Authors: Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle

It’s no secret I’m a huge fan of these two power house teachers. Having read their previous materials, this one was a no-brainer because it was the two of them… together… explaining how they do what they do and make it all “fit.”

After one read through, I knew I would have to go back and go into detail. There’s so much happening in this book that to help you along, there are videos to show you what happens in their classroom. However, that isn’t enough to absorb it all in one go.

There were many questions left unanswered on exactly how their 180 day plan plays out. With any resource, you can easily get overwhelmed with trying to do everything suggested and it’s best to siphon it in appropriately. But–I was still missing the big picture.

For some reason, and it had more to do with my apprehension, I was still failing to see how it could be implemented.

Then I had the fortunate chance to see the two at a three-day conference where they showed us how this works. It included their beliefs, the micro level, the macro level, what worked really well and what they were doing differently this year.

It all made sense.

Now I’m excited to start bringing in their blueprint into my classroom, adding my own twists, creativity and flair to an already solid foundation.

If you’ve never read anything by either of these teachers before, this book is a great entryway. Fair warning–you will feel overwhelmed after your first read through. You will also be overwhelmed if you try to do everything all at once they suggest.

Keep in mind they have over 70 years experience between the two. That’s something you cannot emulate on your first run through, but it does give you something to strive for as you hammer away at the teaching craft.

And no, you do not to see them live to appreciate the resource they’ve put together. Again, that had more to do with me, but not anymore.