Poor Students, Richer Teaching: Mindsets That Raise Student Achievement

by Eric Jensen

This research-based resource details the difficult but necessary work that K 12 teachers must undertake to positively impact students living in poverty. A companion to Poor Students, Rich Teaching, this book outlines three new mindsets that enhance teaching and strengthen students learning: the positivity mindset, enrichment mindset, and graduation mindset. The author includes implementation strategies and lesson-planning tools.

Benefits Understand the urgency of addressing US poverty and how it affects students. Learn three powerful mindsets to strengthen an attitude of academic optimism. Positively influence students emotional states to impact achievement. Build students cognitive capacity to support learning in spite of the challenges they face. Communicate the importance of autonomy and choice to engage all students for success.

Contents

Preface

Introduction The New Normal

Part One: Why the Positivity Mindset? Secrets of the Positivity Mindset Boost Optimism and Hope Build Positive Attitudes Foster Choice, Control, and Relevancy Change the Emotional Set Point Lock in the Positivity Mindset

Part Two: Why the Enrichment Mindset? Secrets of the Enrichment Mindset Manage the Cognitive Load Develop Better Thinking Skills Enhance Study Skills and Vocabulary Build Better Memory Lock in the Enrichment Mindset

Part Three: Why the Graduation Mindset? Secrets of the Graduation Mindset Support Alternative Solutions Prepare for College and Careers Lock in the Graduation Mindset

Appendix A: Rich Lesson Planning

Appendix B: Running Your Own Brain

References and Resources

Index"

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Professional Development, Teachers

196 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2016

Reviews

[Sharon Morris]

This is a must read for all educators. It gives specific techniques to reach those students who are most in need. If you just read the first 2 chapters you will understand how important these techniques are for our country as a whole. In implementing the techniques you will actually be raising a student's IQ! Growth mindset and Neuroplasticity, I hope you will take time to understand these two concepts.

[Stefanie Onieal · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the title of this book to be very off-putting and the contents too general. For those new to the field, this might be a good read. To learn about teaching for equity, I can think of many other books I would have preferred to read.

[Renee' Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best educational book I have read. It made me reflect on my teaching and gave me steps to get students focused on the ultimate goal of being a successful adult despite the obstacles they face. This book is a must read for all educators!

[Jennifer Mangler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this one as part of the course opportunity offered through our professional development experiences this year. I had some issues with the book and don't seem to be as on board the Jensen train as many other reviewers, but it was still a valuable reading experience for me. The best thing I can say about this book is that it made me think, which is what I most want in a book like this.

[Sarah Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

My biggest take away from this book was the reminder that a positive attitude can change a lot in your own day and your students day.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This offered some great, research-based, and practical strategies for working with students in poverty. I felt like there was a lot I could implement right away.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is little on the ways in which schools can make tangible impact on students of poverty. There are certainly improvements that can be made from the mindset perspective, but far too much weight was put on, "Just think this way," and not enough on social programs, support structures, and practical needs schools can help provide for students.

[Heather Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an informative, but not overwhelming, book I read for professional development. It is full of strategies and suggestions for teaching in an impoverished community, but those strategies could easily benefit every student.

[Shanda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't just get it for your "some day" stack. Buy it. Study it. Implement it. This is truly a strong and ENCOURAGING case for passionate teaching in high poverty schools, but who are we kidding? A solidly effective strategy will reach any student. There are plenty of immediately do-able examples and ideas. There's research to support each claim. There's real talk and a genuine tone of support. I would recommend this to any teacher K-12.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I appreciated most was the stress of how significant connecting early with children is. Once we lose them, they're gone. Start strong, and keep going. Connecting with their home and outside of school lives is also important.

Loved framing the achievement mindset- all students can learn- and I can help them. This was so motivating and uplifting.

Nonverbal information strategy- made me parallel to the "mom look",... summarize yesterday's learning, and know they have it before moving forward which wouldn't really be forward.

Having a rich classroom climate mindset is valuable. Help students refine their dreams using SMART (specific and strategic, measurable, amazing, relevant and time bound) goals criterion helps to foster academic optimism.

Engaging in ownership strategies to hook and reel in students will also help them to build culture and community, which furthers engagement and active learning. Change the mindset- foster choice and independence.

Loved it. Highly recommend.

[Lynne Beavers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing I most appreciate about Jensen's work is his inclusion of relatively simple strategies that can be implemented in any classroom by any teacher. While his work references students of poverty, the strategies he shares are useful for ALL students. This book focuses on teacher mindsets and asks teachers to do what we expect of our students: accept the power we have to change ourselves, and recognize that our greatest power is the power choice. "I have a great deal of influence over how I run my own brain. I remember this every day: I have a choice."

[Becky Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative read. Jensen presents some great strategies on how to reach students who are growing up in poverty. Some of his ideas are already in place in my classroom, but he gives much more than just ideas. He gives insight in to what life is like for these kids and ways we can better reach out to them. A good read if you teach in a poverty stricken area. Would be good for p.d.

[Tiffany Witter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If every teacher was capable of embracing this mindset and could connect the way this book describes how you should... then we would see a change in the world. However, my realist side says that the teachers that have the personality and drive to make this happen- are. The one's that don't; probably will skim the chapters and continue to embrace themselves.

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one of the best books I have read about education in changing times. I appreciated the cultural references and ideas for addressing multiple students from different backgrounds without singling out any one ethnicity. THIS is the book that Addresses issues in the classroom and the domain of the teachers’ affect.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to see the different ways students can be impacted in a classroom. I had to read this for a professional development this summer. However, I am quite curious to see which strategies I can use in my own classroom that will change students' view of learning.

#50newreads #150books #bookchallenge21 #booksof21

[Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've read other Jensen books, this is mostly a rehash of his main points, structured in Mindset theory. Still, as always, he presents valuable points and actionable strategies to solve some common and striking educational challenges.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Learning should tackle students’ curiosity, inspire them with role models and heroes, grab them by the scruff of the neck, and serenade them through the highs and lows of emotions to something meaningful.”—Eric Jensen, Poor Students, Rich Teaching

[Brian Quick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this a solid 3.5/5. Good overview, great for new teachers or teacher who don’t read a lot of edu books. Cover a lot of topics, but doesn’t add much new or go in-depth. Good read overall.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offered some food for thought. I didn't care for it as much as some of Eric Jensen's other books.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read my thoughts here.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little condescending toward teachers at times. I liked his other book better.

[Sylvene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspirational.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very important book for the future of my profession.

[Joanne Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Jensen is always inspirational. I enjoyed the book it solidified many things that I already do in my classroom and it got me to question and think about ways I can improve.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains strategies that are good for all students!

[Miles Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for any teacher, coach or leadership professional. Jensen presents a plethora of ways to alter the minds of students to enhance their success.

[juno krumm · Rating 5 out of 5]

positive mindset shifts backed by evidence, real strategies for high school use that don't make me roll my eyes, easily digestible format

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seemed repetitive, but some strategies are game changers in the classroom.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really good book about teaching children in poverty; it is MUCH more focused and helpful for secondary. Not unhelpful for elementary, but less so. I would recommend it especially for secondary teachers who struggle with unmotivated and uninterested and difficult students.

[Marguerite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was inspiring and relevant. It discusses four mindsets that teachers can adopt to better meet the needs of their students - especially students from poverty, minorities and other backgrounds that may influence their academic performance. The book outlines each mindset and how it can help students, including specific strategies and their effect size for improving academic gains.