Are you looking for an engaging and accessible resource to support your understanding of classroom instruction? This authors of this text provide you with engaging narrative that brings K-12 classrooms to life. A reflective planning model introduced in the beginning of the text helps you make the important connection between planning and addressing curriculum standards.  In addition to reflective teaching, this edition explores classroom management, diversity, standards, curriculum and lesson planning, active and authentic learning, technology in education, assessment, and working in the school community.  Because this edition also pays specific attention to professional standards (INTASC, curriculum standards, and Praxis II) you will gain confidence as you prepare for a career in teaching.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Reflective Action in Teaching Definitions of Reflective Thinking and Action Reflective Action Builds on Withitness Withitness Reflective Action as it Relates to Withitness National Standards Reflecting on Your Ethics and Principles A Graphic Model of reflective Action in Teaching Communicating With Parents Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 2: Creating a Safe, Healthy, and Happy Classroom The First Week of School Diana’s Reflective Process Strategies Designed to Meet Student Needs Planning for the First Day of School Teacher’s Body Language Establishing Rules and Consequences Using Positive Consequences and Rewards Reflective Action Case Study Classroom Meetings Issues in Classroom Management             Economic and Social Differences May Cause Varied Expectations of Students             Cheating by Students and Teachers Establishing Two-Way Communication with Parents Teaching Students How to Resolve Conflicts Reflective Action Case Study Scheduling Time for Active Learning             Daily and Weekly Schedules             Planning Time Communicating with Parents Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 3: Lesson Planning and Sequencing Clarifying Educational Goals and Outcomes Writing Useful and Appropriate Outcome Statements Writing Objectives o Fit Goals and Outcome Statements Educational Objectives Planning for Higher Level Thinking Planning Lessons for Active learning Predicting Possible Outcomes of Your Lesson Plans Varying Objectives for Students with Special Needs Writing a Well Organized Lesson Plan A Lesson Plan Model Sequencing Objectives in School Subjects             Sequencing Objectives in Mathematics             Sequencing Objectives in Language Arts             Sequencing Objectives in Science             Sequencing Objectives in Social Studies Sample Lesson Plans             Sample First Grade Lesson Plan             Sample Science Lesson Plan Long Term Curriculum Planning An Example of a Middle School Plan for Mathematics Collaborative Long-Term Planning High School Teachers Collaborate in Long-Term Planning Communicating With Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 4: Planning Curriculum Units Planning Curriculum Units Diane Leonard’s First 3 Months at School How School Curricula Are Planned             National Standards and Federal Mandates             State Standards are the Basis for Curriculum Planning             Other Influences that Affect Curriculum Planning Evaluation and Use of Textbooks Planning Thematic Units to Fit Your Curriculum Deciding on a Unit Focus Creating a Curriculum Unit Using reflective Action Sequencing Learning Experiences Designing the Curriculum to Reflect Multicultural Values Planning Curriculum for a Multicultural Bilingual Classroom Time Lines that Fit Your Goals and Outcome Statements Examples of Thematic Units             A Multi-disciplinary Primary Unit             A Fourth Grade Social Studies/Literature Unit             A Middle School Mathematics Unit             A Science Unit at Yellowstone Park Long Range Planning for Unit Study             Language Arts Planning for the Primary Grades Communicating With Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 5: Assessing Students’ Diverse Needs Language Acquisition and the Classroom Teacher Language Scaffolding The Stages of Language Acquisition Five Factors in Meeting the Needs of Diverse Students The Forgotten Minority Interactive Goal Setting Building Self-Esteem and Intrinsic Motivation The Enhancing Effects of Success Reforming Schools to Provide Multicultural Values Using Assessment Devices to Identify Student Needs Interpreting Data from Students’ Cumulative Folders Avoid Labeling Students Authentic Assessment for a Diverse Student Body Placement and Grouping Decisions Performance Sampling Communicating With Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 6: Establishing a Basis for Active, Authentic learning Retrieval Process             Schema Theory             Advance Organizers Differentiated Instructional Strategies Presentation Skills that Increase Clarity and Motivation             Getting Students’ Attention             Enthusiasm             Clarity             Smooth Transitions             Timing             Variation             