Educational material

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Book SynopsisWith small steps and our carefully crafted questions, every pupil will achieve greater progress.Designed to be used flexibly, this second edition textbook has been updated to include more Mastery-style questions and whole-class activities. Whether you follow a full Mastery scheme, choose to use Mastery aspects or you''re just looking for quality resources, our three textbooks support the way you want to teach.Each book gradually builds on prior knowledge, developing pupils'' confidence, fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills. Secure understanding with differentiated questions and worked examples that build on prior knowledge, following the ''do it, secure it, deepen it'' Mastery structure, building on prior knowledge from Book 1 Target key skills using the fluency, reasoning and problem-solving markers in the margin Build confidence with starter activities and warm-up questions to introduce each concept Develop reasoning skill

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive overview of the challenging issues around boys and reading includes strategies and practical solutions for helping struggling readers.The role of gender in reading success is a complex one. This book faces the issues head-on, uncovering many of the assumptions and stereotypes parents and educators have about boys and how they handle the world of print text. Included are the voices of boys and men interviewed by the author, who reveal their literacy challenges, struggles, tastes and values. These real voices provide valuable insights into how we can support boys in their journey towards becoming successful readers and writers.Even Hockey Players Read explores the powerful potential of literacy in a boy's life:What factors in the home and in the classroom influence the literacy lives of boys?Why do so many boys select different reading materials than girls?Why do girls score higher than boys do on tests of reading achievement?Why do so many males consider themselves non-readers?Are society's expectations for boys' and girls' literacy lives different?Do we minimize the literacy needs of girls if we focus on the difficulties with boys?Drawing upon his background as a parent and a literacy educator, the author suggests a wealth of strategies and techniques for promoting an alternative culture of literacy in school and home settings, where what children choose to read is valued alongside what children need to read. Even Hockey Players Read advocates changing the classroom environment so thatBoys who can't read are helped;Boys who don't read become motivated;Boys who do read find enrichment.This highly readable book demonstrates the powerful potential of literacy in the lives of boys. It is essential reading for teachers who want to guide boys to a love of reading that will help them in their school life and beyond.

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Book SynopsisPresented as simple lists of common-sense ideas, practical, time-saving suggestions ad solutions to perennial problems. this book is a comprehensive guide to smooth-running classrooms. It provides a variety of learning games, fun activities and creative prompts along with tips to help teacher cope with marking demands, classroom organisation issues, standardised testing and much more. The book shows teachers how to - communicate with all students, whether they need tutoring, support or just a simple thanks or encouragement. - involve students in initiatives that promote a sense of ownership and accountability. - implement innovative classroom practices to teach the same old stuff in a different more meaningful way. - present student learning through innovative approaches to concerts, assemblies and art displays. Easy for teachers to use, the book includes ready-to-copy tip sheets to share with students on such topics as organising notes, doing homework, getting teacher help, dealing with bullies, taking tests and studying. Reproducible pages to involve parents in the classroom range from tutoring tips to a parent interest questionnaire.

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Book SynopsisMaps have been used for centuries to help orient us in the physical world, yet they can also be useful tools for making sense of the more abstract world of thought. This remarkable book explores visual techniques for helping students understand how they think so they can become more effective learners. Thinking Visually combines the latest research with effective classroom practices that offer new possibilities for teachers and students.

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive guide offers teachers everything they need to inspire students to write and experience poetry as they build language skills. The book combines the rich background of poetry with sample poems and activities that are ready to use in any classroom. This new edition is updated with discussions of such contemporary poets as Naomi Shihab Nye, Karen Hess, Cynthia Rylant, and Mattie Stepanek.Based on the classroom experiences of two master teachers with an obvious love of poetry, readers will find answers to the common questions surrounding the study of poetry in the classroom.What is poetry?--from poems old and new to celebrating children's poetry;How do poems work?--from painting pictures with words to tricks of the trade;Why should we share poems with children?--from increasing word power through poetry to poetry as a way of thinking.The book also covers:ways to present poems--from using narration and mime to a model for presentation;when children write poems--from patterns for poems to using riddles, personification, and stream of consciousness;classroom concerns--from assessment techniques to tips for choosing and displaying poems in the classroom.An updated bibliography of the very best children's poetry anthologies and books for children complement this remarkable book.

