BOOK DISCUSSION

Classroom Instruction That Works
by Robert J. Marzano, et. al.

Below you'll find several resources to support our discussion of Classroom Instruction That Works. We highly recommend reading "Getting Acquainted with the Essential Nine" (it's a quick read). The article "Honing the Tools of Instruction" also provides a good overview of Marzano's approach to planning instruction.

Running Record of Our Chat

This discussion has ended. We'll leave these resources posted
in case you find them useful.

Some Notes from Our Discussion Leaders

Ann Barysh and Marsha Ratzel share some of their initial thoughts about Classroom Instruction That Works. These notes can help guide our discussion. They're informal and not directive. The stream of our conversation will be up to you!

Getting Acquainted with the Essential Nine

Researchers at Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) have identified nine instructional strategies that are most likely to improve student achievement across all content areas and across all grade levels. These strategies are explained in the book Classroom Instruction That Works by Robert Marzano, Debra Pickering, and Jane Pollock. This article from ASCD's Curriculum Update provides an overview of the research behind these strategies as well as some practical applications for the classroom.

Honing the Tools of Instruction: How Research Can Improve Teaching for the 21st Century

"Discussions about research on instructional practices are not sought after and not well received," says Robert Marzano in this article from the Winter 2002 issue of Curriculum Update. That attitude may be changing, as accountability pressures are increasingly brought to bear. Writer Rick Allen reviews some of the research and strategies cited in the ASCD book "Classroom Instruction That Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement," co-authored by Marzano.

Handbook for Classroom Instruction That Works

This handbook was prepared for McREL to accompany the ASCD book (see below). Several chapters of this handbook are available on-line.

Classroom Instruction That Works Study Guide

This free study guide is posted at the ASCD website. It offers reflection questions for each chapter in the book.

Classroom Instruction That Works

Table of Contents and ordering information -- with links to two on-line chapters -- of Classroom Instruction That Works by Robert J. Marzano, Debra J. Pickering, and Jane E. Pollock (ASCD, 2001).


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