The Attention Lesson


Book Description

PF Potvin is a writer, musician, and ultramarathon runner who heralds from northern Michigan. He has taught at a variety of colleges and language schools in the U.S. and Chile. He holds a BA in English from St. John's, an MFA from Bennington College and travels whenever possible to support his writing. Discover his latest adventures at pfpotvin.com.




The Knowledge Gap


Book Description

The untold story of the root cause of America's education crisis--and the seemingly endless cycle of multigenerational poverty. It was only after years within the education reform movement that Natalie Wexler stumbled across a hidden explanation for our country's frustrating lack of progress when it comes to providing every child with a quality education. The problem wasn't one of the usual scapegoats: lazy teachers, shoddy facilities, lack of accountability. It was something no one was talking about: the elementary school curriculum's intense focus on decontextualized reading comprehension "skills" at the expense of actual knowledge. In the tradition of Dale Russakoff's The Prize and Dana Goldstein's The Teacher Wars, Wexler brings together history, research, and compelling characters to pull back the curtain on this fundamental flaw in our education system--one that fellow reformers, journalists, and policymakers have long overlooked, and of which the general public, including many parents, remains unaware. But The Knowledge Gap isn't just a story of what schools have gotten so wrong--it also follows innovative educators who are in the process of shedding their deeply ingrained habits, and describes the rewards that have come along: students who are not only excited to learn but are also acquiring the knowledge and vocabulary that will enable them to succeed. If we truly want to fix our education system and unlock the potential of our neediest children, we have no choice but to pay attention.




Puppy Mind


Book Description

In this charming, simple story, an irresistible puppy teaches a little boy how to calm himself through breathing when he feels anxious, distracted, or upset Parents will love this picture book that helps children see that strong emotions are normal, and they can learn to calm their minds and bodies A young boy discovers his mind is like a puppy, always wandering away, into the past or the future, and he is just not sure what to do. After noticing when and why his puppy mind wanders away, he sets about learning to train his puppy mind to heel to the present moment. Through remembering to breathe, the boy becomes a stronger and more caring master of his puppy mind, keeping it in the present, if only for a moment. With helpful parent/teacher questions at the back of the book, adults can skillfully guide children in noticing when and where their own puppy minds like to wander.




Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain


Book Description

A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection




Learning to Slow Down and Pay Attention


Book Description

Written especially for kids, this fun, friendly workbook is packed with cartoons and activity pages, offering children a wealth of helpful tips for every situation--at home, at school, and among friends. Illustrations.




Be Where Your Feet Are!


Book Description

From the bestselling author of Bubble Gum Brain and My Mouth is a Volcano, comes a hilarious story about learning to be present wherever we are...and what can happen when we're not. These are my feet and this is me. Sometimes I'm not where I'm supposed to be. My brain gets crowded. There's so much going on. I do three things at once, and get two of them wrong! "Be where your feet are," I hear people say. "Do one thing at a time. It's a much better way." Each day, there are so many things to think about. Getting ready for school, turning in homework, taking a math test, band solo tryouts, soccer practice...and it's a long way from your head to your feet. Be Where Your Feet Are! reinforces the concepts of mindfulness and being present in a way children will remember, while showing how good life can be when we learn to appreciate the world and people around us.




Got Your Attention?


Book Description

A communication strategist shares her eight-stage process for connecting with any number of people with two-way interactions. Did you know: • Goldfish, yes, goldfish, have longer attention spans than we humans do? • One in four people abandons a website if it takes longer than four seconds to load? Imagine if there were ways, in a world of impatience and INFObesity, to quickly intrigue busy, distracted people and earn their interest, trust and buy-in. Imagine if there was a process for pleasantly surprising decision-makers and convincing them you're the right person for the job, position, project or contract. You don’t have to imagine it, Sam Horn has created it. Sam’s innovative techniques have helped her clients close deals and raise millions of dollars, and will be your “secret sauce” to getting funded, hired, elected, promoted or referred. “These accessible techniques transcend generations and read like a modern-day version of How to Win Friends and Influence People.” —Miki Agrawal, one of Forbes’s “Top 20 Millennials on a Mission” and founder of THINX “Sam Horn’s smart and snappy book will teach you how to get people’s attention—and keep it.” —Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of To Sell Is Human “If you can’t get people’s attention, you’ll never get their business. Sam Horn’s new book shows how to quickly earn respect so people are motivated to listen.” —Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity and WayBlazer and chair of Kayak “A must-read for those in the workplace who want to contribute at their highest level and create more strategic networks.” —Betsy Myers, former executive director, Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School “Horn offers innovative ways to initiate genuine conversations and meaningful connections that turn strangers into friends.” —Keith Ferrazzi, author of the #1 bestseller Never Eat Alone




The Music Lesson


Book Description

From Grammy-winning musical icon and legendary bassist Victor L. Wooten comes an inspiring parable of music, life, and the difference between playing all the right notes…and feeling them. The Music Lesson is the story of a struggling young musician who wanted music to be his life, and who wanted his life to be great. Then, from nowhere it seemed, a teacher arrived. Part musical genius, part philosopher, part eccentric wise man, the teacher would guide the young musician on a spiritual journey, and teach him that the gifts we get from music mirror those from life, and every movement, phrase, and chord has its own meaning...All you have to do is find the song inside. “The best book on music (and its connection to the mystic laws of life) that I've ever read. I learned so much on every level.”—Multiple Grammy Award–winning saxophonist Michael Brecker




Discipline That Connects With Your Child's Heart


Book Description

A Powerful Approach to Bringing God's Grace to Kids Did you know that the way we deal (or don't deal) with our kids' misbehavior shapes their beliefs about themselves, the world, and God? Therefore it's vital to connect with their hearts--not just their minds--amid the daily behavior battles. With warmth and grace, Jim and Lynne Jackson, founders of Connected Families, offer four tried-and-true keys to handling any behavioral issues with love, truth, and authority. You will learn practical ways to communicate messages of grace and truth, how to discipline in a way that motivates your child, and how to keep your relationship strong, not antagonistic. Discipline is more than just a short-term attempt to modify your child's actions--it's a long-term investment to help them build faith, wisdom, and character for life. When you discover a better path to discipline, you'll find a more well-behaved--and well-believed--kid.




Lessons from the Mouse


Book Description

Outlines ten practical principles for increasing the effectiveness of any business organization, based on the author's years at Disney World.