Written expressly for preschool teachers, this engaging book explains the "whats," "whys," and "how-tos" of implementing best practices for instruction in the preschool classroom. The authors show how to target key areas of language and literacy development across the entire school day, including whole-group and small-group activities, center time, transitions, and outdoor play. Detailed examples in every chapter illustrate what effective instruction and assessment look like in three distinct settings: a school-based pre-kindergarten, a Head Start center with many English language learners, and a private suburban preschool. Helpful book lists, charts, and planning tools are featured, including reproducible materials.

Sharing high-quality storybooks and nonfiction books not only is enjoyable for young children and teachers—it is also a powerful way to build crucial literacy skills. This engaging guide provides effective strategies for selecting books and using read-alouds to develop children's oral language, vocabulary, concepts of print, alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, and comprehension. Illustrated with rich examples from diverse classrooms, the book takes teachers step by step through planning and setting goals for read-alouds, as well as reflecting on each lesson to inform future instruction. Helpful planning templates can be reproduced for repeated use; the large-size format facilitates photocopying.

Filled with clear explanations and doable strategies, this book helps PreK-2 teachers juggle the demands of planning effective instruction and creating a literacy-rich classroom environment. Realistic vignettes illustrate how to set goals, develop standards-based curricula and assessments, establish routines, and organize the classroom space and the daily schedule. The authors demonstrate the nuts and bolts of building an exemplary classroom library and professional teaching library, collaborating as a team with other teachers and specialists, preparing report cards, and communicating with families. Several reproducible forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

This book presents an integrated and coordinated framework for assessing developmental, psychological, and behavioral disorders in early childhood. Expert contributors advocate for natural-environment methods in addition to standardized measures in assessing academic and social skills as well as age-specific behavior problems in young children. Chapters model collaborations between clinicians, family, and daycare and school personnel, address diagnostic and classification issues, and conceptualize assessment as flexible, ongoing, and, as necessary, leading to coordinated services. The book gives practitioners and researchers critical tools toward establishing best practices in an increasingly complex and important area, leading to better prevention and intervention outcomes. Included in the coverage: Standardized assessment of cognitive development. Authentic and performance-based assessment. The use of Response to Interve ntion (RTI) in early childhood. Collaboration in school and child care settings. Anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and depression in young children. Sleeping, feeding/eating, and attachment problems in early childhood. Early Childhood Assessment in School and Clinical Child Psychology is an essential resource for clinicians and related professionals, researchers, and graduate students in child and school psychology; assessment, testing, and evaluation; occupational therapy; family studies, educational psychology; and speech pathology.

This bestselling book gives preservice and practicing literacy coaches the tools they need to build a successful schoolwide reading program. The authors, well-known experts in the field, describe the literacy coach's crucial, evolving role in today's schools. They offer step-by-step guidelines for implementing curricula and assessments, selecting instructional materials, and planning for differentiation and intervention. Specific ways to support teachers by providing high-quality professional development are discussed. The book is grounded in state-of-the-art research on PreK-5 instruction and the characteristics of effective coaches. New to This Edition *Incorporates the latest research and instructional materials. *Expanded grade range now includes PreK and grades 4-5. *Content on RTI and the Common Core standards is woven throughout. *Strategies for making professional development more responsive to teachers' needs. See also The Literacy Coaching Challenge, which guides more experienced coaches in choosing among different coaching models and addresses typical issues of implementation.

A new book in the Knowledge Essential series, School Success for Children with Special Needs offers parents a guide for understanding and navigating the often-confusing special education system to ensure that your child gets the best education possible. It tells you: How to know if your child has a physical, learning, or emotional disability How the latest changes to the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) effect your child's education How to help formulate your child's Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) Information on the many ways schools and teachers can accommodate for children with disabilities How to assess our child's progress How can you help your child be successful at school and in life by reinforcing basic skills at every age How to plan for transitioning your child to the wider world The kind of paperwork you can expect to encounter

This authoritative text and practitioner resource has now been extensively revised and expanded with 70% new material covering new topics and standards in literacy leadership. Prominent experts present research-based methods for improving instruction, assessment, and professional learning experiences in PreK–12. The distinct roles of teachers, reading/literacy specialists, literacy coaches, special educators, and principals are explored, with an emphasis on fostering a culture of collaboration. Chapters highlight the standards that apply to each component of a schoolwide literacy program, give examples of what they look like in schools, and share implications for classroom practice and professional learning. Pedagogical features include guiding questions, case examples, vignettes, engagement activities, and annotated resources for further learning. New to This Edition *Now copublished with the International Literacy Association (ILA) and grounded in ILA's updated Standards 2017; expanded grade range includes PreK. *Chapters on new topics: writing instruction, sustaining schoolwide improvements, and collaborative leadership. *New chapters on core topics: the principal’s role, assessment, middle and high school literacy programs, special education, and culturally responsive instruction. *Vignettes from leaders in diverse roles, “Think About This” questions for discussion/reflection, and end-of-chapter annotated resources.

Now in its sixth edition, Striking a Balance clearly illustrates how to create a comprehensive early literacy program that places direct skills instruction within the context of rich and varied reading and writing experiences. Text discussions, dynamic activities, and valuable appendices provide a variety of effective instructional resources, selected based on research and teacher testimonials. The sixth edition incorporates recent updates to national and state standards, as well as expanded sections on working with English language learners and students with special needs, while maintaining the book’s essential features: classroom vignettes, discussion questions, field-based activities, a student website, and study guide. An essential resource for early literacy instructors, this textbook’s practical approach fundamentally demonstrates how children develop authentic literacy skills through a combination of direct strategy instruction and motivating contexts.

This important and engaging resource offers a step-by-step framework for developing early childhood community programming that centers the learning needs of children, supersedes socioeconomic barriers, and activates the power of community. The book centers on an in-depth exploration of the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), a place-based, early learning collaborative that provides funding, innovative shared support services, and advocacy to partner organizations rooted in vulnerable communities, with the primary goal of readying children for the first day of kindergarten. The author details the concept and practice of a place-based intentional preschool system, including the lessons that were learned through the creation of ELNC and how it successfully prepares children of color for success in school and beyond. The program uses a two-generation approach in which families are coached to address barriers that keep them from being their child’s first teachers and are supported in navigating community resources. Through the insightful model this book provides, education leaders and early childhood teachers can learn more about emerging best practices in community programming, identify ways to adapt the ELNC model and test it in their current programming, and use the ELNC process to change their own neighborhoods for the better.

Written expressly for early childhood educators, and those who support their professional development, this handbook distills essential knowledge about how to help all PreK-3 learners succeed. Leading experts describe doable ways to create effective learning environments and implement instructional practices with a strong evidence base. Engaging vignettes illustrate discussions of such topics as differentiated instruction, response to intervention, the Common Core standards, social and emotional learning, assessment, and teaching across the curriculum. Each chapter links cutting-edge research to practical applications, examples, and professional development activities.