We worry that our students will be "behind," that they won't score well on the SAT, get into a good college, or read enough of the Great Books. Our souls are restless, anxiously wondering if something else out there might be just a little bit better—if maybe there is another way or another curriculum that might prove to be superior to what we are doing now. God doesn't call us to this work and then turn away to tend to other, more important matters. He promises to stay with us. He assures us that if we rely on Him alone, then He will provide all that we need. What that means on a practical level is that we have to stop fretting over every little detail. We need to stop comparing. We've got to drop the self-inflated view that we are the be-all-end-all of whether the education we are offering our students is going to be as successful as we hope it is. After all, our job is not to be successful—success itself is entirely beside the point. It's faithfulness that He wants. Teaching from Rest offers inspiration, insight, and practical help for the homeschooling mom. Take a deep breath homeschooling mama; He's got this.

    With the introduction of the rigorous Common Core State Standards, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement and facilitating deeper learningCulturally responsive pedagogy has shown great promise in meeting this need, but many educators still struggle with its implementation. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction.The book includes:*Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships*Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners*Prompts for action and valuable self-reflectionWith a firm understanding of these techniques and principles, teachers and instructional leaders will confidently reap the benefits of culturally responsive instruction.

    She believes that anyone can be a writer and has set out to prove it. For the past decade, Barry has run a highly popular writing workshop for nonwriters called Writing the Unthinkable, which was featured in The New York Times Magazine. Syllabus: Notes from an Accidental Professor is the first book to make her innovative lesson plans and writing exercises available to the public for home or classroom use. Barry teaches a method of writing that focuses on the relationship between the hand, the brain, and spontaneous images, both written and visual. It has been embraced by people across North America—prison inmates, postal workers, university students, high-school teachers, and hairdressers—for opening pathways to creativity.Syllabus's takes the course plan for Barry’s workshop and runs wild with it in her densely detailed signature style. Collaged texts, ballpoint-pen doodles, and watercolor washes adorn Syllabus’s yellow lined pages, which offer advice on finding a creative voice and using memories to inspire the writing process. Throughout it all, Barry’s voice (as an author and as a teacher-mentor) rings clear, inspiring, and honest.

    I had no idea that nearly 40 years later, I would not only still be using it as the most reliable route to the thing I've come to call my work, but I'd also be showing others how to use it too, as a place to practice a physical activity — in this case writing and drawing by hand — with a certain state of mind.This practice can result in what I've come to consider a wonderful side effect: a visual or written image we can call 'a work of art,' although a work of art is not what I'm after when I'm practicing this activity.What am I after? I'm after what Marilyn Frasca called "being present and seeing what's there."This book is a collection of bits and pieces from the many notebooks I kept during my first three years of trying to figure out how to teach this practice to my students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison."

    The medieval and Renaissance teachers valued their insights and lofty goals. Christian educators such as Augustine, Erasmus, Milton, and Comenius drew from the teaching of Plato, Aristotle, and Quintilian those truths which they found universal and potent. Charlotte Mason developed her own philosophy of education from the riches of the past, not accidentally but purposefully. She and the other founding members of the Parents’ National Educational Union in England were inspired by the classical educators of history and set out to achieve their vision in modern education. They succeeded—and thanks to Charlotte Mason’s clear development of methods to realize the classical ideals, we can partake of the classical tradition as well. The classical tradition as it informs teaching is good not because it is old or “classical,” but because it works; and what works, whether old or new, is best. That’s the Mason message admirably conveyed by [Karen] Glass. —David V. Hicks Classical education is an education of the heart and conscience as much as it is an education of the mind. This book explores the classical emphasis on formation of character and links Charlotte Masons ideas to the thinkers of the past. This is not a “how to” book about education, but a “why to” book that will bring clarity to many of the ideas you already know about teaching and learning.

    Engineering professor Barbara Oakley knows firsthand how it feels to struggle with math. She flunked her way through high school math and science courses, before enlisting in the army immediately after graduation. When she saw how her lack of mathematical and technical savvy severely limited her options—both to rise in the military and to explore other careers—she returned to school with a newfound determination to re-tool her brain to master the very subjects that had given her so much trouble throughout her entire life. In A Mind for Numbers, Dr. Oakley lets us in on the secrets to effectively learning math and science—secrets that even dedicated and successful students wish they’d known earlier. Contrary to popular belief, math requires creative, as well as analytical, thinking. Most people think that there’s only one way to do a problem, when in actuality, there are often a number of different solutions—you just need the creativity to see them. For example, there are more than three hundred different known proofs of the Pythagorean Theorem. In short, studying a problem in a laser-focused way until you reach a solution is not an effective way to learn math. Rather, it involves taking the time to step away from a problem and allow the more relaxed and creative part of the brain to take over. A Mind for Numbers shows us that we all have what it takes to excel in math, and learning it is not as painful as some might think!

    Good teaching, we believe, should be creatively tailored to the different learning styles of students and should use strategies that make learning easier. Make It Stick turns fashionable ideas like these on their head. Drawing on recent discoveries in cognitive psychology and other disciplines, the authors offer concrete techniques for becoming more productive learners.Memory plays a central role in our ability to carry out complex cognitive tasks, such as applying knowledge to problems never before encountered and drawing inferences from facts already known. New insights into how memory is encoded, consolidated, and later retrieved have led to a better understanding of how we learn. Grappling with the impediments that make learning challenging leads both to more complex mastery and better retention of what was learned.Many common study habits and practice routines turn out to be counterproductive. Underlining and highlighting, rereading, cramming, and single-minded repetition of new skills create the illusion of mastery, but gains fade quickly. More complex and durable learning come from self-testing, introducing certain difficulties in practice, waiting to re-study new material until a little forgetting has set in, and interleaving the practice of one skill or topic with another. Speaking most urgently to students, teachers, trainers, and athletes, Make It Stick will appeal to all those interested in the challenge of lifelong learning and self-improvement.

    Al Vernacchio, a high school sexuality educator who holds a Master’s degree in Human Sexuality from the University of Pennsylvania, has created a new category: sex-positive education. In For Goodness Sex, he refutes the “disaster prevention” model of sex ed, offering a progressive and realistic approach: Sexuality is a natural part of life, and healthy sexuality can only develop from a sex-positive, affirming appreciation. Curious yet fearful of being judged, young people turn to peers, the Internet, and the media, where they receive problematic messages about sex: boys are studs, girls are sluts; real sex should be like porn; hookups are better than relationships. Without a broader understanding to offset these damaging perceptions, teenagers are dangerously unprepared intellectually and emotionally to grow and develop as sexual beings. For Goodness Sex offers the tools and insights adults need to talk young people and help them develop healthy values and safe habits. With real-life examples from the classroom, exercises and quizzes, and a wealth of sample discussions and crucial information, Vernacchio offers a guide to sex education for the twenty-first century.

    It’s about expanding horizons and forging new paths. Regardless of the curriculum you choose or the dynamics of your family life, the book helps you break free from old paradigms about education put on you by the state, your family, and that supermom in your homeschool group. Plan Your Year walks through the process by first looking at what’s right for your unique family, then leads you through a series of ten manageable, yet effective steps, to get you from thinking about your upcoming year to having a plan you can be proud of (and that will actually get done!)The book includes a link to where you can purchase the bonus material, including over forty planning forms to help you create a workable plan for your year, two inspiring audio interviews to give you a peek into the planning process of other homeschooling moms. The book also contains links to three videos to help you get off to a good start.Success breeds success. A good plan will help you build a successful homeschool vision and carry it out in the day-to-day. It’s time to Plan Your Year- now you know just where to begin.

    When the supply train doesn't arrive, Almanzo Wilder and his brother realize something must be done. They begin an impossible journey in search of provisions, before it's too late.

     Drawing on her own storyformed childhood and her long study of children's literature, Sarah Clarkson explores and celebrates the soul-forming power of story to help children imagine, and live, a great story of their own.

    But while traveling he met a young boy begging on the streets of India, who after being asked what he wanted most in the world, simply answered, “A pencil.” This small request led to a staggering series of events that took Braun backpacking through dozens of countries before eventually leaving one of the world’s most prestigious jobs to found Pencils of Promise, the organization he started with just $25 that has since built more than 200 schools around the world.The Promise of a Pencil chronicles Braun’s journey to find his calling, as each chapter explains one clear step that every person can take to turn your biggest ambitions into reality, even if you start with as little as $25. His story takes readers behind the scenes with business moguls and village chiefs, world-famous celebrities and hometown heroes. Driven by compelling stories and shareable insights, this is a vivid and inspiring book that will give you the tools to make your own life a story worth telling.*All proceeds from this book will support Pencils of Promise.

    This is a solutions book that turns classroom chaos into student achievement. It walks a teacher through organizing and structuring a classroom to create a safe and positive environment for student learning and achievement to take place. The book includes step-by-step teaching of 50 procedures that can be applied, changed, adapted, and incorporated into any classroom management plan and 40 QR (Quick Response) Codes that provide additional resources. All ideas are easy to implement at no cost. The concepts shared are suitable for all grades, all subjects, and all teachers. While all of the work and preparation behind a well-managed classroom are rarely observed, the dividends are evident in a classroom that is less stressful for all and one that hums with learning. This book is a companion book to The First Days of School and provides an in-depth look at classroom management.

    This teaching guide is a must-have for new and experienced teachers alike. Over 1.3 million teachers around the world already know how the techniques in this book turn educators into classroom champions. With ideas for everything from boosting academic rigor, to improving classroom management, and inspiring student engagement, you will be able to strengthen your teaching practice right away.The first edition of Teach Like a Champion influenced thousands of educators because author Doug Lemov's teaching strategies are simple and powerful. Now, updated techniques and tools make it even easier to put students on the path to college readiness. Here are just a few of the brand new resources available in the 2.0 edition:Over 70 new video clips of real teachers modeling the techniques in the classroom (note: for online access of this content, please visit my.teachlikeachampion.com) A selection of never before seen techniques inspired by top teachers around the world Brand new structure emphasizing the most important techniques and step by step teaching guidelines Updated content reflecting the latest best practices from outstanding educators Organized by category and technique, the book's structure enables you to read start to finish, or dip in anywhere for the specific challenge you're seeking to address. With examples from outstanding teachers, videos, and additional, continuously updated resources at teachlikeachampion.com, you will soon be teaching like a champion. The classroom techniques you'll learn in this book can be adapted to suit any context. Find out why Teach Like a Champion is a "teaching Bible" for so many educators worldwide.

