This toolkit helps design teams engage in this process of implementing the "Design for Equity in Higher Education" model. For each phase of the model, this toolkit provides a short description and offers some questions and suggestions to guide practice. [For the companion report, "Design for Equity in Higher Education," see…

Asking students questions is a ubiquitous but often underestimated aspect of teaching within higher education. Questions can be used to engage students in discussion, to check their understanding, and to encourage participation or sharing of ideas. However, while it is a useful strategy to prepare a few key questions before class, many questions…

In this set of tips, parents and caregivers will learn how to: (1) support children's understanding of fractions at home with activities on dividing objects (recommended for grades K-5); (2) support children's understanding of fractions at home with measurement activities (recommended for grades K-4); (3) support children's understanding of…

Research has shown that children's levels of physical activity are set at an all-time low, which can lead to health problems such as obesity and diabetes. So, what can parents do to ensure that their child gets enough physical activity each day? This booklet answers that question and explains why the key to helping a child be more physically…

Knowing the facts is not enough. If we want students to develop intellectually, creatively problem-solve, and grapple with complexity, the key is in "conceptual understanding." A Concept-Based curriculum recaptures students' innate curiosity about the world and provides the thrilling feeling of engaging one's mind. This updated edition…

When it comes to mathematics, standards aligned is achievement aligned… In the short time since "The Common Core Mathematics Companions" for grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 burst on the scene, they have been lauded as the best resources for making critical mathematics ideas easy to teach. With this brand-new volume, high school mathematics…

One thing we know for certain: the Common Core will become yet-another failed initiative unless our curriculum provides a clear, unambiguous picture of how to teach for understanding. The solution? A concept-based curriculum. Where can you learn how to create one? "Designing a Concept-Based Curriculum in English Language Arts." Fusing…

The driving forces behind mathematics learning trajectories is the need to understand how children actually learn and make sense of mathematics--how they progress from prior knowledge, through intermediate understandings, to the mathematics target understandings--and how to use these insights to improve instruction and student learning. In this…

Reasons for the relative lack of literature dealing with spatial concepts of low-vision children are suggested, and two assumptions are seen as invalid: (1) that knowledge of spatial concepts is not important for persons with low vision and (2) that children with low vision have adequate knowledge of spatial concepts. (CL)

Research is reviewed on the use of pictures to teach concepts to handicapped children. Five general conclusions are drawn including (1) young children prefer, can recognize, and can learn concepts from pictures and outline figures and (2) pictures should be realistic and simple with an unsaturated hue to reduce distractibility. (CL)

The most efficient and pragmatic conceptual system of viewing theatre work is through a communication model. This model is opposed to two other general conceptions of theatre and drama. The first is based on the notion that drama makes aesthetic demands and has requirements of its own that the artist must meet, even though it has no existence…

To focus on the importance of concept development and metacognitive processes to the act of writing, curricular changes must be made, including shifting the emphasis from mechanics to content and meaning. Six suggestions are offered for improving the quality and quantity of the written product of learning disabled students. (CL)

For textbook reading assignments to be effective, teachers must develop well-defined procedures for making the assignments clear and relevant to the students and their experiences. Guidelines are offered. (Author/WD)

Provides teachers with an understanding of how sighted children develop concepts about print and how blind children develop concepts about braille. Prereading activities designed to extend young children's concepts about print are adapted for blind children. (HTH)

Guidelines are given for teaching basic concepts (such as "above,""least," and "different") to students who are educable mentally handicapped. Stressed is direct and systematic instruction in basic concepts as an integral part of the curriculum with concrete, representative, and abstract applications. (DB)