Put student engagement on the fast-track Think action sports like skateboarding and BMX have nothing to do with physical science? Think again, especially as they relate to fundamental physics concepts like motion, force, and simple machines-not to mention the problem solving required. What's more, because kids will want to, observing action sports is a perfect vehicle for promoting self-directed and collaborative learning . . . with Action Science as your driver's manual. Through a combination of book and video, Bill Robertson provides all the materials you'll need to get started, with the NGSS very much in full view. Inside and outside, you'll find: Detailed instructional methods on momentum, center of gravity, inertia, and centrifugal and centripetal forces Hands-on classroom activities and experiments, including some utilizing common household materials Captivating video via QR codes of top professional and amateur extreme sports athletes demonstrating authentic, high-flying maneuvers Robertson, an associate professor in science and technology education at the University of Texas at El Paso--and an avid skateboarder-has extensively piloted the Action Science program. It works! "This is an outstanding resource for any middle school science teacher trying to engage unmotivated students or implement problem-based learning strategies in a way that is exciting and meaningful!" --Melissa Miller, Middle School Science Teacher Lynch Middle School Farmington, AR
Transforming Classroom Culture to Support Student Achievement
Harness the power of motivation to transform the learning experience! When properly channeled, motivation propels learning forward. Yet teachers across all grade levels and disciplines struggle to recognize and cultivate this dynamic, social force in the classroom. This essential resource proves that all students are motivated to learn, and provides authentic tools to create and sustain a classroom community that is highly engaged. You'll discover: Reflection activities that promote student voice and self-efficacy as well as assess existing motivation levels Case studies and best practices based on current motivation theory and research Strategies to design meaningful learning tasks and build positive relationships with students and colleagues This practical guide, aligned with Race to The Top Initiatives for teacher evaluation and Common Core Standards implementation, shows educators not only how to identify and harness motivation but also to sustain it over time. This is the one resource that will engage you in the thoughtful exploration of motivation and provide you with field-tested strategies that actively involving students, teachers and the whole school. "The information and reflective exercises presented here allow a faculty to come together, tap into core beliefs, and create a culture of classroom motivation that energizes the entire school." -Melanie Mares Sainz, Academic Coach Lowndes Middle School, Valdosta, GA
Meaningful teacher evaluation starts with visible student growth Annual standardized test scores cannot provide evidence of student growth needed to evaluate teacher performance. But consider student growth in the form of evidence derived from classroom assessment and you're on to something. For assessment expert Rick Stiggins, this can form the basis for a truly productive teacher evaluation strategy. This revolutionary book helps you bring classroom assessment to bear for real school improvement, with A plan for teacher evaluation based, in part, on dependable evidence of student growth Strategies for improving the assessment literacy of teachers and school leaders Five steps for developing and implementing productive local district assessment systems Practical tools that teachers and their evaluators can put to use immediately In this era of aggressive teacher evaluation reform, where teachers are charged with preparing ALL students to master 21st century proficiencies, the measurement of teacher success must start where learning happens-in the classroom. "Developing a fair, practical, and effective teacher evaluation system is like climbing a high mountain: it's impossible until someone finds a route. That's what Rick does in this book. He identifies the immense challenges associated with using evidence on student learning as the principal criteria in teacher evaluation and then offers practical guidance for overcoming those challenges. He hasn't made the climb easy, but he shows us the way." -Thomas R. Guskey, Professor of Educational Psychology University of Kentucky "Rick Stiggins builds a compelling case for the development of a solid foundation of assessment competence throughout our educational system." -Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education Stanford University
Straightforward how-to's from practicing classroom teachers, print and web-based resources, and assessment tips help educators cultivate lasting student engagement and transform educational outcomes with this must-have resource!
A great resource for teaching assistants, NQTs, and school leaders and principlas wishing to establish a collaborative and consistent SEN setting where their students feel safe and successful.
Here's the middle-grades math resource you've been waiting for! Bestselling authors Cheryl Tobey and Carolyn Arline are back with 20 entirely new assessment probes that pinpoint subconcepts within the new Common Core Standards for Mathematics to promote deep learning and expert math instruction. Learn to ask the right questions to uncover common student misconceptions. Get practical instructional ideas that build new and accurate skills--while learning is already underway. It's all here in this detailed and grade-level specific guide. Organized by strand, the probes will enable you to: Quickly and objectively evaluate common misconceptions around fractions and decimals, linear equations, ratios and percents, statistics, and more Systematically address conceptual misunderstandings and procedural mistakes--before they become long-term problems Help students better understand areas of difficulty Plan targeted instruction that builds on students' current understandings while addressing areas of struggle Master the essential CCSM mathematical processes and proficiencies for Grades 6-8. You'll find sample student responses, extensive Teacher Notes, and research-based tips and resources. Eliminate the guesswork and join thousands of busy middle-grades teachers who've used these easy-to-implement tools to foster solid math proficiency!
Uncovering Student Thinking About Mathematics in the Common Core, High School: 25 Formative Assessment Probes Cheryl Rose Tobey, Carolyn B. Arline "Not only does this book make strong connections to the CCSS, it provides a framework for teachers to improve their craft. Identifying student misconceptions is an extremely important aspect of assessment and this book provides a solid format to aid teachers." -Randy Wormald, Math Teacher Kearsarge Regional High School, Sutton, NH Take the guesswork out of high school math instruction! Helping your students master high school mathematics just got a whole lot easier! Bestselling authors Cheryl Rose Tobey and Carolyn B. Arline provide 25 detailed and grade-level specific assessment probes that promote deep learning and expert math instruction. Learn to ask the right questions to uncover where and how students commonly get confused. Focused on subconcepts within the new Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and organized by strand, the probes will help you foster new and accurate skills--while learning is underway. You'll learn how to Quickly diagnose students' common misconceptions and procedural mistakes Help students pinpoint areas of struggle Plan targeted instruction that builds on students' current understandings while addressing difficulties with Algebra, Geometry,Functions, Logarithms, Statistics and Probability, Trigonometric Ratios, and more Elicit the skills and processes related to the Standards for Mathematical Practices You'll find sample student responses, extensive Teacher Notes, and research-based tips and resources to help you instill new mathematical ideas. Includes the QUEST Cycle for effective, hands-on implementation. Now you can eliminate the guesswork once and for all and join thousands of busy high school teachers who've used these easy-to-implement tools to build solid math proficiency! Other Books From Corwin: 1. Tobey: Uncovering Student Thinking About Mathematics in the Common Core, Grades K-2, 978-1-4522-3003-0 2. Tobey: Uncovering Student Thinking About Mathematics in the Common Core, Grades 3-5, 978-1-4522-7024-1 3. Tobey: Uncovering Student Thinking About Mathematics in the Common Core, Grades 6-8, 978-1-4522-3088-7 Cheryl Rose Tobey is a Senior Mathematics Associate at Education Development Center (EDC). She is the implementation director for the Pathways to Mathematics Achievement Study and a mathematics specialist for the NSF-funded Formative Assessment in the Mathematics Classroom: Engaging Teachers and Students (FACETS) and Differentiated Professional Development: Building Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching Struggling Students (DPD) projects. She also serves as a project director for an Institute for Educational Science (IES) project, Eliciting Mathematics Misconceptions (EM2). Carolyn B. Arline is a secondary mathematics educator, currently teaching high school students in Maine. She also works as a teacher leader in the areas of mathematics professional development, learning communities, assessment, systematic school reform, standards-based teaching, learning and grading, student-centered classrooms, and technology. She has previously worked as a mathematics specialist at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) and continues her work with them as a consultant.
