Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 180
•
Trim: 6½ x 9¼
978-1-4758-5760-3 • Hardback • September 2020 • $69.00 • (£53.00)
978-1-4758-5761-0 • Paperback • September 2020 • $35.00 • (£30.00)
978-1-4758-5762-7 • eBook • September 2020 • $33.00 • (£25.00)
Robert J. Martin, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and has worked with teachers and students K-12 in the public schools and with all age groups in private practice. He has taught graduate and undergraduate students in educational psychology and counselor education, and is Professor Emeritus at Truman State University.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Make Small Changes
Chapter 2. Connect Through Getting to Know Students
Chapter 3. Connect Through Helping Students Make Choices
Chapter 4. Design Learning Starting from The Big Ideas and Key Skills
Chapter 5. Design Lessons Starting From the Big Content Ideas and Key Skills
Chapter 6. Use Scoring Guides to Increase Quality Work
Chapter 7. Motivation Follows Action
Chapter 8. Increase Learning by Teaching Procedures
Chapter 9. Help Students Learn Through Practice and Revision
Chapter 10. Use Teams to Increase Practice
Chapter 11. Plan Projects that Use Teams
Chapter 12. Conversation that Increases Learning and Builds Community
Chapter 13. Involve Students in Your Presentations
Afterword
References
About the Author
Martin's Connect and Involve provides an encompassing overview of foundational teaching practices at all levels. It aims to help teachers create community, build rapport with individual students, and increase motivation. The highly accessible writing style makes the text appropriate for pre-service teachers, beginning teachers, or veteran teachers needing a refresh. Each chapter includes a simulated conversation in which Martin addresses what he thinks would be commonly asked questions on that chapter's topics. Additional resources are also listed for each chapter. While none of the strategies offered are groundbreaking, the book provides a refreshing review of essential practices. Recommended.
— Choice Reviews
This is a great read! I initially read Connect and Involve with the idea of taking copious notes regarding the manuscript before writing my commentary. However, I became so intrigued by the message and organization of the book that I forgot to take notes, and I read the manuscript a second time. Dr. Martin presents a valuable compendium of proven techniques, ideas, and resources with a common-sense approach to active student learning. Too often educators try “to be all things to all students.” Dr. Martin reminds us to only do what we can control and to focus on what is important. I wholeheartedly believe that Connect and Involve is the quintessential primer for all educators, especially for veteran teachers who mentor new educators.— Janie Theobald, retired elementary school principal, and veteran elementary, middle, and high school teacher, including special education
I am absolutely loving it! I love how Martin’s book really hones in on key elements that all teachers should focus on. It is a great reminder to seasoned teachers and it is a fantastic guide to new teachers on motivating and involving students in their own education. I appreciate that there is the ability to choose a particular area to focus on and utilize that chapter to improve my students’ environment and education which is important for busy educators! An excellent resource for every classroom!— Nicole Marshall, 4th grade teacher with 19 years' experience
What a prize text! I found solutions to the problems plaguing our classrooms and data teams in Martin’s procedures and strategies—simple ideas that implemented immediately will impact whole class learning and address individual struggling students’ needs. This is research and best practice translated into the ‘boots on the ground’ movement. I’ve already begun to use ideas from the text with my Building Leadership Team in building a quality MTSS, pulled out strategies and teaching procedures to help in drafting a 504 plan for a student with ADHD, worked in a student action team meeting to help build relationships through reframing teacher thinking, and worked on identifying and fulfilling student needs.— Suzann Copeland, School Examiner and veteran elementary school teacher
Connect and Involve speaks to my heart as a teacher. I think it is the kind of book that will speak to the hearts of all educators. There is nothing trendy about the techniques—no fleeting terminology that is going to fall out of favor before the book even has a chance to be read through cover-to-cover. By the same token, there is also not a single technique or idea that is unadventurous or overly conventional. Dr. Martin lands squarely on the gold standard by streamlining universal best practice. Whether you are a pre-service teacher-in-training, a brand-new classroom teacher, or a seasoned educator, this book is full of effective strategies you can readily and simply implement in your practice. That, I think, is what all of us want as teachers…simple ideas and tools to help us do an even better job reaching and teaching our students.— Loddie Krepps, high school English teacher, currently teaching English to special needs students
Connect and Involve is an accessible roadmap for teachers and others to implement highly engaging techniques into their professional practices. In this age of diminishing and even impoverished choices for students and those who work with them, the skills, strategies, and best practices throughout the book are truly welcomed. I highly recommend this book.— Sam Minner, president of New Mexico Highlands University and previous public school teacher
An exceptional addition to the library of any educator who is truly dedicated to improving connections/relationships with students and thus improving not only their academic achievement but their lives and future opportunities. Martin synthesizes his more than 40 years’ experience as a psychologist and educator into one comprehensive and cohesive guide which provides timely, real-world actions and behaviors focused on improving relationships with students as a means to enhance their learning and academic achievement. The strategies and practices in this book align well the work of Chappuis, Marzano, Hattie and others regarding what works in classrooms and solidifies the position that enhanced student learning and achievement hinges not only on good teaching practice, but on positive, meaningful relationships with students.— James F. Judd, director of the Northeast Missouri Regional Professional Development Center, and former superintendent and public school teacher
This outstanding handbook is intuitive for both beginning teachers and veterans of many years because it encourages these educators to make small, practical changes that yield big payoffs. The chapters are cohesive and connected but can also stand-alone if an educator is looking for a particular strategy. Question and Answer sections at the end of each chapter thoughtfully review the material while providing additional classroom applications. Dr. Robert J. Martin’s book draws heavily on his expertise and years of experience working with K-12 students and educators. Connect and Involve is sure to become one of an educator’s most trusted resources.— Jeanne Harding, veteran elementary and gifted education teacher, elementary principal, and current director of preservice education field experiences and interim dean at Truman State University
Connect and Involve is content-rich and loaded with practical information that a preservice teacher or a practicing teacher can find applicable. Robert Martin’s enthusiasm for teaching and learning is clearly evident throughout the text—and he shares strategies that stand the test of time. The question and answer sections at the end of each chapter are very helpful. When reading, I found myself revisiting strategies that I had used previously, but had not articulated well. Dr. Martin’s ability to make the complexity of learning and teaching accessible to readers is extremely helpful. This is a text you will enjoy reading.— Wendy Miner, department chair and professor of education at Truman State University; veteran teacher of almost all grade levels, including 4th grade, 5th grade gifted program, and 6th grade science