Description: Academic standards call for increased rigor, but simply raising complexity is not enough. Students need to know how to state a claim and support it with evidence. They must be able to examine their own thinking and the thinking of others. As they consider the logic in their reasoning, they become adept at examining errors, identifying flawed logic, and, ultimately, deepening their understanding of the content. Examining Reasoning: Classroom Techniques to Help Students Produce and Defend Claims explores explicit techniques for mastering this crucial strategy of instructional practice. It includes: - Explicit steps for implementation - Recommendations for monitoring students' ability to examine errors in reasoning - Adaptations for students who struggle, have special needs, or excel in learning - Examples and nonexamples from classroom practice - Common mistakes and ways to avoid them The Essentials for Achieving Rigor series of instructional guides helps educators become highly skilled at implementing, monitoring, and adapting instruction. Put it to practical use immediately, adopting day-to-day examples as models for application in your own classroom.
Brief description: Tracy Ocasio, EdD, was a successful assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and a principal before joining Learning Sciences International. With more than 25 years in education that includes experience as an English as a Second Language teacher, reading specialist, English teacher, instructional support teacher, elementary classroom teacher, and preschool teacher, Dr. Ocasio is able to relate her experience in early childhood education through grade 12 to her work as a staff developer. Dr. Ocasio also incorporates this background into her writing for the Learning Sciences Marzano Center blog. Her professional career includes teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as working as a crisis intervention/emergency services unit supervisor. Her educational background includes a doctorate in Reading and Language Development and Educational Leadership. Her graduate level education includes a master's degree in Public Administration. Robert J. Marzano, PhD, is a nationally recognized education researcher, speaker, trainer, and author of more than 30 books and 150 articles on topics such as instruction, assessment, writing and implementing standards, cognition, effective leadership, and school intervention. His practical translations of the most current research and theory into classroom strategies are widely practiced internationally by both teachers and administrators.
Review Quotes: "Beneficial to even the most experienced and effective teachers, Examining Reasoning aids teachers in helping their students recognize and understand their mistakes in reasoning. This book is a valuable professional development tool to use as a springboard to improve teaching performance." -- Amanda J. Bush "2014 Florida Teacher of the Year finalist"