Math is not rote-memorizable. Math is not random-guessable. Math is figure-out-able. Author Pam Harris argues that teaching real math-math that is free of distortions-will reach more students more effectively and result in deeper understanding and longer retention. This book is about teaching undistorted math using the kinds of mental reasoning ......
Learning outside the box begins with a thoughtThe ability to memorize facts is not enough to equip students to solve problems or navigate an evolving world. If we educate young people to become flexible, metacognitive thinkersuand model that for themu they will understand how to adapt their learning and successfully find their way in new territory. This book shows school leaders how to build a thinking culture within the entire learning community. Grounded in the research of the best proponents of critical thinking and aligned to one of the key goals of the Common Core State Standards, this practical guide provides numerous strategies to help teachers and leaders:Shape the school culture so that it promotes a common vision around thinkingCreate classroom conditions that help students become mindful thinkersAsk questions that develop skillful thinkingHelp students formulate questions that facilitate problem solvingWork with parents to encourage skillful thinking in their childrenIncluded are practical classroom strategies and illustrations, curriculum maps, and tools for developing studentsAE creativity and decision-making skills. This timely resource is ideal for preparing leaders, teachers, and students to meet the escalating challenges of the future.
"Contains valuable and timely information on how to develop appropriate, authentic, and worthwhile assessments." -Deborah S. Yost, Professor of Education La Salle University Improve student achievement on daily assignments, unit assessments, and standardized tests! Customizing instructional approaches to a specific educational context and learners' needs is a common challenge for educators. Geared for Grades 6-12, this resource defines performance-based assessments (PBAs) and illustrates how using PBAs can help teachers target specific academic goals for students and foster positive, productive, and practical learning experiences. Using easy-to-understand terms, the book leads educators through an assessment process that is fully integrated with the daily curriculum and that can result in significantly improved student performance. The author provides a template for recording assessment data, demonstrates how to create rubrics for teacher/student use, and offers standards-based examples featuring classroom teachers' insights. Readers will discover how to implement: Preassessments to collect baseline data Formative assessments that yield progress-monitoring data Summative assessments for gathering data that is easy to use Complete with checklists, frequently asked questions, graphic organizers, activities, and additional resources, Developing Performance-Based Assessments, Grades 6-12 is an ideal tool for engaging students in the learning process.
"In an era where buzzwords like 'assessment' and 'accountability' are used every day in our school systems, a book like this is long overdue. The author clearly explains important terminology while providing easy-to-understand ways to engage in quality assessment in any elementary classroom." -Jennifer Sinsel, Elementary Gifted Teacher Bostic Traditional Magnet School, Andover, KS Use PBAs to design learning experiences that increase student engagement and achievement! There is nothing more rewarding than the moment when a student "gets it." Helping educators reach that goal, Nancy P. Gallavan demonstrates how performance-based assessments (PBAs) can help create stimulating teaching and learning environments in elementary classrooms. This easy-to-understand guide explains how to construct assessments that effectively measure learner performance and allow educators to align curriculum and instruction with students' needs. With PBAs, teachers can engage students in the learning process, connect the learning to students' individual lives, and monitor learning outcomes. The author provides: Detailed and clear examples of performance-based assessments Guidelines for creating and using rubrics and assessment templates Checklists, frequently asked questions, graphic organizers, and activities to reinforce the content in each chapter Numerous appendices, including standards for educational assessment, the four domains of learning, and a host of helpful Web sites, readings, and references Developing Performance-Based Assessments, Grades K-5 is a valuable asset for facilitating learning experiences with rewarding outcomes.
"Appropriate assessment of young children involves parents, teachers, and the children themselves. Kingore takes the portfolio method even further and makes a case for the involvement of early childhood educators and school administrators as well." -Sue Javid, Early Childhood Consultant Macomb Intermediate School District, Clinton Township, MI "This book will contribute a great deal to the knowledge and skills teachers must have to successfully implement authentic assessment in pre-primary and primary grades. Provides the knowledge, insight, and compelling arguments on why portfolio assessment is needed in early childhood education." -Susan Belgrad, Associate Professor, California State University, Northridge Author, The Portfolio Connection, Third Edition A streamlined process for assessing children in the early grades! Written for early childhood educators, this invaluable handbook demonstrates how to use portfolios for assessment and offers techniques for combining portfolios with traditional measurements to design effective instruction and curricula for young children. Reflecting current research on how children learn, this practical resource features an insightful discussion on authentic assessment goals and ways to make the portfolio process fun for learners while using developmentally appropriate teaching practices. Educators will find: Concise, easy-to-understand instructions for developing portfolios Guidelines for involving children in portfolio development Methods for gathering data and documenting students' learning Rubrics, sample portfolios, and abundant reproducibles Additional materials and procedures to help integrate assessment and instruction Developing Portfolios for Authentic Assessment, PreK-3 offers preschool and primary grade teachers efficient, user-friendly tools for assessing the children in their classrooms.
