Hanging in: Strategies for Teaching the Students Who Challenge Us Most

by Jeffrey Benson

Many students arrive at school with unique mixtures of family histories, traumatic experiences, and special needs that test our skills and try our patience. In Hanging In: Strategies for Teaching the Students Who Challenge Us Most, veteran educator Jeffrey Benson shows educators the value of tenacity and building connections in teaching the students who most need our help. This essential guide includes * Detailed portraits based on real-life students whose serious challenges inhibited their classroom experience--and how they eventually achieved success; * Strategies for how to analyze students' challenges and develop individualized plans to help them discover a sense of comfort with learning--with in-depth examples of plans in action; * Recommendations for teachers and support team on how to gain skills and support and not lose hope through the ups and downs of the work; and * Specific advice for administrators on constructing systems and procedures that give all our students the best chance for success. Just as teaching the students who challenge us is among our most frustrating experiences as educators, sticking with students until they finally "get it" is among our most rewarding. In Hanging In, you'll find the inspiration and field-tested ideas necessary to create a patient and supportive environment for even the most demanding cases in the classroom.

Genres: Education

208 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me knows that the term "classroom management" makes my blood boil because it is so often used to dismiss the importance of the very real and very vital relationships that form a classroom. For that reason, I say thank goodness to books like HANGING IN, which assert the power of actually listening, adapting, and responding to the humans who make up a school. There's a chapter with strange (but supportive!) language for a trans student, but it's otherwise a really well-written reference book I'll definitely be passing on to teacher friends.

[subbacultcha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really appreciated the format of this book which takes various anecdotes and case studies and organizes them into teachable moments. It is both specific but able to be used in a variety of situations. Would be a super useful text in any Education program, especially for a Special Ed track.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author shares many different student profiles, the ways that we can be challenged by them, and strategies for "hanging in" with those students. It's a quick read that can provide helpful approaches, and can be used for discussion among colleagues.

[Brianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good strategies I tucked away for my toolbox, but definitely would serve as more of a reference for different TYPES of troubled kids. I would say a good investment for a department office, but not necessary for an individual teacher to read cover to cover.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights. Also great writing. It was refreshing to read a professional book with such good prose.