Privatization of America's Public Institutions: The Story of the American Sellout
AMERICAN SELLOUT describes the transformation of the military, K–12 public schools, public universities and colleges, and prisons into enterprises focused on generating profits for a select few. In many cases, privatization has limited accessibility, promoted segregation, fueled declining standards, increased costs, and reduced quality.
Recent developments
3-minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQc-KmJ_5ms
Radio interview with Rick Smith: https://podgator.com/podcast-epsiodes/lawrence-baines/
Diane Ravitch's blog: https://dianeravitch.net/2019/08/28/john-thompson-reviews-an-important-new-book-about-privatization-of-public-services/
NONDOC website: https://nondoc.com/2019/09/13/privatization-of-the-military-facts/
Book's website: www.americansellout.org.
Recent developments
3-minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQc-KmJ_5ms
Radio interview with Rick Smith: https://podgator.com/podcast-epsiodes/lawrence-baines/
Diane Ravitch's blog: https://dianeravitch.net/2019/08/28/john-thompson-reviews-an-important-new-book-about-privatization-of-public-services/
NONDOC website: https://nondoc.com/2019/09/13/privatization-of-the-military-facts/
Book's website: www.americansellout.org.
Optimal Language Learning
Rather than base a language learning system on false promises of instantaneous fluency, Optimal Language Learning takes a different approach. Optimal Language Learning investigates the vast, (mostly) unbiased body of research on language acquisition in concert with close analyses of the techniques of individuals who have developed a remarkable affinity for becoming fluent in foreign languages. The techniques of these language mavens are brought to light and thoroughly examined to demonstrate how real experts get to be experts. Learning a new language is not quick or easy, but unlike popular no-mess, no-fuss methods, Optimal Language Learning is actually effective. Read an excerpt (introduction and chapter 3) here.
Rather than base a language learning system on false promises of instantaneous fluency, Optimal Language Learning takes a different approach. Optimal Language Learning investigates the vast, (mostly) unbiased body of research on language acquisition in concert with close analyses of the techniques of individuals who have developed a remarkable affinity for becoming fluent in foreign languages. The techniques of these language mavens are brought to light and thoroughly examined to demonstrate how real experts get to be experts. Learning a new language is not quick or easy, but unlike popular no-mess, no-fuss methods, Optimal Language Learning is actually effective. Read an excerpt (introduction and chapter 3) here.
Project-Based Writing in Science
Turn your students into scientists who use their knowledge and creativity to solve real-world problems. Each lesson features a step-by-step guide; a summary of recent research; and handouts that are classroom-ready. Learn about the three levels of writing, from a Level 1 quickwrite to a formal, multi-part, Level 3 research paper. Each writing assignment--narrative, persuasive, and informative--includes a detailed rubric that makes grading easy. Students collaborate to contain an outbreak of avian flu, lead a group of people trying to survive under harsh conditions, battle drought in a densely-populated city in the American southwest, research the behavior of animals in the local region, and calculate their own speed, velocity, and momentum. Engaging and demanding, Project-Based Writing in Science helps students to understand and improve the world. Read an excerpt here.
Turn your students into scientists who use their knowledge and creativity to solve real-world problems. Each lesson features a step-by-step guide; a summary of recent research; and handouts that are classroom-ready. Learn about the three levels of writing, from a Level 1 quickwrite to a formal, multi-part, Level 3 research paper. Each writing assignment--narrative, persuasive, and informative--includes a detailed rubric that makes grading easy. Students collaborate to contain an outbreak of avian flu, lead a group of people trying to survive under harsh conditions, battle drought in a densely-populated city in the American southwest, research the behavior of animals in the local region, and calculate their own speed, velocity, and momentum. Engaging and demanding, Project-Based Writing in Science helps students to understand and improve the world. Read an excerpt here.
Teaching Challenging Texts: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Multimedia
Teaching Challenging Texts shows how to increase reading comprehension and enhance student engagement, even with the most challenging texts. Every chapter features ready-to-use, research-based lessons, replete with instructions, handouts, correlations, and assessments. The book features cutting-edge curricula, including extensive use of images, films, commercials, websites, and all kinds of music. "Teaching Difficult Texts is a must-read for all of us to become better teachers of this new generation." Philip Zimbardo, former president of APA, author of The Time Paradox & The Lucifer Effect. Read an excerpt here.
