November 15, 2018 | Denver, CO—Tools for Classroom Instruction That Works, co-published by McREL International and Thoughtful Education Press, has earned a Learning® Magazine 2019 Teachers’ Choice AwardSM for Professional Development.
Tools for Classroom Instruction That Works gives teachers 51 ready-to-use instructional techniques to help their students develop deeper understanding and broader application of what they are learning.
Published in January 2018, the book combines McREL’s well-known research and analysis on the most effective instructional strategies with Thoughtful Education Press’s award-winning Tools for Today’s Educators resources. Co-written by former teacher and McREL instructional trainer Cheryl Abla along with Dr. Harvey Silver and his colleagues from Thoughtful Education Press, Tools for Classroom Instruction That Works provides teachers with a brief synopsis of key research and the benefits of each tool, along with simple step-by-step instructions, classroom examples, reproducible handouts, and tips from real teachers who have used the tool with their students.
The Teachers’ Choice Award winners are selected after review by a panel of practicing educators who test the products in their classrooms.
“As a 25-year veteran teacher, I loved that this [book] provides practical, not theoretical, techniques that can be used right away in the classroom,” said one of the reviewers. “The book makes it really easy to find tools to fit your grade level, content area and student needs.”
Silver, a leading education expert who has been helping schools improve instruction for more than 40 years, says two things distinguish this book from other texts about instruction. “First is the research base. McREL’s Classroom Instruction That Works research is the gold standard for a reason. It reshaped the entire field, and we are proud that this research anchors our book. The second difference maker is the book’s practicality. The tools are so classroom-friendly that teachers can use them tomorrow. These tools really are the simplest and most effective way to make research-based instruction an everyday reality in any classroom.”
Tools for Classroom Instruction That Works is available at https://store.mcrel.org and https://toolsforclassroominstructionthatworks.com .
Praise from education professionals for Tools for Classroom Instruction That Works
“Harvey Silver and colleagues have made a great framework even better.” – Robert J. Marzano, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer, Marzano Research
“This book is packed with powerful, easy-to-use tools. Anyone who wants to improve teaching—teacher, coach, administrator, anyone—will find it incredibly useful.” – Jim Knight, author of The Impact Cycle and Better Conversations
“This book is an ideal resource for meeting the growing call for ‘best first instruction.’ It is strongly aligned to the Classroom Instruction That Works research base, and it provides high-impact tools that help educators turn the research into powerful classroom practice.” – Bj Stone, co-author, Classroom Instruction That Works (Second Edition)
“As a principal of an elementary school I am constantly looking for resources for my teachers. So often the resources I find are filled with ‘what’ teachers should be doing with little support on the ‘how.’ This book was designed for busy teachers that need a ‘how’ they can use the next day. It provides great tools backed by solid research that will benefit new and veteran educators alike.” – Kellie Roe, Principal, Clear Sky Elementary, Colorado
“This book of practical tools meets teachers at the crossroads of easy, effective, and exhilarating. All educators will benefit from incorporating these tried-and-true tools into their repertoires.” – Nicholas DiSanto, Instructional Lead, Affinity Field Support Center, New York
About McREL International
McREL is a non-profit education research and development organization that turns knowledge about what works in education into practical, effective guidance for educators across the U.S. and around the world. Schools and school systems turn to McREL for high-quality research and evaluation, professional development and coaching, and strategic planning and implementation support for improvement and innovation projects.
About Thoughtful Education Press
Thoughtful Education Press is the publishing division of Silver Strong & Associates, an educational consulting and publishing company that provides custom professional development and practical resources to schools and districts throughout the country. Through its own channels and strategic partnerships with schools, districts, and leading national publishers, Thoughtful Education Press produces a range of resources for educators on a variety of topics—including award-winning books, professional learning guides, customized workshop designs, and classroom posters.
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