An anthology of practical ideas from thirteen educators actively working to support teachers in the dynamic environment of the 21st-century classroom. Each author addresses a specialty area and provides ideas for teachers to engage students in their classrooms now, in the new age of the Common Core. The transition to new standards and assessments in 2014 will require teachers to develop and expand a repertoire of skills in anticipation of the new measures of achievement. Teachers will need to shift how they teach and assess students, and students will need to adapt to those instructional changes. The strategies presented in this book will help teachers expand their skills with successful classroom practices. Contents: Part One: Setting the Foundation to Prepare for the Common Core -- Learning in the 21st century by Gabriel Rshaid -- The importance of instruction in becoming a learning culture by Ainsley B. Rose -- Student engagement by John Almarode -- Instructional leadership: leading.