FIN Recommended Resources

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PUBLICATIONS LEGEND

   Assessment & Grading
   Behavior Support
   Collaboration
   Inclusion
   Instructional Strategies
   Family
   Administrators


Assessment & Grading (back to Reading Legend)

Title Author Description Publisher (Copyright) ISBN#
Advancing Formative Assessment In Every Classroom, a guide for instructional leaders Connie Moss & Susan Brookhart Focuses on the different types of formative assessment and how they impact instructional decisions for differentiating instruction. Reader understands the importance of using assessments on an ongoing basis to adjust instruction and maximize student learning. ASCD (2009) 978-1-4166-0911-7
A Repair Kit for Grades - 15 Fixes for Broken Grades Ken O'Connor Provides practical suggestions for "fixing" traditional grading practices. Educational Testing Service, Inc. (2007) 0-88685-387-7
Assessment Perspectives & Practicalities (With Emphasis on the Differentiated Classroom) Rick Wormeli Seminar on CD Crystal Spring Books (2006)
Checking for Understanding - Formative Assessment Strategies for Your Classroom Douglas Fisher & Nancy Frey Shows teachers how to increase students' understanding through the use of creative formative assessments and discusses how teachrs can use traditional tests and collaborative assessments to improve instruction and increase comprehension. ASCD (2007) 978-1-4166-0569-0
Developing Grading and Reporting Systems for Student Learning Thomas R. Guskey & Jane M. Bailey Examines various grading and reporting methods and provides guidelines for developing an effective reporting system.   Corwin Press, Inc. (2001) 0-8039-6854-X
Fair Isn't Always Equal: Assessing & Grading in the Differentiated Classroom Rick Wormeli This book explores the research and common sense thinking as it relates to grading and assessment. The author cites examples throughout to help teachers and administrators address controversial issues. Stenhouse Publishers (2006) 1-57110-424-0
How to Grade for Learning: Linking Grades to Standards Ken O'Connor The guidelines offered in this book help teachers design and conduct grading practices that help students feel in control of their own academic success. Corwin Press (2002) 1-5751-7816

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Behavior Support (back to Reading Legend)

Title Author Description Publisher (Copyright) ISBN#
CLASSROOMS that WORK, a Teacher's guide to Discipline Without Stress Stan Shapiro & Karen Skinulis This book is essential reading for all teachers and principals. You will find a philosophy and a framework for good teaching practices that build on principles of democracy, equality, self-descipline and consideration of others. This book is filled with wonderful strategies and practical, hands-on, ease to read and to put into practice. Practical Parenting Inc., Toronto (2000) 0-9681352-9-3
Discipline in the Secondary Classroom Randall S. Sprick 2nd Edition...positive approach to behavior management for middle and high school teachers Jossey-Bass (2006) 978-0-42226-7
Just Give Him the Whale! 20 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism Paula Kluth & Patrick Schwarz The authors of this highly practical guidebook gives educators across grade levels a powerful new way to think about the "obsessions" many students with autism develop. Instead of looking at these as negative, distractions to learning, the authors re-frame them "as positive teaching tools that calm, motivate, and improve learning." Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. (2008) 978-1-55766-960-5
Day One & Beyond Rick Wormeli Shows middle-level teachers how to manage the physical and emotional aspects of their unique environment and provides practical information about setting up the grade book and other record keeping, classroom management, getting students' attention, relating to students, and building positive relationships with parents. Stenhouse Publishers (2003) 1-57110-355-4
Pre-Referral Intervention Manual/Teacher's Resource Guide Stephen B. McCarney & Kathy Cummins Wunderlich This book lists intervention strategies for a variety of issues that arise in the classroom. Hawthorne Educational Services, Inc. (2006)  
Teacher's Guides to Inclusive Practices - Behavioral Support, 2nd Edition Rachel Janney and Martha Snell This book provides an easy to understand overview of positive behavioral supports (PBS) including: functional behavioral assessments (FBA), individual behavior support plans , etc. Provides sample forms and resources on behavioral supports. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. (2008) 1557663556
Tools for Teaching, 2nd Edition Fred Jones This book provides teachers with practical strategies on a variety of topics including developing a classroom management system, arranging the classroom to reduce disruptions, creating independent learners, raising expectations, teaching routines, setting limits, etc.  Fredrick J. Jones & Co., Inc. (2007) 0-9650263-0-2
Tough Kid Tool Box, The William R. Jenson, Ginger Rhode, H. Kenton Reavis This book provides teachers with classroom tested strategies addressing behavior management and motivation for tough to teach students. Sopris West (1994) 1-57035-000-0
What To Do with the Kid Who... Kay Burke Provides ideas for addressing issues that arise in inclusive classrooms including fostering cooperation, self-discipline and responsibility in the classroom Corwin Press (2000) 1-5751-7344-1

