With its clear definition of the elements of good teaching, the framework for teaching, designed by Charlotte Danielson, is used by educators around the world for professional preparation, recruitment and hiring, mentoring and induction, professional development, and performance appraisal. This action tool can guide you in applying the framework in your own classroom or school and strengthening your professional practice with proven strategies.

Broken down into the different domains, components, and elements of the framework, each section provides examples of best practices for the higher levels of performance, followed by a variety of tools that teachers can adapt and incorporate into their instruction.

Self-assessments at the domain and component levels help you analyze your own practice. And the activities for each element can be used in your planning or with students, helping you develop the techniques that strengthen your practice. Whether you use the tools on your own or with colleagues in a study group or professional learning community, implementing the framework for teaching can help you become a better teacher.

Charlotte Danielson is also founder of the Danielson Group.