How do you know when you've made an effective assignment that has strong links to Common Core State Standards? Drawing from over 10 years of her experience as a teacher coach, Eleanor Dougherty answers that question and guides you in crafting assignments that matter. This book will help you to understand the powerful effect that assignments have on teaching and learning and explore the essentials to creating high-quality assignments, including: (1) A seven-step process for designing effective assignments; (2) "Anchor" assignments that promote collaboration and consistency across grades; (3) Enriching assignments with instructional "touchstones"; (4)Classroom and school environments that support assignment making; and (5) Using assignments as a source of data about achievement. Loaded with research-based strategies for ensuring that assignments help improve student achievement, this book is essential reading for teachers across the subject areas.