These 6 Things: How to Focus Your Teaching on What Matters Most

by Dave Stuart Jr.

Streamline literacy instruction while increasing student achievementDave Stuart Jr.'s work is centered on a simple all students and teachers can flourish. Yet that seemingly simple goal can feel unattainable when teachers are expected to teach core content within the disciplines and improve literacy in their classrooms. How can teachers and students flourish under so much pressure?Stuart's Take a deep breath and refocus on six known best practices— establish and strengthen key beliefs, then build knowledge and increase reading, writing, speaking and listening, and argumentation in every content area, every day. These 6 Things is all about streamlining your practice so that you're teaching smarter, not harder, and kids are learning, doing, and flourishing in ELA and content-area classrooms. In this essential new resource, teachers will receive Proven, classroom-tested advice delivered in an approachable, teacher-to-teacher style that builds confidence Practical strategies for streamlining instruction in order to focus on key beliefs and literacy-building activities Solutions and suggestions for the most common teacher and student "hang-ups" Numerous recommendations for deeper reading on key topicsIn addition to teaching English and world history for more than a decade, Stuart is well-known for his blog DaveStuartJr.com, which has over 35,000 visitors each month. This popular resource has been a beacon of light for more than 10,000 subscribers who refuse to freak out about the everyday challenges of teaching in a high-stakes era. He presents professional development workshops and institutes for schools around the United States and offers a number of online learning tools and experiences on his website.

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

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2018

Reviews

[Becka · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book "These 6 Things", Dave Stuart Jr. gives educators permission (and actually ENCOURAGES) them to have a meaningful life outside of the classroom, while at the same time showing them how to maximize the use of their at-work time to ensure the long-term flourishing of students.

Dave's work is based on a solid foundation of research, cultivated in the real world of his own secondary classroom, and expertly conveyed to fellow educators in this book that is overflowing with ways to simplify the number of areas of focus for teachers and students and how tweaking what they are ALREADY DOING in those 6 areas will lead to students who are better readers, writers, thinkers, and citizens. Not merely intended for ELA teachers, this book has even more to offer to content area teachers.

Contrary to most professional books that I read, "These 6 Things" doesn't leave me feeling like I need to throw out everything I'm doing in my classroom and start from scratch. It shows me how to work smarter to benefit my students, myself, and my family who deserve my attention outside of the school day. A refreshing, much-needed tool!

[Paige Lacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet co worker/best friend let me borrow this, the only reason I gave it 4 stars was because it didn’t quite live up to 180 Days that I just finished! However, it was still great & gave me lots of ideas. 👍🏻

[Jim Woehrle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most reader-friendly, accessible and practical PD books I’ve read in a long time.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teacher book. I'm not sure how much is new, but that's kind of the point. Stuart reminds us of what's important in our jobs - something we are constantly in danger of losing sight of amid the daily onslaught of bullshit that seems more important than it is. Really kind of a self-help book for teachers. With some solid strategies built in.

[Lauren Kindstrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most helpful book about teaching that I have ever read. Highly recommended.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is worth the read, especially paired with We Got This by Cornelius Minor. So many resources and ideas to get you reflective about your teaching and about yourself.

[Denise Rolfes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave Stuart Jr. speaks from the heart to every teacher that is trying to move their students from where they are to "long-term flourishing," and he does it from the trenches of the classroom. He is also speaking to those teachers who are burned out and not sure they have the energy to devote to another school year. Too often as teachers we read books about how to improve our teaching and/or how to improve student test scores, and a few pages in, we quickly understand that while the author has done lots of research and maybe even tried their ideas in someone else's classroom, they are not working in the classroom everyday dealing with students, administration, parents, paper work, etc. This is not one of those books!

These 6 Things is full of teacher-friendly ideas that are easy to implement. There is lots of research, but there is also lots of examples of how the research is used - and tweaked - in a real classroom setting. Reading this book is like sitting down with your best teacher friend and having an honest conversation on how to be a better teacher and still have a life outside of the classroom. There are so many great things in this book that you just want to do them all, but like a true friend, Dave suggests that you pick a "project in one of the areas of the bull's-eye" to get started. If you read only one education book this year - and next - this book should be it.

[Jaime North · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate Dave for this book that I got to read right before the start of school. To me it was all about focus and simplifying things. It’s so easy to get carried away as a teacher: try the newest technology, read the latest research, have the most Pinterest-worthy classroom, etc. Some of that is helpful and great, but Dave encourages us to stay grounded. With all of our teacher guilt we put on ourselves, Dave just encourages us to focus on the most important elements, and let other things go that aren’t so crucial. We have minor differences of opinion in some spots in the book, but at its core this is it. A really excellent read to help make the most of a new school year. Thanks, Dave. :)

