Description

Book Synopsis

Cognitive science research-based teaching techniques any educator can implement in their K-8 classroom

In Small Teaching K-8, a team of veteran educators bridges the gap between cognitive theory and the K-8 classroom environment, applying the same foundational research found in author James Lang's bestselling Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning to the elementary and middle school setting. Via clear descriptions and step-by-step methods, the book demonstrates how to integrate simple interventions into pre-existing pedagogical techniques to dramatically improve student outcomes.

The interventions consist of classroom or online learning activities, one-time additions, or small modifications in course design or communication. Regardless of their form, they all deliver powerful, positive consequences.

In this book, readers will also find:

  • Foundational concepts from up-to-date cognitive research that has implications f

    Table of Contents

    About the Author xi

    Foreword xiii

    Introduction xvii

    Part I Knowing: The Six-Minute Fix 1

    1 Retrieving 7

    What’s the Theory? 10

    In Short 15

    Models 15

    Three-Two-One 16

    Closing Questions 17

    Big Basket Quizzes 19

    Multi-Part Quizzes 19

    Polling 21

    Principles 22

    Frequency Matters 22

    Align Practice and Assessment 22

    Require Thinking 23

    Small Teaching Quick Tips: Retrieving 23

    Conclusion 24

    2 Self-Explaining 27

    What’s the Theory? 29

    In Short 34

    Models 35

    Think Aloud 36

    How Does This Connect to Our Goal? 37

    Turn-and-Talk 38

    Discussion Protocols 40

    Principles 43

    Scaffold Self-Explanation 43

    Point to Principles 43

    Utilize Peer Power 44

    Small Teaching Quick Tips: Self-Explaining 44

    Conclusion 45

    3 Predicting 47

    What’s the Theory? 49

    In Short 53

    Models 53

    Predict during Do Nows 54

    Pretesting 57

    Anticipation Guides 59

    Tea Party 60

    Closing Predictions 62

    Principles 63

    Stay Conceptual 63

    Provide Fast Feedback 63

    Leave Time for Reflection 64

    Small Teaching Quick Tips: Predicting 64

    Conclusion 65

    4 Putting It All Together: Jennifer Hedrington, Grade 7 Teacher 67

    Part II Thinking: Strength and Conditioning 73

    5 Synthesizing 77

    What’s the Theory? 79

    In Short 81

    Models 82

    Synthesis Sentence Starters 83

    Knowledge Dumps 86

    Finding the Main Idea 88

    Concept Maps 90

    The Minute Thesis 92

    Principles 93

    Provide the Framework 94

    Facilitate Synthesis 94

    Leverage Peer Learning 94

    Small Teaching Quick Tips: Synthesis 94

    Conclusion 95

    6 Practicing 97

    What’s the Theory? 99

    In Short 103

    Models 104

    Unpack Your Assessments 104

    Parcel Them Out and Practice Them 106

    Provide Feedback 109

    Principles 111

    Make the Time for In-Class Practice 111

    Space It Out 111

    Practice Mindfully 112

    Small Teaching Quick Tips: Practice 112

    Conclusion 113

    7 Mapping 117

    What’s the Theory? 119

    In Short 125

    Models 125

    Year-Long Theme 126

    Writing an Objective 131

    Post an Agenda 133

    Principles 134

    Set a Timer 134

    Utilize Strong Verbs 135

    Don’t Be Afraid to Dipstick 136

    Small Teaching Quick Tips: Mapping 136

    Conclusion 137

    8 Putting It All Together: Jennessa Burks, Grade 4 Teacher 141

    Part III Transforming: Balance and Agility 147

    9 Growing 151

    What’s the Theory? 154

    In Short 157

    Models 157

    Reward Growth 157

    Give Growth-Language Feedback 160

    Promote Success Strategies 162

    Principles 163

    Design for Growth 164

    Communicate for Growth 164

    Feedback for Growth 164

    Small Teaching Quick Tips: Growing 165

    Conclusion 165

    10 Motivating 167

    What’s the Theory? 172

    In Short 175

    Models 176

    Positive Recognition 178

    Tell Great Stories 180

    Invoke Self-Transcendent Purpose 181

    Share Your Enthusiasm 182

    Show Compassion 183

    Principles 184

    Acknowledge the Emotions in the Room 185

    Make It Social 185

    Let Your Enthusiasm Show 185

    Small Teaching Quick Tips: Motivating 186

    Conclusion 186

    11 Expanding 191

    Models, Principles, and Resources 194

    Project-Based Learning 194

    Community Service Learning 196

    Games and Simulations 199

    Resources 204

    Small Teaching Quick Tips: Expanding 207

    Conclusion 207

    12 Putting It All Together: Matt Halpern, Kindergarten Teacher and Literacy Consultant 211

    13 Conclusion 217

    References 221

    Index 237

Small Teaching K8

    Product form

    £17.84

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £20.99 – you save £3.15 (15%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 25 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Sarah Connell Sanders, James M. Lang

    3 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Small Teaching K8 by Sarah Connell Sanders

      Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 21/11/2022
      ISBN13: 9781119862796, 978-1119862796
      ISBN10: 1119862795

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Cognitive science research-based teaching techniques any educator can implement in their K-8 classroom

      In Small Teaching K-8, a team of veteran educators bridges the gap between cognitive theory and the K-8 classroom environment, applying the same foundational research found in author James Lang's bestselling Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning to the elementary and middle school setting. Via clear descriptions and step-by-step methods, the book demonstrates how to integrate simple interventions into pre-existing pedagogical techniques to dramatically improve student outcomes.

