Inspiring Active Learning: A Complete Handbook for Today's Teachers » (Expanded)

How can we structure class time efficiently? How can we explain and lecture effectively? How can we help students master content? How can we make learning more real and lasting?

In this revised and greatly expanded 2nd edition of Inspiring Active Learning, educators Merrill Harmin and Melanie Toth provide answers to our fundamental teaching questions and show us how to transform our classrooms into communities of active, responsible learners. The authors present an array of research-based, teacher-tested strategies for managing our everyday responsibilities--from beginning a class to grading homework, from instructing large groups to promoting diligent seatwork, from motivating slackers to handling disruptors. These strategies focus on mutual respect, not bossiness; collaboration, not isolation; commitment to learning, not fear of failure; and the dignity of all, not praise or rewards for a few.

Regardless of our level of experience or the grade or subject we teach, the active-learning approach helps us

• Perform routine teaching tasks more easily.
• Discover a higher level of teaching success and personal satisfaction.
• Establish a class climate of full participation and cooperation.
• Prepare engaging lessons that keep students productively involved.
• Encourage students to work energetically, willingly, and intelligently each day.
• Inspire all students, even the most challenging, to strive for excellence.

With its detailed classroom examples and more than 250 practical strategies, Inspiring Active Learning is a comprehensive reference for solving most any teaching problem.

List of Strategies
A Personal Note on Using This Book
Part I: Two Keys for Running an Inspiring Classroom
1. Clarity About What Makes a Classroom Inspiring to Students
2. A Four-Step Process to Make a Classroom More Inspiring
Part II: Strategies for Handling Six Fundamental Teaching Tasks
3. Creating Lessons That Inspire Active Learning
4. Establishing a Climate That Inspires Full Participation
5. Establishing a Climate That Inspires High Cooperation
6. Structuring Class Time Efficiently
7. Using Small Groups Efficiently
8. Preventing Discipline Problems from Arising
Part III: Strategies for Starting Classes Efficiently
9. Gathering the Attention of Students
10. Handling Completed Homework
11. Providing for a Quick Review of Completed Content
Part IV: Strategies for Presenting New Content
12. Motivating Interest in New Content
13. Explaining and Lecturing Effectively
14. Providing Discovery-Type Experiences
15. Using Written Material to Present New Content
Part V: Strategies for Helping Students Master Content
16. Helping Students Master Content in a Whole-Class Format
17. Helping Students Master Content in Individual and Small-Group Formats
18. Using Projects to Help Students Master Content
19. Stimulating Higher-Level Thinking
20. Responding to Student Comments and Using Praise Appropriately
Part VI: Strategies for Ending Classes Efficiently
21. Helping Students Review and Summarize a Class
22. Providing Effective Homework Assignments
Part VII: Strategies for Further Advancing Teacher Effectiveness
23. Advancing Students Learning Skills
24. Making Learning More Real and Lasting for Students
25. Inspiring Students to Strive for Excellence
26. Advancing Students Self-Responsibility
27. Advancing Students Self-Confidence
28. Advancing Students Maturity
29. Advancing Our Own Personal Balance
Part VIII: Strategies for Evaluating Student Learning
30. Handling Students Written Work
31. Handling Testing and Grading
32. Reporting Students Progress
Part IX: Strategies for Maintaining Discipline
33. Handling Routine Misbehavior
34. Handling Serious and Chronic Misbehavior
Bibliography
Glossary
Index
About the Authors