The Art and Science of Teaching: A Comprehensive Framework for Effective Instruction

by Robert J. Marzano

Though classroom instructional strategies should clearly be based on sound science and research, knowing when to use them and with whom is more of an art. In The Art and Science of  A Comprehensive Framework for Effective Instruction, author Robert J. Marzano presents a model for ensuring quality teaching that balances the necessity of research-based data with the equally vital need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual students. He articulates his framework in the form of 10 questions that represent a logical planning sequence for successful instructional

What will I do to establish and communicate learning goals, track student progress, and celebrate success?What will I do to establish and communicate learning goals, track student progress, and celebrate success?2. What will I do to help students effectively interact with new knowledge?3. What will I do to help students practice and deepen their understanding of new knowledge? 4. What will I do to help students generate and test hypotheses about new knowledge? 5. What will I do to engage students?6. What will I do to establish or maintain classroom rules and procedures?7. What will I do to recognize and acknowledge adherence and lack of adherence to classroom rules and procedures?8. What will I do to establish and maintain effective relationships with students?9. What will I do to communicate high expectations for all students?10. What will I do to develop effective lessons organized into a cohesive unit?

For classroom lessons to be truly effective, educators must examine every component of the teaching process with equal resolve. Filled with charts, rubrics, and organizers, this methodical, user-friendly guide will help teachers examine and develop their knowledge and skills, so they can achieve that dynamic fusion of art and science that results in exceptional teaching and outstanding student achievement.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, Nonfiction, School, Teachers, Leadership

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is heavy on "impressive" statistics that are supposed to wow the reader, the ideas and framework questions Marzano presents in this professional development book are not very new ideas. I would recommend this to new teachers and veteran teachers who are burned out and need a fresh perspective to help their students learn effectively.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were an administrator who never taught, this would be incredibly helpful; if I were a first or second year teacher, it would be incredibly helpful. However, really all I got out of it were a couple of reminders. Not altogether bad. I'm just not in a place in my career where this was useful. Definitely useful for the aforementioned professionals.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

So so book. Some good ideas but not enough geared towards k-2 or even K-5.

[Josh Aronovitch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed. Most of the points made are common sense dressed up in the jargon of the day. I am skeptical of a book that relies on research linking various differences in teaching to "student achievement" without digging deeper into how we measure student achievement. All these correlations depend on the reliability of our measurements of student achievement, and I don't think we are good enough at testing what really matters to unquestioningly assume these measures are valid. Overall, disappointed, and a bit more worried than I was before that our school district is using the Marzano model to evaluate our teachers...

[Wendi Klaiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read two other books written by Marzano, and this book blends the research of many studies with practical application very well. I've been teaching for more than 20 years, and I found this book challenging me to switch up a few things. I highly recommend it to any teacher. In fact, I'm thinking of having the Algebra 1 teacher cohort in my department read it together and discuss at monthly meetings.

[Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information's good....but what gets me is that it is other places and has been all along. I prefer Harry Wong's The First Days of School....which gets it right AND trusts that the teacher knows best. Sigh....those were the good days. Marzano's sudden popularity seems like one more stripe in the road to a national curriculum and merit pay.

[Michael Loveless · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Art and Science of Teaching is not a page turner; the subtitle, "A Comprehensive Framework for Effective Instruction" should have given that away. The book is intended to be a meta-analysis of factors that make up good teaching. It is factual, comprehensive, and filled with citations of educational research. However the style of writing is dry. Also, in many cases the book says things that are obvious to the point that they don't need to be said. For instance few teachers need to be told that rules and procedures should be established at the beginning of the year. Overall the level of advice is general and lacking in adequate details. For instance, readers are told that establishing positive relationships with students is important, but the suggestions include greeting students at the door and engaging in friendly banter. The book outlines the major considerations that need to be addressed by teachers, and those new to the profession might find it most helpful. Experienced teachers will find a few things to think about, but it will have limited benefit for them.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calling it read is a stretch as I skimmed the material in one sitting, but Marzano does a good job of providing detailed outlines of how a teacher ought to go about organizing their craft. That being said the wording is purposely dense and the graphs overblown. Not the research behind the graphs, just the graphs themselves. Even as he seeks to simplify things for teachers, he makes them more complicated by using complicated language to describe simple things. For example, “summarizing requires students to create a personalized parsimonious account of the information gleaned from a critical input experience. “ if you’re wondering what a critical input experiences it just means they were taught something.

[Gordon Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marzano explores the entirety of teaching in this small volume through 10 questions, each posed from the point of view of the teacher... "What will I do to...?" The questions start with the cognitive aspects of teaching and learning, then move on to aspects of classroom management and teacher-student relationships. As a manual for beginning teachers, this book would be excellent. There is probably not so much in it for the experienced practitioner.

[Susanne Huizing]

The leadership team read this at school and there are great strategies that could work. However, as with all things in education, we will need to see if our learning environment and the dynamic of each classes and our stakeholders will be enhanced by some of these new methods. We are piloting some of the feedback methods this year.

[Zachery Deleski-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides great resources and tons of information that gives teachers a clear framework to teach. There is a reason it is an essential read within education regarding teaching and learning. Marzano, more importantly, gives great recommendations for further study to expand on topics. This is a summary of several different things that could be talked about far more in-depth in other research.

[Kurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marzano answers ten key pedagogical questions thoroughly, but the book reads like a research paper with many distracting citations. I prefer Fred Jones’s presentation, “Tools for Teaching.” It’s more entertaining. My understanding is that Marzano’s recent edition (2018?) is more palatable.

[Crystal Chodes-Squibb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this early in my teaching career. 13 years later I’m rereading it for a graduate course. Some parts of it were good reminders. Other parts felt outdated.
Mostly, it was a disappointing to read for a graduate level course. That said, it’s a good read for new teachers.

[Bri Slaughter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid text about instructional strategies and the research supporting them! A lot of the information in this book is directly applicable to my classroom--which is what I want from an education theory book!

[Pete Jurchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic synthesis of the best of Marzano's other research works. I plan on keeping this handy as a reference for best practice in curriculum design. Highest recommendation.

[Vance J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavily sourced, I thought this a good primer on teaching. Reminded me of several things to check on in my own practice this upcoming school year.

[Nicole McKone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful methods and strategies to use in a classroom. Not thrilling

[Mitchell Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely useful resource for all teachers. Will definitely be coming back to read and refresh certain ideas mentioned in this text in the future and especially before interviews too.

[Marcie Marzullo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much theory, not enough practical.

[Seth the Zest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry but useful for teachers. I think the chapters on behavioral management are well-intended but wouldn't work in a great many school districts.

[Angela Hedworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, practical suggestions!

[Cristina]

Simply a collection of educational best practices.

[Steve D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I think this book is helpful, but I did have a couple problems with Marzano's The Art and Science of Teaching. First, as I read through the various strategies, and especially the forced sample student-teacher conversations that went along with them, I got the impression that the book was directed towards teachers within more prestigious school districts. Some of the strategies are universal, but I question the effectiveness of other strategies in a district with real problems. Second, I found the reading, especially the Research and Theory segments of each chapter, to be a bit dry. That doesn't make it a bad book, but there's nothing in there that's really going to grab your attention. If you're having a hard time getting through it, just jump to the Action Steps section of each chapter, which will provide you with specific strategies.

On the positive side, I will say that Marzano, in detailing his ten design questions, brings forth several strategies that I will certainly try in the classroom. In particular, I like his focus on establishing rules and procedures (and the rewards/consequences that go along with them), engaging students in various activities on a daily basis, and establishing strong teacher-student relationships. At the end of the book, Chapter 10 - What will I do to develop effective lessons organized into a cohesive unit? - offers an excellent summation of the previous nine chapters. It also gives specific components that a teacher should incorporate into each lesson in order to make it effective. Overall, I would certainly recommend this book to teachers who want to help their students achieve at a higher level.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marzano does a good job here, as he has before, of synthesizing the research and making it understandable and applicable. I read this with an inward eye, assessing my own classroom behaviors and procedures. I would like to spend time talking to colleagues about these questions and how they play out in our practice.I was interested to see him spend time and space discussing the importance of establishing and maintaining relationships. Not necessarily close 'friendly' relationships, but positive, professional ones. Ones focused on teaching and learning, on goals and expectations. LOTS of stickies peppered throughout, and I think I'll make a copy of the Questions for Daily Reflection to keep on my desk...along with my National Board Standards...

[Heather Obartuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

The county I teach in evaluates instructional coaches and teachers with standards based on Marzano's books. I must admit, when I first read his book, I found myself having to refocus and reread constantly - it just did not hold my interest! After rereading and discussing with my PLC, I began to take more of an interest, especially the chapters on creating effective rubrics and rethinking how homework is assigned and graded. Overall, I would recommend this as a book study for any school looking for ways to raise rigor effectively in their school.

[Andrea Huelsenbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book about teaching. But, you know what? There are millions of good books about teaching. I read this book because in our school district we teachers are being evaluated on the basis of how well we follow this particular recipe for teaching. I find it frustrating, because I know in a few years we will be required to change the way we teach again to fit whatever new fashion our legislators and administrators become enthralled with. I wish teachers were allowed to self-correct based on what works with their students rather than be forced to line up our little ducks just so.

[J & J · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been some time now since I read this book (as well as a second Marzano book) and what I've found is that much of what's stated and/or demonstrated in these books is very much based upon the reader or evaluator's interpretation, not necessarily Marzano's intended outcome. In addition, I am yet to find any worthiness in most of his evaluation premises, although, I do find his data compelling and logical. It's unfortunate that in some schools, his general/basic ideals are twisted and then used in ways unintended therefore causing vast confusion amongst teachers.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent chapter in here about homework. Every teacher should read and reassess homework.

This is the text Palm Beach County gave the principals and sent them to a workshop. Teachers' evaluations will be based on his research.

I read it, not chapter by chapter, it is kinda dry. I was able to compare what I was doing that was effective. Definitely the chapter on homework is worth reading and sharing with school. I photocopied it.

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books is a great read for teachers especially those who reside in an area in which teachers are to be evaluated using the Marzano Domains. I found this book to be quite informative even though I do believe most teachers do implement some of these strategies into their own classroom. The book is also beneficial to read especially if you are a beginning teacher like I am. Knowing the lingo will really put a feather in your cap when speaking to other teachers and of course administration.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of research results that support many things I do in the classroom. I also now have a new bucket of tools to incorporate into my lessons. Sometimes I do things and didn't really now why or have a purpose, this text helped me by giving great daily reflection questions to make each part of my lessons meaningful/purposeful. I like the idea of giving parents guidelines for homework. I want to try interactive homework this year!