Interaction Systematic Classroom Instruction             Direct Instruction of New Knowledge and Skills             Teacher Modeling and Demonstrations             Structuring Tasks for Success             Matching Learning Styles and Teaching Styles             Learning Experiences Designed for Multiple Intelligences Communicating With Parents Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 7: Teaching Strategies That Increase Authentic learning Examples of Teaching Strategies in Action             Discovery Learning             Inquiry Training Role Playing             Storytelling             Simulation             Mastery Learning             Contracts for Independent learning             Group Rotations Using Learning Centers Reflective Action Case Study – Establishing Learning Centers Cooperative learning Strategies Learning Teams Enhance Achievement Cooperative learning of the Basic Skills Cooperative learning in Science Literature Circles Peacemaking Groups Creating Well-Balanced Cooperative Groups The Effects of Cooperative Learning Communicating With Parents Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 8: Engaging Students in Classroom Discussions Asking Questions that Stimulate Higher Level Thinking Strategies for Interactive Discussions Group Investigations Discussions that Promote Critical Thinking Discussions that Improve Observations Skills Discussions that Enhance Comparison Skills Discussions that Guide Classification Skills Discussions that Identify Assumptions Socratic Dialogues Discussions that Enhance Creative Thinking Discussions that Encourage Imagination and Inventiveness Prewriting Discussions Discussions that Address Multiple Intelligences Role of the teacher in Leading Discussions Communicating With Parents Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 9: Balancing Standards and Creative Activities The Importance of the Arts Encourage Creativity – Provide Materials Materials from Homes Materials from Merchants Other Sources of Materials Setting a Creative Tone Creative Atmosphere How to Encourage Creativity in Students The Self-Fulfilling Prophesy Stereotypes Stifle Creativity Ways to Demonstrate Valuing Creativity Core Attitudes in Creative Thought Creativity in the Language Arts             Email stories Creative Activities in Mathematics Creative Activities in Social Sciences Creative Activities in Science Creative Activities in the Visual and Performing Arts Humor and Creativity Styles of Humor-oriented Teaching Creativity Training Communicating With Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 10: Assessing and Reporting Student Accomplishments How teachers Select and Use Assessment Procedures Informal Observations Performance Tasks to Show Mastery of Objectives Rubric for Communication Skills and Oral Presentations Criterion-Referenced Quizzes and Tests Mastery Learning Assessment Essays Evaluated with Rubric Guidelines Oral Reports and Examinations Designing Authentic Assessment Tasks Rubrics, Checklists, and Rating Scales Learning Contracts Portfolios of Student Products Reflective Action Case Study – A Teacher’s Reflection on Portfolio Assessment Videotape Records Grading Cooperative Group Projects and Products Reporting Student Accomplishments Electronic Management Systems Computation of Grades Writing Anecdotal Records Involving Students in Evaluation Procedures Communicating With Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 11: Integrating Technology into the Curriculum Preparing Students to Thrive in a High -Tech World Using technology to Track How Teachers Meet State Standards Reasons to Incorporate Technology into Your Curriculum Managing Your Classroom With (and For) Technology Enhancing Your Instructional Strategies with Productivity Software             Word Processing Programs             Presentation Software Data Manipulation             Spreadsheets             Databases Educational Software Extending Classroom Experiences Beyond the Classroom Walls Computer-Assisted Research Projects Computer Literacy Program at Beardsley School Tracking the Return of Spring on the Internet The Advantages of Teacher to Teacher Networking Communicating With Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References   Chapter 12: Reflecting on Teaching and the School Community The Teacher’s Role in he Community No Child Left Behind Two-Way Communication with Parents Fall Open House Parent-Teacher Conferences Talking to Parents about Underachievement Through the Eyes of Parents Teaching and Learning in a Multicultural Community Visits to Students’ Homes Newsletters and Notes Telephone Calls Spring Open House and Other Special Events Community Involvement in Classroom Activities             Parents as Volunteers             Community Resources Character and Moral Education Programs Teachers Mentoring and Coaching One Another Interacting with Colleagues in Creating Professional Portfolios The Powerful Influence a Teacher Can Make Playing Catch Up Guided Group Exploration REFLECTIVE ACTION EXPERIENCES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES References