Top 10 Pick for Learning Ladders’ Best Books for Educators Summer 2021A groundbreaking guide to improve teaching based on the latest research in neuroscience, from the bestselling author of A Mind for Numbers.Neuroscientists and cognitive scientists have made enormous strides in understanding the brain and how we learn, but little of that insight has filtered down to the way teachers teach. Uncommon Sense Teaching applies this research to the classroom for teachers, parents, and anyone interested in improving education. Topics include:  •  keeping students motivated and engaged, especially with online learning  •  helping students remember information long-term, so it isn't immediately forgotten after a test  •  how to teach inclusively in a diverse classroom where students have a wide range of abilitiesDrawing on research findings as well as the authors' combined decades of experience in the classroom, Uncommon Sense Teaching equips readers with the tools to enhance their teaching, whether they're seasoned professionals or parents trying to offer extra support for their children's education. Read more

Do you have a child who acts or talks impulsively? Children who exhibit impulsive behavior are often labeled unruly. Even though children can be calm, their positive qualities can be often overlooked by their poor impulse control.Children without impulse control act or talk before they think, often unable to control their initial response to a situation. The ability to self-regulate is absent and they don't pause to think about future consequences. Impulsivity is related to acting without thought. As a result, children do things like take unnecessary risks, blurt things out, don’t wait their turn, or interrupt conversations. This book is a perfect resource for children with autism, ADD, ADHD, or SPD.Impulsive Ninja learns how to use an underused superpower to respond to frustration, anger, and criticism. Find out what happens in this SEL book about impulsiveness.Life is hard! It's even harder for children who are just trying to figure things out. The new children's book series, Ninja Life Hacks, was developed to help children learn valuable life skills. Fun, pint-size characters in comedic books easy enough for young readers, yet witty enough for adults.The Ninja Life Hacks book series is geared to kids 4-10+. Perfect for boys, girls, early readers, primary school students, or toddlers. Excellent resource for counselors, parents, and teachers alike.Collect all the Ninja Life Hacks books and visit the author's profile for fun freebies!Ninja Life Hacks Emotions and Feelings Box SetNinja Life Hacks Growth Mindset Box SetNinja Life Hacks Leadership Box SetNinja Life Hacks Mover and Shaker Box SetNinja Life Hacks Self-Management Box SetNinja Life Hacks Self-Awareness Box SetNinja Life Hacks Decision-Making Box SetNinja Life Hacks Social Awareness and Relationship Skills Box SetNinja Life Hacks Ninjas Go! Box SetNinjas on Holiday Box SetNinja Life Hacks Mindsets Box SetNinja Life Hacks Behaviors Box SetAngry Ninja Toy Box SetNinja Life Hacks Emotions and Feelings Toy Box SetNinja Life Hacks Reversible Toy Box Set Read more

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The current emphasis on the body of research known as the Science of Reading has renewed the reading wars and raised challenging questions for balanced literacy teachers about the best way to teach reading. Instead of fueling the debate, Dr. Jan Burkins and Kari Yates have immersed themselves in the research and produced Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom.This concise and practical guide integrates effective reading strategies from each perspective. Every chapter of Shifting the Balance focuses on one of the six simple and scientifically sound shifts reading teachers can make to strengthen their approach to early reading instruction in these areas:Reading ComprehensionPhonemic AwarenessPhonicsHigh-Frequency WordsCueing SystemsText SelectionThe book has already helped countless educators by taking the guesswork out of how to blend best practices with the latest research while keeping students at the forefront of reading instruction. Now, a brand new audio edition makes Burkins and Yates' work more accessible. We've written this book to support you in making sound decisions anchored in the best of science, the truth of responsiveness, and a relentless focus on providing all children learning experiences saturated with meaning, the authors write.This audio edition is expertly narrated by Kim Handysides.2021 Jan Miller Burkins, Kari Yates. Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, VermontPLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. Read more

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In the third edition of UDL Now!, Katie Novak provides practical insights and savvy strategies for helping all learners succeed in a post-pandemic world using the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).This powerful guide for educators covers timely topics including: Supporting UDL within multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS)UDL in the service of equityRecruiting and engaging learners as UDL partnersHow UDL and Differentiated Instruction (DI) work togetherThe role of student choice and voiceWhat learning expertise really meansPreparing for standardized assessments the UDL wayNovak presents examples throughout the book to make the content relevant and digestible. She concludes each chapter with reflection questions to help teachers apply key concepts to their work.UDL Now! is a fun and effective playbook for great teaching. Read more

