Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom (Paperback)

~ Judy Willis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Many teachers in regular classrooms feel unprepared to teach students with learning disabilities. Fortunately, brain research has confirmed that strategies benefiting learners with special challenges are suited for engaging and stimulating all learners. In this book, neurologist and classroom teacher Judy Willis explains that we can best help students by putting in place strategies, accommodations, and interventions that provide developmentally and academically appropriate challenges to suit the needs, gifts, and goals of each student. Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom will help teachers

- Understand how the brain learns and the technologies that reveal this process.
- Implement strategies that are compatible with students' individual learning styles and honor their multiple intelligences.
- Improve the focus of students with attention disorders and help them gain the confidence and skills they need to develop goal-oriented behaviors.
- Create an enriching learning environment by incorporating student-centered activities, discovery and hands-on learning experiences, cross-curricular learning, and multisensory lessons.
- Implement strategic review, study, and test preparation strategies that will allow students to retain information and connect it with future learning.
- Build safe, supportive classroom communities and raise class awareness and empathy for students with learning disabilities.

It's time for teachers to lower the barriers, not the bar. Using strategies that align with research on how people's brains function, teachers can engage all students as individuals and help them reach their maximum potential with joy and confidence.

Product Details

• Paperback: 227 pages
• Publisher: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development (May 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416605398
• ISBN-13: 978-1416605393
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #463,296 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable reference and resource for teachers of all grades., September 2, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Board-certified neurologist and middle school teacher Judy Willis presents Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom: Insights From a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher, a guide to teaching strategies designed to engage and stimulate all students, and be of especial help to students with learning disabilities. Chapters cover tips, tricks, and techniques for teaching students attention disorders; review and test preparation strategies ideal for a diversity of learners; the theory of multiple intelligence brains; and much more. An invaluable reference and resource for teachers of all grades.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fills the void that connects brain research to teaching, July 21, 2007

By	Lawrence May "Dr. Lawernce May, MD" (Tarzana, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With the diversity of students increasing in our classrooms today, Dr. Willis's book fills knowledge void that connects brain research to classroom instruction. It is critical for teachers to meet the educational needs of students of all ability levels, including students with a variety of leaning disabilities and gifts. This is the first book I've found that explains what works and why from a comprehensive, brain-friendly perspective. The technical terms were so effectively explained that you will gain a deep understanding about the complex neural function of the brain and how this new knowledge can lead to classroom success.
Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom gives educators the neuroscience research background and specific classroom strategies to build on all students' strengths and facilitate their growth and engagement. I particularly appreciated Dr. Willis's style of writing and reader-friendly approach that clearly reflects her background in neuroscience and education. The strategies and specific unit lessons, offered as detailed examples, are easy to follow and ready to bring right into the classroom.
Today with the pressure of standardized testing and the resulting overly regimented curriculum, educators need help to adapt curriculum so all students can succeed and truly not be left behind. If you are ready to use neuro-logical strategies to effectively and joyfully engage students with a range of abilities, challenges, and gifts in your general education classroom, but don't have time to read all the books that are out there, this is the one to read!
Lawrence May, MD

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful Document, July 26, 2007

By	Greenleaf "Career Educator" (Santa Barbara, California United States) - See all my reviews

Dr.Willis has created a masterful document that successfully merges the best of the brain sciences with educational practice. She not only speaks from an extensive background in neurology, but also as a practicing educator. In this work, she has generated solid suggestions with an abundant array of strategies and ideas that are well grounded in both research and practice. This well articulated book is an easy read and enormously useful to the classroom practitioner of today. Complete with examples and lesson plan layouts, this book is a must-read for those in education ~ whether they be involved in inclusion classrooms or not!! Her approach to integrating learning is refreshing, insightful and easily put into use!