"Every teacher keeps two or three books for constant reference while planning units and designing lessons-this is one of those books! The Active Classroom Field Book provides field-tested strategies for engaging students in learning disguised as fun!" -Jennifer Sinsel, Gifted Facilitator Wichita Public Schools, KS "This book is packed with ideas on how to let the students do the learning while the teacher guides them. The included real-life vignettes bring even more clarity to each concept, allowing the reader to experience the vitality each will bring to the classroom." -William Richard Hall, Jr., Principal Longan Elementary School, Henrico, VA Discover what really works in the classroom through success stories from educators like you! The best classrooms are dynamic environments that actively engage students in learning. In this exciting new resource, best-selling author and educational consultant Ron Nash shares the stories of practicing teachers who have successfully implemented active teaching methods in their classrooms. Expanding on the strategies in The Active Classroom, Nash uses educator stories and classroom vignettes to pinpoint how active techniques are working in schools across the country. This resource includes: Chapters on student-to-student conversations, classroom process, student movement, feedback, and continuous improvement through reflection Vignettes that set the stage for each chapter Lesson plan segments and anecdotes from teachers in Grades K-12 and college settings Ideal as a companion to The Active Classroom or on its own, The Active Classroom Field Book is the ultimate resource to help teachers transform students into active participants in their own learning.
Practical Strategies for Maximizing Teacher Effectiveness
"Ron Nash brings the voice of reason and sanity to the field of education. With his clear, big-picture vision and his emphasis on routines, rules, and relationships, these practical and well-written ideas will help new teachers and veterans alike build connections with students and fellow staff members, keep their students engaged and involved in their own learning, and help them maintain their passion for teaching." -Jane Bluestein, Educational Consultant Author, The Win-Win Classroom Master proactive teaching skills that motivate students to learn! Engaging and inspiring students is central to effective teaching, but it can also be a teacher's greatest challenge. Written by nationally known teacher coach Ron Nash, this thought-provoking book shows how educators can build a partnership with their students and bring their teaching skills to a new level of excellence. Drawing on his 30 years' experience in teaching and staff development, Nash outlines a holistic approach to effective teaching, based on skillful planning and proven techniques for classroom management and facilitation. Emphasizing the "three Rs"-routines, rules, and relationships-Nash helps teachers lead students in a clear, consistent manner that wins their trust and develops their personal responsibility. Readers will find guidance on: Creating and sustaining a classroom community that promotes respect and achievement Fully involving students in learning while addressing a wide range of cognitive styles Collaborating with students, colleagues, and parents Using feedback and assessment to develop professionally and improve students' academic performance Discover a wealth of valuable strategies and activities that enhance both teaching and learning!
Practical Strategies for Facilitating Professional Learning
"Administrators and workshop facilitators will find in this book exactly what is needed to deepen teachers' understanding of workshop content and processes and increase their own effectiveness." -Sharon Madsen Redfern, Elementary Principal, Highland Park Elementary School, Lewistown, MT "Ron Nash's book provides a primer for the presenter who wants to facilitate active workshop participation. His techniques can also be easily adapted to the classroom for highly engaging, child-centered lessons. This is truly a book worth adding to your professional library." -Stephen D. Shepperd, Retired Elementary Principal, Sunnyside Elementary School, ID Maximize engagement and retention with less talk and more interaction! Today's students learn best by doing-as do most of us. This newest resource from Ron Nash is designed for educators who would rather "show" than "tell" to create highly interactive workshops. Packed with anecdotes, brain-compatible strategies, and checklists, the book provides practical tools for engaging participants to talk, reflect, brainstorm, and stretch beyond their comfort zones. Highlights include: Techniques for shifting 80% of the workshop's workload to participants Keys to enhancing retention with storytelling and laughter Methods for analyzing and evaluating your presentations for ongoing improvement Tips for extending learning beyond the workshop The Active Workshop is ideal for seminar trainers, seminar facilitators, principals, and teacher leaders-anyone who works with elementary, secondary, and college educators in a training capacity.
This volume helps educational administrators develop the skills necessary to face the challenges of new leadership models and educational policies. The authors, capitalizing on their considerable experience in education, use case studies to facilitate discussion of critical issues in educational administration. A practical guide to making schools dynamic, fair and caring places for both educators and students.