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Book SynopsisIn TheClassroom Troubleshooter: Strategies for Dealing with Marking and Paperwork, Discipline, Evaluation, and Learning through Language, author Les Parsons provides practical, no-nonsense solutions to the problems that plague a teacher's day. This handy, easy-to-use guide incorporates a number of invaluable rubrics, checklists, templates, reference sheets, questionnaires, and student guidelines. Included are strategies to help teachers Avoid being overwhelmed by paperwork and other types of "administrivia" Mark "smart" Anticipate, prevent, respond to, and manage a host of discipline problems Develop and administer evaluation instruments for projects, research, essays, and objective-style tests Increase student comprehension of textbooks Implement and mark journal writing Guide talk-based learning Reflect on how individual teachers can impact on the overall functioning of the school The Classroom Troubleshooter empowers teachers to control their environment and to reclaim time and energy so that their gifts and skills can be directed into teaching and learning with their students.

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Book SynopsisEvery teacher has at least one student in their class that they worry they'll never be able to reach. A student who is reluctant to speak in public, forgets, finds it difficult to work in groups, is uninterested, seems to be an outsider, and so on. In What Do I Do About the Kid Who … ? educators learn how to create a learning environment that helps meet the needs of these students.Practical and functional, the book shows teachers how to structure content learning activities so the day-to-day operation of the classroom is easier, more organized, joyful, and exciting, with simple strategies to make learning contextualized, inclusive, respectful, and creative.Trade Reviewof value to students or inexperienced practitioners working in the primary or secondary sectors." - SEN Magazine, October 2015

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Book SynopsisWhether or not to teach formal grammar in the classroom is a hot topic. Teachers need help in making sense of the issues. Grammarama! offers a powerful classroom context and practical strategies for helping students cope with all aspects of grammar and language usage. It provides:discussion of the pros and cons of teaching grammar;exercises that involve students using grammar in fun ways;sentence-combining challenges that strengthen student language usage;examples and activities based on professional writing;creative expressions of grammar usage and how to incorporate them in your teaching;up-to-date details on how grammar and language evolves—from particular word usage to changing grammar rules to appropriate terminology for the classroom;a comprehensive glossary that offers capsule definitions of essential terms.All student activities are accompanied by detailed teacher guidelines that provide background, outcomes, ways of introducing the activities, and an answer key. Suggestions for group work and assessment complement this valuable classroom tool.Language is constantly changing. This remarkable resource shows you how students can make powerful connections with language that last a lifetime.Table of ContentsTo grammar or not to grammar; "Do-it-yourself" grammar; Sentence-combining challenges; Learning from a pro: Reading and grammar; Creative grammar; Changing rules and suitable terms; Final Words: Personalizing Grammar; Glossary; Index

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Book SynopsisHow do we make writing meaningful to students? A leading educator and a popular novelist present a refreshing exploration of how the challenges of professional writers can give students new insights into writing. The Write Genre presents a balanced approach to writing workshops in grades 3–9. It provides hands-on activities that focus on all stages of the writing process, with teacher-directed assignments and self-selected writing lessons that emphasize writing to learn. These unique lessons are designed to help students write with a concrete purpose and audience in mind and complete assignments that are more focused and authentic. Organized around six writing genres, more than fifty mini-lessons deal with specific skills that help students write effective fiction and nonfiction in such genres as:personal memoir— from techniques involving a personal memoir timeline and organizer to great ways to start, create powerful paragraphs, and cut the clutter;fictional narrative— from character, plot, and dialogue to point of view and conflict resolution;informational report— from strategies for reading nonfiction and K-W-L-S organizers to adding voice and style;opinion piece— from loaded words and other persuasive writing techniques to business letters and topical issues; procedural writing —from incorporating visuals and interviewing experts to techniques for writing imperative sentences; poetry – from teaching the tools and specific forms of poetry to creating a poetry anthology.For easy classroom implementation, the key elements of many mini-lessons are also presented in reproducible pages, including frameworks, organizers, prompts, checklists, and grids. The book offers chapters devoted to the writing process, writing workshop, and using rubrics for instruction and assessment. The concluding chapter pulls all the threads together with a multi-genre project that involves students in using the skills they have learned throughout the school year.Table of ContentsIntroduction; How Writers Really Write--The Writing Process; How Students Learn to Write--The Writing Workshop; Using Rubrics for Writing Instruction and Assessment--The Six Traits; Telling Their Own Story--The Personal Memoir; Our Plot Thickens--The Fictional Narrative; Just the Facts, Ma'am--The Informational Report; What Do They Really Think?--The Opinion Piece; Doing It My Way--Procedural Writing; More Than Rhyme Time--Poetry; Putting It All Together--The Multi-Genre Project; Annotated Bibliography; Index