    As teacher and writer Jessica Lahey explains, even though these parents see themselves as being highly responsive to their children’s well-being, they aren’t giving them the chance to experience failure—or the opportunity to learn to solve their own problems.Overparenting has the potential to ruin a child’s confidence and undermine their education, Lahey reminds us. Teachers don’t just teach reading, writing, and arithmetic. They teach responsibility, organization, manners, restraint, and foresight—important life skills children carry with them long after they leave the classroom. Providing a path toward solutions, Lahey lays out a blueprint with targeted advice for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, and sports. Most importantly, she sets forth a plan to help parents learn to step back and embrace their children’s failures. Hard-hitting yet warm and wise, The Gift of Failure is essential reading for parents, educators, and psychologists nationwide who want to help their children succeed.

    They experiment, explore, test, and play, and they learn a great deal about problem-solving through questions and hands-on experiments. They don't see lines between disciplines; rather, they notice interesting materials and ideas that are worth exploring. This book is about creative experiments, in all fields, that help kids explore the world.Children gravitate toward sensory experiences (playing with slime), figuring out how things work (taking toys apart), and testing the limits of materials (mixing a tray of paint together until it makes a solid mass of brown). They're not limited by their imaginations, and a wooden spoon can become a magic wand as quickly as a bag of pom-poms can become a hot bowl of soup. This book is about helping parents and teachers of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers understand and tap into this natural energy with engaging, kid-tested, easy-to-implement projects that value process over product. The creative experiments shared in this book foster curiosity, promote creative and critical thinking, and encourage tinkering--mindsets that are important to children growing up in a world that values independent thinking.In addition to offering a host of activities that parents and teachers can put to use right away, this book also includes a buffet of recipes (magic potions, different kinds of play dough, silly putty, and homemade butter) and a detailed list of materials to include in the art pantry.

    HOGE, THE WORLD’S #1 ENGLISH TEACHER, teaches you his most powerful methods for learning to speak English fluently and confidently. Famous for training corporate and government leaders, A.J. Hoge gives you a step by step program teaching you the system that will help you achieve ultimate success with English.Effortless English will.....Teach you how to overcome nervousness, shyness, and fear when speaking EnglishShow you how to achieve a high TOEFL, IELTS, or TOEIC scoreHelp you learn vocabulary 4-5 times fasterTell you how to feel stronger, calmer, and more powerful when speaking EnglishTeach you how to understand native speakers and communicate clearly with themHelp you get better jobs using English“You have studied English many years, yet you still do not speak well. You read English but you feel nervous and frustrated when speaking. It is time for a change. I will teach you to speak English quickly, easily, and automatically using my Effortless English System (TM). You can achieve success now simply by changing the way you learn English.” — A.J. Hoge

    Widely-recognized curriculum expert Cathy Duffy walks you through the curriculum selection process: goal setting, figuring out which educational approach to use, developing your own philosophy of education, determining your teaching style, and identifying your children's learning styles. "At-a-glance" charts highlight key features of each Top Pick selection. Scanning through the charts allows you to quickly identify products likely to be of interest. The charts are followed by extensive reviews of each of Cathy's Top Picks. This is an updated and extensively revised edition of 101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum.

    In ReadWriteTeach, Linda offers the what, how, and why of a year's worth of reading and writing for middle and high school students with a framework that is as flexible as it is comprehensive....This book isn't a compilation of tear-out reproducibles designed to help us replicate Linda's practices, writes Maja Wilson in the foreword. Instead, it's the most powerful gift that a master teacher can give us: the story of her thinking and feeling as she teaches. Linda's insights and beliefs are woven throughout a comprehensive overview of best literacy practices, which include:essentials in the reading-writing workshop grounding our choices in our beliefs getting to know ourselves and our students as readers and writers. Students' voices, through examples of their writing, drawing, and thinking, resonate throughout the book and characterize the thoughtful readers, writers, and citizens of the world that they become under Linda's guidance.Online companion resources include all of the handouts that Linda uses in her own classroom. Download a free sample chapter!

    At thirty years old, Gabriel Wyner speaks six languages fluently.  He didn’t learn them in school -- who does? -- rather, he learned them in the past few years, working on his own and practicing on the subway, using simple techniques and free online resources. In Fluent Forever Wyner reveals what he’s discovered.   The greatest challenge to learning a foreign language is the challenge of memory; there are just too many words and too many rules. For every new word we learn, we seem to forget two old ones, and as a result, fluency can seem out of reach. Fluent Forever tackles this challenge head-on. With empathy for the language-challenged and abundant humor, Wyner deconstructs the learning process, revealing how to build a foreign language in your mind from the ground up.  Starting with pronunciation, you’ll learn how to rewire your ears and turn foreign sounds into familiar sounds. You'll retrain your tongue to produce those sounds accurately, using tricks from opera singers and actors. Next, you'll begin to tackle words, and connect sounds and spellings to imagery, rather than translations, which will enable you to think in a foreign language.  And with the help of sophisticated spaced-repetition techniques, you'll be able to memorize hundreds of words a month in minutes every day. Soon, you'll gain the ability to learn grammar and more difficult abstract words--without the tedious drills and exercises of language classes and grammar books.  This is brain hacking at its most exciting, taking what we know about neuroscience and linguistics and using it to create the most efficient and enjoyable way to learn a foreign language in the spare minutes of your day.

    Pulling themes from all of his major books, Metaxas helps us understand why these spiritual truths meant so much to Bonhoeffer and how they can be an inspiration and challenge to our faith.This study guide will lead you and your group deeper with session-by-session discussion topics, personal reflection, and between-session studies to enhance the group experience.Sessions include:What is the Church?Living in Christian CommunityReligionless ChristianityCome and DieDesigned for use with the Bonhoeffer Video Guide (sold separately).

    Alluring and captivating, they capture children's curiosity, give free reign to their imagination, and motivate learning.The hundreds of inspiring photographs showcase an array of loose parts in real early childhood settings. And the overviews of concepts children can learn when using loose parts provide the foundation for incorporating loose parts into your teaching to enhance play and empower children. The possibilities are truly endless.

    Classroom Management for Art, Music, and PE Teachers is a proven solution that will transform even the most difficult group of students into the peaceful, well-behaved class you really want. It provides the tools, tips, and strategies you need to simply and effectively manage any classroom, no matter how unruly or out of control, so you can focus on teaching, inspiring, and making an impact that lasts a lifetime.

    Newkirk convincingly shows that effective argument is already a kind of narrative and is deeply entwined with narrative. --Gerald Graff, former MLA President and author of Clueless in AcademeNarrative is regularly considered a type of writing-often an easy one, appropriate for early grades but giving way to argument and analysis in later grades. This groundbreaking book challenges all that. It invites readers to imagine narrative as something more-as the primary way we understand our world and ourselves. To deny the centrality of narrative is to deny our own nature, Newkirk explains. We seek companionship of a narrator who maintains our attention, and perhaps affection. We are not made for objectivity and pure abstraction-for timelessness. We have 'literary minds that respond to plot, character, and details in all kind of writing. As humans, we must tell stories.When we are engaged readers, we are following a story constructed by the author, regardless of the type of writing. To sustain a reading-in a novel, an opinion essay, or a research article- we need a plot that helps us comprehend specific information, or experience the significance of an argument. As Robert Frost reminds us, all good memorable writing is dramatic.Minds Made for Stories is a needed corrective to the narrow and compartmentalized approaches often imposed on schools-approaches which are at odds with the way writing really works outside school walls.

    But you’re concerned—why are so many graduates unprepared to enter the workforce and face life on their own? You’re doing your best to raise healthy children, but sometimes you wonder, am I really helping them?Tim Elmore shows you how to avoid twelve critical mistakes parents unintentionally make. He outlines practical and effective parenting skills so you won’t fall into common traps, such as…making happiness a goal instead of a by-productnot letting kids struggle or fight for what they believenot letting them fail or suffer consequenceslying about kids’ potential—and not exploring their true potentialgiving them what they should earnFind out why thousands of organizations have sought out Tim Elmore to help them develop young leaders—and how you can improve your parenting skills and help your kids soar.

    In  Revision Decisions: Talking Through Sentences and Beyond,  authors Jeff Anderson and Deborah Dean create a book to help teachers simplify the revision process and start building students' writing and reading skills.In this book, Anderson and Dean use mentor texts to show the myriad possibilities that exist for revision. You will also find:How students find the "why" by talking through revisions during group and classroom discussions Easy-to-follow lessons and exercises to lead student discourse during rewrites and make challenging writing processes accessibleTeacher Tips to help apply new knowledge and develop both the writer and the writingReading and writing practices that keep the goals of Common Core and other standards in mindThe noted language arts teacher James Britton once said that good writing “floats on a sea of talk.” Revision Decisions supports those genuine conversations we naturally have as readers and writers, leading the way to the essential goal of making meaning.

    Between standardized testing, the Common Core Curriculum, copious homework assignments, and seemingly endless amounts of “screen time,” it’s hard for kids – and parents – to know what’s most essential. How can parents help their kids succeed – not just do well “on the test” -- but develop the learning habits they’ll need to thrive throughout their lives?This important and parent-friendly book presents new solutions based on the largest study of family routines ever conducted. The Learning Habit offers a blueprint for navigating the maze of homework, media use, and the everyday stress that families with school-age children face; turning those “stress times” into opportunities to develop the eight critical skills kids will need to succeed in college and in the highly competitive job market of tomorrow – skills including concentration and focus, time management, decision-making, goal-setting, and self-reliance. Along with hands-on advice and compelling real-life case studies, the book includes 21 fun family challenges for parents and kids, bringing together the latest research with simple everyday solutions to help kids thrive, academically and beyond.

    Used by countless educators, the FAIR Behavior Intervention Plan has been proven to improve proactive classroom management, encourage positive teacher-student relationships, and reduce the need for school discipline.In this book, Minahan offers a wealth of supplemental materials for each stage of the FAIR Behavior Intervention Plan—which involves determining the function (F) of the behavior, offering appropriate accommodations (A), implementing proactive intervention strategies (I), and practicing positive response strategies (R). Among other invaluable supports, she provides clear and direct exercises for brainstorming and reflection, a series of checklists to help with implementation and monitoring progress, and planning activities and templates that can be customized and put to use immediately. The author also recommends apps and other technology that can assist and simplify plan implementation.Throughout the book, Minahan offers illustrative case studies, with a special focus on students with mental health diagnoses and those with anxiety-related or oppositional behaviors.Filled with actionable advice, this highly useful resource gives educators and parents the tools to meet challenging behaviors with both confidence and compassion. This volume will help educators create optimal learning environments for all students.

