The Power of the Adolescent Brain: Strategies for Teaching Middle and High School Students

The Power of the Adolescent Brain:  Strategies for Teaching Middle and High School Students

A Book About the Positive Side of Adolescence? Good Grief!

Moody. Reckless. Impractical. Insecure. Distracted. These are all words commonly used to describe adolescents.  But what if we recast these traits in a positive light?  Teens possess insight, passion, idealism, sensitivity, and creativity in abundance -- all qualities that can make a significant positive contribution to society.

In this thought-provoking book, Thomas Armstrong looks at the power and promise of the teenage brain from an empathetic, strength-based perspective—and describes what middle and high school educators can do to make the most of their students potential.

Order Now!
About the Book

In The Power of the Adolescent Brain, Thomas Armstrong provides practical strategies and real-life examples from schools that illustrate eight key practices:

Opportunities to Choose

    • Provide Homework Options
    • Use Student Polling
    • Set Aside Time for Passion Projects
    • Let Students Be Involved in School Policy

Self-Awareness Activities

    • Use Self-Awareness Assessments
    • Let Students Keep Personal Journals
    • Connect Content to Students’ Personal Lives
    • Teach Mindfulness Practices

Peer Learning Connections

    • Use Peer Teaching and Collaboration
    • Establish Peer Mentoring
    • Let Peers Critique Each Other’s Work
    • Create a Peer-Mediation Program

Affective Learning

    • Be Emotionally Supportive of Your Students
    • Express Emotion in Your Teaching
    • Use Appropriate Humor
    • Engage Your Students’ Imaginations

Learning Through the Body

    • Provide Exercise Breaks in Class
    • Integrate Drama into the Curriculum
    • Engage Students in Hands-On Activities
    • Use Movement to Teach Concepts

Metacognitive Strategies

    • Engage Students in Critical Thinking
    • Show Students How to Use Meta-Cognitive Tools
    • Teach Goal-Setting
    • Instruct Students in How Their Brains Work

Expressive Arts Experiences

    • Incorporate Creative Writing
    • Encourage Students to Express Ideas Visually
    • Let Students Be Creative With Media
    • Allow Students to Show Learning Through Music

Real-World Exploration

    • Have a Job-Shadowing Day
    • Create an Internship Program
    • Use Community-Based and Service Learning
    • Encourage Entrepreneurial Enterprises

In addition, you’ll find a glossary of brain terms, a selection of brain-friendly lesson plans across the content areas, and a list of resources to support and extend the book’s ideas and practices.

Dr. Armstrong has recorded thirteen short You Tube Power Point videos that present practical research-based information from The Power of the Adolescent Brain:

Also, read his website page essay dedicated to the book.

Share This:
Order Now
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Buy from IndieBound
Buy from GoodReads
Preview