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Collaboration  (back to Reading Legend)

Title Author Description Publisher (Copyright) ISBN#
Curriculum 21: Essential Education for a Changing World Heidi Hayes Jacobs What year are you preparing your students for? 1973? 1995? Can you honestly say that your school s curriculum and the program you use are preparing your students for 2015 or 2020? Author and educator Heidi Hayes Jacobs launches a powerful case for overhauling, updating, and injecting life into the K 12 curriculum. Sharing her expertise as a world-renowned curriculum designer and calling upon the collective wisdom of 10 education thought leaders, Jacobs provides insight and inspiration. ASCD (2010) 978-1-4166-0940-7
High Five Ken Blanchard & Sheldon Bowles This is great for school teams and administrators! I would have every staff William Morrow, Harper Collins Books (2001) 0-688-17036-6
The Differentiated School Carol Ann Tomlinson, Kay Brimijoin, Lane Narvaez Information and methods for implementing differentiated instruction on a school wide level. Includes information for school administrators and other leadership staff on how to navigate the change process, including providing professional development and monitoring and evaluation change. Case studies from several schools are provided. Sample surveys, letters, and lesson plans are also provided. ASCD (2008) 978-1-4166-0678-9
Widening the Circle Mara Sapon-Shevin Mara always writes a great book! We use this now in Leadership and Instruction for Inclusive Schools. Great resource. Easy read. Beacon Press (2007) 13:978-0-8070-3280-0
A Guide to Co-Teaching - Practical Tips for Facilitating Student Learning, 2nd Edition Richard Villa, Jacquline Thousand, & Ann Nevin Teachers are led through the planning, implementation, and reflection phases of co-teaching. Corwin Press (2004) 0-7619-3940-7
Co-Teaching Lesson Plan Book, The (3rd Edition)  Lisa Dieker An instructional lesson plan book for collaborative teachers.  Includes space for teachers to note big ideas/goals, standard and adapted assessment methods, co-teaching structures being utilized, academic and behavioral adaptations, materials, etc. Knowledge By Design (2006) 970842945
Creating an Inclusive School, 2nd Edition Richard Villa & Jacueline Thousand How to's of creating inclusive schools ASCD (2005)  
Instructional Coaching: A partnership approach to improving instruction Jim Knight A comprehensive look at the research behind instructional coaching, what it looks like, tools for coaches working with teachers on the "big four" of effective teaching, and how instructional coaches can impact change. NSDC and Corwin Press (2007) 978-1-4129-2724-6
Power of 2 Marilyn Friend This video provides information about and examples of various co-teaching models.   Forum on Education, Indiana University (2005)  
School, Family and Community Partnerships - Your Handbook in Action Joyce Epstein A research-based guide that will help district leaders, principals, teachers, parents, and community partners form action teams. Corwin Press (2002) 0-7619-7666-3

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Inclusion  (back to Reading Legend)

