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Part 1: What Is Today’s Context for Reflective Practice? 1
Chapter 1 Choosing to Teach 2
What Is Teaching Really Like? 4
Challenging Work 4
Decision Making Through Active Reflection 5
Regulation and Freedom 10
An Art 10
A Science 11
Explore Your Beliefs: Teachers Are Born,
Not Made 13
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 14
Lifelong Learning 15
What Are the Benefits of Being a Teacher? 17
The Joy of Teaching 17
Personal Growth 18
Serving Students, Families, and Community 18
Schedule and Job Benefits 19
Engage in the Debate: Male Elementary
Teachers 21
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 21
How Significant Are the Challenges? 22
Diverse Student Population 22
Reflect on Diversity: The Road to
Homelessness 22
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 23
Complexities of Students’ Lives 24
Increasing Societal Expectations 24
Occupational Status 26
Lack of Support 26
Should I Become a Teacher? 27
Gather Information 27
Identify Beliefs 29
Make and Implement Decisions 30
Assess and Evaluate 31
Summary 31
Test-Preparation Activities 32
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 32
Suggested Readings 34
References 35
Chapter 2 Students Today 36
What Differences (and Similarities) Among People
Influence Interactions in the Classroom? 38
Race and Ethnicity 38
Gender 40
Learning Styles 41
Sexual Orientation 42
Explore Your Beliefs: Anti-Gay Harassment in
Schools 42
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 43
Diverse Student Abilities 43
Reflect on Diversity: Yes I Can! 45
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 46
How Do School, Family, and Life Experiences
Impact Teaching and Learning? 48
Religion 48
Language 51
Family Income 52
Engage in the Debate: Digital Equity 53
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 54
Family Structure 54
How Should Teachers Respond to Student
Diversity? 55
Create a Climate of Acceptance 57
Eliminate Gender Bias 57
Use a Variety of Instructional Techniques 58
Engage in Culturally Responsive Teaching 58
Consistently Use Active Reflection 61
What Are Your Attitudes and Experiences in
Regards to Student Differences? 62
The Development of Attitudes 62
Your Attitudes 62
Summary 64
Test-Preparation Activities 65
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 65
Suggested Readings 67
References 67
Chapter 3 America’s Teachers 70
Who Are Our Teachers? 72
Teachers’ Ages and Years of Service 72
Degrees Earned 73
Gender 74
Racial Diversity 74
Engage in the Debate: Recruiting Teachers of
Color 75
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 75
What Are Their Roles? 76
Facilitator of Learning 77
Supporter of Emotional and Social
Development 77
Reflect on Diversity: It Takes a Village 78
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 78
Guide to Resources 79
Role Model 80
Reflective Practitioner 81
What Skills and Attitudes Are Characteristic
of Effective Teachers? 81
Skills Common to Effective Teachers 82
Explore Your Beliefs: Mix It Up at Lunch Day 84
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 85
Attitudes of Effective Teachers 87
Can Effective Teachers Have Different
Teaching Styles? 92
Summary 94
Test-Preparation Activities 95
Suggested Readings 97
References 97
Chapter 4 Today’s Schools 100
How Are Schools Traditionally Organized? 102
Early-Childhood Education 102
Elementary Education 105
Junior High and Middle Schools 108
Senior High Schools 111
What Specialized Educational Experiences Exist
in Schools? 114
Special Education 114
Reflect on Diversity: An Unexpected Trip 115
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 116
Bilingual Education 117
Gifted and Talented Education 118
Vocational—Technical Education 119
What Are the Alternatives to Traditional Public
Schools? 120
Magnet Schools 120
Charter Schools 121
Engage in the Debate: The Debate over Charter
Schools 122
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 122
Year-Round Schools 122
Private Schools 124
Explore Your Beliefs: Single-Sex Schools 124
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 125
Alternative Schools 125
Who Works in Schools? 126
Support Staff 126
Educational Specialists 127
Administrators 127
Summary 128
Test-Preparation Activities 129
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 129
Suggested Readings 131
References 131
Chapter 5 The Teaching Profession 134
What Makes Teaching a Profession? 136
Defining a Profession 136
Teaching as a Profession 138
Reflect on Diversity: Being an Incognegro 139
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 140
Explore Your Beliefs: Performance Pay for
Teachers 142
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 143
How Is Teacher Professionalism Changing? 144
Educational Reform Reports 144
Higher Standards for Students 144
Higher Standards for Teachers 146
What Are My Professional Teaching
Responsibilities? 148
Using Active Reflection 148
Conducting Yourself in a Professional Manner 149
Continuing Your Professional Development 150
Participating in Professional Organizations 150
Engage in the Debate: Should Teacher Union
Membership Be Compulsory 151
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 151
Accepting Leadership Roles 154
Summary 155
Test-Preparation Activities 156
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 156
Suggested Readings 157
References 158
Part 2: What Is Reflective Classroom Practice? 161
Chapter 6 Understanding Student Learning 162
Do Student Needs Affect Learning? 164
Basic Human Needs 164
Need for Social Acceptance 165
Self-Esteem Needs 166
Responding to Student Needs 167
How Does Development Influence Learning? 168
Developmental Theories 169
