"This is a practical, highly engaging book about how to be a highly engaging teacher. In today's world of on-demand entertainment and fast-paced action, the strategies in this book help teachers offer what students need in order to learn." -Renee Peoples, Fourth-Grade Teacher and Swain County Math Coach West Elementary School, Bryson City, NC Brain-based strategies to give your students the green light for learning success! How can today's teachers develop lessons that will inspire students and ignite the desire to learn? Moving away from the traditional lecture-based method of teaching, this teacher-friendly guide introduces a variety of innovative teaching techniques that will motivate, excite, and increase the learning potential of every student. Using contributions from teachers with experience in a variety of classroom-tested techniques, the author provides nine proven strategies for creating new memory pathways, making content relevant for students, and increasing their learning. Teachers will learn techniques that tap into students emotions and be able to increase participation in group discussions and activities. Practical features include: Sample lesson plans for different grade levels in each chapter A variety of practical, brain-compatible teaching strategies Building blocks for effective instruction, illustrated through descriptions, analogies, and metaphors Offering key principles of effective teaching that can be applied across grade levels and in any content area, this book shows how it is possible to increase student enthusiasm and impact learning.
"This is a practical, highly engaging book about how to be a highly engaging teacher. In today's world of on-demand entertainment and fast-paced action, the strategies in this book help teachers offer what students need in order to learn." -Renee Peoples, Fourth-Grade Teacher and Swain County Math Coach West Elementary School, Bryson City, NC Brain-based strategies to give your students the green light for learning success! How can today's teachers develop lessons that will inspire students and ignite the desire to learn? Moving away from the traditional lecture-based method of teaching, this teacher-friendly guide introduces a variety of innovative teaching techniques that will motivate, excite, and increase the learning potential of every student. Using contributions from teachers with experience in a variety of classroom-tested techniques, the author provides nine proven strategies for creating new memory pathways, making content relevant for students, and increasing their learning. Teachers will learn techniques that tap into students emotions and be able to increase participation in group discussions and activities. Practical features include: Sample lesson plans for different grade levels in each chapter A variety of practical, brain-compatible teaching strategies Building blocks for effective instruction, illustrated through descriptions, analogies, and metaphors Offering key principles of effective teaching that can be applied across grade levels and in any content area, this book shows how it is possible to increase student enthusiasm and impact learning.
Using Green Light Strategies to Create Dynamic, Student-Focused Classrooms
"The ideas in this book make learning come alive in your classroom. The authors present activities that any teacher can implement." -Linda K. Taylor, Assistant Professor, Ball State University "With this book, teachers can truly discover what it takes to reach and empower every learner. High-Five Teaching is replete with specific examples and fun suggestions any teacher can use in today's classroom." -Renee Peoples, Teacher Leader, Swain West Elementary, Bryson City, NC Transform your classroom into a dynamic learning environment for all students! This exciting new volume shows elementary teachers how to put into practice the principles described in Rich Allen's book Green Light Classrooms. Drawing from Cindy Rickert's real-life experiences as a teacher creating Green Light inclusive classrooms, the authors offer a wealth of practical tips, examples, and ideas for involving students in active learning rather than traditional "chalk and talk" instruction. Readers will acquire implementation strategies to increase student interaction and motivation and ultimately improve achievement. In tune with the way today's digitally savvy students learn best, this book offers: Five principles of high-five teaching that ensure a welcoming, active, and student-centered learning environment Detailed sample lesson plans in math, science, reading, writing, and social studies Case studies, technology connections, and ways to create true learning communities An appendix of sample forms, games, and other essential classroom resources Designed specifically to engage today's students, this guide offers tools and strategies to inspire best practices in every classroom.
Engaging methods for teaching 21st-century skills Today's students must be more than good test takers. They must be able to collaborate, innovate, and think critically to solve real-world problems. As content demands increase, how can teachers make time to teach these advanced skills? Sparking Student Synapses, Grades 9-12 describes how master teacher Nigel Scozzi used Rich Allen's Green Light strategies to teach content in a memorable and efficient way. Backed by research, this practical guide provides secondary teachers with tried and trusted lesson plans, in multiple subject that: Engage students Accelerate learning Encourage critical thinking Improve test results When you apply the book's effective strategies, your students will learn to make appropriate judgments based on the evidence available, understand relationships between ideas, evaluate content validity, and reflect upon their values. Changing the way you teach may be daunting, but the results are worth it-improved student engagement and behavior, better test results, and a rewarding reminder of why you became a teacher!
