Constructive Classroom Management


Book Description

"This practical guide for teachers centers on ways to help students manage their own behavior, rather than on ways their behavior can be managed by teachers, peers, parents, or other adults. Interventions focus on creating success, not on finding cures for problems. Attention is also given to behavior-management approaches within the context of school reform." "This proactive book features case material that illustrates the assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and reassessment process you will use in managing classroom behavior; an emphasis on considering situations from multiple points of view (the teacher and his or her feelings, the child, the parents, the other students in the classroom); vivid examples that demonstrate a wide variety of situations in special education and regular classrooms at both the elementary and the secondary level; and strategies for decreasing teacher "burnout.""--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved




Engaging Troubling Students


Book Description

"Danforth and Smith have written an exceptional book on educating ′troubling′ students. It is a clear alternative to current books on educating children with emotional and behavioral disorders, most of which are based on behavioral theories. They offer practical guidance, well illustrated with stories from their own experiences on collaboration, working with families, conflict resolution, social support for students, providing a caring pedagogy, and teacher development." James L. Paul, Professor, Special Education University of South Florida Truly teaching "troubling" students means connecting with them in ways that can last a lifetime! Teachers are consistently faced with students who behave in disruptive or disrespectful ways. These "troubling" students are frequently disengaged from both academics and the possibility of meaningful relationships with caring adults. How can teachers engage these students in instruction and learning as well as the development of trust and personal growth? Engaging Troubling Students offers instructional and student support practices grounded in critical constructivism--engaging problematic students in the learning process and building strong relationships with them. These interactions and relationships can have a profound impact on their emotional well-being and learning. Danforth and Smith draw from many academic fields to build this comprehensive resource: History and roots of current issues and dilemmas Theoretical foundation of critical constructivism Teaching practices designed to foster the teacher-student relationship Specific programs addressing conflict, families, inclusive education, and more Filled with rich narrative and directed to teachers working with troubling students each day, this insightful, practical guide will help lead you as you develop helpful, trusting relationships with them.







The Comprehensive Handbook of Constructivist Teaching


Book Description

While many people talk about the Constructivist philosophy, there has not been a publication that provides a detailed description of what a Constructivist classroom sounds like and looks like. This book fills that void by examining the philosophy, translating it into teaching strategies, and providing over forty examples. These examples come from the elementary level up to and including the collegiate level, and include all content areas. These examples show how the Constructivist educator uses the linguistic mode, the visual mode, and the kinesthetic mode to create a class environment in which the Constructivist philosophy flourishes. Examples of student work are provided; the book also includes chapters on note-taking, Problem-Based Learning (PBL), action research, and other Constructivist resources. Written in user-friendly form, this book presents a concrete and step by step approach for translating the Constructivist philosophy into classroom practice. This book is intended for every Constructivist researcher, practitioner, and teacher-educator. The researcher and teacher-educator will benefit from topics such as the history of Constructivist thought, the principles of Constructivism and action research. This book is more than a list of recipes, and this will be beneficial to the practitioner. Starting with the principles of Constructivism, and bridging to four basic teaching strategies, the practitioner is guided on how to use different learning modes and “meta-strategies” to create a true Constructivist practice. An educator’s life is made up of one’s philosophy, teaching principles, daily strategies, resources, and research tools. This book provides an in-depth look, from the Constructivist perspective, at each one of these components. In every sense of the word, this book is truly “comprehensive.”







In Search of Understanding


Book Description

The activities that transpire within the classroom either help or hinder students' learning. Any meaningful discussion of educational renewal, therefore, must focus explicitly and directly on the classroom, and on the teaching and learning that occur within it. This book presents a case for the development of classrooms in which students are encouraged to construct deep understandings of important concepts. Jacqueline Grennon Brooks and Martin Brooks present a new set of images for educational settings, images that emerge from student engagement, interaction, reflection, and construction. They have considerable experience in creating constructivist educational settings and conducting research on those settings. Authentic examples are provided throughout the book, as are suggestions for administrators, teachers, and policymakers. For the new edition of their popular book, the authors have written an introduction that places their work in today's educational renewal setting. Today, they urge, the case for constructivist classrooms is much stronger and the need more critical. Note: This product listing is for the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the book.




Constructive Talk in Challenging Classrooms


Book Description

Constructive Talk in Challenging Classrooms gives the practising teacher advice on how to make learning fun through the use of ‘talk’ and collaborative group work. Using clear examples, tried and tested in some of the most challenging classrooms in inner city schools, the book offers practical and honest advice on both the difficulties and rewards that can be gained when employing all forms of talk-based teaching in the classroom. Packed with real examples of successful talk based lessons with children of all abilities and needs, this book will show teachers how they can succeed in overcoming problems of disruption and engage even the most difficult pupils in real learning through talk. The book shows that bringing the child's individual experience into a lesson through talk has huge emotional and psychological benefits – this can be particularly marked in classrooms where there are low levels of literacy, behaviour issues or where pupils’ first language is not English. The author argues that talk is vital for building positive relationships and essential for successful teaching, particularly in the difficult classrooms. This inspiring title is essential reading for any teacher interested in building trust and making learning fun and meaningful for all.







Teaching Strategies That Foster Constructive Behavior: Using Your Head and Heart


Book Description

Teaching Strategies that Foster Constructive Behavior: Using Your Head and Heart invites the reader to explore and engage in positive classroom management and behavior-change support. A journey of learning, the book gives pre-service and in-service teachers tools to maximize their students' chances for success ... [sharing] a wealth of information ranging from practical tips on arranging a classroom and its contents, to suggestions for fostering connection through collaboration, to recommended on-the-spot responses to unconstructive behavior. As well-researched and tested as it is generous and nurturing, it is an ideal text for courses in elementary, middle school, and special education undergraduate and graduate programs. -- Back cover.




In Search of Understanding


Book Description

Presents key principles of constructivist-based learning environments: curriculum based on primary concepts, instruction premised on learners' point of view and assessment in service to the learner.