Product Description
The right kinds of tests, correctly applied, can help every teacher become a better teacher. But unless you know the nuts and bolts of effective test design and application, you may be collecting the wrong data; misinterpreting data; and drawing off-base conclusions about what students know and can do, what to teach next, and how effective your instruction has been.

In Test Better, Teach Better, assessment expert W. James Popham explores the links between assessment and instruction and provides a jargon-free look at classroom and large-scale test construction, interpretation, and application. Featuring sample items, testing tips, and recommended resources, this "crash course" in instructionally focused assessment includes

* The four types of instructional decisions that testing will illuminate.
* What you really need to know about measurement concepts like validity, reliability, and bias.
* The advantages and disadvantages of various test formats and experience-based rules for creating great items in each.
* The benefits of assessing student affect and guidelines for doing it in your own classroom.

In addition, Popham offers practical advice for dealing with today's myriad testing targets and explains how standards-based achievement tests currently don't (but could) provide both accountability evidence and useful instructional information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Enthusiastically recommended reading for classroom educators
Test Better, Teach Better: The Instructional Role Of Assessment is an informative guideline by W. James Popham (Professor Emeritus, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies) to using test data to improve classroom instructor's ability to educate children and prepare them for the future. From the often-misused value of standardized achievement tests; to applying tests judiciously in order to clarify one's curriculum; to minimizing bias and taking it into account, and more, Test Better, Teach Better is enthusiastically recommended reading for classroom educators dedicated to utilizing every means at their disposal to improve the academic abilities of their students regardless of the subject matter being taught. Also highly recommended is the Association For Supervision And Curriculum Development website at www.ascd.org ... Read more

Product Description
This is a comprehensive guide to the requirements for achieving Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status. This textbook is a complete guide to achieving QTLS. Key themes of teaching and learning are explored in the context of the lifelong learning sector, showing how these two processes are inextricably linked and how to apply these theories to practice. Each chapter contains: a map showing links to QTLS standards; formative activities to encourage practical application of the chapter content; case studies providing real-life examples; self-assessment questions enabling readers to test their knowledge and understanding; and, further reading references for those wishing to explore the themes in greater depth. This textbook is essential reading for anyone training to teach in the lifelong learning sector. ... Read more

Product Description
Finding a Voice is devoted primarily to people learning to teach who are writing for other newly qualified teachers. It is all about showing that others have had similar experiences and survived. Student teachers will be able to relate to the stories of their peers, which will provide the support and encouragement they need to pass on to their own students. ... Read more

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This brand-new text is essential reading for anyone training to teach in the learning and skills sector. It takes a pragmatic approach, relating theory to real practice through a wealth of cases, illustrations and interactive tasks in every chapter. The text offers clear, accessible and highly practical guidance and support, whether you are at the beginning of your training or already qualified, needing to update your skills and wanting recognition as Qualified to Teach: Learning and Skills (QTLS). ... Read more

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Never Too Old To Teach is the heartwarming story of a middle-aged man's first year of teaching high school after spending twenty years in a corporate cubicle. Written in a humorous, straightforward style with minimal technical jargon, this book provides richly detailed accounts of events, lessons, and conversations that actually occurred in the author's special education English classroom. Neil M. Goldman's accounts are accompanied by narratives and reflections that give the reader insight into the true nature of teaching high school English to a diverse student body with learning disabilities, covering issues such as maintaining classroom control, establishing student rapport, effective curriculum development, collaboration with families, the benefits of teaching in middle age, and other current education issues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

I'm not a teacher, and I loved it!
I just finished this book last week and I really enjoyed it.The anecdotes are sometimes laugh-out-loud funny and sometimes really make you think of the state of education in this country.The author isn't afraid to tackle controversial realities of the classroom and share how he handled various difficult situations.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is considering becoming a teacher, wants to know more about the education system or just wants to enjoy a humorous and enlightening read.

Wonderful and inspiring book!
Mr. Goldman's book was an inspiring read.As a teacher myself, I was able to associate with his students and situations.If you are someone that is thinking of a career change, this book will certainly get you thinking about being a teacher!Mr. Goldman is a talented writer with a gift for story telling and seeing the silver lining in all things education!Way to go Mr. Goldman!

