Today, it is more essential than ever that students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become college and career ready. There is a nationwide focus on the skills and strategies students need in order to be successful. At the core are the assessments currently in circulation. From the Classroom to the Test: How to Improve Student Achievement on the Summative ELA Assessments is a comprehensive book to help educators of grades 3-8 support students in these efforts. It provides information for adjusting instruction to enhance reading comprehension, close reading, vocabulary development, writing and media skills, speaking and listening, and much more. Sample tests for each grade level rounds out this resource.

The guide school leaders need to reap the rewards of education’s most exciting new trend. Flipping classrooms—using class time for hands-on learning and "off loading" the lecture portion of lessons to teacher-created videos or other technology presentations assigned as homework—is taking schools by storm. But like all hot trends, it is important to apply this innovation intelligently, especially at the system-wide level. This book makes a persuasive case to leaders for the potential benefits of flipping. Backed by powerful data and compelling anecdotes, this book covers: Data on positive student outcomes in terms of achievement and motivation How flipping gives teachers more time to work with students one-on-one and encourage peer learning Ways flipping can benefit teacher learning and collaboration Why flipping encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning How flipping engages students in 21st century skills Ways flipping is budget and resource-friendly With this book, you can take a major step towards the future of education, utilizing technology and advanced understanding of how students learn best. "Flipped classrooms empower teachers to engage students in deeper learning. This book gives readers ten reasons for joining forces to make this possibility a reality." —Tom Carroll, President National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future "I highly recommend this book for any educator interested in flipping the classroom to reinvent the learning process. The stories show how flipping is energizing teachers and students—with powerful results!" —Lisa Schmucki, Founder and CEO edweb.net

Shows teachers how and why they should bring play into the classroom to make learning meaningful, relevant, and fun. Research studies show that all students—young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural—benefit immensely from classrooms filled with art, creativity, and laughter. Fun, playfulness, creative thinking, and individual expression reinforce positive experiences, which in turn lead to more engaged students, better classroom environments, and successful learning outcomes. Designed for K-12 educators, The Playful Classroom describes how teachers can develop a playful mindset for giving students meaningful, relevant and fun learning experiences. This unique real-world guide provides you with everything you need to incorporate engaging, hands-on lessons and creative activities, regardless of the level and subject you teach. Building on contemporary and seminal works on learning theory and play pedagogy, the authors explain how to inspire your students by bringing play. into your classroom. This clear, user-friendly guide supplies practical strategies and effective solutions for adding the missing ingredients to your classroom culture. Access to the authors’ companion website provides videos, learning experiences, and downloadable teaching and learning resources. Packed with relatable humor, proven methods, and valuable insights, this book enables you to: Provide meaningful experiences that will benefit students both in school and later in life Combine the principles of PLAY with traditional curricula to encourage creative learning Promote trust, collaboration, and growth in students Develop a playful mindset for bringing the arts into every lesson Foster critical thinking in any school community The Playful Classroom: The Power of Play for All Ages is a must-have resource for K-12 educators, higher education professionals, and readers looking for education-based professional development and training resources.

The monumental bestseller Quiet has been recast in a new edition that empowers introverted kids and teens Susan Cain sparked a worldwide conversation when she published Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. With her inspiring book, she permanently changed the way we see introverts and the way introverts see themselves. The original book focused on the workplace, and Susan realized that a version for and about kids was also badly needed. This book is all about kids' world—school, extracurriculars, family life, and friendship. You’ll read about actual kids who have tackled the challenges of not being extroverted and who have made a mark in their own quiet way. You’ll hear Susan Cain’s own story, and you’ll be able to make use of the tips at the end of each chapter. There’s even a guide at the end of the book for parents and teachers. This insightful, accessible, and empowering book, illustrated with amusing comic-style art, will be eye-opening to extroverts and introverts alike.

All parents will tell you they learn as much from their children as their children learn from them. This truth is poignantly captured in Raising Dad: What Fathers & Sons Learn from Each Other by father-son authors Thom and Art Rainer.It was Art’s idea to write from a grown child’s perspective this tribute to his father’s successes as a parent. Inviting his father Thom to write postscripts to these reflections, another tender truth emerged. Dad’s memories about his own performance aren’t nearly as rose colored, giving those who read the book great inspiration to never stop growing and learning as a parent.All told, Raising Dad shares unforgettable lessons about faith, friendship, commitment, honesty, priorities—all the things that matter most in life between parents and children.