Stenhouse Close-Ups is a new series of low-cost professional development DVDs. These brief, focused classroom vignettes are hosted by Stenhouse teacher-authors, taking viewers into their classrooms to observe innovative K-12 literacy practices.

Each of the titles is comprised of a ten- to fifteen-minute video featuring the author at work in the classroom in a specific literacy strategy, along with accompanying print material designed to be used in workshop or course settings. These printed workshop guides include a two-page introduction of the topic for viewers written by the author, discussion prompts, and classroom extensions. The short, sharp focus of each DVD enables literacy leaders to use Stenhouse Close-Ups in any professional development setting - no matter the time constraints - from staff meetings that include a fifteen minute curriculum development period, to full-day literacy retreats.

While the videos demonstrate practical activities and strategies that viewers can try tomorrow in their classrooms, they are also designed to spark deeper discussion and collaboration around topics like teacher conversation styles, classroom management, differentiating instruction, and building home/school connections.

The classroom footage is introduced by the teacher-author, who then presents an innovative technique, strategy or activity in the classroom with his or her students. The first offerings in the series feature Stenhouse authors Max Brand, Kelly Gallagher, Debbie Miller, Franki Sibberson and Karen Szymusiak.