Changing the Way You Teach, Improving the Way Students Learn

by Giselle O. Martin-Kniep, Joanne Picone-Zocchia

With classroom-tested ideas, real-world examples, and easy-to-use activities, Giselle Martin-Kniep and Joanne Picone-Zocchia tap three decades of experience to define and describe critical teaching and learning strategies that engage students and increase achievement. Teachers at any grade level and in any subject area will gain insights into how to
* Create a rigorous, relevant, and authentic curriculum;

* Use organizing centers and make meaningful connections to lend true coherence to subject matter;

* Ask students questions that will help them retain new material and apply their knowledge in settings outside school;

* Teach students how to develop high-order skills such as an ability to affirm values, articulate beliefs, and use multiple resources in varied contexts;

* Use assessment as a system to directly engage students in revising tests and evaluating themselves;

* Incorporate evaluation tools like portfolios, checklists, and rubrics to foster and assess high-quality student work that exceeds expectations; and

* Encourage students to self-monitor progress, self-regulate behavior, appreciate unique learning preferences, and, ultimately, become informed and active 21st century citizens.
Changing the Way You Teach, Improving the Way Students Learn stresses the need to build students' capacity to learn how to learn and be strategic, self-aware participants in an ever-complex and fast-changing society. Embracing what they call our "moral imperative," the authors encourage us to help students "pursue the goals that will make them feel whole as human beings."

Genres: Teaching

179 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

No, not terribly exciting -- and no, not terribly in-depth -- but this book does provide a solid overview of the "buzz" in PD these days. What's buzzin'? Things like essential questions and guiding questions. Authenticity. Reflection. Higher-order questions. Rubrics that work for the students (heck with using them to grade -- she admits that's a bust and I agree). Portfolio types and uses. Scaffolding. Strategic learning. And so on.

I'd suggest this to teachers interested in a sampler, even though this comes from one (OK, two technically) writer. As you cannot do it all in one year (make my day if you can), you might pick up on one thing and then pursue it in other PD books that go much deeper. Inquiry, for instance, might lead you to the estimable Jeffrey Wilhelm.

Structurally, the book is divided into three sections: one if by curriculum, two if by assessment, and three if by instruction. I read it in a day with the Red Sox in the background, highlighting the good stuff whenever the Jays were up (yawn).

Anyway, it's a great book to carry to school and leave on your desk. See if a student sees it and says, "Changing the way you teach? It's about time!" ;-)

[PurplyCookie]

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