Strategies to Lead Schools for Student and Teacher Success
The classic personal guide for principals, updated to address today's challenges As the leader and decision maker in your school, you know that the buck stops with you. But when you're faced with issues that are unfamiliar or simply overwhelming, where can you turn for advice and experience? For over a decade, the answer has been The Principal's Companion. Pam Robbins and Harvey B. Alvy's comprehensive classic remains a standard reference for principals of all experience levels, providing a wealth of ideas, techniques, and reflective opportunities. In the fourth edition, new and updated content is delivered in an ultra-efficient format tailored to principals' busy days. Topics range from big-picture considerations to specific tactics and strategies, including: The principal's many roles Critical skills for effective leadership Honoring the school's mission Working together to build a learning community Starting effectively and staying the course With an eye towards the future, The Principal's Companion can be referred to over and over again to ensure the school's most important executive is a strong anchor for educational success. "This has always been one of the books I recommend to principals, and the latest edition makes it even more important and helpful to principals who face one of the toughest jobs in education today." -Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director Learning Forward "Robbins and Alvy's ability to explain the sophisticated and complex landscape of today's connected schools in a manner that is easily understandable to both a new leader and a veteran school leader is masterful. They truly understand the role of today's school leader in the classroom, the school, and the community." -Joshua Garcia, Deputy Superintendent Tacoma Public Schools, WA
By exploring what close reading is and how to teach it, this book helps teachers implement it in their classroom to enrich students' literacy learning. The book is broken down into three parts: Part I gives readers a clear definition of close reading & why it's important Part II explores how to make close reading happen in the classroom Part III investigates close reading in context, including 10 easy steps to implement close reading in the classroom and how to set short & long term goals Each chapter offers an explanation of and insights into its designated close reading focus with information on that topic as well as examples from site-based work with teachers and students, advice on how to avoid close reading pitfalls, and classroom-ready resources to use immediately. Questions for reflection are suggested at the end of all chapters to encourage readers to consider the implications on practice.
Reboot student learning the right way! Today's most successful school leaders are truly "learning engineers": creative thinkers who redefine their problems and design new ways to better serve kids' success. Technology has a critical role, but it's the creative reinvention of schools, systems, and classrooms that has to come first. In this powerful book, best-selling author and education policy expert Rick Hess and chief learning officer Bror Saxberg show you how to become your school's learning engineer. Using cutting-edge research about learning science as a framework, you'll: Identify specific learning problems that need solving Devise smarter ways to address them Implement technology-enabled, not technology-driven, solutions
How Written Conversations Engage Kids, Activate Learning, Grow Fluent Writers . . . K-12
Your fast-track to student engagement Everywhere Smokey Daniels speaks, there's one teaching strategy that teachers embrace above all others. That single method for transforming students from passive spectators into active learners . . . for evoking curiosity, inspiring critical thinking, and building powerful writers along the way. Now, that best-kept teaching secret is revealed: Written Conversations. Smokey and coauthor Elaine Daniels describe how to leverage these "silent writing-to-learn discussions" structure by structure - Mini-memos - Dialogue journals - Write-arounds - Digital discussions . . . with detailed descriptions, lessons, and annotated student samples-making this the most practical teaching book in recent memory.
Keys to Certification and Language Proficient Learners
Master the TExES with down-to-earth test prep strategies Educators know that ESL certification is attainable if one understands the domains and competencies represented in the test and masters test prep skills. In her new book, Dr. Elaine Wilmore, known for popular and inspiring TExES preparation seminars, synthesizes her knowledge and experiences and gives readers a down-to-earth, practical approach to passing the ESL Supplemental Exam. Written in a conversational tone, the book uses real examples to help readers connect theory with actual practice. In addition, the book offers: Thorough discussions of relevant concepts related to specific domains and competencies Tables and graphics for visual and kinesthetic learners Chapter summaries that highlight "Important Points" and the author's own "Guess My Favorites" learning tips Test-taking strategies and sample exam questions Fifteen substantial chapters will give you what you need to remove the mystery and relieve the pressures of preparing for the TExES exams. Give yourself a head start today! "This book is a needed resource for anyone who is seeking ESL certification or who is already certified and seeks a refresher on how to help foreign language students be successful not only in acquiring the English Language but also in understanding the variety of content being taught in English." -Juan Carlos Hernandez, Bilingual Specialist Ridgeview Elementary, TX
A Toolkit to address the barrier to teaching global perspectives and concepts, offering simple, turn-key lessons and activities that busy teachers can implement right away. Inspiring teachers towards introducing the world in their classrooms, the book provides practical, easy-to-follow tips, lessons and strategies that don't require a significant investment of time, funds, or new expertise. Addressing issues as disparate as recruiting volunteers, picking themes, integrating global issues into academic disciplines, using interactive, digital learning tools, and inspiring and planning service learning, this is a one-stop toolkit for schools wanting to take a global focus in their curricula.
Turn adversity from fearsome foe to welcome friend. Ordinary resilience is not enough to inspire teams to greatness. Effective leaders must welcome adversity and harness it for positive change that creates results and makes life and work more joyful. Follow stories of successful educators to discover how to harness the power of leadership resiliency in education. Find out why it matters and how you can be a catalyst for bouncing forward in your own environment. Drawing on the latest research from organizational psychology and her experiences as a transformational leadership coach, Elle Allison Napolitano helps readers by: Defining leadership resiliency Explaining how leadership resiliency applies in educational leadership Showing you how to find it in yourself Outlining steps to make your leadership resilience visible Providing a rubric to gauge the resiliency of your organization Bounce forward from adversity to lead a successful learning organization that can face new challenges and build for the future. "Bounce Forward is a wonderful book that is at once as realistic as it is inspiring. Read it and it will take you deeper into your life, past, present and future. It will bring you tears, but ultimately it will put a fresh bounce in your step." -From the Foreword by Michael Fullan "Leadership resilience is the linchpin of 21st century leadership survival and success. Allison-Napolitano's book is an insightful guide to resilience and is a MUST read for today's leaders and aspiring leaders." -Anita Johnson, Executive Director National Center for Education, Research and Technology (NCERT)
Rigor: The Common Core has made it policy-and this first-of-its-kind guide takes math teachers and leaders through the process of making it reality. Using the Proficiency Matrix as a framework, the authors offer proven strategies and practical tools for successful implementation of the CCSS mathematical practices-with rigor as a central objective. Readers learn how to Define rigor in the context of each mathematical practice Identify and overcome potential issues, including differentiating instruction and using data Relate specific roles and goals for all stakeholders Use assessment tools to guide work and monitor progress Using the Proficiency Matrix framework along with practical assessment tools, math teachers and leaders will define and achieve rigor in the context of the CCSS mathematical practices.
This book shows how teachers can help students develop stronger learning skills by ensuring that their literacy moves from modeling and guided practice to collaborative learning, and independent tasks
