Kathy Perez – författare

How can today’s educators rise to the challenges of teaching in the inclusive classroom, while at the same time making teaching more rewarding and beneficial for all students? In her new book, acclaimed international educational consultant Kathy Perez provides powerful instructional strategies, not only for students with special needs, but also for their general education peers. Her New Inclusion encompasses a broader understanding of the inclusive classroom, embracing all the different needs that teachers face—from special education, to ELL, to a wide spectrum of student ability and readiness. This innovative resource combines the latest research in brain-based teaching and student engagement with useful interventions and differentiated strategies.Designed to be of practical and immediate use, all chapters include a focus on the needs of less-able readers. In addition, information for implementation and adaptation is provided to accommodate various grade levels. The text includes classroom vignettes, ties to the Common Core, illustrations, diagrams, highlight boxes, and many more user-friendly features.

"This is a fabulous book! Hundreds of activities that can be implemented at no cost. Buy it, use it, and allow the genius of Kathy Perez to rub off on you."—Harry K. Wong, AuthorThe First Days of SchoolBoost literacy achievement with these practical, brain-compatible strategies!Activating prior knowledge, differentiating instruction, and creating interactive opportunities—these are key practices that optimize learning, according to brain research. This essential guide translates cutting-edge research into ready-to-use tactics to promote literacy development in your classroom. Internationally recognized educator Kathy Perez offers a definitive collection of more than 100 field-tested strategies that can be implemented easily and immediately for maximum results at any grade level. The activities and tools provide strong building blocks for creating a dynamic, brain-friendly environment where teachers and students thrive. The book offers a flexible framework, step-by-step guidance, and key features such as:Approaches to motivate students with hands-on learningSpecific techniques for differentiation and utilizing multiple intelligencesTactics to strengthen reading comprehension and the meaning-making process Pre-reading strategies, standards-based activities, planning templates, reproducibles, and other resources to boost student achievementMore Than 100 Brain-Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy empowers teachers, literacy coaches, and reading specialists with proven tools to cultivate active learning.

"This is a fabulous book! Hundreds of activities that can be implemented at no cost. Buy it, use it, and allow the genius of Kathy Perez to rub off on you."—Harry K. Wong, AuthorThe First Days of SchoolBoost literacy achievement with these practical, brain-compatible strategies!Activating prior knowledge, differentiating instruction, and creating interactive opportunities—these are key practices that optimize learning, according to brain research. This essential guide translates cutting-edge research into ready-to-use tactics to promote literacy development in your classroom. Internationally recognized educator Kathy Perez offers a definitive collection of more than 100 field-tested strategies that can be implemented easily and immediately for maximum results at any grade level. The activities and tools provide strong building blocks for creating a dynamic, brain-friendly environment where teachers and students thrive. The book offers a flexible framework, step-by-step guidance, and key features such as:Approaches to motivate students with hands-on learningSpecific techniques for differentiation and utilizing multiple intelligencesTactics to strengthen reading comprehension and the meaning-making process Pre-reading strategies, standards-based activities, planning templates, reproducibles, and other resources to boost student achievementMore Than 100 Brain-Friendly Tools and Strategies for Literacy empowers teachers, literacy coaches, and reading specialists with proven tools to cultivate active learning.

Strong social-emotional skills help students succeed in the classroom and beyond—but many teachers report that they lack the tools and time to effectively support social-emotional learning (SEL). Help is here with The Socialâ€'Emotional Learning Toolbox, a practical guide that shows K-5 teachers how to infuse their existing curriculum and routines with high-quality, evidence-based SEL instruction.Created by a seasoned educator with three decades of experience, this engaging, research-supported guidebook is filled with classroom-tested tips and techniques that help any teacher make SEL an integral part of each school day. You’ll learn how to design effective classroom environments and lessons with easy-to-implement, inclusive SEL supports for every student, whether they have ongoing behavior and learning challenges or just need a little extra help. With engaging and unique strategies and numerous online printable tools and worksheets, you’ll help your students reduce acting-out behaviors, strengthen relationships, and develop critical skills like self-discipline and empathy.A must-have resource for all teachers, this book has everything you need to get started immediately with SEL, make the most of teachable moments each day, and give every student a foundation for success in school and in life.DISCOVER HOW TO:Build self-regulation skills in students so they can manage their emotions and be ready to learnHelp students develop emotional intelligence so they can understand and express their feelingsCreate a warm, caring, and inclusive classroom atmosphereStrengthen executive functioning skills to boost both social and academic competenceDevelop positive, trusting relationships with studentsExplicitly teach and model empathy in your classroomPromote a growth mindset to improve students’ motivation, productivity, and confidenceTeach mindfulness practices to help students relax, maintain attention, and focus on the present momentONLINE MATERIALS: You’ll get a complete package of more than 60 forms, worksheets, handouts, checklists, and printable classroom signs for supporting your students’ social-emotional skills.

This book is unique in that it goes beyond individual teacher assistance to provide creative systems that work in concert with a student’s literacy education. This easy-to-use reference guide provides K–8 teachers with practical strategies to motivate all students to develop their reading abilities across grade levels and content areas. Focus on what early-literacy instruction and intervention struggling students should receive and what tips parents should know to help struggling readers. With instructional practices that can be adapted for a wide range of academic interventions, this book shows educators where to start in building an action plan for student literacy achievement. It is an ideal professional development resource for team study and discussion.

Benefits

Gain insight into the early signs of reading struggles.Examine relevant theory and research related to literacy, including the fundamental elements of reading that need to work in balance in literacy instruction.Review questioning strategies to help students broaden their understanding when reading challenging texts.Explore graphic organizers that can engage higher-level thinking skills.Survey a toolbox of instructional practices for supporting literacy in inclusive classrooms.Study a blueprint for success for literacy programs.

Contents

Introduction

The Struggling ReaderKey Elements of Balanced Literacy ProgramsEffective Early Literacy InterventionVocabulary Strategies—Helping Students Become Word WiseGraphic Organizers—Making Thinking VisibleContent Strategies—Navigating Informational TextQuestioning Techniques—Fostering Higher-Level ThinkingDeveloping an Action Plan for Success

Appendix: Teacher’s Toolbox

References and Resources

Index