Elements make up everything around us -- our computers, our games, and our food and drink. They make up trees and grass, cars and roads, and are the fundamental components of us, human beings. But what exactly are elements? What is their history? When were they discovered? It's Elementary explores the chemistry of everyday things, from how blood needs iron to why helium balloons are lighter than air. Structure and headings based around easy-to-understand questions and statements, such as "What's a dog made from?" and "Inside and Atom" clearly organizes the material, while bold design and engaging stories work together to make learning about the elements surprising, fun, and understandable to kids. It's Elementary looks at this weird and wonderful side of science, providing a unique and exciting biography of the elements and making chemistry fun for kids.

This report is intended to assist teachers, administrators, parents, and community leaders in achieving excellence in California's public elementary education. The report is also designed to help teachers and administrators engage elementary school students in a thinking curriculum that immerses students in a rich learning environment that recognizes and celebrates the unique background and experiences each student brings to the classroom. Following an introduction that outlines its purpose, the report is divided into seven chapters, each of which contains recommendations supported by a discussion, excerpts from key writings, and a listing of sources of additional information. The first chapter includes a detailed discussion of current learning theory and its implications for elementary instruction on a subject-by-subject basis. One recommendation is included. The second chapter, which deals with practical strategies for implementing a rigorous curriculum, contains recommendations 2 through 15. Chapter 3 concerns ways to connect classroom teachers to the larger professional issues in elementary education and consists chiefly of recommendations 16 through 20. Ways in which California's new elementary grades assessment program can be used to spur curriculum reform are described in recommendations 21-24 contained in the fourth chapter. The fifth chapter outlines ways to help families and children build emotional bonds to the school as detailed in recommendations 25-29. Students' physical and emotional needs are addressed in the sixth chapter, which presents one recommendation, and the final chapter (ending with recommendations 31 and 32), describes steps that school districts can take to support elementary schools in their quest for self-improvement. (MM)

The challenge of overcoming educational inequality in the United States can sometimes appear overwhelming, and great controversy exists as to whether or not elementary schools are up to the task, whether they can ameliorate existing social inequalities and initiate opportunities for economic and civic flourishing for all children. This book shows what can happen when you rethink schools from the ground up with precisely these goals in mind, approaching educational inequality and its entrenched causes head on, student by student. Drawing on an in-depth study of real schools on the South Side of Chicago, Elizabeth McGhee Hassrick, Stephen W. Raudenbush, and Lisa Rosen argue that effectively meeting the challenge of educational inequality requires a complete reorganization of institutional structures as well as wholly new norms, values, and practices that are animated by a relentless commitment to student learning. They examine a model that pulls teachers out of their isolated classrooms and places them into collaborative environments where they can share their curricula, teaching methods, and assessments of student progress with a school-based network of peers, parents, and other professionals. Within this structure, teachers, school leaders, social workers, and parents collaborate to ensure that every child receives instruction tailored to his or her developing skills. Cooperating schools share new tools for assessment and instruction and become sites for the training of new teachers. Parents become respected partners, and expert practitioners work with researchers to evaluate their work and refine their models for educational organization and practice. The authors show not only what such a model looks like but the dramatic results it produces for student learning and achievement. The result is a fresh, deeply informed, and remarkably clear portrait of school reform that directly addresses the real problems of educational inequality.

Eleanor Burns loves to quilt! Eleanor Burns loves to teach! In her book It's "El"ementary, she combines her talents to bring you a teaching quilt book! The book includes five 12" quilt blocks that form together in a delightful sampler wallhanging. Sew along with Eleanor to learn new methods for quick traditional quilt blocks. Step by step illustrations and instructions are offered for strip piecing, applique, flying geese patches, half-square triangles, and quarter square patches. "El"ementary offers two sampler layouts, a square sampler on point, and a vertical sampler. Once you know the techniques, it is time to make a larger quilt using the newly acquired skills. Full yardage and cutting charts are provided for all five quilt sizes for all five block patterns. To finish your quilt, learn about adding outside borders, folded borders, and nine-patch corners. Instruction is given for preparing the quilt backing, layering the quilt, pinning, machine quilting and binding. As a challenge for seasoned quilters instructions, yardage and cutting charts are included for 6" blocks to miniaturize the designs.

