Learning to Love Math: Teaching Strategies That Change Student Attitudes and Get Results [Paperback]

Judy Willis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1416610367 | ISBN-13: 978-1416610366

Is there a way to get students to love math? Dr. Judy Willis responds with an emphatic yes in this informative guide to getting better results in math class. Tapping into abundant research on how the brain works, Willis presents a practical approach for how we can improve academic results by demonstrating certain behaviors and teaching students in a way that minimizes negativity.

With a straightforward and accessible style, Willis shares the knowledge and experience she has gained through her dual careers as a math teacher and a neurologist. In addition to learning basic brain anatomy and function, readers will learn how to

* Improve deep-seated negative attitudes toward math.
* Plan lessons with the goal of achievable challenge in mind.
* Reduce mistake anxiety with techniques such as errorless math and estimation.
* Teach to different individual learning strengths and skill levels.
* Spark motivation.
* Relate math to students personal interests and goals.
* Support students in setting short-term and long-term goals.
* Convince students that they can change their intelligence.

With dozens of strategies teachers can use right now, Learning to Love Math puts the power of research directly into the hands of educators. A Brain Owner s Manual, which dives deeper into the structure and function of the brain, is also included providing a clear explanation of how memories are formed and how skills are learned. With informed teachers guiding them, students will discover that they can build a better brain . . . and learn to love math!

Product Details

• Paperback: 195 pages
• Publisher: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (July 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416610367
• ISBN-13: 978-1416610366
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Judy Willis, a board-certified neurologist and teacher combined her training in neuroscience with her teacher education training and the past ten years of classroom teaching to become a leading authority in the field of parenting and teaching strategies derived from learning-centered brain research.

After graduating Phi Beta Kappa as the first woman graduate from Williams College, Judy Willis attended UCLA School of Medicine where she was awarded her medical degree. She remained at UCLA and completed a medical residency and neurology residency, including chief residency. She practiced neurology for fifteen years before returning to university to obtain her Teaching Credential and Masters of Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She then taught elementary and middle school for ten years before becoming an international lecturer and workshop leader about brain-research correlated strategies that ignite successful learning, memory, and transferable understanding.

Dr. Willis is an authority in brain research regarding learning and the brain and currently dedicates her time to presenting information about classroom and parenting strategies derived from brain research at educational conferences, professional development workshops, and to parent groups and nationally and internationally. She has been a Distinguished Lecturer at ASCD national conferences, writes extensively for professional educational journals, and was honored as a Finalist for Distinguished Achievement Award for her educational writing by the Association for Educational Publishers. "Ask Dr. Judy" is a regular webinar feature offered free to all through ASCD.org

Dr. Willis is the author of six books, including five books for educators, Research-Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning, Brain Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom, Teaching the Brain to Read, and Learning to Love Math: Teaching Strategies That Change Student Attitudes and Get Results. Her book Inspiring Middle School Minds: Gifted, Creative, Talented, for educators and parents was a finalist for the 2010 USA Book News Magazine 2010 Best Book Awards in Education/Academic Category.

Her first book for parents, How Your Child Learns Best: Brain-Based Ways to Ignite Learning and Increase School Success, with foreword by Goldie Hawn, provides parents with the research-supported tools to help their children learn in ways best suited for their interests, learning styles and strengths.

Her books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, and Arabic. I

Dr. Willis is a research consultant and member of the board of directors for the Hawn Foundation, an international foundation developed and directed by Goldie Hawn. She contributed to the writing of the Foundation's MindUp curriculum of activities for teachers to do with children to increase their emotional control, stress management, and attentive focus. Link to Neurology Now: Journal of American Academy of Neurology for the cover article featuring the collaboration of Dr. Willis and Goldie Hawn to bring neuroscience into classrooms and teach children about Building Better Brains. http://journals.lww.com/neurologynow/Fulltext/2010/06020/Golden_Opportunity.17.aspx

When not consulting, writing books, or making presentations, Dr. Willis is a home winemaker and writes a wine column.

Dr. Willis' Website: www.RADTeach.com Connect from this website to links to her books, articles, and presentation schedule.

Additional Ways to Connect with Dr. Judy Willis


Dr. Judy Willis' PSYCHOLOGY TODAY Online Staff Posts at http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/radical-teaching

"Brain Owner's Manual" Dr. Willis believes that, "Children who understand that genius is not limited by genes. When children discover how their brains learn and that they can change their brain wiring to change their intelligence, they are motivated to persevere with homework, studying, and setbacks because they understand can take control of their emotional, social, and academic success."

