Fires in the Mind: What Kids Can Tell Us About Motivation and Mastery

Teens talk to adults about how they develop motivation and masteryThrough the voices of students themselves, Fires in the Mind brings a game-changing question to teachers of adolescents: What does it take to get really good at something? Starting with what they already know and do well, teenagers from widely diverse backgrounds join a cutting-edge dialogue with adults about the development of mastery in and out of school. Their insights frame motivation, practice, and academic challenge in a new light that galvanizes more powerful learning for all. To put these students' ideas into practice, the book also includes practical tips for educators. 
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<li>Breaks new ground by bringing youth voices to a timely topic-motivation and mastery</li>
<li>Includes worksheets, tips, and discussion guides that help put the book's ideas into practice</li>
<li>Author has 18 previous books on adolescent learning and has written for the New York Times Magazine, Educational Leadership, and American Educator
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From the acclaimed author of Fires in the Bathroom, this is the next-step book that pushes the conversation to next level, as teenagers tackle the pressing challenges of motivation and mastery.

Education & Teaching

Kathleen Cushman

The Students of What Kids Can Do

Schools & Teaching

Jossey-Bass

Teens talk to adults about how they develop motivation and mastery Through the voices of students themselves, Fires in the Mind brings a game-changing question to teachers of adolescents: What does it take to get really good at something? Starting with what they already know and do well, teenagers from widely diverse backgrounds join a cutting-edge dialogue with adults about the development of mastery in and out of school. Their insights frame motivation, practice, and academic challenge in a new light that galvanizes more powerful learning for all. To put these students' ideas into practice, the book also includes practical tips for educators. <ul>
<li>Breaks new ground by bringing youth voices to a timely topic-motivation and mastery</li> <li>Includes worksheets, tips, and discussion guides that help put the book's ideas into practice</li> <li>Author has 18 previous books on adolescent learning and has written for the New York Times Magazine, Educational Leadership, and American Educator
</li> </ul>
From the acclaimed author of Fires in the Bathroom, this is the next-step book that pushes the conversation to next level, as teenagers tackle the pressing challenges of motivation and mastery.

Cushman, Kathleen

Since its initial publication in hardcover in 2003, Fires in the Bathroom has been through multiple printings and received the attention of teachers across the country. Now in paperback, Kathleen Cushman’s groundbreaking book offers original insights into teaching teenagers in today’s hard-pressed urban high schools from the point of view of the students themselves. It speaks to both new and established teachers, giving them firsthand information about who their students are and what they need to succeed. Students from across the country contributed perceptive and pragmatic answers to questions of how teachers can transcend the barriers of adolescent identity and culture to reach the diverse student body in today’s urban schools. With the fresh and often surprising perspectives of youth, they tackle tough issues such as increasing engagement and motivation, teaching difficult academic material, reaching English-language learners, and creating a classroom culture where respect and success go hand in hand.

Fires in the Bathroom: Advice for Teachers from High School Students

Science & Math

Behavioral Sciences

The New Press

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