Super-Smooth Guide to Integrating Digital Learning (Part Three: Best Practice Wrap Up and Getting Everyone on Board)

So far in our series on best practices to implement a digital curriculum, we have covered what to look for in the features of a digital product, and how to predict success based on the needs of the school community. In this wrap-up post coinciding with Digital Learning Day, we will emphasize the importance of establishing proper groundwork for a digital transition as well as communicating to help set the expectations of faculty, students, and parents.

Consider possible obstacles

Looking out for potential glitches before implementing a new program shouldn’t only apply to technology; schools should do the same analysis with their human assets: the community.

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Get Started with Tablets in Your Classroom

A Tablet is Not a Computer

This is the most helpful premise to have when integrating a tablet into a classroom and one that often gets ignored. The purpose of a tablet is best thought of as a consumption and creation device, not a small computer. They are meant as a compliment to the computer, not a replacement.  Seeking to make one’s tablet a computer may lead to frustration as well as discount the strengths of the tablet. Start by considering what the tablet can do and how it can compliment your curriculum to engender active learning.

Reading Tracker Printable – Students and Teachers Editions!

We’ve produced a reading tracker worksheet for students to use to document their daily readings and for teachers to track progress. This serves to hold students accountable for their reading and gives them a tool to share with peers.

We’ve also produced a tracker for teachers to use to evaluate student progress. It contains several  rubrics with space to add your own.

Back-to-School Goal Sheet

Here’s our second FREE printable worksheet. It’s a goal sheet for middle and high school students to identify their academic goals and steps to reaching them.

The goal sheet asks students to:

• State an academic goal
• Identify actions and steps to complete that goal
• Describe what reaching that goal will look like
• Timeline for reaching that goal
• Anticipate challenges

Ideas for Saving on Books this Summer – the 2013 edition!

Summer is officially here and so is book-ordering season. As you settle into summer and hopefully get some rest and relaxation, we’re in gear to guide you through your ordering for the upcoming school year. We know negotiating budgets and complicated purchasing probably isn’t at the top of your list of ways to enjoy your summer. As such, we’ve compiled a list of ways to offset costs and save you time so you can spend it on enjoying the sun (with sunscreen, of course)

Prepare Your Students for the ACT

The ACT is growing into the most preferred entrance exam by colleges and universities across the country. Adams Book Company has compiled a list of preparation manuals, practice tests books, and flashcards for your classroom. FREE shipping with use of code ACT36.*

Testing Prep Manuals and Practice Tests

Barron’s ACT, 17th Edition

McGraw-Hill’s ACT, 2013 Edition

Barron’s ACT 36, 2nd Edition

Kaplan ACT 2013

10 ACT Practice Tests

6 ACT Practice Tests

Flashcards

Kaplan ACT in a Box

Barron’s ACT Flash Cards

Essential ACT Flashcards

ACT Subject Workbooks and Guides

ACT Math and Science Workbook

ACT English, Reading, and Writing Workbook

Grammar Workbook

Conquering The ACT Math and Science

Conquering The ACT English, Reading, and Writing

Spotlight on Nonfiction: Books and Curriculum Resources

Mark Twain famously stated, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” This month we’re embracing the strange by spotlighting nonfiction books and teaching tools. We’ve curated a list of new releases, established nonfiction favorites, and curriculum resources on our dedicated Pinterest board. Peruse below for a teaser and then visit our board and website to explore further.

New Nonfiction Book Releases

	The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot $10.40 for 10+ copies	Breaking Night Homeless to Harvard by Liz Murray $9.74 for 10+ copies	Almost Astronauts  by Tanya Lee Stone $11.69 for 10+ copies	The Warmth of  Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson $11.02 for 10+ copies

View more>

Established Nonfiction Favorites

	Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi $9.07 for 10+ copies	The Color of Water by James McBride $10.40 for 10+ copies	The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan $14.45 for 10+ copies	Night by Elie Wiesel $6.47 for 10+ copies

 View more>

SAVE 35% off paperbacks when purchasing 10 or more copies. Explore more titles at www.adamsbook.com.

Lesson Plans & Tools

Introducing the Essay: Twain, Douglass, and American Non-Fiction
This lesson plan serves as an intro to American literary nonfiction writing and focuses on persuasive effect in essays and non-fiction. Grades 9-12. View the Lesson Plan >

Edith Wharton: War Correspondent
Using Edith Wharton’s book, Fighting France, From Dunkerque to Belfort, students will explore an American correspondent’s experiences during World War I. Grades 9-12. View the Lesson Plan >

Using THIEVES to Preview Nonfiction Texts
Using a strategy called THIEVES, which is an acronym for title, headings, introduction, every first sentence in a paragraph, visuals and vocabulary, end-of-chapter questions, and summary, students are guided through a preview of a nonfiction text. Grades 6-8. View the Lesson Plan >

Can You Convince Me? Developing Persuasive Writing
This lesson explores techniques used in oral and written arguments. Students then apply them to persuasive writing activities and analyze the work of others. Grades 3-5. View the Lesson Plan >

Anne Frank: One of Hundreds of Thousands
This lesson supplements your students’ reading of The Diary of a Young Girl by connecting the diary to the study of history and inspiring students to use writing to deepen their insights into their own experiences and the experiences of others. View the Lesson Plan >

The Library of Congress has some great lesson plans for amplifying students’ experience of historical fiction through exploring related primary sources. View the Lesson Plans >

Book Lists for Further Exploration

International Reading Association (IRA) Children’s and Young Adult’s Book Awards >

National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children >

American Librarian Association (ALA) Robert F. Sibert Information Book Medal >

School Library Journal’s List of Best Nonfiction Books of 2011 >

The Library of Congress organizes booklists by historical figures and topics >

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