Description
The introduction states: "[T]he only reason our schools haven't made astonishing progress in the last 30 years of "reform" is quite simple: very few schools ever implemented 'what is essential'--the most powerful, simple actions and structures that woulddramatically increase the proportion of students prepared for college or careers. What is 'essential' for schools? Three simple things: reasonably coherent curriculum (what we teach); sound lessons (how we teach); and far more purposeful reading and writing in every discipline, or authentic literacy (integral to both what and how we teach).
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Schmoker, a former school administrator, English teacher, and current consultant and author, details how to improve student learning by emphasizing the simplicity of three essential elements: a focused and coherent curriculum, clear prioritized lessons, and purposeful reading and writing. He describes the importance of these elements over any other initiative or reform, how to select essential standards, the content of good lessons, and teaching practices in language arts, social studies, science, and math that integrate purposeful reading, writing, and talking. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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