In this book, the authors provide intriguing glimpses into the classrooms of effective teachers who engage their students in working together for success in different subject areas and at various grade levels. Each chapter provides how-tos and classroom examples of effective lessons structured around interactive, interdependent, and accountable group work. The authors address differentiation of classroom work, roles of group members, effective uses of technology, and both individual and group rubrics and other assessments. Listen as the authors describe why group work is so important in today's classrooms, and how teachers can get started.

Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher are also authors of the May 2010 ASCD book, Enhancing RTI: How to Ensure Success with Effective Classroom Instruction and Intervention.

In this interview, they discuss strategies educators can take to counteract myths to give students a more optimistic, empowered, and dynamic view of learning.

This interview was conducted by ASCD acquisitions editor Carolyn Pool.

In Checking for Understanding, Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey show how to increase students' understanding with the help of creative formative assessments. When used regularly, these types of assessments enable every teacher to determine what students know, what they need to know, and what type of instructional interventions are effective. Fisher and Frey explore a variety of engaging activities that can build understanding, including interactive writing, portfolios, multimedia presentations, audience response systems, interactive hand signals, public performances, and much more.

This interview was conducted by ASCD associate editor Leah Lakins.