A real teachers book
I work in a high school, and I thought that Goldmans book is highly realistic.You don't need to be a teacher to enjoy the many stories about what it's like to really work with high school students with disabilities.He also captures what it's like to teach in a middle age, and does it with a lot of humor.My favorite chapter is Chocolate Brownies.

An excellent blend of humor and reality
Goldman's use of real-life examples, personal reflections, and a willingness to expose the self doubt that we all have makes Never Too Old to Teach a book that reaches across occupational boundaries. You don't have to be a teacher to enjoy his writing. I often found myself recalling similar incidents in my own school many years ago, and now I have a new take on some fine old memories. His conversational style and relaxed easy-going manner make this an easy and enjoyable read. Highly recommended.

never too old to teach
"Never too Old to Teach" gives an insight into the classrooms of America. I am currently working in the accounting field but was interested in other professions. I brought this book and could not put it down. The writing is clear, humorous and one does not have to be a teacher to enjoy. The stories of Mr. Goldman and his students provide the backbone of the book and are memorable and sometimes, laugh out loud funny. I would recommend this to any teacher and parent, ... Read more

Product Description
This study examines the relationships among seventh-grade students' achievement scores, attitudes toward instructional approaches, empathy scales, and the transfer of skills between traditional versus multisensory education. The Learning Style Inventory (LSI) was employed to determine learning-style preferences. The data collected in this study was subjected to statistical analyses, supporting the use of a multisensory, rather than a traditional, approach for teaching lessons of the Holocaust. ... Read more

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Learning to Teach Adults is an indispensable guide for anyone who teaches, or is planning to teach adults. This comprehensive yet light-hearted book gives sensible advice on the business of teaching and training, and is relevant for any subject taught, be it archery or zoology. Writing with passion and humour, the author provides helpful tips, ideas and practical examples throughout.

Topics include:

• adult learners and learning styles;
• teaching methods and techniques;
• course and lesson planning;
• student motivation and participation;
• dealing with awkward situations.

Fully updated the new edition includes vital new sections on assessment, teaching students with learning difficulties and the impact of new technologies on teaching and learning. This engaging and accessible book is essential reading for anyone teaching adults for the first time. It is also a useful reminder of good practice for experienced teachers and trainers and a helpful refresher for anyone returning to teaching after a career break.

Product Description
Having worked with "at-risk" students for over 20 years, author Liz Breaux knows "we cannot teach our students until we reach them." This book demonstrates how –- by providing typical situations, along with "What Works", followed by "What Doesn't Work". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent ideas on how to improve your teaching
I was in the midst of doing classroom observations and puzzled by the lack of control the teachers had over their students when I decided to look for some books to guide me through my experience.I cannot express how glad I am that I happened upon this particular one.As I read through it, I observed the teachers doing things EXACTLY as Elizabeth Breaux describes in terms of "what works" and "what doesn't work" and found that the author was right on target in her theories.

This book was incredibly helpful to me as a future teacher with limited experience in the classroom, and I definitely plan to reread it several times as I begin my journey as a teacher.

Extremely Satisfied!
I love this book!I have been teaching for fourteen years and this is one of the best books I have read on teaching. I recommend this book to any teacher whether they have been teaching for 1 year or 20!Lots of good, sensible ideas for management.

