A practical and systematic approach to deepening student engagement, promoting a growth mindset, and building a classroom culture that truly supports thinking and learning.
Chapter 1. Rigor by Design: Laying the Foundation for Deeper Learning
Chapter 2. Ask a Series of Probing Questions
AcknowledgmentsFor me, writing a book is truly a collaborative effort, even when my name is the only name on the cover. I'd like to acknowledge the people who became my "thought partners," collectively contributing to the ideas that came together in this book. First, I'd like to express sincere gratitude to my esteemed colleagues who took time to review early drafts of the manuscript and provide both encouragement and substantive feedback. In the end, their insights and deep knowledge of curriculum, lesson design, and, most important, the diverse learning needs of students resulted in what I hope is a book filled with practical strategies that teachers at any grade level will find fresh and useful.
I'd also like to thank several amazing school leaders willing to take a leap of faith and support their teachers over several school years in piloting and giving me feedback on many of the strategies and tools in the book. These dedicated professionals were willing to stay the course and discover with me how to make learning deep and meaningful for every student.
Finally, I would like to express gratitude to the staff at ASCD with whom I've worked most closely. In November 2020, senior acquisitions editor Susan Hills contacted me to discuss book ideas and believed in my vision for this book, helping me to organize my thinking around the five major themes. Senior editor Mary Beth Nielsen, working with copyeditor Amy Azzam and art director Donald Ely, then guided me through the editing, design, and production processes to help make the book meaningful and relevant for classroom teachers. Working behind the scenes, they were always responsive to my questions and supportive in representing the essence and intent of my work. Printed by for personal use only |
For me, writing a book is truly a collaborative effort, even when my name is the only name on the cover. I'd like to acknowledge the people who became my "thought partners," collectively contributing to the ideas that came together in this book.
First, I'd like to express sincere gratitude to my esteemed colleagues who took time to review early drafts of the manuscript and provide both encouragement and substantive feedback. In the end, their insights and deep knowledge of curriculum, lesson design, and, most important, the diverse learning needs of students resulted in what I hope is a book filled with practical strategies that teachers at any grade level will find fresh and useful.
Laura Lynn Benson, director of curriculum and professional development for International Schools Services, Princeton, NJ
Barbara Blackburn, author, Asheville, NC
Barbara Ewing Cockroft, State Support Team Region 9, Ohio Department of Education, Canton, OH
Mariane Gfroerer, director of innovation and NHLI/Southern NH University Graduate Program, Hampton, NH
Ellen Hume-Howard, executive director, New Hampshire Learning Initiative/NHLI, Kingston, NH
Felicia Sullivan, director of research and evaluation, Jobs for the Future, Lowell, MA
Jonathan Vander Els, director of collaborative learning, New Hampshire Learning Initiative, Hampton Falls, NH
Kathy White, director of innovative projects, New Hampshire Learning Initiative, Nashua, NH
Lynn Shafer Willner, researcher, WIDA at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Manlius, NY
I'd also like to thank several amazing school leaders willing to take a leap of faith and support their teachers over several school years in piloting and giving me feedback on many of the strategies and tools in the book. These dedicated professionals were willing to stay the course and discover with me how to make learning deep and meaningful for every student.
Yvonne Aguilera, director of learning, leading, and innovation, Midland Independent School District, Midland, TX
Tanya Bates Howell, founding principal, and Maria Psimadas, assistant principal, PS 349, Magnet School for Leadership and Innovation Through STEAM, New York, NY
Chris Dodge, director, Salem Career and Technical Education Center, Salem, NH
Siri Reynolds, principal, Stone Creek Charter School, Edwards, CO
Steve Rothenberg, director, Concord Regional Technical Center, Concord, NH
Damarr Smith, senior program manager, competency-based education, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL
Finally, I would like to express gratitude to the staff at ASCD with whom I've worked most closely. In November 2020, senior acquisitions editor Susan Hills contacted me to discuss book ideas and believed in my vision for this book, helping me to organize my thinking around the five major themes. Senior editor Mary Beth Nielsen, working with copyeditor Amy Azzam and art director Donald Ely, then guided me through the editing, design, and production processes to help make the book meaningful and relevant for classroom teachers. Working behind the scenes, they were always responsive to my questions and supportive in representing the essence and intent of my work.
