Show Your Work - by Beth Hawks (Hardcover)

About the Book

Show Your Work: Teaching Smarter with the Science of Learning empowers educators to bridge research and real-world teaching with practical, adaptable strategies that honor teachers' expertise and professional judgment.

Book Synopsis

Show Your Work: Teaching Smarter with the Science of Learning offers an accessible, teacher-centered approach to evidence-based instruction, written by a veteran educator who taught before, during, and after the pandemic. Recognizing that today's teachers are hungry for practical, research-informed strategies-without being told exactly what to do-this book bridges the gap between theory and practice with respect and empathy. Drawing from years of classroom experience and a deep study of learning science, the author presents high-impact techniques such as retrieval practice, modeling, scaffolding, and more, with real examples from diverse K-12 classrooms. Rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions, Show Your Work invites teachers to reflect, adapt, and apply ideas in ways that honor their professional judgment, making it a refreshing and empowering guide for educators in any discipline.

Review Quotes

"Show Your Work: Teaching Smarter with the Science of Learning is a rare gem in the world of education books. Beth Hawks brings the credibility of a seasoned classroom teacher and the curiosity of a lifelong learner to every page. What makes this book stand out is its translation of research into potential strategies that teachers can tryout tomorrow. Beth doesn't just summarize cognitive science-she translates it into actionable steps, all while acknowledging the messy realities of real classrooms. Her candid stories, from both successes and failures, make the advice relatable and authentic. This is not theory in isolation; its research woven into lived experience, presented with clarity and humor. If you want a book that empowers teachers to make evidence-informed decisions without losing the human side of teaching, this is it." --John Almarode, professor of Education, James Madison University

"Although research can offer teachers essential classroom guidance, we need a translator to sort out the terminology, the numbers, and all the conflicting suggestions. Enter Beth Hawks, a savvy classroom teacher who clarifies everything from working memory to effect sizes, from schema theory to retrieval practice. With Hawks as your guide, you'll finally know which strategies deserve space in your classroom-and why." --Andrew Watson, President of Translate the Brain and author of Learning Begins and The Goldilocks Map

"As a high school math teacher, I'm always searching for resources that bridge theory and practice. Show Your Work: Teaching Smarter With the Science of Learning does exactly that. Reading it feels like sitting with Beth Hawks in the teacher's lounge, brainstorming ideas for your own class. Her voice is warm, practical, and grounded in real classroom experience. I walked away with strategies I could implement immediately, while also deepening my understanding of current research in the science of teaching and learning. Teaching is difficult work, best done in community, and through her book, Beth provides the kind of collegial support that lightens the load." --Meagan Stone, high school math teacher

"As a school librarian, I teach lessons to many different classes of middle and high school students. Since I'm not with the same students all the time, I have found the practical strategies recommended in the "Retrieval Practice" and "Formative Assessment" chapters to be especially helpful. I had the privilege of learning many of these strategies from Beth firsthand, and I'm confident that Show Your Work will help teachers translate relevant research into effective practice." --Marcia Wingerd, library media director, GRACE Christian School

About the Author

Beth Hawks is a lifelong learner whose deep curiosity has fueled a dynamic career in science education. After earning a BS in Secondary Science Education from Oral Roberts University, she began teaching physical science in 1998 and spent 25 years inspiring students across public and private schools. Her teaching portfolio includes middle school physical science, high school chemistry and physics, as well as courses in health, algebra, photography, and study skills. In addition to classroom teaching, Beth served as an adjunct earth science instructor and authored her own in-house textbooks for physical science and physics. Encouraged to share her insights more broadly, she launched a blog in 2013, which led to guest contributions for the Learning and the Brain website. Her passion for the science of learning sparked a new chapter in her career-presenting at conferences, providing professional development, and ultimately stepping out of the classroom to support fellow educators in building research-informed teaching practices.