For this reason, Dr. Willis wrote her first "Brain Owner's Manual" article to help parents and educators explain to children the power they have to change their own brains and change their intelligence. She is currently writing a series of "Brain Owner's Manual" books for parents and one for educators that are age-group specific. Link to her article called, What You Should Know About Your Brain:
http://www.radteach.com/page1/page8/page45/page45.html

"Meet Dr Judy Willis, EDUTOPIA Staff Blogger" View All Posts http://www.edutopia.org/user/19536

Dr. Judy Willis's Educational Consultant EDge Webpage for the Association of Supervision & Curriculum Development (ASCD) at http://edge.ascd.org/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=19069219&as=127586&b

Judy Willis Author's Page on ASCD
http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Authors/Judy_Willis.aspx?id=31085086001&nvid=a22b1


View Podcast Interviews and Webinars With the Author

TEDx Video Dr. Judy Willis Jan 2013 ASB Mumbai, India. Topic "Dr. Judy Willis: Video Game Model for Motivated Learning' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8TPRec6OCY

Australia ABC TV show Lateline Judy Willis, MD interview Apr 20, 2012 "Neuroscientist explains how to stimulate young brains". Link with video & transcript http://bit.ly/IeW5H1

Video Series of my brief responses to questions interviews at St Michaels University School April 2013. Full "Learning & the Brain" Series at http://bit.ly/13Ncewr"Ask Dr. Judy" is a regular webinar feature offered free to all through ASCD.org

Dr. Willis is one of Edutopia's "Big Thinkers on Education" with video interviews
http://www.edutopia.org/big-thinkers

Big Thinkers: Dr. Judy Willis on the Science of Learning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6FqAiAbUFs


View 7 Video Chapters of Dr. Judy Willis' "Big Thinker in Education" Interview: http://www.edutopia.org/big-thinkers-judy-willis-neuroscience-learning-video
The Big Thinker video interview is divided into 7 1-2 minute segments by topic. From "Big Thinker" Judy Willis page http://www.edutopia.org/big-thinkers, scroll down the bar to the right of the video/photo and you can open each section by name, such as Judy Willis on the Science of Learning (video).

Meet Judy Willis, Neurologist Turned Educator (1 min 24 sec)
The Science of Boredom (1 min 36 sec)
Creating Curiosity in the Classroom (0 min 52 sec)
Focusing Students' Attention in the Classroom (1 min 22 sec)
The Importance of Creating a Safe Environment (1 min 32 sec)
Lessons Learned from Video Games (2 min 52 sec)
Preparing Students for the 21st Century (1 min 53 sec)



Author Interviews about her books:
Ignite Student Learning: http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Authors/Judy_Willis.aspx?id=31085086001&nvid=a7b1

Inclusion/Differentiation Strategies: http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Authors/Judy_Willis.aspx?id=31085086001&nvid=a7b1

Teaching the Brain to Read: SCROLL DOWN TO Teaching the Brain to Read at: http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Books/ASCD_Talks_With_an_Author/ASCD_Talks_With_an_Author_(main).aspx


YouTube

Videos on YouTube: Put "Judy Willis" and key words like "brain" "syn-naps" into YouTube and you'll find several short topical videos of and several by Dr. Willis. For example: The Marshmallow Test is at
http://edge.ascd.org/_Dr-Judy-Willis-on-marshmallows-as-a-predictor-of-a-child39s-future-/video/881080/127586.html

Presentations & Lectures on YouTube: under "Judy Willis" you'll find full presentations she has done for professional educators. One about inquiry learning in science for the State of Tennessee Department of Education and one about brain research-based teaching strategies in English and Spanish, that she gave in Buenos Aires.


Radio, Video Interviews and Podcasts

The Parent's Journal Public Radio Program and Podcast 06-03-09 Topic: 
Middle Schoolers Who Love to Learn - Dr. Judy Willis' portion is in second half of the program at: http://www.parentsjournal.com/podcast/229/0603.mp3

Dr. Judy Willis video interview about what brain research suggests for classroom teaching strategies (also applicable for parents)
Windows Media version
http://stream.luxmedia501.com/?file=realimpact/ascd/talks_w_author/wma_willis.wma&type=wma
or for QuickTime version: http://stream.luxmedia501.com/?file=realimpact/ascd/talks_w_author/qta_willis.mov&type=mov

Dr. Judy Willis video interview about how to differentiate instruction for neuro-logical teaching, improved memory, and responsive student behavior in motivated students
http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Authors/Judy_Willis.aspx?id=31085086001&nvid=a13b1

Dr. Judy Willis interview/video ASCD about topics in the book, Teaching the Brain to Read
http://video.ascd.org/services/player/bc

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Strategies Supported by Neuroscience and Education That Really Work August 31, 2010

