Randi B. Sofman – författare

How are the best teachers in our nation reaching students?Educators are always challenged to motivate students to learn, working hard to identify learning standards as well as to find creative and meaningful ways of incorporating them into their classrooms. Best Teaching Practices for Reaching All Learners is your guide to how award-winning teachers reach every child and provide what each learner needs to succeed.Randi Stone′s newest best-practice collection takes its cue from the No Child Left Behind legislation, using its theme to create a one-of-a-kind educational resource that provides exciting, insightful classroom strategies from 43 of the best teachers in the country! These ideas cover all areas of your curriculum and all of your learners. You will find: Content strategies for differentiating social studies, reaching reluctant readers, and teaching mathphobic learners and the "scientifically challenged"Innovative methods for reaching at-risk and special learners coping with autism, Asperger′s syndrome, ADHD, shyness, poverty, and other challengesTeaching with technology, rubrics, culminating activities, and service learningUsing multiple intelligences, learning styles, affinity groups, and reflection in the classroomReaching students through fine arts, physical movement, humor, and moreAll students deserve quality instruction focused on individual needs as well as on the academic standards to which educators are held accountable. Help change your students′ attitudes about themselves and their abilities!

How are the best teachers in our nation reaching students?Educators are always challenged to motivate students to learn, working hard to identify learning standards as well as to find creative and meaningful ways of incorporating them into their classrooms. Best Teaching Practices for Reaching All Learners is your guide to how award-winning teachers reach every child and provide what each learner needs to succeed.Randi Stone′s newest best-practice collection takes its cue from the No Child Left Behind legislation, using its theme to create a one-of-a-kind educational resource that provides exciting, insightful classroom strategies from 43 of the best teachers in the country! These ideas cover all areas of your curriculum and all of your learners. You will find: Content strategies for differentiating social studies, reaching reluctant readers, and teaching mathphobic learners and the "scientifically challenged"Innovative methods for reaching at-risk and special learners coping with autism, Asperger′s syndrome, ADHD, shyness, poverty, and other challengesTeaching with technology, rubrics, culminating activities, and service learningUsing multiple intelligences, learning styles, affinity groups, and reflection in the classroomReaching students through fine arts, physical movement, humor, and moreAll students deserve quality instruction focused on individual needs as well as on the academic standards to which educators are held accountable. Help change your students′ attitudes about themselves and their abilities!

Take classroom changes in stride with these ingenious ideas!

Today's classrooms exist in an ever-changing world. In addition to new adopting technologies, schools are constantly introducing changes in curriculum, instruction, testing, and advanced requirements for professional development. Many teachers are uncertain how to incorporate these ongoing changes in their classrooms.

In her new book, best-selling author and classroom expert Randi Stone provides teachers with a compilation of innovative strategies created by award-winning elementary, middle school, and high school teachers who share their knowledge about embracing change in the classroom.

Topics include:

How teachers stay on top of school changes and the philosophies of change How teachers cope with changes in curriculum, instruction, funding, and class size How teachers succeed with new math, science, and technology How teachers integrate new content standards and mandated testing into their lesson plans

This essential resource contains the articulate wisdom of a half-century's worth of resilient and imaginative teachers' experiences. Join Randi Stone and her award-winning colleagues as they share the ideas and strategies that allow them to adapt their classrooms to the ever-constant changes taking place in this new millennium.

"This book will be very helpful to new teachers and may motivate experienced teachers to expand their craft. It would be a useful addition to any high school professional collection, as it offers practical, down-to-earth advice, while highlighting innovative and exciting teaching methods. The state standards correlation sections are particularly beneficial."Letitia Abram, Media SpecialistCanal Winchester High SchoolCanal Winchester, OH Learn expert teachers′ secrets to success and bolster your classroom mastery! Randi Stone provides an inspirational, one-stop guide to the highest-impact teaching practices of the nation′s best and brightest high school educators. Through detailed, first-hand accounts of winning strategies, this book offers an exclusive glimpse into exemplary classrooms across the country. Outstanding teachers generously share their unique insights, innovative lesson plans, and expertise garnered through years of experience, forming an instant network and rich resource for practicing as well as future teachers. Administrators will also benefit from discovering the various proven, results-oriented approaches that work for teachers in urban, suburban, and rural schools. Divided by subject area, the chapters give a wealth of real-life examples and tactics that can be applied easily in any classroom. Highlights include: Tips for incorporating technology into the classroom Specific projects for science, math and reading and writing instruction Proven plans for teaching social studies, geography, visual arts and physical education Ideas on classroom management, dealing with special needs and multicultural diversity, and making community connections About the Author:Randi Stone received her Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and is a graduate of Clark University, Boston University and Salem State College.

