"Essential Connection Skills is a practical, specific, inspirational, and must-have resource for any teacher, coach, school leader, or parent who aims for a more empowered and successful student." 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 What do high-achieving schools have in common? Connection. Today’s classrooms need to move beyond traditional teaching methods; they need strategies that will re-engage students and build on meaningful connections. This book equips educators with evidence-based strategies that are layered into existing instruction, thus improving attendance, reducing behavior issues, and fueling higher academic outcomes.  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 Now Rogers, The SEL Coach "Essential Connection Skills is a practical, specific, inspirational, and must-have resource for any teacher, coach, school leader, or parent who aims for a more empowered and successful student." -- Julie O′Connell Alholm Published On: 2024-12-03 "Essential Connections, K-6 is a call to action. In this crucial resource for educators, Paonessa and Zwiers identify the greatest challenge facing our schools today―the loss of connection and community―and provide an effective and intuitive framework to address it. By leveraging the power of schools to help students develop meaningful connections (to themselves, to others, to their community, to their own learning, and to other learners), students will develop the skills they need to navigate school and realize the basic promise of education: to be fully engaged as members of an interconnected society. This, very simply, is the right book at the right time ." -- Doug Bolton Published On: 2025-01-31 "Essential Connection Skills, K-6 is a powerful and insightful guide for educators seeking to transform their classrooms. With a focus on fostering meaningful conversations, this book highlights the profound impact of teaching students how to connect with each other and themselves. By cultivating these essential relationships, teachers can unlock a deeper level of engagement and learning, making this a must-read for anyone dedicated to creating a more inclusive and interactive elementary learning environment and helping students be successful in life outside of the classroom." -- Gina Greenwald Published On: 2025-01-13 "Anne Paonessa and Jeffrey Alan Zwiers make a compelling case for academic and social-emotional learning to be integrated every day, in every content area, and in every possible way. This must-read book creates a roadmap for building much-needed connections to ensure that SEL is not merely a designated period but an integral daily practice. I urge all K-6 educators to explore this volume, which is rich in practical references and jampacked with lots of carefully crafted, ready-to-implement lesson ideas." -- Andrea Honigsfeld Published On: 2024-12-03 "The goal of Essential Connection Skills, K-6 is to foster student success. It is a well-crafted resource for all educators and partners. It provides educators with the skills needed to empower their students and give them the tools required to be lifelong learners and critical thinkers." -- Eileen Matos Published On: 2025-01-28 "Essential Connection Skills, K-6 is an invaluable resource for educators navigating the challenges of reintegrating social connections into the learning environment after the pandemic. With practical strategies and real-world examples, this book provides effective ways to foster collaboration, empathy, and community, making instruction more engaging and responsive for students in today’s world." -- Melissa Payne Published On: 2025-01-13 "Essential Connection Skills, K-6 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 Pub