of informational literature, including books, magazines, charts, graphs, digital media, and more. The authors examine why a balance of informational and narrative text is so important, and what recent research reveals about the value of using nonfiction text with young children. Those working most closely with children in kindergarten through second grade classrooms will find this to be a practical resource for understanding the Standards related to nonfiction text, and for selecting and using appropriate informational literature to build young children's background knowledge and their acquisition of foundational reading skills. Individuals responsible for professional development and for coaching teachers' implementation of the reading curriculum should be able to use this text in teacher book club discussion groups, and as the base for design of professional development sessions.
This new book from David Sousa examines source material on brain research and provides primary and secondary classroom reading strategies for teachers based on the most current findings. There are five core chapters on - what the research tells us, understanding language acquisition, instructional strategies, identifying reading problems, and strategies for resolving reading problems. The book includes a useful glossary of terms integrates brain diagrams to language acquisitions and strategies.
Implementing Inquiry- and Argument-Based Science Standards in Grades 3-8
Douglas Llewellyn focuses on teaching science through an inquiry-based process, showing teachers how to implement inquiry using the three "Rs" of inquiry-restructuring, retooling, and reculturing. Inquire Within helps teachers design inquiries for their students and also provides ready-to-use inquiry lessons. Updates to the Third Edition include: Alignment with the new Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards A central focus on making and defending scientific arguments (i.e. argumentation) Guidance on developing the prerequisite attitude and mindset for becoming an inquiry- and argument-based teacher How to balance the meaning (the disposition) as well as the mechanics (the how-to) of inquiry and argumentation Background on self-directed learning Practice in climbing the ladder of professional improvement Many new vignettes of inquiry and argument-based activities that integrate language arts with science. New sections tie inquiry-based instruction to classroom management, language literacy, the nature of science, multiple intelligence, communication skills, and scientific argumentation. The Third Edition is now closely aligned with Teaching High School Science Through Inquiry and Argumentation
Mastering spoken language is the key to writing success for English language learners English language learners struggle to meet the increased classroom writing demands of the Common Core State Standards, and many schools seem at a loss for solutions. In these pages, ELL expert Ivannia Soto builds on the groundbreaking research she presented in her previous book ELL Shadowing as a Catalyst for Change to show how oral language development scaffolds writing skills. To implement this knowledge, Soto offers educators a powerful set of tools: * Exciting spoken techniques such as Socratic Seminar, Frayer model and Think-Pair-Share that build vocabulary and extend into academic writing * Approaches to teaching three essential styles of writing: argumentative, procedural, and narrative * Sample lesson plans and graphic organizer templates ELLs must develop oral language skills before meeting the Common Core's writing requirements. This book provides the tools to make this happen. "This timely book collects oral language strategies designed to scaffold academic writing for English language learners at intermediate and advanced levels of English proficiency. Concrete examples support the goal of teaching college and career ready standards across content areas." -Charlene Rivera, Research Professor The George Washington University Center for Equity and Excellence in Education
When it comes to designing instruction for students with learning disabilities, one size does not fit all - and that's also true for identifying and evaluating learning disabilities. Theories and legislation aside, it's critical for your school team to have a comprehensive plan to make sure every child gets the right kind of attention-and no one falls through the cracks. This compelling, easy-to-use handbook guides general educators, special educators, administrators, and school psychologists through the eligibility and evaluation stages to ensure that students get the best services and interventions they need to be successful. You'll find: Guidance on what data to collect and how to collect it Strategies for combining RTI with a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose SLD Detailed case studies-with graphs, figures, and test scores-at the school, classroom, and individual student level Everyone on your team has the same goal: to help students with learning challenges achieve success. This comprehensive resource has the tools you need to make that happen.
Strategies and Routines for Higher-Level Comprehension in the Content Areas
This book has to power to change the way teachers approach teaching content from textbooks. It shows them how to use textbooks in an engaging and meaningful way so that students no longer feel daunted by the sheer volume of information. Graphics and examples are inluded to help busy teachers implement suggestions quickly and engage their students. The book will help educators focus sharply on their students' comprehension and ensure students rise to the level expected.