I'm impressed! I had little idea that cable TV could be such a valuable resource for classroom instruction at all grade levels. It deserves a place alongside the computer as an essential means for learning and communicating in our technological society. Jim Palavras, Principal, Paul P. Gates Elementary School, Acton, Massachusetts "This timely book offers educators an introduction, as well as a æhow-to' on using cable television in the classroom. Anyone with an academic interest in using cable television should read this encouraging book." Linda J. Miles, Library Media Specialist, Nottingham West Elementary School, Hudson, New Hampshire "Randi Stone has given educators a æpath to follow.' Provides a thorough yet practical approach for all us nontechnical classroom teachers." Elaine Driscoll Connolly, Teacher, Andover Public Schools, Massachusetts New Ways to Teach Using Cable Television is a unique guide that helps you unlock the riches of cable television in your classroom. Randi Stone, a 1996 Continental Cablevision National Cable Educator Award Winner, shares her experience in teaching with cable TV. Caters to techno-phobes as well as teachers already using cable who are looking for hot new ideas. Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, this guide describes the programming offered to educators and the wealth of free support materials you can receive. Provides you with winning lesson plans, dozens of tips from award-winning teachers using cable in the classroom, and Internet connections. Use this time-saving guide to: *

I'm impressed! I had little idea that cable TV could be such a valuable resource for classroom instruction at all grade levels. It deserves a place alongside the computer as an essential means for learning and communicating in our technological society. Jim Palavras, Principal, Paul P. Gates Elementary School, Acton, Massachusetts "This timely book offers educators an introduction, as well as a æhow-to' on using cable television in the classroom. Anyone with an academic interest in using cable television should read this encouraging book." Linda J. Miles, Library Media Specialist, Nottingham West Elementary School, Hudson, New Hampshire "Randi Stone has given educators a æpath to follow.' Provides a thorough yet practical approach for all us nontechnical classroom teachers." Elaine Driscoll Connolly, Teacher, Andover Public Schools, Massachusetts New Ways to Teach Using Cable Television is a unique guide that helps you unlock the riches of cable television in your classroom. Randi Stone, a 1996 Continental Cablevision National Cable Educator Award Winner, shares her experience in teaching with cable TV. Caters to techno-phobes as well as teachers already using cable who are looking for hot new ideas. Written in an easy-to-read, conversational style, this guide describes the programming offered to educators and the wealth of free support materials you can receive. Provides you with winning lesson plans, dozens of tips from award-winning teachers using cable in the classroom, and Internet connections. Use this time-saving guide to: *

Randi Stone provides an inspirational, one-stop guide to the highest impact teaching practices of the nation's best and brightest high school educators. Through detailed, first-hand accounts of winning strategies, this book offers an exclusive glimpse into exemplary classrooms across the country. Outstanding teachers generously share their unique insights, innovative lesson plans, and expertise garnered through years of experience, forming an instant network and rich resource for practicing as well as future teachers. Administrators will also benefit from discovering the various proven, results-oriented approaches that work for teachers in urban, suburban, and rural schools.

Divided by subject area, the chapters give a wealth of real-life examples and tactics that can be applied easily into any classroom. Highlights include:

Tips for incorporating technology into the classroom Specific projects for Science, Math and Reading and Writing Instruction Proven plans for teaching Social Studies, Geography, Visual Arts and Physical Education

Ideas on classroom management, dealing with special needs and multicultural diversity, and making community connections.

