The Research-Ready Classroom: Differentiating Instruction Across Content Areas

by Mike Anderson, Andy Dousis

When your classroom hums with the activity of twenty-five students, each diligently pursuing their own line of inquiry, real learning happens. Independent research increases student motivation and is one of the most effective ways for them to learn across the content areas, but many teachers don't know how to implement and manage it. The Research-Ready Classroom shows you how to differentiate instruction for two dozen students at once-all while helping them meet curricular demands and state standards. In The Research-Ready Classroom Mike Anderson and Andy Dousis give you a start-to-finish guide to managing independent research in your classroom. From an examination of the skills independent research builds to using inquiry to motivate students, you'll find all the theoretical information you need to understand why independent research works and what it accomplishes. And from helping students select a topic to supporting them as they gather information and create ways to present it, Anderson and Dousis give you all the specific instructional strategies to make it work. Best of all, they show you how research projects support students of all abilities in meeting benchmarks across the curriculum. Pick up a copy of The Research-Ready Classroom and discover how you can teach valuable skills like questioning and note taking, meet standards, and improve students' motivation, all at once. Then listen for the buzz of busy researchers enjoying the quest for information.

Genres: Education

136 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2006

About the author

Mike Anderson is an award-winning teacher and the author of many books about great teaching and learning including. A classroom teacher for 15 years and a Responsive Classroom consultant for many years, Mike now serves as an independent consultant working with teachers and schools around the US and beyond. He supports educators on a variety of topics which include blending social-emotional learning with daily academics, implementing choice as a vehicle for differentiation, and using language that supports positive behavior and joyful learning. Mike lives with his wonderful family in Durham, NH and can often be seen running through the trails of College Woods or pulling weeds in his perennial gardens.

Reviews

[Gresham · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gives a clear and simple overview of how to take your students through the research process. I loved the way the authors were honest about their own failures and shortcomings - there was no sugarcoating. It gave a real-life picture of kids learning in a very real classroom.