    Regularly priced at $9.99. Do you want charisma superpowers? This book will change your life...if you let it! Have you ever met a really charismatic person? They just seem to have so much energy and life in them. They seem to have a light in their eyes that exudes warmth and friendliness. They seem to have the world at their feet and be surrounded by people that love and admire them. They seem to have the ability to achieve any goal they set themselves, and usually do. They live in the homes that other people admire, and go on the holidays that most people can only dream of. In general, life seems to move out of the way for them, and open all kinds of doors for them that don’t open for normal people. If there is one character trait a person can have, that can enhance their lives in a powerful and positive way, and literally sky rocket them to success, then this trait has to be charisma. Whichever way you look at it, being charismatic will change your life, no matter who you are right now! This book is going to take you by the hand and show you how to become one of the most charismatic people that has ever walked this planet. Are you ready to get started? Here's What You Will Learn From This Book... The Magic Of Charisma And How It Will Change Your Life Real Life Charisma Exercises At The End Of Each Chapter You Can Take Into The Real World What Is Charisma And How You Can Get It What Charisma Is NOT And How To Avoid These Things! The Simple Rules Of Charisma That Will Skyrocket Your Charisma Levels Instantly How To Make People Feel Incredible When They Are Around You How To Build Your Confidence So That You Can Easily Interact With Anyone How The Right Body Language Can Boost Your Charisma How Charisma Will Help You Achieve Any Goal You Set Yourself How To Shine The Spotlight On Others How To Increase Your Power So That People Respect And Admire You How To Influence People Positively How To Be Dynamic And Light Up The Room Hundreds Of Other Tips And Tricks How To Use This Book In The Real World To Develop Your Charisma Levels Charisma Is A Set Of Simple Rules That Anyone Can Learn Are you ready to take your life to the next level? The truth is that charisma is a set of simple rules that anyone can learn and master over time. All you need to do is learn these rules and then apply them to your life. In this book you will hold a manual that shows you how each of these rules work, and what you need to do to use them each and every day. Once you know and understand the rules of charisma, you simply have to practice them until they will become a part of who you are. Gradually you will find your charisma levels increasing so dramatically that the people in your life won't believe the incredible person you have transformed into. Charisma is not a magic gift that only the lucky few have. It is a skill anyone can learn and it will change your life for the better if you take the time to learn it. This book will change your life...if you let it. Make sure you download your copy today! Take action today and download this book for a limited time discount of only $2.

    Despite the complicated challenges of schools, they come to and remain in the profession inspired by a conviction that through education they can move individuals and society to a more promising future.In "Teaching with Heart: Poetry that Speaks to the Courage to Teach" a diverse group of ninety teachers describe the complex of emotions and experiences of the teaching life - joy, outrage, heartbreak, hope, commitment and dedication. Each heartfelt commentary is paired with a cherished poem selected by the teacher. The contributors represent a broad array of educators: K-12 teachers, principals, superintendents, college professors, as well as many non-traditional teachers. They range from first year teachers to mid-career veterans to those who have retired after decades in the classroom. They come from inner-city, suburban, charter and private schools.The teachers identified an eclectic collection of poems and poets from Emily Dickinson, to Richard Wright, to Mary Oliver to the rapper Tupac Shakur. It is a book by teachers and for all who teach.The book also includes a poignant Foreword by Parker J. Palmer ("The Courage to Teach), "a stirring Introduction by Taylor Mali" (What Teachers Make)," and a moving Afterword by Sarah Brown Wessling ("Teaching Channel")." "Where "Teaching with Fire" honored and celebrated the work of teachers; "Teaching with Heart "salutes the tenacious and relentless optimism of teachers and their belief that despite the many challenges and obstacles of the teaching life, much is possible.

    It is an integral part of our lives, whether we are students or adult professionals. Giving all educators the breadth of knowledge and practical tools that help students strengthen their literacy skills is the focus of Read, Write, Lead.Drawing on her experience as a mentor teacher, reading specialist, instructional coach, and staff developer, author Regie Routman offers time-tested advice on how to develop a schoolwide learning culture that leads to more effective reading and writing across the curriculum. She explains how every school--including yours--can* Implement instructional practices that lead to better engagement and achievement in reading and writing for all students, from kindergarten through high school, including second-language and struggling learners.* Build Professional Literacy Communities of educators working together to create sustainable school change through professional learning based on shared beliefs.* Reduce the need for intervention through daily practices that ensure success, even for our most vulnerable learners.* Embed the language of productive feedback in responsive instruction, conferences, and observations in order to accelerate learning for students, teachers, and leaders.In their own voices, teachers, principals, literacy specialists, and students offer real-life examples of changes that led to dramatic improvement in literacy skills and--perhaps just as important--increased joy in teaching and learning. Scattered throughout the book are Quick Wins--ideas and actions that can yield positive, affirming results while tackling the tough work of long-term change.

    -Lucy Calkins, Writing Pathways Lucy Calkins' groundbreaking performance assessments offer instructional tools to support continuous assessment, timely feedback, and clear goals tied to learning progressions that have been aligned with world-class standards. Originally published as part of the bestselling Units of Study in Opinion/Argument, Information, and Narrative Writing, grades K-8, Writing Pathways is ideal for writing workshop, but suitable for any writing instruction context or curriculum.This practical guide includes:Learning progressions for opinion/argument, information, and narrative writing, which map the specific benchmarks students will master for every grade levelOn-demand writing prompts that support schoolwide performance assessmentStudent checklists to help students set goals and integrate crucial self-assessment into their workRubrics to support individual teachers and professional learning communities as they evaluate mastery and plan instruction within and across grade levelsStudent writing samples that illustrate different ways students have exemplified standards and highlight essential features of each writing genreAnnotated exemplar pieces of writing on the same topic for every grade level that highlight the traits you can expect to see at each level of the learning progressions. Who needs Writing Pathways?Educators who are not yet ready to implement the full Units of Study curriculum can use Writing Pathways to get started with Lucy Calkins' proven approach to writing assessment and instruction. Coaches and administrators who are supporting implementation of Lucy Calkins' Units of Study will find Writing Pathways to be an ideal resource to guide their work. Who doesn't need Writing Pathways?The content in this stand-alone edition is the same as in the previous editions found in Lucy Calkins' Units of Study (K-5 and 6-8 are combined in this new edition). Teachers who have the Units of Study do not need this new edition. For more information, visit UnitsofStudy.com.

    From a kindergartner's loops and pictures to a second grader's reading log, her Literacy Teacher's Playbook details exactly how she comes to understand them deeply and meet everyone's literacy needs-and the standards.My I-wish-I-knew-then-what-I-know-now experiences are the main inspiration for this book, writes Jen. So her workshop-in-a-book shares a powerful approach to assessment, planning, and teaching. Go beyond curriculum to develop differentiated reading and writing goals then plan targeted instruction with her four-step assessment protocol:collect data-student work and everyday assessments-that will be the most useful to you analyze the data to understand deeply what kids know and can do synthesize data from multiple assessments to create learning goals develop instructional plans and follow-ups to monitor progress. What you can pull out of a child's messy seat pocket is data. So Jen provides downloadable assessment packets from real children representing two puzzling types of young learners. Spread Marelle's packet out and let Jen model how she analyzes little kids' work. Next try a guided practice with Emre's work. Then you'll be ready to try it with your own students.My goal, writes Jen, is to help you understand your students with the depth that allows you to tweak your units and ensure you're giving every student opportunities for success. Follow the play tens of thousands of teachers have succeeded with: trust Jen Serravallo and feel the confidence that comes from making winning instructional decisions based on powerful assessments. Preview a sample chapter from the Literacy Teacher's Playbook, K-2.NEW Printable Materialsword pdf Blank Reading Log Levels D-Iword pdf Blank Reading Log Levels J-Mword pdf Blank Reading Log Levels L+word pdf Blank Re-reading Log Levels D-Iword pdf Blank Reading Interest Survey K-2word pdf Blank Reading Interest Survey 3-6word pdf Blank High-Frequency Word Listword pdf Blank Engagement Inventory

    Drum on an Outdoor Sound Wall. Explore the gooeyness of Glowing Slime. With the one-of-a-kind projects in 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids, your family will rediscover the spirit of imaginative play! These fun activities help develop your child's creativity and skills--all without a screen in sight. Featuring step-by-step instructions and beautiful photographs, each budget-friendly project will keep your child entertained, engaged, and learning all day long. Best of all, no one will complain about turning off the TV or computer with such entertaining activities as: –Natural Dye Fingerpaints –Taste-Safe, Gluten-Free Playdough –Erupting Volcano Dinosaur World –Fizzy Rainbow Slush –Taste-Safe Glow Water Complete with dozens of exercises for babies, toddlers, and school-aged children, 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids will help your family step away from your devices and step into endless afternoons of playtime fun!

    Writing thieves read widely, dive deeply into texts, and steal bits and pieces from great texts as models for their own writing. Ruth Culham admits to being a writing thief-and she wants you and your students to become writing thieves, too! A major part of becoming a writing thief is finding the right mentor texts to share with students. Within this book, discover more than 90 excellent mentor texts, along with straight-forward activities that incorporate the traits of writing across informational, narrative, and argument modes. Chapters also include brief essays from beloved writing thieves such as Lester Laminack, David L. Harrison, Lisa Yee, Nicola Davies, Ralph Fletcher, Toni Buzzeo, Lola Schaefer, and Kate Messner, detailing the reading that has influenced their own writing. Ruth's beloved easy-going style and friendly tone make this a book you'll turn to again and again as you guide your students to reach their full potential as deep, thoughtful readers and great writers. There's a writing thief in each of us when we learn how to read with a writer's eye!

    Harvey Smokey Daniels and Sara Ahmed How can we meet today's elevated academic goals and engage middle school kids-but not simply replicate our competitive, winner-take-all society? How can our students achieve an even higher standard-demonstrating the capacity and the commitment to bend the world toward justice?In a word, inquiry.Welcome to the classroom of Sara Ahmed. With Smokey Daniels as your guide you'll see exactly how Sara uses inquiry to turn required curricular topics into questions so fascinating that young adolescents can't resist investigating them. Units so engaging that they provide all the complexity the standards could ever expect, while helping students grow from bystanders to Upstanders.Smokey and Sara describe precisely how to create, manage, and sustain a classroom built around choice, small-group collaboration, and critical thinking. You'll be inspired by what Sara's students accomplish, but you'll also come away from Upstanders with a can-do plan for teaching your own classes thanks to:a developmental look at what makes middle school kids special, challenging, and fun specific lessons that develop collaboration, self-awareness, and compassion a toolbox filled with teaching strategies, structures, tools, and handouts Point-Outs from Smokey that highlight key teaching moves Game-Time Decisions from Sara that reveal in-the-moment instructional choices narratives that document the incredible work that inquiry allows kids to do ambitious, engaging, and important units on commonly taught middle school themes. What kind of classroom do we want for our middle schoolers? How about one that develops the skills the standards demand and prepares kids to take action in the world right now? We can do it-if we help kids become Upstanders.

