Fostering Learner Independence
An Essential Guide for K-6 Educators
Foreword by Ron Ritchhart
"This one will be dog-eared, highlighted intensely, and readily accessible on the corner of my desk. However, in the spirit of this book's call for independent thinking, don't take my word for it. Read and judge for yourself. You won't be disappointed."
—Rick Wormeli, Columnist
Middle Ground Magazine, National Middle School Association
Learner independence = student success!
While every teacher's goal is to help students become independent thinkers, determining exactly how to lead students toward self-sufficiency can be a challenge. This straightforward resource invites teachers to reflect on their philosophy of teaching and learning, and helps identify the key ingredients for creating a classroom that promotes student success and independence.
Teachers will discover how to build on student strengths and interests and provide authentic learning experiences. The book includes checklists, examples, and tips, and shows readers how to:
- Identify practices that hinder independence as well as those that foster student self-sufficiency
- Engage learners so they can contribute information about how and what they want to learn
- Promote development of good work habits, self-motivation, resiliency, and peer-to-peer problem solving
- Strengthen students' critical thinking and inquiry skills
- Incorporate differentiation and formative assessments
Infused with research and real classroom experiences, this readable handbook helps educators develop students who can solve problems and learn independently.
“The authors have written a highly accessible book that could change not only the way teachers teach and students learn, but also contribute to the satisfaction that both teachers and students feel at the end of the day.”
"This book has challenged me as a teacher, and I believe others will become better teachers with this book."
“Teachers and administrators will find this book valuable. It has a strong theory and research base along with concrete examples from many classrooms.”
"The authors have spent years thinking and writing about the conditions necessary to design, implement, and reflect upon for teachers to be intentional in our work and what independence means for our students. Their book acts as a personal coach for any teaching wanting to increase the rigor of their classroom, establish a classroom of independence, manage their own planning time productively, increase parent support, and truly increase student achievement."
"This excellent book covers all aspects of what teachers can do with their students to help them develop as independent learners.”
“This one will be dog-eared, highlighted intensely, and readily accessible on the corner of my desk. However, in the spirit of this book’s call for independent thinking, don’t take my word for it. Read and judge for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.”