Reflect on Diversity: Twice Exceptional 172
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 172
Developmental Norms and Teaching 173
Learning Styles 173
What Is the Impact of the Environment on Student
Learning? 174
Explore Your Beliefs: Failure to Learn Is the
Student’s Fault 174
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 175
Behavioral Learning 176
Social Learning 176
What Is the Role of Assessment
in Learning? 178
Engage in the Debate: High Stakes Testing 179
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 179
Summary 184
Test-Preparation Activities 184
Developing the Habit of Reflective
Practice 184
Suggested Readings 186
References 186
Chapter 7 Developing Curriculum 188
What Influences Curriculum Development? 190
Curriculum Defined 190
Approaches to the Curriculum 193
National, State, and District Influences on
Curriculum 193
How Has Curriculum Changed Over Time? 198
Progressive Education 199
Sputnik and Curricular Excellence 199
Inquiry-Based Curriculum 200
Questioning Curriculum Options 201
Back-to-the-Basics Movement 201
Engage in the Debate: Arts Education 202
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 202
Concept-Based Curriculum 203
What Factors Influence Curriculum
Decisions? 204
Textbook Selection 204
Technology in the Classroom 205
Diversity In American Society 205
Reflect on Diversity: The Dimensions of
Multicultural Education 206
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 206
Parent and Community Influences 207
What Are Current Curriculum Trends? 208
Language Arts and English 208
Mathematics 209
Science 210
Social Studies 210
Explore Your Beliefs: Character Education 211
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 211
The Arts 212
Physical Fitness and Health 213
Vocational-Technical Education 213
Foreign Languages 214
Summary 215
Test-Preparation Activities 215
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 216
Suggested Readings 217
References 218
Chapter 8 Using Effective Teaching Strategies 222
Why Are Strong Relationships with Students
and Other Adults Important? 224
Developing Positive Relationships with
Students 224
Reflect on Diversity: His Name Is Michael 226
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 226
Working with Parents 227
Other Collaborative Relationships 229
What Does Research Tell Us About Effective
Instructional Strategies? 230
Identifying Similarities and Differences 231
Summarizing and Note Taking 231
Reinforcing Effort 231
Explore Your Beliefs: Good Job! 232
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 232
Homework and Practice 233
Nonlinguistic Representations 233
Goal Setting and Providing Feedback 234
Generating and Testing Hypotheses 235
Activating Prior Knowledge 235
Engage in the Debate: Educating English Language
Learners 236
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 236
What Instructional Models Can I Use? 237
Behavioral Systems Model of Instruction 238
Personal Model of Instruction 238
Information-Processing Model of
Instruction 239
Social Model of Instruction 241
What Skills Will I Need in Management and
Discipline? 242
Problem-Prevention Strategies 244
Managing Instruction 244
Options for Discipline 245
Developing Your Own Management and
Discipline Style 249
Summary 251
Test-Preparation Activities 252
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 252
Suggested Readings 254
References 254
Chapter 9 Integrating Technology 258
How Has Technology Been Used in the
Classroom? 260
Early Technology Options 260
Television 260
Computers 261
The Internet 262
Explore Your Beliefs: Cyber Cheating 264
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 265
What Are Schools Doing to Enhance Technology
Use in the Curriculum? 265
Classroom Computers with Internet Access 265
Quality Software 267
What Is the Impact of Computers on Teaching
and Learning? 267
Impact on Teaching 269
Engage in the Debate: Computer Labs or Classroom
Computers? 269
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 270
Influence on Learners 271
Reflect on Diversity: Cyber Education in Rural
Schools 274
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 274
What Issues Must Be Resolved to Strengthen
Technology’s Impact? 276
Technology Costs: Initial and Continuing 276
Equitable Access 277
Technology Standards 280
Guiding Internet Use 280
Teacher Training and In-Service 283
Summary 284
Test-Preparation Activities 285
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 285
Suggested Readings 287
References 287
Part 3: What Are the Foundations for Reflective Teaching? 291
Chapter 10 Historical Influences 292
How Does History Affect My Future Teaching? 294
Forces Affecting Education 294
Learning from the Past 295
History’s Impact on Current Issues 295
What Is the History of Education for Young
Children? 296
Early-Childhood Education 296
Elementary Education 298
Explore Your Beliefs: Spare the Rod, Spoil
the Child 300
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 301
What Has Influenced Modern Secondary
Education? 302
Early Secondary Options 302
Public Secondary Schools 304
Junior High and Middle School Programs 304
How Has History Shaped Current Educational
Issues? 305
Equitable Educational Opportunities for Girls 306
Educating Minorities 306
Engage in the Debate: The Resegregation of
American’s School 308
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 308
Reflect on Diversity: The School Days of an Indian
Girl 309
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 310
Students with Special Needs 311
The Professionalization of Teaching 311
Summary 313
Test-Preparation Activities 313
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 313
Suggested Readings 315
References 315
Chapter 11 Philosophical Foundations 318