Teaching Challenging Texts shows how to increase reading comprehension and enhance student engagement, even with the most challenging texts. Every chapter features ready-to-use, research-based lessons, replete with instructions, handouts, correlations, and assessments. The book features cutting-edge curricula, including extensive use of images, films, commercials, websites, and all kinds of music. "Teaching Difficult Texts is a must-read for all of us to become better teachers of this new generation." Philip Zimbardo, former president of APA, author of The Time Paradox & The Lucifer Effect. Read an excerpt here.
Going Bohemian: How to Teach Writing Like You Mean It
An award-winning collection of writing strategies that have sparked true enthusiasm for writing in adolescent students-including reluctant students, English-language learners, and gifted writers. Bohemian writing lessons rely on unconventional strategies, art and multimedia, competitive games, and indirect approaches to teach some of the difficult lessons of writing. All of the 42 lessons in this book are classroom proven and can be worked into you current curriculum immediately. Lessons include reproducibles to use in your own instruction and student examples that show you what's possible.
An award-winning collection of writing strategies that have sparked true enthusiasm for writing in adolescent students-including reluctant students, English-language learners, and gifted writers. Bohemian writing lessons rely on unconventional strategies, art and multimedia, competitive games, and indirect approaches to teach some of the difficult lessons of writing. All of the 42 lessons in this book are classroom proven and can be worked into you current curriculum immediately. Lessons include reproducibles to use in your own instruction and student examples that show you what's possible.
The Teachers We Need vs. the Teachers We Have
The Teachers We Need vs. the Teachers We Have reveals exactly how American teachers are taught, describes the wide disparities in the preparation of teachers across states, depicts how market-driven teacher preparation denigrates the quality of teachers, and compares teacher preparation in America against teacher preparation in other countries. "This book makes clear that there is a race to the bottom in teacher education, a situation that Baines documents well in this call to arms. A recommended read." (David C. Berliner, Regents' Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University). "A truly awesome compilation of data, with accompanying insightful interpretation, of the total disarray of teacher education in the nation." (J. Edmund Farrell, University of Texas at Austin)
The Teachers We Need vs. the Teachers We Have reveals exactly how American teachers are taught, describes the wide disparities in the preparation of teachers across states, depicts how market-driven teacher preparation denigrates the quality of teachers, and compares teacher preparation in America against teacher preparation in other countries. "This book makes clear that there is a race to the bottom in teacher education, a situation that Baines documents well in this call to arms. A recommended read." (David C. Berliner, Regents' Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University). "A truly awesome compilation of data, with accompanying insightful interpretation, of the total disarray of teacher education in the nation." (J. Edmund Farrell, University of Texas at Austin)
A Teacher's Guide to Multisensory Learning
A Teacher's Guide discusses how to use multisensory techniques to help students interact with material more intensely and retain what they learn for longer periods of time. "A great teacher resource! The author provides the reasons for using multisensory authentic instruction to teach our students in the best way so they retain learning. It begins with a look at students today, and points out the need to engage them in the central skill of literacy. There is a discussion of the history and research on the use of multi sensory learning and a separate chapter for each of the senses. There are lesson plans that can be adapted for all the senses. This resource needs to be in every school to encourage more teachers to adopt this rich, authentic, fun approach. It is unique in providing ideas for all grade levels through high school." (Review by Horgerthelibrarian)
A Teacher's Guide discusses how to use multisensory techniques to help students interact with material more intensely and retain what they learn for longer periods of time. "A great teacher resource! The author provides the reasons for using multisensory authentic instruction to teach our students in the best way so they retain learning. It begins with a look at students today, and points out the need to engage them in the central skill of literacy. There is a discussion of the history and research on the use of multi sensory learning and a separate chapter for each of the senses. There are lesson plans that can be adapted for all the senses. This resource needs to be in every school to encourage more teachers to adopt this rich, authentic, fun approach. It is unique in providing ideas for all grade levels through high school." (Review by Horgerthelibrarian)
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