Reach before you teach: ignite passion and purpose in your classroom

Preface

A Child's Sense of Self Is of Paramount Concern

The Focus and Purpose of This Book

This Book Applies to Educators of Teens

The Bottom Line

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

1. The Self

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

What Do We Mean by the "Self"?

Defining the Self

The Self as a Container

Four Components of the Self

Repair of the Self

The Self in School

Teacher Illustration 1.1. The Importance of Reaching Students

Social Emotional Learning: Its Importance and How the Self Enables SEL Potential

How Does a Sense of Self Contribute to Personal Success and to Society?

Twenty-First Century Changes

A Question-Marked Curriculum

Steps to Success-For Teaching and for You

Successful Teaching to the Self

Success for You

Chapter Summary

2. The Development of the Self: Understand and Connect With the Self Behind the Desk

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

Early Attachment and Self Development

What Creates a "Secure Attachment"?

The Development of Shame

True Self Versus False Self: The Battle Begins

The Birth of Defenses

Making Connections

Interventions to Promote Connections

Intervention 2.1. Come Alongside Your Students-Align With the True Self

Example 2.1. Come Alongside Your Students

Intervention 2.2. Reflect Who You Know the Student Is Capable of Being

Teacher Illustration 2.2. Reflecting the Potential Inside

Intervention 2.3. Teach and Promote the Five-Finger Rule

Intervention 2.4. Index Cards

Intervention 2.5. Support Student Efforts to Connect

Teacher Illustration 2.5. Connecting With Cathy

Intervention 2.6. Share Your Self!

Chapter Summary

Interventions

Activity: Connect and Support the Developing Self

3. The Unaware Emotional Self: Soften Defenses to Foster Academic and Personal Growth

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

The Purpose of Defenses

The Development of Defenses and How They Inhibit Optimal Learning

Common Defense Mechanisms and How They May Manifest in the Classroom

How to Manage Defenses Through Interventions That Build the Self

Intervention 3.1. Object-Oriented Language

Example 3.1. Using Object-Oriented Examples and Language

Teacher Illustration 3.1. Object-Oriented Intervention

Intervention 3.2. Validation

Example 3.2. Validation

Intervention 3.3. Mirroring

Example 3.3. Mirroring

Intervention 3.4. Scaffolding

Example 3.4. Scaffolding

Teacher Illustration 3.4. Scaffolding Intervention

Intervention 3.5. Managing a Group Resistance

Teacher Illustration 3.5. Managing a Group Resistance

Intervention 3.6. Intent Versus Content

Example 3.6. Looking at Intent-Cheating on the Sports Field

Chapter Summary

Interventions

Activity: Soften Defenses

4. The Aware Emotional Self: Provide Tools for Emotional Management

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

Emotional Awareness: Knowing Your Temperature

Realizing, Labeling, and Sourcing Emotions

Fostering Emotional Awareness: Using the Steps Above in the Classroom

Teacher Illustration 4.1. Emotional Awareness

1. Use Local or International News to Spur Discussions on Emotions

2. Expand Emotional Vocabulary

3. Practice "Sourcing" Emotions

Emotional Management: Shutting the Window

The Process

First Example to Explain the Power of Thoughts

Second Example to Explain the Power of Thoughts

Teacher Illustration 4.2. The Power of a Thought Journal

The Emotional Self in the Classroom

Classroom Disturbance 1. Bullying

Intervention 4.1. Promote Empathy

Example 4.1. Famous People and Their Character

Intervention 4.2. Know the Language of Bullying in Your School

Example 4.2. The Language of Bullying

Intervention 4.3. Use Praise Over Punishment

Classroom Disturbance 2. Acting Out and Impulse Control

Intervention 4.4. Develop a Plan; Define the Endgame

Classroom Disturbance 3. Aggressive Behavior

Intervention 4.5. Seek to Find Success

Intervention 4.6. Index Cards for Temper Management

Teacher Illustration 4.6. Index Cards for Temper Management

Classroom Disturbance 4. Spacing Out

Intervention 4.7. For the Space Traveler-Tap the Desk

Teacher Illustration 4.7. Helping a Student to Focus

Classroom Disturbance 5. General Stress!

Intervention 4.8. Be Clear About Expectations

The Benefits

Chapter Summary

Interventions

Activity: Foster Emotional Awareness

5. The Cognitive Self: Use Cognitive Understanding to Awaken Potentials

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

Brain Structure and Related Functions

Reticular Activating System (RAS)

Amygdala

Hippocampus

Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)

Putting the Town Together

Intervention 5.1. Teach Basic Brain Anatomy and Function

In Summary

Stress on the Brain

Intervention 5.2. Journal for Test Success

Intervention 5.3. Meditation and/or Focused Breathing

Intervention 5.4. Stay on Task

Intervention 5.5. Be a Dopamine Dispenser

Teacher Illustration 5.5. Dispensing Dopamine

Intervention 5.6. Tap Into the Right Side of the Brain

Intervention 5.7. Scaffold

Intervention 5.8. Improve Self-Control

Teacher Illustration 5.8. Self-Control Sticky Notes

Intervention 5.9. Assess the Stress!