Awarded for its unique ink illustrations, this newly revised edition of Architecture is Elementary is a self-instruction book that concisely and coherently discusses the principles of architectural design. Stimulating lessons challenge the lay person and trigger creative responses. New features include a fresh design and layout, 50 new illustrations of recent and planned buildings, and new lessons that update the book for the world of twenty-first-century architecture. Author Nathan Winters explains the rationale for developers choosing to build higher and taller with modern high-rises, and explores the engineering challenges for such giant structures. He also addresses the dangers of such adventurous design in this century, including becoming tempting targets for terrorists. Architecture is Elementary also explores issues surrounding modern landscape architecture, as Winters looks at the impact of green design and cities that seek to reclaim useless spaces (such as inactive railroad lines), converting them into parks for urban use. He also explores the financial and economic benefits of beautified landscape. The new layout, new lesson materials, and current examples of future thinking in the world of architecture make this a must-have for every serious teacher, student, and practitioner of architecture.

Plan enriching Project-Based Learning experiences with ease! The book′s companion website features an updated guide to help teachers integrate technology into PBL experiences for online and blended learning instruction. Is project-planning a project in and of itself? Does project-based learning (PBL) feel more like a pipe dream than a reality in your classroom? Dr. Jennifer Pieratt, a consultant and former teacher herself, knows just where you′re coming from. Developed from the author′s experience in the trenches of project-based learning over the past decade, this book will lead you through the planning process for an authentic PBL experience in a clear and efficient way. Project-based learning has been found to develop workforce readiness, innovation, and student achievement. In this book, the keys to implementing PBL effectively are explored in a simple, easy-to-use format. In addition to thought-provoking questions for journaling, readers will find a visually accessible style featuring • #realtalk soundbites that honor the challenges to implementing PBL • Tips and resources to support the project-planning process • Planning forms to guide you through planning your projects • Key terminology and acronyms in PBL • Exercises to help you reflect and process throughout your project plans If mastering a PBL framework is on your list, prepare to cross it off with the help of this book! Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Winner

Mindy Starns Clark's first two books in the Smart Chick Mystery series—The Trouble with Tulip and Blind Dates Can Be Murder—are followed with more love and adventure in this final, suspense-filled book. When someone tries to push Jo Tulip in front of a New York train, her ex-fiance, Bradford, suffers an injury while saving her—and the unintentional sleuth is thrown onto the tracks of a very personal mystery. Jo's boyfriend, Danny Watkins, is away in Paris, so she begins a solo investigation of her near-murder. What secret was Bradford about to share before he took the fall? And when Jo uncovers clues tied to Europe, can she and Danny work together in time to save her life?

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon and The Wager—and one of the most gifted reporters and storytellers of his generation—comes a “horrifying, hilarious, and outlandish” (Entertainment Weekly) collection of gripping true crime mysteries about people whose obsessions propel them into unfathomable and often deadly circumstances. "[Grann is] one of the preeminent adventure and true-crime writers working today."—New York Magazine Whether David Grann is investigating a mysterious murder, tracking a chameleon-like con artist, or hunting an elusive giant squid, he has proven to be a superb storyteller. In The Devil and Sherlock Holmes, Grann takes the reader around the world, revealing a gallery of rogues and heroes with their own particular fixations who show that truth is indeed stranger than fiction. Look for David Grann’s latest bestselling book, The Wager!

Eerie Elementary is one scary school! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!In this first book in the series, Sam Graves discovers that his elementary school is ALIVE! Sam finds this out on his first day as the school hall monitor. Sam must defend himself and his fellow students against the evil school! Is Sam up to the challenge? He'll find out soon enough: the class play is just around the corner. Sam teams up with friends Lucy and Antonio to stop this scary school before it's too late!