Tools for Engagement: Managing Emotional States for Learner Success

by Eric Jensen

Book Overview

Formerly a publication of The Brain Store

Use these practical tools to turn distracted learners into focused, enthusiastic students

Have you ever watched your students walk into your classroom distracted--some full of energy, others dragging? As an instructor, gaining student attention is your first step towards an effective lesson. If you′re running out of creative ideas for getting your...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1890460389
• ISBN13: 9781890460389
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Corwin Publishers
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.3" x 11.3"

Customer Reviews

Great resource for teachers!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Tools for Engagement". This book is easily organized by states that a teacher would like his/her students to be in throughout the day. For each state it explains what the state is, why it is important, how long it lasts, what brain activity is involved, body language associated with the state, what foods affect it, what music affects or contributes to the state, and strategies. One strategy he really pushes is the use of music. He believes music easily enhances the mood. He comments that if a teacher can not fit music into the day, that the teacher is talking too much. Music can be used as an introduction to a topic, to contribute to concentration or creativity, or as a cue to end an activity. The end of the book has a whole list of music that can be used in the classroom. The author Eric Jensen believes that physical and social activities in class are good. Many strategies are variations of tag, partner and group interaction, stretching, clapping, and more. As a busy teacher I really appreciated the easy and practical strategies for triggering the different states in the classroom.

A Teacher's Toolbox

Eric Jenson's book outlines numerous practical techniques/activities that teacher's may use to produce deeper engagement into learning in the classroom. Based on working with student states, the book is segmented according to the different states a teacher would want to achieve/modify in the classroom, depending on the type of learning/evaluation being pursued. This material is a great extension to Jensen's "Teaching With The Brain In Mind" book and workshop. This is a must for any classroom teacher! The only drawback: the spine of the book is flimsy, and the pages fall out very easily. This also may be from the fact that I have thoroughly used the book as a resource and have worn it out.