<div>What makes a teacher outstanding? More than anything, it's a way of being with kids in the classroom that lets them know they're smart and capable of high achievement. When you combine this mind-set with effective instruction, teaching and learning are transformed. In <i>Teaching Essentials</i>, Regie Routman gives us as much of a blueprint for achieving this powerful, responsive teaching as we're ever going to get.</div> <div></div> <div>Drawing on her extensive work with students who have excelled against great odds, Regie shares the principles and practices that help all students and teachers reach their full potential. <i>Teaching Essentials </i>shows teachers and principals how to build an efficient and <i>joyful</i> practice by: </div> <ul type="disc"> <li>setting lessons and activities in a meaningful context </li> <li>using an Optimal Learning Model to organize teaching and gradually release responsibility to students </li> <li>demonstrating reading, writing, and thinking for students so they have explicit models to follow </li> <li>articulating high expectations for every student, including ELLs and struggling learners, and ensuring that they meet them </li> <li>embedding assessment into all aspects of instruction and planning </li> <li>employing the reading-writing connection to improve comprehension </li> <li>motivating writers by always writing for real audiences and purposes </li> <li>implementing a schoolwide coaching model for higher achievement and a more fulfilling collaboration with colleagues. </li> </ul> <div></div> <div>A companion website, <b>www.regieroutman.com,</b> provides additional information, including a downloadable, easy-to-use study guide to promote professional conversations and video clips of Regie teaching so you can view and review the language and routines behind engaging, responsive instruction and learning. The <i>Teaching Essentials</i> book and website are ideal for individual, whole school, and districtwideprofessional development.</div>