"Inside the Black Box: Raising Standards Through Classroom Assessment,"is the seminal work on formative assessment, published in 1998 in Phi Delta Kappan. This writing, based on research conducted in Great Britain, examines what conditions are necessary to create the best possibilities for teaching and learning. In addition to addressing teaching practice, the article looks at what support is needed from policy makers.
17 Kings uses lively batik illustrations by Patricia MacCarthy and playful, rhythmic language to tell about kings and elephants making their way through the jungle. While the story has no direct connection to algebra, the exercise of dividing elephants among the kings is useful, both from a mathematical approach, as in, how many are left over, and from a language arts approach, as in, what would you do with the remaining elephants? First through fourth graders would enjoy this book and it is featured in Marilyn Burns Math and Literature (K3).
A Book of One's Own and Literacy through the Book Arts, and Pictures and Words Together, present numerous projects in bookmaking. In these books, Paul synthesizes his experiences as an educator, artist, and engineer of sorts. Each publication features interesting projects, from simple to advanced, with many student examples. The step-by-step instructions and diagrams are very clear and give one the sense that any project is achievable. As well, there is much material on the role of literacy, the process of story making and design, and the importance of integrating these subjects.
A Carpenter depicts the woodworker and simple hand tools through bright illustrations and very little text. Many objects are under construction, including windows and doors, wooden sleds and baby beds. This book and others like it allow for discussion of ways that we convert a living plant, the tree, into so many other practical products and tools.
Beautiful and detailed paintings generously accompany text that chronicles the history of herbs, explains superstition, describes the use of herbs in medicine, magic, religion, and the kitchen. Dowden includes practical advice on growing, drying, preserving and using herbs. A wonderful resource for 4th to 8th graders as well as teachers.
This is a Marilyn Burns Brainy Day book and was written to pose some geometric problems about piecing together cloaks in patterns. It is a good story about a tailor and his three sons, two of whom make beautiful cloaks out of rectangles, squares and triangles. A third son uses circles which remind him of the globe and of maps, but which do not work well for a cloak. Two-page illustrations by Kim Howard help to make this a lively book. Additional geometry ideas for parents or teachers are presented at the end, but the story is not overly focused on math topics. Many good conversations with children could develop from this book.
This is a collection of gorgeous photographs taken throughout the world. They are of the same caliber as photos in National Geographic Magazine. The simple text unites stunning pictures that take readers from Iowa to India to Iraq. A special section at the end of the book describes in a bit more detail the location and events of each photo. this book can be used with very young children to prompt discussion of cultures. We see women carrying water in brass vessels atop their veiled heads, children playing in sprinklers and fountains, collecting water from rooftops, people drinking from tin cups and filling giant clay jars at a river. Students of kindergarten age up through fourth grade will appreciate this diverse look at water and how we use it.
Handbook to the Universe is a presumptuos title for an intriguing book that provides a great deal of background information on matter, as well as some history of scientific investigations into the topic. It was written, "to satisfy people's curiosity." The book offers a good deal to think about, presented in a readable style.
A Mathematical Passage is an outstanding resource offering strategies for promoting inquiry in grades four to six. Authors Whitin and Cox provide lesson plans and intended outcomes, relation of activities to the NCTM standards, management strategies for activities, narratives of classroom experiences including discussion and informal assessment, and a design for setting up a math workshop after the model of literacy workshops. A primary focus of A Mathematical Passage is how to create a community of learners. This remarkable text also includes descriptions from teachers reflecting on their practicewhat they see in hindsight, how they could continue to improve exemplary teaching, what surprised them. This is an encouraging and compelling resource. 143 pages.
A Moldy Mystery, is an appealing early chapter book that is humorous without being overly simple or silly. Wayne has just left for camp and his younger brother Jeff seizes the opportunity to clean their room and throw out lots of gross stuff, including a collection of moldy lunch containers from under the bed. Jeff feels great about the clean room until he overhears his mom talking about Wayne's science experiment, which is related to different kinds of mold! Frantic, Jeff and his friend Kayla try to recreate the experiment of growing molds. The authentic need for experimentation (trying to reproduce results) is clear. There is factual information about molds and fungus included in small boxes throughout the text. Questions follow the story to guide readers in applying the lessons within the story. This book is part of the "Science Solves It" series and works well with first through fifth graders.