[James Kittredge · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book! I read it in preparation for a Professional Development day I was planning for my school and fell in love with it. It’s written by a teacher, for teachers and gives countless suggestions for being a smart, more efficient, more effective educator. Unlike many teaching guides, Stuart doesn’t claim to reinvent the wheel or have a tried and true method that will guarantee success in all classrooms, but he does offer practical, data-driven ways for teachers to improve classroom management, develop a supportive classroom culture, and form impactful relationships with diverse learners. The focus of the book is on literacy education, but its ideas are broadly applicable across the disciplines. I wish all of my teachers would read it!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the relevancy and practicality of this book. Stuart Jr. discusses a lot of ideas and straggles, but none require a complete overhaul of my classroom. As I approach a unique year, I appreciate the simplicity of focusing on the 6 key things that will tie my curriculum together and keep it more relevant. It’s not about doing away with the standards or curriculum, but about focusing it more to do it well. He encourages the reader with small steps and doable projects that require little prep and aren’t time-consuming to grade. It’s about thinking more intentionally about your classroom goals for students—your “Mount Everest””—and becoming more skilled and efficient in your practice.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed as I prepared for my third year of teaching. Stuart gets it. Every word he writes feels purposeful and clarifying, and down to earth at the same time. Focusing on a few key practices helps ensure you are going deeper in one of the 6 things, without taking on too much. Finally, I will always appreciate the reminder to satisfice everything I do as a teacher—spend time on what’s important and don’t sweat the rest.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

An applauding audience of educators meets this book; bravo and encore, please!

This book far exceeds its value: Dave Stuart JR gives strategies to consider for all subject teachers in the middle or high school. His shared reflections on each implementation are fruitful to help us avoid similar pitfalls.

Well written and easily an exceeder of my expectations.

Dave thanks readers for reading his work; thank you Dave Stuart jR for wordsmithing this masterpiece.

[Mr Osowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Not much in the realm of speaking that is helpful given my degree, but it would be great for those not certified to teach speech. Absent that, I learned even more about pop-up debates and can incorporate it even better next year. Also a lot of other things that I can weave in to what I do. Great read.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stuff for teachers across the curriculum, but especially great for ELA teachers. If you're struggling to add more literacy instruction in your class, this is a great choice. He offers so many tips, ideas, and procedures that can immediately be used in the classroom. He also provides great ideas for giving your students more effective feedback in less time.

[Alesha Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a fair number of professional development texts as a teacher. This is the best one I’ve ever come across. Some PD books are full of excellent research and data. Others are practical with how-tos and tips. This one does both seamlessly, in all the best ways.


If you are a secondary education professional, read this book. It’s time well spent.

[Heather Stringham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart is a favorite of mine since finding his blog a few years ago. He breaks the comp,ex world of teaching into six important things and shares how to do so in your classroom. Amazing gift to educators.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, at a point in my career when I was starting to lose a little luster, this book just helped me get excited to try some new ideas and help kids get GOOD at those things instead of running the song and dance is entertaining them. Perfection.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave Stuart synthesizes years of research and blogging to share his takeaways with teachers. We should define our Everest, simplify and focus on beliefs, build our students’ knowledge and emphasize activities that build skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

[J. S. Seebauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a delight to read a professional development book by a current practitioner sharing ideas, supported with research based & personal experience. This is one I will refer back to again and again for ideas (and evidence for what I do.)

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important reading for any secondary teacher. Dave Stuart Jr. is a master at connecting the big picture and the daily nitty-gritty in the classroom, and how working for the long term flourishing of students is what we do on a daily basis.

[Erin Palazzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for new & veteran teachers alike! Sane, practical advice to keep a sustainable & vibrant career in teaching!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is THE best book I have read for teaching effectively. If you are a teacher, new or vet, read this book and follow Dave’Blog!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone looking to find sanity and focus in the teaching profession. I could not have picked this up at a better time in my life!

[NAOMI POINDEXTER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Help with Coaching

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transformative, provocative, thoughtful, inspirational! Every veteran teacher (and new ones too) should read. And yes we should do hard things!

[Lexi Neely · Rating 1 out of 5]

So boring, I had to read it for school and it was all common sense stuff.

[Jazz McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read on teaching. Simple strategies for all classrooms but particularly secondary humanities

[Jessica Schmeichel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas for how to improve your classroom learning environment and create long term flourishing students. I’ll take a couple ideas and implement them in my classroom.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous book for educators! I highly recommend this book to teachers in their early years of practice as well as more experienced teachers in order to reflect and refine their work. In the beginning chapters, Dave Stuart Jr. supports the big picture of our vision for our students and what students need to be learners in our classrooms. Chapter Two: "Cultivate Key Beliefs" is an excellent support for our practice in creating a culture of learning, and I will definitely be using this to support new teachers. Stuart's framework puts the long term flourishing of students and their key beliefs that drive learning at the center of our work. Then, he extends the discussion to making mastery and finally creating literacy-rich experiences.

The beauty of this book is that Stuart is an experienced teacher who is still in the classroom full-time. His ideas are practicable and applicable. His focus on well-researched teaching moves that are simple, straight-forward, and applicable make this book a great resource.

[Bkrieth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuart's book cuts through the noise that swirls around education with laser focus on identifying and leveraging instructional choices to make a positive impact on student learning. Woven throughout are practical, immediately employable strategies to use in the classroom, and a sane, balanced philosophy that assists educators in maintaining integrity and hope while working in a challenging vocation.