Schools in Society

Staying Positive in the Face of Negativity and Horror

December 15, 2012 Blog

Staying positive in the face of negativity and horror I am, by nature, a positive person. For my own sanity, and for the sake of maximizing my potential contribution to the world, I try to look for the good in all things. That said, I am also extremely sensitive to violence and cruelty, and seem [...]

See more… →

Industrial Age vs. Information Age

December 4, 2012 Counselors

Two very different classrooms On this page you will find a comparison between traditional classrooms established according to the demands of an industrial-age or factory economy, and win-win classrooms adapted to the needs the information age, particularly as these differences correspond to classroom values, priorities, motivators, authority relationships, desired (encouraged) student behaviors, and discipline goals. [...]

See more… →

Test Time

November 28, 2012 Assessment and Testing

Bringing balance and sanity to our schools How often do you hear yourself urging a student, “Come on, you have to learn this. It’s going to be on the test!”? I hear this appeal in classrooms all the time, and am certainly guilty of having uttered it myself. Still, I have to laugh, because after [...]

See more… →

Rules and Beliefs of Unhealthy Systems

November 26, 2012 Counselors

Foundations of unhealthy adult-child group systems For much of my recent career, I have referred the following two lists (“Rules” and “Beliefs”) as the basis for the paradigm in which many of our current practices and polices exist. The information comes from Alice Miller’s work (cited below) and represents destructive, if common, ideas which cumulatively [...]

See more… →

The School as a Dysfunctional Family

November 25, 2012 Counselors

And some healthy, functional alternatives Similarities between schools and dysfunctional families are reflected in the beliefs or rules that can compromise the emotional climate of any system. Included for each category are alternatives which, when chosen, can have a positive impact on this climate, as well as on the relationships and performance of individuals functioning [...]

See more… →

“Testing, Testing…”

November 17, 2012 Assessment and Testing

And the impact on school climate High scores—not high standards—have become the holy grail. — Barbara Kantrowitz and Daniel McGinn [43] Excessive emphasis on testing can lead to low teacher morale, a narrowed curricular focus, a diminished sense of professionalism among teachers and unethical placement practices. — Larry Lashway [44]

See more… →

Presentation: 21st Century Discipline

November 6, 2012 Avoiding power struggles

Responding to the Needs of Today’s Students Presentation for educators by Dr. Jane Bluestein Of all the issues concerning teachers, discipline generally tops the list. All our preparation, enthusiasm and instructional expertise won’t get us much without the

See more… →

“Bully” is a Four-Letter Word with Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg

September 30, 2012 Creating community

Emphasizing the language of respect Episode Summary: Dr. Jane Bluestein talks with Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg about what Freiberg calls “bully-mania,” referring to the hyper-reactivity and vigilance that has emerged in the shadow of the Columbine murders. They discuss the implications and limitations

See more… →

Video: Responsibility, Respect, and Relationships

September 19, 2012 Avoiding burnout

Creating Emotionally Safe Schools Complete program on DVD featuring Dr. Jane Bluestein Get the Works! The complete staff development video package includes 15 self-contained, 30-minute inservice workshops featuring units that are engaging, entertaining, and geared toward action— not theory!

See more… →

Audio: TeacherTapes mp3 download

September 19, 2012 Audio products

Being a Successful Teacher MP3 file or Audio cassette featuring Dr. Jane Bluestein A lively and very funny presentation taped in front of 1200 teachers in a keynote presentation that addresses the magic ingredients of successful teaching, from instruction and management to relationships with students, parents, administrators, and colleagues. Tons of great ideas for minimizing [...]

See more… →

Book: Dr. Bluestein’s Book of Handouts

September 19, 2012 ADD/ADHD

The Complete set of Handouts as an eBook in PDF form by Dr. Jane Bluestein More than 130 pages of tips, tricks, ideas, research-based information used by thousands of participants in Dr. Bluestein’s training programs and presentations.

See more… →

Audio: Working Successfully with Difficult Students

September 19, 2012 ADD/ADHD

Practical Strategies for Working Successfully with Difficult Students A Live Audio Seminar by Dr. Jane Bluestein A recording of a full-day seminar presented by Dr. Jane Bluestein, who shares brain-friendly techniques for improving learning, achievement, and academic performance, even with students who have a history of failure, frustration, low self-control, bad attitudes, and poor test scores. [...]

See more… →

Raves for Creating Emotionally Safe Schools

September 10, 2012 ADD/ADHD

What People Are Saying about this Book by Dr. Jane Bluestein Finally a voice of reason arises from the din. School safety transcends debates on metal detectors and surveillance cameras. Within the walls of our schools exists

See more… →

The Saber-Tooth Curriculum Revisited with Dr. Richard Biffle

August 16, 2012 Cultural Changes

Keeping up with the pace of change Episode Summary: How well does our educational system fit in with the cultural and economic context in which they exist—or not! Dr. Biffle  and Dr. Bluestein explores the challenges of

See more… →

The Discipline Trap

August 11, 2012 Behavior Management

Catching up to the 21st Century Note: The earliest version of this piece was written for a now-out-of-print book, 21st Century Discipline, back in the mid-1980s when the 21st century still felt a way off. The material was reworked slightly for The Win-Win Classroom, 

See more… →

Understanding Schools in Context

August 11, 2012 Cultural Changes

How Well do Schools Reflect the Culture they Serve? Excerpt from Becoming a Win-Win Teacher (by Jane Bluestein, Ph.D., Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Publishing, 2010). Chapter title adapted for this site. The material shared here was taken from the manuscript from this book. The actual published chapter may be slightly different. All links were working [...]

See more… →

Book: Creating Emotionally Safe Schools

August 3, 2012 ADD/ADHD

A Guide for Parents & Educators by Dr. Jane Bluestein This thoroughly readable, research-based book covers all the bases—including, social, neurological, emotional, academic, cultural and physical factors that impact the emotional climate of a school, and how safe schools feel to the people who spend their time there.

See more… →

Book: Becoming a Win-Win Teacher

August 3, 2012 Assessment and Testing

A Guide for First-Year Teachers by Dr. Jane Bluestein Becoming a Win-Win Teacher presents some of the challenges of becoming an educator in today’s fast-changing world. With practical ideas and honest cautions, this book encompasses a wide range of helpful topics

See more… →

← Previous Entries