Instructional Materials for Primary and Secondary Education Key Terms
Stay up-to-date on the latest educational programs to select the best curriculum materials
Teachers who work in primary and secondary education need to stay current on the latest programs and curriculum materials. Educational companies continue to develop new programs and materials based on the latest research in child development. Other programs are created to meet government requirements. States, too, often adopt mandates that teachers and school systems must follow.With all the innovative programs available, teachers who are selecting instructional materials for primary and secondary classrooms have a variety of choices. Becoming familiar with the latest learning systems makes it easier to choose teaching materials. For those who lack funds, check out organizations that provide assistance in purchasing instructional materials.
Response to Intervention (RTI) and Early Intervening Services (EIS)
Response to Intervention (RTI) and Early Intervening Services (EIS) are programs to identify and assist children with learning disabilities. Schools using this approach use special research-based materials for intensive teaching; they also assess how students respond to the intervention.
Try: The U.S. Department of Education has a question and answer section on Response to Intervention (RTI) and Early Intervening Services (EIS).
Adopt-A-Classroom
Adopt-A-Classroom is a program that matches teachers and their students with donors who are willing to assist with classroom needs. It is particularly beneficial to schools in low-income areas who have limited funds for instructional materials and supplies.
Try: Adopt-A-Classroom describes their program and has links to frequently asked questions.
Standards-based lesson plans
Standards-based lesson plans use state or national standards to plan all classroom instruction rather than planning around textbooks or other student materials. Teachers use the state benchmarks and indicators to design their curriculum and plan their testing and assessments. All instructional materials are selected to support the state or national standards.
Try: The Ohio Department of Education discusses standards-based lesson plans and provides a model of how the process works.
Project-based learning
Project-based learning is a hands-on approach to instruction that is student-centered. In project-based learning, students engage in projects that enhance their learning in many subject areas at the same time.
Try: Buck Institute of Education provides an introduction to project-based learning.
CRS or Classroom response system
A classroom response system (CRS), or audience response system, sends radio signals from students to a receiver hooked to the teacher's computer. The technology is often informally called "clickers." Teachers use these systems to get student's answers to multiple-choice questions.
Try: The Vanderbilt Center for Teaching offers an explanation of the classroom response system along with suggested instructional activities and videos of clickers in use.
Framework for 21st Century Learning
The Framework for 21st Century Learning is a collaboration between business, technology and educational organizations who believe that students are not learning the skills they need for the 21st century. By working together, these groups hope to increase students' creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, technology skills, and global understanding.
Try: Partnership for 21st Century Skills expounds on the Framework for 21st Century Learning instructional model.
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