If you're tired of books that portray effective classrooms as well-oiled machines, then here's a book that gives you a more realistic view of classroom life while it reveals the universal truths of high-quality teaching: (1) Why teaching requires continuous assessment, analysis, and adjustment; (2) How teachers set strict expectations and still maintain flexibility; (3) Why tailoring lessons to students' life experiences increases learning and achievement; and (4) Which structures and learning activities create a richer classroom context that ensures learning is permanent. Instead of providing simplistic recipes, David Kobrin illustrates the teaching process with detailed reconstructions of elementary and high school classrooms, including sample handouts, exams, and lesson plans.