Making the Most of Tutor Time


Book Description

Most secondary school teachers and some support staff will be expected to take on the role of form tutor or mentor along side their other work. What is surprising is how little time, status or attention is given to training and preparation for this pastoral aspect of education, in comparison to subject teaching. This book helps to redress the balance by providing a look at the structure and organisation of pastoral support as well as being full of practical ideas for tutors to use in tutor time. The chapters include: Establishing Routines; The Self Managing Tutor Group; How to Help and Support Individuals; Engaging Parents and Carers; and, Tutoring Over a Whole Year. There is also a Resource Section and CD-ROM which includes a PowerPoint for staff training, proformas for gathering information for parent's evenings and examples of practical activities such as, Jigsaw, Diamond Nine and Hot Seating, as well as useful books and organisations. One secondary academy head wrote, 'I really like it! It is very fresh, practical and full of wisdom. I like the whole section on parental engagement and all the games suggestions, really clear and so simple to pick up and use. And the calendar of the year with tutorial themes is great! But of most use to me and my school is the opening section on routines, expectations and setting the scene, fantastically useful reminders. Thank you so much, this will be my tutorial bible.'




How to Be a Great Student


Book Description

There are a LOT of Study Tips books out there. Most of them are basically Top 10 lists of the same advice you've heard a hundred times before. It's not rocket science. Be honest: we all know what we need to do. So what would actually work? THIS BOOK is the one that offers something truly different. You have the chance to read something extraordinary-the true story of how one smart kid who had no study skills TRANSFORMED herself into a GREAT STUDENT. Part memoir, part how-to, part teacher-confessional, How to Be a Great Student is the no-holds-barred frank words of wisdom from Kimberly Hatch Harrison, co-founder of SOCRATICA. Are you a smart kid who coasted by getting good grades with no effort until suddenly you hit a brick wall? This book will really resonate with you. Kimberly tells the story of how she worked her way from clueless kid to the highest heights of academia, figuring out all these skills the hard way. These super-effective learning techniques took her from one of the top prep schools in the country, to Caltech, and then Princeton. What does it take to succeed at the very best schools? You can't find this kind of inside information anywhere else. This book ties in with the Study Tips video series on Socratica's YouTube channel. (youtube.com/socratica). Intended audience: anyone in high school or college who is ready to take an honest look at themselves and change their habits.Real talk: this book won't work unless you do your part. In this book, you'll find guidance on: ▫ Preparing your Study Space ▫ Taking Notes in Class and Reading (Cornell Notes Technique ▫ Using a Planner for Effective Time Management ▫ The Pomodoro Technique to Avoid Burnout ▫ How to Study for a Test (Smart Test Prep) ▫ How to Improve your Memory▫ How to Use Flashcards the SMART Way ▫ How to Use the Feynman Technique ▫ How to Use Office Hours (Corson Technique) ▫ How to TAKE a Test ▫ How to Answer Multiple Choice Questions ▫ How to Improve Your Writing▫ How to Take Online Classes (Bonus Chapter written especially for today's challenges)What's more, you'll learn these techniques from an understanding, empathetic teacher who was once EXACTLY where you are now.




100 Ideas for Secondary Teachers: Tutor Time


Book Description

No matter what you teach, there is a 100 Ideas title for you! The 100 Ideas series offers teachers practical, easy-to-implement strategies and activities for the classroom. Each author is an expert in their field and is passionate about sharing best practice with their peers. Each title includes at least ten additional extra-creative Bonus Ideas that won't fail to inspire and engage all learners. _______________ Essential for busy secondary form tutors, this book will inspire form time ideas that are constructive, exciting, yet take little preparation! Activities include community builders, PSHE related topics, creative thinking activities and a variety of active learning techniques to engage your students in discussions. While this book mostly focuses upon interesting, worthwhile and fun activities to do with a registration group it also includes some tips and advice on how to fulfill pastoral care responsibilities of pupils in a form group.




Fluent Forever


Book Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • For anyone who wants to learn a foreign language, this is the method that will finally make the words stick. “A brilliant and thoroughly modern guide to learning new languages.”—Gary Marcus, cognitive psychologist and author of the New York Times bestseller Guitar Zero At thirty years old, Gabriel Wyner speaks six languages fluently. He didn’t learn them in school—who does? Rather, he learned them in the past few years, working on his own and practicing on the subway, using simple techniques and free online resources—and here he wants to show others what he’s discovered. Starting with pronunciation, you’ll learn how to rewire your ears and turn foreign sounds into familiar sounds. You’ll retrain your tongue to produce those sounds accurately, using tricks from opera singers and actors. Next, you’ll begin to tackle words, and connect sounds and spellings to imagery rather than translations, which will enable you to think in a foreign language. And with the help of sophisticated spaced-repetition techniques, you’ll be able to memorize hundreds of words a month in minutes every day. This is brain hacking at its most exciting, taking what we know about neuroscience and linguistics and using it to create the most efficient and enjoyable way to learn a foreign language in the spare minutes of your day.