"Appropriate assessment of young children involves parents, teachers, and the children themselves. Kingore takes the portfolio method even further and makes a case for the involvement of early childhood educators and school administrators as well." -Sue Javid, Early Childhood Consultant Macomb Intermediate School District, Clinton Township, MI "This book will contribute a great deal to the knowledge and skills teachers must have to successfully implement authentic assessment in pre-primary and primary grades. Provides the knowledge, insight, and compelling arguments on why portfolio assessment is needed in early childhood education." -Susan Belgrad, Associate Professor, California State University, Northridge Author, The Portfolio Connection, Third Edition A streamlined process for assessing children in the early grades! Written for early childhood educators, this invaluable handbook demonstrates how to use portfolios for assessment and offers techniques for combining portfolios with traditional measurements to design effective instruction and curricula for young children. Reflecting current research on how children learn, this practical resource features an insightful discussion on authentic assessment goals and ways to make the portfolio process fun for learners while using developmentally appropriate teaching practices. Educators will find: Concise, easy-to-understand instructions for developing portfolios Guidelines for involving children in portfolio development Methods for gathering data and documenting students' learning Rubrics, sample portfolios, and abundant reproducibles Additional materials and procedures to help integrate assessment and instruction Developing Portfolios for Authentic Assessment, PreK-3 offers preschool and primary grade teachers efficient, user-friendly tools for assessing the children in their classrooms.
How to Turn Early Care Settings Into Magical Places
"Ask yourself the questions posed in this book, whether you are searching for child care or wondering why our smallest and most important citizens don't have more quality early education programs available in a more equitable manner. This is a great teacher's guide for those entering the field and a great staff development idea for ECE centers." -Denise Humphries, Preschool Principal John F. Kennedy American School, Queretaro, Mexico "I cannot think of anything pertaining to high-quality child care programs that isn't covered in this book. The organization is clear, consistent, and easy to follow." -Diane Salverson, Inclusion Specialist Early Childhood Direction Center, Buffalo, NY A guide to creating and sustaining a high-quality, successful early child care program! With most families today needing at least two sources of income, there is a critical need for quality, affordable child care throughout our country. This book discusses the qualities of an effective early child care program and the need to provide children with experiences that will prepare them for future emotional, social, and academic success. By examining high-quality early care within a real-life setting, this resource illustrates how to build a successful program, handle the inevitable challenges, and achieve and sustain positive results. Using their experience in child development and child therapy, the authors demonstrate how to: Create environments that foster healthy relationships for children and adults Build on children's sense of wonder and joy for learning in preparation for later academic experiences Use families' ethnic and cultural diversity as a teaching tool Maintain professional standards for administration and staff Developing Quality Care for Young Children is invaluable not only for early childhood educators, administrators, and trainers, but also for anyone striving to make a difference in the lives of our youngest learners.
"Guskey and Bailey offer realistic solutions to improving how educators communicate a student's academic progress to all stakeholders. Their work provides a faculty with the research, step-by-step guidelines, and reporting templates to begin the dialogue to develop a standards-based report card. Without a doubt, this work is a model for schools that want to improve their system of grading and reporting. It certainly has transformed ours!" -Jeffrey Erickson, Assistant Principal Minnetonka High School, MN Develop standards-based report cards that are meaningful to students, parents, and educators! Although schools have moved toward standards-based curriculum and instruction, grading practices and reporting systems have remained largely unchanged. Helping school leaders gain support for transitioning from traditional to standards-based report cards, this book guides educators in aligning assessment and reporting practices with standards-based education and providing more detailed reports of children's learning and achievement. A standards-based report card breaks down each subject area into specific elements of learning to offer parents and educators a more thorough description of each child's progress toward proficiency. This accessible volume: Provides a clear framework for developing standards-based report cards Shows how to communicate with parents, students, and other stakeholders about changes Illustrates how to achieve grading consistency without increasing teachers' workloads or violating their professional autonomy Filled with examples of standards-based report cards that can be adapted to a school's needs, this practical resource shows district and school administrators how to establish reporting practices that facilitate learning.
"Guskey and Bailey offer realistic solutions to improving how educators communicate a student's academic progress to all stakeholders. Their work provides a faculty with the research, step-by-step guidelines, and reporting templates to begin the dialogue to develop a standards-based report card. Without a doubt, this work is a model for schools that want to improve their system of grading and reporting. It certainly has transformed ours!" -Jeffrey Erickson, Assistant Principal Minnetonka High School, MN Develop standards-based report cards that are meaningful to students, parents, and educators! Although schools have moved toward standards-based curriculum and instruction, grading practices and reporting systems have remained largely unchanged. Helping school leaders gain support for transitioning from traditional to standards-based report cards, this book guides educators in aligning assessment and reporting practices with standards-based education and providing more detailed reports of children's learning and achievement. A standards-based report card breaks down each subject area into specific elements of learning to offer parents and educators a more thorough description of each child's progress toward proficiency. This accessible volume: Provides a clear framework for developing standards-based report cards Shows how to communicate with parents, students, and other stakeholders about changes Illustrates how to achieve grading consistency without increasing teachers' workloads or violating their professional autonomy Filled with examples of standards-based report cards that can be adapted to a school's needs, this practical resource shows district and school administrators how to establish reporting practices that facilitate learning.