Highly recommended.
Elizabeth Breaux shares her 20 years of experience with "at-risk" students in How to Reach & Teach All Students - Simplified, a guide for teachers that emphasizes the importance of being able to connect with students in order to effectively instruct them. Chapters discuss how to make a good first impression, the power of accentuating the positive through thanks and praise, the importance of being sufficiently assertive to keep control of one's classroom and enforcing consequences, how to avoid power struggles, successful real-life teaching strategies, using rubrics for assessment, and much more. Each chapter has sections devoted to simply "what works" and "what doesn't work", making How to Reach & Teach All Students - Simplified readily accessible and to-the-point for teachers of all skill and experience levels. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
Ever wonder what would happen if you stopped teaching your lessons? You might be surprised. If you want your students to learn more and you to work less, then this book provides you with all the arguments and evidence you need to become a lazy, but outstanding teacher. Gathered from over 10 years of experience in the classroom, this handbook of tried-and-tested techniques shifts the emphasis away from teaching and onto learning, and makes your life so much easier in the process. Sick of planning lessons? Get the students to plan them for you. (After all, personalized learning can't involve 30 lesson plans!). This powerful little book is packed full of easy-to-apply and highly effective strategies. What's more, they all have the seal of approval by real students in real classrooms. In fact, many of them have been created by the students themselves, but that s why Jim Smith is called the Lazy Teacher. So, next time someone says to you to 'get a life,' this book will make it possible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lazy Teacher's Handbook
Written in a quite humorous style about a very serious topic - building child centred learning for your students. It
s not a "how to"" book, but gives plenty of examples and rationale why a teacher should make the kids do the work in the classroom. making the teacher the resource person, guide and facilitator.The illustrations are quite amusing - I especially liked marking RIP :). An excellent resource to turn your learning environment into something dynamic for yourself and your students. ... Read more

Product Description
This best-selling text provides comprehensive coverage of general teaching methods and models. The most balanced text in its field, Learning to Teach strikes a harmony by integrating its researched-based foundations with practical consideration and opportunity for real world application.The text provides strong coverage of both teacher-centered (Part 3) and student-centered models (Part 4).The eighth edition contains expanded discussions on diversity and differentiation, and new content on constructivist perspectives on research, teaching and learning.By covering all major teaching models plus the leadership skills of teaching, such as planning, classroom management, assessment, motivation, and use/management of time and space, Learning to Teach educates future teachers on the theory of successful education as well as the implementation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

NO RESPONSE
I received the book very quickly which was nice. However my professor decided not to use this book anymore so I e-mailed the sender twice to see how to return it and what their policy was. I didn't receive a reply either time. Now I'm stuck with the book and wasted my money.

Practical
This book is practical and helpful.I always think text books are over priced though.

Learning to Teach Review
The textbook came in in great condition. No bends, no tears, no nothing. It was excellent.

Well Done
The book was shipped as directed and I received it quickly. I had to return the book and the return procedure was done well between myself and the seller. Great seller!!

Learning to Teach (Paperback)
Great book, great price. I received it with the cd, although I have not tried the cd yet. Highly recommend the book for anyone enrolled in a teaching program. ... Read more

Product Description

This comprehensive new textbook provides valuable support to student teachers on primary ITT, BEd and PGCE courses. It provides a sound and practical introduction to the teaching skills as well as the underlying theory.

Written by experts in primary school teaching, the book is divided into twenty-three sections and covers:

• becoming a teacher
• exploring the nature of learning
• planning for learning
• approaches to the curriculum
• recent developments in primary education
• diversity and inclusion
• assessment
• partnership in practice
• your professional development.

Each chapter contains a brief introduction to the key concepts, issues and skills, and provides learning activities in the form of tasks. Annotated lists of further reading are included for students who want to explore topics in more detail.

This major textbook is essential reading for all students training to be primary school teachers, including those on BA (QTS), BEd and PGCE courses, as well as those on flexible PGCE courses, those on Graduate Registered Training courses, and those studying Education Studies.

Product Description
In this second edition, the author illustrates each commandment with real-life classroom experiences and offers concrete guidance for staying enthusiastic and committed to excellence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Inspirational
"The Eleven Commandments of Good Teaching" was easy to read and full of down to earth practical advice.Undoubtedly, new high school teachers will find Vickie Gill's advice based on her own experiences helpful.As a veteran teacher, I found the message of "focusing on the students and their needs" to be inspirational.

An Inspirational and Practical Pep Talk for Teachers
Reading this book made me excited about being a teacher.Gill's ideas are so practical and so ... USEABLE.In fact, after reading each chapter I'd have to get out a notebook to write down the many tips suggestions I didn't want to forget.I have highlighted or underlined passages on practically every page.As a young teacher, I utilized as many of Gill's suggestions as I could, and it made teaching a great deal more enjoyable because I felt like I was prepared -- I was armed with her tools -- I could handle everything that came my way.

