Nurturing Natural Investigators in the Standards-Based Classroom
Invite young minds to engage in meaningful, standards-based science! Good teachers know that science is more than just a collection of facts in a textbook and that teaching science goes beyond the mere transmission of information. Actively engaging students in the learning process is critical to building their knowledge base, assessing progress, and meeting science standards. Teaching Constructivist Science, K-8 shows teachers how to transform students' natural curiosity into dynamic learning opportunities. By helping students construct new knowledge using the understandings they bring to the classroom, teachers can make the most of instruction and new learning experiences. With practical applications, teaching strategies, activities, and assessment tools, this reader-friendly book demonstrates how to teach student-ready, standards-based science. Teachers will be able to use: Classic and new activities to teach big ideas with basic materials An interview approach for uncovering student misunderstandings that block new learning A rich resource list for finding materials and organizations Guidelines for building a science-friendly environment Sample lessons and learning experiences aligned to national science standards Discussion questions for teacher study groups in each chapter For both experienced and novice teachers, this accessible resource provides the perfect method to teach science in sound ways that make sense to students.
Improving Literacy Outcomes with the Adult-Child Interactive Reading Inventory (ACIRI)
A guide to supporting adult/child interactions during storybook reading, this book explains how to administer the Adult/Child Interactive Reading Inventory (ACIRI), and then use the information gathered to make reading more interesting and beneficial for each child. It describes non-threatening methods for teaching parents and other caregivers.
Activities and Projects That Enrich Classrooms and Schools
"Professionals who want to build authentic parent and community involvement in their schools will find a champion in this book." -Wendy Caszatt-Allen, Teacher, Mid-Prairie Middle School, Kalona, IA "An invaluable resource full of fun and relevant plans that are most assuredly teacher-, student-, and parent-friendly. The best I have read!" -Ilona Anderson, Principal, Flagstaff Middle School, AZ "Schools that utilize techniques from this book will benefit not only from an increase in student engagement and achievement. Beautifully written." -Marscha Greenfeld, Senior Program Facilitator, National Network of Partnership Schools Create a rich cultural arts program that inspires parent involvement! Research has shown that parents play an enormous role in their children's school success. However, principals and teachers struggle to find ways to get parents more involved. Educator and consultant Michael Sikes shows principals and teachers how to create an arts-rich school that enthusiastically welcomes families and community members, promotes diversity and multicultural appreciation, develops cognitive skills, and engages parents through a myriad of creative activities. This exciting resource explores all types of creative art programs, including dance, theater, folk art, literature, visual arts, and music. An extensive toolkit, this book not only explores why but how to design and implement an arts program that brings families back to the classroom. Ready-to-use features and strategies are packed into this practical guide: Sample lesson plans and worksheets, including materials lists, step-by-step instructions, and roles for parents and families Dozens of project and activity ideas tied to national standards Project assessments and evaluations "How-to's" for finding community resources and funding Templates, forms, checklists, surveys, and much more School administrators and teachers can use this essential guide for welcoming families into their schools and creating a friendly place where student work is celebrated and parent contributions are embraced and valued.
'Nick Pratt's book looks in detail at the real meaning of teaching mathematics interactively in primary schools. Each section is set clearly within a context, is linked by 'key ideas' -- the important bits to think about -- and is summarised to give a succinct close to the chapter's content and thinking. It is a book that the reader will definitely find useful and thought provoking. It certainly made me consider how small changes and a wider variety of approaches in the classroom can make big changes in children's learning and understanding of mathematical concepts' - Mike Eatwell, Primary Maths Advisor, Bristol LEA Using a whole-class, interactive approach to teaching mathematics is a key feature of the National Numeracy Strategy (NNS), and this book looks at not only what works but also why things work. Teachers will be able to understand why and how the various teaching strategies they are using in their classrooms have a positive effect on children's learning. The book covers: " how to engage in meaningful reflective practice that will improve your lessons " how to use whiteboards " making mathematical meaning through talk " getting the whole class interacting " thinking, talking and acting mathematically " teaching number - starting points " teaching shape and space - starting points " developing your interactive teaching " a glossary of terms It is aimed at both practising and trainee teachers, and offers clear subject guidance as well as an explanation of a key part of the NNS. It supports both individuals and mathematics subject leaders delivering INSET to their colleagues.