Help your child do his/her best on gifted and talented tests! Don’t risk your son or daughter being unprepared and underperforming on test day.Your child must be familiar with test material AND be able to focus for longer than the typical 4-5 minute attention span of most young kids. This book offers a chance to do both.This resource focuses on three aptitude tests commonly used for gifted program screening: the OLSAT (Level A), NNAT2 (Level A), and the COGAT (Level 5/6). Ensure your child is ready for test day, thanks to 200+ practice questions. (Plus, after you purchase this book, look inside your book for info to instantly download your free 40+ question bonus eBook.)Make sure (s)he has acquired the mental stamina to focus on test questions with the book’s Practice Tests for the OLSAT, NNAT2, and COGAT (the book’s “Practice Question Sets”). Pinpoint your child’s areas of strength/weakness with the practice test answer key.Capture your child’s attention with bright, colorful illustrations and fun characters: 100 full-color pages.Exercises focus on cognitive skill-building, reasoning skills, and problem solving abilities and thoroughly cover the tests’ sections: OLSAT (10 test sections), NNAT2 (2 test sections), COGAT (9 test sections).Engaging young and boisterous minds with test prep is challenging - that’s why this book features fun characters, child-friendly themes, and colorful illustrations. Such engagement can help kids retain the information they’ll learn in this book – and then apply it on test day!What are your kid’s dreams – to be a doctor, engineer, or astronaut?Gaining acceptance to a G&T program or selective school could determine your child’s educational path – or even his/her future career.Help your child dream big and take the first steps on this exciting educational journey and achieve their dreams.YOU are your child’s best teacher, and this book is here to help!(COGAT is a registered trademark of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. OLSAT and NNAT2 are trademarks of Pearson Education. These test publishers are not affiliated with Gateway Gifted Resources and do not endorse this product.) Read more

Do you dream of your middle schoolers mastering social dynamics and blossoming into confident, resilient individuals? Then, this book is for you!Some challenges you might have observed in your classroom include students struggling with effective communication, facing difficulties in peer interactions, and lacking creative problem-solving skills in social situations. These common issues can hinder their academic performance and overall well-being.Social Emotional Learning Workbook for Middle School combines theory with 90 interactive activities tailored to each grade level, providing your students with invaluable tools for personal growth and future success.The topics and themes covered include:Building Self-Awareness and Confidence in Sixth Gradeactivities to understand personal strengths and areas for growthexercises to boost self-confidence and positive self-imagetechniques to set and achieve personal goalsEnhancing Social Skills and Self-Management in Seventh Gradeeffective communication and active listening skillsteam building and collaborative problem-solving activitiesconflict resolution strategies and peer mediation trainingLeadership and Future Planning in Eighth Gradeidentifying and developing personal leadership stylesgoal setting and action planning for future successfinancial literacy and career exploration exercisesImagine the pride of watching your students tackle obstacles head-on, build meaningful relationships, and lead with integrity and vision.With this workbook, you’re not just investing in your students' education—you’re investing in their lifelong personal fulfillment. Each page is a step toward a brighter, more successful future.Prepare your middle schoolers for the world; grab your copy of the Social Emotional Learning Workbook for Middle School today! Read more

How can you make every student in your classroom thrive?Blueprint for Inclusion: A Practical Guide to Supporting Students with IEPs in the General Education Classroom by Rebekah Poe, M.Ed., is your essential guide to creating an inclusive learning environment. This book equips educators with effective strategies and insights to integrate students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) seamlessly into general classrooms.Inside, you'll find:- Clear explanations of IDEA requirements and how to apply them in daily teaching.- Practical techniques for differentiating instruction and promoting collaborative learning.- Guidance on partnering with families and other educators to enhance student success.Perfect for new teachers and seasoned professionals, Blueprint for Inclusion empowers you to build a classroom where diversity is valued and all students have the opportunity to succeed. Transform your teaching approach and enrich your classroom dynamics with this indispensable resource.Start your journey toward a truly inclusive classroom today! Read more

Case Studies on Diversity and Social Justice Education offers pre- and in-service educators the opportunity to analyze and reflect upon a variety of real-life scenarios related to educational equity and social justice. The accessibly written cases allow educators to practice considering a range of contextual factors, check their own biases, and make immediate and longer-term decisions about how to create and sustain equitable learning environments for all students.Unique to this case study collection is a section of expert insights related to each case and a seven-point process for examining case studies. This framework guides readers through the process of identifying, examining, reflecting on, and taking concrete steps to resolve inequities and injustice in schools. Features of the third edition include:Ten new case studies and updates to existing cases that reflect societal contextsA series of questions to guide discussions for each case; andA section of facilitator notes called "Points for Consideration" that provide valuable insight for understanding how inequity is operating in each caseThe cases themselves present everyday examples of the ways in which racism, sexism, cisgenderism, homophobia and heterosexism, class inequities, language bias, religious-based oppression, and other equity and diversity concerns affect students, teachers, families, and other members of our school communities. They involve classroom, school, and district issues that are relevant to all grade levels and content areas, allowing significant flexibility in how and with whom they are used. Read more

