Small Teaching K-8

Cognitive science research-based teaching techniques any educator can implement in their K-8 classroom

In Small Teaching K-8, a team of veteran educators bridges the gap between cognitive theory and the K-8 classroom environment, applying the same foundational research found in author James Lang’s bestselling Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning to the elementary and middle school setting. Via clear descriptions and step-by-step methods, the book demonstrates how to integrate simple interventions into pre-existing pedagogical techniques to dramatically improve student outcomes.

The interventions consist of classroom or online learning activities, one-time additions, or small modifications in course design or communication. Regardless of their form, they all deliver powerful, positive consequences.

In this book, readers will also find:

• Foundational concepts from up-to-date cognitive research that has implications for classroom teaching and the rationales for using them in a K-8 classroom
• Concrete examples of how interventions have been used by faculty in various disciplines
• Directions on the specific timing of each intervention, backed by evidence-based reasons

An essential resource for K-8 educators seeking ways to improve their efficacy in the classroom, Small Teaching K-8 offers teachers intuitive and actionable advice on helping students absorb and retain knowledge for the long-term.

About the Author xi

Foreword xiii

Introduction xvii

Part I Knowing: The Six-Minute Fix 1

1 Retrieving 7

What’s the Theory? 10

In Short 15

Models 15

Three-Two-One 16

Closing Questions 17

Big Basket Quizzes 19

Multi-Part Quizzes 19

Polling 21

Principles 22

Frequency Matters 22

Align Practice and Assessment 22

Require Thinking 23

Small Teaching Quick Tips: Retrieving 23

Conclusion 24

2 Self-Explaining 27

What’s the Theory? 29

In Short 34

Models 35

Think Aloud 36

How Does This Connect to Our Goal? 37

Turn-and-Talk 38

Discussion Protocols 40

Principles 43

Scaffold Self-Explanation 43

Point to Principles 43

Utilize Peer Power 44

Small Teaching Quick Tips: Self-Explaining 44

Conclusion 45

3 Predicting 47

What’s the Theory? 49

In Short 53

Models 53

Predict during Do Nows 54

Pretesting 57

Anticipation Guides 59

Tea Party 60

Closing Predictions 62

Principles 63

Stay Conceptual 63

Provide Fast Feedback 63

Leave Time for Reflection 64

Small Teaching Quick Tips: Predicting 64

Conclusion 65

4 Putting It All Together: Jennifer Hedrington, Grade 7 Teacher 67

Part II Thinking: Strength and Conditioning 73

5 Synthesizing 77

What’s the Theory? 79

In Short 81

Models 82

Synthesis Sentence Starters 83

Knowledge Dumps 86

Finding the Main Idea 88

Concept Maps 90

The Minute Thesis 92

Principles 93

Provide the Framework 94

Facilitate Synthesis 94

Leverage Peer Learning 94

Small Teaching Quick Tips: Synthesis 94

Conclusion 95

6 Practicing 97

What’s the Theory? 99

In Short 103

Models 104

Unpack Your Assessments 104

Parcel Them Out and Practice Them 106

Provide Feedback 109

Principles 111

Make the Time for In-Class Practice 111

Space It Out 111

Practice Mindfully 112

Small Teaching Quick Tips: Practice 112

Conclusion 113

7 Mapping 117

What’s the Theory? 119

In Short 125

Models 125

Year-Long Theme 126

Writing an Objective 131

Post an Agenda 133

Principles 134

Set a Timer 134

Utilize Strong Verbs 135

Don’t Be Afraid to Dipstick 136

Small Teaching Quick Tips: Mapping 136

Conclusion 137

8 Putting It All Together: Jennessa Burks, Grade 4 Teacher 141

Part III Transforming: Balance and Agility 147

9 Growing 151

What’s the Theory? 154

In Short 157

Models 157

Reward Growth 157

Give Growth-Language Feedback 160

Promote Success Strategies 162

Principles 163

Design for Growth 164

Communicate for Growth 164

Feedback for Growth 164

Small Teaching Quick Tips: Growing 165

Conclusion 165

10 Motivating 167

What’s the Theory? 172

In Short 175

Models 176

Positive Recognition 178

Tell Great Stories 180

Invoke Self-Transcendent Purpose 181

Share Your Enthusiasm 182

Show Compassion 183

Principles 184

Acknowledge the Emotions in the Room 185

Make It Social 185

Let Your Enthusiasm Show 185

Small Teaching Quick Tips: Motivating 186

Conclusion 186

11 Expanding 191

Models, Principles, and Resources 194

Project-Based Learning 194

Community Service Learning 196

Games and Simulations 199

Resources 204

Small Teaching Quick Tips: Expanding 207

Conclusion 207

12 Putting It All Together: Matt Halpern, Kindergarten Teacher and Literacy Consultant 211

13 Conclusion 217

References 221

Index 237

SARAH CONNELL SANDERS is an accomplished educator and writer with a master’s degree in education from Boston College. She is a regular correspondent for Worcester Magazine and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

JAMES M. LANG is a former professor of English and director of the D’Amour Center for Teaching Excellence at Assumption University. He is the author of six books, including the bestselling Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning.

Implement simple classroom changes with powerful results

Small Teaching K–8 is a simple and accessible roadmap to improved student outcomes. Full of quick wins and bite-sized advice—all of which are based on the latest cognitive research—the authors, accomplished educator Sarah Connell Sanders and bestselling author James M. Lang, walk you through the incremental steps necessary to transform your classroom into a fun and engaging place of efficient learning.

Based on the same effective approach found in Lang’s bestselling Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning, this book contains evocative storytelling, compelling anecdotes, and approachable guidance designed to make cutting-edge learning theory and research available to frontline educators. The advice found within can be applied immediately to any K–8 classroom for instant and measurable results.

“ In Small Teaching K–8, educators Sarah Sanders and James Lang present practical class activities that boost student learning—including quick tips and templates for implementing retrieval practice and interleaving. They draw on the experiences of classroom teachers, particularly in early childhood education, to illustrate how easy it is to take learning to the next level in five minutes or less.”

—DR. POOJA K. AGARWAL, cognitive scientist and co-author of Powerful Teaching

“ Small Teaching K–8: Igniting the Teaching Spark with the Science of Learning is full of practical, useful, and well-researched ideas that help both novice and veteran teachers incorporate small instructional strategies that will have a big impact on K–8 student learning. Sarah Connell Sanders has crafted an engaging and thoughtful guide to effective and time-efficient instruction that draws not only from her own impressive classroom instruction, but also from the insights of numerous outstanding educators and researchers. In all, Small Teaching K–8: Igniting the Teaching Spark with the Science of Learning is a terrific contribution to classroom instructional practices and an invaluable resource for elementary and middle-school teachers.”

—TOM DACCORD, co-founder, EdTechTeacher