Title Author Description Publisher (Copyright) ISBN#
Think College: Postsecondary Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Meg Grigal & Debra Hart Planning and providing postsecondary education services for students with intellectual disabilities. Includes historical perspectives and philosophical basis for why students with intellectual disabilities should be included in postsecondary educational programs and the changes that have occurred in special education that have led to this desire. Also includes relevant research and practices. Paul H. Brookes (2010) 978-1-55766-917-9
At the End of the Day Edited by Marquita Grenot-Scheyer, Mary Fisher, & Debbie Staub This book encompasses eight case studies featuring diverse children with varying disabilities (from preschool to high school) that show how including them in the classroom affects families, teachers, and other students.  These case studies, combined with the latest research, enable educators to evaluate different methods for inclusion.  Paul H. Brookes (2001) 1-55766-480-3
Building Inclusive Schools Halverson & Neary Covers information from the legal rationale for building inclusive schools to effective classroom techniques. Allyn and Bacon (2001) 0-205-27552-4
Deciding What to Teach and How to Teach it - Connecting Students Through Curriculum and Instruction, 2nd Edition Elizabeth Castagnera, Douglas Fisher, Karen Rodifer, Caren Sax, Nancy Frey Provides families and professionals with practical strategies for meeting the diverse needs of secondary students.  The topics of the chapters include creating an inclusive curriculum, tailoring suppots to meet individual needs, planning instruction, and accommodations and modifications, etc.  Contains several useful forms.  PEAK Parent Center (2003) 1-884720-19-6
From Disability to Possiblity Patrick Schwarz This book allows teachers to change the way they look at and work with their students with disabilities.  With the scenarios presented, teachers will begin to look at the possibilities for their students in the inclusive classrooms. Heinemann (2006) 978-0-325-00993-3
Inclusive Elementary Schools - Recipes for Success, 2nd Edition Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, Caren Sax Provides families and professionals with practical strategies for meeting the diverse needs of elementary students.  The topics of the chapters include creating an inclusive curriculum, tailoring suppots to meet individual needs, planning instruction, and accommodations and modifications, etc.  Contains several useful forms.  PEAK Parent Center (2004) 1-884720-21-8
Teaching Language Arts, Math, and Science to Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities Diane M. Browder and Fred Spooner A research-to-practice resource that shows educators how to make the general curriculum accessible to students of all ages with significant cognitive disabilities. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. (2006)  1-55766-798-5
Widening the Circle Mara Sapon Shevin This book highlights the need for inclusive education and the benefits to all. The author provides clear and compelling arguments for the inclusion of all students as well as practical suggestions and tips. Beacon Press (2007) 0807032808, 9780807032800
You're Going to Love This Kid!: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom Paula Kluth Provides insight into working with students with autism in an inclusive classroom. Includes specific ideas for enhancing literacy; planning challenging, multidimensional lessons; supporting student behavior; connecting, communicating, and collaborating; fostering friendships; and adapting the physical environment. Paul H. Brookes Co. (2003) 1-55766-614-8

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Instructional Strategies (back to Reading Legend)

Title Author Description Publisher (Copyright) ISBN#
Beyond Differentiated Instruction Jodi O'Meara Provides a ten-step process for differentiating instruction as well as resources and tools to assist teachers in planning, implementing, and reflecting on the instructional process. Corwin Press (2010) 978-1-4129-8203-0
Catching Readers Before They Fall, SupportingReaders Who Struggle, K-4 Pat Johnson and Katie Keier This book offers information for any teacher who wants to learn more about teaching reading to those students for whom learning to read does not come easily. Understanding the complex, intergrated process of how reading works provides the thread woven throughout the text. This book is easy to read and follow the recommended strategies. Stenhouse Publishers (2010) 978-1-57110-781-7
Differentiating Instruction in Kindergarten Cindy Middendorf This book contains practical strategies for differentiating instruction for kidergarten students. The author provides tips, strategies, model lessons and student samples. Scholastic, Inc. (2008) 0-439-87029-1
Differentiating the High School Classroom Kathie Nunley This book provides authentic, teacher designed solutions to debunk the most common obstacles for why teachers cannot differentiate at the secondary level. Corwin Press (2006) 978-1-4129-1716-2
How The Special Needs Brain Learns Second Edition David A. Sousa Researcher in genetics have found new links to physical, psychological, and learning disroders. The chapters in this second edition have undergone major revisions to include these developments and the findings of new studies which will provide educators andfamilies with some of the strategies they need to help thier students and children lead happy and successful lives. Corwin Press (2007) 1-4129-4987-4
Peer Tutoring and Support: Making Inclusive Education Work Rebecca Bond-Brooks and Elizabeth Castagnera This book provides an overview of peer tutoring and guidance about how to establish a peer tutoring program/course at the school level. PEAK Parent Center, Inc. (2010) 1-884720-13-7
Productive Group Work Nancy Frey, Doug Fisher, Sandi Everlove Strategies to engage students, build teamwork, and promote understanding in the classroom. Good for all grade levels. Gradual release of responsibility for learning through group work is a goal for most teachers. Achieving this goal effectively requires planning, preparation and monitoring.This book describes why we do it and how to do it effectively. ASCD (2009) 978-1-4166-0883-7
Rethinking Homework: Best Practices that Support Diverse Needs Cathy Vatterott The debate over homework has gone on for decades, but schools and families have changed in many ways, and, as author Cathy Vatterott notes, "There's a growing suspicion that something is wrong with homework." Numerous examples from teachers and schools that have revised their practices and policies for homework illustrate the new paradigm in action. The end product is homework that works—for all students, at all levels. ASCD (2009) 978-1-4166-0825-7
The Daily 5 Fostering Literacy Independence in Elementary Grades Boushey and Moser This book discusses a reading instructional management system to help student develop the daily habits of reading, writing and working with peers to develop lifetime literacy skills. Stenhouse (2006) 1 57110 429 1
Art and Science of Teaching, The Robert J. Marzano The author presents a model for ensuring quality teaching that balances the need for researched based practices with the need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual students.  ASCD (2007) 978-1-4166-0571-3

