After serving in linguistically diverse schools for over a decade, Carly Spina has scoured for the most effective and meaningful ways to support multilingual learners. The overwhelming answer has always been this: "Just add visuals!" When it comes to serving our multilingual learners, there are countless ways for us to strengthen our practice! This book will help us to reflect on ways to move beyond our current practices and really dive deep into ways to enhance instruction, create meaningful social-emotional learning experiences, empower families, partner with our community, and more. Let's reflect on our roles as change agents in our systems! It's time to flip lenses and disrupt the deficit narratives of those we serve. Ready? Let's move beyond for multilingual learners!
Teaching is a lifelong challenge, but the first few years in the classroom are typically a teacher's hardest. This expanded collection of writings and reflections offers practical guidance on how to navigate the school system, form rewarding relationships with colleagues, and connect in meaningful ways with students and families from all cultures and backgrounds.
Arguing against the tougher standards rhetoric that marks the current education debate, the author of No Contest and Punished by Rewards writes that such tactics squeeze the pleasure out of learning. Reprint.
In his new book,In the Best Interest of Students: Staying True to What Works in the ELA Classroom , teacher and author Kelly Gallagher notes that there are real strengths in the Common Core standards, and there are significant weaknesses as well. He takes the long view, reminding us that standards come and go but good teaching remains grounded in proven practices that sharpen students' literacy skills.Instead of blindly adhering to the latest standards movement, Gallagher suggests:Increasing the amount of reading and writing students are doing while giving students more choice around those activitiesBalancing rigorous, high-quality literature and non-fiction works with student-selected titlesEncouraging readers to deepen their comprehension by moving beyond the four corners of the text-Planning lessons that move beyond Common Core expectations to help young writers achieve more authenticity through the blending of genresUsing modeling to enrich students' writing skills in the prewriting, drafting, and revision stagesResisting the de-emphasis of narrative and imaginative reading and writingAmid the frenzy of trying to teach to a new set of standards, Kelly Gallagher is a strong voice of reason, reminding us that instruction should be anchored around one guiding question: What is in the best interest of our students?
"The best educators are the best learners. It′s all about teaching, learning, and feedback, and this book brings common sense to common practice." —Raymond J. McNulty, Senior Vice President International Center for Leadership in Education "At last, a diagnostic classroom observation tool that moves beyond generic criteria for examining teaching and learning. This is a must-have resource for teachers, administrators, and professional developers who want to look beyond the veneer of ′best practice′ and use evidence-based, content-focused criteria to get to the heart of deep, conceptual teaching and learning." —Page Keeley, Senior Program Director Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance A complete instructional leadership system for improving classroom practice! Providing effective classroom evaluation is a critical function of authentic instructional leadership. Diagnostic classroom observation (DCO) is a research-based system that helps principals and other supervisors carry out classroom observations and evaluations to support effective teaching practices. Based on the Vermont Classroom Observation Tool, the DCO model covers the entire supervision process, from preconference analysis to postconference follow-up, and includes protocols for observing math, science, and literacy instruction. Program users can determine classroom quality and student engagement by evaluating four critical aspects of instructional practice: lesson planning, lesson implementation, lesson content, and classroom culture. Additionally, the author supplies readers with: Classroom observation forms to help identify instructor strengths and weaknesses Scoring forms to assist with the final evaluation and review process Real-world vignettes that clearly illustrate key indicators of quality teaching Methods for matching student learning assessments with appropriate instructional strategies Guidance for introducing DCO into any school or school district Diagnostic Classroom Observation offers principals and teacher leaders a thoroughly tested and validated classroom observation system that improves instructional performance and enhances student learning.
Reading instruction is too often grounded in a narrowly defined "science of reading" that focuses exclusively on cognitive skills and strategies. Yet cognition is just one aspect of reading development. This book guides K–8 educators to understand and address other scientifically supported factors that influence each student's literacy learning, including metacognition, motivation and engagement, social–emotional learning, self-efficacy, and more. Peter Afflerbach uses classroom vignettes to illustrate the broad-based nature of student readers’ growth, and provides concrete suggestions for instruction and assessment. The book's utility is enhanced by end-of-chapter review questions and activities and a reproducible tool, the Healthy Readers Profile, which can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.
In Moving Beyond Quadrant A, Bernadette Lambert skillfully elucidates the Rigor/Relevance Framework(R) and corresponding Rigor, Relevance, and Engagement Rubrics in terms you've likely not considered, but well know. By thinking of these cornerstones of effective instruction as familiar concepts you use regularly in your day-to-day life, you will find yourself effortlessly modeling rigor and relevance for your students. You will naturally begin to invite them to be active, engaged agents in their education. All it takes is a simple perspective shift, one that moves you beyond Quad A of the Framework and into a Quad D attitude, which Lambert guides you through with interest and ease. Moving Beyond Quadrant A is no tedious academic text. Lambert weaves in history, cultural references, academic research, and observations from her decades as a teacher and coach in the classroom. She takes care to ensure you have fun as you become a student of the Rigor/Relevance Framework and Rubrics, providing strategic instructional tactics to boot. For those seeking to gain control of their classrooms, not simply collect yet more Band-Aid techniques to cover over the same old problems, Lambert reminds you that all you have to do is get started. You will find the motivation to do just that in Lambert's inspiring words.
Develop emotional intelligence and strengthen social emotional skills in adolescents with this practical, hands-on resource. Helping students develop emotional intelligence (EQ) and social emotional skills is essential to preparing them for success in college, careers, and adult life. This practical resource for educators explains what emotional intelligence is and why it’s important for all students. Boost Emotional Intelligence in Students lays out detailed yet flexible guidelines for teaching fundamental EQ and social emotional skills in an intentional and focused way. The book is split into three modules, which correspond to three main skill areas: Self-awareness and self-management Social awareness and relationship skills Responsible decision-making and problem-solving Each module features ten hands-on, research-based lessons, which are focused on a critical EQ concept and centered around productive and respectful discussion. All lessons are designed to take approximately 35 minutes each but can easily be adapted to meet the specific needs of a school or group as they work to develop emotional intelligence and social emotional skills in their students. Digital content includes reproducible forms to use with students.
Because fluency practice is not a worksheet. Fluency in mathematics is more than adeptly using basic facts or implementing algorithms. Real fluency involves reasoning and creativity, and it varies by the situation at hand. Figuring Out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning offers educators the inspiration to develop a deeper understanding of procedural fluency, along with a plethora of pragmatic tools for shifting classrooms toward a fluency approach. In a friendly and accessible style, this hands-on guide empowers educators to support students in acquiring the repertoire of reasoning strategies necessary to becoming versatile and nimble mathematical thinkers. It includes: "Seven Significant Strategies" to teach to students as they work toward procedural fluency. Activities, fluency routines, and games that encourage learning the efficiency, flexibility, and accuracy essential to real fluency. Reflection questions, connections to mathematical standards, and techniques for assessing all components of fluency. Suggestions for engaging families in understanding and supporting fluency. Fluency is more than a toolbox of strategies to choose from; it’s also a matter of equity and access for all learners. Give your students the knowledge and power to become confident mathematical thinkers.