Invite expert educators into your classroom and watch your classroom management experience expand! Do you enjoy swapping ideas with other teachers? Do you find that the teachers' lounge is the best place to learn? Do you wish you had time to attend classroom management seminars? The exchange of ideas often allows educators to fine-tune strategies for managing their classrooms by listening to others who have successfully overcome similar challenges. This inspiring collection of advice from award-winning teachers now brings the best of classroom management practice to your classroom. Best Classroom Management Practices for Reaching All Learners compiles strategies, suggestions, tactics, and even plans for improving classroom management approaches. By peeking into the best-run classrooms through the eyes of our best teachers, Stone brings us solutions to the questions and issues that concern teachers every day. Contributors focus on promoting a positive teaching environment and enriching learning experiences in today's diverse classrooms by covering such topics as: Building classroom community, working with challenging students, and communicating with parents Rules, rewards, discipline, silence, and shared responsibilities Homework, posters, newsletters, and round robin reading groups Computer labs, classroom technology, grantwriting, and more

Invite Randi Stone and her 29 expert educators into your classroom and find a virtual teachers' lounge at your fingertips!

Praise for Randi Stone′s Best Practice collections: "Will live up to its title and become a favored reference for any teacher, whether in a primary or public, rural or urban, or preschool through high school setting." -Wisconsin Bookwatch, July 2004 "A priceless tool not only for teachers but also for mentors and administrators." -Danny McPherson, Principal West Columbus High School, Cerra Gordo, NC "Just what the teacher ordered." -CHOICE, November 2002 "Offers practical, down-to-earth advice." -Letitia Abram, Media Specialist Canal Winchester High School, OH Join award-winning teacher leaders as they discuss their best ideas for today′s professional learning communities! Best Practices for Teacher Leadership chronicles the many and varied ways in which award-winning teachers create professional learning communities through collaborations with colleagues, mentees, faculty groups, learners, families, and neighborhoods. Join them as they share their best ideas for achieving excellence in education through staff development, hands-on learning, new technologies, mentoring, parent involvement, and more.

Praise for Randi Stone's Best Practice collections: "Will live up to its title and become a favored reference for any teacher, whether in a primary or public, rural or urban, or preschool through high school setting." -Wisconsin Bookwatch, July 2004 "A priceless tool not only for teachers but also for mentors and administrators." -Danny McPherson, Principal West Columbus High School, Cerra Gordo, NC "Just what the teacher ordered." -CHOICE, November 2002 "Offers practical, down-to-earth advice." -Letitia Abram, Media Specialist Canal Winchester High School, OH Join award-winning teacher leaders as they discuss their best ideas for today's professional learning communities! Best Practices for Teacher Leadership chronicles the many and varied ways in which award-winning teachers create professional learning communities through collaborations with colleagues, mentees, faculty groups, learners, families, and neighborhoods. Join them as they share their best ideas for achieving excellence in education through staff development, hands-on learning, new technologies, mentoring, parent involvement, and more.

"Randi Stone has assembled an exciting collection of teaching methods to benefit all learners. The book brings together an esteemed group of teachers who are to be congratulated for sparking interest in a subject that is too often taught solely from a textbook."—Heather E. Robinson, Fifth-Grade TeacherDesert Canyon Elementary School, Scottsdale, AZ

Adopt or adapt these exemplary social studies strategies from the nation's best teachers!

Randi Stone transports readers into the lively classrooms of award-winning teachers in this collection of outstanding methods for teaching social studies to diverse elementary, middle, and high school learners.

Like its companion volumes for teaching writing, mathematics, and science, Best Practices for Teaching Social Studies presents firsthand accounts from educators offering fresh ideas and inquiry-based techniques to build student confidence, increase academic achievement, and develop critical thinking skills. Highlights include master teachers' tips on how to:

Organize and produce oral history projectsUse technology to explore diversityTeach the art of geography and the geography of artPut the "social" back into social studies, and more!

Beginning and experienced teachers alike will discover an abundance of creative teaching practices to strengthen the social studies curriculum.

"Randi Stone has assembled an exciting collection of teaching methods to benefit all learners. The book brings together an esteemed group of teachers who are to be congratulated for sparking interest in a subject that is too often taught solely from a textbook."—Heather E. Robinson, Fifth-Grade TeacherDesert Canyon Elementary School, Scottsdale, AZ

Adopt or adapt these exemplary social studies strategies from the nation's best teachers!