    The same charts that Rozlyn creates with students when she models and teaches in classrooms across the nation are all included here. Packed with over seventy photographs, Chart Sense is an invaluable guide for novice or veteran reading teachers who want authentic visuals to reinforce and provide guidance for reading skills. Organized in a simple, easy-to-use format, Rozlyn shares multiple charts for every reading informational text and literature standard. Don't mistake this as just a collection of anchor chart ideas. At over 180 pages, this book is filled with actual charts, step-by-step instructions to create your own, teaching tips, and instructional strategies. This book includes: Over sixty-five photographs of teacher-tested charts and examples Easy to navigate chapters, organized by the 3-8 reading standards Step-by-step instructions to create each chart Teaching notes and instructional strategies Ideas and tips for scaffolding and differentiation . . . and MORE! Not a bunch of theory or philosophy . . . just hands-on, teacher-tested charts that you can use in your classroom . . . TODAY!

    In her essay “Only Daughter,” author Sandra Cisneros remarks, “After four years in college and two more in graduate school, and still no husband, my father shakes his head even now and says I wasted all that education.” Wise Latinas is a collection of personal essays addressing the varied landscape of the Latina experience in higher education. For some Latinas, college, where they are vastly underrepresented, is the first time they are immersed in American culture outside their homes—and where the values of two cultures often clash. Wise Latinas is in part a response to this widening gap.Featuring acclaimed writers such as Sandra Cisneros, Norma Cantú, and Julia Alvarez, to name a few, Wise Latinas shows that there is no one Latina college experience. With thoughtful and engaging pieces, Wise Latinas provides a platform for Latina writers to share their experiences in higher education and gives a voice to the many Latina women who have taken risks; embraced the new, confronted change; and maintained (and in some cases found) their roots.

    Among the commoners in the GPO was a young staff captain of the Irish Volunteers named Michael Collins. He was joined a day later by a fourteen-year-old messenger boy, Eoin Kavanagh. Four days later they would all surrender, but they had struck the match that would burn Great Britain out of Ireland for the first time in seven hundred years.The 13th Apostle is the reimagined story of how Michael Collins, along with his young acolyte Eoin, transformed Ireland from a colony into a nation. Collins’s secret weapon was his intelligence system and his assassination squad, nicknamed “The Twelve Apostles.” On November 21, 1920, the squad—with its thirteenth member, young Eoin—assassinated the entire British Secret Service in Dublin. Twelve months and sixteen days later, Collins signed the Treaty at 10 Downing Street, which brought into being what is, today, the Republic of Ireland.An epic novel in the tradition of Thomas Flanagan’s The Year of the French and Leon Uris’s Trinity, The 13th Apostle is a story that will capture the imagination and hearts of freedom-loving readers everywhere.

    Many young Latter-day Saints are probably unsure about the true meaning of the sacrament and why we attend. With this in mind, bestselling author John Bytheway has composed a delightful poem (inspired by a short poem by Walter H. Horne) to help Latter-day Saints young and old appreciate the ordinance of the sacrament. In particular, children will learn what they should be thinking about (and not be thinking about) during this sacred time as well as what the sacrament can do for all of us.Beautifully illustrated by Nathan Pinnock, this thought-provoking story about a young boy and his grandpa is a gentle reminder about the importance of remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, especially during this special meeting meant for Him.

    Based on the backroom strategies of more than 200 famous names, this thorough and down-to-earth guide leads you through a logical sequence of practical tasks to build your live-room skills progressively from the ground up. On the way, you'll unravel the mysteries of many specialist studio tactics and gain the confidence to tackle a full range of real-world recording situations. User-friendly explanations introduce technical concepts on a strictly need-to-know basis, while chapter summaries, assignments, and extensive online resources are perfect for school and college use.* Learn the fundamental principles of mic technique that you can apply in any recording scenario -- and how to avoid those rookie mistakes that all too often compromise the sonics of lower-budget productions.* Explore advanced techniques which help industry insiders maintain their competitive edge even under the most adverse conditions: creative phase manipulation, improvised acoustics tweaks, inventive monitoring workarounds, subtle psychological tricks...* Find out where you don't need to spend money, as well as how to make a limited budget really count.* Make the best use of limited equipment and session time, especially in situations where you're engineering and producing single-handed.* Pick up tricks and tips from celebrated engineers and producers across the stylistic spectrum, including Steve Albini, Roy Thomas Baker, Joe Barresi, Tchad Blake, Bruce Botnick, Joe Chiccarelli, Neil Dorfsman, Jack Douglas, Geoff Emerick, Paul Epworth, Humberto Gatica, Nigel Godrich, Andy Johns, Eddie Kramer, Kevin Killen, George Massenburg, Hugh Padgham, Alan Parsons, Jack Joseph Puig, Phil Ramone, Bob Rock, Elliott Scheiner, Al Schmitt, Bruce Swedien, Butch Vig, Tony Visconti, and many, many more...

    They continue to be burdened with their handicapped status and live a life on the fringes, largely forgotten by a society which is galloping ahead at a fast pace. Born different from the rest of us, they have been put in a position of disadvantage in a world where being normal is at such a premium.Written by the bestselling author of Legacy and Leading Ladies, Sudha Menon and the MD of SAP Labs India, V. R. Ferose, Gifted celebrates the journeys of these very Indians who are neither CEOs nor part of any influential power clubs, but special in their own way. These are stories that can inspire even the most abled among us.About the AuthorSudha Menon is the author of two bestselling nonfiction books, Leading Ladies - Women Who Inspire India and Legacy, a compilation of letters from inspirational Indian men and women to their daughters. She is a former newspaper journalist and is currently a columnist. Sudha is the founder of Get Writing!, a writing workshop that she set up to help people kick start their writing journey and is founder of Writing In the Park, an initiative to get people to explore their creativity while writing in public parks and gardens. Sudha is a TEDx speaker and often speaks at educational institutions and corporate campuses about womens leadership and diversity issues. Meeting the people she interviewed and wrote about in Gifted made her realize the immense potential and promise that each of us carry within us. Some of us manage to tap that well deep within us to bring out our best while some go through life without the faintest idea of who we can really be. Having met the people in Gifted, she is determined to live her life to the fullest, just as they do.V. R. Ferose is Senior Vice President and Head of Globalization Service for SAP AG and former Managing Director of SAP Labs India. Deeply sensitive to the unequal world in which we live, Ferose founded the India Inclusion Summit, a unique platform that focuses on the need for inclusion in our lives. He is a Director on the Board of Specialist People Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation with the goal to create one million jobs globally for people with autism and is on the panel of The Vision Group on Information Technology, Government of Karnataka. He is also co-founder of the Karnataka chapter of Global Shapers, which works to create leadership among the youth. For his professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world, Ferose was honored as a Young Global Leader in March 2012 by the World Economic Forum. In a study published by the Economic Times and Spencer Stuart, Ferose was selected as one of the leaders in Indians Top 40 under 40, 2014. This study is considered to be Indias most authentic leadership study and it lists 40 extraordinary business leaders under the age of 40.

    His rise from rookie math teacher to prominent teacher leader takes a twist when he takes on education reform through his now-blocked eponymous blog, TheJoseVilson.com. He calls for the reclaiming of the education profession while seeking social justice.José Vilson is a middle school math educator for in the Inwood/Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. He writes for Edutopia, GOOD, and TransformED / Future of Teaching, and his work has appeared in Education Week, CNN.com, Huffington Post, and El Diario / La Prensa.

    For ease of use, this book is split into three parts. Part 1 includes a basic explanation of skin anatomy and physiology, including skin types, conditions and problems. This knowledge is critical for understanding product performance. Definitions of common terms used in skin care formulation are also provided. Part 2 contains an alphabetical listing of more than 2,300 cosmetic ingredients with accompanying definitions that help identify the function and purpose of each ingredient with Part 3 offering a reference of Botanical Latin names for commonly used ingredients. This is an invaluable resource that will assist in making well-informed decisions regarding skin care ingredients and cosmetic products.

    In The Teacher Wars, a rich, lively, and unprecedented history of public school teaching, Dana Goldstein reveals that teachers have been similarly embattled for nearly two centuries. From the genteel founding of the common schools movement in the nineteenth century to the violent inner-city teacher strikes of the 1960s and '70s, from the dispatching of Northeastern women to frontier schoolhouses to the founding of Teach for America on the Princeton University campus in 1989, Goldstein shows that the same issues have continued to bedevil us: Who should teach? What should be taught? Who should be held accountable for how our children learn?    She uncovers the surprising roots of hot button issues, from teacher tenure to charter schools, and finds that recent popular ideas to improve schools—instituting merit pay, evaluating teachers by student test scores, ranking and firing veteran teachers, and recruiting “elite” graduates to teach—are all approaches that have been tried in the past without producing widespread change. And she also discovers an emerging effort that stands a real chance of transforming our schools for the better: drawing on the best practices of the three million public school teachers we already have in order to improve learning throughout our nation’s classrooms.   The Teacher Wars upends the conversation about American education by bringing the lessons of history to bear on the dilemmas we confront today. By asking “How did we get here?” Dana Goldstein brilliantly illuminates the path forward.

    The Zentangle method is a mindful activity that can be done most anywhere and requires little time, space, or equipment. Like other mindful activities, the practice of Zentangle may also help you feel less stressed, increase your confidence, improve your concentration, manage pain better, sleep more soundly, and meditate more deeply. No matter your skill level, this book will help you flex your creativity muscles. It includes step-by-step instructions to guide beginners in understanding the Zentangle method and creating their first Zentangle art. Pattern Play also shows seasoned tanglers (people who 'do Zentangle') how to use their existing repertoire of tangles (patterns) as a springboard to ignite their own creative spark. Along with instructions, it contains: - 21 meditative patterns - over 125 tangleations (variations) - over 50 beautiful pieces of art - over 75 idea starters - tips for better tangling and plenty of space to practice and refine your skills so you can become the artist you were meant to be.

