When teachers and students are both engaged in the educational enterprise, every day has the potential to be transformative. "Lesson Planning with Purpose" takes readers on a journey through many pathways to engaging and meaningful educational experiences. The text first discusses "perceptive teaching:" the belief that teachers…

"Lesson that come easy are not lessons at all. They are gracious acts of luck. Yet lessons learned the hard way are lessons never forgotten"--Don William. The present paper illustrates how to plan effectively for teaching prose in English. The design and strategy of the lesson can be planned prior to the teaching class. Teaching prose is…

Since 1996, hundreds of teacher preparation programs and thousands of schools, school districts, and government agencies have turned to the Framework for Teaching for a better understanding of excellent instruction. The Framework's four domains, 22 components, and 78 key elements provide an expansive, holistic definition of what teachers across…

This ground-breaking book proves that Project Based Learning (PBL) does work in early childhood classrooms. Most common understandings of PBL in Pre-K through 2nd grade are rife with assumptions, misconceptions, and perceived barriers that have prevented its widespread implementation. "Implementing Project Based Learning in Early…

What should activist-scholars teach in the social problems classroom? In this conversation, I challenge the assertion that advancing a sociology of social problems is an overly academic enterprise of little use to students and other publics. I introduce the potential of a pedagogical framework for promoting social problems literacy: a set of…

To promote teaching science through inquiry, the author wanted to use his experience in the Galápagos to design a lesson that allows students to immerse themselves in the essential science and engineering practices identified in the "Next Generation Science Standards," as they ask questions; analyze and interpret data; engage in argument…

This classroom activity is based on a constructivist learning design and engages students in physically constructing a karyotype of three mock patients. Students then diagnose the chromosomal aneuploidy based on the karyotype, list the symptoms associated with the disorder, and discuss the implications of the diagnosis. This activity is targeted…

What constitutes appropriate practice in physical education? NASPE suggests the outcome of a physical education program should be that adolescents have gained the skills and knowledge to be physically active for a lifetime. Furthermore, a physically educated person consistently demonstrates responsible personal and social behavior in physical…

Drawing from 30 years of teaching and professional development experience, this book offers a roadmap for using children's literature to provide authentic learning. Featuring a "storyteller's voice," each chapter includes a case study about how a particular fiction or nonfiction work can be used in an early childhood classroom; a series of…

Understanding the concept of the sampling distribution of a statistic is essential for the understanding of inferential procedures. Unfortunately, this topic proves to be a stumbling block for students in introductory statistics classes. In efforts to aid students in their understanding of this concept, alternatives to a lecture-based mode of…

Presents an article featured in the March issue of "Mathematics Teaching" that discusses the necessary components of active learning in mathematics classrooms. Considers constructivist framework for analysis of mathematical learning activities that need to be carried out with consideration of aspects of presentation, the nature of pupils' mental…

Shares experiences of teaching probability from a constructivist perspective. Discusses the role of cognitive conflict, teaching the unit, and evaluation processes. (ASK)

Describes a constructivist approach to teaching about the phases of the moon. Addresses student misconceptions and encourages students to focus on the causes of the phases of the moon. (JRH)

Presents created letters and responses from a character representing an authority to develop ways of teaching what constructivism is and ways to address the obstacles that teachers might face in adapting a mathematics reform and constructivist approach in the classroom. Contains 16 references. (ASK)

Outlines the difficulties of conducting action research and recommends student perceptual surveys to teachers who want to do action research. Points out the importance of students' perceptions of the learning environment and student feedback for professional development. Uses the Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) to examine student…