      The interventions consist of classroom or online learning activities, one-time additions, or small modifications in course design or communication. Regardless of their form, they all deliver powerful, positive consequences.

      In this book, readers will also find:

      • Foundational concepts from up-to-date cognitive research that has implications f

        Table of Contents

        About the Author xi

        Foreword xiii

        Introduction xvii

        Part I Knowing: The Six-Minute Fix 1

        1 Retrieving 7

        What’s the Theory? 10

        In Short 15

        Models 15

        Three-Two-One 16

        Closing Questions 17

        Big Basket Quizzes 19

        Multi-Part Quizzes 19

        Polling 21

        Principles 22

        Frequency Matters 22

        Align Practice and Assessment 22

        Require Thinking 23

        Small Teaching Quick Tips: Retrieving 23

        Conclusion 24

        2 Self-Explaining 27

        What’s the Theory? 29

        In Short 34

        Models 35

        Think Aloud 36

        How Does This Connect to Our Goal? 37

        Turn-and-Talk 38

        Discussion Protocols 40

        Principles 43

        Scaffold Self-Explanation 43

        Point to Principles 43

        Utilize Peer Power 44

        Small Teaching Quick Tips: Self-Explaining 44

        Conclusion 45

        3 Predicting 47

        What’s the Theory? 49

        In Short 53

        Models 53

        Predict during Do Nows 54

        Pretesting 57

        Anticipation Guides 59

        Tea Party 60

        Closing Predictions 62

        Principles 63

        Stay Conceptual 63

        Provide Fast Feedback 63

        Leave Time for Reflection 64

        Small Teaching Quick Tips: Predicting 64

        Conclusion 65

        4 Putting It All Together: Jennifer Hedrington, Grade 7 Teacher 67

        Part II Thinking: Strength and Conditioning 73

        5 Synthesizing 77

        What’s the Theory? 79

        In Short 81

        Models 82

        Synthesis Sentence Starters 83

        Knowledge Dumps 86

        Finding the Main Idea 88

        Concept Maps 90

        The Minute Thesis 92

        Principles 93

        Provide the Framework 94

        Facilitate Synthesis 94

        Leverage Peer Learning 94

        Small Teaching Quick Tips: Synthesis 94

        Conclusion 95

        6 Practicing 97

        What’s the Theory? 99

        In Short 103

        Models 104

        Unpack Your Assessments 104

        Parcel Them Out and Practice Them 106

        Provide Feedback 109

        Principles 111

        Make the Time for In-Class Practice 111

        Space It Out 111

        Practice Mindfully 112

        Small Teaching Quick Tips: Practice 112

        Conclusion 113

        7 Mapping 117

        What’s the Theory? 119

        In Short 125

        Models 125

        Year-Long Theme 126

        Writing an Objective 131

        Post an Agenda 133

        Principles 134

        Set a Timer 134

        Utilize Strong Verbs 135

        Don’t Be Afraid to Dipstick 136

        Small Teaching Quick Tips: Mapping 136

        Conclusion 137

        8 Putting It All Together: Jennessa Burks, Grade 4 Teacher 141

        Part III Transforming: Balance and Agility 147

        9 Growing 151

        What’s the Theory? 154

        In Short 157

        Models 157

        Reward Growth 157

        Give Growth-Language Feedback 160

        Promote Success Strategies 162

        Principles 163

        Design for Growth 164

        Communicate for Growth 164

        Feedback for Growth 164

        Small Teaching Quick Tips: Growing 165

        Conclusion 165

        10 Motivating 167

        What’s the Theory? 172

        In Short 175

        Models 176

        Positive Recognition 178

        Tell Great Stories 180

        Invoke Self-Transcendent Purpose 181

        Share Your Enthusiasm 182

        Show Compassion 183

        Principles 184

        Acknowledge the Emotions in the Room 185

        Make It Social 185

        Let Your Enthusiasm Show 185

        Small Teaching Quick Tips: Motivating 186

        Conclusion 186

        11 Expanding 191

        Models, Principles, and Resources 194

        Project-Based Learning 194

        Community Service Learning 196

        Games and Simulations 199

        Resources 204

        Small Teaching Quick Tips: Expanding 207

        Conclusion 207

        12 Putting It All Together: Matt Halpern, Kindergarten Teacher and Literacy Consultant 211

        13 Conclusion 217

        References 221

        Index 237

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