Teaching with the Instructional Cha-chas

Book excerpt: 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