Randi Stone transports readers into the lively classrooms of award-winning teachers in this collection of outstanding methods for teaching social studies to diverse elementary, middle, and high school learners.

Like its companion volumes for teaching writing, mathematics, and science, Best Practices for Teaching Social Studies presents firsthand accounts from educators offering fresh ideas and inquiry-based techniques to build student confidence, increase academic achievement, and develop critical thinking skills. Highlights include master teachers' tips on how to:

Organize and produce oral history projectsUse technology to explore diversityTeach the art of geography and the geography of artPut the "social" back into social studies, and more!

Beginning and experienced teachers alike will discover an abundance of creative teaching practices to strengthen the social studies curriculum.

From human number lines to sweet solutions, these strategies will enliven your math instruction!

In this new volume from Randi Stone, award-winning teachers model mathematics lessons that work and demonstrate innovative methods that have been field-tested in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.

An ideal resource for new and veteran teachers and linked with companion volumes featuring strategies for teaching writing and science, this resource offers:

Strategies for motivating students with animated learning icons, money-based systems, human number lines, sweet solutions, and much moreTechniques for engaging students before and after state testsA special lesson study chapter focused on win-win professional practice for teachers

This concise text will become one of your most-used guides for clarifying math concepts, increasing math vocabulary, strengthening problem-solving skills, and inspiring students' excitement about math in the real world!

From human number lines to sweet solutions, these strategies will enliven your math instruction!

In this new volume from Randi Stone, award-winning teachers model mathematics lessons that work and demonstrate innovative methods that have been field-tested in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.

An ideal resource for new and veteran teachers and linked with companion volumes featuring strategies for teaching writing and science, this resource offers:

Strategies for motivating students with animated learning icons, money-based systems, human number lines, sweet solutions, and much moreTechniques for engaging students before and after state testsA special lesson study chapter focused on win-win professional practice for teachers

This concise text will become one of your most-used guides for clarifying math concepts, increasing math vocabulary, strengthening problem-solving skills, and inspiring students' excitement about math in the real world!

Connect your students to science projects that are intriguing and fun!

Let Randi Stone and her award-winning teachers demonstrate tried-and-tested best practices for teaching science in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.

Linked to companion volumes for teaching writing and mathematics, this resource for new and veteran educators helps build student confidence and success through innovative approaches for raising student achievement in science, such as:

Expeditionary learning, technology and music, and independent research studyModel lessons in environmental studies and real-world scienceInquiry-based strategies using robotics, rockets, straw-bale greenhouses, "Project Dracula," "Making Microbes Fun," and more!

With engaging activities weaving through science fact and fiction to lead learners on intriguing journeys of discovery, this guide is sure to fascinate and inspire both you and your students!

Connect your students to science projects that are intriguing and fun!

Let Randi Stone and her award-winning teachers demonstrate tried-and-tested best practices for teaching science in diverse elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.

Linked to companion volumes for teaching writing and mathematics, this resource for new and veteran educators helps build student confidence and success through innovative approaches for raising student achievement in science, such as:

Expeditionary learning, technology and music, and independent research studyModel lessons in environmental studies and real-world scienceInquiry-based strategies using robotics, rockets, straw-bale greenhouses, "Project Dracula," "Making Microbes Fun," and more!

With engaging activities weaving through science fact and fiction to lead learners on intriguing journeys of discovery, this guide is sure to fascinate and inspire both you and your students!

"Very logical and easy to follow. Teachers can easily incorporate these ideas in their teaching."—Susan Bailey, Middle School Reading SpecialistMequon-Thiensville School District, WI

Enrich your reading instruction with classroom-proven strategies from the nation's best teachers!

Following the successful format of the companion volumes for teaching writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, Best Practices for Teaching Reading presents firsthand accounts of teachers' most successful instructional strategies and lessons for teaching reading. Randi Stone brings readers into the classrooms of award-winning teachers who share their outstanding strategies for reaching elementary, middle, and high school learners with diverse learning styles and abilities.

