Written expressly for preschool teachers, this engaging book explains the "whats," "whys," and "how-tos" of implementing best practices for instruction in the preschool classroom. The authors show how to target key areas of language and literacy development across the entire school day, including whole-group and small-group activities, center time, transitions, and outdoor play. Detailed examples in every chapter illustrate what effective instruction and assessment look like in three distinct settings: a school-based pre-kindergarten, a Head Start center with many English language learners, and a private suburban preschool. Helpful book lists, charts, and planning tools are featured, including reproducible materials.

The third edition of Building Blocks provides readers with a framework for successful and meaningful inclusion of preschoolers with special needs. Like the first two editions, the third edition offers teachers effective, research-based instructional practices to promote learning in inclusive classrooms. The authors have updated existing content and added new content to reflect current thinking in the field.

A student's entire journey along the educational spectrum is affected by what occurs—and, crucially, by what does not occur—before the age of eight or nine. Yet early learning has never received the attention it deserves and needs. In his latest book, education expert Gene Maeroff takes a hard look at early learning and the primary grades of schooling. Building Blocks offers a concrete and groundbreaking strategy for improving early education. Filled with colorful descriptions and anecdotes from Maeroff's visits to schools around the country, Building Blocks creates a rich portrait of education in America, ranging from math lessons imported from Singapore in Massachusetts to serious but joyful kindergartens in California. He speaks of the need for schools to prepare for the burgeoning enrollment of youngsters from immigrant families and for all children to acquire the habits and dispositions that will make them committed and productive students. Maeroff issues a call to action for policy makers and parents alike.

Everyday Succes(R) for prekindergarten promotes learning in basic skills, math, and reading. Activities address letter recognition, numbers and counting, patterns, time, money, shapes, and opposites. Take learning One Step Further! To support independent thinking and discovery, Everyday Success offers a continuation of each learning activity beyond the pages of the workbook. Your child can actively apply what he or she is learning while having fun at the same time! In addition, each workbook contains a complete answer key to support your young learner.

Sharing high-quality storybooks and nonfiction books not only is enjoyable for young children and teachers—it is also a powerful way to build crucial literacy skills. This engaging guide provides effective strategies for selecting books and using read-alouds to develop children's oral language, vocabulary, concepts of print, alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, and comprehension. Illustrated with rich examples from diverse classrooms, the book takes teachers step by step through planning and setting goals for read-alouds, as well as reflecting on each lesson to inform future instruction. Helpful planning templates can be reproduced for repeated use; the large-size format facilitates photocopying.

Filled with clear explanations and doable strategies, this book helps PreK-2 teachers juggle the demands of planning effective instruction and creating a literacy-rich classroom environment. Realistic vignettes illustrate how to set goals, develop standards-based curricula and assessments, establish routines, and organize the classroom space and the daily schedule. The authors demonstrate the nuts and bolts of building an exemplary classroom library and professional teaching library, collaborating as a team with other teachers and specialists, preparing report cards, and communicating with families. Several reproducible forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

A new book in the Knowledge Essential series, School Success for Children with Special Needs offers parents a guide for understanding and navigating the often-confusing special education system to ensure that your child gets the best education possible. It tells you: How to know if your child has a physical, learning, or emotional disability How the latest changes to the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) effect your child's education How to help formulate your child's Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP) Information on the many ways schools and teachers can accommodate for children with disabilities How to assess our child's progress How can you help your child be successful at school and in life by reinforcing basic skills at every age How to plan for transitioning your child to the wider world The kind of paperwork you can expect to encounter