"Launa Ellison is a pioneering teacher who has studied the scientific literature in psychology and neurology and sought to relate these findings to educational settings. In this new book, she shows how attention to the emotional and personal dimensions of students can help schools achieve their curricular and assessment goals."
Howard Gardner, Graduate School of Education
Harvard University

"A marvelously well-written account . . . A solid combination of research and useful practices focused on the important area of developing personal/social identity."
Robert Sylwester, Emeritus Professor of Education
University of Oregon

"This is the finest book I have ever read on education and its transformations. Master teacher Launa Ellison brings current brain research to bear on her own profound, state-of-the-art teaching methods. Rarely has theory and practice been so brilliantly brought together. Every teacher, every parent, every citizen concerned about our children and their development should read this book."
Jean Houston
Ashland, OR

Nationally known teacher and author, Launa Ellison, helps teachers understand and use the latest brain research to improve education. Ellison blends two of the Multiple Intelligences?intrapersonal and interpersonal?with the most current research on the brain and learning to create a new foundation for K-8 classrooms.

This new insight into personal intelligence and how it underpins all learning provides educators a unique opportunity to create optimal learning environments for students. This comprehensive but practical guide covers:

• Learning to control emotion and stress
• How emotions impact learning
• Personal intelligence across the curriculum
• Reflection, goals, and portfolios
• Responding to children?s different learning needs
• Ensuring that all children learn
• Nurturing independence and self-directed learning

Ellison models reflective practice throughout and speaks to the interest of classroom teachers. A wealth of teaching strategies and activities, an annotated bibliography, useful guides, and a reproducible Week in Review checklist make this a powerful and essential resource for educators.

About the Author: Launa Ellison teaches fifth and sixth grades in the Minneapolis Public Schools. She has published over twenty professional journal articles and, since 1984, has published The Consortium for Whole Brain Learning, an international newsletter dedicated to improving educational practices through understanding brain research.