Discover how Lesson Study benefits both students and teachers. Unlike scripted curricula that strip teachers of professional decisionmaking, Lesson Study values teachers by expecting them to be agents of improvement in their own classrooms. This resource empowers readers to oppose reform efforts that minimize teacher agency by offering an…

The Texas Education Agency's (TEA) approved instrument for evaluating teachers, the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS), was the primary instrument used by 86 percent of local education agencies (LEAs) in the state and has been in place since 1997. In acknowledging the vital roles teachers play in student achievement, and based on…

A weekly plan is presented for teachers as an alternative to the more traditional spelling list and instructional techniques. Each student has an individualized spelling list featuring frequently misspelled words and content area vocabulary. Activities are designed to increase student confidence in spelling. (CB)

The "Take A Trip" system is a computerized system used to: (1) design, store, and share lessons which encourage higher order thinking; (2) construct individual/small group plans; and (3) produce instructional materials. The system provides sample course files, help files on curriculum design, and a personalized learning plan template.…

Divided into two parts, this document provides guidelines for planning performance-based instruction. Part 1 deals with the general elements of instructional planning--those decisions which should be made before a lesson plan is written. The following five chapters are included in part 1: (1) Introduction to Instructional Planning; (2) Planning…

Contracts and prescriptions can provide an effective individualized method for teaching students how to learn. A contract may be formulated by any interested party and is an agreement to achieve stated goals by a described method. Prescriptions are teacher-initiated as a result of a specific diagnosis of a student's needs. In an individualized…

This article provides a framework for systematically evaluating and adapting reading comprehension curriculum lessons for children with various reading abilities, including children with mild disabilities who are in the regular classroom. A sample checklist for evaluating reading comprehension curriculum lessons and a sample teaching format for…

This document suggests a systematic approach to the development of appropriate applied basic skills instructional materials. It is part of BASICS, a set of integrated materials developed to assist teachers, counselors, and administrators in bridging vocational and academic skills. Section 1 discusses the prerequisites to development of materials.…

Presents a lesson-planning model for coteaching regular and special educators which is intended to guide planning for group and individual student needs simultaneously. The model involves a common theme topic and distinguishes among objectives, activities, and assessments that are either for all students, for most students, or for some students.…

Multi-age education is most similar to the one-room schoolhouse approach. The teacher creates an environment for students of different ages to learn and prosper. The students, working independently and collectively to learn topics of relevance and interest, have increased self-esteem and a more positive attitude toward school. This volume looks at…

Learning centers are special areas in the classroom where students can work independently or in small groups to build a concept, explore a topic, or refine a skill. Learning centers are a way to meet the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of elementary school students through active involvement in the learning process by enabling…

This book explores alternative strategies in teaching and learning, offering an expose of how to interpret curriculum, prepare lessons, construct lesson plans, present lessons effectively, develop teacher-student relationships, and appraise lessons constructively before and after presentation. The book highlights the importance of pedagogical…

The manual is addressed to teachers, administrators, and teacher trainers helping students learn through a non-native language by integrating language and content. This audience may include English-as-a-Second-Language, bilingual education, or content (e.g., science, math, social studies) teachers with limited-English-proficient students in…

Written for teachers, coordinators, and supervisors, this manual describes the structural content of Project SELEP (Survival Skills in English Learning Experience Program). It indicates areas of concern in planning, establishing, and evaluating classes emphasizing survival skills for daily living appropriate for the foreign born adult in an…