Research studies show that all students--young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural--benefit immensely from classrooms filled with art, creativity, and laughter. Fun, playfulness, creative thinking, and individual expression reinforce positive experiences, which in turn lead to more engaged students, better classroom environments, and…

This book provides the most up-to-date research on identity safe practices and how to ensure that they occur both at home and at school. Today's schools serve students and families with a diversity of identities. While diversity enriches the school community, educators are becoming increasingly aware of the vast number of students subjected to…

Teachers play a significant role in their students' lives. To support this important work, "A Teacher's Guide to Excellence in Every Classroom" details how K-12 educators can use the Hierarchy of Instructional Excellence and the Student Excellence Support System to maximize their impact and increase student success. Discover how to build…

How do we ensure that all students are engaged each day in meaningful, challenging, and joyful work and have equal opportunity to learn? That is the central question Regie Routman addresses in "Literacy Essentials: Engagement, Excellence, and Equity for All Learners." Her response is that such an outcome is only possible within a culture…

Introducing creativity to the classroom is a concern for teachers, governments and future employers around the world, and there has been a drive to make experiences at school more exciting, relevant, challenging and dynamic for all young people, ensuring they leave education able to contribute to the global creative economy. "Creative…

This book presents a model of curriculum development for gifted students and offers four parallel approaches that focus on ascending intellectual demand as students develop expertise in learning. The parallel curriculum's four approaches include: (1) the core or basic curriculum; (2) the curriculum of connections, which expands on the core…

This second edition merges new ideas in character education research with best practices in schools and districts. The book provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive framework for K-12 administrators, educators, and concerned citizens. It offers easy access to practical and proven methods supported by in-depth rationale. The book highlights…

The decisions today's students make ripple outward to their immediate family and school community. How can teachers help students make the right decisions and do the right things? When teachers help students make the connection between character and conduct, they begin to offer students a safe environment conducive to learning. This book shows how…

This book provides information on 80 international, national, and regional academic competitions available to gifted students. An overview of characteristics of good competitions and ways to evaluate them is given. Competition and its impact on gifted and talented students are evaluated, and criteria are given for selecting and implementing…

Teaching children to meditate can improve their decision making and put them in touch with their deeper core values. Instructions for teaching children meditative techniques are presented in this book. It is suggested that the leader of the group read through the entire book before leading the children through the meditations and exercises. The…

This collection of articles is intended to demonstrate that there is solid research to justify both ability grouping and cooperative learning with gifted students and that each approach should be used judiciously to address particular student needs. Introductory material describes the philosophy and program policy of the Center for Talented Youth…

This book presents a responsive approach to assessment which recognizes and describes students' development, learning and achievement in English. It describes a model for English teaching built on the kinds of contexts, activities, and experiences which most effectively promote the learning of language, learning through language, and learning…

This book reports on the School Development Program (SDP) designed by James Comer. Known also as the Comer program, this reform effort assists underachieving urban schools by analyzing the school as a system to better understand the complex interactions occurring within this system. Favoring a variety of pedagogical approaches, the SDP focuses on…

The Boys Town Model of Education is located within the historical context of Catholic parochial education. Classroom management includes all the things teachers must do to foster student involvement and cooperation in classroom activities, not just reactions to problem behaviors. This program is designed to help teachers motivate and encourage…

This book describes the kind of education system that is needed for the future. The text originated with a study that involved 21 leaders in business, education, government, and other fields who identified more than 250 characteristics that would enhance schools' capability in preparing students for a global knowledge/information age. Followup…