Engaging Students

Engaging Students: Using the Unit in Comprehensive Lesson Planning is the answer to the question facing many teachers today, in a society driven by a culture of standardized test taking: 'How do I make learning meaningful and assessment authentic in my classroom?' In Engaging Students, the authors provide the tools needed to develop lessons, learning centers, interactive bulletin boards, and authentic assessments in a classroom where students are active participants in their learning. Using Constructivism, Blooms Taxonomy, and Multiple Intelligence Theory, Beirne and Velsor explain and map out a plan of learning that will guide teachers in developing this process in their classrooms. Every new teacher should include a copy of Engaging Students in their repertoire, yet it is of equal value to the seasoned veteran! I am eager to implement ideas found in Engaging Students in my classroom. -- Barbara Fahlbusch, elementary school teacher, Locust Valley, New York for over twenty years Engaging Students takes familiar concepts and presents them in an easy-to-understand form. Velsor and Beirne provide a valuable resource for teacher education students and anyone looking to develop effective lessons and units. -- Carl Mirra, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, Adelphi University, Garden City, New York Noted educators, Dianna P. Beirne and Kathleen Velsor provide teachers with a well-researched, essential, and informative book. Engaging Students delves deep into Constructivism, Blooms Taxonomy, and Multiple Intelligence Theory, while providing teachers with practical strategies on how to accomplish learning outcomes. Teachers will appreciate the practicality of the chapters, making it a useful resource for their teaching careers. -- Vanessa van der Graaf, assistant professor, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Missouri Engaging Students is a must read for new and veteran educators! It incorporates the latest research of how and why students learn. It offers efficacious tools and advice to best meet the needs of all of students in the classroom. Using the constructivist approach, this book aligns nicely with the Common Core standards and the demands of the state assessments, while allowing for interaction and discovery. Engaging Students will make planning easier and more effective. -- Erin Nastri, elementary school teacher, Saddle Rock Elementary School, Great Neck, New York Engaging Students is a comprehensive and theoretically based book that will allow a new teacher a framework for higher order instructional outcomes. The text provides a description of selected theories and how those theories can be applied within the context of the 21st century classroom. The units described are organized and practical in use for all educators. The primary focus relates to constructivist theory and the manner in which children build upon prior experiences to gain new knowledge. In education today, we must examine the whole and avoid fragmenting parts which will only stifle a childs learning capacity. This text will serve to provide a focused view of the tools needed to teach in our ever changing world and prepare our children for college readiness and higher order scholastic achievement. -- Lynnda Nadien, principal, Smith Street School, Uniondale, New York

Dianna Beirne, EdD, has been teacher educator for over ten years and is currently working in that capacity as a contributing faculty member at Walden University. It is Dr. Beirnes hope that this book will help to bring positive and meaningful educational experiences to the classroom. Kathleen Velsor, EdD, is currently an associate professor in the School of Education at SUNY College at Old Westbury. Dr. Velsor feels that this new method will help teachers to create a constructive learning environment for all children.

Introduction: The RationaleSetting the Stage for Lesson and Unit Planning Chapter 1: BackgroundThe Three Pillars of Planning Chapter 2: Tying It All Together and Making It WorkBlending the Pillars of Planning Chapter 3: Steps to The Unit DesignDesigning the Lesson and Unit Plans Chapter 4: Hands-On ActivitiesUsing Bulletin Boards and Learning Centers Chapter 5: AssessmentConstructing Assessment Systems for the Lesson and Unit Chapter 6: ResourcesAdditional References to Extend Your Knowledge Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D References Index