Less Is More in Elementary School Strategies for Thriving in a High-Stakes Environment

In this era of rigorous standards, testing, and overcrowded curricula, many teachers are left wondering how they’re ever going to cover the material. Less Is More in Elementary School offers realistic solutions by providing ways teachers can streamline their curriculum, get the most out of assessment, communicate with families, and engage students in their own learning. This much-needed book will help you meet the demands of the Common Core more efficiently and effectively. You’ll learn how to… integrate the curriculum so that you can take time to slow down and explore topics in depth; help students become critical readers, problem solvers, collaborators, and communicators; make students more engaged, reflective, and self-regulating; get the most out of assessment during this era of high-stakes testing; maintain high expectations for all students but modify instruction to ensure all students progress; communicate more effectively with families to build trust during a time of change and high-stakes assessments; and overcome obstacles, such as the emphasis on testing, the need for more technology, and finding teacher collaboration time. Each chapter is filled with practical strategies that you can implement immediately, as well as suggested resources for learning more about a particular topic.

Acknowledgments Meet the Authors Chapter 1: Less Is More Chapter 2: Cutting, Combining, and Slowing Down Chapter 3: Critical Readers and Researchers Chapter 4: Problem Solvers and Decision Makers Chapter 5: Effective Communicators Chapter 6: Engaged Learners Chapter 7: Collaborators Chapter 8: Getting the Most Out of Assessment Chapter 9: Differentiation Chapter 10: Supporting Teachers Doing Less Chapter 11: Families, Communities, and Schools Working Together Chapter 12: Overcoming Obstacles Chapter 13: Ten Keys to Less Is More

Renee Rubin is an educational consultant specializing in literacy, ELLs, and family engagement. Previously, she taught elementary schools for 11 years and taught pre-service and in-service teachers at the University of Texas at Brownsville for 13 years. Michelle H. Abrego is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Brownsville in the educational leadership program where she prepares principals and superintendents. John A. Sutterby is an associate professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio in the area of early childhood education.