Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI): The Power of the Well-Crafted, Well-Taught Lesson

by John R. Hollingsworth, Silvia E. Ybarra

Overview

A proven approach to better teaching and learning.

Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI), an approach based on the premise that all children can learn, helps teachers deliver well-designed, well-taught lessons that significantly improve achievement for all learners. Authors Hollingsworth and Ybarra have refined and extended their highly successful methods in this second edition of their bestselling book.

Written in an easy-to-read, entertaining style, this resource provides K-12 teachers with concrete strategies, detailed sample lessons, and scenarios that illustrate what EDI techniques look like in inclusive and diverse classrooms. With chapters covering the individual components of EDI, such as checking for understanding and activating prior knowledge, this updated edition refines the methods so that they are even more effective and easier to implement. Readers will find:  

• Strategies for continuous, systematized student engagement 
• Expanded corrective feedback strategies
• Clear alignment to the latest content standards
• A new, field-tested strategy for skill development and guided practice
• Expanded information about differentiation and scaffolding 

Combining educational theory, brain research, and data analysis, this is a fine-tuned, step-by-step guide to a highly effective teaching method.

"Before EDI, our school was a ship adrift at sea with everyone rowing in different directions. EDI has provided us with a framework for instruction and a common language that allowed us to all row in the same direction. 
Benjamin Luis, Principal
Liberty Middle School, Lemoore, CA

"EDI makes students accountable. They see now that school is a place to work and learn and play, and they love it. Because even though it is hard, they are doing well."
Trudy Cox, School Instructional Coach
St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School, Carnarvon, Western Australia
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506388816
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	09/07/2017
Series:	Corwin Teaching Essentials
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	248
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

John Hollingsworth is president of DataWORKS Educational Research, a company originally created to use real data to improve student achievement. Although DataWORKS started by analyzing learning outcomes (test scores), it soon refocused towards analyzing learning inputs (classroom instructional practices).  DataWORKS now focuses mainly on providing staff development to schools on classroom instruction.  John is an active researcher and presenter and has published numerous articles in educational publications.  He spends much of his time on the road training teachers.
Dr. Silvia Ybarra, Ed.D., began her career in education as a physics and chemistry teacher at Roosevelt High School in Fresno, California.  Next, Silvia became principal of Wilson Middle School in Exeter, California, which under her leadership became a prestigious Distinguished School.  Silvia was then named assistant superintendent of Coalinga-Huron School District. Her focus progressed from helping one classroom to helping one school to helping an entire district.  Silvia is the head researcher at DataWORKS.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition: What’s New in EDI
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1. Students Say, “I Can Do It!”
The Day I Saw the Breakthrough in Classroom Instruction
Where Our Research Began: Student Achievement
Where Our Research Led: Classroom Instruction
Chapter 2. Are Some Approaches Better Than Others? What Is Effective Instruction?
Why Are Children Sent to School? Talent Discovery Versus Talent Development
The Teaching/Learning Dilemma: Speed Up or Slow Down
Criteria for an Instructional Approach
Two Philosophies About Education
High-Stakes Testing
What to Do?
EDI Is Not Lecturing
EDI Is Not Scripted
Research Supports Direct Instruction
When to Use Group Work
Chapter 3. Good Instruction Is Always Good Instruction: An Explicit Direct Instruction Overview
What Is Explicit Direct Instruction?
Explicit Direct Instruction Lesson Design
Explicit Direct Instruction Lesson Delivery
How to Use EDI in Your Classroom
Chapter 4. Creating Engaged Students: Use Engagement Norms!
Student Engagement Is Created When You Ask Your Students to Do Something
History of Student Engagement Norms
Student Engagement Norm 1: Pronounce With Me
Student Engagement Norm 2: Track With Me
Student Engagement Norm 3: Read With Me
Student Engagement Norm 4: Gesture With Me
Student Engagement Norm 5: Pair-Share
Student Engagement Norm 6: Attention Signal
Student Engagement Norm 7: Whiteboards
Student Engagement Norm 8: Use Complete Sentences (Public Voice, Academic Vocabulary)
Training Students in the Engagement Norms
Summary
Chapter 5. Is Everyone Learning? Checking for Understanding
What Is Checking for Understanding?
TAPPLE—Checking for Understanding the EDI Way!
Teach First
Ask a Specific Question
Pair-Share
Pick a Non-Volunteer
Listen Carefully to the Response
Effective Feedback
Summary
Chapter 6. Everyone Learns: Corrective Feedback and Whiteboards
Listen Carefully to the Response
Effective Feedback
Whiteboards, the Best Way to CFU!
Summary
Chapter 7. Establishing What Is Going to Be Taught: Learning Objective
Part I: Well-Designed Learning Objectives
Part II: Writing Standards-Based Learning Objectives
Part III: The Learning Objective Must Be Presented to the Students
Summary
Chapter 8. Connecting to What Students Already Know: Activating Prior Knowledge
Part I: What Does It Mean to Activate Prior Knowledge?
Part II: How to Activate Prior Knowledge
Summary
Chapter 9. These Are the Big Ideas: Concept Development
Part I: Concept Development Design
Part II: Concept Development Delivery
Summary
Chapter 10. I’ll Work a Problem First: Rule of Two— Skill Development and Guided Practice
Skill Development (Teacher)
Guided Practice (Students)
How to Design Skill Development and Guided Practice
How to Teach Skill Development/Guided Practice
Summary
Chapter 11. This Is Important to Learn: Relevance
Relevance
When Do You Teach Lesson Relevance?
How Do You Provide Lesson Relevance?
How to Design Lesson Relevance
How to Teach Lesson Relevance
Summary
Chapter 12. Making One Final Check: Closing the Lesson
Closing the Lesson
How to Provide Lesson Closure
When Closure Is Complete, Initiate Independent Practice
Chapter 13. Planning for Success: Differentiation and Scaffolding
Differentiating and Scaffolding to Increase Student Success
In-Class Interventions and Out-of-Class Interventions
Response to Intervention (RTI) and EDI
Summary
Chapter 14. Having Students Work by Themselves: Independent Practice and Periodic Review
Starting With the End in Mind: The Independent Practice Must Match the Lesson
Periodic Review
Summary
Chapter 15. Creating Well-Crafted Lessons: Putting It All Together
Creating EDI Lessons From a Textbook
Creating Your Own EDI Lessons
DataWORKS Enters the Classroom to Teach
Chapter 16. Looking at All the Components: Analyzing a Sample Lesson
Use educeri.com for EDI Lessons
EDI Lesson Layout
Summary
Resources: What the Research Says
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Before EDI, our school was a ship adrift at sea with everyone rowing in different directions. EDI has provided us with a framework for instruction and a common language that allowed us to all row in the same direction. By doing so, we exited program improvement within the first two years of implementation, after having been in sanctions for the previous ten years. Additionally, using the framework and common language of EDI we were named a 2015 honor roll school by the Educational Results Partnership. "