By Judy Gamboa

Format:Paperback

What an amazing book! I even had tears in my eyes thinking of the students who don't have the benefit of informed, nurturing teachers who understand their needs and their brains.I HIGHLY recommend this book to parents, teachers and administrators even if they don't teach math because what Learning To Love Math gives us all are the tools to change negativity into powerful motivation for students of any age who are discouraged in school.
After the first chapter I already had dozens of NEW ways to teach math using real situations. They just kept popping into my brain-------for example- I was at home working around the house eating a lollypop,thinking about taking some to school for my students. I thought about my students trying different flavors(over a period of time)and secretly making a list of their first,second and third choices.Then we would graph our results---I know the kids will love this activity and learn important skills that they will never forget.This book gives so many new ways of creating amazing lessons that kids will love.
The author, a neurologist and for the past ten years a classroom teacher (including five years of middle school math) takes the neuroscience and cognitive science research, and translates it into fascinating insights into how the brain is not a calculator, but an emotionally, socially, and sensory responseive organ.
I also learned why children who act out or zone out are not intentionally misbehaving. Their brains are literally protecting them because the stresses of boredom or frustration set the brain processing to take place in the stress-reactive lower brain. It is from this nonconscious,reactive brain that come the reactions of fight.flight/freeze that appear to us as willful,lazy,or inattentive behavior.I've learned how to reduce mistake anxiety, increase motivation, and help students increase positive mindsets by setting achievable short-term objectives and mastering long term goals. I give all my students the message from Dr. Willis, that genius is more than genes and that their brains have "plasticity" meaning they CAN truly change their brains and change their intelligence.
Dr. willis writes so clearly about neuroscience of neuroplasticity and the brains emotional filters which makes so much sense to me now.
If you have students or children who are not happy or successful in school---PLEASE buy or borrow this book------You will change their lives and if your are a teacher you will be loving your job more because your students will be having FUN while learning and mastering what is taught! These are strategies that really work and are supported with the latest neuroscience research. Have fun teaching! I know you will!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Get a better understanding of what is happening in your classroom June 21, 2011

By Mary

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was looking for explanations and techniques to help my students overcome math anxiety and low retention of concepts. I found this book very well-written, clearly supporting why teachers need to understand how the brain works in order to reach all of our students. One of the biggest ideas I took away from this book is that information is filtered through emotional centers of the brain before it can be processed in the prefrontal cortex where the higher order thinking occurs. If a student feels anxious or stressed when encountering a math problem, the information literally cannot pass through the emotional centers of the brain (the amygdala) in order to have the student use the information in a meaningful way. Once the amygala gets overstimulated, the only responses are fight, flight, or freeze. It reminded me that students who seem to "give up" in math may have little control of that response because their brain is trying to protect them from a perceived threat. Students also need to be engaged (have their attention grabbed) and be given opportunities to make connections and explore the ideas. In order to make significant progress, a teacher needs to first understand what is happening in the brain, and then know techniques to help the student achieve success.
Dr. Willis provides excellent information for teachers to help them understand how the brain works, including how dopamine and the reticuar activating system (RAS) operate. Once teachers and students appreciate how their gray matter operates, they can take advantage of the fact that the brain can be trained to adapt to new situations with proper motivation and appropriate techniques. Dr. Willis provides many recommendations, so this book is not just about the information; Dr. Willis provides suggestions on how to USE it. She also goes into how enjoyment of video games can be applied to a classroom in terms of the idea of achievable challenge. I will mention that many of her practical classroom suggestions involve students in elementary and middle school, so teachers that teach higher grade levels may need to reflect on the suggested activities to see how the ideas can be applied to high school/college students. But there is plenty of suggestions and lots of excellent information, so even teachers for higher grade levels should add this book to their collection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Willis' strategies are life savers for my students. September 26, 2012

By Jessica A Thompson

Format:Paperback

I am a third grade teacher in Arizona. I recently was given a copy of the book, "Learning to Love Math" for presenting at one of our district math professional developments. As a fellow brain person, I have to say this book is such a treasure. I carry it with me everywhere.

Due to the stressful changes in math because of Common Core, the strategies are life savers for my students. I have created an implementation and reflection chart, where I write the strategies I am using, how they are implemented, and how they are working.

I have read portions of this book to my students and we have had discussions on what they would like to try as well. Empowering them is so effective.

I often tear up when I look at the cover of this book because, if a teacher had used just one of the strategies with me, I might've loved math like I do now. I struggled in math throughout my entire educational career, mainly because rote memory was the order of the decade. But that is why I became a teacher. I did not have such strategies growing up and intend to provide them to my students without fail.

Thank you, Dr. WIllis, for your expertise. It has meant the world to my students and myself. Now I hear, on a daily basis, "Mrs. Thompson? I love math!"