When it comes to the hard work of reconstructing our schools into places where every student has the opportunity to succeed, Mirko Chardin and Katie Novak are absolutely convinced that teachers should serve as our primary architects. And by "teachers" they mean legions of teachers working in close collaboration. After all, it’s teachers who design students’ learning experiences, who build student relationships . . .  who ultimately have the power to change the trajectory of our students’ lives.Equity by Design is intended to serve as a blueprint for teachers to alter the all-too-predictable outcomes for our historically under-served students. A first of its kind resource, the book makes the critical link between social justice and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) so that we can equip students (and teachers, too) with the will, skill, and collective capacity to enact positive change.Inside you’ll find:Concrete strategies for designing and delivering a culturally responsive, sustainable, and equitable framework for all studentsRich examples, case studies, and implementation spotlights of educators, students (including Parkland survivors), and programs that have embraced a social justice imperativeEvidence-based application of best practices for UDL to create more inclusive and equitable classroomsA flexible format to facilitate use with individual teachers, teacher teams, and as the basis for whole-school implementation"Every student," Mirko and Katie insist, "deserves the opportunity to be successful regardless of their zip code, the color of their skin, the language they speak, their sexual and/or gender identity, and whether or not they have a disability." Consider Equity by Design a critical first step forward in providing that all-important opportunity. "Our calling is to drop our egos, commit to removing barri­ers, and treat our learners with the unequivocal respect and dignity they deserve."~Mirko Chardin and Katie Novak Read more

Are you passionate about bringing out the best in your elementary students and helping them cultivate healthy relationships with their peers?Introducing social-emotional learning (SEL), a teaching method suitable for young, curious minds, equipping them with fundamental skills like emotional awareness, open communication, and relationship-building.With 180 educational and student-friendly exercises to discover, students from kindergarten to fifth grade have 30 weeks' worth of practice to develop healthy identities.They will go from having poor teamwork and ineffective coping skills to respectfully expressing their emotions, embracing different perspectives, and being empathetic toward the feelings of others.Here's a glimpse of the exercises covered in the Social Emotional Learning Workbook for Elementary:Constructive ways to recognize, manage, and express difficult emotions without hurting others.Social strategies for initiating conversations, showing interest in others, and learning to be a team player.Self-regulation skills and methods to handle stressful classroom and social situations.Resilience-building activities to help students solve problems creatively and bounce back with confidence after every setback.Positive communication and conflict resolution techniques to help students shift from "ME" to "WE."The workbook includes learning tools such as flashcards and alphabets, physical activities that get students out of their seats and explore the classroom or the school grounds, as well as creative activities like coloring pictures, DIY projects, and role-playing scenarios.You have everything you need to make the next 30 school weeks unforgettable.Grab a copy of the Social Emotional Learning Workbook for Elementary, and support your students in learning valuable skills for all areas of their lives! Read more

This practical resource offers a classroom-tested framework for secondary math teachers to support students who struggle. Teachers will explore an often-overlooked piece of the math achievement puzzle: the gatekeeping cycles of mathematics and the importance of teachers' own expectations of students. The immediately applicable strategies in this book, developed through the author’s work as a math intervention teacher, intervention specialist, and instructional coach, will give teachers the tools to help students overcome math anxiety, retention struggles, and even apathy. Beginning with a deep dive into the gatekeeping cycles to help teachers better understand their students who struggle, the book then walks teachers through the five-part B.R.E.A.K. it™ Math Intervention Framework: Build Community, Routines to Boost Confidence, Engage Every Student, Advance Your Expectations, Know Students’ Level of Understanding. Educational research, personal anecdotes from the author’s own classroom, and examples from case study teachers are woven into each chapter, leading to clear action items, planning strategies, and best practices that are accessible enough to accommodate all grade levels and schedules. The framework and activities in this book enable teachers to help students overcome math anxiety, create a safe math environment for 6–12 students, and ultimately increase achievement with effective research-based suggestions for working with students who struggle.Find additional resources at www.gatebreakerbook.com. Read more