'Excellent advice on dealing with young people. I wish IAEd had this book when my own children were adolescents!'uPatricia Wolfe, International Educational Consultant, Mind Matters, Inc.'Written in a reader-friendly manner, the book thoughtfully examines the transition period from childhood to adulthood and combines scholarship from psychology, education, and neuroscience. Loved the graphics!'uSheryl Feinstein, Associate Professor, Augustana College'Readers will leave this book with a sense of calmness about living or working with adolescents.'uBob Patterson, Training Manager, Discovery EducationHow the teenage brain thinks, feels, learns, and changes on its journey to adulthood.In this enlightening volume, expert educator and scientist Robert Sylwester explains how adults can better understand teenagers through an engaging discussion of the adolescent brain. Readers will learn how to:Mentor adolescents rather than attempt to control themNurture creativity, imagination, and individuality Understand such critical issues as sexuality and bonding, morality and ethics, risk and security, collaboration and autonomy, and moreEasy-to-understand theories, familiar examples, and nontechnical language make complex research accessible and appropriate for rewarding classroom or family discussion.
"Excellent advice on dealing with young people. I wish I'd had this book when my own children were adolescents!" -Patricia Wolfe, International Educational Consultant, Mind Matters, Inc. "Written in a reader-friendly manner, the book thoughtfully examines the transition period from childhood to adulthood and combines scholarship from psychology, education, and neuroscience. Loved the graphics!" -Sheryl Feinstein, Associate Professor, Augustana College "Readers will leave this book with a sense of calmness about living or working with adolescents." -Bob Patterson, Training Manager, Discovery Education How the teenage brain thinks, feels, learns, and changes on its journey to adulthood. In this enlightening volume, expert educator Robert Sylvester explains how adults can better understand teenagers through an engaging discussion of the adolescent brain. Readers will learn how to: Mentor adolescents rather than attempt to manage and control them Nurture creativity, imagination, and individuality Understand such critical issues as sexuality and bonding,productivity and vocation, morality and ethics, risk and security, technology and drugs, collaboration and autonomy, and more Familiar examples and nontechnical language make this an accessible resource appropriate for rewarding classroom or family discussion.
Who Do Our Kids Think They Are . . . and How Do We Help Them Belong?
There's more to all of us than what meets the eye A perfect storm is upon us and educators are in the middle of it. Identity issues often incite and divide us, but they are actually our way out of the storm. No one should be oppressed or have to hide who they are, and young people need to be prepared for a future where they can learn to live ......
"The answer is not always in the room. Sometimes it's in the room next door. But help is often much closer than you think. Drawing on inspirational yet practical examples of health reform in Vietnam, courageous change in South Africa, and authentic improvements that get results in a range of American schools, Alan Blankstein demonstrates that throwing random reforms into the room through the door, or shouting at people in the room from up on the roof, are not ways that make positive change happen. Blankstein knows his people, knows his schools and knows what brings about positive, professionally driven change. This brilliant little book not only shows what works, it dignifies the overly criticized professionals who make it all happen." -Andy Hargreaves, Author and Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education Boston College, MA "When the well-being of children is at stake, people of all stripes are called upon to put aside personal agendas, find the humility and courage to do what is right, and let go of what has not worked. This book provides compelling reasons for doing this in education, as well as a powerful new methodology for success and a pathway to a brighter future." -Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu 1GOAL Education for All, Cape Town, South Africa "With tools and techniques provided in Alan Blankstein's new book, educators have the potential to uncover the answers to complex issues in education." -Deborah Childs-Bowen, Assistant Professor Alliance for Leadership in Education, Samford University, Birmingham, AL Learn the secrets of successful schools Citing wisdom from top educational experts and building on what is already working, award-winning author Alan M. Blankstein offers tools for finding excellence in schools, scaling these practices across learning communities, and transforming low-performing schools into high-performing schools. His five-step process includes: Identifying and assessing excellence Creating an action plan Assigning resources such as time, materials, etc. Transferring excellence in the form of knowledge and skills throughout the school and district Sustaining the excellence Also included are effective strategies for sustaining student gains, closing gaps within and between schools, building leader capacity, and increasing community commitment.
This is entirely a book of the author's responses to real questions asked by student teachers, as well as first and second year teachers. The author's ideas and opinions are based on seven years on the "front lines" of teaching and three years as an educational consultant. For new teachers, the book is a practical "been there, done that" approach to overcoming the most common problems that teachers have.
