"Sit and Get" Won't Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies That Engage the Adult Brain [Paperback]

Marcia L. (LaVerne) Tate (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0761931546 | ISBN-13: 978-0761931546 | Publication Date: July 15, 2004 | Edition: 1

This indispensable resource draws on the latest research in brain-based learning to provide strategies that motivate adult learners and increase retention.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Marcia brings the same enthusiasm she has for working with adults to writing for adults. This is a book all trainers could benefit from, study, and keep accessible in their tool chest." (Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director )

"'Sit and Get' Won't Grow Dendrites is THE must-have staff development text of 2005 for all education professionals. This text doesn't lecture on what to teach. Rather, it offers a plethora of methods to help adults learn. This is the ultimate 'how to teach how to teach' resource." (Journal of Staff Development, Summer 2005 )

"This easy-to-use book addresses adult learning in funny, creative, and engaging ways. If you're looking to transform your faculty meetings or professional development, this text could be your recipe for success."

(Principal Magazine, May/June 2006 )

About the Author

Marcia L. Tate is the former executive director of professional development for the DeKalb County School System, Decatur, Georgia. During her 30-year career with the district, she has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, language arts coordinator, and staff development executive director. She received the Distinguished Staff Development Award for the State of Georgia, and her department was chosen to receive the Exemplary Program Award for the state.

Tate is currently an educational consultant and has taught more than 350,000 administrators, teachers, parents, and business and community leaders throughout the world, including Australia, Egypt, Hungary, Singapore, Thailand, and New Zealand. She is the author of the following five bestsellers: Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Instructional Strategies that Engage the Brain; “Sit & Get” Won’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies That Engage the Adult Brain; Reading and Language Arts Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Literacy Strategies that Engage the Brain; Shouting Won’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Techniques for Managing a Brain-compatible Classroom; and Mathematics Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Numeracy Strategies that Engage the Brain, co-written with Warren Phillips, one of the best science teachers in the country. Participants in her workshops refer to them as "some of the best ones they have ever experienced" since Tate uses the 20 strategies outlined in her books to actively engage her audiences.

Tate received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her master’s degree in remedial reading from the University of Michigan, her specialist degree in educational leadership from Georgia State University, and her doctorate in educational leadership from Clark Atlanta University. Spelman College awarded her the Apple Award for excellence in the field of education.

Now, Tate is offering an online course, "Growing Dendrites: 20 Strategies That Engage the Brain".



Visit our Professional Learning page for more information!

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Corwin Press; 1 edition (July 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761931546
• ISBN-13: 978-0761931546
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marcia L. Tate is the executive director of professional development for the DeKalb County School System, Decatur, Georgia. During her 28-year career with the district, Tate has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, language arts coordinator, and staff development director. As an educational consultant, she has presented to over 50,000 administrators, teachers, parents, and business and community leaders throughout the United States.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marcia Tate practices what she preaches!, October 7, 2005

By 

Cozy books, cats and tea - See all my reviews

This review is from: "Sit and Get" Won't Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies That Engage the Adult Brain (Paperback)

The reason I bought this book, and all her others, is because I was lucky enough to be in her 2-day seminar. She DOES practice what she preaches! In her book, she uses 20 research-based, brain-compatible strategies to motivate and engage learners, enabling them to reach higher test scores. During her seminar, she used these same 20 strategies with us and they worked! We actively listened and learned, because she didn't expect us to "sit and get". We were moving, talking, playing games, writing, drawing, etc...using those 20 brain-friendly strategies. I am now using these 20 strategies in my classroom. My math class all tested 100% on their first unit tests! I will use Marcia Tates books and strategies forever!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Brain-compatible and Adaptable, September 17, 2007

By 

Marcia Carter (Arroyo Grande, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: "Sit and Get" Won't Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies That Engage the Adult Brain (Paperback)

Adult learning theory is handily referenced in this neat little book, and it's those references that are just as valuable as the advice Tate offers for the newer professional staff developer (or anyone who teaches adults). The interested reader can follow the research to explore the subjects more thoroughly.

The theoretical framework pages are useful support for Tate's activities. Though some of the material and suggestions are a bit simplistic for the adult audience("...participants work together to create a song that shows what they have learned."), the majority of ideas can be easily altered to suit any level of inquiry required. It's a quick read, which is also helpful to time-strapped professional developers, and it explores the newest brain-compatible strategies as it inspires creative adaptation. I would recommend this resource as part of a working library, especially for newer staff developers.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Sit and Get" Won't Grow Dendrites, August 30, 2007

By 

Gary W. Ammerman "Teacher Man" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: "Sit and Get" Won't Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies That Engage the Adult Brain (Paperback)

Just like her other books, Dr. Marcia Tate takes her brain-compatible strategies and applies them to the adult learner. Often times adults are no more than big children and her techniques help to utilize instructional strategies to 'teach' the adult learner. Her ideas are great for professionals who provide professional development for the adult learner.