🎉 Get TWO FREE BONUSES with your Paperback Edition:➡️ Fun CVC WORKSHEETS ✏️ to boost your child’s reading and writing skills➡️ TEACHING GUIDE & PLANNER 📚 to make phonics learning a breeze!Is your child struggling to read simple words? 🤔Looking for a proven method that makes learning to read click?Ready to turn frustration into confidence and joy?👉 If your child has been discouraged trying to read words like "cat" or "dog," you’re not alone. But there’s a solution!✨ Turn Reading Struggles into Joyful Moments! Imagine the pride on your child’s face when they successfully read a word all on their own.😍📖 This book is designed to help you make that moment happen—fast and with ease! 🎉✨Why It Works for Your Child:Designed for children aged 4-7—including those with dyslexia, ADHD, or ESL learners—this evidence-based program is built on the proven Orton-Gillingham approach, grounded in research by experts like Dr. Jeanne Chall of Harvard's Graduate School of Education. 🏛️Trusted by educators and parents alike, this method adapts to each child’s unique strengths and challenges, unlocking their potential and making it universally effective.Why Parents, Teachers, and Kids Love It:Master Key Phonics Skills: Short vowels, CVC words (“cat,” “dog”), consonant blends (like “bl” in “blue”), and digraphs (like “sh” in “ship”). These are the essential building blocks of reading success! 🔤Engaging and Fun: With games, puzzles, and stories, learning feels more like playtime! 🎲📖Perfect for Busy Families: Short, manageable lessons make it easy to fit learning into your daily routine—ideal for busy parents, homeschooling, or supporting your child after school. Even with limited time, you’ll see real progress! ⏳🏠Ideal for Teachers: Structured strategies and adaptable resources make it a valuable tool for classrooms, ESL programs, and individualized support for diverse learning needs.📚Two Exclusive Bonuses Included!🎁1️⃣ CVC Worksheets: Interactive exercises designed to build confidence while mastering CVC words through reading, writing, and tracing. Learning has never been this fun! ✏️2️⃣ Teaching Guide & Lesson Planner: Step-by-step strategies and multisensory techniques to make phonics lessons simple and adaptable for every learner—ideal for children with dyslexia, ADHD, or ESL needs. Providing a clear roadmap, it helps parents and teachers get started with confidence. 📚Written by Ella Fontaine, an Experienced Educator in Phonics, this resource has helped hundreds of children overcome reading struggles. Her proven strategies, paired with engaging and interactive exercises, make this an essential tool forteachers and parents alike—whether you're in a classroom setting or homeschooling your child. No prior teaching experience required!🎯 Give Your Child the Gift of Reading Confidence—Start Their Journey Today!👉 Click 'Add to Cart' Now and start your child’s journey to reading success! 🛒 Read more

Winner of AM&P EXCEL Bronze AwardYour Students, My Students, Our Students explores the hard truths of current special education practice and outlines five essential disruptions to the status quo. Authors Lee Ann Jung, Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, and Julie Kroener show you how to - Establish a school culture that champions equity and inclusion. - Rethink the long-standing structure of least restrictive environment and the resulting service delivery. - Leverage the strengths of all educators to provide appropriate support and challenge. - Collaborate on the delivery of instruction and intervention. - Honor the aspirations of each student and plan accordingly. To realize authentic and equitable inclusion, we must relentlessly and collectively pursue change. This book—written not for "special educators" or "general educators" but for all educators—addresses the challenges, maps out the solutions, and provides tools and inspiration for the work ahead. Real-life examples of empowerment and success illustrate just what's possible when educators commit to the belief that every student belongs to all of us and all students deserve learning experiences that will equip them to live full and rewarding lives. Read more

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Hannah, superhero princess, explains her Down Syndrome Superpowers, how they affect her, and how she's more like other kids than different. This book is a TOOL written by a mom/pediatric physical therapist to help kids, family, friends and caregivers understand Down Syndrome. Read more

This picture book is dedicated to children with Down syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21. Explore the day in the life of a young girl, through bright, colourful illustrations and text. Perfect for teachers, parents and children alike, this book will bring awareness of the condition and teach children how to be supportive and be kind. This collection of books show how each child can celebrate their abilities within their disability, find acceptance and create awareness to those around them. This picture book is aimed for children between the ages of 3-8 years. The character in the book is dedicated to Gracie Dunn. Read more

Michaela Community School in Brent, London is one of the most talked-about schools in the UK. In this follow-up to the best-selling book Battle Hymn Of The Tiger Teachers, their teachers further explain how their relentlessly high expectations are helping young people to get great results and be successful.Since opening in 2014, Michaela Community School has blazed a trail and defied many of the received notions about what works best in schools. In Michaela: The Battle For Western Education, staff explore some of the things they have learned since the publication of the original book and further develop the ideology that lies beyond the headlines and social media arguments.Chapters include: Don't be squeamish about scripture - why we teach religion at Michaela; Relationships & systems; National Citizenship and Identity; Teaching National History; Digital Detox; Authority; Original Sin & Christian beliefs at Michaela; Telling kids the truth/teaching personal responsibility; Assessment at Michaela; Loving the difficult kids; The baby in the progressive bath water; The culture of feedback at Michaela; Why is teaching gratitude important?; Parenting the Michaela way Read more