Resources for Teachers

Like Diamonds in the Rough.

You don't have to dig to find teaching resources. Books on teaching philosophy with practical ideas for application in the classroom...they are everywhere. But the really amazing content...it's right here. You've done the legwork. You've talked to other teachers. You know what works. What "outshines" the average and classifies as extraordinary.

Like classifying a diamond, we've selected the resources that teachers tell us reflect:
Cut - Well proportioned wisdom & practical application based on the latest research in educating children.
Carat - The biggest bang for your buck.
Clarity - Near perfect ideas to implement.
Color - Enjoyable reading & applications; Proven to hold your attention and the attention of children.

Real Gems...from Teachers for Teachers.

Teaching with the Brain in Mind
By Eric Jensen
"Teaching with the Brain in Mind" balances the research and theory of the brain with successful tips and techniques for using that information in classrooms. From its primer on brain biology to in-depth discussions of emotions, memory, and recall, this book is an invaluable tool for any educator looking to better reach students through truly brain-compatible teaching and learning.

Problem Solving Tips for Teachers
By the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Provides instruction and practice in improving ability to plan a solution to a problem. An excellent resource, especially valuable for Grades 3 to 12. Develop skills necessary for complex thinking. Format is enjoyable, graphics helpful. Areas covered include: Choose the operation, guess & check, draw a picture, make a table, make an organized list, use logical reasoning, work backward, solve a simpler problem, find a pattern, write an equation.

Project Learning Tree (PLT)
An award winning, multi-disciplinary environmental education program for educators and students in Pre K - Grade 12. PLT, a program of the American Forest Foundation, is one of the most widely used environmental education programs in the United States and abroad. PLT materials are aligned with state and national education standards. PLT is cross-curricular with easy to use lessons in science, language arts, special education, and other classes.

How to be an Effective Teacher: The First Days of School
By Harry K. Wong & Rosemary T. Wong
A myriad of ideas and techniques that have been shared by legions of educators. An excellent resource for any teacher, a must for beginning teachers.

Project Wild
For Kindergarten through Grade 12. An interdisciplinary, supplementary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife produced by a national network of State Wildlife Agency Sponsors.

Dimensions Foundation
The mission of the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation is to inspire children, families and educators to connect more deeply with the world around them. This foundation studies how children from age 2 to 8 develop visual-spatial skills and how families and educators can best support this important learning. Fat Brain Toys is proud to know this great organization!

Lessons That Change Writers
by Nancy Atwell
These are terrific lessons! Actual mini-lessons that you can teach in a writer's workshop. The author shares over a hundred lessons from effective teachers that you can use with your own students. Mini-lessons are a wonderful vehicle for helping students improve their writing. Lessons provided fall into the following categories: Lessons about Topics, Principles of Writing, Lessons about Genre (poetry, short stories, essays, memoirs, thank-you letters, profiles, etc.) Lessons about Conventions.

Conversations
by Regie Routman
An overall great book for setting up reading and writing workshops in a classroom. Filled with an array of field tested teaching ideas, detailed strategies, reviews of theory, teacher crafted lessons and lists of annotated resources - this book is upbeat and practical. Routman also explores current theory and research and supports her views classroom-based and scientific research.

GEMS (Greater Explorations in Math and Science)
From the University of California at Berkeley
Wonderful Science and Math Resources for Preschool through Grade 8. There are a number of books in this series.

AIMS (Activities Integrating Math and Science)
From the University of California at Berkeley
Fantastic Math and Science activities for grades Kindergarten through Grade 9.

Revisit, Reflect, Retell: Strategies for Improving Reading Comprehension
by Linda Hoyt
Great activities for literature units. This very practical book with over 130 strategies, 90 reproducibles provides a basis for high-quality literature responses from kids. Tools for teachers, parent instruction activities, student reflection forms, observation guides that can be used immediately.

Making Words
by Patricia Cunningham
Great resources for word study, phonics patterns. Presents a guided invented-spelling instructional strategy called "Making Words" which teachers can use with beginning readers to develop their ability to spell words and to apply this knowledge when decoding during reading. Discusses how to plan and teach the strategy. Describes two sample lessons, and explores why the strategy works. Also good for experienced readers and writers. Also check out Making Big Words, and Making More Words by Patricia Cunningham.

Making Words
by Patricia Cunningham
Great resources for word study, phonics patterns. Presents a guided invented-spelling instructional strategy called "Making Words" which teachers can use with beginning readers to develop their ability to spell words and to apply this knowledge when decoding during reading. Discusses how to plan and teach the strategy. Describes two sample lessons, and explores why the strategy works. Also good for experienced readers and writers. Also check out Making Big Words, and Making More Words by Patricia Cunningham.