Pump up the volume to increase student learning! Picture this: a room full of boisterous students suddenly calms. A sluggish afternoon math or language arts lesson turns dynamic. Music pours from an inexpensive MP3 player, and you maintain control of your classroom without a word. Drawing on both educational and neuroscientific research, Rich Allen and W.W. Wood unlock the mystery of managing mood, energy, and learning with music in this fascinating, one-of-a-kind handbook. No matter what subject or grade you teach, The Rock 'n' Roll Classroom provides all the notes you'll need to shake up your classroom, including: Playlists customized for specific purposes like reducing stress or increasing focus Tips and tricks for accessing all your tunes easily and inexpensively Anecdotes from teachers about how they use music to manage everyday situations Sample lessons for across all grade levels Get ready to tune in to this brain-compatible learning method, engage each and every one of your students, improve the power of your instruction, boost test scores and creativity, and turn on the power of music in your classroom! "This is the book I have been waiting for! I have tried to use music in my classroom for years and have always felt like I fell short, but didn't know how to fix it. Now I have a better understanding of how to use music in my classroom in a fun and effective way." -Pamela L. Opel, Science Curriculum Specialist Gulfport School District, Biloxi, MS "Teachers will rock their students' day with The Rock 'n' Roll Classroom. This comprehensive work not only applies to enhancing classroom instruction, but has a world of information on the topic of music as it affects us every day." -Beth Madison, Principal Robert Gray Middle School, Portland, OR
"Dr. Rich Allen has done it again-created another clear, practical and powerful resource for all educators. These principles and strategies ought to be mandatory for everyone who presents for a living." -Eric Jensen, President and Founder Jensen Learning Corporation "Train Smart is the best, clearest, most to-the-point, and valuable resource available for trainers. With this second edition, Rich Allen has gone from "great" to "even greater." It is a required guide for our trainers, and it is the new text in our Trainer of Trainers program." -Spence Rogers, President Peak Learning Systems Train smarter, not harder! What are the key components that will make your trainings relevant, engaging, and understandable? How can you deliver instruction that results in high retention and improved productivity for participants? In TrainSmart, Second Edition, well-known author, consultant, and trainer Rich Allen offers a comprehensive guide to planning and implementing successful staff development sessions. The author provides facilitators with a solid framework and a unique approach that emphasizes application, and demonstrates each element of the process through case studies, examples, and practical tips. Thoroughly updated, this edition includes new brain-friendly strategies that can be easily implemented to help you create dynamic learning experiences. Ideal for staff developers, organizational trainers, and administrators, this resource includes: 25 key concepts for training smarter Sample schedules and planning templates A collection of parables to illustrate concepts Tips for using technology Discover a new world of possibilities that can enhance your enthusiasm for learning and teaching, lead to more effective presentations, and make training more enjoyable for you and your adult learners!
Train Smart: Effective Trainings Every Time, Second Edition offers a comprehensive guide to planning and implementing engaging, successful training sessions. The author, an expert keynote speaker and workshop presenter, provides an overview and framework for the training process and then presents a generous collection of brain-friendly strategies that can be immediately implemented. The second edition has been thoroughly updated and includes new training strategies, recommendations for using the latest technology, and additional tips, examples, and guidelines throughout.
Strategies to Accelerate Learning and Transform Middle School Achievement
Help middle schoolers engage in the classroom before it's too late! The middle school years mark a critical point in a child's educational journey. For many educators, these years are the last chance to put in place strong, positive learning patterns. U-Turn Teaching is founded on Rich Allen's "Green Light" education strategies, in which every activity is designed to proactively support learning. This book builds on what researchers have discovered about how the adolescent brain learns best, and shows how those discoveries directly relate to effective classroom teaching. Now you can engage all students, even unmotivated ones, and help them make a U-turn by applying these four principles of brain-based learning: Build and maintain trust Create a collaborative community Take a TEAMing approach Prime the positive environment U-Turn Teaching demonstrates how to realistically accomplish these four principles in your classroom. When educators are able to embed positive, efficient, and effective patterns of learning in the middle years, students are far more likely to succeed in high school and beyond!
