Synopses & Reviews
Classrooms that Spark!
Keep the Fires of Learning Burning Bright Year After Year!
Authors Emma McDonald and Dyan Hershmanfounders of Inspiring Teachersoffer encouraging messages in a conversational style that will help you nurture the spark of learning in your classroom. This complete resource includes a wealth of strategies, ready-to-implement ideas, reproducible forms, and real-life classroom vignettes. Winner of the Teacher's Choice Award for the first edition, this completely revised edition is full of classroom-tested tools on essential topics like:
Keeping organized: how to manage your electronic files, your papers, and your binders
Setting-up your digital classroom: classroom blogs, Wiki space, and Twitter
Terrific activities to boost student engagement and motivation
Getting parents involved and excited with newsletters, emails, and a classroom Web site
Praise for Classrooms that Spark!
"Veteran teachers Emma McDonald and Dyan Hershman have assembled a treasure chest of practical teaching techniques built on a solid foundation of theory. In their friendly, practical tone, the authors offer hundreds of easy and effective ideas on everything from classroom organization and management to working with parents. Whether you have been in the classroom for thirty years or one, Classrooms that Spark! is sure to enrich your teaching repertoire and breathe new life into your classroom."
Judy Yero, author, Teaching in Mind: How Teacher Thinking Shapes Education
"A wonderful collection of practical and easy-to-implement ideas for all teachers."
Barbara O'Brien, principal, Lake Superior Primary School, Ashland, Wisconsin
"A well-organized resource that addresses mainstream and special-needs populations. As a teacher mentor, I would order this for all our new staff. This is sure to be a 'bible' for many!'"
Shirley Ann Fukumoto, administrator/director, Auxiliary Programs, Kamuela, Hawaii
"This is one of the most comprehensive collections of tips and strategies; it takes a teacher through the critical areas of preparation for and delivery of content-rich and innovative activities for students of all grade levels. It will definitely 'light fires' for pre-service, beginning, and veteran teachers."
Debbie Meadows, professor, California State University Bakersfield, Bakersfield, California
"After teaching in the classroom for over thirty years, I have a pretty good idea of what teachers need and what they will use. Classrooms that Spark! will not only inspire the new teacher, but will provide the seasoned teacher with chapters of new ideas."
Marci Davis, teacher, Davenport Community School District Wood Intermediate, Davenport, Iowa
Published in partnership with Inspiring Teachers. Visit Inspiring Teachers at www.inspiringteachers.com.
Synopsis
Guide for teachers to keep the fires of learning burning bright year after year
No matter how long they've been teaching all teachers need new ideas to keep their classrooms organized, their students engaged and motivated, and their lesson plans sharp. This second edition of the winner of the 2006 Teacher's Choice Award, offers invaluable guidance on major topics such as organization, student engagement, assessment, creating great lesson plans, teaching with technology, and classroom management and discipline.
- Written by two compassionate veteran teachers
- Contains more than 100 reproducible forms
- Offers classroom tested organizing tips, lesson plans, and assessments
- Includes suggestion for motivating students and ideas for motivating parents
This is the ultimate guide for teachers who want to maintain their passion for teaching.
Synopsis
This second edition of the winner of the 2006 Teacher's Choice Award, offers invaluable guidance on major topics such as organization, student engagement, assessment, creating great lesson plans, teaching with technology, and classroom management and discipline.
About the Author
Emma S. McDonald and Dyan M. Hershman are veteran classroom teachers and founders of Inspiring Teachers. They are active educational consultants who mentor teachers around the world and lead workshops on various topics including classroom management and discipline, student motivation, the brain-based classroom, and new-teacher orientation and induction.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
Acknowledgments.
About the Authors.
Section 1: Preparing for the Fire.
Chapter 1. Preparations: Organization and More.
Chapter 2. Creating a Balanced Classroom Environment.
Chapter 3. Revisiting Lesson Plans.
Chapter 4. Rethinking Assessment.
Section 2: Lighting the Fire.
Chapter 5. Great Beginnings.
Chapter 6. Learning-Centered Classrooms.
Chapter 7. Engaging Students in Learning.
Chapter 8. Making Connections: Reading & Writing Across the Curriculum.
Chapter 9. Recharging Your Math Lessons.
Section 3: Fanning the Flames.
Chapter 10. Snap, Crackle, Pop: Quick Tips for Motivating Students A-Z.
Chapter 11. Parents as Partners.
Chapter 12. The Professional Teacher.
Index.