This timely book offers a host of minilessons that focus on comprehensive written communication as one of the essential skills for success. These fresh minilessons explore how to help students go beyond fuzzy thinking and generic voice, and organize their thoughts, solve problems, identify key ideas, and reflect on different perspectives. The book argues that writing is important to help students communicate ideas to others, as well as document their own thoughts. This buffet of minilessons gives teachers ideas to add to their teaching repertoire so they can help their students' work shine a little brighter.

"Gives us an inside view of what children should experience in the primary grades and shows us how we can build them up to new experiences in the intermediate grades. A great resource for vertical team collaborations, teachers who are transitioning from teaching primary to intermediate grades or vice versa, teachers in multiage classrooms, and teacher education classes." —Helena Stevens, Intermediate Literacy Coach Ricardo Richards Elementary School, Kingshill, Virgin Islands "Full of practical, everyday ideas to implement immediately. Offers true student examples that teachers see and experience daily." —Scott Kovatch, Principal Horizon Elementary School, Granger, IN How can teachers help their primary students become competent intermediate readers and writers? Supporting students as they advance from beginning to intermediate literacy levels poses a unique challenge for teachers. In Building Bridges From Early to Intermediate Literacy, Grades 2–4, Sarah F. Mahurt, Ruth E. Metcalfe, and Margaret A. Gwyther show how teachers can meet the instructional needs of students in transition from one level to the next. The authors offer practical guidance and classroom-tested strategies that demonstrate how thoughtful instruction can help each student reach new levels of competency in reading and writing. This invaluable resource shows teachers how to examine and refine their instructional practices to more effectively meet the needs of all the students in their classrooms, whether they are struggling readers or advanced learners. Educators will find: Specialized assessment tools and instructional strategies for word study, reading, and writing Detailed examples of reading and writing instruction Methods for integrating language arts with science and social studies Charts to track students′ progress A teacher′s reflection section at the end of each chapter Written by experienced literacy educators, this accessible text helps ensure that all students confidently cross the bridge from the primary to the intermediate grades.

I was encouraged by colleagues to write a book about my teaching style. the Mechanics of Teaching compares the analytical/diagnostic qualities of automotive mechanics and teachers.

"This book will provide valuable assistance, organization, and vision to teachers for whom lesson planning is new or challenging!" —Stephen M. Bongiovi, English Department Chair Seaford High School, NY "I found myself engrossed, reading every word, and quite frankly, wishing for even more! Beyond a doubt, teachers will use this book!" —Ronald W. Poplau, Instructor Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, KS "A very useful addition to my teaching methodology! There is a need for this book." —J. Petrina McCarty-Puhl, Science Teacher Robert McQueen High School, Reno, NV Strengthen critical thinking skills with strategies that dramatically improve student performance! Coauthored by two internationally renowned educators and researchers, this resource helps teachers strengthen their classroom practice with lessons that promote successful intelligence—a set of abilities that allow students to adapt and succeed within their environment, make the most of their strengths, and learn to compensate for their weaknesses. The authors demonstrate how to design instructional units that help students apply successful intelligence to solve problems and make decisions. This research-based text also includes: Sample unit plans and 40 ready-to-use lessons illustrated with classroom examples Proven assessment techniques to promote the development of creative, analytical, and practical thinking skills Approaches to encourage both passive and active learning With teacher reflection activities and suggested homework for students, this resource is ideal for strengthening students′ higher-order thinking abilities and raising overall academic performance!

Education has fought long and hard to gain acceptance as a profession and, since professionals by definition use data to shape the decisions they make, education has little choice but to continue moving in this direction. This 3-part handbook represents a major contribution to the literature of education. It is a unique compendium of the most original work currently available on how, when and why evidence should be used to ground practice. It is a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary, research-based, and practice-based resource that all educators can turn to as a guide to data-based decision making. The Handbook of Data-Based Decision Making in Education is a must read for researchers who are just beginning to explore the scientifically based nature of educational practice. It is also appropriate for policy makers and practitioners who are confronted with young people who need to be in classrooms where "best practices" are the norm and not the exception.

Prepares teachers for careers in literacy education, emphasizing the role of literacy education in promoting the spirit of democratic life. Chapters on the reading process, teacher empowerment, teaching approaches, higher order literacy, content area reading, and literacy provisions for children wit