Take your great idea to the next level with action research How-and when-can we find time to conduct meaningful action research? Great ideas and thought-provoking questions can only blossom through methodical inquiry. Nancy Fichtman Dana steps in as your action-research coach and leads you on a journey through wonderings to real change in your classroom. From framing your question to presenting your research, this guide will encourage, challenge, and ultimately lead you through the action research process. Teachers, students, and action-research coaches alike will learn how to: Reframe initial wonderings into pointed inquiries Creatively analyze both qualitative and quantitative data Draw action-research topics out of ordinary discussions with colleagues Share findings with others to help them improve as well With real-life vignettes, self-guided worksheets, and an included DVD, Digging Deeper into Action Research is your go-to guide each time you embark on a new journey toward professional growth.
Positive Discipline for PreK-3 Classrooms and Beyond
"Teachers of young children will feel validated by this book that explains the issues underlying behaviors that challenge us on a daily basis and shows how to address them effectively." -Xiomara Sanchez, NBCT, Dual Language Pre-K Teacher, Darwin Elementary School, Chicago, IL "Covers the breadth of children's behaviors that teachers are likely to see, and describes the major motivators for them very well. The examples and scenarios are highly interesting, meaningful, and transferable to classroom practice." -Gail Hardesty, Early Reading First Mentor, Chicago Public Schools, IL Increase your understanding of children to guide and shape behavior in positive ways! Teachers are masterful in balancing the diverse backgrounds, social-emotional needs, and academic goals of children in their classroom-that is, if they can only get them to sit still, pay attention, keep their hands off of each other (or out of the fish tank), or a host of other effective aggravations! But creating a classroom of attentive learners takes more than swift discipline-it involves helping children make good behavioral choices by developing their self-control rather than controlling them to make the choices we prefer. Difficult Behavior in Early Childhood offers insight into understanding why certain children behave in certain ways, so teachers can react appropriately to individual behaviors and needs. In an engaging, conversational tone, the book covers: Reconciling the different behavioral expectations of families and schools Applying timeout effectively Motivating children immediately and powerfully Establishing and following through with boundaries Developing behavior incentive plans that work Identifying early signs of depression, anxiety, grief, and special needs Through informed practice, teachers can bring about positive behavioral change and healthy, productive development.
Positive Discipline for PreK-3 Classrooms and Beyond
'Teachers of young children will feel validated by this book that explains the issues underlying behaviors that challenge us on a daily basis and shows how to address them effectively' - Xiomara Sanchez, NBCT, Dual Language Pre-K Teacher, Darwin Elementary School, Chicago, IL 'Covers the breadth of children's behaviors that teachers are likely to see, and describes the major motivators for them very well. The examples and scenarios are highly interesting, meaningful, and transferable to classroom practice' - Gail Hardesty, Early Reading First Mentor, Chicago Public Schools, IL Teachers are experts in balancing the diverse backgrounds, social-emotional needs, and academic goals of children in their classroom - that is, if they can only get them to sit still, pay attention, keep their hands off of each other (or out of the fish tank), or a host of other effective aggravations! But creating a classroom of attentive learners takes more than swift discipline - it involves helping children make good behavioural choices by developing their self-control rather than controlling them to make the choices we prefer. Difficult Behavior in Early Childhood offers insight into understanding why certain children behave in certain ways, so teachers can react appropriately to individual behaviours and needs. In an engaging, conversational tone, the book covers: * Reconciling the different behavioural expectations of families and schools * Applying timeout effectively * Motivating children immediately and powerfully * Establishing and following through with boundaries * Developing behaviour incentive plans that work * Identifying early signs of depression, anxiety, grief, and special needs Through informed practice, teachers can bring about positive behavioural change and healthy, productive development.
A Framework for Instruction, Assessment, and Classroom Management
"I loved this book! It was so informative I couldn't put it down. Every teacher-beginning, experienced, urban, suburban, rural, and private-will find examples and ideas that they can use immediately." -Sharon Jeffery, National Board Certified Teacher, Plymouth Public Schools, MA "Brilliant! An absolute goldmine for teachers. Each page delivers a nugget of insight, understanding and guidance for both easy and tough teaching situations." -B. Bradley West, Professor, Michigan State University "Offers a 'suitcase' filled with ideas to enhance any learning experience. The techniques offered range from simple modifications to more comprehensive restructuring of curriculum. There is something for everyone in this book." -Amy M. Zais, Associate Principal, Eau Claire North High School, WI "Deftly illustrates how crucial the personality type and learning style of the teacher is to the learning environment in the classroom. The teacher emerges from this guide with a surer sense of self and how to help students achieve 'flow' in the classroom so they can work in their best mode while also expanding into new ones." -Lyn Fairchild, Coordinator of Independent Learning, Duke University Leverage proven teaching strategies to motivate all students! Students' learning styles are as unique as their personalities. As a result, the most successful teachers are often those who understand how to adjust their educational techniques to honor students of all intelligences and backgrounds. This comprehensive resource, based on the author's years of research and experience, presents a usable, understandable framework that assists K-12 teachers in achieving success in today's differentiated classroom. From easy-to-implement techniques to templates for planning lengthy curriculum units, teachers receive clear direction for appealing to the learning personalities in their diverse classrooms. Readers will also find: Relevant stories, exercises, and examples to illustrate differentiated classroom instruction Balanced advice for improving student growth and performance in small-group work, class discussions, and relationship building Practical ideas and activities for immediate application in the classroom Discover teaching techniques that result in success for students of all learning styles!