    In part two of this book, we share 7 proven ways authors can legitimately increase the number of reviews written about their books. These are strategies we have used successfully to connect with readers and reviewers and now want to share them with you. 7 Proven Ways to Get Reviews 1) Ask Your Sphere of Influence 2) Contact Amazon Reviewers 3) Harness the Power of Social Media Groups 4) Submit to Readers' Favorite 5) Contact Blog Reviewers 6) Conduct Giveaways to Get Reviews 7) Develop a Book Review Program Join us in this book as we take you step-by-step through the process of how to get honest reviews.

    and P is for PIRATE! Teaching is an adventure that stretches the imagination and calls for creativity every day! In "P is for Pirate", husband and wife team Dave and Shelley Burgess encourage and inspire educators to make their classrooms fun and exciting places to learn. Tapping into years of personal experience, and drawing on the insights of more than 70 educators, the authors offer a wealth of ideas for making learning and teaching more fulfilling than ever before.

    The most comprehensive of Shirley Clarke's titles includes extensive examples and realia, in full colour. The book is clearly structured around the ways in which teachers actually teach, with QR coded web video clips to illustrate key points in action.- Helps teachers create an environment for pupils to be active learners, constant reviewers and self-assessors - Ensures teachers start and finish lessons effectively by initially establishing their prior knowledge and capturing their interest and finally encouraging pupil reflection to find out what has been learnt and what still needs to be developed- Develops learning by helping children articulate their understanding and focusing on constant review and improvement- Focuses on whole-school development including lesson study, assessment policies and stories from outstanding schoolsChapters include:1. Laying the foundations2. Effective starts to lessons3. Developing the learning4. Effective ends to lessons5. Whole school development

    With a foreword by historical novelist Christian Cameron, in this book renowned swordsman and author Guy Windsor will take you through the principles and practice of medieval knightly combat with the longsword. The tactics and techniques come from Il Fior di Battaglia, written in 1410 by Fiore dei Liberi, one of the greatest trainers of knights in the Middle Ages. In this book Guy covers everything you need to get started, including principles of swordsmanship, training mindset, and choosing equipment; as well as a complete system of physical practice, from basic footwork all the way up through sword handling and pair drills to free fencing. Beginners will find this a complete and approachable guide to taking up the Art of Arms; experienced swordsmen will also find many tips and tricks for developing their skills. Guy Windsor has been training martial arts for almost 30 years, and teaching professionally since 2001, when he founded The School of European Swordsmanship. The School now has branches and study groups on all over the world. Guy’s other books include The Swordsman’s Companion, The Duellist’s Companion, Veni Vadi Vici, and Mastering the Art of Arms vol 1: The Medieval Dagger.

    The thought-provoking articles and curriculum in this life-changing book will be invaluable to everyone who wants to address these issues in their classroom, school, home, and community.

    In their book, Reading Wellness: Lessons in Independence and Proficiency , authors Dr. Jan Burkins and Kim Yaris want to reignite the passion in teachers and drive them to instill confidence, curiosity, and joy in students.Burkins and Yates define reading wellness to include all aspects of readership “so we can be our best reading selves”. The book is built around a framework of four intentions: alignment, balance, sustainability, and joy. It includes a series of field-tested lessons that help children read closely and carefully while still honoring their interests, passions, and agency as readers. Reading Wellness  encourages each teacher to shape these ideas in ways that support personal ideals and goals while nurturing a love of reading and a passion for lifelong learning.

    Utilizing a multi-level systems approach, this book includes step-by-step guidelines for developing crisis teams and prevention programs, assessing and intervening with suicidal youth, and working with families and community organizations during and after a suicidal crisis. The authors include detailed case examples, innovative approaches for professional practice, usable handouts, and internet resources on the best practice approaches to effectively work with youth who are experiencing a suicidal crisis as well as those students, families, school staff, and community members who have suffered the loss of a loved one to suicide. Readers will come away from this book with clear, step-by-step guidelines on how to work proactively with school personnel and community professionals, think about suicide prevention from a three-tiered systems approach, how to identify those who might be at risk, and how to support survivors after a traumatic event--all in a practical, user-friendly format geared especially for the needs of school-based professionals.

    This workout is a comprehensive program, chock-full of information about synonyms, antonyms, and word origins, and replete with advice on proper usage and pronunciation. There are also creative review quizzes at each step of the way to measure your progress and reinforce learning. Unlike other vocabulary books, Word Workout provides a complete learning experience with clear explanations and surefire methods to retain new knowledge. Far more than a cram session for a standardized test, this book is designed as a lifetime vocabulary builder, featuring words used by the top tier of literate Americans, laid out in ten accessible chapters designed for anyone who is looking for some serious verbal exercise.From "avowal" to "proselytize," from "demagogue" to "mendicant," Charles Harrington Elster has carefully picked the words you need to know, and given you an easy, fast, and fail-safe way to learn and remember them.

    One of the keys to a happy and creative classroom is getting out of it, and this book will give you the confidence to do it. It contains a wealth of ideas that allow teachers and parents to encourage outdoor learning and improve student participation. All you need is your coat, a passion for learning– oh, and bring the kids too!Juliet Robertson writes the popular education blog I’m a Teacher, Get me Outside Here, where she articulates her ideas and enthusiasm for learning outdoors.

    Educators use the phrase "school 2.0" to think about what schools will look like in the future. Moving beyond a basic examination of using technology for classroom instruction, "Building School 2.0: How to Create the Schools We Need" is a larger discussion of how education, learning, and our physical school spaces can--and should--change because of the changing nature of our lives brought on by these technologies.Well known for their work in creating Science Leadership Academy (SLA), a technology-rich, collaborative, learner-centric school in Philadelphia, founding principal Chris Lehmann and former SLA teacher Zac Chase are uniquely qualified to write about changing how we educate. The best strategies, they contend, enable networked learning that allows research, creativity, communication, and collaboration to help prepare students to be functional citizens within a modern society. Their model includes discussions of the following key concepts: Technology must be ubiquitous, necessary, and invisible Classrooms must be learner-centric and use backwards design principles Good technology can be better than new technology Teachers must serve as mentors and bring real-world experiences to studentsEach section of "Building School 2.0" presents a thesis designed to help educators and administrators to examine specific practices in their schools, and to then take their conclusions from theory to practice. Collectively, the theses represent a new vision of school, built off of the best of what has come before us, but with an eye toward a future we cannot fully imagine.

    You need a BLUEPRINT. Blueprint Homeschooling is for home educating parents of all philosophies and styles who are looking for a better way to manage their time, energy, and sanity throughout the school year. Do you spend your school days searching for missing ingredients to science experiments? Do you feel like you are constantly behind or like you are not doing enough compared to other people you know? It doesn't have to be this way. Blueprint Homeschooling is a friendly, humorous guide to planning your school year. Before you even take a glance at a calendar, you'll discover why you homeschool, explore some of the educational philosophies and teaching methods available, and set goals that take into account the reality of your life. By the time you're done, you'll have all the tools and supplies to make it through an entire year of home education, fine-tuned to the real world you live in. Filled with practical advice and stories of those in the homeschool trenches, Blueprint Homeschooling has something for beginners and seasoned homeschool veterans alike.

    They make the case that these gatherings are potentially the most important venue where adult and organizational learning can take place in schools, and that making more effective use of this time is the key to increasing student achievement.In Meeting Wise, the authors show why meeting planning is a high-leverage strategy for changing how people work together in the service of school improvement. To this end, they have created a meeting-planning "checklist" to develop a common language for discussing and improving the quality of meetings. In addition, they provide guidelines for readers on "wise facilitating" and "wise participating," and also include "top tips" and common dilemmas.Simple, succinct, and practical, Meeting Wise is designed to be read and applied at every level of the educational enterprise: district leadership meetings with central office staff, charter-school management summits, principals' meetings with teachers, professional development sessions, teacher-team meetings, and even teachers' meetings with parents and students.

    Drawing on the work of four ESL teachers who pursued anti-racist pedagogical practices during their first year of teaching, the author provides a compelling account of how new teachers might gain agency for culturally responsive teaching in spite of school cultures that often discourage such approaches. She combines current research and original analyses to shed light on real classroom situations faced by teachers of linguistically diverse populations. This book will help pre- and inservice teachers to think about such challenges as differential achievement between language learners and "native-speakers"; hierarchies of languages and language varieties; the difference between an accent identity and an incorrect pronunciation; and the use of students' first languages in English classes. An important resource for classroom teaching, educational policy, school leadership, and teacher preparation, this volume includes reflection questions at the end of each chapter.

    Life Through the Lens of Unschooling, like day-to-day life, meanders here and there, covering a wide array of topics. You’ll find essays tackling everything from learning to read to visiting relatives, all organized around nine key words that have been woven into the fabric of their unschooling lives: deschooling, learning, days, parenting, relationships, family, lifestyle, unconventional, and perspective. The theme is life; the lens—unschooling. Drawn from her popular blog at livingjoyfully.ca, imagine this book accompanying you, a joyful companion on your unschooling journey, as you dig deeper into your understanding of unschooling and what it might look like day-to-day in your family. If you’re interested in learning more about the principles behind learning and living with unschooling, Pam explores them in her books Free to Learn: Five Ideas for a Joyful Unschooling Life and Free to Live: Create a Thriving Unschooling Home. Learning freely, living joyfully.

     Memorizing answers is hard. Learning is easy! The Fast Track to Your Technician Ham Radio License explains the reasoning and technology behind each correct answer on the Amateur Radio exam so you'll understand and remember the subject matter. Created by an experienced ham and adult educator, It's like having your own, patient, experienced, good-humored mentor for the exam. Technician is the entry-level ham radio license that lets you operate on all ham channels from 30 MHz up, which includes the very popular VHF and UHF bands. To get your license you must pass a multiple-choice test. Technician is the entry-level ham radio license that lets you operate on all ham channels from 30 MHz up, which includes the very popular VHF and UHF bands. To get your license you must pass a multiple-choice test. The Technician license test consists of 35 questions drawn from a pool of about 350. Memorizing the answers to 350 questions is difficult, but The Fast Track makes it easier by explaining the reasoning and technology behind each correct answer. It's simple: When you understand the material, you remember the answers and pass the test. Best of all, once you've passed your exam you'll have a solid grounding in ham radio basics. - A complete course, not just a copy of the questions and answers. - Includes every possible question and every answer - Correct answers clearly marked in bold - Precise instructions for how to locate a testing session, how to prepare, and even what to bring -- and what not to bring -- to the test. - All technical topics explained in clear, plain language, most with illustrations - Step by step instructions to solve all the math problems, complete with exactly which keys to press on your calculator for each problem - Test taking strategies - Hints to easily solve many questions and avoid the traps in the test - Written in "learning order", not just the order of the official question bank. - Covers questions that will be used until June 30, 2018. - Nearly 300 pages packed with information Michael Burnette, AF7KB, holds an Amateur Extra class license. He has decades of experience in commercial and amateur radio, and more decades of experience as a professional adult educator.

