What are the behaviors or actions that teachers take to create high quality original curricula and programs for their students? The authors have searched out the most creative and adventurous teachers they could find and have weaved their real-life stories into the text. The text shows how teachers can inspire their students while still meeting the federal, state, and local guidelines and testing standards required in today's classrooms. Chapter One begins with a new, updated Reflected Action in Teaching Model designed for teachers who are planning with standards in mind. Each chapter then begins with a new case of how a teacher has tackled a problem in this standards-based environment applying this model. Both hands-on and practical, the text also addresses how to incorporate technology in the classroom, empowering students to resolve conflicts, and preventing bullying. The real-life examples will encourage new teachers to be as reflective, creative, and independent as possible in today's teaching world.

Table of Contents

Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 1 Reflective Action in Teaching Susan reflects on her teaching relative to her students Using a Reflective Action Approach A Reflective Action Model Definitions of Reflective Thinking and Action Reflective Action Builds on Withitness Withitness Reflective Action as it Relates to Withitness Standards That Apply to Reflective Action in Teaching Reflecting on Your Ethics and Principles A Graphic Model of Reflective Action in Teaching Communication with Parents Guided Group Exploration Reflective Action Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 2 Creating a Safe, Healthy, and Happy Classroom The First Week of School Diana's Reflective Process Practical Classroom Management Strategies 2.1 Case Study: Establishing Two-Way Communication with Parents Issues in Classroom Management Case Study: Teaching Students How to Resolve Conflicts Scheduling Time for Active Learning Communicating with Parents Guided Exploration Reflective Action Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 3 Lesson Planning and Sequencing Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives Clarifying Educational Goals and Outcomes Writing Useful and Appropriate Outcome Statements Writing Objectives to Fit Goals and Outcome Statements Educational Objectives Planning for Higher Level Thinking Planning Lessons for Active Learning Planning Assessments That Fit Your Lesson's Objectives Predicting Possible Outcomes of Your Lesson Plans Varying Objectives for Students with Special Needs Writing a Well-Organized Lesson Plan A Lesson Plan Model Sequencing Objects in School Subjects Sample Lesson Plans Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 4 Planning Curriculum Units Diane Leonard's First Three Months at School How School Curricula Are Planned Evaluation and Use of Textbooks Planning Thematic Units to Fit Your Curriculum Sequencing Learning Experiences Designing the Curriculum to Reflect Multicultural Values Planning Curriculum for a Multicultural, Bilingual Classroom Timelines That Fit Your Goals and Outcome Statement Collaborative Long-Term Planning Examples of Long-Term Curriculum Planning Examples of Thematic Units Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 5 Assessing Students' Diverse Needs Language Acquisition and the Classroom Teacher Language Scaffolding The Stages in Language Acquisition Optimal Levels of Instruction Five Factors in Meeting the Needs of Diverse Students The Forgotten Minority Interactive Goal Setting Building Self Esteem and Intrinsic Motivation The Enhancing Effects of Stress Classrooms as Communities Reforming Schools to Provide Multicultural Equity Using Assessment Devices to Identify Student Needs Interpreting Data From Students' Cumulative Files Avoid Labeling Students Authentic Assessments for a Diverse Student Body Using Pre-tests to Diagnose Student Needs Placement and Grouping Decisions Performance Sampling Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 6 Establishing a Basis for Active, Authentic Learning Retrieval Process Presentation Skills That Increase Clarity and Motivation Systematic Classroom Instruction Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 7 Teaching Strategies That Increase Authentic Learning Examples of Teaching Strategies in Action Reflective Action Case Study Cooperative Learning Strategies Learning Teams Enhance Achievement Cooperative Learning in Science Literature Circles Peacemaking Groups Creating Well-Balanced Cooperative Groups The Effects of Cooperative Learning Communicating with Parents Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 8 Engaging Students in Classroom Discussions Asking Questions That Stimulate Higher Level Thinking Strategies for Interactive Discussions Role of the Teacher in Leading Discussions Communicating with Parents Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 9 Balancing Standards and Creative Activities Encouraging Creativity - Provide Materials Setting a Creative Tone Creative Atmosphere How to Encourage Creativity in Children The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Stereotypes Stifle Creativity Ways to Demonstrate Valuing Creativity Core Attitudes in Creative Thought Creativity in Language Arts Email Stories Creative Activities in Mathematics Creative Activities in Social Sciences Creative Activities in Science Creative Activities in the Visual and Performing Arts Humor and Creativity Creative Training Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 10 Assessing and Reporting Student Accomplishments How Teachers Select and Use Assessment Procedures Designing Authentic Assessment Tasks Reflective Action Case Study: Teacher's Reflection on Portfolio Assessment Reporting Student Accomplishments Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 11 Integrating Technology into the Curriculum Preparing Students to Thrive in a High-Tech World Using Technology to Track How Teachers Meet State Standards Reasons to Incorporate Technology into Your Curriculum Managing Your Classroom with (and for) Technology Enhancing Your Instructional Strategies with Technology Word Processing Programs Educational Software Extending Classroom Experiences Beyond the Classroom Walls Computer-Assisted Research Projects Computer Literacy Program at Beardsley School Reflective Action Case Study: Planning a Technology-Based Endangered Species Unit The Advantages of Teacher to Teacher Networking Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity Chapter 12 Relfecting on Teaching and the School Community No Child Left Behind Two-Way Communication with Parents Community Involvement in Classroom Activities Teachers Mentoring and Coaching One Another Communicating with Parents Playing Catch Up Guided Exploration Portfolio of Professional Practices Activity