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Book SynopsisMaking Words Stick shows you how to move beyond spelling lists and rote memorization to make words both meaningful and memorable for all your students. It builds on the connection between vocabulary and comprehension and guides teachers in their most important task— building a strong literacy foundation.Full of efficient, effective, and engaging strategies, this useful guide explores innovative ways to organize vocabulary instruction in the grade 1 to 8 classroom. It demonstrates how to: create a positive, student–centered environment for the concept-based, multi-layered learning of words;teach vocabulary during shared reading, guided reading, and independent center time;incorporate visual displays of read aloud/picture study vocabulary to develop important conceptual knowledge;introduce think-and-search prompts and stretch charts to expand word knowledge during shared reading;build reading and writing independence with a wealth of fun small-group, and word-play challenges.From the role of semantics and syntax to original classroom-tested activities, this imaginative guide helps you give your students the lifelong gift of words and language.Table of ContentsAnchoring Word Knowledge; Semantic Mapping; Using Semantic Mapping; STRETCH-Chart Prompted Conversations; Using STRETCH Charts; Independent Centres; Using Centres; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index

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Book SynopsisThis handy tool guides students through the seven essential steps for writing successfully in any form, from idea to draft to revision to final product. The layout is inviting and offers a valuable review of the essentials:Why Write?RAFTS to focus and discover Pre-writing strategiesStrategic DraftingThe Power of VoiceRevision that WorksResponse and FeedbackSeven Steps to Successful Writing helps writers get started, stay motivated, and complete pieces of writing they are proud to share. Its straightforward and easy-to-read format will ensure that writers return to it again and again.

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Book SynopsisInformal Assessment Strategies explores the power of informed assessment practices on teachers, on instruction and, most of all, on the literacy success of students. Beth Charlton shows teachers how to use the results of assessment and how to find time to assess in an increasingly-crowded school day. She challenges teachers to reflect on their own practice, encourages them to explore the why, what, and how of assessment, and presents techniques to help busy teachers listen, question, and observe students, and focus on student strengths and abilities. These observations form the foundation for lessons that build on what students know. Informal Assessment Strategies addresses the three fundamental components of successful teaching and learning:asking questions that engage students as they investigate, theorize, communicate, share, and reflect on their learning;observing students as they interact with others, participate in lessons, and complete assignments;planning well thought-out lessons that reflect an awareness of the curriculum, what a student can do, what the student needs to know next, and how the student and teacher measure success.With student and teacher reflections sprinkled throughout, this highly-readable book is rooted in the life of the classroom. It shows teachers how to foster true engagement and nurture students who are involved in, aware of, and excited about their learning.

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Book SynopsisTalking, Writing, and Thinking About Books shows teachers how to engage students in reading, responding to what they read, and improving reading comprehension. It features 101 ready-to-copy, single-page activities that involve students in all aspects of the reading process. The activities encompass the complete range of the language arts; students use writing, talk, drama, visual arts and other media to express their thoughts and ideas. The full array of text components—character, setting, plot, personal response, language, and words—are also covered. An ideal complement to any literature study, the activities are organized around the major components of language arts:Oral Language—talking about character, plot, language, and words;Drama—bringing character and plot to life;Visual Arts—creating art based on literary character, setting, and plot;Writing—formal and informal expression of character, events, setting,plot, language, and words;Research—investigating details about author, setting, and genre.The activities in Talking, Writing, and Thinking About Books are flexible enough to use with individuals, partners, and small groups, and in conjunction with a wide variety of texts from novels to newspapers. In addition, the busy teacher will find time-saving assessment forms (for teacher and student) invaluable. Simple tools give the teacher a quick record of student work habits and quality of work. A companion checklist for students helps them reflect on their work, follow directions, and complete tasks.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Talking and Reading Aloud; Drama; Visual Arts; Writing; Research; Appendix; Index of Activities

