Turnaround Tools for the Teenage Brain: Helping Underperforming Students Become Lifelong Learners

by Eric Jensen, Carole Snider

Powerful research-based strategies to turn around struggling adolescent students The achievement gap is widening and more teens than ever are struggling in school. The latest research shows not only that brains can change, but that teachers and other providers have the power to boost students' effort, focus, attitude, and even IQs. In this book bestselling author Eric Jensen and co-author Carole Snider offer teacher-friendly strategies to ensure that all students graduate, become lifelong learners, and ultimately be successful in school and life. Drawing on cutting-edge science, this breakthrough book reveals core tools to increase student effort, build attitudes, and improve behaviors. From the very first chapter, educators will learn how to help their struggling students become excited, lifelong learners. Eric Jensen is a noted authority on brain-based learning and student engagement. Carole Snider is an expert in both adolescent success and adult learning.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Professional Development, Parenting, Brain, Teaching

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2013

Reviews

[Kara Belden · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a teacher or parent looking to learn some new strategies to use with teenagers, this book probably isn't for you. Though I don't feel that I really learned much from reading this book, it wasn't a waste of time. I love that this book takes it back to the basic pillars of impactful classroom practices. It is easy for me get caught up in the details of the content I feel pressured to cover as well as caught up in trying out all the newest, "coolest" teaching techniques, but as this book reminds me, it is important to teach the WHOLE child (mind, body, and soul). This book covers topics such as the importance of building relationships, building positive attitudes, fostering student effort, and focusing on student goals. Much of this book emphasizes that the brain can be changed (cognitive capacity can be built), teenagers have more control over their lives than they may think, and teachers have the ability to help at-risk and underperforming students to realize these two things. This book contains TONS of research, and I appreciate that the authors expect teenagers to be included in the learning outlined in each of the chapters. I think any teacher would benefit from reading this book.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a teacher of elementary students, but the parent of one of the "teenage brains" referred to in the title of this book. I originally bought the book thinking there would be good information I could use with my teen. The book gave me great insight, and some information that is helpful. The real audience for this book, though, is middle and high school teachers. The greatest messages for teachers include: all students can learn; areas that need attention in students who are underachieving are attitude, cognitive capacity, effort, and focused strategies; if students are not successful, it is up to teachers to help them become successful; attitude, effort, and cognitive capacity are all areas that can be "grown" and improved.

In a time when there's such emphasis on formative assessment, allowing students to make mistakes and learn from them and working to make school about the learning, this book has good advice and information. Unfortunately, there are always some teachers who feel that teaching students how to organize, plan, study, and manage their learning is not their job. This book has good research to support the fact that this is exactly what teachers should be doing and includes strategies for how to go about it.

This book is very practical and quick to read. Those working with teens can learn a lot from the information shared in this book.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some helpful ideas, but often felt like it was written by people only tangentially familiar with teenagers. They suggest saying things like, “This got the last teacher in trouble, but let’s see if we can do it right!” to motivate teens. If I talked to my high school students like that, I’m fairly sure my sophomores would mutiny. Some of their suggestions—especially the phrases/scripts—were just too elementary.

The book was well-researched and had some great points. But it just seemed more applicable to tweens than teens.

[Michael Loveless · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eric Jensen has written a number of books on education, and those that I had previously read were quite good. I was excited to read Turnaround Tools for the Teenage Brain, but I didn't get much out of the book. I felt like much of the book was common sense, or material I had heard before. Many of the ideas were general, and lacked new, specific ideas I could try. The book is based around the idea that Attitude, Cognitive Capacity, Effort, and Focused Strategy are keys to learning. There's nothing new there. The specific suggestions were often not very helpful - for example, the authors suggest that kids will have a better attitude if you model a positive attitude. There were a few helpful ideas, but for me, this book didn't add much to what I already knew.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small book (in size and pages) with big ideas. Some of this is common knowledge, but the practical methods to employ these concepts are very helpful. I like how the book is organized: explanations, examples, strategies for teachers, and 1 page student handouts to remind students of what they can do. The authors focus on four big ideas: attitude, cognitive capacity, effort and empowerment. And the book is built upon one of the author's own experiences as a student! I wish everyone at my school would read this and discuss it together. We are all talking about trauma and mindfulness today. This book may not use those words, but the strategies certainly have some connections to them.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts out well, but I put it down to let it marinate in my brain and then never got back to it. I think it's got a lot of good ideas, but it wasn't engaging or easily applicable enough to keep me reading it to the end.

[Heidi Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read such a good professional development book. Not only does it point out "problems" with teenage brains (ie. impulsivity and underdeveloped cortex-yes I know!), it presents solutions for reaching kids anyways.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read about the latest in brain and learning research! Especially applicable to teachers but lots for counselors too. Does a very good job of combining the technical pieces with the more easily digested stories and examples. This book is going to become a much-used resource for me in my school counseling practices.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for all secondary educators!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for teachers because it provides practical strategies to use daily.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible, practical and affirming. A short book packed with heaps of helpful tips, info and strategies. It will be one I keep in sight on my desk and refer back to all the time.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good source for ideas on teaching growth mindset and improving student motivation and goal setting.