With 40 classroom-tested strategies, the book provides practical guidance for building students' decoding and vocabulary skills while developing their comprehension and motivation for reading. This collection of best practices presents ways to help students:

Get excited about readingMake connections to different textsBecome effective writers as well as readersUse literacy skills across the curriculum

Veteran and new teachers alike will find an abundance of fresh ideas to teach reading while helping students build confidence, increase academic achievement, and develop critical thinking skills.

Add these innovative and proven strategies to your instructional toolbox!

Join Randi Stone as she visits the classrooms of award-winning teachers to observe their tried-and-tested best practices for teaching writing to diverse elementary, middle, and high school learners.

Linked to companion volumes for teaching mathematics and science, and presenting insightful methods for building student comprehension and confidence, this book:

Models techniques for improving achievement in literacy, vocabulary, student writing, and language artsDemonstrates turning a classroom into a reading and writing oasis, teaching students to blend descriptive and narrative writing, and helping learners create persuasive cover lettersIllustrates techniques that utilize annotated bibliographies, "Punny Valentines," "Five Circles/Five Paragraphs," and much more

Packed with creative ideas and lessons that produce results, this resource will be used again and again by new and veteran teachers to expand their instructional repertoires and enrich students' writing experiences.

Add these innovative and proven strategies to your instructional toolbox!

Join Randi Stone as she visits the classrooms of award-winning teachers to observe their tried-and-tested best practices for teaching writing to diverse elementary, middle, and high school learners.

Linked to companion volumes for teaching mathematics and science, and presenting insightful methods for building student comprehension and confidence, this book:

Models techniques for improving achievement in literacy, vocabulary, student writing, and language artsDemonstrates turning a classroom into a reading and writing oasis, teaching students to blend descriptive and narrative writing, and helping learners create persuasive cover lettersIllustrates techniques that utilize annotated bibliographies, "Punny Valentines," "Five Circles/Five Paragraphs," and much more

Packed with creative ideas and lessons that produce results, this resource will be used again and again by new and veteran teachers to expand their instructional repertoires and enrich students' writing experiences.

"There is a little something for everyone."—David Callaway, Eighth-Grade Language Arts TeacherRocky Heights Middle School, Highlands Ranch, CO

"Although there are many books that provide lessons and units for various levels, the lessons in this book are very well written and provide more than just the unit instructions."—Diane Smith, School CounselorSmethport Area School District, PA

Best practices BY middle school teachers, FOR middle school teachers!

Best-selling author Randi Stone brings together a collection of best classroom practices by award-winning teachers from schools throughout the United States to inspire new and experienced middle school teachers with time-tested ideas.

MORE Best Practices for Middle School Classrooms is packed with ready-to-go lessons and units written by teachers who have used these ideas successfully in their own classrooms. Each lesson or strategy includes recommended grade levels, clear objectives, a listing of relevant national or state standards, materials lists, and easy-to-follow directions and tips. Readers will find ideas for:

Managing effective classrooms, using technology, and assessing studentsTeaching in science, mathematics, language arts, and social studiesEngaging students in music, art, and physical education

Learn how some of the best teachers in the nation reach their middle school students—with best practices from the teachers themselves!

"The variety of activities sparks ideas for different subjects. The book presents content in an easy-to-follow framework, provides very doable lessons, and clearly identifies the necessary materials."—Linda D. Jungwirth, PresidentConvening ConversationsPeek into the classrooms of your award-winning colleagues as they share their most successful teaching ideas! Outstanding teachers from across the country share firsthand accounts of innovative classroom practices for high school learners in this sequel to Randi Stone′s best-selling Best Practices for High School Classrooms. Filled with ready-made techniques for classroom management, co-teaching, integrating the curriculum, and using technology, this one-stop resource offers strategies supported by objectives, recommended grade levels, materials lists, and applicable national and state standards. Divided by subject areas, this is a rich collection of ideas, lessons, projects, and units of study for high-quality instruction inScience and mathematics Language arts and social studiesMusic, art, and physical educationEngage your high school students′ energy, enthusiasm, and excitement for learning with these proven practices from successful teachers nationwide!