Opening Minds: Using Language to Change Lives

Grounded in research, Opening Minds: Using Language to Change Lives shows how words can shape students' learning, their sense of self, and their social, emotional and moral development. Make no mistake: words have the power to open minds-or close them. --from publisher description
Coming from the premise that children's learning depends to a large extent on their use of either a dynamic learning or fixed-performance framework, Johnston (education, U. of Albany, SUNY) makes the case that the teacher's choice of words can create one or the other and that this happens in other areas beyond academic subjects. He addresses the use of language in the classroom and how it might affect students' social behavior and even their moral development. The book contains two appendixes offering sample conversations and class meetings. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)