Transformative Teaching: Books and Resources that Shaped My Classroom

As educators, we constantly seek out resources that can help us improve our teaching methods and better serve our students. Today, I want to share with you one book and one resource that have had a profound impact on my teaching. These tools have not only changed how I approach teaching but have also significantly benefited my students.

?? The Power of "A Novel Approach"

One book I highly recommend to any teacher, especially those teaching English Language Arts or reading, is "A Novel Approach" by Kate Roberts. This book revolutionized how I teach novels in my classroom. Traditionally, we might spend an entire nine weeks dissecting one novel, focusing heavily on content like themes, symbolism, and comprehension. However, "A Novel Approach" taught me to focus on reading skills rather than just content.

Key Takeaways:

• Reading Two Books in Nine Weeks: Instead of dragging one novel over nine weeks, we read two books within the same period. This mirrors how we, as adults, read books at a quicker pace.
• Skills Over Content: By focusing on reading skills, students not only understand the content better but also improve their reading abilities. This approach still covers the necessary literary elements but emphasizes skill development.
• Diagnostic Testing: Starting with a reading diagnostic test helps identify each student's skill level, allowing for tailored graphic organizers and targeted skill-building.
• Group Work: Students are grouped based on their reading skills, allowing for differentiated instruction. For example, while reading "Frankenstein," some groups focused on comprehension, others on vocabulary, and some on inference or author’s craft.
• Book Clubs: For the second novel, students chose books and read them in book clubs, continuing to work on their identified skills. This approach fostered a love for reading and significantly improved their reading comprehension.

By the end of the unit, I saw incredible growth. Initially, only about 60% of my students were mastering reading comprehension, but this approach pushed that number to over 80%. Students reported that focusing on reading skills rather than just content helped them ask deeper questions and better understand the material.

??? The Modern Classroom Project

Another resource that transformed my teaching is the Modern Classroom Project. This program helped me create a self-paced, mastery-based, blended learning environment. The impact on my teaching and my students was immense.

Key Benefits:

• Instructional Videos: Moving from traditional lectures to instructional videos allowed me to spend more time with students one-on-one and in small groups. This personalized attention was crucial in meeting students where they were.
• Focused Grading: I began grading only the demonstrations of independent skills, rather than every piece of practice work. This shift meant I was assessing true understanding and mastery.
• Mastery Before Progression: Unlike traditional teaching, where we move students along with the curriculum regardless of mastery, this model ensures students learn something thoroughly before moving on.
• Collaboration: The model encouraged much more collaboration in the classroom, helping students learn to work together effectively—an essential skill for any profession.

Enhanced Scaffolding and Differentiation: I could better chunk skills and provide tailored practice or extension work, ensuring that all students were learning at their own pace and level.

?? Join the Conversation

These tools have profoundly impacted my teaching methods and my students' learning experiences. I'm curious to know what resources and books have had a significant impact on you. Share your favorites and let's learn from each other!

?? Call to Action: What books or resources have shaped your teaching? Share your insights and help us all grow! Don't forget to subscribe to The Learning Ledger for more tips and resources. #TeacherTutor #TransformativeTeaching #EducationalResources #ELA #ModernClassroom #TeachingTips #ProfessionalDevelopment