The Supportive Learning Environment

This entry in the James H. Stronge Research-to-Practice Series focuses on the characteristics of teachers who create supportive learning environments for their students. By conveying a sense of immediacy, credibility, and caring, they communicate to students in both verbal and nonverbal ways that are essential to cultivating a positive and productive learning community. In this book, Stronge, Grant, and Hindman provide a comprehensive overview of the qualities of a supportive teacher. They offer a bridge between research-based theories and practical classroom applications, with templates, planning forms, and other reproducibles. The authors help teachers move toward establishing a learning environment that contributes to effective instructional practices. Topics include: engaging students and their families, effective communication, student ownership of the learning environment, and much more.

This entry in the James H. Stronge Research-to-Practice Series focuses on the characteristics of teachers who create supportive learning environments for their students. By conveying a sense of immediacy, credibility, and caring, they communicate to students in both verbal and nonverbal ways that are essential to cultivating a positive and productive learning community. In this book, Stronge, Grant, and Hindman provide a comprehensive overview of the qualities of a supportive teacher. They offer a bridge between research-based theories and practical classroom applications, with templates, planning forms, and other reproducibles. The authors help teachers move toward establishing a learning environment that contributes to effective instructional practices. Topics include: engaging students and their families, effective communication, student ownership of the learning environment, and much more.

The importance of creating safe spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students in the school environment cannot be overstated. It is one of the most prominent issues facing school professionals today, and its success has lasting, positive effects on the entire student body. Drawing on the expertise of researchers and practitioners, Creating Safe and Supportive Learning Environments provides a comprehensive examination of the topics most relevant for school professionals. The first section lays out the theoretical foundation and background school professionals need to understand the social and political trends that impact LGBTQ individuals, the development of sexual orientation and gender identity, risk and resilience factors, and the intersection of LGBTQ identity with other aspects of diversity. The second section explores topics critical for the development of safe, supportive school environments, including understanding legal and ethical mandates, training school personnel, addressing bullying and harassment, and developing inclusive classrooms. Special topics related to counseling LGBTQ students, supporting families of LGBTQ students, becoming an ally and advocate in the schools, and connecting with community resources are also covered. CE credit is available to purchasers of this book at www.mensanapublications.com.

In 1988, the Chicago public school system decentralized, granting parents and communities significant resources and authority to reform their schools in dramatic ways. To track the effects of this bold experiment, the authors of Organizing Schools for Improvement collected a wealth of data on elementary schools in Chicago. Over a seven-year period they identified one hundred elementary schools that had substantially improved—and one hundred that had not. What did the successful schools do to accelerate student learning? The authors of this illuminating book identify a comprehensive set of practices and conditions that were key factors for improvement, including school leadership, the professional capacity of the faculty and staff, and a student-centered learning climate. In addition, they analyze the impact of social dynamics, including crime, critically examining the inextricable link between schools and their communities. Putting their data onto a more human scale, they also chronicle the stories of two neighboring schools with very different trajectories. The lessons gleaned from this groundbreaking study will be invaluable for anyone involved with urban education.

The Essentials of Teaching Health Education, Second Edition, presents a skills-based approach to teaching K-12 health education that prepares students for success in the 21st century. This practical text is written by seasoned and highly credentialed authors with experience in both university and K-12 settings. It provides educators all they need to build, teach, and assess a health education program that will help their students become health literate, develop self-efficacy, and gain the 21st-century skills they need to maintain or improve health and well-being. What Sets This Book Apart This text meets the unique needs of schools, teachers, and students. It emphasizes an individualized approach to enhancing student learning and developing skills based on current research and national health education standards. This new edition of The Essentials of Teaching Health Education features the following: Two new chapters: one on the role of health education in the 21st century and the other on equity and social justice in health education An updated definition of skills-based health education A revised skill-development model that puts learning theory into practice as well as updated research connecting this approach to health behavior theory and learning theory A new student resource accessed through HKPropel Practical strategies for curriculum design and program development with a skills-based approach—one that makes it easy to put the content into action and make a meaningful impact on students Real-world examples to help readers understand and apply the content, along with summaries, key points, and review questions that aid in retaining the information Vocabulary words and definitions to help students keep up with the ever-changing terminology in health education Ancillaries for adopting instructors are available online. Book Organization The book is arranged into four parts. Part I delves into the skills-based approach to health education, explaining the role of health education, discussing equity and justice in health education, describing the importance of the approach, and demystifying student motivation. Part II focuses on how to teach skills that are based on the National Health Education Standards: accessing valid and reliable information, products, and services; analyzing influences; interpersonal communication; decision making and goal setting; self-management; and advocacy. Part III explores how to use data to inform curriculum planning, outlines the eight steps for curriculum development, and shows teachers how to design meaningful assessments. In part IV, readers learn how to create a positive learning environment, implement a skills-based approach, and meet the unique needs of elementary health education. The final chapter examines professional development beyond the classroom. A Framework for Successful Acquisition of Skills The Essentials of Teaching Health Education, Second Edition, offers evidence-informed strategies as it guides teachers through the critical process of supplying students with the tools they need for success in school and in life. The authors use the Partnership for 21st Century Skills framework to set the foundation for teaching the skills students need. The text is comprehensive and flexible to meet all students’ needs. With all the ancillaries and tools it provides, educators are set to deliver a complete, well-rounded curriculum that will prepare future teachers for success. Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is not included with this ebook but may be purchased separately.

Optimal Learning Environments to Promote Student Engagement analyzes the psychological, social, and academic phenomena comprising engagement, framing it as critical to learning and development. Drawing on positive psychology, flow studies, and theories of motivation, the book conceptualizes engagement as a learning experience, explaining how it occurs (or not) and how schools can adapt to maximize it among adolescents. Examples of empirically supported environments promoting engagement are provided, representing alternative high schools, Montessori schools, and extracurricular programs. The book identifies key innovations including community-school partnerships, technology-supported learning, and the potential for engaging learning opportunities during an expanded school day. Among the topics covered: Engagement as a primary framework for understanding educational and motivational outcomes. Measuring the malleability, complexity, multidimensionality, and sources of engagement. The relationship between engagement and achievement. Supporting and challenging: the instructor’s role in promoting engagement. Engagement within and beyond core academic subjects. Technological innovations on the engagement horizon. Optimal Learning Environments to Promote Student Engagement is an essential resource for researchers, professionals, and graduate students in child and school psychology; social work; educational psychology; positive psychology; family studies; and teaching/teacher education.