Creating High Quality Classroom Assignments

To support teachers in developing, reflecting on, and fine-tuning the assignments they create, this book presents a series of dimensions (or rubrics) with benchmark examples from elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. The purpose of these rubrics is to serve as diagnostic tools to assess the strengths and weaknesses of an assignment, as well as to guide the creation of new assignments for students.

Drawing from her extensive experience as a teacher coach, author Eleanor Dougherty shows teachers and administrators how to craft high-quality assignments and helps them understand the powerful impact that assignments can have on teaching and learning.

Although much has changed in schools in recent years, the power of differentiated instruction remains the same—and the need for it has only increased. Today's classroom is more diverse, more inclusive, and more plugged into technology than ever before. And it's led by teachers under enormous pressure to help decidedly unstandardized students meet an expanding set of rigorous, standardized learning targets. In this updated second edition of her best-selling classic work, Carol Ann Tomlinson offers these teachers a powerful and practical way to meet a challenge that is both very modern and completely timeless: how to divide their time, resources, and efforts to effectively instruct so many students of various backgrounds, readiness and skill levels, and interests. With a perspective informed by advances in research and deepened by more than 15 years of implementation feedback in all types of schools, Tomlinson explains the theoretical basis of differentiated instruction, explores the variables of curriculum and learning environment, shares dozens of instructional strategies, and then goes inside elementary and secondary classrooms in nearly all subject areas to illustrate how real teachers are applying differentiation principles and strategies to respond to the needs of all learners. This book's insightful guidance on what to differentiate, how to differentiate, and why lays the groundwork for bringing differentiated instruction into your own classroom or refining the work you already do to help each of your wonderfully unique learners move toward greater knowledge, more advanced skills, and expanded understanding. Today more than ever, The Differentiated Classroom is a must-have staple for every teacher's shelf and every school's professional development collection.

This second edition gives you more than 60 tools--with tips and implementation steps--for creating and using formative assessments in every grade level and subject. --from publisher description

What exactly is an "assignment," and why does it matter? How can educators ensure that their teaching meets the rigorous demands of the Common Core State Standards, so that all students are well prepared for college or careers? Drawing from her extensive experience as a teacher coach, author Eleanor Dougherty answers these questions and many more, with two aims in mind: (1) to guide teachers and administrators in crafting high-quality assignments, and (2) to help educators understand the powerful impact that assignments can have on teaching and learning. The book explains the critical differences among "assignments," "activities," and "assessments" and thoroughly describes the key elements of an assignment: prompts, rubrics, products, and instructional plans. Readers will learn how to * Follow a seven-step process for crafting effective assignments; * Link assignments to units and courses; * Devise "Anchor" assignments for collaboration and consistency across grades; * Tap into instructional "touchstones" that can enrich any assignment; * Create classroom and school environments that support assignment-making; and * Use assignments as a source of data about teaching and learning. Equipped with the knowledge and expertise gained from Assignments Matter, readers will be able to create meaningful learning experiences for their students and come to appreciate the author's belief that "assignments may well be the missing link in school reform efforts to improve student achievement."

A comprehensive text that allows headteachers and school mamangers to monitor teacher quality

A trusted practitioner guide and course text, this book provides a complete introduction to the multiple roles of the reading specialist in grades PreK-12. Rita M. Bean offers evidence-based best practices for working with struggling readers; supporting teachers through professional development and coaching; planning curricula; assessing at the individual, classroom, and school levels; and building strong school, family, and community partnerships. User-friendly features include helpful classroom vignettes, questions for discussion and reflection, follow-up activities, and ideas for instructors and workshop leaders. Reproducible forms and worksheets can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. New to This Edition New overarching framework that connects literacy leadership more directly to classroom instruction and assessment. Links to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and new standards-based examples are included throughout. Expanded coverage of literacy coaching, middle and high school grades, and response to intervention. Chapters now begin with key questions and include annotated resources for further reading.

Textbooks are symbols of centuries-old education. They're often outdated as soon as they hit students' desks. Acting "by the textbook" implies compliance and a lack of creativity. It's time to ditch those textbooks--and those textbook assumptions about learning In Ditch That Textbook, teacher and blogger Matt Miller encourages educators to throw out meaningless, pedestrian teaching and learning practices. He empowers them to evolve and improve on old, standard, teaching methods. Ditch That Textbook is a support system, toolbox, and manifesto to help educators free their teaching and revolutionize their classrooms.

Learn how approaching assessment through the lens of social and emotional learning can help ensure fair, equitable assessment; enhance learning; and improve students' emotional health.

The Chromebook Classroom gives you a fast, clear road map for turning a new fleet of Chromebooks into rich learning tools for a single classroom or an entire district! The Chromebook Classroom is the perfect companion for educators just getting started with Chromebooks - or looking for new ways to boost their students' learning through technology.