Interface

Developing Flexible and Inquiring Frames of Mind

INTERFACE develops critical literacy and creative thinking skills through thought-provoking activities and multidisciplinary connections.

Specs:

8.5″ x 11″, 160 pages

Grades:

9–10

INTERFACE is a series of high-interest English anthologies built around developing flexible and inquiring frames of mind in young people in Grades 9 to 10. Through engaging selections and compelling and collaborative activities, students will develop essential skills that will equip them for active participation as individuals and citizens in the 21st century. Each INTERFACE anthology combines inquiry-based learning with edgy, contemporary selections and timeless classics in a variety of genres.

HIGHLIGHTS

Focus on inquiry, engagement, and instruction: INTERFACE encourages students to formulate their own questions and investigate to discover the answers. Through reflective inquiry, students build new understandings and grow as independent learners.

Focus on 21st century skills: INTERFACE was designed to give students a solid language arts foundation and the 21st century skills that will support their learning and discovery across the curriculum. This flexible and dynamic program invites multiple ways of inquiring and applying new knowledge and skills in English and other subject areas. Emphasis is placed on the following 21st century skills:

Interpersonal
Problem Solving and Decision Making
Lifelong Learning
Media and Technology Literacy
Creativity
Leadership
Perspective Taking and Empathy
Advocacy and Argumentation

Features

Compelling Visuals: Each student book is packed with dynamic and compelling images and graphics.
Varied Selections: Selections range from edgy, contemporary pieces to timeless classics.

Sound Pedagogy

Sound Pedagogy: Activities are built around reading, writing, speaking, listening, and media and technology. The activities include scaffolding notes and definitions for difficult vocabulary. They are designed to help students demonstrate what they know and what they can do and apply, using these headings:
Start Up: Activates prior knowledge
Zoom In: Promotes comprehension, critical thinking, and deeper understandings
Zoom Out: Takes students beyond the piece (text to self, text to text, text to world)

Organizational Framework:

Each book comprises eight issues-based clusters. Each cluster features a(n):
Introductory page — gateway to theme and genre — with an essential question that is linked to the theme to promote oral discussion with a special focus on one 21st century skill
Wide range of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction reading selections with pre-reading and follow-up activities that focus on comprehension, critical and creative thinking, and language and genre conventions
Wrap-up page featuring activities that revisit the essential question and the 21st century skill of each cluster, make connections between selections, include self-assessment and reflection, and provide for a final performance-based activity

Team

Series Editor

Joan Green

Joan Green is a distinguished Canadian educator and administrator who has served as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and Director of Education for the City of Toronto. She is the founding CEO of the Ontario Education Quality and Accountability Office and has provided strong leadership at all levels of education. Joan has been a professional development leader provincially, across Canada, and internationally. She is the author of several books and numerous articles on education and leadership issues.

Joan is the recipient of several awards, including the Distinguished Educator Award from OISE, University of Toronto, and Woman of the Year for the Women in Educational Administration in Ontario. In 2012, in recognition of her contributions to public education and her service and leadership in the not-for-profit sector, Joan was invested as a member of the Order of Ontario.

Currently, Joan Green is a Senior Public Sector Consultant at the Phelps Group.