Captivate, Activate, and Invigorate the Student Brain in Science and Math, Grades 6-12

Dr. John Almarode is a bestselling author and an Associate Professor of Education at James Madison University. He was awarded the inaugural Sarah Miller Luck Endowed Professorship in 2015 and received an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia in 2021. Before his academic career, John started as a mathematics and science teacher in Augusta County, Virginia. As an author, John has written multiple educational books focusing on science and mathematics, and he has co-created a new framework for developing, implementing, and sustaining professional learning communities called PLC+. Dr. Almarode's work has been presented to the US Congress, the Virginia Senate, and the US Department of Education. One of his recent projects includes developing the Distance Learning Playbook for College and University Instruction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Continuing his collaborative work with colleagues on what works best in teaching and learning, How Tutoring Works, Visible Learning in Early Childhood, and How Learning Works, all with Corwin Press, were released in 2021. Ann M. Miller has had the privilege of working as an educator and staff developer for many years. She is currently the Coordinator of Elementary Instruction and Professional development K-12 for Waynesboro Public Schools. Ann began her career teaching Special Education for Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES in Cayuga County, New York. She focused her efforts on emotionally disturbed students before making a successful transition to the position of Instructional Specialist. Ann became a member of an elite team of staff development leaders where her enthusiasm, knowledge and approachable style helped to develop strong productive learning communities within nine different school divisions. Her extensive knowledge about teaching, student engagement and how children learn has provided a strong instructional foundation needed to design, facilitate and implement relevant and meaningful learning opportunities for a wide range of audiences. Ann truly loves her career but she would be the first to tell you how truly blessed she is to have a loving and supportive husband, three caring children, and four terrific grandchildren. Everyone should be so lucky

Foreword Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. The Recipe for an Engaged Brain The Recipe for Student Engagement Recipes as Frameworks Using Your Engagement Monitor Engagement: An Overt and Covert Operation You Can Lead Students to Class, but Can You Make Them Think? Chapter 1: 3-2-1 Exit Ticket Engaging Professional Development Tasks References Engaging Professional Development Tasks 2. Building Background Knowledge Using Models to Build Background Knowledge A Road Map of the Brain The Nuts and Bolts Engaging the Students With Vocabulary Pandora's Box Chapter 2: Concept Development Exit Ticket Engaging Professional Development Tasks References 3. Prime the Brain: Activate Prior Knowledge The Deafening Sound of Silence Making Student Brains More Efficient Getting Better Encoding, Retention, and Recall Link to the Recipe for Engagement Chapter 3: "Fist List" Exit Ticket Engaging Professional Development Tasks References 4. Captivate With Novelty In the Classroom, Novelty Is the Spice of Life Emotionally Charged Events Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Novelty in Moderation Chapter 4: Exit Ticket Engaging Professional Development Tasks References 5. Why Do We Need to Know This? Establishing Relevance How Is Relevance Good for the Brain? A Mouse Tale How Can I Make Learning Behaviorally Relevant? Link to the Recipe for Engagement Chapter 5: Exit Ticket Engaging Professional Development Tasks References 6. Too Much, Too Fast: Maintaining an Engaging Pace Input and Quantity Limitations Press and Release What to Do Between Chunks? Too Much, Too Fast Chapter 6: Exit Ticket Engaging Professional Development Tasks References 7. Make Learning a Long-Lasting, Invigorating Experience It's as if They Were Never Even in Class Checking for Understanding Reading Closure Activities A Watched Pot Never Boils . . . and This Is a Good Thing Chapter 7: Exit Ticket Engaging Professional Development Tasks References 8. Building an Engaging Science or Mathematics Lesson and Unit Using the Recipe to Build an Engaging Lesson Using the Recipe to Build an Engaging Unit A Recipe for Diversity Taste Testing the Recipe Chapter 8: Exit Ticket Engaging Professional Development Tasks References Appendix A Unit Instructional Plan Appendix B Daily Lesson Plan Index

"This book links a wealth of best practices in lesson design to the latest research on how the brain learns new information. It is a must for all educators involved in building effective lessons." -- Edward C. Nolan, PreK-12 Content Specialist, Mathematics "This book provides a different perspective on how learning takes place. The authors provide unique insights into some of the obstacles to student learning in science and mathematics. The authors' strategies should provide classroom teachers with new tools and a fresh perspective on designing enhanced learning experiences for their students." -- Patricia Waller, Educational Consultant and Retired Science Educator "The success of this book lies in the fact that this is a practitioner's voice, simple, concrete and easy to follow. The engaging lesson framework provides easy access to other practitioners on 'how.'" -- Rosalind LaRocque, Professional Development Coordinator "This book is a must-read for teachers of math or science who want to increase student achievement and create meaningful learning experiences!" -- Melissa Miller, Middle School Science Instructor "This book offers real strategies to activate and invigorate learning in real students in real science and math classrooms." -- Loukea N. Kovanis-Wilson, Chemistry Instructor