Developing Successful K-8 Schools

A Principal's Guide
Developing Successful K-8 Schools
June 2009 | 152 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452273174
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ISBN: 9781412966177
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Description

"The return to K–8 schools is an opportunity to step back, be purposeful and thoughtful, and plan for what we want for young persons in our schools. This book provides the vision and the tools we need to plan and build something better in Grades K–8."
—Heather MacTaggart, Executive Director
Classroom Connections, Ontario, Canada

A how-to guide for developing or transitioning to a K–8 school!

The K–8 model for school design has gained popularity with educators and parents for demonstrating higher student achievement, fewer behavioral problems, and increased cost effectiveness. This comprehensive guide provides school leaders with the tools to develop and implement a sound plan for creating an exemplary K-8 school or transitioning successfully to the K–8 approach.

Developing Successful K–8 Schools offers strategies for designing curriculum aligned to state standards, promoting 21st-century skills, planning instruction, and evaluating an effective K–8 program. Readers will also find:

  • Ten proven instructional methods for meeting the learning needs of K–8 students, plus examples that illustrate how to apply the strategies and deal with problems that might arise
  • Student assessment techniques and record-keeping procedures
  • Implementation tools such as checklists, activity charts, and much more!

This resource is ideal for school leaders who want to articulate a clear vision for a K–8 school and stay on the cutting edge of educational excellence and student achievement.

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. Here Comes the K-8 School
  • Origins of the New K-8 School
  • Rationale for Changing the School Design
  • Bedrock Beliefs About Educating Children
  • An Initial Look at the New K-8 Program We Need
  • Some Issues Associated With K-8 Education
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 2. Using Standards to Define K-8 Programs
  • Origin of Standards
  • National Standards for K-8 Education
  • Subject Matter Standards in K-8 Schools
  • Extending Standards in K-8 Schools
  • Learning Targets for Standards-Based School
  • Managing Standards-Based Programs
  • Nurturing Intellectual Competence
  • Transfer of Knowledge
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 3. Using Skills to Create the Seamless Curriculum
  • Two Conceptions of Ends
  • The Curriculum Design Tasks
  • What Kind of Skills Should be Taught?
  • Sample Tasks for Each Learner
  • Collaborative Emphasis
  • A Final Word About the Subjects
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 4. New Instructional Patterns for the K-8 School
  • General Design
  • Organization Patterns
  • Modifying Standards-Based Curriculum
  • New Uses of School Buildings
  • New Deployment of Teachers
  • New Ways of Assessing Students
  • New Patterns for Involving Parents
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 5. A Return on Investment
  • Parents
  • Students
  • Teachers
  • Administrators
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 6. Implementing the K-8 Program
  • The Unfolding Process
  • Prerequisite Conditions
  • Acquiring Resources
  • Assessment
  • Putting It All Together
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 7. Validating Progress
  • Concept Development
  • Mission Statements
  • Curriculum Design
  • Instructional Features
  • Teachers
  • Parents
  • Facilities and Transportation
  • Technology

Resource A. Summary of K-8 Research Findings

Resource A. Summary of K-8 Research Findings

Resource B. Standards Organizations

Resource B. Standards Organizations

Resource C. Instructional Resource Sites on the Internet

Resource C. Instructional Resource Sites on the Internet

Resource D. Teaching Through the Internet

Resource D. Teaching Through the Internet

Resource E. Glossary

Resource E. Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

"The return to K–8 schools is an opportunity to step back, be purposeful and thoughtful, and plan for what we want for young persons in our schools. This book provides the vision and the tools we need to plan and build something better in Grades K–8."
—Heather MacTaggart, Executive Director
Classroom Connections, Ontario, Canada

A how-to guide for developing or transitioning to a K–8 school!

The K–8 model for school design has gained popularity with educators and parents for demonstrating higher student achievement, fewer behavioral problems, and increased cost effectiveness. This comprehensive guide provides school leaders with the tools to develop and implement a sound plan for creating an exemplary K-8 school or transitioning successfully to the K–8 approach.

Developing Successful K–8 Schools offers strategies for designing curriculum aligned to state standards, promoting 21st-century skills, planning instruction, and evaluating an effective K–8 program. Readers will also find:

  • Ten proven instructional methods for meeting the learning needs of K–8 students, plus examples that illustrate how to apply the strategies and deal with problems that might arise
  • Student assessment techniques and record-keeping procedures
  • Implementation tools such as checklists, activity charts, and much more!

This resource is ideal for school leaders who want to articulate a clear vision for a K–8 school and stay on the cutting edge of educational excellence and student achievement.

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. Here Comes the K-8 School
  • Origins of the New K-8 School
  • Rationale for Changing the School Design
  • Bedrock Beliefs About Educating Children
  • An Initial Look at the New K-8 Program We Need
  • Some Issues Associated With K-8 Education
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 2. Using Standards to Define K-8 Programs
  • Origin of Standards
  • National Standards for K-8 Education
  • Subject Matter Standards in K-8 Schools
  • Extending Standards in K-8 Schools
  • Learning Targets for Standards-Based School
  • Managing Standards-Based Programs
  • Nurturing Intellectual Competence
  • Transfer of Knowledge
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 3. Using Skills to Create the Seamless Curriculum
  • Two Conceptions of Ends
  • The Curriculum Design Tasks
  • What Kind of Skills Should be Taught?
  • Sample Tasks for Each Learner
  • Collaborative Emphasis
  • A Final Word About the Subjects
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 4. New Instructional Patterns for the K-8 School
  • General Design
  • Organization Patterns
  • Modifying Standards-Based Curriculum
  • New Uses of School Buildings
  • New Deployment of Teachers
  • New Ways of Assessing Students
  • New Patterns for Involving Parents
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 5. A Return on Investment
  • Parents
  • Students
  • Teachers
  • Administrators
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 6. Implementing the K-8 Program
  • The Unfolding Process
  • Prerequisite Conditions
  • Acquiring Resources
  • Assessment
  • Putting It All Together
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 7. Validating Progress
  • Concept Development
  • Mission Statements
  • Curriculum Design
  • Instructional Features
  • Teachers
  • Parents
  • Facilities and Transportation
  • Technology