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Family (back to Reading Legend)

Title Author Description Publisher (Copyright) ISBN#
Believe in My Child with Special Needs! Helping Children Achieve Their Potential in School Mary A. Falvey This handbook, written by a parent of a child with a disability, is an invaluable resource to share with parents of a school-age child with a disability. It helps tp demystify complicated issues, encourages parents to celebrate abilities and recognize possibilities, and tells parents what they need to know to be successful advocates throughout their child’s education.  Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc (2005) 1-55766-702-0
Chicken Soup for the Soul - Children with Special Needs  Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Heather McNamara, & Karen Simmons The authors of the stories contained in this book relate their own experiences of adjusting, reaching out, and flourishing and share the worries, the tears, and the laughter that have been part of their daily life since they found out that their child(ren) had a disability.    Health Communications Inc. (2007)  0-7573-0620-9
Take a Look at Me Portfolio Mary Rugg, M. Irma Alvarado, Zolinda Stoneman, & Julianne Butler This portfolio is a 20+ page book of information representing a person’s strengths, interests, hopes, and dreams. The portfolio provides a series of open-ended questions with space for the person and his/her family to elaborate and share information using pictures, words, and creativity.  This portfolio assists adults and school age individuals in identifying ways to become active participants in the daily life of their community and is a powerful tool for use in transitional periods in a peron’s life…from one school to another, from classroom to classroom, or from school to work. Institute on Human Development & Disability, University of Georgia (2004)  
Ten Things Every Child With Autism Wishes You Knew Ellen Notbohm The author, herself a parent of a child with autism, provides practical tips about being a better parent, teacher, and friend to an individual with autism. Future Horizons (2005) 978-1-932565-30-2
Working with Parents - Building Relationships for Student Success Ruby Payne Handy collection of tips and resources for parents, teachers, and other educators. Aha Process, Inc. (2006) 1-929229-62-3

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Administrators (back to Reading Legend)

Title Author Description Publisher (Copyright) ISBN#
Collaborative Teaching in Elementary Schools Wendy W. Murawski This book is for educators working collaboratively in the classroom. It gives great examples and strategies, while always making the collaborative relationship/marriage analogy with chapters like "General Educators are from Jupiter, Special Service Providers are from Saturn", and "Matchmaker, Matchmaker: The role of the Administrator. This book is especially useful because many of the chapters give specifics directed to administrators and their role in this collaborative process. Corwin (2010) 978-1-4129-6809-6
Collaborative Teaching in Secondary Schools Wendy W. Murawski This book is designed for secondary teachers who work collaboratively in the classroom. It provides many strategies, while making the collaborative teaching/marriage analogy. This book is especially useful as many of the chapters provide specifics for administrators. Corwin (2009) 978-1-4129-6805
Getting Good at Getting Along BJ Gallagher This is a tiny handout booklet. But, it really has a lot of good information in it! We used it for a training for school teams. Walk the Talk Books (2010) 978-1-935537-68-7
Purposeful Co-Teaching Greg Conderman, Val Bresnahan, Theresa Pedersen This book provides collaborative teachers real cases and effective strategies. It helps teachers integrate content knowledge, instructional design, and teaching philosophy to ensure a complete and efficient collaborative relationship in the classroom. Strategies for using big ideas, visuals, mnemonics, formative assessment, and more are provided withing a collaborative teaching context. This is a practical resource for teachers working together in the classroom. Corwin (2009) 978-1-4129-6449-4
Creating and Inclusive School Richard Villa & Jacqueline Thousand (Editors) Explores how an inclusive school can support a diverse student body at all grade levels. Looks at how to facilitate change through universal design principles and other curricular, instructional, assessment, and organizational practices. ASCD (2005) 978-1-4166-0049-7
Leadership for Differentiating Schools and Classrooms Carol Ann Tomlinson & Susan Demirsky Allan Explores how school leaders can help to develop responsive, personalized, and differentiated classrooms. ASCD (2000) 0-87120-502-5
Schools That Learn: A Fifth Discipline Fieldbook for Educators, Parents, and Everyone Who Cares About Education Peter Senge, Nelda Cambron-McCabe, Timothy Lucas, Bryan Smith, Janis Dutton, & Art Kleiner This resource provides descriptions of practices that are meeting success across the country and around the world as schools attempt to reinvent themselves through comprehensive improvement efforts. Featured are articles, case studies and anecdotes from prominent educators such as Howard Garner and Peter Senge. This is a valuable resource for all change agents. Doubleday/Currency (2000) 978-0-385-49323-9

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