Essential Connection Skills, K-6: Strategies for Integrating Social Connections Into Core Content
About this ebook
Julie O′Connell Alholm, Instructional Coach and EL Teacher, MN
"Essential Connection Skills is a must-read for any teacher—whether you′re already focused on social skills or looking to include them more in your teaching. The suggestions in each chapter are practical for novice to veteran teachers."
Amber Quirk, Regional Superintendent, DuPage County Regional Office of Education, IL
Foster joy and engagement by building community in your school and classrooms
Do your students struggle with low boredom tolerance, lack the confidence and skills needed in social interactions, or find it hard to collaborate? Are you seeing more behavioral disruptions, a wider range of learning challenges, and increased absenteeism? Today’s classrooms need to move beyond traditional teaching methods; they need strategies that will re-engage students and build on meaningful connections.
Essential Connection Skills offers practical solutions to help educators reignite the joy of learning through purposeful, reflective interactions. These strategies empower students to build connections, embrace multiple perspectives, and develop the social and academic tools necessary for success. Inside you′ll find:
- Chapter-by-chapter resources and techniques
- Assessment recommendations
- Targeted strategies for culturally and linguistically diverse students
- Techniques to help students develop self-reflection skills
By cultivating authentic engagement, Essential Connection Skills restores a sense of community and purpose in classrooms and empowers students with the lifelong skills they’ll need to succeed.
Other Books from Corwin
Dohrer, The Schools We Need NowRogers, The SEL Coach
About the author
Dr. Anne Paonessa holds a PhD in curriculum and instruction leadership. She is currently an assistant superintendent and a speaker/consultant. She has served as both an elementary and middle school principal and teacher. She also served as a director of multilingual learners in pre-K through high school. Dr. Paonessa has designed and taught graduate-level college courses related to innovation within instruction and meeting the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Her research focus is enhancing instructional outcomes through the integration of social structures.
Dr. Jeff Zwiers was previously a senior researcher in the Stanford University Graduate School of Education and is now an educational consultant. He has taught all subjects bilingually in secondary and elementary settings. His research and work focus on collaborating with teachers to enhance instruction and assessment for multilingual students, with an emphasis on improving student–student interactions. Jeff has also written books and articles on literacy, conversation, and language development, along with children’s books and curriculums.