Resource A. Summary of K-8 Research Findings

Resource A. Summary of K-8 Research Findings

Resource B. Standards Organizations

Resource B. Standards Organizations

Resource C. Instructional Resource Sites on the Internet

Resource C. Instructional Resource Sites on the Internet

Resource D. Teaching Through the Internet

Resource D. Teaching Through the Internet

Resource E. Glossary

Resource E. Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

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Developing Successful K-8 Schools

A Principal's Guide


June 2009 | 152 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412966177 $37.95
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412966160 $75.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452273174 $35.00

"The return to K–8 schools is an opportunity to step back, be purposeful and thoughtful, and plan for what we want for young persons in our schools. This book provides the vision and the tools we need to plan and build something better in Grades K–8."
—Heather MacTaggart, Executive Director
Classroom Connections, Ontario, Canada

A how-to guide for developing or transitioning to a K–8 school!

The K–8 model for school design has gained popularity with educators and parents for demonstrating higher student achievement, fewer behavioral problems, and increased cost effectiveness. This comprehensive guide provides school leaders with the tools to develop and implement a sound plan for creating an exemplary K-8 school or transitioning successfully to the K–8 approach.

Developing Successful K–8 Schools offers strategies for designing curriculum aligned to state standards, promoting 21st-century skills, planning instruction, and evaluating an effective K–8 program. Readers will also find:

  • Ten proven instructional methods for meeting the learning needs of K–8 students, plus examples that illustrate how to apply the strategies and deal with problems that might arise
  • Student assessment techniques and record-keeping procedures
  • Implementation tools such as checklists, activity charts, and much more!

This resource is ideal for school leaders who want to articulate a clear vision for a K–8 school and stay on the cutting edge of educational excellence and student achievement.


Table Of Contents:

  • List of Figures
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • 1. Here Comes the K-8 School
  • Origins of the New K-8 School
  • Rationale for Changing the School Design
  • Bedrock Beliefs About Educating Children
  • An Initial Look at the New K-8 Program We Need
  • Some Issues Associated With K-8 Education
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 2. Using Standards to Define K-8 Programs
  • Origin of Standards
  • National Standards for K-8 Education
  • Subject Matter Standards in K-8 Schools
  • Extending Standards in K-8 Schools
  • Learning Targets for Standards-Based School
  • Managing Standards-Based Programs
  • Nurturing Intellectual Competence
  • Transfer of Knowledge
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 3. Using Skills to Create the Seamless Curriculum
  • Two Conceptions of Ends
  • The Curriculum Design Tasks
  • What Kind of Skills Should be Taught?
  • Sample Tasks for Each Learner
  • Collaborative Emphasis
  • A Final Word About the Subjects
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 4. New Instructional Patterns for the K-8 School
  • General Design
  • Organization Patterns
  • Modifying Standards-Based Curriculum
  • New Uses of School Buildings
  • New Deployment of Teachers
  • New Ways of Assessing Students
  • New Patterns for Involving Parents
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 5. A Return on Investment
  • Parents
  • Students
  • Teachers
  • Administrators
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 6. Implementing the K-8 Program
  • The Unfolding Process
  • Prerequisite Conditions
  • Acquiring Resources
  • Assessment
  • Putting It All Together
  • Questions for Study Groups
  • Summary
  • Notes
  • 7. Validating Progress
  • Concept Development
  • Mission Statements
  • Curriculum Design
  • Instructional Features
  • Teachers
  • Parents
  • Facilities and Transportation
  • Technology
  • Resource A. Summary of K-8 Research Findings
  • Resource B. Standards Organizations
  • Resource C. Instructional Resource Sites on the Internet
  • Resource D. Teaching Through the Internet
  • Resource E. Glossary
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

“This book provides a clear and concise road map for turning the current trend towards K-8 schools to the advantage of children. The return to K-8 schools is an opportunity to step back, be purposeful and thoughtful, and plan for what we want for young persons in our schools. This book provides the vision and the tools we need to plan and build something better in Grades K-8.”
Heather MacTaggart, Executive Director, Classroom Connections, Ontario, Canada
“As a middle school principal, I find many of these arguments compelling. This book makes a major contribution to the field of education. School leaders developing K-8 schools will find this book helpful.”
Ed Sansom, Principal, Seven Oak Middle School, Lebanon, OR
"A valuable resource for all educators. It not only provides a timeline of past mistakes and successes we’ve made educating students of these ages, but goes further to provide a prescription for future schools that emphasizes developmental levels, content, skill-building, and involvement of students, parents, teachers, and administrators.”
Marie Blum, Superintendent, Canaseraga Central School District, NY

Recommendations