Benjamin Luis

What is the best way to teach students? The answer is Explicit Direct Instruction. I am a retired principal, director, and adjunct professor in California. I have been using the model of EDI published by Data WORKS for the past 10 years. I have taught it to teachers and future administrators. I have also used it in teaching my own adult students.”

Alice Rodriguez

Once teachers experienced EDI, they saw the value. Many teachers have told me they can’t remember how they taught before.”

Dr. Wesley Severs

"I would like all teachers in our district to be exposed to Data WORKS. Only then will there be systemic change for our students. "

Gloria Evosevich

"EDI changed how we teach! Designing and delivering EDI lessons and strategies helped teachers meet the needs of all learners. We are now a California Distinguished School and Title I award winner. Our students know they can succeed! "

Susan Fitzgerald

EDI and the Data WORKS model of school improvement made a dramatic impact on classroom instruction in the schools of South Carolina. The delivery of instruction using this program provided clarity and a focus in addressing state standards and the learning environment in classrooms.”

Danny Shaw

EDI totally transformed my teaching of both children and adults. It is research-based, easy to use, and rewarding for both the teacher and the students. Most importantly, it works! "

Dr. Christopher J. Quinn

Thank you for giving us real strategies that I can take to my classroom and use right away!”

Darla Mac Donald

EDI keeps students engaged throughout the lesson! It gives students the opportunity to speak and listen to each other during the lesson. Students discuss vocabulary and read aloud during EDI which gives them practice in Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Writing. Students do all the work during a lesson! Pair-Share is a great strategy to help English Learners with speaking and practicing the vocabulary!”

Yvette Mezzanatto

Fast-paced, interactive, and highly useful! Thanks!”

Tami Francis

Students in an EDI classroom share the teaching responsibilities. They eagerly participate during Pair-Share and remind the teacher if s/he has forgotten "their time." It is a very non-threatening environment and students are prepared for success.”

Katey Hoehn

EDI training has helped our teachers develop lessons that are more rigorous and engaging for our English Language Learners.”

Fidelina Saso

EDI is a difference maker for all students. High achievers are given the opportunity to explore the curriculum in depth and at the highest level. Challenged students are provided scaffolds and support so they can access what is being taught.”

Allan Waterman

One of our specialties is research on instruction and training. In both K-12 education and in higher education, we find that the features of the Data WORKS program fit all of the research that we think is the best evidence right now. You owe it to yourself and to your students to at least give it a try.”

Dr. Richard Clark

EDI makes students accountable. They see now that school is a place to work and learn and play, and they love it. Because even though it is hard, they are doing well.”

Trudy Cox

"A phenomenal book that should be in the hands of anyone who wants to be an effective teacher. It describes how to plan and present lessons in ways that ensure student mastery. "

Barbara Forte

I flagged page after page. I had been a classroom teacher for ten years and was unaware of many of the EDI strategies.

Peter Whitmore

"Educators will discover proven techniques that can be implemented immediately. Teachers will be inspired as students experience success every day. These strategies work; the scores at my school prove it! Thank you Hollingsworth and Ybarra for explicitly describing real strategies that can make a difference in real classrooms! "

Don Davis

"Our entire school site has been trained in Explicit Direct Instruction, and the implementation of strategies and techniques described in this book has led to significant increases in student achievement for all subgroup populations. "

Karen Redfield

This was so practical, informative, and inspiring! I loved the modeling and being able to see how to do this kind of teaching. So much to love!”

Brielyn Flones

"A huge contribution to the education industry. The authors bring the focus back to the delivery of lessons. "

Cathy Burner

"Gansevoort was one of the first schools in our district to get off the focus list. I attribute a lot of that to the EDI strategies. "

Kathy A. Bragan

“Thank you for giving us real strategies that I can take to my classroom and use right away!”

Darla MacDonald