This resource looks at 26 ways schools can better serve the "imaginative, intellectual, and humanitarian promise" of our children. Drawing from his thirty years of teaching at the San Francisco School, as well as memories of his own schooling as a child, Doug Goodkin offers this collection of alphabetic essays on what SHOULD be included in every child's education. In writing which never loses sight of what is truly possible, Goodkin asks the reader to examine practices which are commonly taken for granted in schools today, and compels us to think beyond our passive acceptance. Using stories, reflections, and quotations from students and teachers, and drawing on the writing of historians, artists, poets and philosophers, Goodkin has crafted a small book of essays with large ideas which manages to be both thought-provoking and entertaining as it seeks to inspire us
Throughout the 20th Century theorists and teachers argued about the best way to teach reading. In California, when the whole language approach was in vogue, many teachers were forced to ignore phonics. I said forced and this was true. Either they had to teach phonics secretly or they would be insulted, degraded, and intimidated to teach using whole language. I ignored it like I had every other dictate that came from above that I knew was the latest way to teacher-proof the curriculum. Many children who could have benefited from an auditory method of learning reading were crippled in their decoding skills. In Los Angeles in the Sixties teachers had to teach a phonics lesson every day, but the sight word method was totally ignored. A teacher could be in trouble if he emphasized the sight words. At the time I started teaching I was only vaguely aware of the importance of the 220 most frequently used words. It was when I began to teach Special Education children did I discover the importance of these words. I incorporated teaching them into my reading and spelling lessons and for years they were the basis of my great successes at teaching first graders to decode far beyond their grade level. They also became the mainstay of my SIGHT, SOUND, TOUCH Reading System kit. When I read about the teacher who used language, a writing approach to reading, I tried it. Instead of forcing them to read books, she helped them write their own. They read the one they wrote, plus they eagerly read those written by their classmates. I did it and it worked. (I will be using this approach during the 2000-2001 school year with Hispanic fourth graders who are the lowest in reading.) With some of my Special Education children I found that TOUCH worked. I had them writing words and sentences in the sandbox. It worked. Another reading method that worked was having the children listen to tapes of the books they were expected to read. In San Bernardino I worked for months dictating all the mandatory and supplemental readers, the science and social studies textbooks up to the fourth grade level. I would have these placed in listening centers with up to six headphones. This worked too. The truth was that everything worked, but some children learned easier and faster with one method than with another. Since I did not have an accurate way to diagnose which child learned best with each method of presentation, I used them all. I found that instead of arguing which was best that everyone benefited from a wide variety of materials and techniques. I would emphasize one for a few weeks and then go to another. It was very effective. In ABCs I discuss each approach and how I used it. My spelling method was very briefly discussed in the magazine THE INSTRUCTOR in 1980. It is easy to do and the children love it. Especially the days they get to Challenge Dr. Rose! They look up words in any dictionary and I have to try and spell it. They have to give me the same clues that I give them every day. They must pronounce it correctly, give me the number of letters in the word, break it into syllables and give the number of letters in each, and give me the definition. With those clues I can spell almost any word, but they love to stump me, which they do. Besides spelling they learn new words while they use a dictionary. After years of frustration trying to put on plays I began to write my own. I had experienced the frustration of long plays with a huge cast so every child had some lines. I was tired of screaming at the children who were bored, inattentive, and got into mischief because they were waiting around to say their lines. I had academic work for them, but the action on the stage was distracting and I was busy as THE Director! My plays we
Co-published with Kappa Delta Pi The ABCs of Classroom Management equips teachers with a repertoire of expert strategies to develop classroom expectations and manage student behaviors. The second edition of this practical, alphabetical guide includes expansions on time-honored topics such as relationship building, communication, discipline, and behavior management, with the addition of new topics such as cyberbullying, violence prevention, social media, and substitute teachers. The newest quick reference to managing a classroom offers tried-and-true tips and specific examples of practical applications in the classroom. Educators who purchase the second edition also can access ABC’s Online to find downloadable forms, samples and checklists, and links to related resources. This edition of The ABC’s of Classroom Management gives future and new educators practical and informative tips and tools for managing their classrooms to apply right away so they can focus on student learning. Underlying the nuts-and-bolts entries of the book are the themes of teacher professionalism, leadership, and empowerment. Armed with a proactive attitude and the right tools that are applied purposefully and consistently, novice teachers develop their craft to become masterful educators.
Selected as one of NPR's Best Books of 2016, this book offers superior learning tools for teachers and students, from A to Z. An explosive growth in research on how people learn has revealed many ways to improve teaching and catalyze learning at all ages. The purpose of this book is to present this new science of learning so that educators can creatively translate the science into exceptional practice. The book is highly appropriate for the preparation and professional development of teachers and college faculty, but also parents, trainers, instructional designers, psychology students, and simply curious folks interested in improving their own learning. Based on a popular Stanford University course, The ABCs of How We Learn uses a novel format that is suitable as both a textbook and a popular read. With everyday language, engaging examples, a sense of humor, and solid evidence, it describes 26 unique ways that students learn. Each chapter offers a concise and approachable breakdown of one way people learn, how it works, how we know it works, how and when to use it, and what mistakes to avoid. The book presents learning research in a way that educators can creatively translate into exceptional lessons and classroom practice. The book covers field-defining learning theories ranging from behaviorism (R is for Reward) to cognitive psychology (S is for Self-Explanation) to social psychology (O is for Observation). The chapters also introduce lesser-known theories exceptionally relevant to practice, such as arousal theory (X is for eXcitement). Together the theories, evidence, and strategies from each chapter can be combined endlessly to create original and effective learning plans and the means to know if they succeed.
How might we teach in a way that uplifts both the children and ourselves? How do we give a shape and design to our classes that refreshes and energizes? How might we create a musical flow and make our classes truly sing? Revealing the thinking behind his long teaching career working with both children and adults of all ages, internationally renowned music educator Doug Goodkin guides us to making music classes—and any classes—more memorable, magical and musical. The ideas presented here will inspire all teachers to teach with more playfulness, passion and purpose.
Includes teaching scenarios modeling the crossover of literacy and math strategies, and provides techniques to strengthen students' grasp of foundational concepts and advance their skills in reasoning and problem solving.
At school, the children always sing the alphabet song the teacher's way. But after school, they like to mix things up and sing it their own way. Follow these adorable kids through their day as they mix up the ABCs on the bus, at the park, in the dark, and in their dreams. Teachers and parents will love the letter identification practice this book provides for young readers. Kids will love the dazzling illustrations and the silly mixed-up versions of the alphabet song.
A thorough overview of elementary education in the United States, spanning its history, foundations, curriculum models, technology, assessment, and special programs. Elementary Education: A Reference Handbook takes readers on an all-inclusive journey through the history and current status of elementary education in America. The handbook first examines the historical, philosophical, social, and cultural foundations of elementary education. It then delves into the fascinating topic of how children learn, including racial identity formation, culturally differing cognitive thinking styles, and language developments. A critical investigation of issues relating to the curriculum reveals its purpose, types, and models, weighing the impact of technology and providing a historical review of key subjects, from language arts to physical education. Are the results of standardized testing and high-stakes testing realistic and fair? This handbook explores these and other key questions in a detailed discussion of assessment and evaluation methods.
Explores the contradictions between what is expected of teachers and the education and support they have received, and provides teachers with advice on how to teach writing and generate their students' interest in writing.
