Teaching Smarter

Teaching Smarter PDF

Author: Patrick Kelley

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2015-04-15

Total Pages: 209

ISBN-13: 1575425181

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This refreshingly frank handbook shows teachers how to close the achievement gap in their classrooms by teaching students innovative paths to academic success. Drawing on over 20 years’ experience, Kelley presents straightforward strategies for helping learners improve their grades and test scores and experience greater school engagement—all while streamlining the teacher’s work to yield maximum efficiency. Strategies include team-grading essays, using Socratic seminars and sworn statements, allowing for re-dos, and ruthlessly pruning assignments, among others. Often humorous and irreverent in tone, this guide will be the talk of the break room. Includes online digital content.

Cool Down and Work Through Anger/Cálmate y supera la ira

Cool Down and Work Through Anger/Cálmate y supera la ira PDF

Author: Cheri J. Meiners

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2014-09-15

Total Pages: 50

ISBN-13: 1575425874

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Reassuring and supportive, this book helps preschool and primary children learn concrete social skills for anger management and discover that when they cool down and work through anger, they can feel peaceful again. The English-Spanish editions from the popular Learning to Get Along series help children learn, understand, and practice basic social and emotional skills. Real-life situations and lots of diversity make these read-aloud books appropriate for homes, childcare settings, and primary and special education classrooms. Presented in a social story format, each bilingual book includes a special section for adults, with discussion questions, games, activities, and tips that reinforce improving social skills.

End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy

End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy PDF

Author: Michele Borba

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2018-04-18

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 1631983547

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Evidence-based bullying-prevention principles, policies, and practices to reduce peer cruelty and create safe, caring learning climates. Based on a practical, six-part framework for reducing peer cruelty and increasing positive behavior support, End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy utilizes the strongest pieces of best practices and current research for ways to stop bullying. The book includes guidelines for implementing strategies, collecting data, training staff, mobilizing students and parents, building social-emotional skills, and sustaining progress, and presents the “6Rs” of bullying prevention: Rules, Recognize, Report, Respond, Refuse, and Replace. This is not a program, but a comprehensive process for reducing bullying from the inside out, involving the entire school community. Bullying-prevention and character education expert Michele Borba, who’s worked with over 1 million parents and educators worldwide, offers realistic, research-based strategies and advice. Use the book on its own or to supplement an existing program. Digital content includes customizable forms from the book and a PDF presentation for use in professional development.

Mindful ClassroomsTM

Mindful ClassroomsTM PDF

Author: James Butler

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2020-06-30

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 1631983709

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A guide for busy elementary educators on how to easily incorporate mindfulness activities into existing curriculum Teaching students how to focus and self-regulate at a young age can provide them with skills that will help throughout their schooling and adult lives. Like anyone, they need easy-to remember tools and strategies to calm their minds and focus on the moment. This interactive, research based curriculum helps preK and elementary teachers integrate simple, ready-to use stretching, breathing, and reflective exercises as well as other mindfulness practices into their daily routines. Includes digital content with reproducible handouts from the book.

What to Do When You're Cranky & Blue

What to Do When You're Cranky & Blue PDF

Author: James J. Crist

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2013-10-23

Total Pages: 129

ISBN-13: 1575426412

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Everyone feels “down” sometimes. Who wouldn’t feel blue if their best friend moved away or if they were being teased or bullied in school? Counselor and clinical psychologist James J. Crist has written a book that kids can turn to for support, encouragement, and ideas for coping when they feel bad, sad, grumpy, or lonely. Kids learn 10 “Blues Busters” to help shake those unhappy feelings. They also discover lots of ideas they can use to talk about feelings, take care of themselves, boost their self-esteem, make and keep friends, and enjoy their alone time. A special section addresses hard-to-handle problems like grief, roller-coaster feelings, and depression. Includes resources and a Note to Grown-Ups.

How to Take the ACHE Out of Mistakes

How to Take the ACHE Out of Mistakes PDF

Author: Kimberly Feltes Taylor

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2020-06-30

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 1631983105

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A fun and funny way for kids to learn about mistakes and how to recover from them. Making a mistake can leave anyone feeling sick in the stomach or thinking that the world is going to end. Learning how to cope with mistakes—and how to stop that “ache”—can be one of the hardest parts of growing up. The latest entry in Free Spirit’s acclaimed Laugh and Learn® series takes a closer look at the mistakes kids make—honest and intentional—and offers practical advice on how to bounce back. With a healthy dose of humor, readers learn that embarrassing moments aren’t forever and a sincere apology can go a long way. Laugh & Learn® Series Realistic topics, practical advice, silly jokes, fun illustrations, and a kid-centric point of view all add up to one of the most popular series young people turn to for help with school, families, siblings, and more. Kids ages 8–13 can tote these pocket-size guides anywhere and learn to slash stress, give cliques and rude people the boot, get organized, behave becomingly, and, in general, hugely boost their coping skills.

What's the Big Deal About Addictions?

What's the Big Deal About Addictions? PDF

Author: James J. Crist

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2021-08-30

Total Pages: 170

ISBN-13: 1631985310

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Help teens make informed decisions about their health and wellness with judgment-free information about addictions. From drugs and alcohol to pervasive use of electronic devices, more teens are exhibiting addictive behaviors. What’s the Big Deal About Addictions? provides teens with lecture-free, reliable, and factual information about a range of addictions, from drugs and alcohol to electronic devices, social media, and other addictive activities, such as pornography, eating, gambling, and sex, among others. A practicing psychologist and a certified substance abuse counselor, Dr. Crist shares advice for teens who are having serious troubles with addiction and for teens with casual levels of use who may be concerned about their use. With teen stories and quotes included, What’s the Big Deal About Addictions? speaks directly to teens about the real-life struggles with casual use and addictions they’re seeing and experiencing among peers in school and in the broader community. Packed full of information to help teens make informed decisions, What’s the Big Deal About Addictions? covers: The difference between casual use and addictive use, and the consequences of using The types of addictions, addictive behavior, and the risks associated with each How to overcome an addiction and the types of treatments available How to know and accept when recovering from addiction may require giving up certain friendships Tips for preventing relapse or developing a secondary addiction Additional resources for help and information are provided at the back of the book.

Lulu and the Hunger Monster TM

Lulu and the Hunger Monster TM PDF

Author: Erik Talkin

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2020-12-09

Total Pages: 42

ISBN-13: 1631985485

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"In this story illustrating the reality of childhood hunger and food insecurity, Lulu invites kids into her world to help them understand what it's like to battle the Hunger Monster. Lulu and the Hunger Monster delivers the right message at the right time, helping readers recognize the problem of childhood hunger and moving them to find solutions." —Jeff Bridges, actor and anti-hunger advocate When Lulu's mother's van breaks down, money for food becomes tight and the Hunger Monster comes into their lives. Only visible to Lulu, Hunger Monster is a troublemaker who makes it hard for her to concentrate in school. How will Lulu help her mom and defeat the Monster when Lulu has promised never to speak the monster's name to anyone? This realistic—and hopeful—story of food insecurity builds awareness of the issue of childhood hunger, increases empathy for people who are food insecure, and demonstrates how anyone can help end hunger. Lulu and the Hunger Monster™ empowers children to destigmatize the issue of hunger before the feeling turns into shame. The author combines years of experience fighting hunger as a food bank CEO with an MFA in writing for young children to craft an honest story of how poverty and food insecurity can affect adults and their children. Lulu’s story addresses the effects of hunger on learning and can be used in group settings to address social justice issues in an accessible and encouraging way. Lulu and the Hunger Monster has been awarded the International Literacy Association's 2021 Social Justice Literature Award and a 2020 Foreword INDIES Honorable Mention, Picture Books, Early Reader (Children's). Food Justice Books for Kids series This series takes complex food justice issues—food insecurity, how food is marketed and sold, and food systems—and makes them kid-friendly and fun to read. In three separate but connected stories, Lulu, Jesse, and Frankie confront the Hunger Monster, Snack Food Genie, and Food Phantom. As they do, readers follow along and learn more about how each of us can take small steps toward greater food justice for everyone. A section at the back of each book offers children ways to further explore the story and make a difference in their own communities.

I Remember My Breath

I Remember My Breath PDF

Author: Lynn Rummel

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2023-01-24

Total Pages: 38

ISBN-13: 1631985736

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Visualization and mindful breathing for kids helps children recognize and manage their feelings. Young children have so many feelings. Without accessible emotional self-regulation strategies, children may communicate their big feelings with negative behaviors, bullying, or withdrawing. I Remember My Breath provides an introduction to visualization and mindful breathing for kids as an emotional self-regulation strategy. Mindful breathing focuses on breathing and how emotions feel in the body. I Remember My Breath guides young children to identify the emotion they’re feeling and use visualization and breathing to calm themselves and manage their feelings. Teaching mindful breathing for kids as an emotional self-regulation strategy also helps children build emotional literacy and body awareness. With its imaginative, vivid imagery and rhythmic writing style that mimics the breath, I Remember My Breath is a book that children who are experiencing big emotions can turn—and return—to for support and comfort. A special section for adults provides additional information and activities to reinforce the book’s message.

Blaze Your Own Trail

Blaze Your Own Trail PDF

Author: Justin Ashley

Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing

Published: 2023-10-31

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 1631987305

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Empower teens to build their own paths with strategies that encourage self-discovery, autonomy, and connection. Blaze Your Own Trail invites teens to consider their values, goals, and interests, and take steps toward building the life—and blazing the trail—they want for themselves. Teens follow the three sections of the book—the inner path, the outer path, and the onward path—to explore a breadth of topics, from developing a vision for their future and boosting their self-regulation strategies and emotional intelligence to making time for rest, practicing gratitude, and connecting with others. This student-facing partner to The Balanced Teacher Path presents teens with ideas for seeking purpose, joy, and balance in their lives. To enrich and inform the book, award-winning teacher Justin Ashley surveyed the teens he's worked with. Blaze Your Own Trail gives teens the freedom to read what's most relevant to them in the moment with short, easy-to-digest chapters. Far from a prescriptive guidebook, Blaze Your Own Trail supports teens in their journey to creating their own path—and destination.