This paperback edition, with a new introduction, offers a powerful, compelling, and unassailable argument for reforming America's schooling methods and ideas--by one of America's most important educators, and author of the bestselling Cultural Literacy. For over fifty years, American schools have operated under the assumption that challenging children academically is unnatural for them, that teachers do not need to know the subjects they teach, that the learning "process" should be emphasized over the facts taught. All of this is tragically wrong. Renowned educator and author E. D. Hirsch, Jr., argues that, by disdaining content-based curricula while favoring abstract--and discredited--theories of how a child learns, the ideas uniformly taught by our schools have done terrible harm to America's students. Instead of preparing our children for the highly competitive, information-based economy in which we now live, our schools' practices have severely curtailed their ability, and desire, to learn. With an introduction that surveys developments in education since the hardcover edition was published, The Schools We Need is a passionate and thoughtful book that will appeal to the millions of people who can't understand why America's schools aren't educating our children.

Build a lasting foundation for math proficiency right from the start The "math" is on the wall: unless our youngest mathematicians have a solid understanding of number sense, they have little hope of mastering the higher math that lies ahead. This essential resource helps you identify where K-3 students are likely to struggle, and then intervene with smart, targeted instruction. The authors provide: Teaching strategies that build number sense skills, including quantity and cardinality, fact fluency, and more Adaptations for students with specific needs, based on an RTI approach Guidance on measuring number sense through assessments User-friendly charts, tables, and sample math problems

The Standards for Mathematical Practice promise to elevate students' learning of math from knowledge to application and bring rigor to math classrooms. Here, the authors unpack each of the eight Practices and provide a wealth of practical ideas and activities to help teachers quickly integrate them into their existing math program.

How do we teach with rigor to our youngest learners? How do we implement standards that spell out quite clearly what students must know--but do not give us either the methods or materials that help our students achieve such skills? This professional resource provides practical routines and developmentally appropriate activities that foster an environment where our youngest learners can thrive in mastering core kindergarten content along with the Common Core standards. The routines and activities in this book have been thoroughly classroom-tested and aligned with best practices. The authors show you how to create a magical kindergarten environment that creates a community of confident learners full of excitement and enthusiasm!

As she did for reading in the bestselling "Common Core Lesson Book, " Owocki empowers teachers with information and proven practices. She breaks the writing anchor standards into manageable chunks, emphasizing differentiation, engagement, and writing for authentic purposes.