Books & Resources

Written by experts in the field, this book provides realistic, how-to advice for navigating complex issues such as underachievement, twice-exceptionality, acceleration, underrepresented populations, student advocacy and more. Each article provides parents with an easy-to-understand overview of the topic based on research and best practices, as well as processes, step-by-step action plans and realistic advice. Additionally, the book includes discussion and reflection questions that are perfect for parent support groups, conversations with families and children, and individual parent reflections.

When Your Child Learns Differently is a compassionate guide to help families navigate special education services from the inside out. Drawing on experiences as both a parent and special education teacher, the author shares valuable information about special education language, policy, procedures and supports while reminding families that they are the most important advocates in their child's success plan.

Values and Questions invites students into conversations about values they can bring to their learning, their work, their relationships and other aspects of their lives. The cards are designed for any adult who works with students in grades 6–12 – including classroom teachers, administrators, counsellors, psychologists, social workers, learning specialists and support staff – and wants to start meaningful conversations with individual students or groups.

Powerful Writing Structures uses thinking structures to deepen student writing. The thinking strategies in this practical resource focus on using structural aspects of writing forms to inspire and inform students learning to write. Detailed lesson plans revolve around anchor books and include sample student work from real classrooms, book lists and assessment rubrics. Based on extensive classroom testing, this comprehensive approach to developing a balanced year-long writing program includes tips for implementing weekly writing practice and for using different forms of writing in the content areas.

Cohan, Honigsfeld and Dove bring together current research, authentic examples of best practices and voices from the field to champion the power of purposeful collaboration and provide educators with resources that will empower them to support English learners (ELs) and their families. Guided by four core principles – common purpose, shared mindset, diverse team membership, supportive environment – the authors explain how to meet the challenges of collaborating with ELs and help all stakeholders – administrators, teachers, students, community leaders – develop new and effective ways of working together for the success of each learner.

Students become attentive, curious, and passionate about learning when they can see its relevance to their lives and when they're empowered to use that learning to solve problems that matter. Regardless of the subject or grade level you teach, you can infuse your instruction with the meaning students crave by implementing design thinking. In Designed to Learn, cognitive scientist and educator Lindsay Portnoy shares the amazing teaching and learning that take place in design thinking classrooms. She provides easy-to-implement strategies, classroom examples, and clear tools to scaffold the processes of inquiry, discovery, design and reflection. Portnoy also includes sample assessments that measure student learning and ensure that learners take the lead in their own learning.

Help your primary students develop a deep appreciation for the natural world with Life in a Garden: Activities and Projects for the Outdoor Classroom. In this practical handbook, permaculture expert Dr Ross Mars guides teachers through the basics of garden design and maintenance, while providing opportunities for students to explore and contribute to a thriving ecosystem. Using this resource, readers will find: tips for effective garden design, including establishing basic garden beds and deciding on effective planting strategies; advice for seasonal planting and harvesting produce; sustainable solutions for managing common pests; and flexible activities aligned to the Australian Curriculum.

Selena Fisk, EdD, author of Using and analysing data in Australian schools, believes that data should be used to support learning in a way that develops thriving learning communities where students are engaged and motivated. This invaluable resource introduces a 10-step process for leading data-informed change comprising measurable steps for action supported by connections to relevant literature and practical examples showing what the process looks like in schools. Fisk also introduces the 12 key elements required for a leader to prime the environment or build a culture that will enable them to lead data-informed change. Leading data-informed change in schools offers teacher team leaders, principals and administrators a practical guide on how to collect, analyse and use data to help school communities and the students they serve flourish.

Make the Future! Hands-On Sustainability Lessons for Years 7 and 8 is a resource for secondary classrooms that gives real meaning to the idea of sustainability. Created in line with the Australian Curriculum: Design and Technologies, this book empowers students to make a tangible difference to the environment - and their future. Make the Future! combines traditional skills and cutting-edge research to create authentic, purposeful activities that will show your students positive change is not just feasible - it is delicious, stylish, economical and fun!

Everyone in a school community who is responsible for someone else’s learning is a Learning Leader, and the success of any school community is intrinsically bound to effective leadership at all levels. Five Ways of Being: What Learning Leaders think, do and say every day contends that the very nature or essence of successful leadership requires that each and every leader is open to: being trusting; being brave; being a storyteller; being purposeful; and being growth focused. Through 32 evidence-based practical strategies, readers are empowered to embrace these Five Ways of Being and improve their ability to genuinely lead learning in others. They will be able to look internally to overcome the challenges they face and create productive environments for both students and colleagues. By embodying the Five Ways of Being, their leadership will manifest in what they think, do and say every day.