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Tools for Teaching Conceptual Understanding, Elementary
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Tools for Teaching Conceptual Understanding, Elementary
Harnessing Natural Curiosity for Learning That Transfers

Foreword by Debbie Silver



October 2017 | 208 pages | Corwin
Harness natural curiosity for conceptual understanding!

Young children are naturally curious, asking deep questions about complex concepts. This tendency is a talent that can be nurtured so that children grow to be deep thinkers and innovators later in life. However, in our complex world, it is impossible to teach students everything they need to know. Pushing more factual content ignores what we know about how children learn and endangers their love of learning. Concept-based teaching helps young learners uncover conceptual relationships in a way that is developmentally appropriate. Readers of this guide will learn:  

Why conceptual learning is a natural fit for children
Strategies for introducing conceptual learning
Instructional strategies to help students uncover and transfer concepts
How to write lessons, assess understanding, and differentiate in a concept-based classroom
How concept-based teaching aligns with best practices and initiatives

Written for educators who strive to cultivate conceptual understanding while honoring students’ innate curiosity, this is a must-have road map for implementing concept-based teaching in elementary classrooms.  

"This book provides the research and resources educators need to help students take ownership of their learning. It fosters students’ curiosity about their environment and it allows them to explore and become life-long learners."
Ellen Asregadoo, Fifth Grade Teacher
Public School 190, Brooklyn, NY

"This is an important book for all teachers. We need to be honoring our students as thinkers who deserve developmentally appropriate intellectual rigor in the classroom. We will not achieve this in our traditional coverage based classroom. I am so inspired and can’t wait to start this journey (making mistakes and learning along the way!)."
Sarah Gat, Second Grade Teacher
Ecole Arbour Vista Public School, Guelph, Ontario

 

 

 
Foreword
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction: Why is Concept-Based Curriculum Critical for the 21st Century?
 
Chapter 1: What Are the Essential Elements of Concept-Based Curriculum Design?
 
Chapter 2: How Do I Set Up My Classroom for Deep, Conceptual Learning?
 
Chapter 3: What Are the Building Blocks of Concept-Based Instruction?
 
Chapter 4: What Additional Tools Can We Use to Design Lessons?
 
Chapter 5: How do we Design Assessments for Conceptual Understanding?
 
Chapter 6: How Can We Work Toward Equity in a Concept-Based Classroom?
 
Chapter 7: How Can Conceptual Understanding Help to Preserve a Love of Learning Beyond Childhood?
 
Conclusion: Imagine What School Could Be.…
 
References
 
Index

"Using a concept-based curriculum is essential to get students thinking and  active in their own learning. Erickson, Lanning & French explain in detail how to plan and teach in order to transform content into understanding that is relevant and compelling for all students."

Sarah Isaac, Lower School Assistant Principal

"This book provides the research and resources educators need to help students take ownership of their learning. It fosters students’ curiosity about their environment and it allows them to explore and become life-long learners."

Ellen Asregadoo, Fifth Grade Teacher
Public School 190, Brooklyn, NY

"This book gives a nice overview of how to plan for and implement concept based learning into the elementary classroom. Additionally, it provides practical examples and ideas that any educator can take and implement into his or her classroom immediately."

Kate Benson, Fourth Grade Team Leader
Colegio Anglo Colombiano, Bogota, Colombia

"The practical strategies and examples supported by manageable theoretical information is exactly what teachers need to begin to take the steps that feel so difficult for many teachers who can’t visualize what it would look like in their classrooms."

Monique Cadieux, Fifth Grade Teacher
Mitchell Woods Public School, Guelph, Ontario

"This is an important book for all teachers. We need to be honoring our students as thinkers who deserve developmentally appropriate intellectual rigor in the classroom. We will not achieve this in our traditional coverage based classroom. I am so inspired and can’t wait to start this journey (making mistakes and learning along the way!)."

Sarah Gat, Second Grade Teacher
Ecole Arbour Vista Public School, Guelph, Ontario

"This is the book that teachers who have been trying to implement concept-based teaching and learning have been waiting for. The research-based lesson frameworks create a clear and doable plan for teachers at any grade or content level. This book is a must for any instructional coach or curriculum writer."

Saundra Mouton, Primary Years Program International Baccalaureate Coordinator & Reading Specialist (PK-5th Grade)
Briarmeadow Charter School, Houston ISD, Houston, TX
Key features
 Teachers will learn:
  • Why conceptual learning is a natural fit for young minds
  • Strategies for introducing children to conceptual learning
  • Instructional strategies to help students uncover and transfer concepts
  • How to write concept-based lessons
  • How to assess for conceptual understanding
  • How to differentiate in a concept-based classroom
  • How CBCI aligns with other current best practices and initiatives (like PBL, CCSS, etc.)

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781506377230

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