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Book SynopsisEarly Literacy Fundamentals offers powerful activities to develop the skills, concepts, and knowledge underpinning early literacy. It builds on the personal, social, emotional, creative, and physical development skills that are a traditional part of early childhood programs.Based on the latest research, the book recognizes that oral language is the bedrock upon which formal learning is based and that literacy: begins at birth and is part of an ongoing developmental process; develops concurrently with oral language development; is enhanced by adult models who expose children to print and how it works; is based on a systematic relationship between letters and sounds; is rooted in and connected to the child's culture and communication patterns. Each of the activities, organized around a seven-strand framework that reflects successful early childhood practices, is presented along with background research and practical advice on helping children initiate their own constructive play. The types of activities teachers will find include: learning activities appropriate to a young child's age and stage of development; quality pre-school activities that boost all children's language and literacy skills, and build a strong foundation for reading and literacy success in school; opportunities for children to use oral language in a variety of ways as they play and experiment with words; adult-initiated whole-group activities that can be extended into child-initiated play. Early Literacy Fundamentals provides a comprehensive overview of the language and literacy experiences children need, and helps teachers give them a strong base on which future reading and learning success can grow.

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Book SynopsisNow more than ever before, students in all disciplines must know how to write with clarity and conviction. Whether they're studying science or social studies, they have to learn to collect and analyze information, and communicate their own ideas with precision.This book helps teachers of content-area subjects discover ways to help their students become better, more capable writers. It shows them how to take students through all the steps involved in producing written documents—from generating ideas to researching to revising and editing—and provides them a wealth of practical tips for supporting and encouraging student work. Exploring Writing in the Content Areas suggests specific techniques designed to help students:organize information into paragraphs;use visual elements like photographs, charts, and diagrams to enhance written text;find and document secondary source material;create powerful pictures using words.This practical guide also explains how teachers can provide student writers with the concrete, constructive feedback they need, and demonstrates how assessment can guide effective teaching practices.

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Book SynopsisStudents aren't the only ones bullying in schools. Teachers, principals, and parents bully too. Together they create a bullying culture that strikes at the heart of effective learning and teaching. A bullying culture harms everyone it touches—targets, student bystanders, teachers, parents, and even society at large. To eradicate bullying, the school community must first acknowledge its existence in all forms. This timely book explores the background and issues related not just to student-on-student bullying but to all forms of bullying found in schools. It then goes on to illustrate how schools can devise—and enforce—a policy that works. This indispensable guide offers an anti-bullying blueprint that explains how to:recognize a systemic culture of bullying;neutralize the power imbalance that enables bullies;create an environment free of sexual, racial, and cultural stereotyping;use cooperative learning to foster respect for differences;empower students through positive reinforcement; counteract the “blame the victim” mentality.

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Book SynopsisTo teach with excellence demands more than strategies and techniques. The most successful teachers draw on their personal power—their confidence, compassion, and empathy, and their professional power—their ability to lead, instruct, and inspire their students to do their best. With practice, most teachers can develop the skills they need to conquer almost any classroom challenge. This book offers specific, practical ideas to help teachers: manage their classroom time efficiently; educate with passion and enthusiasm; support students who are struggling; motivate with creativity and humor; lead effectively both inside the classroom and out. In 55 Teaching Dilemmas, Kathy Paterson also shows readers how to counsel students in need, how to recognize and prevent burnout, how to communicate with parents and guardians, and how to encourage cooperative learning among students with different capabilities and skills.

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Book SynopsisPrincipals in today's schools face the complex challenge of being both visionary educational leaders and effective managers. They struggle to meet the conflicting needs and expectations of the staff and students, the parents, trustees, and even those in the wider community. They constantly strive to create a quality school environment that encourages learning for all.A teacher educator, researcher and consultant, Susan Church has a long-standing interest in the complexities and challenges of educational leadership. In The Principal Difference she explores the issues that confront school administrators, and demonstrates how best to provide the leadership today's schools need. It draws on the latest research and personal case studies to outline how educational leaders can:meet both external expectations and their school's own stated goals;be accessible, responsible, and accountable;respond to and make use of outside assessments;encourage and respect cultural diversity;work collaboratively with teachers and other staff members;engage students, parents, and members of the community.While demanding and at times stressful, the work of a principal can offer great rewards. This practical book shows principals how to transform their schools into more efficient, responsive learning communities as they learn to better meet the needs of students, staff, and the whole community.

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