Teaching With the Instructional Cha-Chas: Four Steps to Make Learning Stick

With foreword by Rick Wormeli

Merging educational neuroscience with a formative assessment process and differentiated instruction, LeAnn Nickelsen and Melissa Dickson developed a four-step cycle of instruction -- (1) chunk, (2) chew, (3) check, and (4) change -- that has the power to double the speed of student learning. Compatible with any subject area, the book's brain-friendly teaching strategies and plentiful tools are designed to help transform students into active learners and independent thinkers.

Educational neuroscience- and research-based teaching strategies to improve student achievement:

• Combine brain science with a formative assessment process and differentiated instruction to maximize student learning.
• Examine effective teaching strategies and differentiation practices so you can bump it up or break it down according to student needs.
• Consider the four-step instructional cycle and understand the components of chunk, chew, check, and change.
• Explore how the formative assessment process can double the speed of learning.
• Learn how to plan instruction and preassess efficiently so that daily learning targets and formative assessments enable each student to meet standards.
• Receive templates and teaching strategies that can be easily differentiated and implemented in daily lesson plans.

Contents:
Introduction: Maneuver Your Footwork With Four Steps

Part I: Setting Up Your Classroom Dance Floor
Chapter 1: Choreograph Your Instruction With the Cha-Cha Steps
Chapter 2: Move Smoothly From Broad Ideas to Smaller Ideas
Chapter 3: Get to Know Your Dance Partners

Part II: Putting the Steps Together
Chapter 4: Take Step One: Chunk (Instruct)
Chapter 5: Take Step Two: Chew (Learn)
Chapter 6: Take Step Three: Check (Evaluate)
Chapter 7: Take Step Four: Change (Differentiate)
Chapter 8: Finesse the Chunk, Chew, Check, and Change Cycle

Epilogue: Swing Into Action With the Four Steps