Explore Your Beliefs: Teaching Is Like . . . 321
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 321
What Is Philosophy and Why Is It Important
to Me as a Future Teacher? 322
Philosophy Defined 322
The Importance of Educational Philosophy 324
What Key Beliefs Are Associated with Different
Educational Philosophies? 325
Perennialism 325
Progressivism 326
Essentialism 327
Existentialism 328
Social Reconstructionism 330
Engage in the Debate: Philosophical Perspectives
and Real Issues 331
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 332
How Does Your Choice of Educational Philosophy
Impact What You Do in the Classroom? 332
Content of the Curriculum 332
Methods of Instruction 334
Classroom Management and Discipline 336
Reflect on Diversity: Aiming for Diverse Ideas
or Consensus 337
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 338
How Do I Develop an Educational Philosophy? 338
Eclectic or Purist 339
Creating Your Own Educational Philosophy 339
Summary 340
Test-Preparation Activities 340
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 341
Suggested Readings 342
References 342
Chapter 12 Societal Influences 344
What Socializing Agents Influence
Students? 346
The Family 346
Peer-Group Influences 347
Electronic Media 347
Religion 348
Schools 349
Explore Your Beliefs: Oppression 350
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 350
Are There Social Issues That Affect Student
Behavior? 351
The Changing Family 351
Poverty 353
Reflect on Diversity: America’s Fifth Child 353
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 354
Teen Pregnancy 354
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) 354
Child Abuse and Neglect 355
Alcohol and Drugs 355
Suicide 356
Violence 356
Bullying 357
School Dropouts 357
How Should Teachers and Schools Respond
to Social Issues? 358
Your Responses as a Future Teacher 358
The School’s Response to Social Issues 361
Engage in the Debate: Sex Education 362
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 363
How Does Society Influence Schooling? 365
Determining Purposes 365
Establishing Values 366
Summary 367
Test-Preparation Activities 368
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 368
Suggested Readings 370
References 370
Chapter 13 Legal and Ethical Issues 374
What Are Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities
as a Teacher? 376
Right of Due Process 376
Right to Nondiscrimination 377
Right to Freedom of Expression 378
Avoiding Liability Due to Negligence or
Malpractice 379
Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect 380
Avoiding False Allegations 381
Observing Copyright Laws 382
Which Legal Issues Will Affect Your
Teaching? 382
Certification, Contracts, and Tenure 383
Unions, Collective Bargaining, and Strikes 384
Corporal Punishment 385
Sexual Harassment 386
Religion and Schooling 386
Schooling Choices 387
Engage in the Debate: School Vouchers 388
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 388
What Legal Issues Impact Students? 390
Reflect on Diversity: Free and Appropriate Public
Education 390
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 391
Sexual Harassment 391
Search and Seizure 392
Student Records 392
Suspension and Expulsion 393
Freedom of Expression 394
How Do Ethics Influence My Teaching Roles? 395
Explore Your Beliefs: Is Fair Equal? Is Equal
Fair 396
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 396
Defining Ethical Teaching 397
Engaging in Ethical Teaching 397
Summary 399
Test-Preparation Activities 400
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 400
Suggested Readings 402
References 402
Chapter 14 School Governance and Finance 404
Who Sets School Directions? 406
Local Control 406
Explore Your Beliefs: Community
Partnerships 407
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 408
Reflect on Diversity: Superintendents Lack
Diversity 410
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 410
State Authority 411
Federal Influence 416
Engage in the Debate: The No Child Left Behind
Act 418
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 418
What Other Groups Shape Educational
Practice? 419
Business Organizations 419
Special-Interest Groups 420
College and University Faculty 420
Professional Education Associations 421
What Sources of Funds Exist for Education? 421
Private-School Funding 422
State and Local Support 422
Federal Funding 423
Recent Funding Options 423
Summary 426
Test-Preparation Activities 427
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 427
Suggested Readings 428
References 429
Part 4: How Do I Grow as a Reflective Practitioner? 433
Chapter 15 The First Years and Beyond 434
What Will I Need to Do to Get a Teaching
Position? 436
Know the Job Market 436
Locate Openings 437
Submit Applications 438
Participate in Interviews 438
What Must I Do to Be Successful as a Beginning
Teacher? 440
Have Realistic First-Year Expectations 440
Reflect on Diversity: Closing the Achievement
Gap 443
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 443
Refine Your Teaching Style 445
Engage in the Debate: Using Portfolios to Assess
Student Progress 445
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 445
Create a Community of Learners 446
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle 448
Understand Why Teachers Leave
the Profession 448
How Can I Continue to Grow Personally
and Professionally? 451
Active Reflection 452
Formal Learning Experiences 453
Advanced Certification 453
Explore Your Beliefs: National Board Certified
Teachers 454
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 454
Summary 455
Test-Preparation Activities 456
Developing the Habit of Reflective Practice 456
Suggested Readings 457
References 457
Name Index 460
Subject Index 466