A Framework for Instruction, Assessment, and Classroom Management
"I loved this book! It was so informative I couldn't put it down. Every teacher-beginning, experienced, urban, suburban, rural, and private-will find examples and ideas that they can use immediately." -Sharon Jeffery, National Board Certified Teacher, Plymouth Public Schools, MA "Brilliant! An absolute goldmine for teachers. Each page delivers a nugget of insight, understanding and guidance for both easy and tough teaching situations." -B. Bradley West, Professor, Michigan State University "Offers a 'suitcase' filled with ideas to enhance any learning experience. The techniques offered range from simple modifications to more comprehensive restructuring of curriculum. There is something for everyone in this book." -Amy M. Zais, Associate Principal, Eau Claire North High School, WI "Deftly illustrates how crucial the personality type and learning style of the teacher is to the learning environment in the classroom. The teacher emerges from this guide with a surer sense of self and how to help students achieve 'flow' in the classroom so they can work in their best mode while also expanding into new ones." -Lyn Fairchild, Coordinator of Independent Learning, Duke University Leverage proven teaching strategies to motivate all students! Students' learning styles are as unique as their personalities. As a result, the most successful teachers are often those who understand how to adjust their educational techniques to honor students of all intelligences and backgrounds. This comprehensive resource, based on the author's years of research and experience, presents a usable, understandable framework that assists K-12 teachers in achieving success in today's differentiated classroom. From easy-to-implement techniques to templates for planning lengthy curriculum units, teachers receive clear direction for appealing to the learning personalities in their diverse classrooms. Readers will also find: Relevant stories, exercises, and examples to illustrate differentiated classroom instruction Balanced advice for improving student growth and performance in small-group work, class discussions, and relationship building Practical ideas and activities for immediate application in the classroom Discover teaching techniques that result in success for students of all learning styles!
"This is the kind of book that needs to be read and reread. There's so much usable information. A great resource for all teachers." -William Fitzhugh, Fifth-Grade Teacher Reisterstown Elementary School, MD "The stories and classroom situations throughout the book really helped me visualize how all of this can be put to use. The author definitely practices what she preaches, whether she is teaching in a classroom or teaching through the written word." -Kathy Tritz-Rhodes, Principal Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Elementary School, IA Help students lead with their strengths and gain a deeper understanding of concepts! Students' learning styles are as diverse as the students themselves, so how can teachers reach all learners according to their strengths? In this updated edition of the bestseller, Marilee Sprenger demonstrates how to optimize learning by using brain-based strategies that address students' social/emotional, cognitive, and physical learning preferences. The author provides readers with graphic organizers, current research on memory, and new charts to help implement differentiated strategies, and also offers: An explanation of how the brain processes, stores, and retains information Pre-assessment strategies for each learning style "Reflect and Connect" questions to help teachers evaluate their current classroom practice Learning and memory tips for students Exit cards, or quick assessments of what students have learned This comprehensive resource provides the tools you need to create a brain-friendly learning environment and to differentiate content, process, and product for your students' diverse learning needs and strengths.
Help students lead with their strengths and gain a deeper understanding of concepts! This updated edition of the bestseller demonstrates how to optimize learning by using strategies that address students' social/emotional, cognitive, and physical learning needs. The second edition offers current research on memory, graphic organizers, and new charts to help implement differentiated strategies, and also covers: How the brain processes, stores, and retains information Pre-assessment strategies for each learning style "Reflect and Connect" questions to help teachers evaluate their current classroom practice Text boxes that highlight contents of each chapter Learning and memory tips for students
Accommodating Brain Development, Language, Literacy, and Special Needs
"There is something for everyone here. A valuable resource for experienced teachers starting on the road to curriculum integration or switching to teaching adolescents. Preservice teachers would also benefit, because the book emphasizes the nature of the learner." -Mark A. Springer, Teacher Radnor Middle School, Wayne, PA Activate learning with practical techniques that put brain research and technology into practice! The changes and complexities of the adolescent mind bring unique challenges as well as opportunities to the classroom. This valuable resource for student-centered teaching provides keys to curriculum design, instruction, and assessment within the context of a developmentally appropriate, differentiated approach. Translating the latest brain research into practical classroom strategies, the author focuses on the adolescent learner and outlines brain-compatible instructional strategies applicable to all students, including English Language Learners, gifted populations, and others with special needs. Readers will encounter a six-point differentiated model based on adolescents' need for personal connection, appropriate intellectual challenge, emotional engagement, guided social interaction, metacognitive development, and a supportive learning environment. The guide also equips teachers with ready-to-use tips, tools, and resources, including: Ways to capitalize on technology to enhance differentiated instruction Brain-friendly strategies grounded in current neuroscience research and universal design for learning (UDL) Straightforward explanations on how changes in adolescent brain structure impact learning Techniques to create and manage a classroom environment aligned with adolescents' specific developmental needs Focusing on learners' intellectual, social, and emotional development, Differentiation for the Adolescent Learner offers a proven plan for teachers to create meaningful learning experiences that inspire students to take control of their own learning.
With their characteristically joyful and conversational tone that celebrates learning and diverse students, Kathleen Kryza, Alicia Duncan, and S. Joy Stephens offer teachers dozens of practical strategies for designing and delivering differentiated lessons to reach all learners. Differentiation for Real Classrooms: Making It Simple, Making It Work is a ready-to-go resource for creating lessons that allow all students to take in and process new information and teachers to assess their learning. Includes abundant illustrations, vignettes, sample lessons and units, and adaptations for ELLs and students with special needs.
