"Presents an abundance of effective strategies for adapting instruction such that children with disabilities, those who exhibit behavioral or motivational problems, or those who speak a language different from English will succeed in every classroom. If American schools are truly to educate all children well, then all teachers need to use these powerful ideas for differentiating instruction effectively. This text provides the tool kit every elementary teacher needs to achieve this goal." —Richard Allington, Professor of Education University of Tennessee, Knoxville Proven strategies to put struggling students on the path to success! Teachers have the power to change lives, particularly for struggling learners who have difficulty understanding how education broadens their future opportunities. This book offers educators a deeper awareness of the role they play in breaking the cycle of failure for students who are unsuccessful in school. Written in a supportive tone, this volume helps elementary school teachers effectively reach and teach struggling students. With real-life vignettes, in-depth case studies, and reflective practice scenarios and questions, this book includes: A broad spectrum of alternative instructional strategies for all learners, including fostering parental involvement, multi-tiered instruction, peer learning models, and universal design for learning Effective approaches for fostering student success before a child is referred to special education Practices and programs that address the needs of at-risk populations, including English language learners, children living in poverty, and learners with disabilities Specific interventions and positive support for learners with behavioral challenges Promising Practices for Elementary Teachers is an empowering resource for educators determined to bring hope and encouragement to all learners.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Who Belongs in School? Why Are Struggling Students in General Education Classes? Who Are the Students that Struggle in School? Closing Thoughts 2. Prevention as Intervention: Building a Sense of Community Creating a Sense of Community in Diverse Classes Classroom Practices That Foster Sense of Community Closing Thoughts 3. Motivation as Intervention Student Motivation Closing Thoughts 4. Parent Involvement Is Worth the Effort Parental Involvement Efforts Can Be Successful What Does Effective Parental Involvement Look Like? Family Literacy Programs Closing Thoughts 5. Understanding Challenging Behavior in the Classroom Classroom-Level Prevention Strategies Classroom-Level Interventions for Challenging Behaviors Closing Thoughts 6. Universal Design for Learning Implementing Universal Design for Learning Assumptions of Universal Design for Learning Developing UDL Instructional Materials Closing Thoughts 7. Dialogue and Instructional Conversation as an Instructional Strategy Teaching as an Act of Assisting Students Transforming Classroom Discourse Into Instructional Conversation Including Children Who Are English Language Learners or Non-oral Communicators Closing Thoughts 8. Peer-Assisted Learning Models of Instruction Peer-Assisted Learning Models Closing Thoughts 9. Differentiating Instruction Understanding the Range of Achievement in the Room Response to Intervention Disaggregating Student Achievement Within the Classroom Closing Thoughts References Index