Responsive Teaching


Book Description

This essential guide helps teachers refine their approach to fundamental challenges in the classroom. Based on research from cognitive science and formative assessment, it ensures teachers can offer all students the support and challenge they need – and can do so sustainably. Written by an experienced teacher and teacher educator, the book balances evidence-informed principles and practical suggestions. It contains: A detailed exploration of six core problems that all teachers face in planning lessons, assessing learning and responding to students Effective practical strategies to address each of these problems across a range of subjects Useful examples of each strategy in practice and accounts from teachers already using these approaches Checklists to apply each principle successfully and advice tailored to teachers with specific responsibilities. This innovative book is a valuable resource for new and experienced teachers alike who wish to become more responsive teachers. It offers the evidence, practical strategies and supportive advice needed to make sustainable, worthwhile changes.




Guided Reading


Book Description

Much has been written on the topic of guided reading over the last twenty years, but no other leaders in literacy education have championed the topic with such depth and breadth as Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. In the highly anticipated second edition of Guided Reading, Fountas and Pinnell remind you of guided reading's critical value within a comprehensive literacy system, and the reflective, responsive teaching required to realize its full potential. Now with Guided Reading, Second Edition, (re)discover the essential elements of guided reading through: a wider and more comprehensive look at its place within a coherent literacy system a refined and deeper understanding of its complexity an examination of the steps in implementation-from observing and assessing literacy behaviors, to grouping in a thoughtful and dynamic way, to analyzing texts, to teaching the lesson the teaching for systems of strategic actions a rich text base that can support and extend student learning the re-emerging role of shared reading as a way to lead guided and independent reading forward the development of managed independent learning across the grades an in-depth exploration of responsive teaching the role of facilitative language in supporting change over time in students' processing systems the identification of high-priority shifts in learning to focus on at each text level the creation of a learning environment within which literacy and language can flourish. Through guided reading, students learn how to engage in every facet of the reading process and apply their reading power to all literacy contexts. Also check out our new on-demand mini-course: Introducing Texts Effectively in Guided Reading Lessons




The Together Teacher


Book Description

An essential guide for over-scheduled teachers Maia Heyck-Merlin helps teachers build the habits, customize the tools, and create space to become a Together Teacher. This practical resource shows teachers how to be effective and have a life! Author and educator Maia Heyck-Merlin explores the key habits of Together Teachers—how they plan ahead, organize work and their classrooms, and how they spend their limited free time. The end goal is always strong outcomes for their students. So what does Together, or Together Enough, look like? To some teachers it might mean neat filing systems. To others it might mean using time efficiently to get more done in fewer minutes. Regardless, Together Teachers all rely on the same skills. In six parts, the book clearly lays out these essential skills. Heyck-Merlin walks the reader through how to establish simple yet successful organizational systems. There are concrete steps that every teacher can implement to achieve greater stability and success in their classrooms and in their lives. Contains templates and tutorials to create and customize a personal organizational system and includes a companion website: www.thetogetherteacher.com Recommends various electronic or online tools to make a teacher's school day (and life!) more efficient and productive Includes a Reader's Guide, a great professional development resource; teachers will answer reflection questions, make notes about habits, and select tools that best match individual needs and preferences Ebook customers can access CD contents online. Refer to the section in the Table of Contents labeled, Download CD/DVD Content, for detailed instructions.




On the Road to Reading


Book Description




How to Tutor Your Own Child


Book Description

Tutoring today is a $4 billion industry (yes—billion) with companies like Sylvan Learning Center and Kaplan Tutoring cashing in. So, what are parents of today’s overextended students to do? Top professional tutor Marina Koestler Ruben empowers you to take a do-it-yourself approach to your child’s after-school enrichment. As a parent-tutor, you will learn how provide holistic academic support for your children and create an intellectual environment in the home—strengthening your relationship and improving parent-child communication in the process. Ruben’s accessible guide shows you how to balance big-picture curiosity with the academic nitty-gritties of homework assignments, organization, and electronic resources. Building on her proven “Six-Step Session” format, Ruben shares the secrets to tutoring children in any subject from kindergarten through high school—all with a warm, entertaining tone that will inspire you to inspire them.




Mindstorms


Book Description

In this revolutionary book, a renowned computer scientist explains the importance of teaching children the basics of computing and how it can prepare them to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world. Computers have completely changed the way we teach children. We have Mindstorms to thank for that. In this book, pioneering computer scientist Seymour Papert uses the invention of LOGO, the first child-friendly programming language, to make the case for the value of teaching children with computers. Papert argues that children are more than capable of mastering computers, and that teaching computational processes like de-bugging in the classroom can change the way we learn everything else. He also shows that schools saturated with technology can actually improve socialization and interaction among students and between students and teachers. Technology changes every day, but the basic ways that computers can help us learn remain. For thousands of teachers and parents who have sought creative ways to help children learn with computers, Mindstorms is their bible.