Book Reviews / Proficiency-Based Instruction
by MiddleWeb · Published 09/05/2019 · Last modified 11/23/2019
Proficiency-Based Instruction breaks down the deeply flawed, longstanding approach to lesson design and delivery, and walks readers through reimagining their planning and instruction to develop the proficiency of every learner, says a totally-sold Jennifer Savery.
Rita Platt’s Working Hard, Working Happy is a quick read, with many useful ideas about creating a learning culture in your classroom and school. Any teacher who wants students filled with joy and self-motivation needs to read this practical book, writes Kimberly Higgins.
By using visual texts, The Art of Comprehension provides a way for nonreaders and striving readers to participate in the same rich, authentic thinking tasks that their reading classmates are doing, even if they have difficulty decoding written words, writes Pam Hamilton.
The 2nd edition of “Dual Language Essentials” shows how dual language programs promote academic development, mastery of two languages, and cross-cultural understanding. Teacher Jacqueline Barreras is already adding its extensive resources to her planning for the year.
Book Reviews / Social & Emotional Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/29/2019 · Last modified 01/17/2020
Mindfulness in the Classroom focuses on how to be consciously aware as we introduce SEL principles into an existing curriculum. Author Season Mussey explains SEL, its need and importance, and how to best share its principles with students, writes teacher Shawn Lawn.
Book Reviews / Social & Emotional Learning
by MiddleWeb · Published 08/22/2019 · Last modified 01/17/2020
Creating Strong Kids Through Writing is an easy-to-use book of 20 fully resourced lessons lasting 30 minutes to help adolescents grow socially and emotionally. Consultant Anne Anderson notes the lessons are not just for ELA classes and include topics in math and science.
From the classroom to the whole school, Dr. Myles Cooley’s revised Practical Guide for Mental Health and Learning Disorders will help new and veteran educators understand specific student challenges and support kids affected by them, writes educator Elizabeth OBrien.
Literacy Strong All Year Long: Powerful Lessons for Grades 3-5 is crammed with so many literacy ideas and resources that you will want to try each one, writes teacher educator Linda Biondi. She predicts that it will be a “go to” book for the rest of your teaching life.
In their sequel to “Making Number Talks Matter,” Ruth Parker and Cathy Humphreys go deeper and include videos of real students. They thoroughly explain the how and why of Number Talks and suggest updates to their method, writes math and algebra teacher Michael Hernandez.
If you are searching for a comprehensive way to explore the complexities of climate change, address student (and popular) misconceptions and involve students in the search for solutions, you’ll want “Understanding Climate Change,” says science teacher Virginia Brackett.
