Research-Based Unit and Lesson Planning: Maximizing Student Achievement

About the Book

By integrating the best of current research and practice in curriculum planning this book presents that comprehensive topic in a manageable form. Examples throughout are representative of different grade levels and subjects areas. It should be understood at the outset that the content offered for curriculum planning is not a rigid prescriptive formula but a careful and purposeful thought process that must be considered to obtain optimal results.

In addition to developing knowledge about curriculum and instructional planning (what teachers should know), this book offers an innovative method for translating that knowledge into performance (what teachers are able to do). Knowledge is implemented by the use of coaching rubrics, sets of criteria for developing performance. Though readers will receive a thorough background in the planning process just from the content itself, its potential will be fully realized when readers also use the coaching rubrics.

Table of Contents:

Contents
Introduction
1 Learning Theory: A Foundation for Implementing All Curriculum and Instruction
2 Implementing Curriculum and Instructional Planning Skills
3 Assessment/Evaluation of Learning
4 Reviewing Unit and Lesson Planning Basics
5 Maximizing Unit Planning for Student Achievement
6 Differentiating Instruction
7 Designing Optimal Lesson Plans
References

About the Author :
Marie Pagliaro is a professional development consultant. She was a full professor and Director of the Teacher Education Division at Dominican College, Chair of the Education Department at Marymount College, a supervisor of student teachers at Lehman College of the City University of New York, and Chair of the Science Department and teacher of chemistry, general science, and mathematics in the Yonkers Public Schools. She received her PhD in Curriculum and Teaching from Fordham University.

Review :

Research-Based Unit and Lesson Planning is a 'gold mine' and a comprehensive treasure
that should on the working bookshelf of apprentice teachers, probationary teachers, newly tenured teachers, veteran teachers, and university teacher educators who prepare teachers. This book would be an eye-opener for senior political staff advisers to state and federal congressmen and senators who are self-proclaimed experts on the subject of schools and educational systems.

Having run a successful charter school district that firmly ascribed to constructivist precepts, this book nails it! Parsing the constructs of learning into a meaningful sequence that the teacher can apply in the classroom while encouraging participatory education is a major accomplishment. This book is an essential handbook for teachers who aim to build sound constructivist curriculum in their classrooms. Pagliaro provides necessary tools for teachers and instructional coaches to build strong foundations for learning by aligning clear objectives to student activities. School leaders should incorporate this text as key content in professional development sessions for all teachers seeking to improve or enrich their craft. Bravo, Dr. Pagliaro. This book is tremendous—a phenomenal work of creative synthesis for a fundamental and key professional teaching and learning function. If teachers actually implemented what was in this book, no student would be left behind! Enjoyed in particular, the review of learning theory and found the coaching rubrics particularly unique and useful. Research-Based Unit and Lesson Planning is a wonderful coach for helping novice and seasoned teachers plan for learning success in today’s diverse classrooms. This book explains traditional and contemporary methods for differentiating instruction, creating assessments, and planning learning experiences that will truly engage students, help them understand and master subject matter, and become independent, lifelong thinkers. The book is an essential tool for all teachers who seek to meet the challenges of the 21st century learner.