Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom: Insights from a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher

An invaluable reference and resource for teachers of all grades Board-certified neurologist and middle school teacher Dr. Judy Willis presents Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom: Insights From a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher, a guide to teaching strategies designed to engage and stimulate all students, and be of especial help to students with learning disabilities. Chapters cover tips, tricks, and techniques for teaching students attention disorders; review and test preparation strategies ideal for a diversity of learners; the theory of multiple intelligence brains; and much more. An invaluable reference and resource for teachers of all grades. Book Reviews for Educators

Board-certified neurologist and middle school teacher Judy Willis presents Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom: Insights From a Neurologist and Classroom Teacher, a guide to teaching strategies designed to engage and stimulate all students, and be of especial help to students with learning disabilities. Chapters cover tips, tricks, and techniques for teaching students attention disorders; review and test preparation strategies ideal for a diversity of learners; the theory of multiple intelligence brains; and much more. An invaluable reference and resource for teachers of all grades.

Dr.Willis has created a masterful document that successfully merges the best of the brain sciences with educational practice. She not only speaks from an extensive background in neurology, but also as a practicing educator. In this work, she has generated solid suggestions with an abundant array of strategies and ideas that are well grounded in both research and practice. This well articulated book is an easy read and enormously useful to the classroom practitioner of today. Complete with examples and lesson plan layouts, this book is a must-read for those in education ~ whether they be involved in inclusion classrooms or not!! Her approach to integrating learning is refreshing, insightful and easily put into use!

With the diversity of students increasing in our classrooms today, Dr. Willis's book fills knowledge void that connects brain research to classroom instruction. It is critical for teachers to meet the educational needs of students of all ability levels, including students with a variety of leaning disabilities and gifts. This is the first book I've found that explains what works and why from a comprehensive, brain-friendly perspective. The technical terms were so effectively explained that you will gain a deep understanding about the complex neural function of the brain and how this new knowledge can lead to classroom success. Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom gives educators the neuroscience research background and specific classroom strategies to build on all students' strengths and facilitate their growth and engagement. I particularly appreciated Dr. Willis's style of writing and reader-friendly approach that clearly reflects her background in neuroscience and education. The strategies and specific unit lessons, offered as detailed examples, are easy to follow and ready to bring right into the classroom. Today with the pressure of standardized testing and the resulting overly regimented curriculum, educators need help to adapt curriculum so all students can succeed and truly not be left behind. If you are ready to use neuro-logical strategies to effectively and joyfully engage students with a range of abilities, challenges, and gifts in your general education classroom, but don't have time to read all the books that are out there, this is the one to read! Lawrence May, MD

I just finished reading Dr. Willis's book and it is as if she heard my prayers when she wrote it. The demands on teachers are increasing because classes are becoming more inclusive, with greater diversity of student abilities. Reading her book was faster, easier and less expensive than taking courses for inclusion skills, and a lot more convenient. With this book (loaned to me by an ASCD member who received an early edition) I feel so much more comfortable about my abilities to make my classroom a place of learning and joy for all my students. The explanations of how the brain processes information are so clearly presented I feel as if I've been to a complete seminar. The strategies are well described and can be applied throughout the K-8 years. I've been looking for a book that describes inclusion class intervention strategies that are both classroom-based and validated by research, and with Dr. Willis' training and experience as both a neurologist and a classroom teacher, I finally have that book. Each strategy is extended with step-by-step descriptions about how to incorporate the strategy into classroom teaching to fit the diversity of students I teach. I highly recommend this excellent and very readable resource for both general ed and special ed teachers who advise them. It is filled with helpful information written in a positive and motivational format, and gives us back ways to implement quality instruction in the face of the increasing restrictions of NCLB. I won't be passing on my copy because I want to continue to refer to it as I implement more of the strategies, but I will be telling my colleagues that this is the book they have been waiting for. Thank you, Dr. Willis, for putting so much thought and passion into what will surely become a classic.