If you are a new teacher you must get this book!It will help you as much or more than all the teaching courses you ever took in college.If you are an experienced teacher who needs a pep-talk to reinvigorate your enthusiasm about your profession, this book is also for you.

I found the chapters about organization and classroom discipline especially helpful.

I have also seen Vickie Gill present her strategies at a seminar.She is a funny, down-to-earth, and dynamic speaker.If your school has a lot of young teachers, or if the faculty needs a shot in the arm, get your administrator or school district to bring Gill in to inspire your teachers.She is a terrific mentor. ... Read more

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Change your practices to close achievement gaps! Develop action plans for promoting culturally relevant curriculum and environments, social-political consciousness, and student involvement. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Packs in fine keys to understanding
Carl A. Grant's TEACH! CHANGE! EMPOWER! SOLUTIONS FOR CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS provides an excellent survey of strategies for teachers on how to reflect on their beliefs about diversity and turn these thoughts into actions. From caring with a sociopolitical consciousness within the education structure to cooperative professional development for staff and teachers alike, this packs in fine keys to understanding.
... Read more

Product Description
A volume in Literacy, Language, and LearningSeries Editor Patricia Ruggiano Schmidt,Our goal in writing this book was to validate teachers for strong efforts in their life's work. We often observeteachers' frustrations with what they perceive to be a multitude of different "hot topics" in education that theymust attend to now, but which they expect to come and go, like the last "hot topics." So, we wanted to helpreaders see similarities between many of these "hot topics"-differentiation, multiple intelligences, culturallyresponsive teaching, "brain-friendly" strategies, authentic assessment, and ethical classroom management-which we feel are not "flashes in the pan." And we trust that serious practitioners will not oversimplify thefindings of neuroscientists and their application to education. Reading studies and books by scientists, a numberof which are user-friendly, can help ensure that teachers separate the hype from credible information. We have seen this professionally judiciousapproach in the work of graduate students (Kolinski, 2007) in adopting "brain-friendly" strategies.We have intentionally packed both theoretical/research-based and practical information in this book because professional educators want to know whythey should use certain approaches, models, and strategies. In turn, as professionals, we should be able to explain why we teach the way we do-not tojustify, but to educate others about our knowledge-based, reflective, decision-making processes and the impact on student learning. Thus, it is importantto read Chapter 1 because it lays a foundation.Each succeeding chapter (2-6) has unique and compelling twists and turns-chock full of ideas to use or to adapt. It is possible to gain lots of ideas,processes, and strategies from reading and implementing (or adapting) even one of the unit chapters, or a part of it. While some of the units are explicitlyabout literacy, others focus on content using reading, writing, speaking, and listening as critical in the learning process. Thus, literacy skills arereinforced and strengthened. Additionally, some of our colleagues and public school partners havegiven us feedback that they wanted to implement some of the units and activities themselves. So, feelfree to use this book for self-exploration and professional development. ... Read more

Product Description
You will discover all kinds of suggestions for writing with your students, using short games for review and assessment, creating instant interactive bulletin boards, questioning kids in ways that include everyone, and so much more.

Sit down with this book for five minutes, and find ideas you can use in your classroom today! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Taking a fresh look.
I have taught for more than 20 years now and every summer I try to catch up on some professional reading with ideas to implement in the coming school year. This book made me realize how important these two parts of the day are and how easily they could be improved.

Good Ideas
A good book with ideas to start your morning meetings in primary grades. I used several ideas from the book and inter-twined them with my already used schedule. ... Read more

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Product Description
Looking for some quick and easy language-arts activities to inspire and motivate your students? These ingenious ideas appeal to students' enthusiasm for games, parades, race cars, their own names, and much more. The activities cost little or nothing. They engage young learners. And they work! This book will help you:
* Introduce students to reading strategies they can use across the curriculum.
* Appeal to a wide range of learning styles and skill levels.
* Give those "can`t-sit-still" students a reason to be moving with a purpose.
* Help them make connections so they'll retain what they learn.
Activities require minimal prep time and very few special materials, so this book is great for those days when you need last-minute inspiration! Reproducibles included.
(Grades K-6) ... Read more