It Starts In The Classroom

Few character education books published in the 21st century have addressed the resource needs of P-12 teachers. It Starts in the Classroom: Character Education for a Better Tomorrow is a “character education tool kit” that enables P-12 teachers, teachers-in-training, counselors, administrators, and coaches to see themselves as the “key” character educators in their schools, classrooms, and community. This book helps bring humanity, student engagement, and other life skills into the classroom that have been proven to increase student academic achievement. Ultimately, It Starts in the Classroom helps teachers see that they are, in fact, really changing the world for the better. This book shows them how to do this not only with their students but with themselves. With the current state of our world, character education is needed now more than ever. Things can get better, but it starts in the classrooms—with the teachers and the students.

"You can do this! You can help kids fall in love with reading. You can fill your classroom with piles of amazing books kids will be itching to get their hands on. You can find stretches of time every single day during which kids read books they care about. You can observe, respond, and interact with your readers in powerful and meaningful ways. You can make it happen, starting today." -Kari Yates You don't become an amazing reading teacher all at once. Someone shows you where to begin. Someone who has taught every kind of reader and coached teachers just like you. Someone like Kari Yates. Simple Starts is Kari's getting-started guide to creating the reading classroom of your dreams-and your students'. Teacher to teacher, she distills research and best practice into essentials that help you: Engage readers with books they'll love Provide kids the time for reading and discussion Nurture independence through choice Guide students' growth and yours by asking "What's next?" Conversational, practical, and inspirational, Simple Starts is filled with teaching strategies, quick reflection charts, example anchor charts, and teacher know-how from thirty years in classrooms and schools. "What's next is simple," writes Kari Yates. "You don't have to know everything about books or reading. You just need to follow a few simple steps." With Kari and Simple Starts you'll do it. So come on in! Your kids are counting on you, and it's time to bravely begin.

Beautiful paintings highlight the ways various peoples from around the world welcome the sun and the start of a new day in this Caldecott Honor–winning picture book. Some people say there is a new sun every day, and that it begins its life at dawn and lives for one day only. They say you have to welcome it. From cavemen, to the Aztecs, to the ancient Egyptians, Baylor Bird describes the ways that people throughout history and the world celebrated the dawn. By the end you may be inspired to create your own song for the sunrise.

The Daily 5: Fostering Literacy in the Elementary Grades, Second Edition retains the core literacy components that made the first edition one of the most widely read books in education and enhances these practices based on years of further experience in classrooms and compelling new brain research. The Daily 5 provides a way for any teacher to structure literacy (and now math) time to increase student independence and allow for individualized attention in small groups and one-on-one. Teachers and schools implementing the Daily 5 will do the following: Spend less time on classroom management and more time teaching Help students develop independence, stamina, and accountability Provide students with abundant time for practicing reading, writing, and math Increase the time teachers spend with students one-on-one and in small groups Improve schoolwide achievement and success in literacy and math. The Daily 5, Second Edition gives teachers everything they need to launch and sustain the Daily 5, including materials and setup, model behaviors, detailed lesson plans, specific tips for implementing each component, and solutions to common challenges. By following this simple and proven structure, teachers can move from a harried classroom toward one that hums with productive and engaged learners. What's new in the second edition: Detailed launch plans for the first three weeks Full color photos, figures, and charts Increased flexibility regarding when and how to introduce each Daily 5 choice New chapter on differentiating instruction by age and stamina Ideas about how to integrate the Daily 5 with the CAFE assessment system New chapter on the Math Daily 3 structure

This book explains the step-by-step observations, thinking, and planning that enabled Levy to develop a variety of original projects with his elementary students.

You can make a difference in how young students see and understand race and racism. Grounded in real-world examples, this accessible, insightful guide tackles topics like White silence, the scientific origin of skin color, and societal fears of being perceived as a racist. Readers will find solutions to overcome barriers like inherent biases and wary parents while helping students understand emotional and complex issues. Elementary classroom teachers will: Help young children develop a foundational understanding about race and racism rooted in anti-bias practices Vicariously experience a classroom’s transformation from silent to celebratory Learn and teach the scientific origins of skin color and how differences should be acknowledged and celebrated Build skills in maintaining transparency and clear communication with hesitant parents Gain confidence to break the silence surrounding these complex and profound topics Contents: Preface Introduction Part 1: Reasons Some Choose Silence and Reasons for Breaking It Chapter 1: Racial Stress Chapter 2: Diverse Environments Chapter 3: Not Knowing What to Say About Race Chapter 4: The Desire for a Post-Racial World Part 2: Effective and Appropriate Ways to Talk About Race and Racism in Your Classroom Chapter 5: The Importance of Speaking Up Chapter 6: Peaceful Changemakers Chapter 7: A Deeper Conversation About Race Chapter 8: Parents and Caregivers as Partners in the Conversation Chapter 9: Common Roadblocks and a Path Through Them Glossary Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions Appendix B: Steps to Take Before Introducing Dr. King Appendix C: Picture Books That Address Skin Color, Race, Hair, and Other Identities Appendix D: Books for Adults on Race and Racism References and Resources Index

Learn effective ways to teach STEAM with this helpful book from educational technology experts Billy Krakower and Meredith Martin. Whether you have a dedicated STEAM class, or plan to integrate it into a regular classroom, you’ll find out how to create a structured learning environment while still leaving room for inquiry and innovation. You’ll also gain a variety of hands-on activities and rubrics you can use immediately. Topics include: the differences among STEM, STEAM, and makerspaces planning your STEAM space stocking your space with the right supplies planning for instruction and managing class time incorporating the core subjects aligning lessons with standards and assessments getting the administration and community involved taking your class to the next level with design thinking. With this practical book, you’ll have all the tools you’ll need to create a STEAM-friendly learning space starting now. Continue the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #GSwSTEAM!

Kickstart your class with five daily 5–10 minute routines, all of which include content-specific examples, extensions, and variations for high school mathematics. This resource offers a year’s worth of daily instructional material that you can use to begin each class period, and will help students Frequently revisit essential mathematical concepts Foster and shore up conceptual understanding Engage in mental mathematics, leading to efficiency and fluency Engage in mathematical discourse by constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others Reason mathematically, and prepare for high stakes assessments Move learning beyond “correctness” by valuing mistakes and discourse and encouraging a growth mindset