The Excellence Of Play


Book Description

This is a must-read book for all students studying early childhood at a range of levels and practitioners who are looking to deepen their understanding of play and playful practices.




The Excellence of Play


Book Description

This second edition encapsulates the many changes that have taken place in early childhood in the last ten years. Whilst retaining its original message of the vital importance of play as a tool for learning, it consolidates this further with current evidence from research and practice.




Just Play


Book Description

A revolutionary new understanding of the mind is transforming the field of performance psychology, making it easier than ever before for musicians to bring out the best in themselves and make music as nature intended. Not only that, but it offers renewed hope for sufferers of anxiety, depression and a whole host of other psychological disorders.




Dream Big


Book Description

From the age of nine, Michael dreams of playing basketball for the United States in the Olympics, and with hard work and his mother's encouragement, he realizes his dream. Full color.




The Pursuit of Excellence: The Uncommon Behaviors of the World's Most Productive Achievers


Book Description

A master class in achieving and sustaining excellence, even in the most challenging of times—from the host of The Learning Leader Show and author of Welcome to Management Millions of business professionals aspire to become effective leaders. But for hardworking, growth-oriented top performers who are always looking to improve and for rigorous thinkers who are never quite satisfied with the status quo, the true goal is the lifelong pursuit of excellence. Leadership advisor Ryan Hawk has interviewed hundreds of the most productive achievers in the world on his acclaimed podcast, The Learning Leader Show, to discover the best practices for pursuing and sustaining excellence. He found a pattern of uncommon behaviors that set these stellar individuals apart. By following their examples, you will learn how to: Commit to yourself and the process―and build purpose, focus, and discipline Develop resilience to face new challenges―and find inspiration for the long haul Seek guidance―and lead others to new heights Meet the moment―and make the most of every opportunity to excel Create a trusted group of advisors―and become a lifelong learner Packed with specific actions to take, experiments to run, and tools to analyze what works best for you, this uncompromisingly practical guide will inspire, challenge, support, and empower you to become your very best. Put mindsets into action and turn behaviors into habits with The Pursuit of Excellence.




An Ethic of Excellence


Book Description

The author gives us a vision of educational reform that transcends standards, curriculum, and instructional strategies. He argues for a paradigm shift-a schoolwide embrace of an "ethic of excellence" and with a passion for quality describes what's possible when teachers, students, and parents commit to nothing less than the best. The author tells exactly how this can be done, from the blackboard to the blacktop to the school boardroom.




Celebrate High School


Book Description

Home educating high school is not a one-size-fits-all experience. It is a journey unique to every student; an quest documented through specific paperwork requested or required by employers and college admission offices. How is a young adult's distinguishing education and exemplary character communicated in a resume, on a transcript, or through portfolios? Celebrate High School equips parents and students of any educational philosophy with easy-to-follow explanations, ready-to-use examples, and experiential narratives from families who have successfully walked the home education high school path. This book was purposefully written and specifically designed from the author's personal experience and research, as well as her and her husband's work with homeschooling families spanning more than twenty years.In the first chapter, Magnificent Make-A-Difference Middle School, parents are equipped with practical tips to help middle schoolers manage their time, organize their work and living space, and find resources. This chapter prepares the parent for Chapter 2, Navigating the Middle School Academic Maze; Chapter 3, Middle School Record Keeping; and Chapter 4, Future Possibilities. Chapter 5 encourages parents to look at the student's long term goals to plan with the end in mind and finish well. By the end of Chapter 5, parents are ready to dig into Chapter 6, Meeting College Admission Requirements. Chapter 7 outlines specific details for High School Record Keeping including course work and credits, writing course descriptions, creating and formatting transcripts, obtaining and documenting community service and extracurricular activity hours, compiling a reading list, requesting letters of recommendation, and preparing for testing and college entrance. The Finishing Well chapter closes the book with words of encouragement for parents in the last year of homeschooling high school. Celebrate High School helps parents celebrate the accomplishments, the efforts, the time, and the energy put forth by the student and the family. It is an opportunity to look back and appreciate the people who poured into and shaped the life of the graduate--the parents, grandparents, mentors, and other significant individuals. Celebrate High School entreats parents to celebrate not only the academic achievements, but also the discovery of the student's strengths and how those strengths have the potential to impact future employers, campuses, the nation, and the world.Parents who have used Celebrate High School say:"Entering high school at home was an easy transition for us thanks to Cheryl's book, Celebrate High School. Easy step-by-step instruction for developing a four-year plan, writing course descriptions, understanding graduation requirements, and creating transcripts make this resource invaluable. With this book, Cheryl's many hours of research and experience is right at your fingertips.""Celebrate High School covers essential details to successfully navigate homeschooling through the middle and high school years. I appreciated the easy-to-read format as well as the wisdom Celebrate High School imparted, offering our family freedom in selecting courses that allow our children to develop their strengths while building a competitive transcript."




The Playing Fields of Eton


Book Description

Can equality and excellence coexist in a democratic society?




Standard of Excellence


Book Description




Toward Excellence with Equity


Book Description

For more than a decade, economist Ronald F. Ferguson has investigated the myriad factors that combine to create racial disparities in academic performance, ranging from school policies and practices to informal interactions between children and their parents and peers. Toward Excellence with Equity brings together Ferguson's most important articles and most recent thinking on these ideas. Taken together, these essays show that closing achievement gaps is more urgent today than ever before--and that dramatic success is possible. "This book issues an urgent call to action to anyone concerned about the lagging success rates among minority children in American schools and the repercussions for our country's future. Ronald Ferguson not only surveys the bleak terrain surrounding the achievement gap, but provides all of us with a road map to reach higher ground." -- Geoffrey Canada, President and CEO, Harlem Children's Zone "Toward Excellence with Equity is an important book written by one of the nation's foremost experts on education and economic development. Ronald Ferguson's pioneering work on black/white disparities in student skill levels and achievement-test scores has significant public policy implications. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned about narrowing the racial gap in educational attainment and earnings." -- William Julius Wilson, Lewis P. and Linda L. Geyser University Professor, Harvard University "This book combines high-quality research, judicious insights, brilliant speculation, and common sense to set forth strategies to reduce the achievement gap dramatically. It is particularly compelling in calling for a comprehensive social movement that will not only transform schools but establish strong communities, effective parenting, and powerful peer cultures." -- Henry M. Levin, William H. Kilpatrick Professor of Economics and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University "Ferguson conducts an authoritative review to show that disparities in academic performance can be closed by strong parental engagement and by parents working in partnership with schools around a shared vision of success for their children. The reality is that educators can't do it alone. This highly intelligent book gives policymakers, educators, and parents essential tools for closing achievement gaps between high-performing and low-performing schools." -- Susan Zelman, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ohio Department of Education "Toward Excellence with Equity is essential reading for any businessperson who cares about the well-being of children and the future quality of the American workforce." -- Bridgette Heller, Chairman of the Executive Leadership Council and Global President of Johnson & Johnson's Baby, Kids, and Wound-Care Division Ronald F. Ferguson is the faculty cochair and director of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University and the founder and director of the Tripod Project for school improvement.