Rosemary Sassoon is an independent consultant and lecturer, based in Sevenoaks, Kent. She is the author of Handwriting: The Way to Teach it, Paul Chapman Publishing, 2003.
Activities and Projects That Enrich Classrooms and Schools
"Professionals who want to build authentic parent and community involvement in their schools will find a champion in this book." -Wendy Caszatt-Allen, Teacher, Mid-Prairie Middle School, Kalona, IA "An invaluable resource full of fun and relevant plans that are most assuredly teacher-, student-, and parent-friendly. The best I have read!" -Ilona Anderson, Principal, Flagstaff Middle School, AZ "Schools that utilize techniques from this book will benefit not only from an increase in student engagement and achievement. Beautifully written." -Marscha Greenfeld, Senior Program Facilitator, National Network of Partnership Schools Create a rich cultural arts program that inspires parent involvement! Research has shown that parents play an enormous role in their children's school success. However, principals and teachers struggle to find ways to get parents more involved. Educator and consultant Michael Sikes shows principals and teachers how to create an arts-rich school that enthusiastically welcomes families and community members, promotes diversity and multicultural appreciation, develops cognitive skills, and engages parents through a myriad of creative activities. This exciting resource explores all types of creative art programs, including dance, theater, folk art, literature, visual arts, and music. An extensive toolkit, this book not only explores why but how to design and implement an arts program that brings families back to the classroom. Ready-to-use features and strategies are packed into this practical guide: Sample lesson plans and worksheets, including materials lists, step-by-step instructions, and roles for parents and families Dozens of project and activity ideas tied to national standards Project assessments and evaluations "How-to's" for finding community resources and funding Templates, forms, checklists, surveys, and much more School administrators and teachers can use this essential guide for welcoming families into their schools and creating a friendly place where student work is celebrated and parent contributions are embraced and valued.
Context, Research, and Practice in the K-12 Classroom
"This is an excellent text. I particularly liked how the authors share examples of critical literacy throughout the book, especially with digital and multimedia texts." -Peter McDermott, The Sage Colleges "Through realistic discussion of how text shapes us and is shaped by us, Critical Literacy provides pre- and in-service teachers with concrete ways to engage in critical literacy practices with children from elementary through high school." -Cheryl A. Kreutter, St. John Fisher College ...a unique, practical critical literacy text with concrete examples and theoretical tools for pre- and in-service teachers Authors Lisa Patel Stevens and Thomas W. Bean explore the historical and political foundations of critical literacy and present a comprehensive examination of its uses for K-12 classroom practice. Key Features: Focuses on the nexus of critical literacy theory and practice through real classroom examples, vignettes, and conversations among teachers and teacher educators Illustrates how critical literacy practices are enacted in the classroom at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Offers step-by-step teaching strategies for implementing critical literacy in K-12 classrooms at different paces, depending on existing curriculum Intended Audience: This is an excellent supplemental text for a variety of advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in education departments on how to teach reading and writing. This text will also appeal to instructors and students exploring issues of representation, linguistics, and critical deconstruction.
Context, Research, and Practice in the K-12 Classroom
"This is an excellent text. I particularly liked how the authors share examples of critical literacy throughout the book, especially with digital and multimedia texts." -Peter McDermott, The Sage Colleges "Through realistic discussion of how text shapes us and is shaped by us, Critical Literacy provides pre- and in-service teachers with concrete ways to engage in critical literacy practices with children from elementary through high school." -Cheryl A. Kreutter, St. John Fisher College ...a unique, practical critical literacy text with concrete examples and theoretical tools for pre- and in-service teachers Authors Lisa Patel Stevens and Thomas W. Bean explore the historical and political foundations of critical literacy and present a comprehensive examination of its uses for K-12 classroom practice. Key Features: Focuses on the nexus of critical literacy theory and practice through real classroom examples, vignettes, and conversations among teachers and teacher educators Illustrates how critical literacy practices are enacted in the classroom at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Offers step-by-step teaching strategies for implementing critical literacy in K-12 classrooms at different paces, depending on existing curriculum Intended Audience: This is an excellent supplemental text for a variety of advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in education departments on how to teach reading and writing. This text will also appeal to instructors and students exploring issues of representation, linguistics, and critical deconstruction.
Rosemary Sassoon is an independent consultant and lecturer, based in Sevenoaks, Kent. She is the author of Handwriting: The Way to Teach it, Paul Chapman Publishing, 2003.