    While your child is preparing for his first Confession, it's easy for you both to feel overwhelmed. And even if first Confession was a while ago, perhaps you wish that you and your child had a better understanding of the sacramentA Little Book about Confession for Children explains the hows and whys of going to Confession. It includes step-by-step instructions for preparing and receiving this beautiful sacrament of healing, which draws us into the infinite mercy of God. The book even provides an examination of conscience just for kids.Everything you and your child need to know about the Sacrament of Reconciliation (or Confession) can be found in this informative little book with charming four-color illustrations. Perfect for preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time, this little book is sure to be used over and over again.

    With its colorful, block-based interface, EV3 makes a great first programming language, but it has so many options and features, it's easy to get lost. In The Art of LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programming, author and software engineer Terry Griffin offers a beginner-friendly, in-depth guide to the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 programming language. You'll learn how to program with the core parts of the EV3 language, such as blocks, data wires, files, and variables, and see how these pieces can work together. You'll also learn good programming practices, bad habits to avoid, and useful debugging strategies.The Art of LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programming covers both the Home and Education versions of the EV3 kit, making it perfect for kids, parents, and teachers alike. Whether you're working with robots in the living room or the classroom, this is the complete guide to EV3 programming that you've been looking for.

    Halpern is funny. He is handsome. He likes to laugh. I love Mr. Halpern. How can I top that? Who doesn't want to be funny, handsome, laugh all the time, and be loved by their students? What they don't know is I left a dreary cubicle job for the exciting, never boring life of a kindergarten teacher eight years ago and never looked back. I have seen and heard some crazy, hilarious, and even touching moments. Look at My Happy Rainbow is my account of the first few years working in a kindergarten classroom experiencing the day to day trials and tribulations and trying to see the world a little more through the eyes of a five-year-old. From the first time a child reached up to take my hand to learning the true value of zipping a coat, being a 'rooster in a world of hens' my unique perspective on teaching and children will (hopefully) warm your heart, make you laugh, and might even help you remember what it felt like to be in kindergarten. Warning: I have a very short attention span (this is why I'm so well suited to teach kindergarten). Some of the chapters are short. One is less than one page. I think this makes the book 'charming', but please know - this is not War and Peace.

    Today, Britain is the only country in the developed world where 16–24 year olds have lower literacy levels than 55–65 year olds. This abject record in educating our children cannot be detached from a movement which took hold in British state schools from the 1960s onwards and has been called, with deep inappropriateness, ‘progressive education’. This movement is based upon a romantic view of the child. It believes that children are both innately good and natural learners, who should be freed from the guidance and direct instruction of the teacher. Teacher training, local authorities and schools inspectors all signed up to this idealistic, but damaging, belief. Relevance, freedom, active learning, skills and self-esteem became the unquestionable pillars of this education orthodoxy. Rigour, hard work, knowledge, discipline and competition were deemed pejorative terms. Half-a-century on from its arrival, progressive education is under attack on multiple fronts. Empirical data is laying bare its lack of success and cognitive science is demonstrating its fundamental misconception about how children learn. At long last, government reforms are freeing schools to break away from the thoughtworld of the education establishment. Progressive education has plunged British schools into a decades long crisis, leaving generations of pupils illiterate and under-educated. If Britain is to have a world class education system in the twenty-first century, abandoning the burden of bad ideas it has inherited from the twentieth is the surest route to success.

    When asked about this, he replied, "The little things matter. All I need is one little wrinkle in one sock to put a blister on one foot--and it could ruin my whole season. I started teaching about shoes and socks early in my career, and I saw that it really did cut down on blisters during the season. That little detail gave us an edge." Coach Wooden knew the long-term impact of "little things done well." Now Pat Williams takes Coach Wooden's lesson, along with stories of people whose lives have exemplified the importance of little things done well, and shows readers how the small things one does or doesn't do drastically affect one's integrity, reputation, health, career, faith, and success. People who want to do their best in life, family, work, and faith will benefit from this entertaining and inspirational book.

    In this international bestseller, Sahlberg traces the evolution of Finnish education policies and highlights how they differ from the United States and much of the rest of the world. Featuring substantial additions throughout the text, Finnish Lessons 2.0 demonstrates how systematically focusing on teacher and leader professionalism, building trust between the society and its schools, and investing in educational equity rather than competition, choice, and other market-based reforms make Finnish schools an international model of success. This second edition details the complexity of meaningful change by examining Finland's educational performance in light of the most recent international assessment data and domestic changes.

    So what could possibly be new about posing questions about text? Plenty . . . and with TDQ, Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey reveal it all. After one quick read, you will have learned all the very best ways to use text-dependent questions as scaffolds during close reading . . . and the big understandings they can yield, especially when executed the Fisher and Frey way. But that's just for starters. Fisher and Frey also include illustrative video, recommended texts and questions, examples from across content areas, and an online professional learning guide, making the two volumes of TDQ a potent professional development tool across all of K-12. The genius of TDQ is the way Fisher and Frey break down the process into four cognitive pathways that help teachers "organize the journey through a text" and frame an extended discussion around it. Step by step, this approach ensures that in every close reading lesson, students are guided to consider explicit and implied meanings, and deeply analyze and appreciate various aspects of a text, especially those that may be challenging or confusing. Here's how the four inter-related processes play out, with every why and every how answered:What does the text say? (general understandings and key details) How does the text work? (vocabulary, structure, and author's craft) What does the text mean? (logical inferences and intertextual connections) What does the text inspire you to do? (write, investigate, present, debate)The cool thing? These questions ignite students' engagement and discussion because they strategically lead students to a place of understanding where explicit and implied meanings and interpretations can be debated. Far from being overly literal or teacher-led, the questioning framework Fisher and Frey advance enhances the quality of student talk and idea-generation. All in all, there's no better resource to cultivate students' capacity for independent reading and incisive thinking.Also of Interest[show covers for Rigorous Reading and other TDQ volume.]

    It is a collection of 14 reports by ordinary Americans, whose conventional illusions were shattered by harsh experience. These authors have come face to face with the sobering reality that awaits us as our country ceases to have a white majority, and becomes increasingly black and Hispanic. “Face to Face with Race offers a glimpse into the dark reality behind the happy slogans of “diversity” and “inclusiveness,” as beleaguered whites cope as best they can with the foolish, poisonous, and occasionally lethal policies imposed on them by judges and politicians.”—John Derbyshire, social commentator and author, most recently, of We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism“This is a collection of moving, often heartrending, reports from the front lines of racial battlegrounds in America.” —Byron M. Roth, Professor Emeritus, Dowling College, and author of The Perils of Diversity“These first-person accounts are more powerful and compelling than any of the hundreds of articles about race I have written from an armchair perspective.”—Jared Taylor, Editor of American Renaissance“This is a unique collection of stories about inter-racial relations gone bad. The authors warn that eventually, when the United States has a colored majority, almost all whites will face similar problems.”—Raymond Wolters, Thomas Muncy Keith Professor of History, University of Delaware“Face to Face with Race is a haunting picture of racial reality. Unless we act soon, this is the future in store for all of us.”—Peter Brimelow, Editor of VDARE.com and author Alien Nation

    A challenge to our pale definition of compassion, the message of this book is bold, necessarily courageous, and disruptively life-transforming. If you let it, your worldview and life will be changed forever.“Courageous compassion has many faces in many places around our globe. But like Jesus, it takes a bold compassion to bless, restore, and empower those whom the powerful view as weaker and less important.”—Dr. Beth GrantLearn from people who enthusiastically feed the hungry, weep over alcoholics, start a hospital, care for hurting children, and powerfully share the Word of God.Combining sound biblical insights with amazing stories of the sexually enslaved who have found freedom, Dr. Beth Grant demonstrates that spiritual darkness is more than a concept. Spiritual light is also a liberating, loving, healing, transforming reality.

    Many of the experiments are safe enough for children as young as toddlers and exciting enough for older kids, so families can discover the joy of science together.The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels.Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.

    Yet 9 out of 10 schools don't even offer computer science classes to students, according to code.org. Help correct this disparity by introducing your kids to the world of computer programming early, with a fun and approachable method. This book begins by introducing the essential concepts of programming with simple instructions, and without specialized computer lingo. Fun projects throughout let kids start putting their computer skills into practice and build their own code using Scratch programming and Python, the two most popular languages. Also included are profiles on coding stars and insights in technology such as the Raspberry Pi mini computer. In typical DK fashion, colorful graphics and step-by-step instructions assist readers in starting to think like their computers.

    How does it work?During the course, you will join Michel and two students in a live lesson, learning from both their successes and their mistakes to keep you motivated and involved throughout the course. You, as the learner, become the third student and participate actively in the class. Within the very first hour you will be able to construct simple phrases by listening and thinking out answers for yourself without the pressure of writing or memorizing. You learn through your own language, so there's no stress, and no anxiety. You'll stick with it because you'll love it. Why is the method so successful? The Michel Thomas Method was perfected over 50 years by celebrated psychologist and linguist Michel Thomas. This unique method works with your brain and draws on the principles of instructional psychology. Knowledge is structured and organised so that you assimilate the language easily and don't forget it. The method breaks down the language into building blocks that are introduced sequentially in such a way that you create your response and move on to ever-more-complex sentences. There is no need to stop for homework, additional exercises or vocabulary memorization, so you progress rapidly. What's in the Course?Total French with the Michel Thomas Method includes up to 8 hours of audio on CD and a practice CD-ROM with interactive activities and assessment which should be done after the course and as a means of review. *Note that the content is the same as the previously entitled Foundation course, but with the addition of a CD-ROM. Learn anywhere Don't be tied to chunky books or your computer, Michel Thomas Method audio courses let you learn whenever you want: at home, in your car, or on the move with your MP3 player.Where do I go next? Perfect French follows on from the Total course with 10 hours of audio and a practice CD-ROM.

