From the Author:
These books are full of product based menus meant to accompany various units of study, however, the higher level product activities found on the menus can be selected and used whole group, or provided as options after a compacting preassessment. Think of these books as a jumping off point to meet whatever needs you may have! I absolutely love the flexibility of menus! I wrote this book with the hope that it would make menus more accessible to everyone; create a "household name," if you will. Menus are so flexible and useful; once they are implemented, teachers begin to look for other uses for them. It is not that teachers or curriculum writers can not create these menus themselves, but since there just isn't always enough time, these books are designed to be ready to use.
Menus are appropriate for all grade levels and areas of instruction. If you try a menu of your own design, or one from my books and it isn't everything you hoped it would be - please contact me! I would be happy to brainstorm improvements with you. Drop me an e-mail and we will figure it out!
About the Author:
Laurie Westphal experienced academic concepts in the same manner as other students--through the use of chapter reading and questions, and copying notes. After questioning this practice, she decided to break the mold when she entered the classroom as a teacher. She was given the freedom to develop engaging, product-based lessons and activities, which encouraged choice, the kind of teaching she missed as a student.
She used this method of teaching science for 14 years, both overseas and in the U.S., as well as presented staff development and worked in gifted education. She currently works as an independent gifted education and science consultant, sharing her message as a staff developer and nationwide speaker on menus and differentiation. She currently resides in Houston, TX and has made it her goal to share her vision for real-world, product-based lessons that help all students become critical thinkers and effective problem solvers.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.