Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI): The Power of the Well-Crafted, Well-Taught Lesson

by John R. Hollingsworth, Silvia E Ybarra

A proven approach to better teaching and learning.

Hollingsworth and Ybarra have refined and extended their highly successful methods in the second edition of this invaluable bestseller. EDI helps teachers deliver well-designed lessons that significantly improve achievement for all learners. 

Written in an easy-to-read style, this updated resource provides teachers with fine-tuned strategies and samples that illustrate what EDI techniques look like in inclusive and diverse classrooms. Readers will  

• Strategies for student engagement 
• Expanded feedback strategies
• Clear alignment to standards
• A new strategy for skill development and guided practice
• Expanded information about differentiation and scaffolding 
• An online bank of more than 1000 lessons
 

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[William Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone who wants to be a teacher The $30 you spend on this book is worth more than most of your teacher ed courses, which are stuffed with theory and philosophy. This book is practical and realistic and will help you succeed in the classroom. Three pages in and I realized how much reform is needed in schools of education.

[Rieneke Ameye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hele interessante visie op onderwijs! Als dit kan geïmplementeerd worden binnen een hele school is dat heel goed. De uitleg was soms wat langdradig en heel erg veel herhaling van wat je eerder hebt gelezen maar anders verwoord, wat wat ambetant wordt.

[Kristen Stez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the most thorough and practical that I have read on the subject. I loved that it gave step-by-step (explicit:)) instructions on how to teach a direct lesson. I highly recommend this book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. It opened my idealistic teacher graduate eyes quite a bit about explicit teaching and I learned more than I did reading this book than I did at uni about how to put a successful lesson together. Wow! I can't wait to use this in my classroom next year!

[Shannyn Shuklian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one to come back to again and again. Great strategies and reminders that you think you are doing until the example and then you know it's time to step it up even more :)

[James]

A proven method for better teaching, better learning, and better test scores! This teacher-friendly book presents step-by-step guidelines for implementing the EDI method to deliver effective lessons that can significantly improve achievement for all students, including English language learners and students with special needs. The authors provide detailed sample lessons and scenarios that illustrate EDI techniques in the classroom. Teachers at all grade levels can deliver solid instruction by implementing the components of EDI: Checking for understanding Setting lesson objectives Activating prior knowledge Developing students’ skills by explaining, modeling, and demonstrating Presenting content Using guided practice

[Kevin Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really, really good model for basic, foundational teaching. It's a fairly straightforward approach, and honestly nothing too novel - but teaching today has gotten so caught up in fads and random initiatives that we've lost site of what used to be considered good, standard practice. I especially recommend this book to new teachers, as it could basically be considered a textbook approach to lesson design. But veteran educators can benefit from reading it as well. It is a technical book, so it's not one I would recommend to the general public. But if you are an educator, I can't recommend it enough.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive and detailed explanation of how to teach using Explicit Direct Instruction. Clearly presents the theory and practice in a very implementable way. I hope I still feel the same when I get a chance to put it into practice.

[Steven Kolber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting for textbook subjects, some applicable strategies to trial.

[Danny Planan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A important book for teachers to read...if you're not in the education space then I don't think it will be very interesting though.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I read this while I was a student teacher)

4.25⭐️

I genuinely did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I read this for my mentor teacher as my "professional development," and I was genuinely intrigued and fascinated by the process of EDI and how to implement it. After studying education for four years and constantly hearing about the importance of "Inquiry Based Learning," and "never lecturing or talking for more than five minutes," this book was honestly a breath of fresh air where I could say "Finally, I don't feel like a bad teacher!" I can absolutely see myself using this in my own classroom when the chance arises, and I even used some strategies in one of my classes the day after I read a few chapters.

Bravo to Silvia and John, you wrote an actually engaging PD book that contains information I can actually see myself using. Thank you.

[Julie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very step by step approach to lesson design and teaching methods.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good primer for how to teach. This book makes the argument for a more traditional approach to teaching that puts the teacher at the center of the lesson and argues against so-called student centered classrooms for K-12 education. In other words, teachers who use direct instruction are less likely to see education as driven by the natural curiosity of students and more by the teacher's greater knowledge of what students need to know. I found myself very much in agreement with the methods in this book. They are much like my own approach to teaching English as a second language. Recommended for anyone looking for good advice on how to teach.