    She thought of the school where she taught and the students she guided every day and wondered, "what would happen if we started secretly carrying out small acts of kindness in school"? Could a modest act of compassion really change the course of a life? She posed the question to her students. They didn't have the answers but they were willing to find out.And so they became the Secret Kindness Agents. They not only changed the lives of those they met, they changed their own. Their hope, their hearts, and their hunger for happiness will inspire you to change your small corner of the world, in your own way, for the better. Let them show you how they did it, and how you can do the same.ABOUT THE AUTHORFerial Pearson, a native of Nairobi, Kenya, is a national award-winning high school teacher and college instructor. For her dedicated work in education and human rights, she has earned the National Education Association's Virginia Uribe Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights in 2012, and GLSEN's Educator of the Year Respect Award in 2011. She is an Instructor and Instructional Coach in the Teacher Education Department at the University of Nebraska Omaha.ADVANCE PRAISE"In an age where teens are passionately plugged into virtual reality, but tragically tuned out to the world revolving around them, the Secret Kindness Agents prove that it is possible to unplug, reconnect, and spread love and joy. Inspiring and heart-warming, "Secret Kindness Agents" will leave any reader feeling hopeful." -Erin Gruwell, Founder of the Freedom Writers"Kindness is a weed. It doesn't need rich soil and pampering. It doesn't need much attention at all. But, give it even a crevice in the hardest rock and it will find a way to thrive. In this small volume, Ferial Pearson leads a group of high school students on a journey of discovery about the power of kindness to take hold and multiply when given even the slightest chance." -Lester Laminack, S.K.A. "Sting," award-winning educator and bestselling author of "Bullying Hurts: Teaching Kindness Through Read Alouds and Guided Conversations"""Secret Kindness Agents" is the must-have for would-be Secret Kindness Agents (SKAs) of all ages." -Cheryl Lage, S.K.A. "Sprinkles," author of "Twinspiration" and Twinfatuation.com"This is a story about the real meaning of education. It's not about becoming a better producer or consumer; it's about becoming a better human being!" - Dr. Peter Smith S.K.A. "Hopeful" Associate Professor, College of Education, University of Nebraska Omaha

    In the Teachers' Standards it states that all teachers must demonstrate an understanding of, and take responsibility for, promoting high standards of literacy, articulacy, and the correct use of standard English, whatever the teacher's specialist subject. In The Secret of Literacy, David Didau inspires teachers to embrace the challenge of improving students' life chances through improving their literacy. Topics include: Why is literacy important?, Oracy improving classroom talk, How should we teach reading? How to get students to value writing, How written feedback and marking can support literacy.

    These are the 20 most important aspects of her philosophy. Using Susan Schaeffer Macauley's wonderful book (For the Children's Sake), Miss Mason's volumes, articles from Miss Mason's magazine (The Parents' Review), the best blog posts on these subjects, and discussion questions meant to help you dig deeply, Start Here is a comprehensive guide to the big ideas governing Charlotte Mason's philosophy. Start Here is appropriate for both group and individual study. For groups that meet once per month, this is 15 months of curriculum. Individuals may be able to complete it in less time. But keep in mind that speed is not the goal. The goal is understanding and embodiment. Discussion questions are included to help tie philosophy to practice, whether you're discussing them in a group or journaling your answers. This study is a simple way to familiarize yourself with Charlotte Mason’s philosophy if you are new to it, or refresh yourself with the principles if you've already made your way through her volumes. Studying the 20 Principles will remind you of what is true -- and what is most important -- when it comes to the education of the children you love.

    It ensures that learners consistently make great progress over time, and offers a practical, hands-on manual for teachers to further develop their attitudes, skills and habits of excellence both for themselves and for their learners.

    What will it take to turn this opportunity into reality in every classroom, school, and district? Continuing its tradition of mathematics education leadership, NCTM has defined and described the principles and actions, including specific teaching practices, that are essential for a high-quality mathematics education for all students. Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All offers guidance to teachers, specialists, coaches, administrators, policymakers, and parents: Builds on the Principles articulated in Principles and Standards for School Mathematics to present six updated Guiding Principles for School MathematicsSupports the first Guiding Principle, Teaching and Learning, with eight essential, research-based Mathematics Teaching PracticesDetails the five remaining Principles--the Essential Elements that support Teaching and Learning as embodied in the Mathematics Teaching PracticesIdentifies obstacles and unproductive and productive beliefs that all stakeholders must recognize, as well as the teacher and student actions that characterize effective teaching and learning aligned with the Mathematics Teaching PracticesWith Principles to Actions, NCTM takes the next step in shaping the development of high-quality standards throughout the United States, Canada, and worldwide.

    Well, she's done it again! BUT this time she's talking to you, COACHES! Jill wrote this book to once-and-for-all answer questions like these: How do I coach without being evaluative? What do I do with a weak administrator that won't hold teachers accountable? How do I build trust? What if all I do is put out fires and never get to the actual coaching? What does a successful coaching practice really look like? How do I debrief a teacher and have him actually implement my advice? This book is designed to support, nag, push and cajole instructional coaches into taking six very important steps: Step 1: Get Focused. Step 2: Get Into a Flow. Step 3: Get to the Dance of the Debrief. Step 4: Get to the Heart of Teaching and Learning. Step 5: Get Some Thick Skin. Step 6: Get a Plan. Advanced praise for Get Some Guts, Coach! "I knew what I needed to do, but just needed someone to tell me how to do it! Thanks for all of your wonderful insight!" "I love this. Thank you for addressing coaching head-on and providing me with practical and doable solutions." "Practical, clear and concise information for coaching. This is an area that can be difficult, but you make the difficult seem possible."

    We are indoctrinated about how a traditional classroom should look, starting with our own school days and then on through college classes and early professional careers. When we bring new ideas, or even just trust our instincts, we often think that what we want to try will never really work.Pressure from schools and districts to conform — from the government and the tests — and sometimes even from colleagues who want us all to just stay the same — none of that helps as we think about changing our practice. Sometimes we give up before we even make the attempt, because we are pretty sure the barriers and pushback will be insurmountable.In Pernille Ripp’s own teaching practice, what she discovered was this: Even the smallest changes can make monumental differences. And then you keep on until you create something new. Trusting yourself and your students and sharing the power of the classroom with them can lead to great teaching and learning even within the boundaries of our confining standards, testing obsessions and mandatory curriculums.In Passionate Learners: Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students, Pernille shares what and how she changed—and how her students changed with her. We learn about the little and not-so-little things she did over the course of a transformational year, so that she could shift the responsibility for learning – the joy and wonder of it – to the kids themselves."I believed that I knew exactly what the students needed, if only they would listen. Now I know that a classroom has to be vibrant for students to invest their time and effort. We cannot force children to learn. They have to discover things and be teachers too." -Pernille RippWhether you are just beginning or well on your way in your teaching career, this book can inspire you to break rules, take risks, and eagerly pursue your journey toward a classroom filled with passionate learners.At the very least, it will let you know that you are not alone when you think your secret thoughts—that there really are better ways to teach, and that others who believe the same thing want to connect with you to make it happen.

    Her harrowing tales make it easy to forget that Lilly is a real girl. As an educator, I would recommend this book to anyone who works with individuals with emotional disturbances.” Foster W. Cline, M.D., is an internationally renowned child and adult psychiatrist, as well as co-author of Parenting with Love and Logic. He has served as a consultant to school systems, pupil personnel teams, and hospitals around the world: “Just quality writing in general: descriptive, interesting, enticing, and leads me to smile in an understanding way. I have read your fascinating book, Chasing Lilly. I found it to be so enlightening, and hope it becomes a classic reference work for prospective foster and adoptive parents.” William Steele, PsyD, MSW, Founder, The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children: Chasing Lilly is “a remarkable, richly detailed journey into what matters most in the lives of severely traumatized children . . . This should be required reading for anyone caring for or treating traumatized children . . . What a wonderful story. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to endorse such a meaningful and insightful work . . .” Jayne Schooler is an international trainer, consultant, and curriculum writer with the Institute for Human Services in Columbus, Ohio. Jayne’s first book, The Whole Life Adoption Book, is required reading for adoption agencies around the country, and she has made guest appearances on over three dozen radio talk shows across the country: “It is a book that is impossible to put down. In the final analysis, Chasing Lilly is about unconditional love lived out through pain, personal suffering and disappointment, and yet that love continues today.” Leslie Brower, Ph.D., R.N. Project Director, SAMHSA Grant on Trauma-Informed Care, Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health: “Chasing Lilly is a scary, inspiring ride through the early years of a bright, charming little girl who was badly traumatized by parental neglect and violence. You will be captivated by Lilly herself … her profound psychic injuries would have discouraged any ‘normal’ parent …” Gregory C Keck, Ph.D., Founder and Director of the Attachment & Bonding Center of Ohio: “This moving book provides the reader with an inside glimpse … a journey of hope, pain, and commitment … This should be a ‘must-read’ for anyone thinking about sharing their lives with a child whose life has been touched by trauma and loss.” Dr. Gary D. Jacobs, Professor, Director Graduate Education Studies: (Chasing Lilly is) “A book every person should read … an honest portrayal … that will tug on your heart …”

    In Teaching Interpretation, you'll join two extraordinary teachers in demythologizing the essential skills of Common Core-aligned reading, and in teaching those skills in such a way that students own them. - Lucy Calkins What does interpretation really mean? What does it look like in the classroom? How can we effectively teach students of all reading levels to be successful at constructing interpretations?With the Common Core calling for students to take part in the rich and rigorous work of interpretation, write Sonja Cherry-Paul and Dana Johansen, it is necessary for all teachers to learn how to teach this important work in ways that reach all learners. Teaching Interpretation demystifies the interpretation process and help teachers take on the challenge of showing students how to construct, revise, and test their interpretations. Presented in manageable chunks that can work with any curriculum, they offer a conceptual framework that makes the interpretation process transparent to both teachers and students. Lesson ideas, text recommendations, templates, and suggestions for how to differentiate help you easily incorporate the work of interpretation into your practice, while student samples and graphic organizers make it all visible.

    Adventures in Minecraft, like other books in the highly successful Adventures series, is written especially for 11- to 15-year-olds. With this book you will learn new programming skills while having fun with Minecraft!Minecraft programming experts David Whale and Martin O'Hanlon walk you step-by-step through everything you need to know to:Get started writing Minecraft programs in Python on your PC, Mac, or Raspberry Pi Build houses and other structures in the blink of an eye, and make a 3D duplicating machine Write interactive games like a field that charges you rent, and a treasure hunt using magic vanishing bridges Build custom game control panels using simple electronic circuits Easily build huge 2D and 3D structures such as spheres and pyramids Build intelligent objects like a massive Minecraft clock, and program an alien invasion Plan and write a complete interactive arena game Using the programming skills you learn from this book, writing Minecraft programs offers endless possibilities to create anything you can imagine.To make your journey that much easier, the Adventures in Minecraft companion website supplies you with a video for each adventure in the book, downloadable code files, helpful programming reference tables, a bonus adventure, and badges to collect for your Minecraft accomplishments.By day, David Whale and Martin O'Hanlon are software engineers who design computer products. By night, they play Minecraft and develop exciting new programs that interact with the Minecraft world. They both work regularly with young people in schools, computing clubs and at community events, giving talks about Minecraft programming and running programming workshops.

    

    Readers will learn how to run for office, work with their communities, build stewards networks, train new leaders, run a contract campaign, and strike.

    This book explains how and why long-standing approaches generate flawed instructional practices, flawed systemic reform efforts, and a fundamental misalignment between the educational institution and the society it is missioned to serve. Education Is Upside-Down urges readers wishing to improve American Education to more carefully consider the institution's central mission, challenge long-accepted truths of practice, and question current reform efforts and actions. In full, Education Is Upside-Down resists the practitioner-vs.-reformer blame game, seeking ultimately to carefully untangle--not tighten by yanking on any single strand--the long-complicated knot of American Education.ENDORSEMENTS, FROM COVER:Eric Kalenze's book is a valuable contribution to the education reform conversation. He argues persuasively that America's public schools need to get back to their fundamental mission of preparing young people for success in society as it is--not for some utopian future in which self-actualization is all that matters. Here's hoping this dose of reality permeates the "thoughtworld" of our education system.(Michael J. Petrilli, president, Thomas B. Fordham Institute)In Education Is Upside Down, Eric Kalenze offers a provocative critique of today’s reform efforts. He argues that real transformation will require rethinking the larger purposes of education—that anything less will disappoint. This intriguing volume touches on educational philosophy, history, and some of the highlights of contemporary reform, while closing with a bracing call that we ask students themselves to share in the accountability we ask of educators. (Frederick Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute)Our earliest thinkers about public education saw schools as indispensable institutions, endowing America’s children with common knowledge, practical skills, civic dispositions and habits. We went to school to become Americans. Today, Eric Kalenze correctly observes, schools exist to provide the whole development of each individual child. The result is a kind of mission creep. We are doing too many things and none of them well. Current reform efforts are missing the mark badly, as did progressive education reform that preceded them. Kalenze’s wise book Education Is Upside Down describes how American education lost its way and its founding purpose—and how we might get them back.(Robert Pondiscio, senior fellow and vice president for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and senior academic advisor at Democracy Prep Public Schools)In this broad survey of education in America today, Eric Kalenze offers a refreshing diagnosis of what is wrong, why and when it happened, and what to do. He is equally adept at tracing the genesis of bad ideas 100 years back as he is at analyzing the heated debate over Common Core. The arguments are brisk, the prose limpid--an excellent primer for young educators looking to understand current conditions.(Mark Bauerlein, author of The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future)

    In fact, the “reformers” today find themselves facing the largest revolt in US history against high-stakes, standardized testing.More Than a Score is a collection of essays, poems, speeches, and interviews—accounts of personal courage and trenchant insights—from frontline fighters who are defying the corporate education reformers, often at great personal and professional risk, and fueling a national movement to reclaim and transform public education.Along with the voices of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and grassroots education activists, the book features renowned education researchers and advocates, including Diane Ravitch, Alfie Kohn, Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Karen Lewis, Carol Burris, and Mark Naison.

     When cousins Dennis and Mellie decide to get a dog, they consider carefully what breed would be best for each family. For example, Dennis wants a big dog, but Mellie wants tiny. He has no other pets, but she has other pets that a dog must get along with. They consider different dog personalities, family situations, and personal preferences. Dennis writes an opinion essay for his teacher, Mrs. Shirky. But will his essay convince his parents to get the dog of his dreams? This story takes a popular subject—kids getting a pet—and adds dogs of all sizes and shapes: all writing lessons should be this much fun. In the end, it’s cousins and the dogs that keep a reader turning the page. What kind of dog will Dennis choose? Will Mellie want the same kind of dog? PRAISE FROM DOG EXPERTS “Darcy Pattison does a remarkable job on several fronts with her wonderful new book I Want A Dog: My Opinion Essay. She introduces the value of the written text at an early age to children. This cannot be emphasized enough in our early classrooms. With this comes an important lesson regarding the responsibility of owning and caring for a dog. As President of the Labrador Retriever Club representing the breed with the largest number of dogs I know how imperative responsible dog ownership is and Darcy does a wonderful job instilling this at an early age. This is a remarkable children’s book that has a lesson.” –Fred Kampo, President of the Labrador Retriever Club This story hits many notes: A family story about cousins, Dennis and Mellie Information on dog breeds Responsible dog ownership Mentor-text for teaching writing Model opinion essay for elementary students Models the writing process, especially the importance of pre-writing or planning before you write Completes the writing process by showing the results of Dennis’s essay I WANT A DOG almost makes opinion essays look too easy. See other books in THE READ AND WRITE series: I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay (forthcoming) My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay (forthcoming) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Growing up, author Darcy Pattison (www.darcypattison.com) wanted to be an astronaut. Instead, she writes about aliens in her early chapter book series, ALIEN, INC. SERIES (Mims House), which includes Kell, the Alien; Kell and the Horse Apple Parade; Kell and the Giants; and Kell and the Detectives. Published in eight languages, her middle grade novels include: Saucy and Bubba: A Hansel and Gretel Tale (Mims House); The Girl, the Gypsy and the Gargoyle (Mims House); and Vagabond (Mims House). Recent nature books for children include: Abayomi, the Brazilian Puma: The True Story of an Orphaned Cub (Mims House); Wisdom, the Midway Albatross (Mims House), a Starred Review in Publisher’s Weekly; Desert Baths (Arbordale), an NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book 2013; and, Prairie Storms (Arbordale).

    You have something to share, which is why you're here reading this right now. Follow a Proven 17-Step Plan In this book you will uncover a proven 17-step plan that will lead you step-by-step through writing a short, nonfiction ebook. Here's a taste of what you'll learn: 1. To find the intersection between what people want and what you want to write 2. How to craft the perfect title for your book (that demands attention) 3. A simple way to eliminate confusion when writing 4. How to tap into your inner genius to help write an extraordinary book 5. A technique for blueprinting your book that makes writing effortless 6. How and where to get honest feedback that will help you improve your book 7. How to get the services you need (designers, editors) without spending a fortune 8. The tools you need to format your book like a pro 9. How to price and sell your book (make a profit without being sleazy) Do You Want to Finally Write Your Book? You can, but you have to be willing to take the first step. It may not be comfortable, but it is possible. Download this book now and your first book could be done in the next few months.

    . . Closer . . . Closest! Close Reading. Not in a very long while has a term been freighted with so much responsibility to lead every student to a great future of college and career readiness. Finally, here's a book that tunes out all of the hubbub and gets down to the business of showing how exactly to "get close reading right."Chapter by chapter, Nancy Boyles delivers astoundingly practical ideas on how toConnect close reading with other instructional practices Select rich texts and plan for initial close reading lessons Deliver initial and follow-up close reading lessons Coordinate comprehension strategies and close reading

    Featuring CTU President Karen Lewis, economist Dean Baker, Jacobin editors Megan Erickson and Bhaskar Sunkara, Joanne Barken, and many others.

    The largest study in educational research history demonstrates that moving harms learning. But moving not only challenges students. The experience of lost identity extends across the lifespan, also affecting parents and school staff. Firmly grounded in psychological theory and cutting-edge neuroscience, Safe Passage maps the challenges and charts a course for individuals, schools, and accrediting bodies to navigate them. Although primarily focusing on international schools, the hopeful message within this book reaches into any school, university, or organization where human beings come and go.

    By playing outside with friends, kids learn valuable interpersonal and negotiation skills and how to make decisions. Outdoor play teaches about the natural world, fosters creativity, and encourages physical activity."101 Things For Kids To Do Outside" is ideal for parents, teachers, and all those working with youth. This book is ideal for the children who like gaming, TV, movies, the soft couch, and even too many snacks. The kids who believe "there's nothing to do outside" can learn and be encouraged to experience the joy of outdoor play.Each activity is described in language easy for a 6- to 9-year-old and illustrated with engaging graphics. Younger children may need direction, at least the first time. Large pictures display all the fun to be had. The activities range from 10 minutes to hours and hours of fun. Some require creativity, make-believe or physical exertion but they are all outside. Perfect for rainy days, sunshiny days, even snowy days.Examples of the 101 activities are: Weave a bird's nest Set up a potion lab Make nature rubbings Build a crawl tunnel Hold a mini Olympics Build a human sundial Make a nature walk bracelet Capture animal tracks Fly a homemade kite Make a rain gauge Make a snow maze.

    Hands-on science to fascinate children, with often surprising results. Will inspire the scientists of the future. Further resources are available online via the Usborne Quicklinks website. Children can learn which shapes are strongest by building their own structures, discover how emulsification works by making vinaigrette and mayonnaise; explore the concept of equilibrium by making their own balancing butterflies and much, much more.

    Anti-assimilation, pro-decadence, pro-revolution statement.

    Then uncover the facts behind the fiction in Magic Tree House® Fact Tracker: Mummies. It’s two favorite ebooks in one! Find out why Mary Pope Osborne’s #1 New York Times bestselling series is such a hit with kids, parents, and teachers around the world.

    In Intentional Talk: How to Structure and Lead Productive Mathematical Discussions , authors Elham Kazemi and Allison Hintz provide teachers with a framework for planning and facilitating purposeful math talks that move group discussions to the next level while achieving a mathematical goal.Through detailed vignettes from both primary and upper elementary classrooms, the authors provide a window into how teachers lead discussions and make important pedagogical decisions along the way. By creating equitable opportunities to share ideas, teachers can orient students to one another while enforcing that all students are sense makers and their ideas are valued. They examine students’ roles as both listeners and talkers, offering numerous strategies for improving student participation. Intentional Talk includes a collection of lesson planning templates in the appendix to help teachers apply the right structure to discussions in their own classrooms.

    Today's students are digital natives who need innovative learning pathways. Help them become the active problem solvers and independent thinkers society demands with these ready-to-use ideas from expert teacher, Pernille Ripp. Administrators and teachers learn to: Cultivate the experts at your school Change classroom set up Give students a voice Includes real-life stories from connected educators. Transform the learning experience and create lasting change with this breakthrough volume!

    Most activities use common items, and recommendations are also given for affordable math learning materials. A link is included to a free collection of math printables for use with many of the activities. Ideas on helping children learn are followed by activities to develop pre-math skills, and then amounts and numerals into the thousands, the Decimal System, operations with numbers, fractions, solid and plane geometric shapes, and many activities for using math skills in everyday life. Most children naturally develop an increased interest in numbers and language at around 3-5 years of age. This book shows you how to make the most of this sensitive period to give your child a firm foundation of math skills, and a positive, confident attitude toward number work that will carry on throughout the school years. There is no need for children to dislike math! Starting early with these fun, simple activities, you can send your child to kindergarten or first grade already doing math at a second to fourth grade level, setting the stage for early and continued success. If your child is having problems with math in kindergarten through second grade, these activities can save the day and turn math from a struggle to success!

    Oliver DeMille has described this work as his “Magnum Opus.”