I had accepted a job as a 7th grade language arts teacher, and I was ecstatic to have a job where I could share my love for reading. However, I had no idea how to best teach these early adolescents who everyone seemed to be scared of. This lead me to the action research project I undertook for my Master’s Degree: brain based differentiation. This series of articles outlines what I learned.

Brown, M. (2001). Literature circles build excitement for books!  Retrieved June 30, 2008 from http://www.education-world.com/a curr/curr259.shtml.
An Annotation by Laurie Walsh
Brown reviews the beliefs of Harvey Daniels, author of Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in the Student-Centered Classroom, Katherine L. Schlick Noe, Ph.D., an associate professor at the School of Education at Seattle University, and Pam [...]

Bonwell, C.C. & Eison, J.A.   (1991)  Active learning: creating excitement in the classroom.  ERIC Digest.  Retrieved June 16, 2008 from ProQuest database.
An Annotation By Laurie Walsh
The article states that traditional lecture methods – profs talk, students listen – dominate college and university classrooms.  (The same can be said, we know, for high school classrooms.)  The [...]

The pressures of teaching can often leave even the veterans among us feeling frazzled and confused. So it’s not surprising that newer teachers often begin to question their decision to enter the profession. Yael Grauer, a second year teacher in Tucson Arizona, recently overcame her own feelings of doubt during a recent Courage to Teach retreat, developed by educational activist Parker Palmer. The insights she gained through professional reflection left her refreshed, renewed, and ready for a new beginning.

You already know what bringing a positive attitude and a smile does to your classroom environment. What you may not realize, however, is just how much influence your energy actually has on your surrounding community. According to recent research, emotions can spread like viruses. And what you’re spreading reaches far beyond anything you may have previously imagined.