Teacher Illustration 5.9. Validate the Stress for Academic Success

Neuroplasticity: The Role of Experiences

Improving Motivation

Intervention 5.10. Put Information in Context to Increase the Level of Interest

Intervention 5.11. Immediate Feedback

Intervention 5.12. Lay It on the Line

Intervention 5.13. Connect With Students' Style of Learning

Chapter Summary

Interventions

Activity: Decrease Stress and Increase Motivation

6. The Social Self: Consolidate the Self in the Social World

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

Set a Positive Social Tone in Your Classroom

Positive Social Tone 1. Icebreakers

Example 6.1. Icebreakers

Positive Social Tone 2. Classroom Set Up and Structure

Positive Social Tone 3. Classroom Rules and Consequences

Teacher Illustration 6.1. Collaborative Rule Building

Teacher Illustration 6.2. Student Rule Enforcement

Positive Social Tone 4. Model Expected Behavior

Teacher Illustration 6.3. The Story Behind the Story

Positive Social Tone 5. Be Available and Approachable

Positive Social Tone 6. Consider Your Tone of Voice

Top Social Skills

Social Skill 1. Effective Communication

Communication Is a Two-Way Street

Intervention 6.1. Telephone

Words Are Powerful: Choose Carefully

Encourage Students to Use Names and Make Eye Contact

Consider Nonverbal Communication

Repeat What You Think You've Heard

Social Skill 2. Cooperation

Intervention 6.2. Collaborating From Small to Larger Groups

Teamwork

Intervention 6.3. Rotations

Handling Conflicts in Groups

Quickly!

Keep Your Sense of Humor

Teacher Illustration 6.4. Humor in Learning

Use Others to Bring the Class Back to Task

Intervention 6.4. Bridging

Chapter Summary

Interventions

Activity: Address Social Concerns

7. The Physical Self: Support the Physical Self for Optimal Overall Health

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

The Importance of Physical Health

Exercise and Health

Spur the Body: What Do Students Want to Do?

Intervention 7.1. Community Resources: Variety at a Limited Cost

Intervention 7.2. School Teams

Spur the Brain: Increase Movement

Intervention 7.3. Activity Breaks

In Summary

Nutrition and Health

Intervention 7.4. Nutrition Assignment

Teacher Illustration 7.4. Nutrition Assignment

Sleep and Health

Teens and Sleep

Incorporate the Self

Intervention 7.5. Time Management

Healthful Sleep Habits

Intervention 7.6. Create Healthful Habits

The Mind/Body Connection

The Science Behind the Connection

Ways to Bring Forth the Mind/Body Awareness

Visualization: Does It Really Work?

Intervention 7.7. Visualization

Mindfulness

Intervention 7.8. Mindfulness Exercise

Teacher Illustration 7.8. Using Mindfulness to Manage Emotions

Meditation

Intervention 7.9. Meditation

Teacher Illustration 7.9. Decrease Competition and Increase Self-Awareness

The Physical Self in the Classroom

Elements to Support the Physical Self in the Classroom

Chapter Summary

Interventions

Activity: Incorporate the Physical Self When Possible

8. The Self in the School Climate: Create an Environment That Works for You

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

What Is School Climate?

Personal Principles of Behavior

Personal Principle of Behavior 1. Empathy

Intervention 8.1. Model Empathy

Personal Principle of Behavior 2. Morality

Intervention 8.2. Debate Moral Dilemmas

Personal Principle of Behavior 3. Self-Control

Intervention 8.3. Chunk and Reward

Personal Principle of Behavior 4. Resilience

Teacher Illustration 8.1. Building Resilience

Intervention 8.4. Pretests and Rewrites

Teacher Illustration 8.2. Allowing Failure

Schoolwide Policies

Schoolwide Policy 1. Faculty Conduct

Schoolwide Policy 2. Morale

Intervention 8.5. Project-Based Learning to Enhance School Morale

Schoolwide Policy 3. Develop a Sense of Community

Schedule Weekly Meetings

Seek Whole-School Feedback

Ask Students for Input and Create Traditions

Morning Announcements

Gratitude Themes

Schoolwide Policy 4. School Safety

In Summary

Parents and the Off-Campus Community

Teacher Illustration 8.3. Building Positive Connections With Parents

Chapter Summary

Interventions

Activity: Improve School Climate

9. The Self: Decision Making, Motivation, and Giving Back

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

Where Are We?

Where We Are: Fear

Where We Are: Job Preparedness

Where We Are: Personal Connections

Where We Are: Financially f

In Summary

Where Can We Go From Here?

Decision Making-The Sine Qua Non of Self Skills

Ten Aspects of the Self

Intervention 9.1. Ten Aspects of the Self

Motivation

Giving Back

Final Interventions

Intervention 9.2. Create a Self Folder for Each Student

Intervention 9.3. Regularly Celebrate the Self

Intervention 9.4. Incorporate SEE Programs

Chapter Summary

Interventions

Quick Reference

References

Index